Comments can be written but are only visible after I have checked them: these pages are not forums for political debate!.

The pictures I show have almost all been taken on June 8, 2006. A sunny day, with three hours to spend. I have the near-certainty that I missed one or two sights, but I had to run in the end so, well, maybe another time. In the end there are a few older shots.

I have edited some pictures for perspective, colour and spots that were small birds in flight. On some pictures I have edited out some graffiti. However, those are all over the place, in particular in the Church of St. Gregory of Tigran Honentz with its frescoes. Now, I have come across graffiti in the St. Peters’ Cathedral in Rome, obviously done by Christians, so I do not look upon the Ani graffiti as the wanton destruction by Muslims of Christian heritage. When I can clearly read “Besikt..” I know a football loony was interrupted in his favorite pastime. And lovers seem to want to advertise their love at any spot where other people can witness their tender feelings. Also, there seems to be a deep desire to leave one’s name on a flat surface, so others can see that Dick Osseman was here. I prefer taking the pictures and showing thus: Dick Osseman has been to Ani.

There is a very informative site concerning Ani, which I will however not link to, since it’s designer (or a person who refers to it a lot, Steve) has called me “odious”, has tried to force my site into a discussion forum, offending other readers, and in general seems to be the kind of person who meddles with anybody who does not accept his interpretation of anything concerning what the BBC Mastermind quiz calls “your chosen subject”, i.e. Armenian culture. It can be easily found using a search engine.