Culture

Armenia has had three major artistic periods, from the 5th century to the 7th century, during the 9th and 10th centuries, and from the 12th century to the 14th century. Armenian folk arts include rug weaving and metalwork. The carving of stone monuments called khatchkars is an ancient Armenian art.

An Armenian literary tradition first emerged in the 5th century. Literary themes were at first historical or religious then in the late 19th and early 20th centuries several Armenian writers gained attention for novels, short stories, and plays. Armenia's first great composer of classical music was the internationally famous Aram Ilich Khachaturian.

Museums (Matenadaran, Erebuni Museum, Armenian State Historical Museum, the Armenian State Picture Gallery, the State Museum of Literature and Art) are mainly in Yerevan. The city is also the home of the State Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet.