Among the creations of Armenian artistic genius, which gives this nation an important place in art’s universal history, the khatchkar (khatch=cross; kar=stone) is probably the most iconic example of this in Armenia.

Hrair Hawk Khatcherian was born in Lebanon in 1961. In 1982 he earned his wings as a commercial pilot in Hayward California. He moved to Canada in 1984, working as a freelance photojournalist in Toronto. In 1985, he moved to Montreal and worked for the Paris, France, Gamma press agency. In 1988, he actively participated in various activities of the Armenian Diaspora related to the Movement of Artsakh (Karabakh). For almost three decades now, Hawk has been presenting exhibitions, conferences, photographic lectures all around the globe, making Artsakh, Armenia and Western Armenia an accessible reality for all. His photographs have appeared in numerous magazines, newspapers, books and publications. He has reached the top of the biblical mountain Ararat, the sacred symbol of Armenians, and in that mythical place he has renews solemnly his commitment and his oath, to pursue his work relentlessly.