Summary

A full-color, limited-edition publication with stories and recipes showcasing Artsakh before the war from the creators of Lavash. 100% of proceeds will be donated to help the refugees of Artsakh. 

"If you're looking for a meaningful way to give (back), consider experiencing Artsakh through the eyes and palates of the Lavash co-authors. Immerse yourself in the spirit of this unique landscape through original photos and recipes, all in support of a vibrant and thriving Artsakh."

—Shushan Karapetian, Deputy Director, USC Institute of Armenian Studies

The Backstory

In September 2020, war broke out in Artsakh. As a result, thousands of Armenians who have lived in Artsakh for generations are now displaced, starting over in Armenia with what they could carry in their cars and on their packs. Many have also lost loved ones on the frontlines, but the struggles are far from over.

This is a region we had come to know through our travels while writing Lavash, a book about the food and people of Armenia. From 2015 to 2018, we traveled in Artsakh multiple times while researching our cookbook. While there, we learned about the local food traditions and became more familiar with the region's deep history. When the war hit in September, we were not only devastated but also took time to relive some of our memories from our travels. This included everything from eating khorovats with gregarious bed-and-breakfast hosts to learning about the intricacies of jingalov hats, which became our hands-down favorite greens-filled flatbread. 

It breaks our hearts that in addition to leaving their homes, Armenians in Artsakh are also walking away from centuries of history and culture. Some buildings and historic heritage sites are now lost for good. This is why we are publishing ARTSAKH, a rich, full-color oversized publication commemorating what we saw while traveling in the region. We want to create a time capsule of the place before the war.  

The Impact

We want to make sure that the happier memories of Artsakh aren't gone forever. Protecting culture in the face of war is a daunting task, but it's important to keep heritage alive and offer support to the newly displaced, who are starting over in Armenia.

With this project:

• We will donate 100% of profits to the Armenia Fund once we have covered printing and distribution expenses
• We will preserve cultural heritage
• We can present a part of the world that few have visited

What We Need & What You Get

With your support, we can print and distribute ARTSAKH, a professionally designed collection of more than 40 original photographs and a sampling of tested recipes from the region, including jingalov hats, kurkut, tonir bread, and more. 

This publication will be printed on high-quality paper with saddle-stitch binding and a generous trim size of 9.5" by 13" and 50+ pages. 

NOTE: Worldwide shipping options now available!

Logistics & Challenges

There are very few risks with this project. Our plan is to head to the printer as soon as we reach our initial goal so we can start printing and distributing our magazine to supporters of this campaign.

• Working with an Armenian-family-owned printer based in Los Angeles will help us get this into your hands quicker and funds to Armenia faster.
• We are an experienced editorial and design team, so we understand the logistics of designing, editing, and producing a captivating book.
• Our biggest challenge is raising funds quickly so we can raise awareness and send our donation to Armenia Fund to help rebuild as soon as possible.

About Us

We are the authors of the Lavash cookbook. Our team collectively has more than a decade (and more than 125 titles) of experience creating, designing, writing, and producing cookbooks. 

Ara Zada is a chef, TV personality, food writer, and bow hunter based in Los Angeles. 

John Lee is an award-winning photographer and filmmaker based in San Francisco and Singapore. He specializes in culinary reportage.

Kate Leahy is an award-winning food writer based in San Francisco.

Alice Chau is an award-winning art director and book designer based in San Francisco.

If you can't contribute, help us get the word out about our project! Share our campaign via Instagram and Facebook @lavashthebook #artsakhthebook and let's continue helping the people of Artsakh.