When a Childhood Dream Reached the Summit of Mount Ararat

They say never meet your heroes. But on August 26, 2026, I climbed to the summit of my hero — Mount Ararat.

Mount Ararat has been a part of my life since childhood. Growing up in an Armenian family abroad, I saw this mountain everywhere: in the painting hanging above the piano, on calendars brought from Armenia, and sometimes on the bottles of Ararat brandy we kept at home for visiting guests.

Back then, Ararat seemed like a distant place — so close to my heart, yet beyond my reach.

When I first visited Armenia at the age of twelve and saw Ararat in person, the feeling was indescribable. No photograph or painting could have prepared me for that view.

Years later, that same mountain became a source of creative inspiration. Two years ago, I decided to capture the silhouette and ridges of Ararat in glass, creating the Ararat Mountain Glass. The idea was to allow people not only to admire Ararat, but also to hold its symbol in their hands.

5,137 Meters Above Sea Level — With Ararat

On August 26, 2026, that story reached its highest point.

At 5,137 meters above sea level, on the summit of Mount Ararat, I poured Ararat brandy into the Ararat Mountain Glass I had created myself.

It was a moment that would have been difficult to imagine even years ago.

The distant mountain of my childhood, which I once saw only in paintings and photographs, was suddenly beneath my feet.

Creating a glass inspired by Mount Ararat and then standing on the very summit of the mountain with that same glass became a story where art, Armenian heritage, and a lifelong dream came together in one extraordinary moment.

Ararat: More Than a Mountain, a Symbol

For Armenians, Ararat is more than a mountain. It is a symbol of memory, identity, homeland, and connection — especially for those who live far from Armenia.

That idea lies at the heart of Gagat Glass creations: transforming Armenia's landscapes and cultural heritage into contemporary handcrafted glassware that can become meaningful Armenian gifts and a small piece of Armenian heritage in everyday life.

The Ararat Mountain Glass is one of the clearest examples of this vision. Featuring a three-dimensional representation of Mount Ararat, each glass is designed to carry its own story.

And now, this particular glass has another story to tell.

It has climbed to the summit of Mount Ararat.

From one summit to another.

If you would like to bring the symbol of Mount Ararat into your home or give it to someone with a special connection to Armenia, explore the Ararat Mountain Glass collection.