The Harvard Armenian Society presents 'Climbing Mount Ararat: Then and Now' illustrated lecture by Philip Ketchian, physicist and author, on Wednesday, April 15.In July 2003, Philip Ketchian and his wife Elsa Ronningstam- Ketchian faced and overcame both political and physical challenges in order to reach the summit of Ararat, a mountain as beautiful as it is mythic. Nearly 17,000 feet in height, this legendary mountain towers over the landscape of eastern Turkey and Armenia. Mount Ararat, known as Masis in Armenia, has been closed to climbers only until recently. The ancient mountain occupies an important place in world history,
religion, and legend. In addition, the mountain is an important symbol of national identity for Armenians around the world.