A khachkar or khatchkar also referred to as Armenian cross-stones (Armenian: խաչքար, pronounced pronounced [χɑtʃkɑɹ], meaning cross-stone) is a carved, memorial stele bearing a cross, and often with additional motifs such as rosettes, interlaces, and botanical motifs.Khachkars are characteristic of Medieval Christian Armenian art.

The most common khachkar feature is a cross surmounting a rosette or a solar disc. The remainder of the stone face is typically filled with elaborate patterns of leaves, grapes, pomegranates, and bands of interlace. Occasionally a khachkar is surmounted by a cornice sometimes containing biblical or saintly figures.

Most early khachkars were erected for the salvation of the soul of either a living or a deceased person. Otherwise they were intended to commemorate a military victory, the construction of a church, or as a form of protection from natural disasters.

The most common location for early khachkars was in a graveyard. However, Armenian gravestones take many other forms, and only a minority are khachkars.

Anna Kasyan (Armenian: Աննա Կասյան) is a Georgia-born Armenian opera singer (soprano) living in France.

Kasyan is one of the young artists who is viewed with high expectations in her field.

Kasyan began her early musical training by studying piano and violin at the Central Music School for gifted children, in Tbilisi, Georgia. From an early age, she participated in many performances as a soloist. At the age of 9 she made her debut with an orchestra. In 1999, Kasyan entered Tbilisi State Conservatory in violin class. By this time she became interested in singing and in 2001, she continued studying singing at the same Conservatory.

After completing her musical education, Kasyan continued her studies in France. Since 2003 she pursued singing classes at the Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris, where she graduated in 2008 with the Diploma of Higher Concertiste with unanimous approval. Simultaneous to her studies, Kasyan also entered "cycle du perfectionnement" (specialization) at Conservatoire de Paris between 2004–2006. Kasyan participated in master classes led by Tom Krause, Raina Kabaivanska, Viorica Cortez, Janine Reiss and baroque music with Nicolau de Figueiredo and Jory Vinikour.