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Mapping Matenadaran: AMAP installs info panels at hall of manuscript

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  • Mapping Matenadaran: AMAP installs info panels at hall of manuscript

    Mapping Matenadaran: AMAP installs information panels at hall of manuscripts

    Arts and Culture | 30.04.10 | 12:25

    http://www.armenianow.com/arts_and_culture/ 22811/armenian_monuments_awareness_protect_matenad aran
    By Gayane Lazarian
    ArmeniaNow reporter


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    Multi-language information signboards have been installed at an
    ancient manuscripts depositary in Yerevan as part of a broader effort
    by a nongovernmental organization that has been, for more than two
    years, working to promote better awareness about cultural, historical
    and natural landmarks across Armenia.
    Enlarge Photo
    Director of Matenadaran Hrachya Tamrazyan thanked AMAP for the project.

    Enlarge Photo
    The project's main sponsor VivaCell-MTS's General Manager Ralph
    Yirikyan spoke during the presentation at Matenadaran.

    Enlarge Photo
    US Ambassador to Armenia Marie Yovanovitch, one of AMAP's supporters,
    taking a tour to Matenadaran's restoration laboratory of ancient
    manuscripts.

    Enlarge Photo

    Enlarge Photo
    Matenadaran's lobby.

    Enlarge Photo
    Entering Matenadaran

    The Mesrop Mashtots Manuscripts Scientific-Research Institute, better
    known as Matenadaran Museum, is the latest beneficiary of the ongoing
    effort by the Armenian Monuments Awareness Project (AMAP) that
    installs information signboards in five languages (with additional
    languages available on laminated handouts) at historical sites of
    Armenia to make them better known and more attractive to both locals
    and visitors, thus contributing to the development of tourism in the
    country.

    `We, at Matenadaran, welcome the entry of this organization, which has
    implemented large-scale projects throughout Armenia that concern the
    advocacy of and awareness about Armenian culture. We attach importance
    to our cooperation with this organization,' said Matenadaran Director
    Hrachya Tamrazyan at a presentation Thursday afternoon.

    Tamrazyan said the colorful panels should also help promote awareness
    about Matenadaran outside its premises.

    `This show should start with the road that leads to Matenadaran,
    Mashtots Avenue. And billboards presenting our culture should be added
    to the numerous [commercial] ones that already exist [along the
    boulevard]. I think these are projects that we will implement jointly
    with our friends,' he said.

    AMAP operates with sponsorship of VivaCell-MTS, the Honorary Consul of
    Italy in Gyumri, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway and the
    USAID through its Competitive Armenian Private Sector program (CAPS).

    Ralph Yirikian, general manager of Armenia's leading mobile phone
    operator VivaCell-MTS, described Matenadaran as a treasure that needs
    to be cherished.

    `We all know well what valuable things we have here and to what great
    lengths our ancestors would go to hand them down to us, braving
    difficulties and long roads. I think we have the responsibility today
    to preserve, add to these values and hand them down to the generations
    to come,' said Yirikian.

    United States Ambassador to Armenia Marie Yovanovitch, who was also
    present at the event, said, evaluating USAID/CAPS contribution to the
    project: `Matenadaran is not only the heritage of Armenia culture, but
    also that of the world culture. AMAP has managed to make this place
    more accessible for people.'

    Matenadaran in Yerevan has the richest collection of manuscripts,
    which number about 17,500. The collection covers nearly all spheres of
    Armenian ancient and medieval science and culture and also includes
    foreign manuscripts. Fifth-century saint Mesrop Mashtots, the creator
    of the Armenian Alphabet, was the founder of the collection of
    Armenian books and manuscripts of the Holy Etchmiadzin Catholicosate,
    the center of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

    In 1920, the Holy Etchmiadzin Matenadaran became state property and in
    1939 it was relocated to Yerevan.

    International Council on Monuments and Sites ICOMOS/Armenia Chairman
    Gagik Gyurjyan also welcomed the implementation of the project at
    Matenadaran. He said: `The project started with ancient sites,
    involved medieval complexes, urban locations and now it has reached
    one of the major monuments, Matenadaran.'

    According to him, the installation of signboards is of no less
    importance than restoration work.

    `These panels raise our awareness about our heritage. And knowing
    means realizing the need to preserve and pass [these values] to the
    generations to come. I hope our sponsors will continue their work and
    like all civilized countries we will have such information installed
    near all monuments,' said Gyurjyan. `Armenia should become a tourist
    country, we should have more active participation in this project and
    make our country more recognizable.'

    Information signboards at Matenadaran were AMAP's first presentation
    this year. During the two years of the project implementation AMAP has
    installed more than 320 information signboards in the premises of 49
    monuments in 60 areas of Armenia. A total of 142 information
    signboards are expected to be placed in the premises of 26 monuments
    this year. Also, 20 information signboards with the Braille alphabet
    will be installed for visually impaired visitors. The project will
    also be installing audio tours at select sites.
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