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Nalbandian: Destroying Cultural Memory Must Be Strongly Condemned

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  • Nalbandian: Destroying Cultural Memory Must Be Strongly Condemned

    NALBANDIAN: DESTROYING CULTURAL MEMORY MUST BE STRONGLY CONDEMNED

    PanARMENIAN.Net
    October 31, 2011 - 10:30 AMT

    PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia is a country rich with cultural monuments
    dating back to the 4th millennium BC. There are some 33,000 historical
    and cultural monuments in Armenia under state protection, which are
    included in the State Register of National Heritage, Edward Nalbandian,
    Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, said in his
    remarks at the 36th session of UNESCO General Conference.

    "For centuries, the Armenian people has created numerous and diverse
    cultural monuments most of which, due to known historical events
    are now situated outside the Republic of Armenia. Our neighbors have
    displayed different approaches towards the preservation of Armenian
    historical heritage," the Minister said.

    "There is a good cooperation with Iran that takes proper care of
    the Armenian monuments situated on its territory. The proof of
    the aforementioned is the inclusion of St Thaddeus, St Stepanos
    monasteries and the Chapel of Dzordzor in the World Heritage List,
    presented by Iran," he said.

    As Minister Nalbandian noted, in Yerevan, an 18th century mosque has
    been restored, through the joint efforts of the Armenian and Iranian
    specialists. "A promising cooperation has started also in this context
    with our neighbor - Georgia," he said.

    "Unfortunately, this positive experience is not reciprocated by our
    other neighbors. As a result of the policy of destruction of the
    Armenian historical heritage, thousands of cultural monuments that
    were of universal value, have been lost forever. In an era when the
    protection and promotion of human rights are considered to be the
    underpinning principles, damaging or destroying cultural or religious
    memory intentionally, consistently, repeatedly, must be strongly
    condemned in order to prevent any future possible repetition of the
    past mistakes," the Minister said.

    He reminded that last year "Armenian cross-stones art" was included
    in the representative list of the Intangible cultural heritage of
    UNESCO. "This year we were glad to exhibit the marvelous art of these
    Armenian khachkars at the exhibition that was held at the UNESCO
    Headquarters," Minister Nalbandian said.

    "Unfortunately, thousands of these cross-stones in the medieval
    cemetery of Nakhijevan were completely destroyed within a few years
    time under the instructions and the watchful eye of Azerbaijan's
    leadership, turning this area into military ground. Such destruction
    of delicately carved cross-stones, created by the Armenian masters
    during the Middle Ages is a manifestation of the blind hatred towards
    other peoples' cultures. The resolution of the 16th General Assembly
    of International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) states with
    regards to this vandalism that regretfully "this heritage that once
    enjoyed its worthy place among the treasures of the world heritage
    can no longer be transmitted today to future generations," he added.

    The Minister said in conclusion: "5ooth anniversary of the Armenian
    bookprinting will be marked next year. This anniversary coincides with
    the proclamation of Yerevan by UNESCO as the World Book Capital 2012.

    On these occasions a number of special events will be organized and
    we look forward to the active participation of UNESCO member states
    in these events."


    From: Baghdasarian
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