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20
09, 2011
President Serzh Sargsyan attended the ceremony of inauguration of the research compound of Matenadaran
President Serzh Sargsyan attended today the ceremony of inauguration of the research compound of the Mesrop Mashtots Research Institute of Ancient Manuscripts – Matenadaran. The ceremony was also attended by the President of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh Bako Sahakian, His Holiness Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, His Holiness Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I, renowned specialists of Armenian Studies from Armenia and abroad, and honorary guests.
The President toured the premise which is best equipped for the preservation of the heritage of ancient manuscripts and printings and familiarized with the capacities of the new research compound which is built in full compliance with the highest international standards set for the leading institutions of the kind.
***
Remarks by President Serzh Sargsyan at the ceremony of inauguration of the reconstructed building of Matenadaran
Mr. President of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh,
Your Holiness, Catholicos of All Armenians,
Your Holiness, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia,
Dear Friends,
The conclusion of the reconstruction works of the Matenadaran, which carries the name of Mashtots, is an undertaking worthy of the festivities dedicated to the Republic of Armenia’s twentieth anniversary. Yerevan is full of beautiful and emblematic structures; however Matenadaran with its real and substantial weight is unparalleled and unrivaled.
For us, Matenadaran is everything – language, literature, history, science, a birth certificate and biography. Matenadaran is the anchor of all our future victories, our perpetual and ultimate source.
The are other Armenian matenadarans in the world - depositories of the Armenian manuscripts – in Jerusalem, Venice, Constantinople, Vienna and other important centers of the Armenian culture. They all are invaluable treasures. However, thanks to the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, the word “matenadaran” has become a special name. Not accidentally, referring to “matenadaran” everyone first of all pictures this magnificent building.
Today, the Matenadaran is a national treasure which has become the greatest citadel of the Armenian identity. And from this hill, the citadel guards not only the Mashtots Avenue but also the memory and character of our capital and our people.
Through the heroic deed of Saint Mesrop, the self-identification of the Armenian nation acquired a long-lasting and strong means to pass its memories from generation to generation. Paruyr Sevak rightfully said,
“And from now on, it’s not us, who’s discovered,
It’s we, who discover,
It’s not us, who’s remembered,
It’s we, who remember,
We are not testified for,
We testify for,
Approaching other times…”
Dear Friends,
We are one of those few nations who can pride ourselves on having a 1600-old perfect script, which survived ages and today continues to be a pillar of our existence. Thousands of our manuscripts are kept and studied here.
Next year, we will be celebrating the 500 anniversary of the first Armenian book. Just as through the efforts of Hakop Meghapart and other pioneer Armenian printers, we were able to switch in time and in a perfect fashion from manuscript-writing to book-printing, today we should get ready to preserve our cultural heritage in this digitalized world. And the reconstructed Matenadaran is fully equipped to perform that task.
Matenadaran is also a scientific and research center, which employs true devotees. Devotees, who withstood the hardships of the past years, meager salaries, daily life problems and with their round-the-clock work maintained this vital institution. We thank you, dear Matenadaran employees. This new unit has been a dream for all of us for many years. Today, it has become a reality and it testifies to the vigor of our people and our state. Have no doubt that attention toward Matenadaran will no subside. We will do our best to keep Matenadaran on a level with the world’s best centers of medieval and manuscript studies.
We thank Sergei Hambartsumian and all those benefactors who contributed to this endeavor. This comes to prove that in our days too there are those who carry on with the traditions of benevolence, who are ready to support development of our cultural centers. Such cooperation of the private and state sectors will continue, yielding much-expected results. Mr. Hambartsmian, I will address you publicly with only one sentence: blessed is the Armenian, who built a matenadaran…
We are grateful to our architects and construction workers who have found the best solutions and with the power of their minds and hands, with their sweat and dedicated work sanctified each stone of this structure. I believe, with this structure Arthur Meschian has become a worthy heir and a sort of partner of the brilliant representative of the Armenian architecture of the 20th century Mark Grigorian, carrying on with his work and staying true to the spirit and logic of his construction. Mr. Meschian, I think with this structure, with your work and with activity generally it’s been proved that Hayk will never be defeated by the evil Bell. Even though in your song you say the opposite. We all thank you.
Dear Friends,
I congratulate us all once more on this tremendous achievement.
I am confident that there is no force which can forestall victorious advancement of our nation. And that victorious march will be evidenced by the Mesropian script – manuscripts, printed, digitalized.
Thank you.
***
***
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Republic of Armenia’s independence, a group of individuals associated with the construction of the compound of the M. Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts – Matenadaran, by the Presidential decrees were awarded the RA medals and orders.
Some of the high state awards were handed by the President of Armenia after the official ceremony of inauguration of the new compound.
For significant contribution to the promotion of national interests, long term and fruitful pro-Armenian activities, dedication to the development and advancement of the Republic of Armenia and provided services Samvel Karapetian (RF) was awarded the Saint Mesrop Mashtots order.
Saint Mesrop Mashtots order was also awarded to the architect Arthur Meschian for his outstanding artistic achievements in the areas of arts and culture.
For the significant contribution to the promotion of national interests and boundless dedication, services provided to Armenia, long term and productive work Sergei Hambardzumian (RF) was awarded the Order of Honor.
For the considerable contribution to the preservation of the Armenian identity, services provided to the Motherland and for outstanding input in the strengthening of friendship between the Republic of Armenia and foreign states Makar Nahapetian (RF) was awarded the second degree medal For Services Provided to Motherland.
The second degree medal For Services Provided to Motherland was awarded also to Felix Pirumian for his long term and efficient activities in the state, social and political areas; Director of the M. Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts – Matenadaran, Doctor Hrachia Tamrazian and the painter, sculptor and architect Vanik Khatchtrian (Van Khatch) for their outstanding artistic achievements in the areas of arts and culture.
For the considerable contribution to the preservation of the Armenian identity, services provide to Motherland and for outstanding input in the strengthening of friendship between the Republic of Armenia and foreign states Erjanik Samuelian (Syria) and Mihran Minasean (Syria) were awarded Movses Khorentsi medals.
For contribution in the area of science and education, Julietta Einatian, Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, senior researcher at the M. Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts – Matenadaran Department of the History of Natural Sciences was awarded the Anania Shirakatsi medal.
For considerable input in the organization and implementation of the construction works of the compound of the M. Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts – Matenadaran, the Anania Shirakatsi medals were also awarded to the Head of the Albert Karakhanian and Sons Ltd Company Albert Karakhanian (posthumous), Chief Architect Hunan Kostanian, taskmaster Armen Hovhanissian.
After the inaugural ceremony, President Serzh Sargsyan handed the high state awards, congratulated the awardees and wished them further success.
The President noted that works on the capital reconstruction of the old, main building of Matenadaran and the road leading to Matenadaran will commence right after the 20th anniversary celebrations. According to Serzh Sargsyan, the works are to be completed next year, when Yerevan will be celebrating the 500th anniversary of book-printing and in 2012 guests of Yerevan, which will become the World Book Capital, will see the renovated main building of Matenadaran turned into a huge exhibition hall.
The President toured the premise which is best equipped for the preservation of the heritage of ancient manuscripts and printings and familiarized with the capacities of the new research compound which is built in full compliance with the highest international standards set for the leading institutions of the kind.
***
Remarks by President Serzh Sargsyan at the ceremony of inauguration of the reconstructed building of Matenadaran
Mr. President of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh,
Your Holiness, Catholicos of All Armenians,
Your Holiness, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia,
Dear Friends,
The conclusion of the reconstruction works of the Matenadaran, which carries the name of Mashtots, is an undertaking worthy of the festivities dedicated to the Republic of Armenia’s twentieth anniversary. Yerevan is full of beautiful and emblematic structures; however Matenadaran with its real and substantial weight is unparalleled and unrivaled.
For us, Matenadaran is everything – language, literature, history, science, a birth certificate and biography. Matenadaran is the anchor of all our future victories, our perpetual and ultimate source.
The are other Armenian matenadarans in the world - depositories of the Armenian manuscripts – in Jerusalem, Venice, Constantinople, Vienna and other important centers of the Armenian culture. They all are invaluable treasures. However, thanks to the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, the word “matenadaran” has become a special name. Not accidentally, referring to “matenadaran” everyone first of all pictures this magnificent building.
Today, the Matenadaran is a national treasure which has become the greatest citadel of the Armenian identity. And from this hill, the citadel guards not only the Mashtots Avenue but also the memory and character of our capital and our people.
Through the heroic deed of Saint Mesrop, the self-identification of the Armenian nation acquired a long-lasting and strong means to pass its memories from generation to generation. Paruyr Sevak rightfully said,
“And from now on, it’s not us, who’s discovered,
It’s we, who discover,
It’s not us, who’s remembered,
It’s we, who remember,
We are not testified for,
We testify for,
Approaching other times…”
Dear Friends,
We are one of those few nations who can pride ourselves on having a 1600-old perfect script, which survived ages and today continues to be a pillar of our existence. Thousands of our manuscripts are kept and studied here.
Next year, we will be celebrating the 500 anniversary of the first Armenian book. Just as through the efforts of Hakop Meghapart and other pioneer Armenian printers, we were able to switch in time and in a perfect fashion from manuscript-writing to book-printing, today we should get ready to preserve our cultural heritage in this digitalized world. And the reconstructed Matenadaran is fully equipped to perform that task.
Matenadaran is also a scientific and research center, which employs true devotees. Devotees, who withstood the hardships of the past years, meager salaries, daily life problems and with their round-the-clock work maintained this vital institution. We thank you, dear Matenadaran employees. This new unit has been a dream for all of us for many years. Today, it has become a reality and it testifies to the vigor of our people and our state. Have no doubt that attention toward Matenadaran will no subside. We will do our best to keep Matenadaran on a level with the world’s best centers of medieval and manuscript studies.
We thank Sergei Hambartsumian and all those benefactors who contributed to this endeavor. This comes to prove that in our days too there are those who carry on with the traditions of benevolence, who are ready to support development of our cultural centers. Such cooperation of the private and state sectors will continue, yielding much-expected results. Mr. Hambartsmian, I will address you publicly with only one sentence: blessed is the Armenian, who built a matenadaran…
We are grateful to our architects and construction workers who have found the best solutions and with the power of their minds and hands, with their sweat and dedicated work sanctified each stone of this structure. I believe, with this structure Arthur Meschian has become a worthy heir and a sort of partner of the brilliant representative of the Armenian architecture of the 20th century Mark Grigorian, carrying on with his work and staying true to the spirit and logic of his construction. Mr. Meschian, I think with this structure, with your work and with activity generally it’s been proved that Hayk will never be defeated by the evil Bell. Even though in your song you say the opposite. We all thank you.
Dear Friends,
I congratulate us all once more on this tremendous achievement.
I am confident that there is no force which can forestall victorious advancement of our nation. And that victorious march will be evidenced by the Mesropian script – manuscripts, printed, digitalized.
Thank you.
***
***
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Republic of Armenia’s independence, a group of individuals associated with the construction of the compound of the M. Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts – Matenadaran, by the Presidential decrees were awarded the RA medals and orders.
Some of the high state awards were handed by the President of Armenia after the official ceremony of inauguration of the new compound.
For significant contribution to the promotion of national interests, long term and fruitful pro-Armenian activities, dedication to the development and advancement of the Republic of Armenia and provided services Samvel Karapetian (RF) was awarded the Saint Mesrop Mashtots order.
Saint Mesrop Mashtots order was also awarded to the architect Arthur Meschian for his outstanding artistic achievements in the areas of arts and culture.
For the significant contribution to the promotion of national interests and boundless dedication, services provided to Armenia, long term and productive work Sergei Hambardzumian (RF) was awarded the Order of Honor.
For the considerable contribution to the preservation of the Armenian identity, services provided to the Motherland and for outstanding input in the strengthening of friendship between the Republic of Armenia and foreign states Makar Nahapetian (RF) was awarded the second degree medal For Services Provided to Motherland.
The second degree medal For Services Provided to Motherland was awarded also to Felix Pirumian for his long term and efficient activities in the state, social and political areas; Director of the M. Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts – Matenadaran, Doctor Hrachia Tamrazian and the painter, sculptor and architect Vanik Khatchtrian (Van Khatch) for their outstanding artistic achievements in the areas of arts and culture.
For the considerable contribution to the preservation of the Armenian identity, services provide to Motherland and for outstanding input in the strengthening of friendship between the Republic of Armenia and foreign states Erjanik Samuelian (Syria) and Mihran Minasean (Syria) were awarded Movses Khorentsi medals.
For contribution in the area of science and education, Julietta Einatian, Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, senior researcher at the M. Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts – Matenadaran Department of the History of Natural Sciences was awarded the Anania Shirakatsi medal.
For considerable input in the organization and implementation of the construction works of the compound of the M. Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts – Matenadaran, the Anania Shirakatsi medals were also awarded to the Head of the Albert Karakhanian and Sons Ltd Company Albert Karakhanian (posthumous), Chief Architect Hunan Kostanian, taskmaster Armen Hovhanissian.
After the inaugural ceremony, President Serzh Sargsyan handed the high state awards, congratulated the awardees and wished them further success.
The President noted that works on the capital reconstruction of the old, main building of Matenadaran and the road leading to Matenadaran will commence right after the 20th anniversary celebrations. According to Serzh Sargsyan, the works are to be completed next year, when Yerevan will be celebrating the 500th anniversary of book-printing and in 2012 guests of Yerevan, which will become the World Book Capital, will see the renovated main building of Matenadaran turned into a huge exhibition hall.