President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan visited the Armenian Studies Research Center at the University of Geneva

Within the framework of the working visit to the Swiss Confederation, President Vahagn Khachaturyan attended an event organized to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Armenian Studies Research Center at the University of Geneva.

The Armenian Studies Research Center at the University of Geneva, operating since 1974, is one of the few places in Europe and the only one in Switzerland where students can receive comprehensive training in Armenian language and literature, from undergraduate to doctoral levels.

The event opened with a speech by Valentina Calzolari, Head of the Department of Armenian Studies.

In his welcome address, the President delivered the following remarks:

“It is a great honor for me to be here to mark the 50th anniversary of the Armenian Studies Research Center at the University of Geneva. This day is not only an occasion to celebrate, but also an opportunity to reflect on the journey taken and to express gratitude to all those who have contributed to the creation and development of this important educational and cultural institution.

Since 1974, thanks to the Armenian Studies Research Center at the University of Geneva, the first Chair of Armenian Studies in Switzerland was established in 2007, becoming an outstanding center for preserving the Armenian language, culture, and heritage.

Today, the Armenian Studies Research Center unites people interested in the Armenian language, literature, culture, and heritage, remaining an integral part of Geneva’s cultural life. It serves as a unique bridge between the societies of Armenia and Switzerland, strengthening the longstanding friendship between our two nations.

The significance of this day extends beyond the celebration of the anniversary of the academic department. Today, we once again recognize the resilient Armenian culture, its rich language, and literature, which, having endured the trials of millennia, have become intertwined with world culture while preserving their unique character.

From the adoption of Christianity to the invention of the Armenian alphabet, from the golden age of Armenian culture to the present day, the Armenian language and culture have played an invaluable role in the establishment and development of Armenian statehood.

Today, it is impossible to overestimate the role of Armenian studies centers worldwide in counteracting attempts at historical distortion, preserving and documenting endangered cultural heritage, and now also digitizing Armenia’s rich heritage. These centers make Armenia and the Armenian people known to the entire world, allowing the study of Armenian culture and literature in Armenian, and providing comprehensive knowledge about both Armenian and other cultures through Armenian-language sources.

As cultural cooperation becomes an inseparable part of our daily lives, I want to highlight the importance of collaboration between Armenian studies institutions. In this regard, I would like to especially acknowledge the contribution of the Head of the Armenian Studies Research Center in Geneva, Mrs. Valentina Calzolari, not only in the establishment and maintenance of the center and department but also in uniting Armenian studies centers across different continents.

I am confident that the Armenian Studies Department at the University of Geneva will continue to be a source of inspiration for students, researchers, and all those interested in Armenian culture. I would like to express my deep gratitude to everyone involved in the operation of the department – the faculty, university staff, and, of course, the students. Your contribution to the establishment and development of the department is invaluable. Today, I wish not only to celebrate your work over the past fifty years but also to look forward, being confident that future generations will have the opportunity to study the Armenian language, Armenian literature, and Armenian culture.

Congratulations to all of us on this memorable day, and I wish you continued success and new achievements.”