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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
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