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H. TAMRAZYAN: OPENING OF RESTORED OLD BUILDING OF MATENADARAN TO SURPRISE EVERYONE
Panorama.am
17:55 06/02/2012
The reconstruction of Armenian repository of manuscripts - Matenadaran
named after Mesrop Mashtots, which kicked off yet in previous year,
will finish in May. Before the reconstruction is terminated, the
road leading to Matenadaran will be ready in April. Arthur Meschian
is the architect and designer of the project.
Panorama.am reporter, accompanied by chief engineer Hunan Kostanyan,
walked through the old building. He said they were tasked to create
fresh architectural innovations conserving old traditions. All the
five floors and two-storey cellar are being reconstructed.
Panorama.am has also met with the director of Matenadaran Hrachya
Tamrazyan asking for some remarks.
-Mister Tamrazyan, after the reconstruction of the building what
changes could we enjoy?
-The mission of the reconstruction is to create more space for the
exhibitions. Once we had only one exhibition hall, now we are going
to have 8-9 halls. We are going to display foreign manuscripts,
ancient books, archive materials. All those materials are going to
be changed every time. There will be laboratories, storehouses in
the old building as our funds are getting richer and richer every day.
After the reconstruction the microclimate of the building will be in
accord with modern standards of preserving manuscripts. In summer the
air temperature in the building was 30-35 degrees. It was a terrible
atmosphere for the manuscripts. After the reconstruction everything
must be in accord with the standards of international of museums. We
are going to be nicely surprised.
-When will the restored department be available and how will be
opening be celebrated?
-The old department of Matenadaran will host an exhibition devoted
to the 500th anniversary of Armenian Printing on its official opening
day. It will be in May. Not only Armenian ancient books but European
and Eastern ancient books will be displayed during the exhibition.
-Are some other events being planned during the year?
-Surely, international conferences will be held on this occasion.
-How many manuscripts are there in Matenadaran and how do you acquire
new materials? Are funds allocated by the State Budget enough?
-There are 18 thousand 400 manuscripts in Matenadaran. During the last
four years we have acquired more than 1600 manuscripts, archives have
been enriched with tens of thousands of new pieces. Money allocated
for the new materials are not enough. We have enriched the funds due
to donations.
-Do you host more tourists?
- In 2011 the number of visitors of Matenadaran has increased by ten
thousand, which is a serious advancement.
-What do you think, can Armenia hold "Yerevan - book capital" title
with honor?
-I'm sure we can. Jubilee events will contribute to propaganda of book,
to establishment of spiritual field, our spiritual-cultural life will
breathe freshly.
-Do you cooperate with foreign museums, cultural centers?
-We cooperate; we organize conferences, scientific trips and implement
scientific- methodological projects. This year we plan to have a
scientific forum with CIS and European countries. In this respect
Matenadaran has become an international comprehensive center.
-What could you tell about the digitalization of manuscripts?
-The process continues, we need more technical equipments. We have
obtained new equipments and since May a new phase of it will launch.
We have already digitalized more than two million pages.
Panorama.am
17:55 06/02/2012
The reconstruction of Armenian repository of manuscripts - Matenadaran
named after Mesrop Mashtots, which kicked off yet in previous year,
will finish in May. Before the reconstruction is terminated, the
road leading to Matenadaran will be ready in April. Arthur Meschian
is the architect and designer of the project.
Panorama.am reporter, accompanied by chief engineer Hunan Kostanyan,
walked through the old building. He said they were tasked to create
fresh architectural innovations conserving old traditions. All the
five floors and two-storey cellar are being reconstructed.
Panorama.am has also met with the director of Matenadaran Hrachya
Tamrazyan asking for some remarks.
-Mister Tamrazyan, after the reconstruction of the building what
changes could we enjoy?
-The mission of the reconstruction is to create more space for the
exhibitions. Once we had only one exhibition hall, now we are going
to have 8-9 halls. We are going to display foreign manuscripts,
ancient books, archive materials. All those materials are going to
be changed every time. There will be laboratories, storehouses in
the old building as our funds are getting richer and richer every day.
After the reconstruction the microclimate of the building will be in
accord with modern standards of preserving manuscripts. In summer the
air temperature in the building was 30-35 degrees. It was a terrible
atmosphere for the manuscripts. After the reconstruction everything
must be in accord with the standards of international of museums. We
are going to be nicely surprised.
-When will the restored department be available and how will be
opening be celebrated?
-The old department of Matenadaran will host an exhibition devoted
to the 500th anniversary of Armenian Printing on its official opening
day. It will be in May. Not only Armenian ancient books but European
and Eastern ancient books will be displayed during the exhibition.
-Are some other events being planned during the year?
-Surely, international conferences will be held on this occasion.
-How many manuscripts are there in Matenadaran and how do you acquire
new materials? Are funds allocated by the State Budget enough?
-There are 18 thousand 400 manuscripts in Matenadaran. During the last
four years we have acquired more than 1600 manuscripts, archives have
been enriched with tens of thousands of new pieces. Money allocated
for the new materials are not enough. We have enriched the funds due
to donations.
-Do you host more tourists?
- In 2011 the number of visitors of Matenadaran has increased by ten
thousand, which is a serious advancement.
-What do you think, can Armenia hold "Yerevan - book capital" title
with honor?
-I'm sure we can. Jubilee events will contribute to propaganda of book,
to establishment of spiritual field, our spiritual-cultural life will
breathe freshly.
-Do you cooperate with foreign museums, cultural centers?
-We cooperate; we organize conferences, scientific trips and implement
scientific- methodological projects. This year we plan to have a
scientific forum with CIS and European countries. In this respect
Matenadaran has become an international comprehensive center.
-What could you tell about the digitalization of manuscripts?
-The process continues, we need more technical equipments. We have
obtained new equipments and since May a new phase of it will launch.
We have already digitalized more than two million pages.