`NORTH ARTSAKH’ RECEIVED YEGHISHEH PRIZE
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
04March 05
`Azat Artsakh’ regularly published about the activity of the
organization ` Research on Armenian Architecture’. Our interview is
with the director of the Armenia branch of the organization, historian
and archaeologist Samvel Karapetian. By the way, his book `North
Artsakh’ won the Yeghisheh Prize of the NKR government in 2004. The
book is about the Armenians of North Artsakh abandoned on the eve of
repression in 1988, no more able to struggle for living in their
fatherland. For the first time in the history of the region inhabited
by Armenians for thousands of years the Armenian life faded away. A
great number of historical monuments forming an indivisible part of
Armenian culture were orphaned. The aim of this book is to save from
oblivion the cultural valueswhich already fell victims to destruction
and pass them on to generations. According to the author, the book
`North Artsakh’ is another weapon in the arsenal of the war of
propaganda. Samvel Karapetian: `More than 11 years have passed since
the armistice in 1994. The guns have been silent for 11 years already
giving place to the weapon of propaganda. In Karvachar the English
version of the third volume of the book was presented to the OSCE
fact-finding group which visited the liberated territories. So, why
anything else was not presented to them?’ asks the author and answers
himself, `because this is the weapon used in the war of propaganda,
and we will try to fight with that weapon. And now the book `North
Artsakh’ which we have published only in Armenian, unfortunately,
cannot fulfill its political mission until the English version is not
ready.’ Christine Mnatsakanian: `Research on Armenian Architecture’
has, in fact, set an aim to fulfill several missions simultaneously:
search, research and reconstruct monuments and later record them
hoping, as you said, to save them from destruction at least on the
paper. To what extent are you a success?’ S.K.: ` The organization
founded 30 years ago continuously includes a far larger area than
merely the territory of the Republic of Armenia having only the
devotion of several individuals who believe that the work cannot be
delayed. In the months of March and April of 2004 we studied several
archaeological sites in the region of Martakert: the monasteries of In
Masats, Eghisheh Apostle and Yerits Mankants, Jraberd, Kaghakateghi,
etc. A lot of photos and measurements were taken. Since 1996 we have
been restoring the cloistral complex of Dadi Vankwhich consists of
more than 25 buildings. And reconstruction of a monument requires
funds. Our organization gradually reconstructs the buildings of Dadi
Vank. For example, last year we finished the church Catoghikeh owing
to Emil Hovnanian from America. Last year sponsored by Edik Abrahamian
living in Tehran we began the repair of the porch of the chapel and
then we shall pass to the belfry; the work was stopped in winter and
will be resumed soon. We start work mainly in spring because the
majority of monuments are in thick forests. If we go in summer, it
will be impossible to notice, for example, such a famous monument as
Khatravank from 15 meters, moreover take pictures of it as a work of
architecture.’ C.M.: `How do you coordinate your work, by areas or do
you take into account the state of the monument?’ S.K.: `We try to
renderhelp to those buildings which are in an extremely bad state. For
example, the chapel was in such a state. By the way, the chapel is an
exclusive monument. It still stands but it has decayed terribly. In
three-four years it could not be recognized.
The walls simply melted, fell to pieces. They reached us but in their
last breath. ‘ C.M.: `As you said, reconstruction of monuments
requires means. How do you manage to solve the problem of funding?’
S.K.: `Yes, the more work there is, the less means there are. As you
know, mainly Armenians of the Diaspora help us but their sponsorship
is not permanent. Nevertheless, the work goes on.’
CHRISTINE MNATSAKANIAN.
04-03-2005
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress