ITALIAN SPECIALISTS TO CARRY OUT RESTORATION OF KOBAYR FRESCOS
By Ruzan Poghosian
AZG Armenian Daily
13/04/2006
This year, a group of Italian restorers of ancient frescos and
Armenian archeologists, will work in Armenia, on the initiative of
Gayane Kasnati, professor at the Milan-based Center for the Armenian
Archeological Studies, and with the assistance of the Italian
government. It is already for several years that Mrs. Kasnati
successfully cooperates with the Department of Preservation of
Cultural Monuments at the Armenian Culture Ministry. She has carried
out researches in Yereruyk, Dashtadem and Amberd. She believes that
Armenia greatly needs to have skillful restorers of architectural
monuments. Certainly, the current situation required carrying out
training and exchanging programs of specialists. Mrs. Kasnati stated
that the Italian government has allocated education grants for the
Armenian students for Italian studies.
Mr. Kasnati stated that she can state that the state has changed its
attitude in the issue of preservation of architectural monuments,
as during the last two years the state assistance in these issues is
quite obvious.
Gagik Gyurjian, deputy RA culture minister, Roberto Nocielli, first
secretary of the Italian Embassy to Armenia, and other officials were
also present at the press conference held at RA Culture Ministry.
Mr. Nocielli stated that the Italian government pays special
attention to preservation and restoration of various countries’
cultural values. “This policy helps unfold cultural dialogue between
the countries. He added that the education grants are designed for
the people both with compulsory and higher education degrees, as well
as for the specialists of the Italian language.
Gagik Gyurjian also touched upon the issue of the current works
directed to restoration of the architectural monuments. As for the
issue of surrounding Saghmosavank monastery with a gate, he said
that he is informed about the situation and added that not a single
project will be implemented without the Ministry’ permission.