HMML SIGNS AGREEMENT IN YEREVAN TO UNDERTAKE LARGEST MANUSCRIPT DIGITIZATION PROJECT IN HISTORY
Michael Hemmesch
CSB/SJU, MN
Saint John’s University
April 18 2007
The Rev. Columba Stewart, OSB, executive director of the Hill Museum
& Manuscript Library (HMML), signed a formal agreement with the
Matenadaran Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts in Yerevan,
Armenia, April 13 that will allow HMML to undertake the largest
manuscript digitization project in history.
The collection in Yerevan, totaling almost 17,000 manuscripts, is by
far the most extensive and richest repository for Armenian manuscripts
in the world. These manuscripts are known for their outstanding
illuminations, considered to be among the most beautiful ever created.
"The collection in Yerevan is the most important Armenian manuscript
collection in the entire world," Stewart said. "Our collaboration with
the Matenadaran is the culmination of our Library’s current emphasis
on eastern Christian manuscripts."
HMML was founded 40 years ago in response to the devastating loss of
manuscripts and books during two World Wars. It is the only institution
in the world exclusively dedicated to the photographic preservation
and study of manuscripts, particularly in locations where war, theft
or physical conditions pose a threat. Since its inception, HMML
has built the largest collection of manuscript images in the world,
having photographed almost 100,000 manuscripts totaling more than 30
million pages.
To preserve the manuscripts in Yerevan, HMML will use the latest
technology to capture high-quality digital images. HMML will provide
the equipment, training and salary to local photographic technicians,
as well as ongoing technical support to the Matenadaran.
HMML will give the Matenadaran copies all of the digital images and
will also provide for the safe storage of another copy of the digital
images in a highly secure location here in Minnesota. Scholars wishing
to consult complete manuscripts may apply to HMML for copies after
agreeing to conditions that reserve all copyright and commercial
interests to the owning libraries.
Sample images from the Armenian manuscripts will then be added to
"Vivarium," HMML’s Web-based program that provides scholars, students
and the general public with free access to sample manuscript images
and other digital materials. Reproduction rights to the Yerevan images
will remain the exclusive property of the Matenadaran.
Armenian manuscripts form the largest single corpus in the latest
phase of HMML’s work. This new initiative with the Matenadaran will
build significantly on this foundation with work beginning as early
as September 2007.
"No other nation on Earth has a library like the Matenadaran," Stewart
said. "And, no other people have a collection of manuscripts as its
greatest national monument. We Benedictines are famous for our care
of sacred and secular manuscripts, but next to the Armenian people,
we’re amateurs. It’s a tremendous honor to be trusted as their partner
in preserving this unparalleled wonder of the world."
Sen Arevshatyan, director of the Matenadaran Mashtots Institute of
Ancient Manuscripts, co-signed the agreement with Stewart. Levon
Lazarian, Armenia’s Minister of Education, hosted the signing
at the Ministry of Education to show his support for this historic
partnership. His Holiness Karekin II, the Catholicos of All Armenians,
based in the See of Etchmiadzin near Yerevan, has given his full
support and blessing to the project, as it will ensure the preservation
and propagation of centuries of Armenian religious culture.
For more information about this momentous digitization project, please
e-mail Phil Steger, deputy director of manuscript preservation at
the Hill Museum and Manuscript Library, or call him at 320-363-2130 .
Michael Hemmesch Director of Media Relations College of Saint
Benedict/Saint John’s University Phone 320-363-2595 Fax 320-363-2016
[email protected]