MATENADARAN CANCELS CONTRACT SIGNED WITH US HILLY MUSEUM
By Rouzan Poghosian

AZG Armenian Daily
04/05/2007

"Azg" had already informed (May 2, 2007), that the contract signed
between Matenadaran, the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts and the
US based Hill Library and the Manuscript Library, Minnesota, USA,
on digitizing the Matenadaran manuscripts on April 13 will soon be
canceled. The official statement on the relevant decision signed by Sev
Arevshatian, Director of Matenadaran, was spread among the mass media
sources yesterday. Though, soon the contract aroused large-scale public
concern and discussions. In particular, some of the scholars stated
that the digitalization of the manuscripts should be carried out by
the Republic of Armenia, the Armenian philanthropist and by means of
the sources allocated by the Armenian people. Without providing any
copies of the unique manuscripts to the foreign countries, as well as
without any preconditions that would violate the rights of the Republic
of Armenia, the real owner of the manuscripts on the illustrations
that are to be digitalized, i.e. those of the Republic of Armenia.

Having thanked those who expressed their concerns and organized state
and public discussions on the issue, the Administration and the
Staff of Matenadaran emphasized that they were quite fruitful for
elaboration of a joint concept on the preservation and restoration
of the ancient manuscripts kept in Matenadaran.

"All these discussions inspired us with hope that we can independently
carry out the digitalization of our manuscripts by the assistance of
our government, philantropists and public circles," Sev Arevshatian
said. At the same time, Matenadaran thanked the US Hill Museum for
their proposal to cooperate. Besides, the Matenadaran’s administration
informed that both the signed contract and the preliminarily signed
agreements will soon be annulled. The Armenian scholars will soon
begin elaboration of the program on digitalization of the manuscripts
to submit that to RA Government, Sev Arevshatian said.

It’s worth mentioning that not only scholars in the Armenian
studies but also Garnik Isagoulian, RA President’s Adviser on State
Security Issues adviser were present at the last discussion held in
Matenadaran. Thus, the agreement on digitalization of the ancient
manuscripts yielded not only tense discussions but also the hope
that the Matenadaran will receive assistance from the state and
the government. We just fear, that this last hope may remain a mere
promise given during the pre-electional period and soon after the
elections will be absolutely forgotten. " Azg" will be consistent in
highlighting this issue till its final settlement.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress