HOLY ARMENIA – BACK HOME
Kima Yeghiazaryan
Hayoc Ashkharh
12 Sept 2007
Yesterday the exhibition "Holy Armenia – Back Home" opened in Armenia’s
History Museum, by the participation of Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan
and His Holiness Garegin B.
We should underscore that the re-exhibition of "Holy Armenia" in
Yerevan has been organized by President Robert Kocharyan and blessed
by the Catholicos of all Armenians.
To expand the territory of the exhibition the organizers have also
used the arch-shaped sector of the National Gallery, where besides
khachkars you can see other obelisks, capitals, and many architectural
elements. The participants – members of the state committee of the
"Year of Armenia in France", political, cultural and social activists,
together with the Prime Minister and the Catholicos got acquainted
with the exhibits from the entrance.
After going round the five halls of the History Museum and watching
the sacred reminiscences of Christian Armenia, the Prime Minister
and the Catholicos wrote about their impressions.
After the opening of the exhibition the session of the members of
the state committee of "The Year of Armenia in France" took place in
the fresco hall of the gallery, in which beside the members of the
state committee leaders of cultural structures and staff directors
participated.
After congratulating the participants on that beautiful occasion
Head of the state committee Serge Sargsyan announced that with this
luxurious exhibition in Yerevan "Year of Armenia in France" draw to a
close. Evaluating the results of the year the Prime Minister expressed
belief, " This event named "Armenia, my Friend" will have deep impact
on Armenian-French relations. It will help formulate a complete and
comprehensive picture of Armenia, in France and beyond its borders."
He underscored that 850 events have been organized during the year in
around 160 cities in France. Various programs have been implemented
in the field of political, economic, and social touches, which will
have a long-lasting significance and influence.
The Prime Minister also emphasized about the success of "Holy Armenia"
in Louver with a record index of 300 thousand visitors during three
months. " For the first time Armenian khachkars of this volume
were exhibited beyond the borders of Armenia. Around 2,5 million
visitors saw the khachkars in Louver. Many of them emphasized that
they will definitely visit Armenia to see those khachkars in their
natural environment. And one of the goals of the year was to raise
this interest." Serge Sargsyan underscored. Concluding his speech the
Prime Minister said great work has been done, which is worthy of high
appreciation, the only thing left to do is "to say welcome to the 200
masterpieces and sacred reminiscences of Christian Armenia’s heritage."
Some months ago the Catholicos participated in the exhibition in
Louver with delight. " During the exhibition French people and
thousands of visitors of Louver had a chance to get acquainted with
our people, with the power of our belief and creative talent. The
events organized in the framework of the "Year of Armenia in France’
definitely reinforced the friendship of centuries between Armenian
and French people." Garegin B underscored evaluating the year.
Armenian Ambassadors in France Edward Nalbandyan said the "Year of
Armenia in France" was an unprecedented success. An event that was
really with a clank and enjoyed public interest. French Mass Media
showed great interest towards those events – around 5000 publications
in a year. E. Nalbandyan said after the independence they haven’t
touched upon our country as mush as they did during this year. "Due
to the year we obtained thousands of supporters and new friends. In
my view the most important thing for us was to overcome the thinking
that we are a country of limited opportunities that we are a small
country and that in this field we can’t be equal to China, Brazil,
and Japan that have conducted the year of their countries in France.
We couldn’t agree to that logic and we proved that Armenia can say
its word through such events," the Ambassador underscored, emphasizing
that the success of the year was mostly conditioned by the great role
of our President. With his everyday support and care he used to help
the organizers and follow the process of the program realization.
At the end of the session the decree of RA President was read which
honored a group of people by high state awards.
The President also addressed a letter of thanks to Armenian Ambassador
in France Edward Nalbandyan and the assistant of the President Vigen
Sargsyan and others for initiating and conducting high-level events.