The Armenian Library and Museum of America
65 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02742

PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Christie Hardiman
Public Relations & Outreach Coordinator
Phone #: (617) 926-2562 ext. 4
E-mail: Christie@almainc.org
Website:

October 29, 2007

NEWS RELEASE –ALMA OFFERS ANSWERS TO WHO ARE THE ARMENIANS?

The Armenian Library and Museum of America (ALMA) is pleased
to present its long-awaited and highly anticipated exhibit "Who are the
Armenians?" which opened on October 1 in conjunction with the visit of
His Holiness, Catholicos Karekin II, to ALMA. This exhibit consists of
extensive photographs and terse text, further illustrated by companion
exhibits of artifacts from ALMA’s collections. In developing "Who are
the Armenians?" ALMA’s major goal was to create an exhibition that would
acquaint people of any ethnic and racial background, not just Armenians,
with the amazing story of the Armenian people. Their story is a saga of
survival despite trials and tribulations that is simultaneously
juxtaposed with their ability to refine cultural achievements under the
most difficult and tenuous of circumstances. Over two years in the
planning, this exhibit, embodies a concise synopsis of the high and low
points of millenniums of Armenian history and culture. It is
illustrated by photos, enhanced by imaginative but authentically
Armenian borders and accentuated by several pertinent quotations of
leading experts and ancient authors.

We, at ALMA, are unaware of any exhibit, past or present,
which with comprehensiveness and brevity, addresses such sweeping
questions as when and how the Armenians originate as a people, and gives
examples of Armenian hospitality and entrepreneurship in the 5th century
BC. Likewise, we cannot find any exhibit that addresses the erudition
of Armenian scholars during the first century, its conversion as the
first nation to adopt Christianity, the invention of its alphabet and
its consequences and the fight for freedom of religion and for monogamy
in the 5th century. This extensive exhibit also covers the major
Armenian involvement in the Byzantine Empire, the Kingdom of Cilician
Armenia and its interaction with the Crusades, conquest by the Turks,
the literary reawakening of the 18th and 19th centuries, the tragedy of
the Genocide, Armenia’s first Republic that allowed women to vote before
women could vote in the United States, the Sovietization of the Republic
and finally, independence again in 1991. There are separate panels, of
equal or greater importance, recounting and illustrating the astounding
cultural achievements of the Armenian people in church architecture,
miniatures, khatchkars, and relief carvings in stone.

"Who are the Armenians?" originated after the late Ann
Nahigian, one of ALMA’s earliest benefactors and a previous Board
Member, gave a generous grant to initiate this concept conceived by Haig
Der Manuelian. Der Manuelian saw through the completion of the exhibit
along with a committee of volunteers consisting of the late Charles
Kenosian, ALMA Trustees Elisabeth Kenosian and Arakel Almasian, and Berj
Chekijian, a member of the staff.

His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II received an exclusive
tour of the exhibit during His visit to ALMA on October 7. Der
Manuelian, Director Mariam Stepanyan and Curators Gary and Susan
Lind-Sinanian guided Him and His entourage through the exhibit,
answering questions and describing the importance of certain artifacts,
such as the Urartian warrior’s belt of the 8th century B.C. and the 18th
century engraved copper tray. His Holiness graciously perused the
exhibit, taking additional time to closely examine the exhibit’s
religious artifacts and texts. His careful eye and fluency in the
Armenian language enabled Him to find an error regarding the date of the
inscribed memorial Kutahya ceramic tile, which has since been corrected.
After privately relishing through the rest of the exhibit, others in
attendance had the opportunity to browse the exhibit.

During invasions, wars, oppression, and tragedies over the
centuries, not only their survival but somehow their concurrent
development and refinement of church architecture, miniatures,
khatchkars and relief carvings is absolutely miraculous. Visit the
exhibit to learn the story of the Armenian people and discover their
remarkable culture.

The Museum’s hours are Thursday 6 pm to 9 pm, Friday and
Sunday 1 pm to 5 pm and Saturday 10 am to 2 pm.

Armenian Library & Museum of America (ALMA)

Founded in 1971, ALMA’s mission is to present and preserve the culture,
history, art and contributions of the Armenian people to Americans and
Armenians alike. Since its inception, ALMA’s collection has grown to
over 26,000 books and 20,000 artifacts, making it perhaps the largest
and most diverse holding of Armenian cultural artifacts outside of
Armenia. As a repository for heirlooms, the collection now represents a
major resource not only for Armenian studies research, but as well as
for preservation and illustration of the Armenian heritage. ALMA is the
largest ethnic museum in New England and the only independent Armenian
Museum in the Diaspora funded solely through contributions of individual
supporters.

Museum and Gallery Hours: Friday and Sunday 1-5 PM, Saturday 10AM-2PM
and Thursday evenings 6-9 PM. Museum Admission: FREE/ALMA members and
for children under 12; $5/ for non-members. For directions and more
information please visit our website , or call
617.926.ALMA (2562).