"HAYASTAN" ALL-ARMENIAN FUND CONTINUES REPAIRS OF SURB ECHMIATSIN CHURCH IN TBILISI AND SCHOOL OF ARTS IN PARAKAR

Noyan Tapan
Jan 10, 2008

YEREVAN, JANUARY 10, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The "Hayastan"
All-Armenian Fund is continuing repairs of Surb Echmiatsin Church in
Tbilisi and the school of arts in Parakar. According to the PR unit
of the fund, earthquakes and the construction of the subway in Tbilisi
have weakened Surb Echmiatsin Church. In order to prevent the further
collapse of this 200-year-old structure, the Argentine local body of
the "Hayastan" All-Armenian Fund and the US Western diocese of the
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin undertook a project on strengthening the
building of the church, which was completed in February 2007. Thanks
to the project, the building has been considerably improved. The
second stage of the project started in November 2007, under which
additional reinforcement and interior decoration work is being done. It
is envisaged to finish the project in late 2008.

"By implementing this project, we not only save a cultural monument
but also make a great contribution to the cultural and spiritual life
of the Armenians of Georgia," the CEO of the "Hayastan" All-Armenian
Fund Vahe Aghabekian said.

As regards the school of arts in Parakar not far from Yerevan, after
the 1988 earthquake its one-storey building has become unsafe. Thanks
to financing of the French local body of the fund, the school was
reconstructed, with a concert hall, classrooms for painting, potter’s
art and a brass band being built. At the present stage of the program,
tables, desks, blackboards, a printer and other equipment will be
provided to the school.