HAND IN HAND, AGAINST THE STATE
YEGHISHEH METSARENTS

Lragir.am

06/07/2011

The wave of protest is gathering momentum in social networks. The
protest is against the reconstruction of the churches of Haghartsin
and Gandzasar, which distorts the historical and cultural value of
these historical and cultural monuments.

In particular, the wall around the monastery of Gandzasar is being
faced, in a way the wall around the mansion of an oligarch would be.

It was known that the sponsor is, in fact, an oligarch, Levon
Hayrapetyan, a Russia-based businessman, born in Vank village,
Karabakh. Gandzasar is near Vank village, on the height. Levon
Hayrapetyan sponsors Vank, funds reconstruction, helps the village
people to maintain the area, creates jobs. He has established a
woodworking workshop which is not so dynamic, in fact. He has built
hotels, restaurants in the village.

However, too much beauty is not beautiful. Too much love and devotion
produce the opposite effect. The Russia-based businessman thought the
wall around Gandzasar dated 13th century must be improved, made more
beautiful, and therefore the wall is being faced. The NKR Ministry
of Culture announced that it hadn’t authorized facing of the wall
because it distorts the historical environment. Nevertheless, the wall
dating from the 13th century continues to be faced. Interestingly,
the leadership of the Diocese of Artsakh has appealed to the NKR
Ministry of Culture for permission, whereas the church was thought to
be the first to thank Levon Hayrapetyan for his willingness to help
the church but explain that a modern finish on a historical building
is harm rather than help.

It is not ruled out, of course, that the idea of facing occurred to the
Diocese which turned to Levon Ter-Petrosyan for sponsorship. In any
case, the ultimate responsibility of the leadership of the Armenian
apostolic Church is concerned. In addition, this is not a singular
case but a frequent phenomenon.

Evidence to this is the reconstruction of the monastery of Haghartsin.

Recently it became known that reconstruction distorts the historical
look of the monument. Moreover, cases of vandalism were reported,
namely the cross-stones and reliefs were smashed by builders to make
the bed of the stream.

Recently there have been other negligent cases of reconstruction of
churches with distortion of the historical and cultural value of
these monuments which were carried out with the connivance of the
Armenian Apostolic Church leadership. Although, there is no need to be
surprised because judging by the recent behavior of this leadership
they are concerned about the achievements of world car industries
and vacant road sections in Yerevan rather than the historical and
cultural environment.

The Armenian clergy leadership with their values, ideas of social
life does not differ from the secular leadership of Armenia. Moreover,
they form an organic union and a harmonious whole, advocating mutual
interests at the expense of total distortion of the environments
within their domains of rule.