For the second time, a meeting of representatives from these centres and leaders of state bodies in the Republic of Armenia is taking place as part of the International Armenological Congress. Similar to 2024, this year’s agenda focuses on strengthening practical ties with spiritual and manuscript centres and determining directions and formats for state support.
The discussion includes participation from several key figures: His Eminence Archbishop Shahan Sarkissian, Head of the “Cilicia” Library of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia; Rev. F. Narek Louissyan, Vice Superior of the Bzommar Convent and responsible for its museum and Grand Bibliotheca; Father Arshak Ghazarian, Director of the St. Theodoros Manuscript Library and the Helen and Edward Mardigian Museum of the Jerusalem Patriarchate; Reverend Father Archimandrite Vahan Ohanyan, responsible for manuscripts at the Mekhitarist Congregation in Venice; Very Rev. Fr. Vahan S. Hovagimian, Research and Deputy Librarian at the Mekhitarist Congregation in Vienna; as well as the Director of the Center for Expertise on Cultural Values and a representative from the State Revenue Committee of the Republic of Armenia.
The meeting emphasised the importance of enhancing cooperation in the restoration of manuscripts and organising joint exhibitions among the centres. Comprehensive clarifications were provided regarding the initiative of the Matenadaran administration on the procedures for handling written monuments.
It is important to note that following last year’s discussions, support for the digitisation of manuscripts was initiated, and joint exhibition programs were approved.