October 2026 – Page 2

A DELEGATION LED BY AZZOUZ NASRI, PRESIDENT OF ALGERIA’S COUNCIL OF THE NATION, WHO ARRIVED IN ARMENIA IN CONNECTION WITH COP17, VISITED MATENADARAN

16.10.2026Hrant OhanyanVisits

The distinguished guest toured Matenadaran’s museum and viewed exceptional examples of Armenian manuscript heritage. At the conclusion of the visit, Azzouz Nasri made an entry in Matenadaran’s guestbook. “Together with the delegation accompanying me, I had the honour of visiting Matenadaran, a museum of ancient manuscripts. This visit gave us the opportunity to discover a

MATENADARAN LAUNCHES A MISSION TO ASSESS AND RESTORE THE MANUSCRIPT COLLECTIONS OF THE ARMENIAN CATHOLICOSATE OF THE GREAT HOUSE OF CILICIA

16.10.2026Hrant OhanyanEvents

A delegation from Matenadaran, headed by Director Ara Khzmalyan, is currently on a working visit to the Republic of Lebanon. The delegation includes Vahé Torosyan, Deputy Director for Research; Gurgen Gasparyan, Advisor to the Director; and Susanna Baghdasaryan and Chinar Mkrtchyan, Senior Conservators of Matenadaran’s Restoration Department. As part of the visit, the delegation met

A DELEGATION LED BY UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES, WHO ARRIVED IN ARMENIA IN CONNECTION WITH COP17, VISITED MATENADARAN

15.10.2026Hrant OhanyanVisits

Accompanied by Zhanna Andreasyan, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia, the distinguished guest toured Matenadaran’s museum and viewed exceptional examples of Armenian manuscript heritage. At the conclusion of the visit, António Guterres made an entry in Matenadaran’s guestbook: “I pay tribute to all the women and men that have

MATENADARAN IS WELCOMING HIGH-LEVEL GUESTS OF COP17

15.10.2026Hrant OhanyanVisits

A delegation led by Ignazio Cassis, Vice-President of the Swiss Confederation, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, who arrived in Armenia in connection with COP17, visited Matenadaran. Accompanied by Kristine Tataryan, Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia, and Hasmik Tolmajyan, Ambassador Extraordinary and

“AND LEAD US NOT… THE MYSTERIOUS WRITINGS OF PROTECTION”. A UNIQUE EXHIBITION OPENS AT THE MATENADARAN

15.10.2026Hrant OhanyanExhibitions

Scroll-shaped amulets, which form part of Armenian manuscript heritage, are collections of prayers, supplications, and wishes intended to provide protection and healing. For the first time, the collection of handwritten scroll-shaped amulets preserved at Matenadaran is on display. Matenadaran houses the largest collection of Armenian handwritten amulets. Ara Khzmalyan, Director of Matenadaran, and Davit Ghazaryan,

THE MATENADARAN’S COLLECTION OF AMULETS IN THE SPOTLIGHT OF THE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC COMMUNITY

14.10.2026Hrant OhanyanConferences

On October 14, the 18th International Conference entitled “Magic and Manuscripts” opened at the Matenadaran. The conference focuses on handwritten and printed amulets, folk beliefs, prayers, and traditions of magical practices in the context of different cultures and historical periods. The opening ceremony featured welcoming remarks by Ara Khzmalyan, Director of the Matenadaran, and Emanuela

A GARDEN TO BE ESTABLISHED NEXT TO MATENADARAN: MEMORANDUM OF COOPERATION AND AGREEMENT SIGNED WITH IDBANK

13.10.2026Hrant OhanyanEvents

Alongside the modernization of Matenadaran’s infrastructure, efforts to improve and develop the surrounding grounds are continuing. A garden is planned for an approximately 1.2-hectare area adjacent to Matenadaran. It will serve as a natural extension of the museum environment, bringing together cultural heritage preservation, environmental protection, and education. IDBank has joined the project initiated jointly

MATENADARAN DELEGATION PARTICIPATES IN THE INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF BYZANTINE STUDIES

12.10.2026Hrant OhanyanEvents

Seven Matenadaran staff members and one postgraduate student participated in the 25th International Congress of Byzantine Studies, held in Vienna on August 24–29 under the theme “Byzantium beyond Byzantium.” At the initiative of the Armenian National Committee for Byzantine Studies, a special session entitled “Byzantium and Artsakh” was held as part of the Congress. Papers

MATENADARAN–CALOUSTE GULBENKIAN FOUNDATION COOPERATION ENTERS A NEW PHASE

06.10.2026Hrant OhanyanEvents

On October 6, Matenadaran welcomed members of the Board of Trustees of the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian , led by the Chairman of the Board, António M. Feijó. The delegation was accompanied by Razmik Panossian, Director of the Foundation’s Armenian Communities Department. During the visit, the guests toured the Matenadaran Museum, manuscript repository and archives, as

“I Could Spend an Entire Day at Matenadaran”: U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Visits Matenadaran

02.10.2026Hrant OhanyanVisits

Riley Barnes, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, toured the museum accompanied by Matenadaran Director Ara Khzmalyan and familiarized himself with Armenia’s manuscript heritage. Special exhibitions were organized for the high-ranking guest, featuring masterpieces of Armenian manuscript art, ancient specimens from Matenadaran’s cartographic heritage, as well as the results of