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
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
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
Matenadaran Director Ara Khzmalyan presented a certificate of appreciation to Ara Avetisyan, founder of Zover Construction. The Director spoke about the results of Matenadaran’s official visit to Switzerland on September 20–23, made possible with the organization’s support. He highlighted the importance of the delegation’s participation in the annual conference of the International Association of Bibliophiles,
Matenadaran and the Yerevan State College of Culture and Arts named after Charles Aznavour have signed a memorandum of cooperation to support the training of restorers and the development of a new generation of specialists. The memorandum was signed by Matenadaran Director Ara Khzmalyan and College Director Vrej Kirakosyan. Anna Babajanyan, the newly appointed Deputy
Damian Elsig, the Director of the Swiss National Library, provided an overview of the institution’s history, main areas of activity, and upcoming reform initiatives.Ara Khzmalyan, the Director of Matenadaran, outlined the international programs and activities of Matenadaran and proposed that the Swiss National Library participate in the Yerevan Declaration on Global Cooperation for the Preservation
On September 22, Matenadaran Head of the Depository of Manuscripts Khachik Harutyunyan, together with members of the International Association of Bibliophiles, attended special exhibitions organized for Association members at the Neuchâtel Palace, the archive of the Franciscan Order in Fribourg, the Cantonal and University Library, and Oron Castle. The exhibits included manuscript and archival items,
On September 22, 2026, the Director of Matenadaran, Ara Khzmalyan, presented to the Director of the Alliance, Valery Freland, the results achieved by the Laboratory for the Restoration and Research of Arabic-Script Manuscripts, which was inaugurated at Matenadaran earlier this year with the support of ALIPH. Particular emphasis was placed on the necessity for internationalisation
The delegation comprises Tatev Muradyan, Deputy Director of Development; Khachik Harutyunyan, Chief Curator; and Sona Baloyan, responsible for International Relations. Director Ara Khzmalyan heads the delegation. On September 21, the Matenadaran delegation is taking part in the International Association of Bibliophily (Association Internationale de Bibliophilie, AIB) congress in Geneva, held this year in several Swiss
Accompanied by Vladimir Karapetyan, the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Italy, the distinguished guests toured the exhibition halls of Matenadaran and gained insights into the conditions for the preservation and restoration of written heritage. Ara Khzmalyan, the Director of Matenadaran, expressed gratitude to Aruna Francesca Gujral for her welcome address at the international
