Government ordered not to enlarge the list of state protected monuments - architect
The old building of Zvartnots airport is not included in the list of state protected cultural monuments therefore architects cannot demand that the authorities stop the demolition of building and preserve the old tower as a cultural value. Anyway, Mkrtich Minasyan, Chairman of the Union of Architects of Armenia, says they have repeatedly applied to various structures trying to save the old terminal building but to no avail. “Years ago we proposed to include Zvartnots airport in list of state protected monuments but the application has remained unanswered. Perhaps, based on it, Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosyan said she had nothing to do with the building and its demolition,” Mr Minasyan said. The government has issued an internal directive not to enlarge the list of state protected monuments because it hampers urban development,” Mkrtich Minasyan said adding that it was secret information. At the same time, he adds that the Municipality is against the demolition but cannot do anything. “This is not the first time we have lost many buildings under this scheme,” he said. Architect Sashur Kalashyan added in turn that the preservation of the old building of the airport is not beneficial for the state. “The country does not have money and relies on remittances from abroad.” The specialists remind everyone that the airport is owned by the state, and Corporacion America group of Eduardo Eurnekian, an Argentine billionaire of Armenian descent, took over Zvartnots airport after signing a 30-year management contract with the Armenian government. The company promised to modernize the airport facilities. However, as years passed by, it became clear that the building was left abandoned. The architects say they have submitted numerous projects to renovate the old building of the airport, but no one showed interest in them.
