Manuscripts preserved
The new building of the Matenadaran opened today very solemnly and with the blessing of Catholicos Karekin II.
Attending the opening ceremony were Serzh Sargsyan, NK President Bako Sahakyan, Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia, the Mayor of Yerevan, the RA Minister of Culture, benefactors and guests.
Not everyone was able to enter the new Matenadaran building, including cultural advisor to the Catholicos of All Armenians, Shahen Khachatryan.
After the Catholicos's blessing, Serzh Sargsyan and the guests toured the exhibition halls of the new building, which were more spacious and had favorable conditions for preserving and presenting old manuscripts.
In his speech, Serzh Sargsyan assured that the old Matenadaran building would restored and that the surrounding area would be organized.
Construction of the building planned by architect, composer Artur Meschyan started two years ago with support from Diaspora Armenian benefactors, especially Russia-based Sergey Hambardzumyan. Serzh Sargsyan today granted him and other benefactors medals.
