The Jewish community in Vayots Dzor was formed in the 13-14th centuries, when the region was developing both economically and culturally. Jews have resided there for a long time, acquiring Armenian cultural traditions, as well as creating theirs. Hermon village, not far from Eghegis, interestingly enough is called Hermon after the Jewish sacred mount. On the left shore of Eghegis river is located Jewish graveyard, where 64 gravestones are preserved.
Ara Tarverdyan, the Director of the Service for the protection of historical environment and cultural museum reservations NCSO has discussed some questions concerning the preservation of the Jewish community’s cultural heritage in Armenia with the Jewish community’s head in Armenia Rima Varjapetyan. They discussed the need for the renovation of the “Graveyard” monument’s area. Mrs. Varjapetyan thanked NCSO for implementing the reservation of the monument, wishing to see the wooden bridge to the graveyard renovated.
Ara Tarverdyan mentioned that the reservation of the cultural heritage is in NCSO’s sphere and the organization is preoccupied about the problems concerning the graveyard. He assured that the problems can be solved due to their cooperation.
Many of the tourists visiting Armenia come to Vayots Dzor as well, getting acquainted with Armenian and other neighbor countries’ cultural heritage.
The Director of the NCSO mentioned that the recently opened Erevan-Tel-Aviv-Erevan direct flight will activate the tourists’ course to Armenia and Artsakh.
“I’m sure that the foreigner wishing to see Tatev will have a stop in Vayots Dzor, to get acquainted with a particle of Jewish culture”, added NCSO’s Director.
There is much in Vayots Dzor worth to be visited. Particularly in Eghegnadzor’s Geological museum’s two rooms are preserved coins which were found during excavations and other things. We have an intention to enlarge the territory for making the Jewish culture more embracing.
Ara Tarverdyan and Rima Varjapetyan touched upon the above mentioned theme during the meeting.
They reached a consensus to invite to the upcoming discussion other people who are interested.
