The cultural heritage of Armenia is the unique passport of our national identity, and the reservation of it is the responsibility of each of us. Through the web page of “Protection service” NCSO and Armenian monuments facebook account we popularize the historical-cultural heritage of the Republic of Artsakh, touched upon its reservation, excavations and present problems.
Our interlocutor is the minister of culture of the Republic of Artsakh Sergey Shahverdyan. The theme is the memorandum signed between the ministers of culture of two Armenian states, inclined to the development of cooperation.
“Mr. Shahvedyan, recently the ministers of culture of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh signed a memorandum about cooperation in the field of reservation of historical-cultural heritage. I would like you to detail about what the memorandum stipulates and to which fields is given the primacy”.
“Mr Amiryan’s visit is quite efficient as during two days we have managed to discuss a wide spectrum of questions: started from the cooperation of the ministries of the two republics to directions of cultural politics”. What concerns the memorandum, as it’s known we take into consideration the fact that “Artsakh’s culture” or “cultural heritage” terms are just geographical definitions, the memorandum refers to the reservation of Armenian cultural heritage or values. The basic directions referred to the cooperation in the field of monuments reservation, publication of professional literature, restoration of monuments and other spheres. In the nearest future we are planning elaboration of cooperation’s program which will suggest implementation of more precise works.
“Mr. Shahverdyan, the reservation of cultural heritage is the responsibility of all of us. How many monuments are planned to be restored in 2018?”
It’s difficult to mention by numbers at this very moment, as besides the works stipulated by the program we try to somehow support to the restoration of monuments having local significance, according to appropriate requisitions. Restoration works by state budget are planned to be implemented in the territories of Askeran’s fortress and Gtchavanq while Shushi’s Upper Mosque and Dadivan’s territories will be restored by private financial benefactions.
“In the previous year serious works were implemented in the territories of several archaeological sites, what will the dimension of works be like this year?”
“In 2018 we are planning expansive works of investigation especially in the field of monuments excavation. Excavations in Tigranakert’s site, Nor Karmiravan, will continue. Besides, archaeological excavations will be implemented in the territories of monuments in need of urgent excavations”.
“Is it planned a development of cooperation in the field of restoration, for example a restoration of finds in Yerevan?”
“A format of cooperation in the field of the restoration of finds is already formed with the Ministry of Culture of RA. The cooperation refers to both the restoration of finds in Yerevan and requalification of specialists. We will continue the active cooperation in that sphere in the nearest future as well.
“I would like to come on to another important question, the reservation zones of monuments. What is the problem in Artsakh like and what kind of works are implemented for that?”
“Till now more than 700 reservation zones in the territories of historical-cultural monuments have been formed in Artsakh. The process is continuous, but unfortunately, because of limited financial means the process was stopped temporarily in 2018. Now we negotiate with a European fund for the involvement of financial means in order to implement that very project”.
