The Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts has launched a project aimed at restoring and publicizing the written heritage created in Nagorno-Karabakh and stored in the Matenadaran. The project is being implemented with the support of the United States.

The US Ambassador's Fund for the Preservation of Cultural Values has allocated 74 thousand dollars to the Matenadaran for the implementation of the project.

The project selected manuscripts and unique archive documents written and illustrated in Gandzasar, Dadivank, Gndevank, Khadavank, Gtchavank, and other Armenian medieval monasteries from the 13th-18th centuries to provide insight into the rich Armenian cultural heritage and historical gaps.

Ara Khzmalyan, Director of the Matenadaran, expressed gratitude to the US Ambassador for supporting the implementation of the significant project.

“A vast collection of spiritual experience accumulated over millennia, a unique layer of Christian tradition, is facing existential threats. This reality makes us even more vigilant in protecting the heritage that has survived various historical events. As a result of this project, manuscripts and ancient archival documents, preserved for centuries in historical Artsakh-Utik, will be restored," Khzmalyan said.

 "We want to assure you that this heritage, though of Armenian origin, is also part of world culture and holds pan-Christian significance. The collection preserved in the Matenadaran represents a broader context of written culture, beyond the manuscript heritage of Nagorno-Karabakh," he added.

Armenian Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan emphasized that the manuscript heritage of Nagorno-Karabakh holds a unique place in Armenian cultural heritage. She noted that this heritage, with its distinctive handwriting and rich traditions, has yet to be properly publicized and presented to the world.

United States Ambassador to Armenia Kristina Kvien expressed her delight at the significant work carried out by the Matenadaran and her pleasure in visiting regularly.

"It is especially important for me to be present today to announce the launch of this program, under which efforts will be made to preserve the manuscripts of Nagorno-Karabakh. The cultural heritage and values of Nagorno-Karabakh must be unequivocally preserved," said the Ambassador.

Published by Armenpress, original at https://armenpress.am/en/article/1206587