A large-scale international exhibition entitled "Mother Deity, from Anahit to Mariam." will be held on September 21, 2024, in the History Museum of Armenia, with the support of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of the Republic of Armenia and the support of the RA Embassy in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as well as the Embassy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the Republic of Armenia. 

Today, a press conference was held at the History Museum of Armenia regarding the start of the work on the organization of the large-scale exhibition "Mother Deity, from Anahit to Mary" and the loan agreement of the head and hand preserved from the bronze statue of the goddess Anahit from the British Museum.

The press conference speakers were the RA Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Republic of Armenia John Gallagher, and Director of the History Museum of Armenia Davit Poghosyan.

During the press conference, the agreement on the loan of the head and hand preserved from the bronze statue of the goddess Anahit, which the British Museum has already approved, was ceremoniously ratified by the director of the History Museum of Armenia, Davit Poghosyan. According to the loan agreement signed with the British Museum, the transfer of the bronze head and hand preserved from the statue of the goddess Anahit dating back to the 2nd-1st century BC and kept and displayed in the British Museum to Armenia and the temporary exhibition for 6 months will begin.

RA Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan emphasized the launch of an important initiative and highlighted the importance of cooperation between the two countries' museums.

"I think the exhibition should arouse a lot of interest among various layers of the public, both schoolchildren and representatives of different age groups. This international cooperation between our museums will have a continuous nature," said Zhanna Andreasyan, referring to the sample (bust) of the Anahit statue found in the historical capital Artashat, which is already on display in the History Museum of Armenia.

"This will be a unique and wonderful opportunity to see the meeting of two historical realities, preserved specimens in the same environment. This also opens up perspectives as we see the connections and understand the broader realities essential to our history. Such collaborations will only be encouraged and continued by the state. I am glad that our museums are very active and proactive. Cooperation with other important museums around the world is the continuous policy of the state. We will support the implementation of such programs because museums are significant in public life. They become environments where educational and culturally important processes are carried out," said the minister of ESCS.

Zhanna Andreasyan also mentioned adopting the "Law on Museums," which will contribute to further expanding museum activities. This legislation will regulate the field of museums for the first time since independence.

The title of the exhibition is also significant. We often talk about valuing the role of women, and this exhibition will be a practical opportunity for it, through which we will also reflect on the importance of women's public role. That conversation can start from historical times and continue to the present day, thus also inspiring our women and girls and instilling the appropriate code of conduct in them. It is also symbolic that this year we can mark our country's independence day with such an important event," said the minister.

Davit Poghosyan, Director of the History Museum of Armenia, welcomed the attendees and noted that today marks the start of the critical and remarkable international exhibition. According to the director, this exhibition can be a unique gift for Armenian women on Motherhood and Beauty Day, as the exhibition is held under the heading "Mother Deity, From Anahit to Mariam."

Davit Poghosyan elaborated on the idea of the exhibition. "This idea was born as a result of cooperation with the British Museum, one of the most prestigious museums in the world. In 2023, the British Museum opened an international exhibition entitled "Glory and Power, from Persia to Greece", in which the History Museum of Armenia also participated, presenting 3 unique cultural values: the gold breastplate found in Armavir, the clay bull-shaped ritual vessel (6th-5th centuries AD) and the clay bear-shaped ritual vessel found in Artashat (K a I d). It was a very interesting show. One of the bear-shaped prytons found in the historical capital of Artashat was matched with the bronze face of the statue of the goddess Anahit found in historical Armenia and kept in the British Museum. It was at that time that, together with the organizers-coordinators, we also tried to organize the opposite, that is, the joint exhibition of these values found in historical Armenia.

In his turn, John Gallagher, Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Armenia, noted: "I am thrilled that the British Museum will temporarily provide the bronze bust of the goddess Anahit to the History Museum of Armenia. The British Museum is known for its extensive collection and commitment to exhibiting its treasures worldwide. The museum is a global cultural exchange center, providing more than 5,000 exhibits each year, promoting dialogue and understanding across borders. I warmly welcome the growing cooperation between British and Armenian museums. The expected exhibition in Armenia is an important event of cultural exchange."

It should be noted that the exhibition will present a significant selection of the Mother Goddess from the rich collections of the History Museum of Armenia, from ancient times to Christianity and today.

The History Museum of Armenia previously cooperated with the British Museum and provided its collections on temporary loan within the framework of various international exhibitions. However, for the first time in Armenia, samples from this prestigious museum will be exhibited, especially symbolic and museum objects of particular significance for the Armenian people.