The RA Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan and the US Ambassador to the RA Christina Quinn, together with officials representatives of Shirak Marz and Anipemza settlement, visited the historical Basilica Cathedral of Yereruyk, where 175,000 USD given by the US Ambassador's Foundation for the Protection of Cultural Values conservation works are carried out with the grant.
The visit underscored the commitment of the United States to support the preservation and restoration of Armenia's rich historical and cultural heritage.
Minister Zhanna Andreasyan emphasized the support provided, which provides an opportunity to preserve one of the unique structures of the cultural heritage of Armenia, the Temple of the Annunciation, which is also included in the preliminary list of UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage.
"By presenting the millennial culture, history, architecture, and art of Armenia in a reimagined environment, we will have the opportunity to organize educational programs here, which will undoubtedly contribute to youth development and the popularization of our cultural heritage. I also highlight the support program for preserving Nagorno Karabakh manuscripts, which will be implemented jointly with the "Matenadaran" Mesrop Mashtots Scientific Research Institute of Ancient Manuscripts. I am confident the close and effective cooperation will continue," the minister said, thanking the US Embassy.
"Our cooperation in the field of cultural preservation speaks of strong cooperation between our two states. Together, we preserve history and promote mutual understanding and respect," Ambassador Quinn said.
The ancient basilica temple of Yereruyk was founded in the 4th and 5th centuries and is a unique monument of historical significance from Armenia's early Christian period. Due to both natural and human factors, the memorial's preservation has been challenged, and today, its conservation is critical to passing on Armenia's cultural heritage to future generations.
In Yereruik, Ambassador Quinn announced the new program of the US Ambassador's Cultural Preservation Fund, which provides 74,000 USD to Matenadaran to preserve rare manuscripts and archival documents created in the ancient Armenian monasteries of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Since 2005, 15 cultural preservation projects have been implemented in Armenia with the funding of the US Ambassador's Fund for the Preservation of Cultural Values, to which a total of 1.6 million USD was allocated.
According to the Ereruk project, the walls will be strengthened, damaged stones replaced, a drainage system provided, and the monument area improved (preparing it as an exhibition place for the existing monumental stones).
Among the recently implemented projects funded by the Foundation in Armenia are the conservation works of the Sanahin monastery complex in Lori Marz, the restoration of the endangered frescoes of Meghri St. Hovhannes church in Syunik Marz, and the protection of Areni 1 cave in Vayots Dzor Marz.
It should be noted that the state's attention to the preservation of historical and cultural monuments has noticeably increased. In 2024, the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports allocated about 1 billion 159 million AMD to preserve historical and cultural monuments, which is about twice as much as the previous year's allocation and about 5-6 times more than the earlier years. At the moment, by order of the Ministry, restoration and repair works are being carried out in the Tsiranavor Church in Parpi, Aragatsotn Marz, in Agarak Historical and Archaeological Reserve, in the Translation Church in Aygeshat, Armavir Marz, in St. Nicholas the Miracle Worker Church in Amrakitsi, Lori Marz, in Lori Fortress (walls, baths, wall), Haghpat Monastery, etc. Soon, restoration works will also start on the Holy Trinity Church in Kirantsi, Tavush region, and Amberd Castle in the Aragatsotn region.
