Nearly 56,000 people visited Mother Goddess: From Anahit to Mary temporary exhibition

Nearly 56,000 people visited The Mother Goddess: From Anahit to Mary temporary exhibition, which featured the British Museum’s Satala Aphrodite, the bronze head and hand of the Goddess Anahit statue, at the History Museum of Armenia, in a period of over 6 months.

Organizers said at a press conference concluding the exhibition that the exclusive event has increased interest for visiting museums among the public, contributed to facilitated future international cooperations and changed the cultural environment of the country.

55,837 people visited the exhibition from September 21, 2024 until April 10, 2025.

Furthermore, proceeds have covered all expenses and the museum has acquired a new server system for its digitization work, History Museum of Armenia Director Davit Poghosyan said at a press conference.

Earlier in March, organizers had already announced that The Mother Goddess: From Anahit to Mary temporary exhibition became the most visited exhibition in Armenia ever.

Alfred Kocharyan, the Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport highlighted the cooperation with the British Museum. He said the successful cooperation has increased trust internationally, and other leading museums are now more willing to cooperate.

Kocharyan said many other cooperation projects have been agreed upon with other countries.

UK Ambassador to Armenia John Gallagher said the exhibition was a unique opportunity for the Armenian people to connect with their cultural legacy, and for visitors from around the world to get to know Armenia and its ancient civilization. 

Vanane Ararktsyan, CEO of Keron Development Foundation, the exhibition’s sponsor, said that her organization had seriously prepared for the event because it was one of the first projects of the 1-year-old Keron Foundation aimed at the development of Armenia. She lauded the exhibition for its success. 

Dating back to the 2nd or 1st century BC, the bronze head and hand of the Goddess Anahit statue is assigned to Anahit, the goddess of fertility and healing, wisdom and water in Armenian mythology. It was discovered in the territory of Armenia Minor, present day Turkiye.