Armenian Culture Ministry consistent in making Armenian culture renowned both abroad and in RA provinces

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS: Armenpress interviewed head of the Modern Arts Department of the Armenian Culture Ministry Sona Harutyunyan about presentation of Armenian cultural heritage abroad.

-One of the primary directions defined for the Culture Ministry by the Armenian government is making Armenian culture renowned abroad. In your opinion, do we manage to properly present the Armenian culture to the world?

-The opportunities and means of presenting the Armenian culture abroad need reconsideration. The financial support, which is extended to the events conducted in Armenia, maybe reduced and extended to all the initiatives outside the borders of Armenia. One of the primary directions defined for the Culture Ministry by the Armenian government is making Armenian culture renowned abroad. In order that priority becomes reality we must have much more distinct programs. And in general, we must balance the series of all the events, which are intended for the next year.

When you are abroad, you understand that your country’s culture does not concede the culture of the given country, but you cannot introduce yourself, as you do not have an opportunity, and it is sorrowful. The circumstance that Armenian art figures will have an opportunity to be presented abroad is of utmost importance. In this case painting and musicology afford the best opportunity, as here neither translation nor efforts are needed. In case of both painting and music we may calmly come forth on foreign stages, where art becomes accessible without any speech and mediation.

-What kind of programs has the Ministry worked out in the direction of making culture renowned? In particular, what surprises has the Culture Ministry prepared for Armenian art-loving society for the upcoming year?

-I can note with great delight that the Culture Ministry has initiated a number of events in the direction of making our art renowned to the world. International forum of modern art of Arshile Gorky will be conducted, within the framework of which Armenia will host a number of art figures from abroad. A scientific conference and an exhibition will be conducted within the framework of the forum. That is, the forum will promote that foreign art figures pay visit to Armenia, get acquainted with our country and culture.

An exhibition entitled “Caucasian Paris” will also open, in the direction of organization of which close cooperation is running with Georgia. The exhibition will open in Armenia, then in Georgia and in 2012 in Paris.

The Culture Ministry attaches importance to teaching of “History of Armenian Art” subject in higher educational establishments of abroad. The professor-lecturer staff of “Albert Ludwig University” of German Freiburg town will visit Armenia in 2011 and will sign an agreement with Yerevan State University on exchange of students and lecturers.

-Proportionate development of culture in provinces is among the primary directions defined for the Armenian Culture Ministry by the government. What kind of steps does the Ministry undertake in this direction?

-Both presentation of Armenian art to the world, and the approach to art in Armenian provinces is among our primary issues. The ministry will be consistent in creation of International Festival of Caricature, and currently negotiations are running in deciding the place of conduction of the festival. We pay high importance to conduction of cultural programs in Meghri, as it is geographically the place, where Artsakh, Armenia and Iran come together, and that position provides an opportunity those three states to join and become a cultural center.