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YEREVAN, MAY 3, ARMENPRESS:
The cultural life in Armenia is gradually activating and today programs are being brought to life. Armenpress news agency spoke about the cultural life in the country and the existing issues with the Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosyan.
- Mr Poghosyan, which are the priorities of the RA Ministry of Culture in the running year and what steps are being undertaken for implementing them?
- The ensuring of the grounds of preservation of cultural heritage, presentation of the cultural heritage as well as the improvement of service in the sphere are the prior issues for 2011. For reaching the above mentioned goals the ministry is working out complex steps thanks to which they are being brought to life. The printing is also a priority for the ministry.
- One of the prior directions set up by the government for the ministry is the equal development of culture in provinces. What steps does the ministry undertake in that direction?
- Still from 2007 it is being spoken about equal development of culture in the provinces. The program consists of 10 different elements and it is natural that the content part is being changed during the time but the fact remains that today this program annually expands both with its content and financing. Each year the investments of the government with the equality principle increases.
First of all we put an issue to make the library and museum networks available for wider layers of the public. That is why we highly assess "Library on Wheels" program implemented by the Armenian National Library which goes to remote villages and takes not only library collections but newly printed books.
"Family Librarian Program" is being implemented which provides books to people who cannot move. We are also implementing social programs for individuals with poor eyesight, "Museum on Wheels" program within the framework of which valuable paintings are being shown in different museums and territories.
- Study centers are intended to be created for the restoration of cultural heritage. What functions will they implement?
- The program is multi-sided. Within the framework of study-educational sector it is expected to open master's course at the Yerevan State Architectural University where Italian specialists will teach monument restoration skills. The second sector relates to the training of heads of organizations restoring historic-cultural monuments. It is very important that organizations restoring monuments display literate and qualified approach toward the monuments. Besides creation of study centers of restoration of cultural heritage, works will be undertaken for compiling the material-technical database, creation of corresponding laboratories, etc.
- How many monuments are registered? How many museum funds need restoration?
- The majority of the 24 000 registered monuments and 1 million 738 678 museum samples need to be restored. The creation of cultural heritage restoration centers will ensure high-quality restoration of cultural values and protection through local potential. After the creation of the center it is expected to become a regional one.