Matenadaran Interlinks Generations and Centuries

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 17, ARMENPRESS: This year is outlined in Armenia’s cultural life with two important events: UNESCO has declared Yerevan as World Capital of Book and 500th anniversary of Armenian Typography is being marked. In the sidelines of the events Armenpress spoke with the director of Matenadaran Hrachya Tamrazyan.

- Mr Tamrazyan this year will be rich in cultural events. What is Matenadaran going to do to mark the holidays?

- The events to be conducted within the framework of the holidays will coincide with the accomplishment of renovation works of the main building of Matenadaran. During that period the old monumental building will reopen and will serve as a big museum complex. The territory of the showing halls will double at the same time preserving the scientific laboratories. If years ago we had one main exposition, now we will have more than ten showing halls with interlinked expositions and permanently changing samples. It will allow us be more mobile and make Matenadaran more attractive.

- What events will be conducted in the context of these changes?

- The main event will be the opening of the showing hall of ancient books. Besides, we will implement a big publishing program in the sidelines of which unique books presenting our culture will be displayed. We are also intending to create a series of albums presenting eastern miniature. The Russian and French variants of it are already ready. We want to present our culture to the world. It relates not only to expositions but the printed books as well. An international conference will also be conducted.

- How much do you signify these holidays? Will they make international community recognize Armenia better?

- It will give an opportunity to present our culture. Till know we have been presenting our culture to the world and it made us famous.

- How can we “surprise” the international community?

- Person entering Matenadaran changes his/her mentality. It happens unnoticed. While contacting with a book person’s bio-philosophy, common time and distance feelings are changing. In general, person entering Matenadaran leaves it under the impression of not only Armenian but world culture. It is а living feeling of contacting with culture which interlinks generations and centuries.

- What lessons should we pick from the world cultural values?

- We must view us, our culture and for outlining our identity we must learn the culture of others. It must become a life process.

- The digitalization process is greatly signified today. What is being done in this direction in Matenadaran?

- In parallel to scientific development of the manuscripts, Mesrop Mashtots Scientific-Research Institute is conducting digitalization process as well. Over 2 million pages have already been digitalized. A person majoring in Armenology may order and get any material in a digital format. We have been implementing this process for already four years. Now we want to acquire new devices. The department is being fulfilled with new specialists. The best laboratory conditions have been created.