Prince Charles to pay a visit to Armenia

YEREVAN, MAY 24, ARMENPRESS. His Royal Highness Charles, Prince of Wells, will pay a private visit to the Republic of Armenia on May 28-30. The UK Embassy to the Republic of Armenia informed "Armenpress" that the Prince will visit the most significant historical monuments of the world's ancient country, which adopted Christianity as a state religion. His Royal Highness will also attend the gala concert and supper, which will launch in favor of the charity activities aimed at preservation of the cultural heritage of capital Yerevan.

The former Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, the first Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to London Armen Sargsyan is the founder of "Yerevan - My Love" program. This program targets renaissance of architectural monuments, which greatly resembles "Dumfries House" charity program in Scotland aimed at architectural heritage. This program enjoys the personal support of the Prince of Wells himself. Armen Sargsyan has always been among the ardent supporters of "Dumfries House" restoration.

Within the framework of his visit Prince Charles will pay a visit to the library and scientific centre of ancient manuscripts Matenadaran. There are over 17.000 manuscripts in Armenian and foreign languages kept in Matenadaran. The Mashtots Matenadaran Ancient Manuscripts Collection was inscribed on UNESCO's Memory of the World Programme Register in 1997 in recognition of its world significance.

Also the Prince of Wells and Armen Sargsyan will have a meeting with the President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan in his residence.

HRH Prince Charles will also attend the concert in the Yerevan Opera House, which will be followed by a reception and gala supper in honour of "Yerevan- My Love" program benefactors.

"Yerevan My Love" is a heritage-led regeneration project dedicated to preserving architecturally significant buildings in Yerevan and, by adaptive reuse, to improve the life experience of disabled children, young people and disadvantaged families.

It is an ambitious charitable project with two main aims:

Restore and reconstruct: to safeguard and restore the historic districts of Yerevan and coordinate efforts to save the artistic and architectural heritage of this 3000-year-old capital city, its traditions and neighbourhoods. To restore historic buildings and adapt them for new and vibrant uses; but above all, to put people, their living conditions and their quality of life at the centre planning.

Social impact: to improve the education and life experience of children and young people, especially orphans and those who come from disadvantaged communities; to help children and youth with social and health disadvantages and to assist them in gaining confidence and independence in the course of their everyday life.

The ultimate aim of Yerevan My Love is to preserve the authentic architectural heritage of the city and to place the people of Yerevan in the heart of "Yerevan My Love".