Nansen’s statue – in the heart of Yerevan

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS:

The bronze statue of Fridtjof Wedel-Jarlsberg Nansen opened today in the heart of Yerevan – in the neighboring territory of Abovyan-Moskovyan streets. The statue of theNorwegianexplorer, scientist, diplomat, humanitarian, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and friend of Armenian people opened within the framework of the events dedicated to his 150th anniversary. The sculptor is Garegin Davtyan, and the architect – Aslan Mkhitaryan. Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, FM Edward Nalbandyan, Norwegian Foreign Minister JonasGahr Støre, Nansen’s granddaughter Marit Grev, high-ranking officials, and representatives of the diplomatic corpus were present at the opening ceremony.

RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan, welcoming the guests, noted that it is in the heart of Yerevan as a testimony to the extent the Armenian people cherish in their hearts the memory of their venerable friends.

“This statue adds to the several schools, streets, orphanages and hospitals bearing the name of Nansen, scattered across Armenia - in Yerevan, Spitak, Gyumri, Vanadzor and elsewhere - signifying the warmth and reverence of the Armenian people towards the fond memory and name of Nansen,” said Edward Nalbandyan.

The Foreign Minister said that rendering assistance during the most difficult period for the Armenian people, Nansen saved not only hundreds of thousands of Armenians, but also our nation’s shaken belief that the human being was created in God’s likeness, that inside a human being the goodness can not be overtaken by evil.

Architect Garegin Davtyan stated with joy that he had the luck to be the author of Nansen’s statue.