MATENADARAN MUST NOT LOSE ITS EXCLUSIVE COPYRIGHT
AZG Armenian Daily #074, 21/04/2007
As it was predicted, the discussion of the agreement signed between
the Matenadaran Ancient Manuscripts Museum Instutute, Armenia,
and the St. John "Hill" Museum-Library of Manuscripts, USA, at the
Armenia National Science Academy was full of emotion and polarized
contradiction. One part of the Armenian scientists, supporting
the agreement, were advocating the idea of having digital copy of
the Matenadaran archives, the other perceived the ruin of Armenian
culture heritage and historical science in exporting the copies of
the archive to a foreign state.
President of the Academy Sen Arevshatian, who tried to balance between
the arguing groups, in his speech noted that the argument would not
be so furious if the Armenian public were previously warned about
its endorsement.
The most of the discussion’s participants were first of all interested
in the juristic aspects of the agreement, and eager to be sure that
Matenadaran’s copyright is ensured by it.
Mr. Arevshatian informed the members of the Academy that it was a
preliminary agreement, after which three more agreements – scientific,
financial and technical, are to be signed and examined by a group
of experts.
Garegin Chuqaszian noted that nobody doubts that the Matenadaran
administration was honest in signing that agreement. He added that the
implementation of the agreement will involve also experts of IT sphere,
and that the IBM corporation is to undertake the preparation of the
digital copies of the Matenadaran’s manuscripts. Mr. Banuchian stated
that the Culture and Education Ministry on behalf of the Government
of the Republic of Armenia has approved the agreement.
Matenadaran’s administration in its turn stated that the manuscripts
stored at the institute bear no information that can by any means harm
Armenia’s international status and that they are free for publication
worldwide.
The Academy came to conclusion that a commission of experts must be
establish ion order to elaborate certain details of the agreement,
insuring perseverance of Armenian national interest.
By R. Poghosian