Official defends opening of cafe near pagan temple in Armenia
YEREVAN, December 13. / ARKA /. Vladimir Poghosyan, head of a state
non-profit organization in charge of protection of historical and
cultural monuments, denied today media allegations that construction
of an outdoor café near Garni Temple in central Kotayk region was
illegal.
The café is planned to open in the spring of 2014.
Speaking to a news conference Poghsyan said the law allows the use of
the nearby territory for economic purposes. He said the owner of the
café has the permission of the provincial
administration. He also cited some experts, including archaeologists
who confirmed that the cafe would not damage the historical and
cultural integrity of the temple.
`The cafe will sell sandwiches, soft drinks, tea and coffee. Part of
the products will be purchased from local residents,’ he said.
The Temple of Garni is a first century Hellenic temple, the only pagan
temple in Armenia that survived the Christianization of the country in
301 AD. -0-
16:42 13.12.2013