The opening of Matenadaran’s new Laboratory for the Study and Restoration of Arabic-script manuscripts was one of the highlights of the launch of the 15th international seminar, “Faces of Memory: Newest Technologies for Preservation and Restoration of Manuscript and Printed Heritage,” which brings together global experts to discuss modern approaches to safeguarding written heritage.

The seminar was officially opened at the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts (Matenadaran) in Yerevan, gathering specialists from around the world.

Matenadaran Director Ara Khzmalyan said during the ceremony that the “Faces of Memory” seminar, launched 15 years ago, has become a dynamic and highly in-demand international platform.

He noted that the seminar has engaged around 145 institutions, including restoration centers, libraries, museums, and archives, covering a wide geographical scope spanning the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, South America, as well as India, China, Japan, and Russia.

Khzmalyan emphasized that the seminar addresses a broad range of topics, from the physical and biochemical challenges of manuscript preservation to digitization, laser restoration, advanced conservation technologies, and the development of professional networks and long-term partnerships.

“This can be summarized in one phrase: shared responsibility for the world’s written heritage,” he said.

Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, and Chair of the Matenadaran Board of Trustees Zhanna Andreasyan, also noted that the seminar has developed into a broad international network involving institutions from over 40 countries.

She stressed that leading institutions in the field of written heritage have been involved in the seminar, turning it into an important platform for discussing key challenges and solutions in preservation and restoration.

During the event, Andreasyan awarded the Ministry’s Gold Medal to Tamara Ohanian, a specialist at the Library of Congress of the United States, in recognition of long-standing cooperation.

Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Vassilis Maragos, welcomed the initiative, describing it as an important platform created by Matenadaran for coordinated international work on manuscript heritage.

He also highlighted ongoing European Union support for the preservation of Armenia’s cultural heritage and cooperation with Matenadaran in this field.

The event concluded with the cancellation ceremony of the “Armenian Miniature Art” postage stamp.