Armenian culture minister presents Medal of Movses Khorenatsi to benefactor Le

Armenia’s Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, Zhanna Andreasyan, received prominent benefactor and cultural figure Levon Vartan Der Bedrossian and presented him with the Medal of Movses Khorenatsi, a high state honour. The ministry said they also discussed several issues concerning the newly established carpet art museum and its prospects.

Deputy Minister Alfred Kocharyan also attended the meeting.

Andreasyan thanked Der Bedrossian for his significant contribution to preserving, developing, showcasing and promoting cultural heritage. She said each of these descriptions fully reflected his exceptional work.

“In recognition of your contribution, you were awarded a high state honour by decree of the President of the Republic on Armenia’s Independence Day for your significant service and dedication to the homeland. Your work is important to strengthening our country’s independence and statehood. This award is a fitting recognition of the substantial investment you have made in Armenia,” Andreasyan said. She expressed confidence that the carpet art museum created with his support would be passed down to future generations and would offer visitors from abroad an excellent place to discover Armenia.

Der Bedrossian thanked the minister for the recognition. He said the occasion had given him a chance to look back, reflect on how the initiative began and take stock of what it had achieved, which gave him great satisfaction.

“By working together, we can establish cultural institutions of a high standard. I am confident this is only the beginning and that the time has come for us to flourish and grow through collective effort. As the saying goes, ‘One flower does not make a spring’, and this initiative must continue with thousands of new steps,” Der Bedrossian said.

The ministry noted that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Der Bedrossian on establishing a carpet art museum in Armenia.

Under the memorandum, Der Bedrossian will donate property in the community of Garni, in Armenia’s Kotayk Province, and his personal collection to the Republic of Armenia to establish the museum.

The initiative will create a new cultural centre dedicated to Armenian carpet art and objects of cultural value. The centre will serve as both a museum and a venue for education and culture, hosting thematic exhibitions, masterclasses, educational programmes and other cultural events.