ARMENIAN CULTURE MINISTRY CONSISTENT IN MAKING ARMENIAN CULTURE RENOWNED BOTH ABROAD AND IN RA PROVINCES
ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 23, 2010
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS: Armenpress interviewed head of
the Modern Arts Department of the Armenian Culture Ministry Sona
Harutyunyan about presentation of Armenian cultural heritage abroad.
-One of the primary directions defined for the Culture Ministry by the
Armenian government is making Armenian culture renowned abroad. In
your opinion, do we manage to properly present the Armenian culture
to the world?
-The opportunities and means of presenting the Armenian culture abroad
need reconsideration. The financial support, which is extended to
the events conducted in Armenia, maybe reduced and extended to all
the initiatives outside the borders of Armenia. One of the primary
directions defined for the Culture Ministry by the Armenian government
is making Armenian culture renowned abroad. In order that priority
becomes reality we must have much more distinct programs. And in
general, we must balance the series of all the events, which are
intended for the next year.
When you are abroad, you understand that your country’s culture does
not concede the culture of the given country, but you cannot introduce
yourself, as you do not have an opportunity, and it is sorrowful. The
circumstance that Armenian art figures will have an opportunity to be
presented abroad is of utmost importance. In this case painting and
musicology afford the best opportunity, as here neither translation
nor efforts are needed. In case of both painting and music we may
calmly come forth on foreign stages, where art becomes accessible
without any speech and mediation.
-What kind of programs has the Ministry worked out in the direction
of making culture renowned? In particular, what surprises has the
Culture Ministry prepared for Armenian art-loving society for the
upcoming year?
-I can note with great delight that the Culture Ministry has initiated
a number of events in the direction of making our art renowned to
the world. International forum of modern art of Arshile Gorky will be
conducted, within the framework of which Armenia will host a number
of art figures from abroad. A scientific conference and an exhibition
will be conducted within the framework of the forum. That is, the
forum will promote that foreign art figures pay visit to Armenia,
get acquainted with our country and culture.
An exhibition entitled “Caucasian Paris” will also open, in the
direction of organization of which close cooperation is running with
Georgia. The exhibition will open in Armenia, then in Georgia and in
2012 in Paris.
The Culture Ministry attaches importance to teaching of “History of
Armenian Art” subject in higher educational establishments of abroad.
The professor-lecturer staff of “Albert Ludwig University” of German
Freiburg town will visit Armenia in 2011 and will sign an agreement
with Yerevan State University on exchange of students and lecturers.
-Proportionate development of culture in provinces is among the
primary directions defined for the Armenian Culture Ministry by the
government. What kind of steps does the Ministry undertake in this
direction?
-Both presentation of Armenian art to the world, and the approach to
art in Armenian provinces is among our primary issues. The ministry
will be consistent in creation of International Festival of Caricature,
and currently negotiations are running in deciding the place of
conduction of the festival. We pay high importance to conduction of
cultural programs in Meghri, as it is geographically the place, where
Artsakh, Armenia and Iran come together, and that position provides
an opportunity those three states to join and become a cultural center.
From: A. Papazian