ARMENIAN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY AFTER KHACHATUR ABOVYAN

A conference entitled “Holy Etchmiadzin –a Haven for Books” was held earlier this week on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the “Vatche and Tamar Manoukian” Matenadaran of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Scientists and public figures, professors and students of higher educational institutions of Armenia, including representatives of ASPU, participated in the conference.

The event started with the Lord's Prayer. After the prayer, His Grace Bishop Mushegh Babayan conveyed the message and blessing of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, to the conference participants.

On behalf of the ASPU leadership and students, Kamo Vardanyan, Head of the ASPU Research Centre, congratulated the “Vatche and Tamar Manoukian” Matenadaran on the 10th anniversary.

The jubilees of the two institutions were marked by a mutually important and symbolic initiative; ASPU donated 86 books, overall 100 copies, to the Matenadaran.

“After Armenia was sovietized in 1922, the printed and handwritten heritage of the Mother See was moved and stored in the libraries of various scientific and educational institutions. Most of them are kept in the library of the Pedagogical University. The collection includes books, textbooks, magazines and guidebooks with a history of hundreds of years, which have a high professional value", Kamo Vardanyan said. He again hailed the role and mission of the Matenadaran in transferring knowledge to next generations.

The conference continued in parallel subgroups. The ASPU representatives made reports and participated in discussions.