Today, a Memorandum was signed between the RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports and the US Embassy in Armenia aimed at the preservation of the Yereruyk Basilica Temple of Shirak Region.

According to the Memorandum, the US Ambassador’s “Fund for Cultural Preservation” will allocate $ 175 thousand for the preservation of the Yereruyk Temple (4-5^th century).

ESCS Deputy Minister Alfred Kocharyan, various ambassadors accredited to the Republic of Armenia, and culture and education sector representatives participated in the signing ceremony of the Memorandum by the RA ESCS Minister Zhanna Andreasyan and the US Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia Kristina Kvien.

ESCS Minister Zhanna Andreasyan greeted the attendees and underlined the significance of initiating the new phase of collaboration. The Minister informed that taking into account the exceptional historical-architectural and scientific significance of the monument, the National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia prepared and approved at the scientific and methodological council held on May 21, 2021, the “Project for Strengthening and Partial Restoration of the Yereruyk Temple and the Small Mausoleum”, which is going to be implemented under the grant.

“As a result, conditions will be created for presenting the history, architecture, and art of the region on a historical and cultural basis, and educational programs will be organized, which will undoubtedly contribute to the development of youth and the popularization of the Armenian cultural heritage; and the continued preservation of this unique structure of early Christian architecture of Armenia will be guaranteed,” said Zhanna Andreasyan and highly appreciated the assistance and participation of the US Embassy in Armenia, the National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia and the Scientific Research Center for Historical and Cultural Heritage in the launch and successful implementation of the project.

“The Scientific Research Center for Historical and Cultural Heritage, with the support of the US Embassy, successfully gathered international experts behind this massive project, and as a result of their joint efforts, the Yereruyk Temple and the historical and cultural heritage of Armenia will undoubtedly triumph,” emphasized the ESCS Minister.

Zhanna Andreasyan expressed her gratitude to the US Embassy in the name of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Kristina Allison Kvien for the assistance to the Yereruk conservation program, as well as for the constant support of the US Embassy to the Armenian cultural heritage.

The Minister informed that restoration work is currently underway at the Sanahin Monastery on the ancestral tombs of the Zakaryan and Arghutyan-Erkeynabazuk princes.

“St. Hakob Church, Grigor Tuteordi Cross-Stone Mortuary and St. Harutyun Church have already been fortified or restored during the first phase of the same project. Dear Madam Ambassador, we also remember the assistance in the restoration of the murals of the Meghri Church and the Dashtadem Fortress and many other programs that were implemented with your assistance in the fields of culture and education. I am confident that our productive collaboration will be long-standing and serve as the basis for the implementation of new program initiatives,” said the ESCS Minister.

Zhanna Andreasyan also touched upon the issue of Armenian historical and cultural monuments under threat of extinction on the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, highlighting the importance of safeguarding the intangible cultural heritage both in Armenia and in Nagorno-Karabakh.

U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Kristina Kvien also welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of opportunities for cooperation with Armenia in various fields.

“We are honoured that our support through the Ambassador’s “Fund for Cultural Preservation” will contribute to the preservation of Yereruyk Basilica, safeguarding this treasure for the world, and making this example of Armenia’s unique cultural heritage accessible for future generations,” said Ambassador Kvien.

Funded by the US Ambassador’s “Fund for Cultural Preservation”, 13 cultural preservation projects have been implemented in Armenia since 2005, for which a total of $1.4 million has been allocated. The Yereruyk project will include fortification of the monument’s walls, replacement of eroded stones, installation of a drainage system to reroute water, improvement of the monument environment and its preparation as an area for exhibition of the existing monumental stones.

Experts date the Yereruyk Temple back to the end of the 5^th century. The Temple is the most prominent among the early Christian basilicas in Armenia. Three architectural schools are harmoniously merged into it. The Temple is a monument representing the gradual transition from the ancient simple form of the preserved basilica buildings to the complex one.

Yereruyk is included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.

During the event, the premiere of MVF band's “Awakening” music video was also held. The music video includes footage from filming at the Yereruyk Basilica and from the band’s American tour.