Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia Zhanna Andreasyan received the Director of the Written Heritage Research and Publication Center of the Islamic Republic of Iran Akbar Irani.

ESCS Deputy Minister Arthur Martirosyan, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Armenia Mehdi Sobhani, Director of Mesrop Mashtots Matenadaran Scientific-Research Institute of Ancient Manuscripts Arayik Khzmalyan and others attended the meeting.

ESCS Minister Zhanna Andreasyan initially extended congratulations for the Iranian New Year-Novruz, then turned to the bilateral cooperation highlighting the significance of the partnership between Matenadaran and the Written Heritage Research and Publication Center of Iran. ESCS Minister emphasized the significance of the Armenian-Iranian conference “Poetry of the Image” in this context, stating that the conference's objective is to increase the visibility of Armenian-Iranian medieval literature and art: “First and foremost, studying the written heritage enables us better understand who we are and our centuries-old relationships: this is the wealth that we possess on both sides,” said Zhanna Andreasyan.

The meeting discussed the agreements reached during the recent working visit of the delegation of Mesrop Mashtots Matenadaran Research Institute of Ancient Manuscripts to Iran, highlighting the potential for organizing educational programs and professional courses in restoration.

The director of Matenadaran Arayik Khzmalyan also welcomed the guests. He emphasized the significance of maintaining collaboration equivalent to the Armenian-Iranian historical heritage.

Arayik Khzmalyan also informed that during his visit to Iran, meetings were held with the heads of spiritual and manuscript centers, archives-museums and representatives of the Armenian community of the cities of Isfahan, Qom and Tehran. Agreements were reached on cooperation in the field of manuscript restoration, joint research, exchange of digital copies, organization of scientific events and publication of materials.

As per the agreement, restorers of the National Archive of the Monastery of the Holy Savior Cathedral (Surb Amenaprkich Vank) and the Center for the Restoration of the Archives of New Julfa will undergo training courses in Matenadaran in autumn to enhance their professional skills in restoring ancient manuscripts.

Thankful for the reception, the Director of the Written Heritage Research and Publication Center of the Islamic Republic of Iran Akbar Irani, expressed his willingness to enhance collaboration. In particular, A. Irani suggested considering the possibility of bilateral cooperation in replenishing and revising the list of educational programs in Arabic and Persian, publishing 5 Armenian manuscripts in Tehran, as well as publishing an Armenian-Iranian dictionary in 4 languages.

During the meeting, topics concerning the teaching of the Persian language in public schools of Armenia were also discussed.

Zhanna Andreasyan emphasized that the RA Government’s 2021-2026 event program highlights the significance of teaching regional languages at various education levels, and in this context, the enhancement of learning Persian is also being considered.

The parties discussed various issues related to further enhancing relations between Armenia and Iran in education, science, and youth, as well as expanding and developing cooperation agendas in different fields.