RA Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan and U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia Kristina Kvien, along with officials, representatives of Shirak region and Ani-Pemza settlement, visited the historic Yereruyk Basilica, where conservation work is underway with a grant of $175,000 provided by the U.S. Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation.

The visit highlighted the United States' commitment to preserving and restoring Armenia's rich historical and cultural heritage.

Minister Zhanna Andreasyan emphasized the significance of the provided support, which ensures the opportunity to preserve one of the unique structures of Armenia's cultural heritage - the Yereruyk Temple, which is also included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage tentative list.

“Presenting the millennial culture, history, architecture and art of Armenia in a reimagined environment, we will have the opportunity to organize educational programs here, which will undoubtedly contribute to the development of youth and the popularization of our cultural heritage. I also attach importance to the program of promoting the preservation of the manuscripts of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is planned to be implemented in collaboration with the “Matenadaran” Mesrop Mashtots Research Institute of Ancient Manuscripts. I am sure that the close and productive cooperation will be long-lasting,” noted the Minister expressing her gratitude to the U.S. Embassy.

“Our collaboration in cultural preservation reflects the strong ties between our two states. Together we preserve history and promote mutual understanding and respect,” said Ambassador Kvien.

The ancient Yereruyk Basilica was founded in the 4-5^th centuries and is a unique monument of historical significance of the early Christian period of Armenia. The preservation of the monument has faced challenges due to both natural and human factors, and today the preservation of the monument is essential to passing on the cultural heritage of Armenia to future generations.

Ambassador Kvien in Yereruyk announced the launch of a new program of the U.S. Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation, under which $74,000 is granted to Matenadaran to preserve rare manuscripts and archival documents created in the ancient Armenian monasteries of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Since 2005, the U.S. Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation has funded 15 cultural preservation projects in Armenia, allocating a total of 1.6 million USD.

According to the Yereruyk program, strengthening of walls, replacement of weathered stones, installation of a drainage system, and landscaping of the monument territory (preparation as a site of demonstration of existing monumental stones) are planned.

Recent projects funded by the Fund in Armenia include the preservation of Sanahin Monastery Complex in Lori, the restoration of endangered frescoes of St. Hovhannes Church in Meghri, Syunik, and the preservation of Areni - 1 Cave in Vayots Dzor.

It should be mentioned that the state has significantly increased its focus on protecting historical and cultural monuments: in 2024, the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports allocated approximately AMD 1.159 billion for the protection of historical and cultural monuments, which is almost twice as much as in the previous year and about 5-6 times more than in past years. Restoration and repair works are currently underway at several sites by the order of the Ministry, including Tsiranavor Church in Parpi, Aragatsotn region, “Agarak” Historical and Archaeological Reserve, the Targmanchats Church in Aygeshat, Armavir region, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Church in Amrakits, Lori region, Lori Berd (Fortress) (walls, baths, fence), and Haghpat Monastery. Soon, restoration work will begin on Amberd Castle in Aragatsotn region and St. Holy Trinity Church in Kirants, Tavush region.