April 18 marks the International Day for Monuments and Sites. Prior to the event, the RA Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, Zhanna Andreasyan awarded the honorees in the field, expressing gratitude for their efforts and heartfelt work.

ESCS Deputy Minister Alfred Kocharyan, Director of the “Service for the Protection of Historical Environment and Historical-Cultural Museum-Reserves” SNCO Armen Hovhannisyan also attended the meeting.

Restorer architect-constructor Albert Ananyan was awarded the Medal of Gratitude by the Decree of the RA President for his significant and long-standing contribution to the restoration of Armenian historical and cultural monuments. ESCS Minister Zhanna Andreasyan handed over the medal.

“It is a profound honour to bestow upon you one of the most esteemed state awards. This is your well-deserved medal and our gratitude and appreciation for your many years of work,” stated Zhanna Andreasyan on presenting the award.

Albert Ananyan expressed gratitude for the appreciation and mentioned that he has been working in the field of monuments for more than 50 years. He and his team are carrying out ongoing restorations at the Kobayr Monastery Complex and the Targmanchats Monastery. Over the years, the renowned architect has restored about 92 monuments.

“I worked in Tatev for 9 years, but the most challenging, perhaps, is the restoration work at the Targmanchats Monastery,” said Albert Ananyan and informed that the restoration works are planned to be completed by the end of the year.

On the occasion of the International Day for Monuments and Sites, the following people were awarded certificates of honor by the ESCS Ministry for their contribution to the preservation of immovable historical and cultural monuments: Legal Advisor of the Personnel Management Department of the “Service for the Protection of Historical Environment and Historical-Cultural Museum-Reserves” SNCO Norayr Hakobyan, Head of the Monuments Preservation Department Victorya Isahakyan, Head of the Ararat Regional Service for the Preservation of the Historical Environment Roman Karapetyan, Head of the Kotayk Regional Service for the Preservation of the Historical Environment Sarik Hunanyan, Head of the Tavush Regional Service for the Preservation of the Historical Environment Hovhannes Kirakosyan and Head of the Syunik Regional Service for the Preservation of the Historical Environment Shant Davtyan. The certificates of honour were handed out by the ESCS Minister Zhanna Andreasyan.

“The Scientific Research Centre for Historical and Cultural Heritage and the Service for the Protection of Historical Environment and Historical-Cultural Museum-Reserves are the two main structures that, together with the team of the ESCS Ministry, perform crucial work in the field of monuments. The activities of these structures cover the entire territory of the Republic of Armenia in terms of geography, territory, and volume. An enormous amount of work is being carried out, which is demonstrated in the positive changes that have been recorded, and which wouldn't be feasible without qualified specialists,” noted the ESCS Minister, congratulating the representatives of the monument sector.

She also noted that the work carried out to preserve, fortify, restore, and make monuments accessible to the public should contribute to increasing the tourist attractiveness of our country and the economic importance of historical and cultural monuments.