Cameraman Mesrop Avetisyan

Mashtots Matenadaran hosted the participants of the "Armen" scientific research project at the University of Florence, funded by the European Council, who participated in a two-day workshop on "Armenia and Armenians in the World Middle Ages" with more than ten researchers of the Matenadaran. Research topics range from the restoration of Bagratuni Armenian statehood to the fall of Mongol rule in Armenia. Little-known manuscripts and originals kept in the Matenadaran, the libraries of the Mkhitaryan Congregation of Venice, Vienna, Jerusalem and Paris became the material of study.

Manushak Markosyan, PhD student of Hamburg University, member of Wegner Society, wrote the thesis about Wegner's pro-Armenian activities. Wegner, a great friend of the Armenian people, and Patriarch Vazgen I met and corresponded by letter. In 1968, Armin Wegner visited Soviet Armenia at the invitation of the government and Holy Etchmiadzin. Wegnerologist Manushak Markosyan translated Wegner's letters. He studied them in the Marbach archive, where the personal archives of prominent German figures are stored.

Has the domestic political life in Armenia ever been fueled by the talk of the state's security or struggle for sovereignty? What makes the "Tavush for the sake of the Motherland" movement unprecedented? Who benefits from the sharp polarization of society? Anna Sargsyan discussed the topic with ethnographer Arsen Hakobyan.

Hovhannes Yeranyan discussed with Davit Poghosyan, the director of the History Museum of Armenia, "Bagratunyac, the space-famous capital" opened in the museum: Ani in 13-14 centuries" exhibition and the significance of the international conference that followed it.

Respecting the motherland, the native land, means respecting the past life, it means respecting the present life, because that heritage is under our responsibility and care today. It also means respecting the life of the future, what we will leave behind. Is it only us, is it our generation, what will we give to the new generation? What does meekness have to do with the country's heritage? Archimandriye Ruben Zargarian speaks on this. 

The focus of attention of Armenian film writers has almost always been on the genre of war cinematography. Many of the figures of Armenian cinema went to the front, took part in military operations, in order to make more realistic films. The continuation of this tradition is the young director Arman Ayvazyan who lives next to us today. His film "Stone" tells about a group of volunteers who risk their lives to enter Kashatagh days before the deadline for the handover of Artsakh territories to search for and save the Armenian khachkars from destruction. The film won the Silver Apricot at the Golden Apricot Festival in 2023. And the other day, the closed screening of Arman Ayvazyan's new film took place. Anahit Margaryan spoke with the director about films, war, documentary in "Artfocus".

The encirclement of Artsakh by Azerbaijan was a type of military operation. When it is not possible to capture the fortress, they close the entrances and exhaust, starve and despair those inside. Even after being in that difficult situation for 10 months, people were ready to endure and live in their land. But on September 19, the enemy launched an attack against unarmed and besieged Artsakh using all modern weapons and in large numbers. In terms of military equipment and numbers, Azerbaijan was many times superior to Artsakh, which resisted for a whole day. Added to that was the explosion near Stepanakert, which killed hundreds of people. People who have gone through all this experience collective and individual traumatic shock, post-traumatic mental disorders, complex psychological, socio-cultural stages of forced resettlement and adaptation. Anna Sargsyan discussed the topic with candidate of psychological sciences, associate professor Vitya Yaramishyan.

When financing science, the executive does not attach importance to Armenia's problems 

 

According to this year's budget, the money allocated to applied research and experimental development is 9 times less than the money allocated to fundamental research. According to Tigran Shahverdyan, a member of the "Gituzh" initiative and co-founder of the "Robomart" company, this is an unprecedented phenomenon in the world. He considers that solving our problems should be a priority.  Hovhannes Yeranyan discussed with Tigran Shahverdyan in the "Pavilion" the poor state of science funding, the underperformance of budgeted expenditures and the lack of a general concept of science development.

The truth is bitter. Not every ear is capable of carrying the truth. Why did the prophets speak the truth even at the cost of their lives? The reason was that the prophets were not concerned about their own well-being or personal interest, but they were concerned about the country, society and the future of man. Today, is the prophetic voice heard and from which pulpit? Archimandrite Ruben Zargarian speaks on this. 

Metal art works, silverware, stone art, ceramics, micro-sculptures, 350 carpets and rugs are displayed in the Hovhannes Sharambeyan Museum of Folk Arts. The collection of Armenian decorative and applied arts housed in the museum includes almost 12,000 exhibits. The 45-year-old museum is active. Anahit Margrayan discussed educational programs and cooperation with folk art masters on the "Artfocus" program with museum director Lusine Toroyan.