International Conference on the Preservation of Artsakh’s Cultural Heritage

An international conference dedicated to the preservation of Artsakh’s cultural heritage was held at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome on November 18-19, under the title “Sacred Grounds, Shared Vision.”

The conference was organized by the Representation of the Armenian Apostolic Church to the Holy See and the Angelicum Institute for Ecumenical Studies, under the auspices of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

His Grace Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan, Primate of the Artsakh Diocese, delivered a welcoming address to the participants. In his speech, His Grace reflected on the war in the region and the forced displacement that disrupted the centuries-long harmony brought by the indigenous presence of the people of Artsakh.

He emphasized that the centuries-old cultural heritage, created through deep faith and tireless effort, is currently being desecrated and destroyed. He urged that academic thought should prevail over political agendas to make objective justice visible. Bishop Vertanes also called on the Christian world to pray and act for the preservation of peace in the region. Concluding his speech, he expressed gratitude to the conference organizers, particularly Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Pontifical Delegate of Western Europe, and read a message from His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian also addressed the audience. Additionally, messages from Cardinal Kurt Koch, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, and Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça were read during the event. Among the notable speakers were Armine Alexanyan, a member of the Diocesan Council of the Artsakh Diocese, who presented on “Diplomatic and Other Means of Protecting Cultural and Religious Heritage in Conflict Zones: What More Can Be Done?” and Dr. Hamlet Petrosyan, Professor at YSU and the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, who spoke on “The Current State of Monuments in Artsakh.”

Other experts from Europe, the United States, Armenia, and the Middle East also delivered reports at the conference.