Discussion on the Issues Surrounding the Historical and Cultural Heritage of Artsakh

On May 8 of this year, Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan, Primate of the Diocese of Artsakh, received cultural expert Armine Tigranyan at the diocesan office. Also present at the meeting were Lernik Hovhannisyan, Chair of the Diocesan Council of Artsakh, and Dr. Melanya Balayan, Head of the Diocesan Office. The discussion centered on the destruction, appropriation, and distortion of Artsakh’s historical and cultural heritage following the forced displacement of its Armenian population by Azerbaijan. The participants also explored possible legal mechanisms and international advocacy tools to prevent further cultural destruction.

Ms. Tigranyan presented her authored research focused on the facts of destruction and falsification of Artsakh’s cultural heritage, which was met with the appreciation and blessing of Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan. Later the same day, the Bishop also received documentary filmmaker Aida Aharonyan, known for her series of films dedicated to the history and culture of Artsakh. The conversation focused on future cooperation to further promote Artsakh’s cultural legacy and, in particular, on facilitating the effective production of Aharonyan’s seventh documentary film in the series, titled “Tzitzernavank.”