International conference in Vienna

At the Museum of Historical Art in Vienna, with the blessing of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, on May 13-14, the “Culture in Conflict: South Caucasus Today” international conference-discussion took place, which was held at the initiative of the Austrian Committee of the department for the preservation of the spiritual and cultural heritage of Artsakh, acting in Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The main topic of the conference was the issues related to the protection and preservation of the cultural heritage of Artsakh.

Due to the latest war in Artsakh, a huge part of the Armenian spiritual and cultural heritage remained in the territories occupied by the Azerbaijani armed forces, and day by day we observe systemic vandalism against this heritage. During the international conference, documentary evidence of these criminal acts was presented, demonstrating the destructive policy of the Azerbaijani side. The Primate of the Artsakh Diocese, His Grace Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan also delivered a report on the Armenian spiritual and cultural heritage in the occupied territories of Artsakh.

Within the framework of the conference, an exhibition of handwritten and printed books, as well as other materials created in Artsakh at different times, stored in the library of the Mekhitarist Congregation in Vienna, was organized.