Presentation of Nikita Shangin’s Book and Visit to the Diocese of Artsakh
On May 5, the conference hall of Ani Plaza Hotel in Yerevan hosted the presentation of the book “Who and on Whose Land Created the Architectural Masterpieces of Nagorno-Karabakh”, authored by Honored Architect of the Russian Federation, Professor Nikita Shangin.
The publication and presentation of the book were initiated and supported by the “Dialogue” NGO, particularly through the efforts of its President Yuri Navoyan. In his opening remarks, Mr. Navoyan outlined the background and motivations behind the publication, as well as upcoming significant initiatives and publishing activities of the organization. Among the attendees were representatives of the Artsakh intellectual community who had accompanied Mr. Shangin during his visits to Artsakh and research of Armenian cultural monuments.
The blessing of the Primate of the Diocese of Artsakh was conveyed by Rev. Fr. Andreas Tavadyan.
In their speeches, Lernik Hovhannisyan—Chair of the Diocesan Council and historian-ethnographer; Karen Mirzoyan—Council member and diplomat; and Dr. Melanya Balayan—Council member and Head of the Diocesan Office, expressed their gratitude to the author for presenting Artsakh’s historical and cultural heritage with such objectivity, relevance, and scientific clarity to the broader public.
On May 6, the Primate of the Diocese of Artsakh, His Grace Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan, received Professor Nikita Shangin at the diocesan office. They discussed the current threats to the historical and cultural heritage of Artsakh and the initiatives aimed at mitigating those risks. Bishop Vrtanes emphasized the importance of Mr. Shangin’s objective presentation of Artsakh’s heritage, especially in light of Azerbaijan’s aggressive and politically motivated dissemination of false, illogical claims that have no connection to historical reality. He noted that the creation of such truthful and fact-based works is a vital means of countering this disinformation. Bishop Vrtanes expressed his sincere appreciation to the author, as well as to Yuri Navoyan, President of the “Dialogue” NGO, for making this significant initiative a reality.
