Armenia’s Diaspora Minister visits Venice

Armenia’s Minister of Diaspora, Hranush Hakobyan, was in Venice, Italy, on Sunday and Monday, to attend the events devoted to the 500th anniversary of Armenian printed books.

The events kicked off Sunday with a Holy Liturgy that was celebrated at the Mother Cathedral of the Armenian Mekhitarist Congregation on Saint Lazarus Island.

Subsequently, an exhibition on ancient printing equipment and tools opened at Saint Lazarus. In her opening remarks at the event, Hakobyan highly appreciated the Mekhitarist Congregation’s undeniable contribution to the development of Armenian book printing, and she noted that the activities to digitize the cultural heritage of the Mekhitarist Congregation of Venice will soon get underway. Also, a musical-poetic play was staged on the same evening. In her welcoming remarks, the Diaspora Minister extended her thanks to the Italian members of this performance for their wonderful presentation.

A symposium entitled “With the Traces of Armenian Book” was convened Monday. Father Yeghia Kilaghbian, the Abbot General of the Mekhitarist Congregation, delivered opening remarks at the event. In her turn, Hranush Hakobyan reflected on the significance of the first Armenian book that was printed in Venice, and she spoke about the past track-record of and outlined today’s tasks for Armenian printed books.

This symposium also signified the end of the festivities that had started exactly one year ago, and which were devoted to the 500th anniversary of Armenian printed books.