Today, RA Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan received a delegation headed by Luca Zaia, President of the Regional Council of Veneto, Italy. The delegation is visiting Armenia to participate in the 15th Advisory Forum of the Council of Europe’s Cultural Routes Program, being held in Yerevan from September 23 to 25. This year’s forum is held under the theme “Routes through Time and Cultures: Education for Sustainable Heritage.”
ESCS Deputy Minister Alfred Kocharyan and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Italian Republic to the Republic of Armenia Alessandro Ferranti also participated in the meeting. The delegation included representatives of the Veneto Regional Council and the Italian Ministry of Culture.
Welcoming the guests, Minister Zhanna Andreasyan highlighted the continued development of the friendly relations between Armenia and Italy and the rich agenda of bilateral cooperation, placing particular emphasis on the strong ties established in the field of culture.
According to the Minister, the historical and cultural ties between the two countries, along with their professional cooperation, provide a solid foundation for launching new joint initiatives.
Zhanna Andreasyan underscored the significance of hosting the 15th Advisory Forum of the Council of Europe’s ‘Cultural Routes’ Program in Armenia, highlighting the productive cooperation between Armenia and Italy in the preservation and restoration of cultural heritage.
In this regard, a reference was made to the conservation and restoration work on the mosaic of the Royal Baths at the Temple of Garni, studies of the archaeological and historical-cultural complex of Aruch, research at the archaeological site of Dvin, and the digitization of archaeological heritage, all carried out with the support of the Italian side.
The parties also emphasized the special role of Venice in preserving and promoting Armenian culture and Armenological studies.
The meeting also touched upon the unveiling of a commemorative plaque dedicated to Avetik Isahakyan in Venice in April this year, held as part of events marking the 150th anniversary of the renowned writer’s birth.
The parties also placed special emphasis on the program for teaching Armenian and Armenology subjects at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, implemented with the support of the RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport as part of efforts to advance Armenian studies. The 3rd Armenological Congress titled ‘Armenological Bridges: Cooperation and Sustainable Development’ will also be held in the near future.
Luca Zaia, President of the Veneto Regional Council, thanked the Minister for the warm reception and underscored the importance of relations with Armenia, as well as the significant potential for further advancing bilateral cooperation.
According to Luca Zaia, strengthening relations between countries and peoples always requires building new bridges, whereas in the case of Armenia and Italy, these bridges have already been built and need to be put to use.
The parties reaffirmed their willingness to further advance Armenia–Italy cultural cooperation.