The Exhibition Dedicated to the Art of the Armenian Book Printing Opened in Prague

11 October, 2016

The Exhibition entitled The Art of the Armenian Book through the Ages: “They who imbibed the effusions of the Spirit” commenced in famous Klementinum building of Prague (National Library of the Czech Republic) on October 11, 2016. It’s organized by the National Libraries of Armenia and the Czech Republic, as well as the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian Embassy in the Czech Republic and dedicated to the 25th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Armenia. It takes place also in tandem with the celebration of three hundred and fifty years from the publication of the very first Armenian Bible.

Addressing the audience at the opening of the exhibition, the host of the exhibition, the Director General of the Czech National Library Dr. Petr Kroupa talked about the importance of the Armenian-Czech letarary connections, giving a special credit to the organization of such events, which open a possibility for the Czech audience to get acquainted with the art of the Armenian book. The Director of the National Library of Armenia Dr. Tigran Zargaryan then spoke about the history of the Armenian writings and literature, their pivotal role in the preservation of the Armenian nation and culture, presenting some rare and exceptional exhibits provided by the Armenian National Library. The Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the Czech Republic Tigran Seiranian in his turn highly appreciated the cooperation exhisting between the two National Libraries, mentioning that the current Exhibition has its unique and exceptional place in the history of the Armenian-Czech intercultural relations.

The Chief Conductor of the Orchestra and Chorus of Charles University, lecturer, musicologist, and Senior Deacon of the Armenian Orthodox Church and the curator of the exhibition Haig Utidjian addressing the audience and speaking about the 75 exhibits presented and thoroughly chosen by him, paid a special attention to the works of St. Gregory of Narek, the Book of Odes of 1513, Hymnal of 1664, the very first bible from the year of 1666, printed in Amsterdam, as well as the translations of the works of Czech authors into Armenian, among which is e.g. the novel “The Good Soldier Švejk“ by Jaroslav Hašek. Mr. Utidjian has also presented the catalogue he compiled for this important cultural event.

The opening of the Exhibition was attended by many high ranking Czech officials from the Government and President’s office, the Ambassadors of more than 20 countries accredited in the Czech Republic, cultural, literary spheres and Armenian community representatives.

In parallel with the exhibition visitors can attend three different lectures on St. Gregory of Narek “Angelic teacher“, Armenian sacred music and the Armenian Genocide.

The exhibition will close on the 25th of October with the concert by the Orchestra of Charles University in Prague, conducted by Maestro Haig Utidjian, at the Mirror Chapel of the Klementinum.

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