Closing Ceremony of the Exhibition Dedicated to the Art of the Armenian Book in Prague

25 October, 2016

On October 25, 2016, the closing ceremony of the exhibition entitled “They who imbibed the effusions of the Spirit. The Art of the Armenian book through the ages” took place in the famous Mirror Chapel Hall of the National Library (Klementinum) of the Czech Republic.

During the ceremony the speeches were delivered by Mr. Nerses Vardanyan, the Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Armenia, Mr. Petr Hnízdo, the Head of Foreign Relations Department of the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic and Mr. Petr Kroupa, the Director General of the National Library of the Czech Republic.

Mr. Nerses Vardanyan noted that the exhibition was an excellent example of cooperation in the field of culture between the two countries and expressed confidence that the cooperation would continue. He said, “There were many similar exhibitions dedicated to Armenia over the past two decades in major cities of the world, but this exhibition in Prague has been organized for the first time, and it has a great significance for the Czech society as well”.

At the closing of the ceremony the participants enjoyed the concert of string orchestra of Charles University conducted by Dr. Haig Utidjian, the conductor and the curator of the exhibition. The concert presented the works of the great Armenian composer Komitas arranged by Zare Sahakyants.

During his visit to the Czech Republic the Deputy Minister of Culture Mr. Nerses Vardanyan had several meetings with Czech officials. With the first Deputy Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic, Ms. Kateřina Kalistová he discussed the Memorandum on cooperation between the two Ministries in the field of culture in 2015-2018, as well as future cultural projects and cooperation within the framework of the international organizations.

At the meeting with Mr. Gejza Šidlovský, the Director of Strahov Monastery, an agreement was reached on future exhibition on Ancient Armenian manuscripts and books.

At the Armenian Embassy in Prague, the Deputy Minister had a meeting with the representatives of the Armenian community in the Czech Republic, where he made a presentation on the role of the Armenian culture in preserving the Armenian diaspora.

The Ambassador of the Republic Armenia to the Czech Republic, H.E. Mr. Tigran Seiranian handed over the “Arshile Gorky” medal of the Ministry of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia to Mr. Tigran Abramjan, prominent painter, Vice President of the Czech Union of Artists. In recognition of the great contribution in organizing the exhibition, the publication of the catalogue of samples and raising of awareness about study, as well as for the printing of the Armenian book, Haig Utidjian was awarded the “Hakob Meghapart” medal of the Armenian National Library by Dr. Tigran Zargaryan, the Director of the National Library of Armenia.

In parallel with the exhibition there were various lectures and presentations. Dr. Haig Utidjian hold two lectures on “St. Gregor of Narek - Teacher of Angels”, “The Teacher of Universal churches”, and “They, who imbibed the effusions of the Spirit”, “The Armenian Book Art Over the Centuries”, “The Armenian Sacral Music”. The Armenologist Ms. Milada Kilianová presented a lecture on the Armenian Genocide. At the end of the lecture Ambassador Seiranian delivered an extended speech.

The exhibition dedicated to the Art of the Armenian book was widely covered by the Czech media.

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