Yesterday prime minister Serzh Sargsyan visited the institute of old manuscripts after M. Mashtots. He visited the exhibition rooms, the depositary and got acquainted with the exhibition entitled “Exclusive exhibition of one manuscript”. 40 miniatures from the Bible of Grigor Tatevatsi’s “Four Horsemen” were exhibited. The director of the Matenadaran, Hrachya Tamrazyan says the exhibition is exclusive due to the fact that they will not be exhibited any more since “the manuscript is being restored and its pages are separated”. “This is one of the greatest manuscripts, the pages of which are covered by wonderful pictures and miniatures. It is just a wonderful medieval treasure,” he said.
The prime minister was also introduced to the new model of the building to be built adjacent to the Matenadaran. According to the author of that architectural model, Artur Meschyan, the total space of the new building will be about 18 thousand square meters, 3 thousand of which will be used as depositary of manuscripts. According to preliminary calculations, the construction of the new building will cost $8,5-9 million. This building will be built behind the main building and will not be seen from Mashtots avenue. The old building will be used only for exhibition. A. Meschyan said that the construction of the new building is very important and it is impossible to implement any development programs for the Matenadaran without the new building. “We should create conditions so that this wonderful building can exhibit the numerous treasures we have,” said S. Sargsyan. Answering to a question why they paid so much attention to the Matenadaran Mr. Sargsyan said that the government had always paid due attention to it, but “sometimes the wishes don’t correspond with the opportunities.” “It is difficult now too, but we are trying to create conditions for new programs. The government has always paid due attention to the Matenadaran, the Armenian language and sciences, but now the government has some more opportunities and I think the Matenadaran should be not only in the focus of our attention, but also in the center of our financial flows,” said the prime minister.