MOSCOW. - Russian Minister of Culture Vladimir Medinsky and his Armenian counterpart Hasmik Poghosyan today opened the exhibition entitled “Armenia: Legend of Existence” at the State Historical Museum of Russia. Over 160 unique exhibits are presented at the exhibition, RIA Novosti reports.

Exhibits from three leading Armenian museums – History Museum of Armenia, Museum of Etchmiatsin Mother Cathedral and Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts (Matenadaran) – were included in the exposition.

“The very fact that 160 unique exhibits, which cover the entire period of the Armenian state development, found their exhibition area here is symbolic. The fact that the exhibits are here is indicative of special confidence and special warmth,” Medinsky said, opening the exhibition.  

“It’s a great honor for us to be exposed in the Historical Museum after long years of absence. The cultural cooperation between our countries plays a very important role today: these ties are on a special level,” Poghosyan said.

The Minister bestowed the gold medal of the Armenian Culture Ministry upon the Historical Museum Director Alexey Levikin for the development of cultural ties between Armenia and Russia.