Today, within the scope of the state visit of President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian to Italy and under the auspices of the Presidents of Armenia and Italy, the Quirinal Palace (residence of the President of Italy) hosted the opening of an exhibition featuring the works by famous Armenian painters Hovhannes Aivazovsky, Gevorg Bashinjaghyan, Martiros Saryan, Vardges Surenyants and Hakob Kojoyan, the Staff of the President of Armenia reports.

President Armen Sarkissian and Mrs. Nouneh Sarkissian, President Sergio Mattarella and Laura Mattarella.

In September 2020, Armenia’s presidential residence hosted an Italian art exhibition that featured the works of great 18th-century Italian painters Giovanni Antonio Canal (Canaletto), Bernardo Bellotto, Francesco Guardi and Michele Marieschi in which the St. Marcos Square in Venice was uniquely interpreted.

According to President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian, such exhibitions serve as further evidence of the historic and current deep, close, friendly and warm relations between the peoples of Armenia and Italy. “Art unites nations, and this is more than evident in the case of the Armenians and Italians. This is exactly what dialogue of civilizations, dialogue of cultures and the dialogue of the inner world and talent of nations is all about,” he said.

Sarkissian mentioned that the works displayed at Quirinal Palace are a part of the rich Armenian cultural heritage towards which Armenians have great respect and which they cordially share with their friends. He added that some of the Armenian painters showcased at the exhibition, were rather linked to Italy and Italian culture and that there is a tremendous treasury of Armenian cultural and spiritual values in Italy, namely the Mekhitarist Congregation.