YEREVAN. – The Youth Foundation of Armenia has launched an initiative for the return of the remnants of Goddess Anahit’s statue from the British Museum in London to Armenia.

“We, the undersigned, represent the initiative for the return of Armenian cultural and historical values to the fatherland. Numerous creations, which are the samples of Armenian culture, today are kept and displayed at world museums. These cultural values include Goddess Anahit’s bronze head and hands, which are kept at the British Museum. We call for the return of these cultural remnants to Armenia, since art and historical values must be kept and displayed in the country where they were created and are the bearers of whose history. We are convinced that Great Britain will respect our initiative and will return the remnants of Goddess Anahit’s statue,” specifically reads the aforesaid Foundation’s message addressed to Jonathan James Aves and Catherine Jane Leach, Great Britain’s Ambassadors to Armenia.              

Many Armenian experts argue, however, that it is more preferable for the remnants of Goddess Anahit’s statue to remain at the British Museum, but with an inscription that they are Armenian historical objects.