An event entitled “Day of Armenian Culture”was held in Vallicelliana Library of Rome on Thursday.
Being composed of two parts—conference and artistic part—the event was held under the auspices of the Armenian Embassy to Italy, Biblioteca Vallicelliana, Albatross cultural company and Colombia travel agency.
At the conference, Armenian Ambassador to Italy, Victoria Baghdasaryan, Deputy Minister of Culture of Italy, Antimo Cezaro, as well as director of Biblioteca Vallicelliana and seminar coordinator, Paola Paesano, delivered a welcome speech, the Armenian MFA informs Armenian News – NEWS.am.
Ambassador Baghdasaryan briefed the participants on the history of Armenian people and the rich cultural heritage created by them, the achievements of Armenia during the years of its independence, the age-long presence of Armenians in Italy, as well as their contribution to the development of the economic and cultural life of Italy.
Referring to the relations between the two countries, the Ambassador stressed that March 17 will mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Italy. She also noted that the ties and cooperation between the two peoples have a millennial history. Furthermore, the Ambassador informed that the inaugural meeting of the Armenian-Italian Intergovernmental Commission will be held in Rome on May 9.
The Italian Deputy Minister of Culture, Antimo Cezaro. for his part, lauded the level of cultural cooperation between the two countries. He also touched on the upcoming session of the Armenian-Italian Intergovernmental Commission and the program of opening a center for restoring cultural heritage with the support of the Italian Government, noting that these are important factors contributing to the development of cooperation between the two countries.
Apart from this, he referred to the cultural values created by the Armenia people, as well as the role and significance of culture in preserving the historical memory of nations.
The conference speakers were the sociologist of La Sapienza University of Rome, Maria Immacolata Macioti, Professor at the Chair of Armenian Studies at Bologna University, Anna Sirinian, journalist Claudia Sugliano, writer Magda Vigelante, professor at the National Conservatory of Santa Cecilia, Carla Conti, director of Albatross cultural company, Agostino Bagnato and journalist Sonya Orfalian.
In their speeches, the speakers touched on the different directions of the rich Armenian culture—literature, music, architecture, manuscripts, Armeian language and alphabet, and Armenian historical and cultural monuments. They also referred to the peculiarities of the Armenian cuisine, the activity of Armenian poet Hrand Nazariantz, who found refuge in Italy in the beginning of the 20th century, as well as the Armenian contemporary culture.
Apart from this, the report of academic researcher of Matenadaran Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, Ara Khzmalyan, on the establishment and activity of Matenadaran, as well as the manuscripts kept there, was read out.
During the event, the documentary “Armenia inside us” shot by Albatross cultural company director, Agostino Bagnato, was screened.
After the exhibition, Armenian and Italian musicians performed the classic pieces of Armenian composers and folk music, as well as the poems of Hrand Nazariantz were recited.
The Day of Armenian Culture ended with the exhibition of Armenian artists.
