Armenian khachkar installed at UN HeadquartersApril 18, 2015 - 10:25 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - An Armenian khachkar (cross-stone) was officially blessed and installed this week at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, according to Asbarez. The khachkar is a gift from the government of Armenia to the UN. Armenia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, Primates of the Armenian Church of America Mnatsakanyan Archbishop Khazhak Barsamian and Archbishop Oshakan Choloyan, representatives from UN member states and the UN Secretariat, and Armenian-American community members participated at the event. In his remarks, Ambassador thanked the guests for joining for the celebration of the return of that magnificent symbol of medieval history and culture back to the UN Headquarters, stating that since the medieval era when this work was carved, khachkars have been the most compelling commemorative marker for Armenians. Mnatsakanyan further noted that in 2010 UNESCO declared the Armenian khachkar as tangible world cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding. He also reminded that in 2005, hundreds of khachkars were barbarically destroyed in a 1,500 year-old Armenian cemetery in Jugha, presently under Azerbaijani occupation in Nakhijevan. Reflecting on the history of his nation overwhelmed with phases of destruction and annihilation, and a devastating calamity 100 years ago in the Ottoman Empire, he concluded that like those stones, Armenians bear resilience, faith and eternal love for life and no genocide could break his people. Dr. Helen Evans, Metropolitan Museum Curator for Byzantine Art at the Department of Medieval Art and The Cloisters, made remarks about the value and symbolism of the khachkar and elaborated on the origins of this graceful work from the Monastery of Geghard. Photo: Asbarez Related links: Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. |