| "Asbarez daily ", May 8, 2003, pages 5, 10 |
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| A Week in Los Angeles Dedicated to Armenian Architectural Heritage | |
| LOS
ANGELES-Beginning Sunday, May 25, the USA branch of Research on Annenian
Architecture (RAA) has organized week-long events, dedicated to the history
and research of Armenian architectural monuments outside of present-day
Armenia. During these events, presentations will be made by Dr. Armen Haghnazarian (Gennany) and Samvel Karapetian (Armenia). Additionally, a documentary film on Armenian cultural monuments in the liberated regions of Artsakh will be presented by Mr. Seroj Melik-Hosepians of France. Founded in 1970 in Germany by Dr. Armen Haghnazarian, RAA's mission is to conduct scientific expeditions in order to search, photograph, measure and document Armenian architectural monuments outside the borders of present-day Armenia-to organize the collected information in special archives-to study compiled data and eventually publish through documentary books, as well as electronically on the web to introduce them to Armenian and non-Armenian public-to use archived information during restoration of endangered monuments performed within financial and political limitations. During the course of three decades, RAA members have organized more than 100 scientific expeditions to Westem Armenia, Cilicia, Iran, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Nakhichevan, Artsakh and other regions outside of the Republic of Armenia-resulting in over 160,000 items-photos, slides, as-built plans, maps, surveys and other types of written and material documents. Today, RAA archives are a priceless national treasure. To preserve them for the future generations of Armenians and to disseminate information to the general public, fourteen dedicated employees at RAA's Yerevan office with the support of RAA/ USA are categorizing, recording and storing them in a multimedia environment, such as Electronic Publishing on CD and the Internet. Significantly, more and more RAA documents are being utilized by Armenian diplomats during their political negotiations on the rights of Armenians of Artsakh. RAA has branches in Germany, Armenia and USA. It also holds non-profit and scientific status in France, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, Egypt, Iran and Syria. During the past three decades, RAA founder Dr. Armen Haghnazarian's invaluable initiative has attracted many followers among them many Armenia natives who, during the Soviet years, performed the same task independently or in small groups. One of these dedicated individuals, RAA Armenia President Samvel Karapetian has a unique place. Samvel started his scientific expeditions in neighboring Soviet Georgia and Azerbaijan in the -late 70s. Recall that during the Soviet era any unauthorized activity with even a shade of nationalistic meaning would not escape the KGB's omnipresent eye. This was especially true in Azerbaijan, where authorities were extremely attentive to expressions of Armenianism in any form. But, despite many obstacles and repression, Samvel Karapetian remained firm and dedicated to his task in life. Today, he is a familiar and reputed name for those interested in the history of Armenian architecture. He is the author of four published books (one of them in three languages-Armenian, English and Russian). Sixteen other works are ready to be published, searching for sponsorship. Significantly these days, when the planned elimination of Armenian historical monuments in Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan have culminated and drawn the attention of international circles, Samvel's work and collected data provide undeniable facts of the veracity of Armenian demands. S. Karapetian's activities have also attracted the attention of Western journalists. On July 22, 2001, The Los Angeles Times printed London-based freelance correspondent Thomas de Waal's article about Samvel. In recognition of Samvel Karapetian's contributions to RAA's achievements, the RAA /USA has invited him (along with Dr. Haghnazarian and Melik-Hosepians) to Los Angeles. Karapetian will be honored for his quarter century of devoted service to the Armenian nation's cultural heritage during a May 30th gathering at Glendale's Brandview Collection Banquet Hall. RAA USA is a not-for-profit organization registered with the Department of the freasury as a 501(c) 3 exempt organization. Phone: 818/676-7285. E-mail: RAA USA@ yahoogroups. com |
