Great Armenian philanthropist Aleksander Mantashev’s son visits Armenia

Aleksandr Mantashian Junior, the son of the prominent Armenian oil magnate, industrialist, financier, and hilanthropist Aleksandr Mantashev,   is on a visit to Armenia.

Mantashian Junior is accompanied by his son Mikael Mantashev.

At her Wednesday meeting with journalists, Armenia’s Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobian awarded a Boghos Nubar Pashamedal to 86-year-old Mantashian Junior.

“I’m moved and I’m sure it will unite all Armenians,” Mantashian Junior said.

Aleksandr Mantashev remains a symbol of philanthropy, Minister Hakobian said.

Chairman of Armenia’s Language Commission Sergo Yeritsyan said that Mantashev had eight children. Two of them are still alive – Darya (92) and Aleksandr Mantashiants Junior. They are living in Paris.

The great philanthropist’s relatives said they had seen and liked the monument to Aleksandr Mantashev in Yerevan.

“In Abovyan Street we are going to have a monument embodying kindness, goodness and might of a businessman. It is also a symbol for all those attaching importance to charity,” said Minister Hakobian.

She noted the great philanthropist’s contribution to Armenia’s development: he sponsored about 200 Armenian students, who returned to Armenia and worked for the country.

As to what had remained of Mantashev’s fortune, his son said, “Nothing.”

The Mantashian are going to visit Tbilisi, Georgia. Aleksandr Mantashian is honorary citizen of Tbilisi.

The unveiling ceremony of monument to Aleksandr Mantashev is to be held in Yerevan at 5:00pm.