Armenia’s second largest city to host sculptors’ symposium

An international symposium of sculptors will be held in Gyumri this September as part of the cultural events scheduled in the second largest city in the frameworks of the CIS Cultural Capital program.

The event, entitled Life-giving Spring, will cost the organizers an estimated 20 million Drams (approx. $48,800), the program’s manager, Arthur Gevorgyan has told Tert.am, adding that they now have only 8 million Drams (less than $19,550) which has been received from the Government’s reserve fund.

The Gyumri City Hall has made an investment in the amount of 3 million Drams ($ 7,320). The money will be directed to the reconstruction of pedestals.

“We are now busy with organizational issues and concluding agreements with participant sculptors,” Gevorgyan said.

He regretted to note that the shortage of funds caused them to reduce the participants number from 19 to nine. “We are going to turn to ambassadors, organizations and businessmen for assistance. With the scare resources we have. we can ensure only nine sculptors’ participation. But given that this is an international symposium, I want to increase the participants’ number to at least 15,” he added

Three sculptors from abroad – Russia, Ukraine and Belarus – are going to attend the symposium. All the participants will be offered a 45-day stay in Gyumri for purchasing necessary items, publishing booklets and producing films featuring the process of their work.

The completed pieces will be placed next to a mourning memorial erected in Gyumri after the 1988 disastrous earthquake.