Stored manuscripts reflect Genocide-hit nation’s fate – minister

The samples kept at the institute of ancient manuscripts (Matenadaran) are identical with the Genocide-hit Armenian nation’s fate, the minister of diaspora said today, as she introduced a new collection.

At the ceremony, held at the institute’s small hall today, manuscripts and ancient books donated by Sose Paronyan, an Aleppo-Armenian descendent of Armenian Genocide survivors, were handed over to the Ministry.

Greeting the guests, Minister Hranush Hakobyan highly praised the donation as a very symbolic move towards enriching the Armenian handwritings’ collection. “It is very symbolic for us to be at the Matenadaran, this unique archive of the Armenian handwritings’ rich culture, with such an honorable mission. With death in front of their eyes on the bloody days of the Armenian Genocide, Movses and Zartik Aslanyan-Paronyan, the grandparents of the nation-devoted Aleppo-Armenian, Sose Paronyan, first rescued these highly valuable books – prayer-books, dictionaries, gospels and one 18th century manuscriptz – from the Turk’s claw, moving them to Aleppo. Their fate does not in any way differ from the Genocide-hit Armenian’s fate,” Ms Hakobyan said in her opening speech.

“On these days heralding anxiety for Syrian-Armenians, Sose Paronyan made a decision to donate one manuscript and 14 books of ancient edition to his native state with the help of the  Syrian-Armenian Emergency Body and the Armenian Consulate General in Aleppo. It is with a great sense of responsibility that we deposit this book with the [Mesrop] Mashtots Matenadaran,” the minister added. 

The institute’s director, Hrachya Tamrazyan, later extended his word of gratitude to the Diaspora-Armenian compatriot for the invaluable contribution. He said that many donations added to the over 500 Matenadaran samples last year alone. “We must double our efforts to return the manuscripts home. Our deep gratitude to the donor, Minister of Diaspora Haranush Hakobyan, for the permanent support to our development,” he said.

At the end of the ceremony, the Matenadaran director honored Mr Paronyan with the St Mesrop Mashtots Memory Medal.