A tenth of Armenian manuscripts survive Armenian Genocide – Hrachya Tamrazyan

According to rough estimates, only 1/10 of Armenian manuscripts were saved during the Armenian Genocide, but thousands of manuscripts were lost, Director of the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts (Matenadaran) Hrachya Tamrazyan told Tert.am.

The available lists of manuscripts and papers are evidence that each monastery had a collection of hundreds of manuscripts, and individual churches each had at least ten manuscripts concerning religious ceremonies.

“According to the calculations, 25 monasteries and churches were ruined as a result of the Armenian Genocide. That is, we lost thousands of manuscripts and only 1/10 of them were saved, which were later replenished with other survivor-manuscripts,” Mr Tamrazyan said.

A few days ago, the Matenadaran opened a new exhibition, “Survivor-manuscripts,” which displays unique manuscripts and archive documents.

Asked if the Matenadaran plans to hold new exhibitions this year, Mr Tamrazyan said that new exhibits will regularly be displayed.

“We also plan to organize academic conferences, books and monographs have been released and will be released in the future.”