Armenian khachkar unveiled in Polish city

A cross-stone monument (khachkar) dedicated to the Armenian-Polish friendship was unveiled on Sunday in Poland’s south-eastern city of Zamość, a historical center registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the Foreign Ministry’s press service reports.

The monument-sculpture, featuring an Armenian khachkar, the emblem of the Polish city and the image of a former Armenian church, was carved by sculptor Varazdat Hambardzuymyan in Yerevan.

The special ceremony was timed to coincide with the year marking the 100^th anniversaries of the First Republic of Armenia and the re-establishment of Poland's idnependence.

The city's mayor, Anjey Vnuk, Armenian Ambassador to Poland Edgar Ghazaryan, President of the Polish-Armenian Foundation Arsen Hovsepyan, as well as monument's author delivered opening addresses at the ceremony.

In his speech, Ambassador Ghazaryan thanked the mayor of Zamość for an active contribution to, and assistance in, the project.

After the official unveiling ceremony, the monument was consecrated by Fr Nerses Harutyunyan, the prelate of the Polish-Armenian Diocese (Armenian Apostolic Church), and the local clergy.

The event was attended by representatives of the local and regional authorities, Polish-Armenians from different cities and towns, journalists, local residents, as well as the first Polish cosmonaut, Mirosław Hermaszewski.

As part of the Armenian day events in Zamosc, a deputy director of the local museum, Dr  Piotr Kondrazuk, delivered an extensive report at the institution to introduce the Armenians' historical presence in the city and contribution to its development.

At the end of the ceremony, Ambassador Ghazaryan handed over a special prize, a golden medal by Armenia's Ministry of Culture, to the city's mayor, praising his considerable contribution to the preservation and dissemination of the Armenian people's history and culture in Poland.

Later the same day, the city's central square hosted an open-air concert featuring Miqayel Voskanyan & Friends Band (which was invited from Armenia for the special event).