The Government of the Republic of Armenia

Dear Compatriots,
Eminence,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I welcome the participants, guests and organizers of this pan-Armenian forum entitled “Armenian Architecture and the 21st Century.” I feel the forum will serve its goal to provide a pledge for revealing and effective application of national professional potential and tackling the problems available in the sphere of architecture.

In the programs of the President of Republic and the Government an important place is reserved for the integral collective force of our people and the promotion of Armenia-Diaspora cooperation. The forum of architects is scheduled to discuss:

1. Problems of preservation, creative mastering and development, transfer of national architectural heritage,
2. An imperative need of preparation and retraining of young architects,
3. Introduction of modern architectural styles, approaches, new technologies and materials in Armenian architecture,
4. Creation of professional community which is a precondition for the creation of an all-Armenian professional network.

Account taken of modern geopolitical developments and the possibilities offered by national and international laws, I have no doubt that the forum will analyze in all detail the problems available in this area and will find rational ways for their decision.

Prioritizing the Armenian historical and cultural heritage, we have fixed in the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia that based on the principles and norms of international law the Republic Armenia shall promote ties with the Armenian Diaspora, as well as the preservation of Armenian historical and cultural values available in other countries.

Dear architects,

With your ideas and efforts you are participating in the creation of these values. Therefore, you should also participate in their preservation. It is necessary for you to design a strategy to specify the tasks of the Armenian State, the Diaspora and numerous structures so as we could properly record, register, protect and safeguard the centuries-long cultural and historical heritage of the Armenian people.

Architecture is a vivid evidence of national originality, identity, spirit and culture and the most remarkable way to self-recognition of the Armenian people. Armenian architecture is the embodiment of our national spirit in stone, the pledge for national identity preservation.

The Genocide of Armenians and exile of people were followed with destruction and distortion of a cultural - historical heritage, and it proceeds in attempts to erase from memory of mankind our most ancient civilization by distortion of a history.

That Spiritual Armenia, the Armenian world which we try to construct, should be based first of all on the Armenian culture. The Armenian architectural monuments are one of pillars of national ideology. Each temple, a palace, the bridge, a fortress, the monastic complex, the vestry cut in stone or khachkars comprise an original idea, a hereditary code to be studied, learnt and transferred.

In this regard, both in Armenia and in the Diaspora, we should ask ourselves what educational programs and actions have to be designed and realized in common so as any Armenian becomes the bearer, the master and the custodian of Armenian culture? I would like this theme to become a topic for discussion at this forum.

Also, I wish to call your attention to the fact that our country is going to be represented at the Shanghai Expo-2010. Which way and with what brands will Armenia be present in this international exhibition? Your ideas and proposals, too, will contribute thereto. We are looking forward to receiving your suggestions on the matter.

We have already received interesting materials concerning creation of a new city in the Armenian world, as well as other exciting ideas, and we would be grateful to you if they could become of subject of discussion at this forum.

Thanks to architectural activity you may leave a deep trace in the development of global civilization, in urban development undertakings which is the chief topic of said exhibition.

Dear compatriots, participants and visitors of the forum,

Once again, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, I wish fruitful work to the forum and new creative achievements and every success to the participants as they endeavor for the benefit of our Homeland.