The Government of the Republic of Armenia

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan paid a working visit to Lori Marz, where he first called at Sanahin monastic complex.

Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosyan briefed the Premier on ongoing and planned reconstruction work.

It was reported that as instructed by the Prime Minister, reconstruction-reinforcement activities for Holy Mother of God (10th century) and Holy Redeemer (966 AD) churches and Gregory Magistros Seminary kicked off in the third quarter of 2012.

AMD18mn was allocated from the State budget in 2012, thanks to which Holy Mother of God church has already been partially rehabilitated. AMD22.5mn was made available in 2013 for partial reconstruction of Holy Redeemer church.

It was also informed that pursuant to Tigran Sargsyan’s directive, before a cost-estimate had been made up, complex studies were carried out to take stock of the western-side monumental structures in 2010-2011. In particular, a group of experts from the Venice Recovery Center and the Berlin University of Modern High Technologies made 3D laser measurements to determine the causes behind wall deformations and their current state.

French specialists reviewed and submitted recommendations for the use of modern techniques to waterproof the coverings, while the Armenian Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography performed partial excavation and archeological exploration work at the site.

In addition, expert findings were provided regarding the engineering-geological conditions based on a groundwork survey of Holy Redeemer church, along with recommendations on effective follow-up conservation measures.

Dsegh village was the Prime Minister’s next port of call, where Tigran Sargsyan was introduced to heating, hydro-isolation and repair work for Hovhannes Tumanyan Museum. A total of AMD 8.94mn was invested, of which 894 thousand from the community budget.

Tigran Sargsyan assured that any such important facility is be kept under close control by the government and himself.