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The reconstruction of Armenian repository of manuscripts - Matenadaran named after Mesrop Mashtots, which kicked off yet in previous year, will finish in May. Before the reconstruction is terminated, the road leading to Matenadaran will be ready in April. Arthur Meschian is the architect and designer of the project.

Panorama.am reporter, accompanied by chief engineer Hunan Kostanyan, walked through the old building. He said they were tasked to create fresh architectural innovations conserving old traditions. All the five floors and two-storey cellar are being reconstructed.

Panorama.am has also met with the director of Matenadaran Hrachya Tamrazyan asking for some remarks.

-Mister Tamrazyan, after the reconstruction of the building what changes could we enjoy?

-The mission of the reconstruction is to create more space for the exhibitions. Once we had only one exhibition hall, now we are going to have 8-9 halls. We are going to display foreign manuscripts, ancient books, archive materials. All those materials are going to be changed every time. There will be laboratories, storehouses in the old building as our funds are getting richer and richer every day.

After the reconstruction the microclimate of the building will be in accord with modern standards of preserving manuscripts. In summer the air temperature in the building was 30-35 degrees. It was a terrible atmosphere for the manuscripts. After the reconstruction everything must be in accord with the standards of international of museums. We are going to be nicely surprised.

-When will the restored department be available and how will be opening be celebrated?

-The old department of Matenadaran will host an exhibition devoted to the 500th anniversary of Armenian Printing on its official opening day. It will be in May. Not only Armenian ancient books but European and Eastern ancient books will be displayed during the exhibition.

-Are some other events being planned during the year?

-Surely, international conferences will be held on this occasion.

-How many manuscripts are there in Matenadaran and how do you acquire new materials? Are funds allocated by the State Budget enough?

-There are 18 thousand 400 manuscripts in Matenadaran. During the last four years we have acquired more than 1600 manuscripts, archives have been enriched with tens of thousands of new pieces. Money allocated for the new materials are not enough. We have enriched the funds due to donations.

-Do you host more tourists?

- In 2011 the number of visitors of Matenadaran has increased by ten thousand, which is a serious advancement.

-What do you think, can Armenia hold “Yerevan – book capital” title with honor?

-I’m sure we can. Jubilee events will contribute to propaganda of book, to establishment of spiritual field, our spiritual-cultural life will breathe freshly.

-Do you cooperate with foreign museums, cultural centers?

-We cooperate; we organize conferences, scientific trips and implement scientific- methodological projects. This year we plan to have a scientific forum with CIS and European countries. In this respect Matenadaran has become an international comprehensive center.

-What could you tell about the digitalization of manuscripts?

-The process continues, we need more technical equipments. We have obtained new equipments and since May a new phase of it will launch. We have already digitalized more than two million pages.