Encounters with Art: Mystery of Armenian Script

October 10, 2011 The October event in "Encounters with Art" series of the Cafesjian Center for the Arts was held in conjunction with the European Heritage Days and the celebration of Holy Translators Day of the Armenian Apostolic Church. 

This time the event was held for both children and adults. 

The children's program, "My Armenian Alphabet", was held for 30 schoolchidlren from Yerevan. During their visit to Khanjyan Gallery of the Cafesjian Center for the Arts the children were introduced to the mural by Grigor Khanjyan, depicting the creation of Armenian alphabet. Further on, they proceeded to write Armenian letters of their choice in the manner of ancient Armenian manuscripts - the birdlike letters. 

The celebration continued in the evening for adults. The guests of the "Encounters with Art" series heard a lecture by an invited expert, the Head of the Department of Art History and Study of Script Making Centers of Matenadaran, Dr. Karen Matevosyan, who presented the origin of the Armenian script, its versions, types of Armenian letters, their numerical values and usage since the invention.

The lecture was followed by a documentary, "The Holy Translators" that shed light on the crucial role of the invention of Armenian script and translation of written sources into the Armenian language in the perseverance of the Armenian nation. 

After the intermission "Sharakan" Ensemble and its leader, Daniel Yerazhisht, performed spiritual and authentic Armenian music, authored by Mesrop Mashtots himself, Komitas and others. 

The event was dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the independence of Armenia.