Gandzasar Monastery fenceing being coated at very rapid paces

July 16, 2011 - 11:03 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Gandzasar Monastery fencing is presently being coated in a rush.

As Artsakh sources told PanARMENIAN.Net correspondent, despite all demands and subsequent promises as of July 15 19:00pm, the coating of the fence was not suspended, and even continues at very rapid paces.

On July 15, Maecenas Levon Hayrapetyan who initiated restoration works at Gandzasar Monastery decided to suspend restoration.

As Artsakh resident Marut Vanyan told PanARMENIAN.Net correspondent, the Maecenas refused to pay to workers who carried out restoration works, and, also, decided not to pay for electricity of the Monastery, Vanyan cited the monastery Priest as saying.

Moreover, he said that despite information spread by the Armenian media outlets about allegedly discontinued construction works in Gandzasar several days ago, in fact they were suspended just a day before.

In May 2011, Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church addressed the department for protection and study of historic monuments at NKR government for permission to restore the monastery fence, naming Moscow-based Armenian businessman, oligarch Levon Hayrapetyan as the project sponsor and initiator.

As the head of the department Slava Sargsyan reported earlier, the department didn't intend to give permission, concerned that the monastery will lose its historic and cultural value. The fence will be turned into a modern construction, thus losing a chance to be listed among UNESCO-protected monuments.

Coating of 13 century fence surrounding Gandzasar Monastery in Nagorno Karabakh aroused stir in Facebook and amid bloggers and art lovers. According to Facebook poll, presently 2163 people opposed to coating of monastery fence, with only 42 favoring the idea.

Armenian Association of Architects and Restorers fyrther joined the call to suspend restoration works. Particularly, Chair of the Association Gagik Soghomonyan said that restoration of Gandzasar Monastery would cost Armenian Maecenas cheaper, and would be carried out within law, if he addressed to the Armenian Association of Architects and Restorers.

In turn, Deputy Chairman of the Association Stepan Nalbandian said that it is not late to save Gandzasar yet. According to him, there is information that the coating of the fence will be demolished and the previous look will be recovered.