"It took me a long time to prepare for my visit to Armenia, and I consider it crucial. I spent my childhood in Venice and saw St. Lazare Island which symbolizes Armenian culture worldwide. Then I moved to Naples and lived near St. Gregory the Illuminator church. That's probably my fate; I can't call it otherwise," art critic, doctor and Professor of Naples Academy Francesco Gallo told today a news conference in Yerevan.

This is Gallo's second visit to Armenia, which is aimed at arranging renowned Armenian artist Minas Avetisyan's exhibition in Rome, Florence, Milan and other big Italian towns, as well as organizing lectures on art history for students and lecturers of Armenian universities and museum workers.

It is planned to hold large-scale exhibitions displaying 100 painting in the best and biggest exhibition halls of Italy, so preparation requires much time and effort. "Exhibitions are scheduled for 2010, but I find it's better to organize exhibition properly rather than quickly," Gallo said.

Artist's son Narek Avetisyan promised in the name of his family to assist professor Gallo in organizing exhibitions.

During his last visit, Professor was dissatisfied with conditions of maintaining Minas Avetisyan's canvasses in Yerevan Contemporary Art Museum. This time, however, he noticed certain progress.

On Sunday, Francesco Gallo will leave for Italy where he'll meet with RA Ambassador and Italian Minister of Culture.