Epress.am News from Armenia
The Armenian government’s decision to remove famous Armenian painter Minas Avetisyan’s frescos from Gyumri has caused a wave of protests among residents of Armenia’s second-largest city, according to a press release issued by Shirak Centre NGO.
Recall, on Apr. 28, the Armenian government approved the restoration, removal and transfer of several Minas Avetisyan frescos in Gyumri’s former Galvanometer factory, citing the purpose of saving them from decay and destruction. On Jun. 8, a group of Gyumri artists protesting the government decision met with Armenian deputy culture minister Arev Samuelyan and submitted an appeal letter addressed to Armenian culture minister Hasmik Poghosyan, requesting the annulment of the decision to remove the frescos.
Shirak Centre NGO notes that cultural workers and representatives of civic organizations based in Gyumri have organized a petition to request the return of four frescos taken from the city. As part of the first stage of the petition, the 4,053 signatures thus gathered today were sent to RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan.
The Gyumri-based NGO, continuing to collect signatures, urges all those interested to add their signature on the form available on their website.