Frescoes by Minas to be restored and moved to Yerevan

Frescoes of a large cultural value, “At the Khachqar” (At the Cross-Stone) and “The Meeting” by great Armenian painter Minas Avetisian who colored the canteen of the Electrical Plant in Gyumri, will be restored and installed in Armenian government, said at the press conference director of the Modern Art Department of Armenia’s Ministry of Culture, Mrs Sona Haroutyunian.

She told that the country’s government had directed 20 million drams to restore Minas’ frescoes.

“This sum has already been transferred to the Minas Avetisian Foundation which will carry the restoration works. The works are divided into three stages: the first round will start on September 1 and will last till September 10; the second round will start on September 26, and the final, third, round will be carried out mainly in Yerevan. The frescoes will be placed at the government building by November 4,” said Mrs Haroutyunian.

She said that there is an agreement with government to give an access to the frescoes: once a week, during the open doors day, the public will have an opportunity to attend the place to feast eyes on the art of the great master.

A restorer, Arjanik Hovhannisian said, in his part, that “the chosen Italian method is the best restoration material.”

“We can even say that it will allow coming optimally close to the originals,” he said adding that there can not be a 100% guarantee of longevity for frescoes; however, “the best version was chosen,” he said.

Among highlights related to the restoration of frescoes, specialists said of six more works, which need donations and financial support to be restored.