Armenian Studies 
2008 Press Releases
23 March 2008
The Gregory Areshian Collection of the Research
Archives
of the Oriental Institute
In the summer of 2007, the Research Archives of the Oriental Institute received a remarkably generous donation of 1482 books from the personal library of Dr. Gregory Areshian, research associate and adjunct professor of the Cotsen Institute of Archaeoloy at the University of California, Los Angeles. This rare collection, consisting of books written primarily in Russian and Armenian, covers the archaeology and languages of central Asia (Caucasus). As the print runs were so limited for such work, many of the volumes are extremely rare in the United States, existing in only 1 or 2 copies in the entire country, and the collection as a whole serves as one of the most significant collections of archaeological resources in Armenian and Russian in the Western Hemisphere. To take but a single example, B. V. Farmakovskij's important work Arkhaicheskij period v Rossii (Archaic Period in Russia), from 1914(in Russian) currently has no entries in WorldCat, making this an exceedingly rare volume in the US.
In December, the Oriental Institute honored the founding of the "Gregory Areshian Collection", housed in its very own room in the Research Archives, through a reception honoring Dr. Areshian, with old friends and colleagues present.
Our sincere thanks for organizing this donation extends to Dr. Gil Stein, Dr. Adam Smith and Dr. Magnus Widell for their instrumental role in acquiring these materials and to Kaye Oberhausen for organizing the reception. Last, but certainly not least, we would like to thank Dr. Gregory Areshian for his wonderful generosity and gracious spirit. Through these efforts, future generations of students and scholars will be able to consult a unique resource of knowledge. Such resources only add to the legacy and vitality of the Oriental Institute Research Archives as one of the premier scholarly libraries for the study of the Ancient Near East.
Use of the Research Archives library materials is limited to Oriental Institute faculty, staff and students. Scholars and students who would like to use the Research Archives or the Gregory Areshian Collection should contact Foy Scalf (scalffd@uchicago.edu; 1-773-702-0537) for further information.
Foy Scalf - Head of Research Archives
18 January 2008
MANUSCRIPTS OF MATENADARAN TO BE RENOVATED WITH HELP OF JAPANESE SPECIALISTS
By Rouzan Poghosyan
AZG Armenian Daily
By the memorandum signed between the Government of Japan and the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts Matenadaran, equipment and necessary materials for about $23 thousand will be allocated for the renovation of the ancient manuscripts of Matenadaran.
The Japanese Government paid attention to Matenadaran for the first time in 2003, when Japanese experts brought renovation equipment and materials for about half a million dollars to Armenia and taught the Armenian employees of Matenadaran the renovation methods.
Yesterday, Hiriko Hazumi, Japanese Ambassador to Russia, and Yukiko Mizuno, second secretary of Japanese Ambassador to Russia, visited Matenadaran to sign the memorandum with the Armenian scholars. Sen Arevshatian, Adviser of Matenadaran's Director, Arshak Banouchian, Deputy Director of Matenadaran, as well as Shoushanik Khachikian, Scholarly Secretary, met the Japanese delegation. Hrachya Tamrazian, Director of Matenadaran, wasn't present at the meeting due to his participation in the international conference held in Antilias. Sen Arevshatian emphasized that they greatly appreciate the assistance displayed by the Japanese Government. He added that thanks to this cooperation the ancient manuscripts of Matenadaran will live a new life. Arshak Banouchian informed with delight that the number of Japanese tourists visiting Matenadaran increased in the course of the last few years. "They say that where the Japanese tourists go there can be great opportunities for development of tourism," Youkiko Mizouno stated this. He added that the Japanese people are very interested in cultures of other nations, as they believe this is a good way for spiritual development. Moreover, he emphasized that this very approach is essentially reflected in the governmental policy of Japan. Mr. Mizouno also stated that his country's government takes numerous efforts to preserve the culture of the developing countries and carries out many programs of the like in different developing countries. He also stated that the Government of Japan provided with necessary equipment not only Matenadaran, but also the Philharmonic Orchestra of Armenia, as well as the Opera and Ballet Theatre after Al Spendiarian.
In response to the question how well the Japanese people are familiarized with the Armenian culture, Mr. Mizouno added that few people know about the Armenian culture in Japan, as they aren't properly informed about our country. He emphasized the importance of properly representing the Armenian culture in Japan.
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