Remember Armenia in Your Considerations
In September 2023, a decisive military offensive by Azerbaijan forced over 120,000 Armenians to flee from the region known as Artsakh, raising concerns about the preservation of cultural heritage sites in the area. These sites are crucial to Armenian identity and history, and their loss could have a profound impact on the nation's cultural heritage.
Recent events have highlighted the challenges faced by Armenian cultural heritage organisations. Many of these organisations are struggling financially, with about 40% having been active for less than five years. This surge in new organisations indicates a recent increase in heritage-related activities, but many struggle to survive beyond two years due to funding issues.
In response to these challenges, international efforts and collaborations are underway to address these issues and ensure the long-term protection of these sites. The Armenian Heritage Organisations Forum, organised by the SIREH Center along with the European Heritage Hub project and Europa Nostra, brought together local NGOs, international heritage institutions, donors, and diplomatic actors to discuss threats to Armenian cultural heritage and explore support mechanisms.
Armenia is also actively working to inscribe its monuments on the UNESCO World Heritage List, supported by budget allocations and institutional efforts. This initiative aims to protect and promote Armenian cultural and historical sites globally. International organisations like the World Monuments Fund and the Getty Conservation Institute have been involved in efforts to preserve Armenian cultural heritage, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in safeguarding cultural sites.
Diplomatically, Armenia's efforts to secure support for cultural preservation have been evident in its diversification of foreign policy and deepening ties with countries like China. However, the recent concession not to pursue international recognition of the Armenian genocide has sparked controversy and tension within the country.
The World Council of Churches (WCC) has also played a significant role in bringing international attention to the Armenians' plight and the loss of their cultural heritage. Last month, the WCC hosted a conference to address these issues, bringing together diverse voices and perspectives, including a Jew, a Muslim, and a prosecutor from the International Court of Justice. The conference emphasised the potential of collective voices to speak truth to power prophetically and provided more in-depth information on the destruction of Armenian heritage sites and its impact on the Armenians' sense of integrity and humanity.
The conference's goal was to sensitize people to the Armenian issue, though the specific strategies or outcomes were not detailed. The conference's reach and the subsequent news coverage had circulated far and wide, hoping to make a difference in the Armenian situation. Jerry Pillay, general secretary of the World Council of Churches, was leading a WCC delegation when the Azerbaijani offensive took place and was unable to access the region. Merlyn Hyde-Riley of the Jamaica Baptist Union shared observations about the conference, serving as one of the WCC's vice moderators.
Reports last October by Jayson Casper of Christianity Today revealed that Azerbaijan has been systematically bulldozing historic Christian structures in the abandoned territory. These actions have further underscored the need for international efforts to protect Armenian cultural heritage.
Overall, while there are challenges to preserving Armenian cultural heritage, international efforts and collaborations are underway to address these issues and ensure the long-term protection of these sites.
- The Armenian Heritage Organisations Forum, an international collaboration, recently discussed threats to Armenian cultural heritage and explored potential support mechanisms, recognizing the struggles faced by local NGOs and the importance of international cooperation.
- Amidst diplomatic endeavors, the World Council of Churches (WCC) hosted a conference to bring international attention to the Armenians' plight and the loss of their cultural heritage, emphasizing the potential of collective voices to prophetically address these issues and sensitize people to the Armenian situation.
