YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–The 1000th anniversary of Krikor Naregatsi’s noted poem "Book of Lamentation" has been included with UNESCO’s 2003 calendar of events. The cultural wing of the UN has allocated $30,000 for a commemorative publication of the work and Armenia’s prime minister Andranik Markarian has appointed a special commission to oversee the anniversary activities.
The commission held its first plenary session Monday–with the participation of noted writers and scholars–as well as representatives from Armenia’s cultural ministry.
Suggestions included the organization of international conferences on Naregatsi in Armenia–as well as in areas where there are Armenian research institutions or academic chairs in Europe or the United States.
The Russian and English translation of Arshalous Ghazinian’s "The Art of Naregatsi" was also among the suggestions presented during Monday’s meeting–as was the unveiling of a statue of Naregatsi at the St. Gregory the Illuminator cathedral.
The production of a full-length feature film on Naregatsi’s life and issuing of stamps and other commemorative objects were also part of the suggestion.