Armenian President: Gyumri should be reanimated

ArmInfo.Yesterday, President Armen Sarkissian conducted a brief working visit to Gyumri to observe firsthand the conditions at the building allocated for the  Geological museum, the press service of Armenian President informs.   The President toured the premise of the future museum which earlier  served as the Galust Gyulbenkian surgical hospital. To satisfy the  requirements defined for museums, the premise needs renovation works.  President Sarkissian promised to help. In a conversation with the  journalists, he noted that during his previous visit to Gyumri, he  had promised to follow the future developments related to the  geological museum. 

"I have come to see the building of the future museum and to ponder how I can help. There are different ways to help  - personal, through the friends, through sponsor programs. This  museum will become an attraction point in Gyumri," President  Sarkissian said. As the President of the International Council of the  "Yerevan, My Love" Foundation, Armen Sarkissian informed that all  design related expenses for the museum will be paid by the  Foundation. "Probably, it will be necessary to establish another  charity organization which will be named "Gyumri, My Love," President  Sarkissian said.  The geological museum program is not President  Sarkissian's first project in Gyumri. In the past, through his  assistance the Gyumri National Architecture and Urban Life Museum,  the famous Dzitoghtsonts House was renovated. It became the next stop  of the President's current visit to Gyumri.  

The President was received here as a dear guest, with the appreciation for his  contribution to the normal functioning of this cultural center which  has become one of the visiting cards of Gyumri. "Dzitoghtsonts House  in a way is a dear place because my grandpa from one side was  Dzutightsi, from Dzitogh proper, Erzrum," the President admitted in  the conversation with the journalists. Armen Sarkissian toured the  Museum and observed exhibits related to the daily life of the  residents of Gyumri.  The President of Armenia was familiarized with  the programs and existing problems of the Museum which need to be  addressed. President Sarkissian promised to find solutions through  the future "Gyumri, My Love" Foundation.  President Sarkissian  visited also the Technological Center of Gyumri. During the tour, he  familiarized with the ongoing programs. At the Tumo Gyumri Creative  Center located there, the President conversed with the students and  learned about their activities and interests. The President said that  he would visit the Technological Center soon with a more  comprehensive program. ќ Aregak cafe in Gyumri, which the President  also visited, is special for its milieu, program, and the mission.  The environment here is exemplary, with an inclusive cafe and a  bakery whose employees are exceptionally young people with limited  abilities and parents of the impaired children. The employees of the  cafe cordially welcomed the President and conversed with him during a  frank conversation and treated him to the sweet pies made on the  premise. Impressed by the meeting, Armen Sarkissian promised to visit  the cafe again, where he has already made friends in the person of  Michael, Grisha, Hovhaness, and other involved with the inclusive   program.      At the conclusion of his visit to Gyumri, President  Sarkissian lit a candle at the Holy Mother (Seven Wounds) Church  where at the moment a wedding was taking place. The President  congratulated the newlyweds and wished them happiness.  "Gyumri must  be restored, Gyumri must be revived and carry on the life of  Gyumretsis because the legacy, which we have, is special; we will not  lose it," President Sarkissian said in his conversation with the  journalists of Gyumri. He stressed the importance of developing  tourism in Gyumri and increasing the flow of tourists here. "Gyumri,  with its unique history, holds a very special place because first and  foremost it's a city which preserved the old ways, which preserved  its legacy."