Controversy over renovation work at Genocide Memorial Complex mere  manipulation

ArmInfo.  The controversy that has erupted in some Armenian society regarding the renovation work at the Genocide Memorial Complex is pure manipulation. RA Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan shares this view.

According to her, renovation work at the complex is nothing new. In  2015, renovations were carried out on the spans using the same  technology that is still in use today. Before the renovations began,  these technologies were thoroughly discussed by the scientific and  methodological council. "I'm not an expert in this field myself, but  I listen to them.

Experts, including one of the project's authors, proposed solutions  that weren't presented immediately.  After numerous discussions and  studies, including ultrasound and various technical equipment, the  possibility of replacing the slabs was explored," the minister said.  She pointed out the frivolity of the accusations made by some in the  expert community, who, in just an hour and a half, cast doubt on the  lengthy discussions.

"Tsitsernakaberd is a vital monument for us, and any changes there,  even on a single millimeter of land, require a corresponding expert  assessment. We have now come to the following conclusion: while work  on the complex is suspended, the issue will be discussed again at the  scientific and methodological council, after which a decision will be  made," noted Zhanna Andreasyan.

It is worth noting that a number of Armenian architects have  expressed concern about the renovation of the Tsitsernakaberd  Memorial Complex to the Victims of the Armenian Genocide, pointing  out a number of risks. In particular, architect Anahit Tarkhanyan  (daughter of the memorial's co-author, Artur Tarkhanyan), said the  design work has been developed and is being carried out with numerous  errors, which could have serious consequences. According to her, the  steps of four of the 12 spans of the complex have been completely  destroyed. Tarkhanyan was also outraged by the news that Sashur  Kalashyan (the memorial's second co-author), who led the  architectural restoration team, had left the restoration working  group.