International Conference on Armenian Studies
Held in Yerevan, Armenia, September 15-20

Barlow Der Mugrdechian
Advisor

Armenian studies scholars from throughout the world gathered in Yerevan, Armenia for the First International Congress of Armenian Studies, September 15-20, 2003.

The Congress, devoted to the topic “Armenian Studies Today and Its Development Perspectives,” was jointly co-sponsored by the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia and Yerevan State University, and was held under the auspices of President Robert Kocharian.

His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, gave the opening blessing at the Plenary Session held on September 15, with more than 200 participants in attendance in the Hall of Sessions of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences.

The five-day Congress was unprecedented in its scope and length, attracting invited scholars in a variety of disciplines related to Armenian Studies, from numerous countries.

The Congress was organized into four major areas with their subsections: 1) History (history, archaeology, cuneiform civilizations, ethnography and social questions, demography, and source studies 2) Philology (philology, language, and literature) 3) Culture (culture, philosophy, and study of art, and 4) The Armenian Church and Armenian Studies.

Each session had a chair or chairs with a panel of experts, each presenting a communication on his/her specific research interest. The Congress consisted of three daily panels, in each of the major areas. Participants were allowed fifteen minutes each to report on work in progress or on research engaged in. The sessions were held at diverse sites, at the Matenadaran, the University, and the Academy of Sciences, which made it difficult for specialist to attend more than one themed session per day.

On Friday, September 19, two round-table discussions were held: 1) The Problem of Armenian Identity and the Armenian Nation-Preserving Activity in the Diaspora, and 2) The Problem of Education in the Diaspora and Armenia. These two round-tables afforded participants the opportunity to be involved in more generalized discussion. Compared to the time allowed for the sessions, there was ample time for an exchange of ideas.

During the week, participants attended concerts or other organized activities, including outings to Noravank and Oshagan. A final plenary session was held on Saturday, September 20, along with a farewell party.

The fall of the Soviet Union and the establishment of the new Republic of Armenia in 1991 were expected to usher in an era of increased contacts and cooperation between scholars in Armenia and in the Diaspora, and to a certain extent these hopes were realized. In Armenia, the last thirteen years was marked by the collapse of government funding for research institutes, the Academy of Sciences, and the University. Opportunities for research, travel, and post-graduate employment suffered immensely. This led to the opposite of the expected strengthening of ties, leading to further isolation of scholars in Armenia from colleagues throughout the world.

The International Congress was an outgrowth of discussions between the members of the Academy of Sciences, leadership at Yerevan State University, and Diasporan academics. The Congress was expected to clear up several issues that were also hindering relations between Armenian and Diasporan colleagues.

This Congress was a first step in easing tensions and the Congress also became a means to improve communications through personal contacts. In this way the Congress was a worhwhile effort in bridging the differences between scholars.

The Society for Armenian Studies, the U.S. based society for scholars involved in teaching or research, was well represented at the Congress with President Barlow Der Mugrdechian in attendance along with many other members. The SAS’s sister organization, the Europe-based Association International des Etudes Armeniennes, was also well represented.

Armenian Studies has grown considerably in the last few decades, both in the United States and also in Europe. There are Armenian studies centers and courses being taught in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Switzerland. In the United States alone, there are fifteen endowed chairs of Armenian studies, as well as a variety of programs where courses are taught. These scholars in the United States and Canada, plus those from other countries, are together feeling a renewed interest in the field.

The organizing board of the Congress included, Fadey Sarkissyan, President of the National Academy of Sciences, Adademician Radik Martirosyan, President of Yerevan State University, Minister of Education Sergo Yeritsian, Vladimir Barkhudaryan, Vice-President of the NAS, Gerard Dedeyan of France, Boghos Levon Zekiyan of Venice, Richard Hovannisian of UCLA, and Aram Simonyan, YSU Vice President.