Shortcomings and problems identified
- The Ministry has not taken sufficient measures for maintenance and development of museums. In the result of shortage of space only around 9 % of the state museum collections are presented in the museums.
- Sufficient measures for equipment of theatres have not been taken. In particular, the National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater needs to be renovated and equipped with modern technical features; in certain cases, State Mime Theatre does not possess its own territory.
- The Ministry hasn’t taken appropriate measures for maintenance of libraries. Although the conditions of 13 libraries under the Ministry control have been considerably developed, they are still far from adequate.
- Sufficient measures for creation of sustainable and effective mechanisms for proportionate development of cultural life in regions have not been taken.
- Problems were identified in the sphere of maintenance of cultural values, historical and cultural monuments. Some buildings included in the list of maintenance of RA historical and cultural monuments – not subject to alienation – are under threat of demolition. According to some studies, several buildings in “Kumayri” architectural reserve-museum are in hazardous state.
- Appropriate measures for assurance of necessary conditions for realization of the right for people with disabilities to partake in cultural life have not been undertaken.
Read also
Positive Developments
- A series of state official concerts have been organized.
- Information about around 12.500 museum pieces was made available for the public through the RA National Gallery 3 language new website (www.nga.am,www.gallery.am) which was enriched with modern design and technical possibilities.
- Around 200 permanent and individual presentations were organized in the museums ofArmenia; in addition 59 museums participated in the “Museum Night” pan-European event with 107420 visitors and during Days of European Inheritage 36 museums participated with 11791 visitors.
- Museum funds were enriched with 6661 pieces, 2645 pieces were repaired and 1168 pieces revamped.
- Libraries were enriched with 59515 pieces.
- With the aim of ensuring information and service simplification the electronic sources for library users were updated (EBSKO and Integrum World).
- The program “Library as a meeting place” devoted to the Library Day was implemented with participation of 102 libraries and 257 events organized in its framework.
- A number of events were organized for celebration of 500 Anniversary of Armenian typography and “Yerevan 2012: World Book Capital” event.
- The “Family Librarian” program has been implemented through Lori and Shirak regional libraries for implementation of library services for people with disabilities.
- The “Arev” information communication program has been installed in Kotayk, Vayots Dzor, Gegharkunik regional libraries for people with eyesight problems.
- Around 74 theatre and concert tours, Armenian films presentations, book fairs were organized in regions ofArmeniain the framework of “Cultural region” program, as well as regional creative teamworks presentations inYerevan.
- For the first time in Gyumri and Vanadzor the “Regional ArtExpo” was organized in the frameworks if events devoted to the establishment of local self-government system inArmenia.
Karen Andreasyan,
Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia
