Armenia to allocate 148.5 million AMD for medieval manuscripts

The Armenian government has approved the allocation of 148.5 million AMD from the budget reserve fund to acquire and repatriate two historically and scientifically significant Armenian manuscripts. These items will join the collection of the Matenadaran.

Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan reported that the acquisition involves two manuscripts from the Jesselson private collection. Following negotiations in Vienna with the owner of INLIBRIS Gilhofer Nfg. GmbH, the total price for five manuscripts was reduced to 505,000 euros, including all taxes and fees. The Matenadaran has been granted preferred buyer status for at least six months.

One of the manuscripts, a 1353 collection by Sargis Pitsaki, is valued at 250,000 euros. It is noted for its Cilician miniature painting style and contains sermons, lives of saints, and canons.