On 23rd May, the cooperation agreement in the field of archaeology was signed between the University of Warsaw and Armenian institutions.

“At the University, we have extremely good experiences with Armenian scholars. Two of them used to be rectors of the University, including Prof. Jan Lukasiewicz, a prominent philosopher and representative of the Lviv-Warsaw School. It is vital to enhance the cooperation between archaeologists from our two countries,” said Prof. Alojzy Z. Nowak, the UW Rector, during the ceremony of signing the agreement between the University of Warsaw and the Armenian institutions.

“Today’s agreement is a significant moment for collaboration between Polish and Armenian archaeologists. We have been working with Armenian researchers for more than ten years. We decided that our mutual work should be formalised. Even though we live in difficult times, where real friendships are being tested, I believe that we will be able to carry out joint research and conservation work,” said Prof. Artur Obluski, the Director of the UW’s Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology (PCMA). “The first project, we have decided to begin with, will involve knowledge of, among others, Dr Mateusz Iskra from the PCMA and Hasmika Simonyan from Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia. It will concern excavations at the Argishtihinili site in Armenia – an important place in the history of the Kingdom of Urartu, whose kings conquered the big part of Mesopotamia, one of the most powerful empires in the past world.”

The agreement was signed by Prof. Alojzy Z. Nowak, the Rector of the University of Warsaw, and the representatives of Armenian institutions: Dr Arsen Bobokhyan, the Director of Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia; Dr Karen Pahlevanyan, the Director of Memorial Complex of Sardarapat Battle, National Museum of Armenian Ethnography and History of Liberal Struggle; and Armen Hovhannisyan, the Director of the Service for the Protection of Historical Environment and Cultural Museum-reservations.

In addition to the cooperation agreement, an annex was signed for the implementation of joint research and conservation work at the “Davti Blur” archaeological site in the Republic of Armenia.