Armenian architecture has lost one of its masterpieces – the Covered Market in Yerevan.
The old Zvartnots airport building will be lost unless people join their efforts, Chairman of the Union of Architects of Armenia Mkrtich Minasyan told Tert.am.
“We had lost numerous buildings in our city before. But we failed to draw lessons. If we go on destroying our architectural values, one day we will learn we have never had any architectural heritage,” he said.
Asked about achievements in architecture, he pointed out the building of Matenadaran (Institute of Ancient Manuscripts) in Yerevan and Echmiadzin.
“Both the buildings are very good. They are our modern-day achievements. Matenadaran’s new building fits in with the entire complex. Its exterior and interior are excellent,” Minasyan said.
As regards the recently built elegant restaurants and other structures, the architect noted that they cannot be considered architectural values – at least as long as museums remain in a poor state.
Speaking of the necessary steps to preserve the rest architectural values, Minasyan said: “All the people – regardless of their status – must respect one and the same law. Otherwise, we’ll keep on suffering losses. It is time to come to our senses because we have nowhere to surrender. The government must struggle for its people for all of us to succeed not only in architecture, but also in dealing with other problems. This is the only way. Unfortunately, we are witnessing the government struggling for their wealth, while people are poor.”