Italy and Armenia share a thousand-year old history and common cultural roots that have led the two Countries to establish deep socio-cultural connections. There are many cultural initiatives in the fields of archaeology, museums, music, cinema and languages, carried out in collaboration with the Armenian institutions, of which this Embassy represents a fundamental partner.
In particular, on the occasion of the Italian Republic Day 2024, the exhibition “Fragments of Italian art in Armenia” was inaugurated in the heart of Yerevan, at the National Gallery of Armenia. The exhibition consisted of about one hundred works dating back to various historical periods, ranging from the 14th to the 20th century. The exhibition featured masterpieces by absolute Italian masters such as Donatello, Tintoretto, Guercino, Canaletto and Canova, testifying to the richness of the Italian artistic and cultural heritage in Armenia and the deep bond existing between the two Countries.
In addition, we recall the traveling exhibition of panels on “Perugino”, held on the occasion of the celebrations for the Republic Day 2023 and the exhibition of 55 masterpieces of the Roman Baroque and the Bernini School at the National Gallery of Armenia in Yerevan, in 2018-2019.
In 2022, on the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of the establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Italian Republic and the Republic of Armenia, “La Traviata” by Giuseppe Verdi was presented at the National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet after Alexander Spendiaryan in Yerevan.
Furthermore, this Embassy periodically promotes cinematographic events, thanks to the numerous points of contact between the Italian and Armenian cultures in this field. The film festivals of both Countries, including the Sudestival and the Golden Apricot Yerevan International Film Festival, have included sections dedicated to Italian and Armenian films over the years. Additionally, a screening program was held at the Union of Cinematographers of Armenia in 2020, on the occasion of the Centenary of the birth of Federico Fellini and Tonino Guerra.
Finally, given the common interest in the archaeological sector, several Italian archaeological missions have been operating in Armenia for years, including:
• Archaeological Mission in the Southern Caucasus – ISMEO International Association of Mediterranean and Eastern Studies, Director Roberto Dan, ongoing since 2013;
• Italian-Armenian Archaeological Mission of Aruch and the fortification of the Silk Road – ISMEO International Association of Mediterranean and Eastern Studies, Director Sergio Ferdinandi, ongoing since 2022;
• The Making of the Silk Road in Armenia: a light Archaeology of Euro-Asian connectivity in the Middle Ages (CC. 7-14) – University of Florence, Director Michele Nucciotti, ongoing since 2013;
• Armenian Dragon Stones Archaeological Project –Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Director Alessandra Gilibert, ongoing since 2012;
• PAPA – The Persian architectural heritage of Armenia. Inventory, documentation, conservation and enhancement – Fondazione Ing. Carlo Maurilio Lerici, Director Maurizio Boriani, year of first campaign 2023.