ArmInfo.This event is of utmost importance in the development of Armenian-British cultural relations. The United Kingdom Ambassador to Armenia, John Gallagher, said in an interview with the Public television of Armenia referring to the fact that today a bronze bust of the goddess Anahit (1st century BC) was delivered to Armenia from the British Museum.
<I realize how important the image of goddess Anahit is for all Armenians, and I am really pleased that this collaboration between the British Museum and the History Museum of Armenia made this event possible in Yerevan. It is truly wonderful that the British Museum has found new partners to share the treasures it holds. The museum has over 5,000 exhibits from around the world and it is wonderful that we have found something that resonates in the hearts of the people of Armenia," he said. John Gallagher also expressed the opinion that the exhibition of the statue will bring many tourists to Armenia. The Ambassador noted that this is a valuable way to show the richness of Armenian culture and will provide an opportunity for Armenians to better appreciate the richness of their own culture.
The exhibition marks a significant milestone in the history of cultural exchange between the UK and Armenia. It builds on the close cooperation established between the two museums last year with the exhibition "Luxury and Power: From Persia to Greece", where the History Museum of Armenia provided several exhibits to the British Museum. Let us recall that in July of this year it was announced that the Armenian government would allocate 15.7 million drams to organize a joint exhibition with the British Museum this fall, featuring a bronze bust of the goddess Anahit. The surviving elements of the bronze statue of the goddess Anahit - the head and hands - will be showcased in a large-scale exhibition "Our Lady: from Anahit to Mariam", opening at the History Museum of Armenia on September 21, 2024. The exhibition will run until March 2025. The organizers are the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia, the Embassy of Armenia in the UK and the Embassy of the United Kingdom in Armenia. The exhibition will feature the History Museum of Armenia's collection related to the Mother of God, spanning from ancient times to Christianity and up to the present day.