03.10.2024
On October 3, the Director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute (AGMI), Edita Gzoyan, and the architect of the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex, Sashur Kalashyan, provided details to the press regarding the upcoming major repairs to the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex.
In her statement, Dr. Gzoyan highlighted a longstanding issue: during both the construction and previous renovations of the Memorial, a water drainage system had not been installed, leading to severe problems. Rainwater has seeped into the sloping gables for decades, causing erosion and increasing the risk of rock movement and collapse. She also noted similar drainage issues within the museum building itself.
The renovation of the Memorial Complex will be conducted in two main phases. The first phase, focused on the Memorial and surrounding areas, is scheduled to begin in the coming days and is expected to be completed before the 110th anniversary commemorations of the Armenian Genocide. This phase includes upgrading the irrigation system for the green spaces adjacent to the Memorial, constructing a reservoir, and installing a pumping station to support a new drip irrigation system.
The second phase will involve the overhaul of the AGMI itself, including the administrative building, and is planned for mid-2025.
BIDEK LLC, the sole bidder in the open tender announced by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports (MESCS), has been selected to carry out the repairs. The total cost for the renovation and improvement works is estimated at 743,034,625 AMD. Seismshin LLC will oversee technical quality control, while Armenian Project JSC will manage copyright oversight. Architect Sashur Kalashyan, one of the original designers of the Memorial and Museum, will lead the architectural group responsible for the repairs.
During the repair works both the Memorial and the museum will continue to function.