News > Middle East Armenians (General) > Call to support the fundraising campaign for the Monument of Gratitude to Arabs
Azad-Hye Special
In a previous report we highlighted the ongoing works for the construction of a monument dedicated to the Armenian – Arab friendship in Yerevan.
The project, which will be called "Monument of Gratitude to Arabs”, is an extremely important one, since it reflects centuries long friendly ties between the Armenians and Arabs, a reality which was further enhanced through the noble stance of the Arab nation during the World War I towards the devastated Armenian population in the Ottoman Empire. Tens of thousands of Armenians took refuge in Arab countries, where they found convenient atmosphere to revive as a nation and play an active role in the life of the newly formed societies in these countries. Thousands others used Arab land as a safe transfer point to other locations.
It is high time to have a monument symbolizing this deep-rooted relationship. This will be in the form of a statue in a known park in Yerevan. Already the work has entered into an advanced stage.
After the independence of Armenia, almost all Arab countries recognized Armenia and established diplomatic relations with it. Countries like Egypt, Syria and Lebanon were the first to open Embassies in the capital Yerevan. Arab media continues to publish many articles and reports about the Armenian presence in Arab countries, with a new interest related to the history of the minorities and the recent political developments in the wider region.
As of October 2008, about 40% of the expenses needed for constructing the above-mentioned monument were met. A fund raising campaign is under way to collect the remaining sums.
All Armenian communities (in the Arab countries and outside) have moral obligation to contribute to this campaign, thus ensuring the completion of this monument on time as scheduled in 2009.
Donors in the UAE and the wider GCC region can contact Hratch Brunsuzian at the following email and get further details about the project and payment methods.
Donations can be made also directly to the following bank account in Armenia:
Bank account for donations: Armimpexbank, Yerevan
Chips UID 317157
Beneficiary: Catholicos of all Armenians
Account: 1570001075483101
For the Monument of Gratitude Project
Swift: ARMIAM22
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Tel: +963-11-5447969
Fax: +963-11-5421577
E-mail: info@themonument.org
Website: www.themonument.org
Total project value: 115,000,000 AMD (Approx. US$ 383,000 on 01 August 2008. Exchange rate US$1 = 300 AMD).
When making a donation to the above given account, please mention that the donation is for "The Monument of Gratitude Project".
The “Monument of Gratitude”
Chronology
1997: Authorization was granted by the Ministry of Housing in Armenia for the construction of the monument. Land was allocated for this purpose.
1998: The name of the winner in the design competition is announced (Megurditchian Brothers from Aleppo).
1999: Contract signed with the designer.
2000: Ceremony for the laying of the foundation stone (see speech of Catholicos Karekin II below).
2001: Bank account was opened to channel funds to the project.
2002: Commencement of construction works. However the project came to a complete halt in November.
2007: A new location was designated.
12 March 2008: Following the completion of the design, a complete file was presented to the Municipality of the city of Yerevan and a building permit was obtained for the new construction.
14 July 2008: Signing of the new contract for the construction.
20 July 2008: Works on new site start (see photos)
Project completion date: January 2009
The above article is sponsored by Hratch Brunsuzian (UAE) as part of Sponsor an Article project.
