Hye Sharzhoom Armenian Action
Staff Report
Dr. Sonya Mirzoyan, Director of the National Archives of the Republic of Armenia, visited the Armenian Studies Program on Friday, September 13.
Dr. Barbara Merguerian, Kazan Visiting Professor of Armenian Studies for the Fall 2002 semester, introduced Dr. Mirzoyan at a small reception. In attendance were Dr. Dickran Kouymjian, Director of the Armenian Studies Program and Barlow Der Mugrdechian of the Armenian Studies Program.
A native of Baku, Dr. Mirzoyan moved to Armenia in the 1970s. She has been working in the National Archives for 30 years, the last 10 years as Director. Her doctorate is in history, with specialization in the Armenian Republic of 1918-1920.
She showed a 20-minute video on the work of the archives. She also explained how the economic crisis in Armenia over the past 11 years has had a drastic negative impact on the Armenian Archives. She thanked Armenian-American supporters on the East and West coasts for providing resources to help maintain the collection.
The National Archives are one of the important national resources of the Armenian people. Founded in 1923 with 25 employees, it now houses literally millions of documents. For example, the historical records of the Armenian Apostolic Churches are kept in the Archives, as well as the personal papers of such figures as General Antranik, Njdeh, and writer/scholar Arshak Chobanian.
A vast archive of material relating to the Armenian Genocide is being preserved: photographs, documents, and individual memoirs. The records of the Republic of Armenia (1918-1920), papers, and other material are included in the collection. Histories of political parties and every-day life of the people are also kept. Extensive resources permitting genealogical research are also available. The Archives have a two-fold purpose: 1) the preservation of important materials, and 2) a publications program designed to make available the most important of the works.
The National Archives welcomes scholars from throughout the world to make use of its vast collections. The staff is prepared to assist any individual with a research project. The National Archives are non-political and non-partisan. They are currently under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth of the Republic of Armenia.