YEREVAN. APRIL 12, NOYAN TAPAN - ARMENIANS TODAY. The Government of Italy allocated in 2006 35 thousand evros and the Embassy of Italy to Armenia - 29.5 thousand evros for keeping and restoring the historic-cultural monuments in Armenia. Roberto Nocella, the Second Secretary of the Embassy of Italy to Armenia stated about this at the April 11 press-conference. According to the Second Secretary of the Embassy, Armenia was given this year scholarship for 26 months, from the scholarships being allocated by the Italian Government to specialists of different countries for studying the Italian Language and culture. Those scholarships will be given in Armenia first of all to those specialists who are engaged in study of architecture, restoration of frescos and fastening of monuments. Roberto Nocella emphasized that sources of the Armenian-Italian friendship, having deep roots, continues to productively develop today as well. According to him, following the UNESCO example, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of his country implements activity aimed to keeping monuments in different countries of the world. According to R.Nocella, restoration of a cultural monument in any country may be considered the best cultural dialogue. According to Professor Gaiane Casnati, the Director of the Armenian Architecture Study and Documentation Center of Milan, the Armenian-Italian joint works have given their positive results in the direction of restoring monuments since 2000. The monastic complex of Marmashen was restored, the preliminary appearance of the Yereruyk temple is studied at present. The state of wall-paintings of the Kobayri monastery will be studied with the help of Italian specialists and their restoration scheme will be drafted this year. Gaiane Casnati mentioned that Italian specialists jointly with the Government of Armenia participate in works of fastening the castles of Amberd and Dashtadem. She informed that seminars with participation of Armenian and Italian architects will be organized in Armenia during this year. According to G.Casnati, the final goal of that joint activity is creation of the Restorers' School in Armenia.

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