YEREVAN (Arminfo)–UNESCO and the government of Armenia will collaborate to celebrate worldwide the 1600th anniversary of the Armenian alphabet–according to the secretary general of the UNESCO national commission of Armenia’s foreign ministry Karina Danielyan.
Officials anticipate more than 20 events as part of the celebration–which will take place throughout 2005. "Alphabet Procession," a dramatic show–will start in the ancient city of Yervandashat and will end at the Holy See of Etchmiadzin. Translators’ Day will be marked in the village of Oshakan–the home of
Mesrob Mashdots–the creator of the Armenian alphabet. Since 1979–Translators’ Day has been widely commemorated in Armenia once every three years.
During this celebration–the authors of the best translations are awarded a special prize named after Yeghishe Charents.
Armenia’s in Karabagh–Javakhk–and the diaspora will also participate in celebrating the 1600th anniversary of the Armenian alphabet.
The United Nations Educational–Scientific and Cultural Organization will finance an international scientific conference on Armenian studies–according to Danielyan–which will be held jointly with the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia. An e-conference titled "Information Technologies and Armenian Letters" will also be held during the year.
The celebrations will conclude with a show in October at the National Opera House.