Cultural Event at the Byurakan Observatory
18 June, 2026
On June 18, the regular cultural diplomacy event initiated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia was held at the Byurakan Observatory. The event was dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory named after Viktor Ambartsumyan and the 15th anniversary of the inscription of the First Byurakan Survey photographic plates in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.
The event, organized in cooperation with the observatory, was attended by ambassadors accredited to the Republic of Armenia, representatives of international organizations, and diplomats from various countries.
Welcoming remarks were delivered by Davit Karapetyan, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, and Areg Mickaelian, Director of the Byurakan Observatory. In his speech, Davit Karapetyan noted that these anniversaries not only honor Armenia's outstanding achievements in astronomy and scientific discovery but also bear witness to a legacy that transcends national borders, contributing to the enrichment of humanity's collective knowledge and cultural heritage.
The Secretary General emphasized the role of the Byurakan Observatory as a symbol of Armenian scientific thought and achievement, noting that from its earliest years, the discoveries made at the observatory transformed our understanding of the universe and made a significant contribution to the development of astronomy.
During the event, the guests had a guided tour through the observatory, learning about its history, scientific achievements, and astronomical research. The participants visited the Viktor Ambartsumyan House-Museum and the telescopes. They learned about the observatory's activities and observational instruments, as well as Armenia's involvement and initiatives in promoting international scientific cooperation in the field of astronomy.