This hot day in July could not prevent the fans of the beautiful photography and they filled the “Sredets” gallery in Sofia to attend the opening of the exhibition of the photo journalist Zaven Sargsyan called “Armenian architecture”, by which the organizers from the Bulgarian Journalists Union(BJU), The Ministry of culture and the Armenian General Benevolent Union “Parekordzagan” AGBU Sofia surprised the fans of the history and art.

With over 50 photos Zaven Sargsyan, a member of the Armenian Journalists Union and founder and director of the house-museum “Sergey Paradjanov” in Yerevan, tells a story for the priceless richness of the ancient culture of Armenia by showing us some of the most notable architecture historical monuments in the country. “I’m happy that we were gathered here by the exhibition of Zaven Sargsyan – said at the opening the chairperson of the BJU Snezhana Todorova. – Once again was proved what I believe in, that when someone desires so much something to happen, it always does happen. Especially when you do it along.

Here the coincidence helped, but as goes the story – nothing happens by chance in this life, as we were speaking with Sonya Bedrossian-Avakyan, the chairperson of the Armenian General Benevolent Union in Bulgaria. We met at the airport several days before Zaven Sargsyan was to arrive in Bulgaria and I’m glad that she helped the BJU and made his visit here possible, whereas we managed to open this exhibition, which was also discussed with the Ministry of culture in Bulgaria. We are thankful to the deputy Minister Boni Petrunova, who is among us now, for the hospitality and for providing the best hall in the heart of Sofia for this beautiful exhibition.

On behalf of BJU I want to say that this is a modest gesture from us to the Armenian community in the country on the occasion of a dreadful anniversary that we commemorate together – 100 years from the genocide over the Armenian people.” Warm words towards the guests told the chairperson of the Armenian General Benevolent Union “Parekordzagan” Sofia in Bulgaria Mrs. Sonya Bedrossian-Avakyan: “Dear friends, this evening we have the pleasure to enjoy the photos, which are result of the hard work of our guest, the famous photographer Zaven Sargsyan.

In Bulgaria we don’t have the opportunity to meet the architecture of Armenia and as I understood for such possibility, I reached out and here it is a fact now. These photos enable us to touch the soul of Armenia and within the 100 anniversary of the Armenian genocide I believe this is a good deed that happens in Bulgaria. Zaven Sargsyan chose our country for the second time to exhibit his art.” According to the deputy minister of culture Mrs. Boni Petrunova this magnificent exhibition is a complement to our country as it is exceptionally successful composition of beautiful ancient monuments with outstanding photography, and this comes to prove once again that our two people are very close not only as a destiny, spirit and perception but also as values. Boni Petrunova expressed her admiration from the beauty of Armenia and also her high estimation of the historical monuments, as she as an archeologist is able to see what exceptional wealth is shown in front of us.

The deputy of minister Rashidov expressed her hope that all this may be collected in an album and that the hearts and the halls of Bulgaria are always open for the art of Zaven Sargsyan. The guest in “Sredets” gallery expressed his deep gratitude towards everyone who came to see his exhibition. “Isahakyan has said that the Armenian soul is within the Armenian architecture and it is true. And my close friend Sergey Paradjanov said that the architecture is a music – shared he in front of the guests. For many nations the building of historical and architectural monuments has always been a problematic and difficult process but there has been an unwritten rule since ancient times: don’t steal the builders. And you should be proud, he said, that you have such a beautiful architecture and such builders.”

To prove that the exhibition of the famous Armenian guest caused an interest was the people who came to see it. Even mothers with babies in their hands neglected the heat outside and enjoyed the nice photos. I was thinking, while waiting Zaven Sargsyan to tell for the website of BJU for his story as a photo journalists and director of the museum of the world famous cinema director Sergey Paradjanov, who unfortunately during the Soviet regime did not receive the deserved acknowledgment for being such a notable creator, I was observing how the guests in the museum besides the highly emotionally and excitedly commented the lovely photos of Zaven, but also asked him lots of questions to which he was glad to answer in details. All of us who touched this lovely art brought with them a piece of the rich and ancient history of this beautiful country – Armenia and its dignified people.