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The '''Calouste Gulbenkian Library''', located within the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, opened in 1932{{sfn|Manoogian|2013|pp=54, 85}}, and reopened in 2007, after an extensive renovation. The library is considered "one of the world's most comprehensive Armenian intellectual resource centers" with its 100,000 book collection.{{sfn|Manoogian|2013|p=3}}<ref name=Tchilingirian/>
'''Calouste Gulbenkian Library in Jerusalem Reopens After Extensive Renovation'''

The '''Calouste Gulbenkian Library''', located within the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, reopened in 2007, after an extensive renovation funded by the ] of Lisbon and the ] Charity Trust of London. The reopening marked a new chapter for the library, which is one of the most significant repositories of Armenian literature in the world.<ref name="AZG216">AZG Armenian Daily #216, November 23, 2007</ref>


== History == == History ==
=== Beginnings ===
The library was envisioned by ] (1921–1929) and was realized with the support of ], who funded its construction in honor of his parents and in commemoration of the Patriarch’s fiftieth ordination anniversary. Although the cornerstone was laid in 1929, Patriarch Tourian did not live to see its completion. His successor, ], oversaw the opening in 1932.<ref name="AZG216"/> The library was envisioned by ] (1921–1929) and was realized with the support of ], who funded its construction in honor of his parents and in commemoration of the Patriarch’s fiftieth ordination anniversary. Although the cornerstone was laid in 1929, Patriarch Tourian did not live to see its completion. His successor, ], oversaw the opening on 23 October 1932{{sfn|Manoogian|2013|pp=54, 85}}.<ref name="AZG216">{{Cite journal|journal=AZG Armenian Daily|issue=216|date=November 23, 2007}}</ref>


== Renovation and Reopening == === Renovation and reopening ===
The 2007 reopening was attended by members of the Gulbenkian family, key representatives of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and the Saint Sarkis Charity Trust. Their presence underscored the enduring connection between the family and the library.<ref name="AZG216"/> The renovation was funded by the ] of Lisbon and the ] Charity Trust of London. The 2007 reopening was attended by members of the Gulbenkian family, key representatives of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and the Saint Sarkis Charity Trust. Their presence underscored the enduring connection between the family and the library.<ref name="AZG216"/>


==== Reopening ceremony ====
The restored library now houses over 100,000 volumes in a state-of-the-art facility with compact shelving, air conditioning, and temperature control. The collection includes Armenian books, European and Middle Eastern literature, journals, newspapers, and studies in Armenology. Its archive of Armenian newspapers is the third largest in the world, following the collections in Vienna and the National Library of Armenia.<ref name="AZG216"/>
The reopening ceremony featured remarks by several distinguished speakers, including:<ref name="AZG216"/>
* ], Grand Sacristan of the Patriarchate.
* Martin Essayan, who spoke about Calouste Gulbenkian’s ties to Jerusalem.
* ], a Jerusalemite author
* ], Assistant Director of the Armenian Communities Department of the Foundation.


Father Norayr Kazazian, the current director of the library, outlined plans to digitize the collection with ongoing support from the ]. The ceremony concluded with a musical interlude by seminarians and remarks by Patriarch Archbishop ], who bestowed the Patriarchate’s Medal of Honor on Essayan, Tchamkerten, and Gulbenkian for their contributions.<ref name="AZG216"/>
== Collection and Legacy ==
The original collection was established through donations from successive Patriarchs, Calouste Gulbenkian himself, the St. James Brotherhood, the Armenian diaspora, and non-Armenian supporters. Today, the library is one of the largest repositories of Armenian books globally, playing a crucial role in preserving Armenian heritage and scholarship.<ref name="AZG216"/>


== Reopening Ceremony == == Current operations ==
The restored library houses over 100,000 volumes in a state-of-the-art facility with compact shelving, air conditioning, and temperature control. The collection includes Armenian books, European and Middle Eastern literature, journals, newspapers, and studies in Armenology. Its archive of Armenian newspapers is the third largest in the world, following the collections in Vienna and the National Library of Armenia.<ref name="AZG216"/>
The reopening ceremony featured remarks by several distinguished speakers, including<ref name="AZG216"/>:

* His Eminence ], Grand Sacristan of the Patriarchate.
The library aims to achieve the highest standards of preservation and digitization, ensuring its collections remain accessible to a global audience.<ref name="AZG216" />
* Martin Essayan, who spoke about Calouste Gulbenkian’s ties to Jerusalem.

* Kevork Hintlian, a Jerusalemite author, and
] ].]]
* Astrig Tchamkerten, Assistant Director of the Armenian Communities Department of the Foundation.
The library has a ] ].{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

== Collection and legacy ==
The original collection was established through donations from successive Patriarchs, Calouste Gulbenkian himself, the St. James Brotherhood, the Armenian diaspora, and non-Armenian supporters. On its opening day, it contained 25,037 volumes (14,518 in Armenian and 11,519 in other languages).{{sfn|Manoogian|2013|p=88}} Three decades later, in 1963, the number reached around 50,000.{{sfn|Manoogian|2013|p=122}} Today, the library is one of the largest repositories of Armenian books globally, playing a crucial role in preserving Armenian heritage and scholarship.<ref name="AZG216"/>


== Literature ==
Father Norayr Kazazian, the current director of the library, outlined plans to digitize the collection with ongoing support from the ]. The ceremony concluded with a musical interlude by seminarians and remarks by Patriarch Archbishop ], who bestowed the Patriarchate’s Medal of Honor on Mr. Essayan, Ms. Tchamkerten, and Mr. Gulbenkian for their contributions.<ref name="AZG216"/>
* (pdf)


== Future Plans == == External Links ==
*
The library aims to achieve the highest standards of preservation and digitization, ensuring its collections remain accessible to a global audience.<ref name="AZG216"/>


== References == == References ==
;Citations
<references/>
{{reflist|3|refs=
<ref name=Tchilingirian>{{cite news|last=Tchilingirian|first=Hratch |authorlink=Hratch Tchilingirian |title=Dividing Jerusalem : Armenians on the line of confrontation|url=http://oxbridgepartners.com/hratch/index.php/publications/articles/117-dividing-jerusalem-armenians-on-the-line-of-confrontation|work=Armenian International Magazine|issue=10|volume=11|date=October 2000|pages=40–44}} </ref>
}}


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Revision as of 07:16, 27 December 2024

Calouste Gulbenkian Library
Armenian: Գալուստ Կիւլպէնկեան գրադարան
LocationArmenian Quarter, Old City of Jerusalem, East Jerusalem
TypeLibrary
Established1932 (1932)
Collection
Size100,000 volumes
Other information
DirectorFather Norayr Kazazian

The Calouste Gulbenkian Library, located within the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, opened in 1932, and reopened in 2007, after an extensive renovation. The library is considered "one of the world's most comprehensive Armenian intellectual resource centers" with its 100,000 book collection.

History

Beginnings

The library was envisioned by Patriarch Yeghishe Tourian (1921–1929) and was realized with the support of Calouste Gulbenkian, who funded its construction in honor of his parents and in commemoration of the Patriarch’s fiftieth ordination anniversary. Although the cornerstone was laid in 1929, Patriarch Tourian did not live to see its completion. His successor, Patriarch Torkom I Koushagian, oversaw the opening on 23 October 1932.

Renovation and reopening

The renovation was funded by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation of Lisbon and the Saint Sarkis Charity Trust of London. The 2007 reopening was attended by members of the Gulbenkian family, key representatives of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and the Saint Sarkis Charity Trust. Their presence underscored the enduring connection between the family and the library.

Reopening ceremony

The reopening ceremony featured remarks by several distinguished speakers, including:

Father Norayr Kazazian, the current director of the library, outlined plans to digitize the collection with ongoing support from the Gulbenkian Foundation. The ceremony concluded with a musical interlude by seminarians and remarks by Patriarch Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, who bestowed the Patriarchate’s Medal of Honor on Essayan, Tchamkerten, and Gulbenkian for their contributions.

Current operations

The restored library houses over 100,000 volumes in a state-of-the-art facility with compact shelving, air conditioning, and temperature control. The collection includes Armenian books, European and Middle Eastern literature, journals, newspapers, and studies in Armenology. Its archive of Armenian newspapers is the third largest in the world, following the collections in Vienna and the National Library of Armenia.

The library aims to achieve the highest standards of preservation and digitization, ensuring its collections remain accessible to a global audience.

The Siamese library cat.

The library has a Siamese library cat.

Collection and legacy

The original collection was established through donations from successive Patriarchs, Calouste Gulbenkian himself, the St. James Brotherhood, the Armenian diaspora, and non-Armenian supporters. On its opening day, it contained 25,037 volumes (14,518 in Armenian and 11,519 in other languages). Three decades later, in 1963, the number reached around 50,000. Today, the library is one of the largest repositories of Armenian books globally, playing a crucial role in preserving Armenian heritage and scholarship.

Literature

External Links

References

Citations
  1. ^ Manoogian 2013, pp. 54, 85. sfn error: no target: CITEREFManoogian2013 (help)
  2. Manoogian 2013, p. 3. sfn error: no target: CITEREFManoogian2013 (help)
  3. Tchilingirian, Hratch (October 2000). "Dividing Jerusalem : Armenians on the line of confrontation". Armenian International Magazine. Vol. 11, no. 10. pp. 40–44. PDF version
  4. ^ AZG Armenian Daily (216). November 23, 2007. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. Manoogian 2013, p. 88. sfn error: no target: CITEREFManoogian2013 (help)
  6. Manoogian 2013, p. 122. sfn error: no target: CITEREFManoogian2013 (help)
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