Closing Evening of “Mother Goddess: From Anahit to Mary” Exhibition and Presentation of AZAT MARD’s Special T-Shirt
The international exhibition “Mother Goddess: From Anahit to Mary,” which has been on display since September at the History Museum of Armenia, was made possible through the support of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of the Republic of Armenia, with the sponsorship of the Keron Development Foundation in collaboration with the Foundation for the Development of Culture, the History Museum of Armenia, and the British Museum. With nearly 43,000 visitors, this exhibition has become one of the most significant cultural events in the history of newly independent Armenia. During the closing event, David Poghosyan, Director of the History Museum of Armenia, extended his heartfelt gratitude to the foundation and all partnering organizations. He also announced that the exhibition would be extended until April 10, reflecting its unprecedented success.
The event welcomed British Ambassador to Armenia John Gallagher, who emphasized that the exhibition’s popularity and successful execution highlight the robust cooperation between Armenia and the United Kingdom, further strengthening the relationship between the two countries. Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, Alfred Kocharyan, praised the project, stating:
“We witnessed not only an unprecedented number of visitors but also an outstanding example of public-private partnership. The Keron Foundation has been more than a financial sponsor—it has also been a conceptual partner, bringing contemporary and international cultural significance to this initiative.”
Vanane Araktsyan, Executive Director of the Keron Foundation, described the exhibition as historic, both in content and impact:
“As we approach the one-year anniversary of our foundation, we reflect with immense pride on the Anahit exhibition. It was one of our first major initiatives and a shining example of successful international collaboration.” As a surprise for the evening’s guests, attendees were given another opportunity to view the “Mother Goddess: From Anahit to Mary” exhibition, and they witnessed the unveiling of a special edition t-shirt featuring the image of Goddess Anahit. This t-shirt, created by the AZAT MARD brand and endorsed by the British Museum, added an exciting new dimension to the evening.
Garen Tchobanian, founder of the internationally recognized AZAT MARD brand, noted that his clothing line is primarily inspired by Armenian culture, which he is committed to showcasing on a global stage. During the event, Garen Tchobanian and Vanane Araktsyan announced that 25% of the t-shirt sales proceeds would go toward the restoration of the historic building at 3 Abovyan Street in Yerevan—another major project supported by the Keron Foundation.
The closing event was organized by the History Museum of Armenia, the Keron Development Foundation, the AZAT MARD brand, Z&A LLC, the Foundation for the Development of Culture, and the National Gallery of Armenia, with the backing of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of the Republic of Armenia.
