Visit of RA Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, Zhanna Andreasyan, to the Republic of Estonia | May 19–21, 2025 - Embassy of the Republic of Armenia to Lithuania

Visit of RA Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, Zhanna Andreasyan, to the Republic of Estonia | May 19–21, 2025

23 May, 2025

A delegation led by the RA Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports, Ms. Zhanna Andreasyan, payed a visit to Estonia from May 19–21.

The delegation was also joined by His Excellency Mr. Ara Margarian, Ambassador of Armenia to Lithuania. The visit began in Tartu, where Minister Andreasyan met with Mayor Urmas Klaas and visited the University of Tartu, engaging in discussions with Vice-Rector Dr. Moora and students.

As part of the visit, a historical exhibition was opened at the Tartu Art Museum, showcasing a 13th-century manuscript donated to the university by Khachatur Abovyan. The manuscript had not been on display for over 30 years.

The opening ceremony was attended by Archbishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, Primate of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the Baltic States.

As part of her official visit the Minister visited several educational and cultural institutions in Tartu.

The Minister visited the National Archives of Tartu, where the delegation was presented with information about the archive's activities, digitalization processes, and restoration work conducted under laboratory conditions.

During the visit, the Minister also addressed the possibilities of digitizing manuscripts housed at the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts (Matenadaran). Possible directions for professional exchange and the organization of training programs were discussed.

The delegation was also shown valuable archival materials dating back to 1912–1916, related to Armenian culture and cooperation with Armenian students, which are preserved at the National Archives of Tartu.

RA Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports met with the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Estonia, Heidy Purga.

The two ministers discussed the development of cultural ties between Armenia and Estonia, placing particular emphasis on cooperation within international organizations such as UNESCO and the Council of Europe's "Cultural Routes" programme. They underscored the importance of implementing joint cultural initiatives across various sectors, with the aim of creating new platforms for intercultural dialogue and exchange of experience.

Minister Andreasyan highlighted the significant potential of the creative industries in Armenia, noting that with continued international integration and support for local talent, this sector could become one of the key driver of the country’s economic development.

The two sides stressed the prospects for organizing joint exhibitions and concert programmes, promoting collaboration between museums and performing arts institutions. In this context, they emphasized the importance of encouraging inter-museum cooperation and the overall development of the sector.

Minister Andreasyan also presented the activities of the Culture Development Foundation, which was established in Armenia last year. According to her, the foundation aims to improve museum management and marketing strategies, while also advancing the internationalization of the museum sector.

Special attention was also given to cooperation in the field of cinema, with both sides expressing support for joint film production projects and participation in major international film festivals, specifically Tallinn's "Black Nights" and Yerevan's "Golden Apricot".

Zhanna Andreasyan, visited the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) and met with its Director, Klen Jäärats.

Klen Jäärats presented the mission and activities of ESTDEV, The Centre’s work is aimed at promoting digital transformation, economic innovation, and the advancement of education.

In this context, the two sides discussed issues related to the digitalization of school and higher education systems, modernization of education, and the integration of sustainable development practices in schools.

The Minister emphasized that digitalization plays a significant role in Armenia’s ongoing education reforms and highlighted the implementation of the new general education standard, the introduction of mechanisms for effective management in the public education sector, and more.

Minister Andreasyan also visited the Estonian e-Governance Academy, where she became acquainted with the institution’s activities. It was noted that the Academy is a leading advisory organization in digital transformation, working to establish a full range of digital services for societies.

The Minister praised the Academy’s work, stating that digitalization processes are also actively being implemented across several sectors in Armenia.

During her visit, the Minister visited the Kumu Art Museum, one of the largest museums in the Baltic and Northern European region Museum Director Kadi Polli presented the museum’s management system to Minister Andreasyan. The sides also discussed potential avenues for collaboration between the National Gallery of Armenia and the Kumu Art Museum.

Minister Andreasyan spoke about the activities of the National Gallery of Armenia, emphasizing the importance of organizing joint exhibitions.

The Minister extended an invitation to the Kumu Museum delegation to visit Armenia in order to establish practical agreements for future collaboration.

The Kumu Art Museum, a recipient of the European Museum of the Year Award, features both permanent and temporary exhibitions. Its main collection represents Estonian culture from the 18th century through the 1990s, including works from the Soviet period.

The Minister also visited the "Mashtots" Armenian School in Estonia, where she she became acquainted with the institution's activities and met with teachers and students.

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