Armenian scholar vows to continue research on Artsakh's history and cultural heritage

Armenian archaeologist and cultural heritage specialist Hamlet Petrosyan says research on the history and cultural heritage of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) will continue regardless of political developments, stressing it should not be linked to peace negotiations or conflict.

Speaking to Panorama.am on Monday, Petrosyan, scientific director of the Monument Watch project and head of the Department of Cultural Studies at Yerevan State University — said the academic work carried out by his team is independent of political processes.

“I believe that what we are doing has no connection with any political process,” Petrosyan said, responding to a question about whether research and public outreach related to Artsakh’s heritage could one day face restrictions. “I consider it highly unlikely that anything will be done in that direction.”

He added that his work as a scholar must continue regardless of the political climate.

“As a professional, the work I do must go on and it has nothing to do with peace, war, or any other political developments,” he said.

Petrosyan also stressed that the Monument Watch platform is an independent academic initiative that is not affiliated with or controlled by any institution.

“After all, they are not going to forbid us from writing books,” he remarked.

Petrosyan addressed the issue in a recent Facebook post following the dismissal of Edita Gzoyan, director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute.

“I regret the disgraceful decision and reasoning of the prime minister regarding Edita Gzoyan and Artsakh,” he wrote, thanking the hundreds of people who had responded to the issue.

“Defeat does not mean losing dignity,” Petrosyan said, adding that he and his colleagues will continue their work on researching, promoting, and preserving Artsakh’s history and cultural heritage, including through cooperation with international academic and cultural heritage organizations.

Earlier, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Gzoyan had submitted resignation at his request after gifting a book about Artsakh to U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance. Pashinyan said he considered the gesture a “provocative act” that contradicted the government’s foreign policy.

The Monument Watch is an independent academic platform that documents and monitors the condition of cultural heritage sites in Artsakh, analyzing developments and changes based on scholarly research and academic standards.