Diana Gasparyan on the 'Don Pippo' Project

The municipal government has not yet received the architectural project for the Christian complex-park proposed by Arthur Asatryan in draft form. This was stated by Ejmiatsin's mayor, Diana Gasparyan, in an interview with Sputnik Armenia.

“We have discussed this verbally, but I have informed the representatives of the foundation that the area designated for this construction is under long-term lease and is not community property. Therefore, discussing the project realistically is not feasible,” said Gasparyan.

According to the mayor of Ejmiatsin, several phases must be completed to implement the process. “First, the project budget is presented and discussed, then an architectural task is obtained. The area must be community property, after which the municipal government will grant permission for construction,” Gasparyan explained.

She emphasized that obtaining approval from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin is crucial whenever a monument is to be placed in Ejmiatsin. Although discussions are currently more theoretical than concrete, the mayor's office remains open to any discussions.

“Let’s not forget that we still have the issue of returning these areas to the community's balance,” Gasparyan highlighted.

Furthermore, the municipal government needs to be assured that the means to begin and complete large-scale construction in the city's center, or at least 70-80% of those funds, are available.

“The program requires a significant amount of financial resources, and I still do not have information on what percentage of the planned funds has been collected,” she said.

Meanwhile, the authors of the structure are confident that it will be a unique gathering place, linking Armenia and the diaspora, where new ideas and projects will be born to present and make Armenia more recognizable to the world.