Famous miniature painter Gohar Hakobyan has a vast array of interests; she always strives to learn something new. The Armenian woman imbued with patriotism wants to learn more about the history of her Fatherland, and looks ahead to new discoveries. This time her interests had brought her to Aragatsotn, Vayots Dzor and Syunik provinces of the Republic of Armenia. Besides studying the history of the provinces, Gohar Hakobyan wanted to share the unique beauty, her feelings and experiences with her compatriots at least through a photo slideshow.

On June 12, 2016, the Calouste Gulbenkian Hall of the Hayartun Center at the Armenian Diocese in Georgia hosted a slideshow entitled “The Unknowns about the Known…”, Gohar Hakobyan was a slideshow presenter.

Gohar Hakobyan started her show with the slogan “The past is a living platform that we firmly stand on in order to look to the future…”, and took the people present to the Republic of Armenia, turning the pages of the chronicle one by one, she showed the places where the construction of monasteries and churches, the art of carving khachkars, sculpture and architecture had developed and widely spread across the world.

The presenter provided rich historical data, with high precision described Aragatsotn, Vayots Dzor and Syunik provinces, referring to the history, location, adjacent countries, natural resources and the unique beauty of the natural surroundings of these historical provinces.

A photo slideshow featuring the history of the University of Gladzor, seven subjects being taught in the place, admission requirements including three year degree in theological disciplines, and the Armenian Greats who attended this medieval university - Stepanos Orbelian, Yesai Nchetsi, future University Chancellor, Momik, Toros Taronatsi, Avag, Hovhannes Vorotnetsi and others - was very impressive. The presenter narrated a slide presentation about Spitakavor (or Tsakhkavanq) Monastery, a 14th-century Armenia monastic complex, where the remains of the Armenian military leader and political thinker Garegin Nzhdeh were buried.

Gohar Hakobyan spoke about the religious centers, churches and monasteries in the provinces, told about their architectural style, historical fate and current state, highlighting that they are in need of immediate repair.

At the end of the event, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, made closing remarks and offered his blessings. The Primate emphasized the importance of living a spiritual life and making communication with God a way of life. The need to pray had opened the road to knowledge, which mostly was created in the monasteries through the devoted service of the clergy. The Diocesan Primate highly appreciated Gohar Hakobyan’s love and interest in the history of the Motherland, religious and cultural sites, highlighted her wish to share her research with the attendees, and encouraged her to continue with the same enthusiasm telling about the unknown pages of the known.

The slide-show presentation left a deep impression upon the people present.