The deliberate show of a statue of a pre-Christian Armenian goddess in Yerevan has prompted on-line criticism on spiritual grounds.
The pinnacle of Anahit, a serious pre-Christian Armenian goddess of fertility and therapeutic, is being loaned to Armenia’s Historical past Museum for six months by the British Museum.
On Monday, Historical past Museum director Davit Poghosyan mentioned the statue’s show on the Historical past Museum would start on Armenia’s independence day this yr, 21 September.
It will likely be a part of an exhibition titled ‘Mom Deity: from Anahit to Mariam’, additionally showcasing different mom goddess displays from the Historical past Museum’s assortment.
Armenia’s Minister of Tradition, Zhanna Andreasyan, emphasised the importance of the exhibition’s opening on the nation’s independence day, and acknowledged that the exhibition ‘ought to arouse a whole lot of curiosity’ within the public.
Nonetheless, the information prompted on-line condemnation from some Armenian Christians, who commented on posts saying the information in droves.
Some took concern with Anahit being termed a deity, stating that the statue was ‘not of a goddess, however of an idol’, and calling the transfer an act of ‘enmity’ towards the Christian god. Others posted Bible quotes, whereas some commentators warned that ‘punishment’ would come for individuals who ‘tried to despise Jesus’.
‘It’s no coincidence that [this will take place] on the day of independence, it’s as if they’re doing a particular evil ritual in order that we lose our independence’, wrote one social media consumer.
Nonetheless, others weighed in to answer the feedback, reminding commenters of Armenia’s in depth pre-Christian spiritual historical past.
One consumer famous that the Historical past Museum displayed ‘numerous pre-Christian idols, statues, and different artefacts’.
‘Why haven’t you rebelled earlier than? Have you ever ever been to a museum?’ they requested.
One other consumer satirically recommended that these criticising the exhibition ought to destroy the Garni Temple, the one pre-Christian temple nonetheless standing in Armenia.
Discussions concerning the statue’s presence in Armenia first befell in 2012, when in accordance with RFE/RL, then-Minister of Schooling Armen Ashotyan demanded that the British Museum return the statue to Armenia. In response, the British Ambassador recommended that the statue could possibly be briefly displayed in Armenia.
The British Museum acquired the pinnacle in 1873. The bronze head is named ‘the Satala Aphrodite’ within the British Museum’s assortment, and was present in Satala, present-day Turkey.
The Museum additionally notes that in accordance with rumours, the physique of the statue was found within the late 1800s however then eliminated to a secret location, and has not since been positioned.
Learn in Russian on SOVA.Information.
Adblock check (Why?)