Armenians and Jerusalem Exhibit at Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon

LISBON — An exhibition dedicated to the Armenians of the Holy City and the Gulbenkian Library of Jerusalem was on display at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation from June to September 2024.

Archives related to the construction of the Gulbenkian Library were discovered at a private residence in Paris in 2023, a discovery that inspired the exhibition, which explored the relationship between Armenians and Jerusalem, and highlighted Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian’s own connections with the Holy City.

The Armenian Communities Department and the Gulbenkian Art Library and Archives  jointly organized the exhibition titled “Armenians and Jerusalem,”  offering an introduction to this unique community which is the first and oldest Armenian diaspora, having survived for over a millennium through sweeping changes, major upheavals, and wars. To this day, the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem – one of the four quarters of the old city – is home to an unparalleled religious and cultural heritage. The Armenian Patriarchate itself is the custodian of some of the most venerated Christian sites in the world.

The exhibition display a selection from the newly discovered documents, including drawings and correspondence between Gulbenkian and the Patriarch of the day, religious items from the church, as well as rare and unique ceramic pieces on loan from Jerusalem. It will also highlight other elements of Armenian culture from the Holy City.

The sense of history and legacy that emanates from the Armenian Quarter is perpetuated throughout the Armenian world. Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian felt a strong connection to the Holy City and directed significant philanthropic endeavors towards the Armenian community, including the construction of the Gulbenkian Library. The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation continues its Founder’s tradition in supporting the Library and the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.