The 130th birthday anniversary of famous Armenian painter Martiros Saryan is not considered a jubilee in Armenia, while in Russia, where the artist was born, raised and educated, a series of Saryan-related events have already been organized and more are planned, says the artist’s granddaughter who manages his museum in Yerevan.

Saryan (28 February 1880 - 5 May 1972) was born into an Armenian family in Nor Nakhijevan (now part of Rostov-na-Donu in Russia). He received education in Moscow and continued to live and create in Russia before moving to Armenia in 1921. Saryan is viewed by many as “one of the most Armenian painters” who could convey the colors of the Armenian landscape. Saryan also designed the coat of arms for the Armenian SSR.

His granddaughter Ruzan Saryan says she is baffled by the “130-cannot-be-divided-into-25” logic to disregard Saryan’s birthday anniversary on the state level this year. (Still, an exhibition of Saryan works was organized at the museum and through the museum’s efforts on March 1.)

“Meanwhile, the Tretyakov Picture Gallery in Russia is holding an exhibition of 67 of Saryan’s works from February 26 to late March. Among the exhibits are drawings that are for the first time presented to the public. By the way, in Russia they not only observe Saryan’s 130th birthday anniversary, but also the 100th anniversary of having Saryan’s works in their museum,” Saryan’s granddaughter told reporters on Wednesday, sharing her joy after a Moscow visit.

Another large exhibition will be held in Russia this year, at the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow to where 15 of Saryan canvases will be taken from Armenia.

A special book “Saryan and Moscow” presenting Saryan’s life in Russia will also be published.

“We have already received permission from the Moscow mayor to install a plaque on the apartment where Saryan lived and worked, the apartment which he later donated to the Russian state,” said Ruzan Saryan.

The great artist’s granddaughter does not speak with the same enthusiasm about conditions in her grandfather’s museum in Yerevan. Despite the fact that four canvases annually have been restored during the past three years with funding from the Ministry of Culture, 21 of 247 canvases in the museum still remain in a poor condition.

“True, repairs at the museum were done a few years ago through Lincy Foundation, but the roof again becomes leaky during rains and snow, they did not do good repairs of the walls either and the most important thing was not done – no system ensuring a special heat and humidity condition was installed,” said Ruzan Saryan.

State funding for the museum this year has been increased by 1 million drams (about $2,600) to 18 million (about $46,750). However, the museum’s director says it is still not enough to create such a system.

“In these conditions it is simply a shame to receive guests from abroad and show them around the museum,” said Ruzan Saryan.

In another matter, the Saryans have been in litigation with a leading Armenian company. Armavir’s MAP, which is known for its spirits, has modified one of Saryan canvases and uses it on its label for brandy, without getting permission from the copyright holder’s family.

“I would not want this case to reach the European court, but if they continue to make decisions against our family, we will have to do that,” said Saryan’s granddaughter.