Professors from Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg aim to expand cooperation with YSU

Representatives from foreign universities periodically visit Yerevan State University as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the partnership ties. This time, the YSU Faculty of History hosted representatives from the Faculty of Theology at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg. 

Associate Professor Mkhitar Gabrielyan, Dean of the YSU Faculty of History, Candidate of Historical Sciences, welcomed the attendees and emphasized the importance of the discussion topic. He noted that along with various issues, the anthropology of religion is intensively studied within the faculty’s educational programs.  

Daniel Cyranka, Dean of the Faculty of Theology at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, speaking about the aim of their visit, pointed out their commitment to advancing the bilateral partnership, on which they have already reached an agreement with the YSU rector.

"Both professors and students are included in our group working at Yerevan State University, united in our common goal of strengthening the partnership ties between our universities," said Daniel Cyranka. 

He highlighted that the history of religion is central to his research studies. As a historian of religion, he posed questions to the attendees: What is the essence of history and religion? Why do we need to study them? From what eras do they originate, and where do they lead?

Professor Ashot Hayruni, from the Armenian History Chair at Yerevan State University, and the initiator of the meeting, expressed his point of view in response to the raised questions. "There are no right and wrong religions. If the perception of a given religion is related to the perception of faith in God, then that religion is correct. There is one God, but there are different perceptions."

Director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute Edita Gzoyan was also present at the meeting. Referring to the role of religion in the context of the Armenian Genocide, she said: "The Turkish criminals used Islam to make the ordinary Turkish people participate in the genocide. And the Armenians, as the first people in the world to adopt Christianity as their state religion, fought against the genocide by believing in the religion that was part of their identity."

The students from the YSU History Faculty also engaged in the discussion, sharing their perspectives on historical and religious matters within the context of the current geopolitical situation.

The meeting with the representatives from the Theology Faculty of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg was attended by both faculty members and students from YSU History and Theology Faculties.