YEREVAN, JANUARY 10, NOYAN TAPAN - ARMENIANS TODAY. The "Hayastan" All-Armenian Fund is continuing repairs of Surb Echmiatsin Church in Tbilisi and the school of arts in Parakar. According to the PR unit of the fund, earthquakes and the construction of the subway in Tbilisi have weakened Surb Echmiatsin Church. In order to prevent the further collapse of this 200-year-old structure, the Argentine local body of the "Hayastan" All-Armenian Fund and the US Western diocese of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin undertook a project on strengthening the building of the church, which was completed in February 2007. Thanks to the project, the building has been considerably improved. The second stage of the project started in November 2007, under which additional reinforcement and interior decoration work is being done. It is envisaged to finish the project in late 2008. "By implementing this project, we not only save a cultural monument but also make a great contribution to the cultural and spiritual life of the Armenians of Georgia," the CEO of the "Hayastan" All-Armenian Fund Vahe Aghabekian said. As regards the school of arts in Parakar not far from Yerevan, after the 1988 earthquake its one-storey building has become unsafe. Thanks to financing of the French local body of the fund, the school was reconstructed, with a concert hall, classrooms for painting, potter's art and a brass band being built. At the present stage of the program, tables, desks, blackboards, a printer and other equipment will be provided to the school.

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