International Workshops on Statehood and Identity Held at ISEC NAS RA

April 23, 2026

On April 22, the International Scientific-Educational Center of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia (ISEC) hosted international workshops entitled "Statehood and its Forms in Armenia and Neighboring Countries" and " Identity, State-Building, and Myth-Making: Dynamics of Ethnopolitical Processes in the South Caucasus in the 20th Century."

The events were co-organized by the "Geghard" Scientific-Analytical Foundation, ISEC NAS RA, and Siedlce University (Poland). The workshops were conducted within the framework of research projects implemented at the Institute of Oriental Studies of NAS RA: "Typological and Ideological Foundations of Armenian Statehood: Theory and Practice (from Ancient Times to the Present Day)" (code: 24RL-6A032) and "Soviet Myth-Making and Ethnopolitical Transformations in the Post-Soviet South Caucasus: Adaptation and Resistance" (code: 25YR-6A009).

The academic platform brought together leading scholars from Armenia, Poland, and Georgia. Welcoming remarks were delivered by:

• Robert Ghazaryan, Director of the "Geghard" Scientific-Analytical Foundation and Head of the Department of Oriental Studies at ISEC;
• Armen Sargsyan, Director of ISEC NAS RA;
• Dr. Katarzyna Maksymiuk (Siedlce University, Poland);
• Prof. George Sanikidze, Director of the G. Tsereteli Institute of Oriental Studies at Ilia State University (Georgia);
• Prof. George Cheishvili, I. Javakhishvili Institute of History and Ethnology (Georgia).

Robert Ghazaryan, PhD in History and Associate Professor, welcomed the participants, wishing them a productive session. He emphasized the vital importance of the ongoing collaboration between the Foundation and ISEC NAS RA.

In his opening speech, the Director of ISEC, Armen Sargsyan (PhD in Economics), stated: "We highly value our collaboration with the “Geghard” Scientific Analytical Foundation, the Institute of Oriental Studies of NAS RA, and our international partners. Such cooperation creates a strong platform for meaningful exchange of ideas and interdisciplinary research. I am confident that the discussions and presentations will contribute to deeper insights, stimulate new perspectives, and strengthen academic ties among our institutions."

Scholarly reports were presented by PhD R. Ghazaryan, Prof. G. Cheishvili, Prof. G. Sanikidze, Dr. Y. Margaryan, PhD G. Margaryan, Dr. A. Hakobyan, PhD A. Harutyunyan, PhD G. Petrosyan, and PhD B. Mailyan. The scientific dialogue encompassed historical models of regional statehood and identity issues, spanning from antiquity to the modern era.

The events concluded with active and constructive discussions, further solidifying the efficiency of scientific expertise exchange.

 

ISEC NAS RA Department of Public Relations and Career