Professor Theo van Lint awarded medal for significant contribution to Armenian Studies

Professor Theo Maarten van Lint, Pembroke’s Calouste Gulbenkian Professor of Armenian Studies, was recently awarded the Movses Khorenatsi medal by the President of the Republic of Armenia. 

The Movses Khorenatsi medal is a high state cultural award and is presented to individuals who have made significant contribution to the advancement of Armenian culture. Professor van Lint was recognised for his ‘significant contribution to the development of Armenian Studies and long-standing prolific work.’ He was nominated to receive this distinction by the Mesrop Mashtots Research Institute of Ancient Manuscripts (Matenadaran) in Yerevan, Armenia. 

Having first set foot in the Matenadaran in 1983, when he first visited Armenia from Leningrad, Professor van Lint now describes it as his “second home”. He returned in 1989, spending nine months in Yerevan to work with medieval Armenian manuscripts and to learn to speak Modern Armenian. 

Professor van Lint is co-founder of the Oxford Network for Armenian Genocide Research and his research has explored topics ranging from Armenian poetry and medieval Armenian literature to Armenian mysticism and spirituality. He has recently been researching the letters of Grigor Pahlavuni Magistros (11th c.), Grigor Narekac‘i’s (10th c.) poetry and mysticism, as well as the reception of Ezekiel’s throne vision in Armenian literature and art. 

Many congratulations to Professor van Lint on receiving this distinction!