On May 30–31, graduate students of Armenian Studies from Pázmány Péter Catholic University (PPKE) took part in the workshop “Armenian Manuscript Culture: An Introduction” at the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin (Berlin State Library). Organized by Professor Emilio Bonfiglio (University of Hamburg, DeLiCaTe ERC Project) and Mrs. Meliné Pehlivanian (Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin), the workshop aimed to introduce students to Armenian manuscript traditions through a mix of lectures and hands-on sessions.

The program began with a visit to the library's restoration department, where Julia Bispinck and Andreas Janke introduced students to the techniques used in conserving ancient manuscripts. A highlight of this session was the close examination of a newly acquired Armenian palimpsest (MS or. 15246), offering a rare look into the complexities of layered textual preservation.

Over the two days, participants attended lectures by Professors Emilio Bonfiglio, Jost Gippert, David Zakarian, and Armenuhi Drost-Abgaryan on topics such as codicology, colophons, palimpsests, and textual criticism. Students also explored Armenian palaeography and learned to use digital tools such as the Qalamos database to access and study Oriental manuscripts. This workshop provided a uniquee opportunity to work directly with rare materials, gain insights from leading experts, and deepen their understanding of Armenian manuscript culture.

The students are grateful to all the organizers, curators, and lecturers for making this academic experience both enriching and inspiring.

Article written by Sarin Bazarbashi (PPCU, BA student)