MONUMENT
MEMORIAL IN YEREVAN, ARMENIA
- About DIANA APCAR -
Diana Apcar (or Abgar; Armenian: Դիանա Աբգար, 17 October 1859 – 8 July 1937) was a writer and humanitarian of the Armenian diaspora. She served as the Honorary Consul to Japan for the short-lived First Republic of Armenia (1918-1920). Apcar is recognized as the first Armenian woman diplomat and one of the earliest female diplomats in modern history.
In addition of the Diana Apcar Monument, the Diana Apcar Foundation actively engages in several key charitable activities, including:
- Supporting human rights and assisting refugees or displaced individuals.
- Promoting women's initiatives and their involvement in public service, diplomatic roles, and government structures.
- Presenting the Diana Apcar Annual Award in the fields of politics, diplomacy, social service, and philanthropy.
- Establishing the Diana Apcar Museum in Yerevan.
Explore the inspiring story of Diana Apcar
Monument of DIANA APCAR
In October 2022, the NATIONAL CENTER Development Foundation initiated the creation of a monument to perpetuate the memory of the outstanding Armenian philanthropist, writer and diplomat Diana Apcar. Yet in 1920, through Apcar's efforts, Japan became one of the first nations to actually recognize the new Armenian Republic's independence. Out of respect for her tireless work on behalf of her people over a decade, Hamo Ohanjanyan, who was then the Foreign Minister of the Republic, appointed Diana Apcar Honorary Consul to Japan, becoming one of the first women diplomats in the world.
Taking into account the huge contribution that Diana Apcar made to the formation of the Armenian State and the formation of its significance and the Armenian factor in the world, it is planned to establish a monument in her honor in the park named after Diana Apcar in Yerevan. Despite the existence of the park named after Diana Apcar, most people of Yerevan and citizens of Armenia are not aware of this and call the park by the name of Malibu, because there was a cafe of the same name nearby.
Especially now it is important to revive the national identity and rally the society on the examples of prominent personalities and statesmen of Armenia.
NATIONAL CENTER Development Foundation has already begun the process of implementing this important project and received the approval from the Yerevan Municipality. The Foundation invited various sculptors to develop a sketch and layout of the future monument.
Diana's relatives contributed part of the amount for the project, The Foundation allocated some part of the costs from its own funds and starts to attract benefactors. We hope for the wide support of the citizens of Armenia and the Armenians from Diaspora for the work and installation of the Monument in honor of Diana Apcar in the near future.
The opening of the DIANA APCAR Monument is tentatively planned for October 17, 2026.
Results of the competition for the monument to DIANA APCAR
The unique Diana Apcar Monument project is crucial for Armenia. This will be the first Monument celebrating a
historical woman in the City of Yerevan. The project is organized by the DIANA APCAR Foundation and National
Center Foundation. The installation of the Monument will be in the park named after Diana Apcar in the Yerevan.
- Together with the State Academy of Fine Arts of Armenia, we held a competition among students, teachers and
sculptors to select the best model of the future Monument.
- Based on the results of the competition, 8 projects for the model of the future Diana Apсar Monument were
proposed. The project team and jury members selected one work that best met certain criteria and had a high
creative quality.
- The competition was Anonymous, no one knew or had the data of the participants. The winning project was
approved by representatives of the Foundation, the project team and the jury. It must be said that the project team
includes Diana Apcar’s great-great-granddaughter, who is her direct heir, and the scholar on the biography of
Diana Apcar, who lives in Japan.
- On May 28, 2024, it was announced to all participants in the competition that a work had been selected that clearly
corresponds to the vision of the image of Diana Apcar and can be embodied as a Monument in the Park.
- The Diana Apcar Foundation is actively funding the project, and the sculptor who won the competition has already
commenced work on the final large form of the Monument.
- A presentation with the approved model of the Monument to Diana Apcar was sent to the Yerevan City Hall.Park named after Diana Apcar in Yerevan, Armenia
The park named after Diana Apcar opened after reconstruction in June 2019. It is located in the central part of Main Avenue, at the junction of Saryan Street and Mashtots Avenue. The Council of Elders decided to name the park in honor of Diana Apcar, an eminent Armenian public figure, writer, and publicist, who authored several books on the Armenian Question. She also served as the Honorary Consul, de facto Ambassador of the First Armenian Republic to Japan and was a prominent philanthropist.
The park spans approximately 20,000 square meters and features a landscaped environment with nearly 10,000 trees, bushes, and flowers. A key highlight of the recreation area is its illuminated fountains. The fountain complex includes 600 water jets, providing the opportunity for captivating water shows accompanied by music and lighting.
The Monument to Diana Apcar will be placed in her park. The city authorities will decide the best location for its installation in the park.
