Commencement of construction for the colossal Jesus statue in Armenia
In a bold and ambitious project, Armenian tycoon Gagik Tsarukyan has launched the construction of a 100-meter Jesus Christ statue on Mount Hatis. The statue, along with its pedestal, is estimated to reach up to 100 meters in total height.
The design of the statue was chosen through a contest, with Armen Samvelyan emerging as the winner. Gagik Tsarukyan will be actively involved in the construction process, overseeing every detail to ensure the statue's grandeur matches his vision.
The project was initiated following Armenia's defeat in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh war in 2020. Gagik Tsarukyan aims to help Armenians overcome despair with this monumental statue, which he hopes will open a new chapter of hopes and successes in Armenia.
Gagik Tsarukyan has not founded a specific foundation for financing the project. Instead, his family will cover all expenses related to the project. He has also declined offers for financial contribution from Armenians worldwide who have expressed interest in supporting the initiative.
Instead, Gagik Tsarukyan is inviting people to contribute to the construction of the Jesus statue by planting trees or placing stones. He made this announcement in a Facebook post on Thursday.
The Armenian Apostolic Church, however, has expressed opposition to the Jesus statue project. The Church asked the authors of the initiative to refrain from projects that contradict their church tradition. Despite this, Gagik Tsarukyan remains confident that the statue will be a symbol of hope and unity for the Armenian people.
Gagik Tsarukyan, one of the wealthiest individuals in Armenia, previously served as an MP for his Prosperous Armenia party. He has stated that his goal is to make the statue visible from any part of Armenia, similar to the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro.
The Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, previously praised the idea of the Jesus statue, stating it would attract more tourists to Armenia. Gagik Tsarukyan's family's commitment to the project, and their willingness to cover all expenses, has ensured that the construction is proceeding at full scale.
Despite the challenges and controversies, the construction of the Jesus statue on Mount Hatis is a testament to Gagik Tsarukyan's ambition and dedication to his vision. As the project progresses, it will be interesting to see how this monumental statue will shape the Armenian landscape and the nation's collective psyche.
