The grand EU Cultural Heritage an Europa Nostra Awards were held yesterday in Oslo, Norway, reports Ermenihaber.

According to turkiyeturizm.com, the Surp Kirakos Armenian Church of Diyarbekir was granted the Grand Prize during the award ceremony.

The source reports that the main reason for the jury’s decision was the collaboration between the Armenian community and locals and officials in the restoration of the dilapidated church, which was viewed as an example of solidarity.

Among the items presented for the awards were several cultural projects, the studies of which had been conducted by 600 experts in cultural heritage and several volunteers from different countries around the world. The mayor of Oslo and Norway’s Minister of Nature Protection also participated in the award ceremony.

Overall, there were 7 Grand Prizes, one of which was granted to the Surp Kirakos Armenian Church of Diyarbakir.