The Ministry of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia recently hosted the members of “Gladzor” Armenian Youth Union of Holland. My interview with the young Armenian boys and girls was moving. They had beautiful eyes full of tears and shared their many impressions with excitement, admiration and felt sad to bid each other farewell…

The young Armenian members of the youth union are from different cities of Holland, and most of them were visiting Armenia for the first time ever. They were charmed and shared their impressions, and those who had already visited Armenia in the past, said Yerevan had changed a lot and had become beautiful. Leader of the youth organization Sona Asrian had participated in the “Ari Tun” Program of the RA Ministry of Diaspora years ago. She had become more familiar with the Homeland and had told her friends about all that she had seen and felt.

Over the past few days, the Dutch-Armenian youth saw the marvel called Armenia with their eyes.

Sona Asrian: We visited Tatev Monastery, Noravank Monastery and the churches in Etchmiadzin. We toured Yerevan a lot and will be visiting Lake Sevan. I am charmed by the sites, and I must mention the cordiality of the Armenians. People here are very kind and treat you like a relative. Everything here is wonderful-the air, water, the sun, people, the city and the sites worth seeing.

Baret Galajian: The Armenian people are the greatest marvel. I am impressed with everything. There is definitely no other nation like the Armenian nation. Yerevan is a very beautiful city.

Massis Safarian: This is my first visit to Armenia. I am charmed by the sites and historic and cultural monuments and am proud to be Armenian. I must also say that Armenian girls are very beautiful.

Hilda Domanian: When I set foot on Armenian land, I felt stronger and prouder. I felt that I have a small and sweet Homeland. It is wonderful to hear everyone around you speak in Armenian. I met many Armenians and listened to the sounds of the native language. I loved my nice Homeland, particularly Yerevan.

Hovhannes Dshavurian: When the plane landed in Yerevan and when I first set foot on the native land, the first wonder that I saw was the glorious Mount Masis. My heart started beating fast. Armenia and the Armenians are very precious for me. Armenians are brothers to each other.

Kristine Apri: You definitely can’t find the nature, air and especially the water of Armenia in any other country in the world. Everyone around me is speaking in Armenian, and I feel like a very strong and important person here.

Karin: I am charmed by everything. The important thing for me is that I have a Homeland.

…We talked about the youth, as well as the world, the future of Armenia and the events organize by “Gladzor” Youth Union. Sona said she and the members love Armenian poets, especially Paruyr Sevak, adding that the Union had organized a wonderful event devoted to Sevak and had recited his poems. Sona added that the Union regularly holds an event entitled “Poetry Day”. The youth love it because it helps them become familiar with great classic Armenian writers and our greats.

“We also often organize parties and gatherings to get to know each other better. After all, the youth need to take a load off from their daily routines. They sing, dance and have fun. It is during those events when we talk about the events taking place in Armenia and make decisions. We decided to visit Armenia in April when military operations had been unleashed against Artsakh. We held a torch-lit march and laid flowers near the eternal flame on April 24^th. We had prepared a long time ago and had decided to be in Yerevan on the 101^st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, and it worked out. I believe our visits will be ongoing because there are still many young Armenians who haven’t seen Armenia,” Sona says, adding that young Armenians of the world need to become a large family and work together since the future is in the hands of the youth.

Karine Avagyan