Journalist for Italy’s Rai state radio Carmela Ziglio and her crew visited the central headquarters of Ararat Armenian Sport and Cultural Union of New Julfa. They first toured the departments, after which they were received by representatives of the Central Committee and the Union’s correspondent at the Central Office. The purpose of the visit was to prepare a radio show devoted to Ararat Armenian Sport and Cultural Union of New Julfa and New Julfa in general.

The journalist had an interview with member of the Central Committee and coach for Iran’s women’s basketball team Aylin Melikian, who talked the Union’s sporting events and the Pan-Armenian Games, specifically mentioning the fact that the Iranian government is sponsoring the athletes who participate in the Pan-Armenian Games in Armenia.

The Central Committee’s secretary Miganush Ter-Martirosian gave a general description of the position and activities of the Union and especially focused on the programs devoted to the Armenian Genocide. Ter-Martirosian attached special importance to the Pope’s sermon at the April 12 Holy Mass dedicated to the Armenian Genocide at St. Peter’s Basilica of the Vatican, by which the Pope called the events of 1915 ��?genocide’. Ter-Martirosian also welcomed the Pope’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

Loreta Davtian, who is involved in cultural affairs, provided information about the cultural department’s activities and Iran-Armenia cultural ties, as well as the participation of groups in cultural festivals held in Armenia. Davtian also talked about the cultural events dedicated to the Armenian Genocide.

The Union’s correspondent Yeranush Tahmazian presented the situation of the Armenian community of New Julfa and touched upon Iran’s Armenian Alik Daily and the New Julfa Directory bimonthly periodical with which the correspondent collaborates. Tahmazian presented the April 13 edition of Alik Daily and mentioned the reactions to the Pope’s sermon in Armenian media.

The journalist for Rai radio station asked about the logo for the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide (Forget-me-not) placed on the frontal of the building of Alik Daily and received an explanation about the symbolism.

The participants of the meeting answered questions regarding the events taking place in the region. They said it was painful to see that such crimes continue and don’t want such a tragedy to happen to any nation. They expressed certainty that the world will continue to witness such inhumane acts as long as it takes Turkey to recognize the Armenian Genocide and the world to condemn it.