Hayern Aysor’s correspondent sat down for an interview with leader of the Armenian community of Ethiopia Vardges Nalbandian.

Vardges Nalbandian is not only the leader of the Armenian community of Ethiopia, but also the deacon of the local St. Gevorg Armenian Church.

During the interview, Nalbandian said there are about 100 Armenians living in Ethiopia, the majority are adults and the lack of youth is due to the fact that they are studying in different countries around the world.

“There is almost no community life at all, but we’re not in despair. We always try to do everything possible to maintain the Armenian environment and feel closer to Armenia. We were very happy and proud that beloved Ethiopian-Armenian singer Vahe Tilbian was part of the Genealogy Group representing Armenia at the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest,” the leader of the community said.

The Armenian community of Ethiopia also properly organized events dedicated to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide. On April 13, Armenia’s Aram Khachaturian Trio gave a big concert, which RA Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Egypt Armen Melkonyan and other high-ranking officials honored with their presence.

“We decided to invite foreigners so that they could learn about the Armenian Genocide, and we accomplished our goal. The Ambassador talked about the Armenian Genocide, and I also gave my opening remarks. It was such a nice commemorative event that the guests would approach us and express their words of gratitude,” Mr. Nalbandian said.

The community leader also informed that a Requiem Mass was served on 23 April in memory of the innocent martyrs of the Armenian Genocide at the St. Gevorg Church, after which 100 bells rang, and the gathered followed the Canonization that was taking place at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

“Generally speaking, the Ethiopian-Armenian community always assists Armenia in its efforts to achieve recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide. We organize discussions with the Ambassador, develop plans, and even the Ethiopian Church has already recognized the Armenian Genocide,” Vardkes Nalbandian said.

Let us mention that in Addis-Abeba there is an Armenian Holy Apostolic Church, a pastorship of Ethiopia and an Armenian National School that has a kindergarten and classrooms for elementary students. The students learn Armenian language and history, geography, religion, the Ethiopian state language, that is, Amhare, as well as French and English. The school has 220 students, of which 11 are Armenian.

Currently, the Ethiopian-Armenian community is organizing a program for Ethiopian-Armenians who have never visited Armenia. Through the program, the community will send groups of Ethiopian-Armenians to the Homeland.

At the end, Mr. Nalbandian said the following regarding the cooperation with the RA Ministry of Diaspora: “We always try to maintain relations with the RA Ministry of Diaspora and always respond to our letters. For instance, two years ago, we participated in the Pan-Armenian Forum of Lawyers held by the RA Ministry of Diaspora. I believe we’ll find paths for future collaboration as well.”

Gevorg Chichyan