The 2015 “Ari Tun” Program of the RA Ministry of Diaspora for Diaspora Armenian youth’s homeland recognition was launched on June 15. Children and youth of the Armenian Diaspora listened to the call and came to Armenia to get to know each other better, become connected to the Homeland, have the chance to enjoy the love and sincere hospitality of the Armenian people and try to become established in the Mother Armenia.

Hayern Aysor’s correspondent interviewed the participants of the first stage of the 2015 “Ari Tun” Program during their trips.

Elizabeth Vickeri: I came all the way from California to participate in the “Ari Tun” Program with the hope to have a good time. I’m 13 years old.

My grandmother heard about this beautiful program on the radio and decided to suggest that I participate. I really want to make new friends, become more familiar with Armenia and its history. I visit Armenia every year, but this time I feel totally different. I was born in the USA and don’t go to an Armenian school, but I know Armenian very well since my parents and grandparents have always talked to me in Armenian, and I myself feel like an Armenian, regardless of everything.

I remembered something. For some reason, some of my female acquaintances are ashamed of saying that they’re Armenian. I’ve known them since kindergarten, but I don’t have any contact with them because of their behavior.

Coming to Armenia, I ask my grandmother to make Armenian gata, pakhlava and khachapuri. I love it, but I love the Armenian lavash and cheese more.

Lilit Mezhlumyan: I’m 16 years old. I go to an Armenian school and attend dance lessons in Turkmenistan. In the beginning of the “Ari Tun” Program of the RA Ministry of Diaspora, I immediately adapted to the environment and found it easy to meet new people. We’ve been going sightseeing in Armenia and have been learning about Armenian culture for the past three days, and it’s very exciting.

I really want to be fluent in Armenian. I hope the Armenian language courses will help me improve my conversational Armenian and gain more knowledge. I loved our teachers. They are very heartfelt and teach us in an interesting way. I can’t wait until we go to Lake Sevan. I’ve never been there.

Lilit Safaryan: I live in Krasnoyarsk, Russia. I’m 16 years old. My main purpose of participating in the “Ari Tun” Program of the RA Ministry of Diaspora is to learn Armenian as much as possible during the Armenian language courses because I believe every Armenian must know his native language.

I learned about this program on the Internet and immediately decided to come and participate.

I’ve been given a great opportunity to establish new contacts, rediscover Armenia and communicate with the people. I’ve been having a great time these past couple of days and have already made new friends. We’ve promised to keep in touch after the program is over. We visited Sardarapat Memorial Complex, Zvartnots Temple, Etchmiadzin and other sites. I really want to visit Tatev, but unfortunately, the visit isn’t part of the program. When my mother comes to Armenia, I’ll ask her to take me to Tatev.

Tigran Petrosyan: I’m from Rostov-na-Don and am in the 11^th grade. I also wrestle and have been a judoist for six years. I’m 16 years old.

My four friends and I decided to participate in the “Ari Tun” Program. One of our friends had participated in the program last year. He had liked it and suggested that we also participate.

I planned to participate in the program since I always want to visit Armenia, become familiar with the country’s traditions and go sightseeing. I spend my summer vacation in Armenia every year.

Gevorg Chichyan