Come home, people are waiting for you here…

I’m certain that distance won’t matter and that we’ll always keep in touch.

-I liked the Armenian churches and monasteries the most. There was an indescribable sweetness that you can’t find anywhere else.

-Words can’t describe the taste of Armenian barbecue. They don’t make it like they do in Armenia.

-…Words can’t describe how hospitable the people are.

These are the impressions of young Diaspora Armenians leaving Armenia. Just a couple of days ago, they were strangers to each other. Now, they’re having a hard time bidding each other farewell.

What brought them together was the “Ari Tun” Program of the RA Ministry of Diaspora, which brings together Diaspora Armenian youth every year, providing them with the opportunity to see the homeland and make new friends.

The participants of the fourth stage of the “Ari Tun” Program had been waiting for the closing ceremony for a long time. They had learned Armenian national songs and dances that showed the unity and courage of the Armenians, as well as the love that they have for each other and the homeland. The Armenian youth were at home in the homeland and were charmed as they talked about their host families, saying that they had become full-fledged members of the host families. RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan was also attending the closing ceremony of the fourth stage of the “Ari Tun” Program. In her speech, she called on all the participants to be the best in everything and “shine” everywhere. “The only way we can beat our enemies is to stay Armenian and stay clung to our faith, language, land and water. We teach you Armenian with the hope that you’ll go on to teach your children and speak Armenian at home,” the minister mentioned.

-We’re going now, but one day, we’ll definitely return,” the participants of the “Ari Tun” Program said as they bid farewell to the homeland.

Milena Baghdasaryan