On October 8, RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan received head of the Kamchatka regional division of the Union of Armenians of Russia and candidate of legal sciences Artur Khachatryan.

The guest provided information about the Armenians of Kamchatka region and mentioned that there are nearly 2,500 Armenians currently living in the region. Most of them came to Kamchatka in the 1970s and 1980s. The relations with Armenia are not strong due to distance and the lack of modern communication resources.

The community is mainly an Armenian-speaking community, but the Armenian language is gradually declining due to the lack of the necessary conditions to preserve the language and national traditions. In spite of all this, the community has also held events commemorating the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide. On April 24, 2015, the Armenians of Kamchatka placed a cross-stone in the yard of the St. Peter and St. Paul Russian Orthodox Church and rang the church bells 100 times.

Talking about the upcoming programs and events, Khachatryan attached importance to the establishment of the Armenian Sunday school, which will provide the young generation with the opportunity to learn Armenian language, songs and dances.

Minister Hranush Hakobyan attached importance to the targeted efforts aimed at preserving the national identity and expressed the willingness to support the implementation of the Armenian community’s pro-national programs with the multilateral support of the Ministry of Diaspora.