From October 16 to 18, RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan was on a working visit to the Netherlands to participate in the ceremonies held as part of the events dedicated to the 100^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and the ceremonies dedicated to the 300^th anniversary of the Armenian church of Amsterdam.

 On October 16, the minister visited the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Almelo, laid a wreath at the Armenian Genocide memorial and planted a fir tree in memory of the victims in the churchyard.

 After the visit to the church, the minister had a meeting with hundreds of Armenians of Almelo at Calouste Gulbenkian Hall. The high-ranking guest and RA Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Netherlands Dzyunik Aghajanyan, who was accompanying the guest, were received with warm rounds of applause.

 President of the Armenian Genocide Memorial Institution Harut Poghosyan told the RA Minister of Diaspora about the activities carried out by the community and presented the upcoming programs. Ambassador Dzyunik Aghajanyan gave a speech, after which she gave the floor to Principal of the St. Mesrop Mashtots Armenian Sunday School Manuk Mkrtchyan, who expressed her greetings to the Minister of Diaspora and briefly presented the programs of the school. The principal donated a collection of editions of the school’s “Zangak” newspaper, which has been publishing for two years. Afterwards, the students presented a part of the ceremony devoted to Holy Translators’ Day, after which the “Zartonk” Dance Ensemble and scholars of the church gave performances.

 After welcome speeches by members of the ARF-D, the AGBU and Homenetmen, Minister Hranush Hakobyan gave gifts and awards to representatives of the school and community organizations.

 Teachers, members of the Church’s council, the AGBU, Homenetmen and “Yerevan” Society were granted medals and certificates of appreciation.

 After the event, the minister held private talks with leaders of community organizations, the Ambassador and consuls of the Republic of Armenia and answered various questions from the attendees.

 The meeting was held in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

 The October 17 reception hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in the Netherlands was also impressive. Members of various Armenian structures and organizations representing different parts of the Netherlands had come to The Hague. Minister Hranush Hakobyan talked about the achievements that the RA Ministry of Diaspora has made over the past seven years, touched upon all the programs and projects of the ministry, as well as the Armenia-Diaspora partnership and development of that partnership. The minister properly assessed the events dedicated to the 100^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in the Netherlands, as well as the effective and pro-Armenian activities of Armenian schools and other structures and organizations. Educators Sveta Abrahamyan, Narine Melkonyan and Martun Elbakyan received the “Ambassador of the Mother Language” Medal of the RA Ministry of Diaspora for their notable contributions to preservation of the purity of the Armenian language abroad and for notable services provided for the development of the Armenia-Diaspora partnership. Certificates and certificates of appreciation were also granted to political organizations and cultural institutions and individuals in the Netherlands.

The conversation was held in a warm and friendly atmosphere and was followed by questions and answers.

 On the last day of the working visit (18 October), Hranush Hakobyan participated in the ceremony dedicated to the 300^th anniversary of the Holy Spirit Armenian Church of Amsterdam. A Water Blessing ceremony was held with the newly blessed Holy Triumphal Muron brought from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin with the participation of Vicar of the Patriarchal Delegate of Western Europe, the Very Rev., Father Archimandrite Serovbe Isakhanyan. The events dedicated to the establishment of the Church will continue until the end of the year.

 The meetings of Minister Hranush Hakobyan ended with a meeting with students of the Saint Grigor Narekatsi Armenian Sunday School.