On March 16, the only 3,000-member Armenian community of the Republic of Cyprus was very excited to meet with the official delegation led by RA President Serzh Sargsyan and including RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan. After several official meetings, the Armenian delegation also visited the Narek Armenian School of Nicosia. Currently, 211 Armenian schoolchildren are enrolled.

Reestablished as Narek Armenian School in 1972, the school operates in three cities of Cyprus and provides Armenian education through the curricula of pre-schools and middle schools. The school actively collaborates with the RA Ministry of Diaspora and participates in the programs organized by the ministry. As Director of Narek Armenian School Vera Tahmazian mentioned in an interview with Hayern Aysor, this year the schoolchildren will participate in the “Ari Tun” Program of the RA Ministry of Diaspora. Based on preliminary data, 16 schoolchildren will participate in the 2016 “Ari Tun” Program for homeland recognition.

According to the school’s tradition, every year, the graduates visit Armenia in the summer to become familiar with the Homeland.

On the occasion of the visit of the delegation led by the RA President, the schoolchildren had organized a big cultural event that included brilliant performances by the school’s choir and dance group. Among other attendees were several Cypriot officials like the Minister of Education, the head of the State Authority for National Minorities and others.

President of the Board of Trustees of Narek Armenian School Vartan Tashchian delivered his welcome speech. On behalf of the school, a gift with the image of an olive tree branch was granted to the RA President, and in response, Serzh Sargsyan granted books and DVDs devoted to Komitas to the school’s library.

After the ceremony, the delegation led by the RA President had a meeting with representatives of the Armenian community. Issues related to the Armenia-Diaspora partnership, Armenia’s foreign policy and the new challenges facing the country were discussed during the meeting.

During the meeting, the RA President awarded the Movses Khorenatsi Medal to editor of Gibrahayer e-magazine Simon Aynedjian, and the community’s eldest scout Harutioun Anmahouni granted his award to the RA President.

Let us add that Harutioun Anmahouni has transferred USD 5,000 to the mothers of Armenian soldiers killed in Artsakh.

“We are very happy for and proud of these honorable visits. For Diaspora Armenians, it is an honor to prepare for such happy occasions and greet the president in your homeland,” Director of Narek Armenian School Vera Tahmazian said in a phone conversation with Hayern Aysor. Talking about her impressions of the events held yesterday, Mrs. Tahmazian emphasized that the events conveyed strength and vigor to continue the act of preserving the Armenian identity. According to her, it is a pride for Diaspora Armenians to be aware of the fact that Armenia has been independent for 25 years, and their dream is to see Armenia as a strong and prosperous country.

Vera Tahmazian also expressed gratitude to the RA Ministry of Diaspora for the books that they needed a lot

Julieta Matevosyan