On May 13, the RA Ministry of Diaspora held a teleconference with representatives of Teryan Armenian Cultural Non-Governmental Foundation of the Orenburg Oblast of the Russian Federation and Nayiri Armenian Cultural Center. RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan also participated in the teleconference.

Among the representatives from Orenburg were president of the board of Teryan Armenian Cultural Non-Governmental Foundation Anna Osepyan, the directors and entrepreneurs Samvel Hovhannisyan, Gevorg Sargsyan, Harutyun Vanyan, Ashot Ordukhanyan, Mikhail Marutyan, Armen Baghdasaryan and Armen Hovhannisyan, as well as teachers and businesspeople.

The Minister of Diaspora greeted the participants and stated that the current main issue concerning all Armenians today is the security on the borders of Artsakh and Armenia. “I am pleased with the fact that the Armenian community of Orenburg also stood with and made its contribution to Artsakh during the difficult days in April. The Armenian army is powerful and efficient and is ready to retaliate at any moment. Diaspora Armenians need to take all measures for the recognition of Artsakh’s independence,” the Minister added.

Minister Hranush Hakobyan touched upon preservation of the Armenian identity within the Armenian community and particularly discussed the preservation of the Armenian language. “By visiting Armenia and participating in the “Ari Tun” Program and the “Diaspora” Summer School Program of the RA Ministry of Diaspora, you and your children will have the opportunity to learn or improve your Armenian and become familiar with Armenian cultural values. This year, the RA Ministry of Diaspora will be holding the “My Armenia” Pan-Armenian Festival, which is a program that is aimed at helping Armenians preserve their national identity through song and dance. We expect to see the active participation of the Armenians of Orenburg as well,” she stated.

The Minister added that the RA Ministry of Diaspora develops textbooks and supporting materials and provides them to Armenian educational institutions abroad. “You can tell us what kinds of books and supporting materials you need, and we can provide them to you. It would also be our pleasure to present the videos of events organized in Orenburg to all Armenians around the world through the media,” the Minister noted, adding: “Dear Armenians of Orenburg, you strengthen the friendship between the Russians and Armenians with your activities. By visiting Armenia, make sure to visit the RA Ministry of Diaspora. We are ready to listen to you and help you solve any issue. Today, there are nearly 20,000 Syrian-Armenians who have settled in Armenia. They are successfully integrated into Armenian society and starting their own businesses. The Syrian-Armenians introduced a new culture in the Homeland and stand out with their special dedication to their jobs.”

Afterwards, Executive Director of Teryan Armenian Cultural Non-Governmental Foundation Gevorg Sargsyan gave a speech in which he expressed gratitude to the Ministry for organizing the teleconference and stated the following: “This year, we need to make more efforts to have as many young Armenians of Orenburg participate in the “Ari Tun” Program and in the “My Armenia” Pan-Armenian Festival as possible.”

The executive director of the Foundation emphasized that the Nayiri Armenian Cultural Center of Orenburg was founded in 1992 and that the “NIG Armenian Community” territorial non-governmental organization was established in the Buzuluk city of Orenburg Oblast in 1998. In December 2004, the Armenians of Orenburg created the “National Village” Cultural Union that has granted representatives of 10 nationalities, including the Armenians the right to create their national centers. Established in 2009, the “Armenian Home” of Orenburg has an Armenian Sunday school, a museum, a library, a cultural center and a café called “Arax” that serves Armenian national dishes.

Gevorg Sargsyan added that the Armenians of Orenburg are now working on building an Armenian church. “We are closely following the conflict in Artsakh. We have made our small contribution to support the Armenian army and would like to assure you that the assistance will be ongoing,” he mentioned.

The activities of the Armenian community of Orenburg, the community’s problems, as well as issues on the involvement of the community in the other pan-Armenian programs of the RA Ministry of Diaspora were discussed during the teleconference.