On May 16, the RA Ministry of Diaspora held a teleconference with representatives of the Armenian Cultural Center of Perm. RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan also participated in the teleconference.

Among the representatives of Perm region of Russia were President of the Armenian Cultural Center Vagharshak Sargsyan, Vice-President for Public Affairs Armen Garslyan, Vice-President for General Affairs Artur Gulyan, Senior Father of the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Perm Karen Papyan, Principal of the Mesrop Mashtots Armenian School of the Armenian community Jasmena Hayrapetyan, as well as members of the Armenian Cultural Center and guests.

The Minister greeted the participants of the teleconference and stated that the key objective of all Armenians is to ensure safety on the borders of Artsakh and Armenia. “Armenian soldiers have great fighting spirit, and our army is ready to retaliate at any given moment. The Armenian community of Perm region was also one of the communities that stood out with its pro-national activities by lending a helping hand to Artsakh,” she emphasized.

Minister Hranush Hakobyan noted that the Armenian community of Perm has always stood out with its level of organization and events aimed at preserving the Armenian identity. “The community actively participates in all the programs carried out by the RA Ministry of Diaspora. So, there is no need for words,” the Minister said, adding: “My only request is for you to gear all efforts towards the preservation of the Armenian language. Speak in Armenian for at least one hour at home and within Armenian cultural institutions,” she said.

The Minister of Diaspora expressed gratitude to the Armenian community of Perm for being actively involved in the pan-Armenian events dedicated to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide and actively holding community-wide events last year. The Minister also called on the members of the community to organize events dedicated to the 25^th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Armenia throughout the year.

The Minister urged the businessmen of the Armenian community of Perm to make investments in the homeland, gain profits and contribute to the country’s development.

In his speech, President of the Armenian Cultural Center of Perm region Vagharshak Sargsyan expressed gratitude to the Ministry for organizing the teleconference and stated the following: “This year we must make more efforts to help Artsakh. We really wake up in the morning in fear and ask ourselves what could have happened on the border the night before, and if we have any victims. We see that the Ministry of Diaspora is actively carrying out activities to transfer Diaspora Armenians’ assistance to Artsakh in a coordinated manner. We are ready to become involved in the programs for Armenia’s empowerment, and in that sense, we must discuss our actions to make investments and start businesses in the homeland.”

Vagharshak Sargsyan emphasized that, based on non-official statistics, there are nearly 45,000 Armenians living in Perm region. The Armenian Cultural Center was established in 2000. Established in 2001, the Mesrop Mashtots Armenian Sunday School has 120 students. The community has a song and dance ensemble and publishes the Noyan Tapan newspaper. In 2008, the community established the Armenian Youth Union of Perm, which presents Armenian national culture and traditions to Armenians and foreigners.

The activities and problems of the Armenian community of Perm, as well as the community’s engagement in the pan-Armenian programs of the RA Ministry of Diaspora were discussed during the teleconference.