On July 6, the Large Hall of Yerevan State University hosted the grand opening ceremony of the 2016 “Diaspora” Summer School Program of the RA Ministry of Diaspora. The summer school program is carried out by the RA Ministry of Diaspora and Yerevan State University.

Among the participants of the opening ceremony were RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan, RA Minister of Education and Science Levon Mkrtchyan, Rector of Yerevan State University Aram Simonyan, as well as intellectuals and guests.

In her opening remarks, RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan expressed her greetings to the gathered and stated the following: “It is my pleasure to express my greetings to you in the Homeland in the year marking the 25^th anniversary of independence of Armenia and Artsakh. I would also like to congratulate the organizers of the “Diaspora” Summer School Program on the program’s fifth anniversary.”

Touching upon the four-day war in April, the Minister emphasized that each of the Diaspora Armenians participating in the program has done everything possible in his or her country of residence to help Artsakh and added the following: “I would like to recall the words of Pope Francis-do what you must do first throughout the day and then do what you can, and you will do the impossible. Dear participants, I am certain that you do the impossible to preserve the Armenian language and transmit it to the young generation in the Diaspora. We highly appreciate your efforts and dedication since the only way to fight against assimilation is to have command of the native language and raise Armenian children with Armenian cultural and spiritual values. I am certain that our professionals will organize interesting and comprehensive courses for you and you will return to your countries of residence with the knowledge of the Armenian language and culture that you need.”

Minister Hranush Hakobyan also voiced hope that the training program for teachers would be held jointly with the RA Ministry of Education and Science and through the efforts of experienced professionals of Yerevan State University.

In his welcoming remarks, RA Minister of Education and Science Levon Mkrtchyan attached importance to the implementation of such programs and stated that they help preserve the Armenian identity abroad. Levon Mkrtchyan stressed the fact that there were many Istanbul-Armenian teachers participating in the training program this year, as well as teachers from different regions of the Russian Federation.

Expressing gratitude to the RA Ministry of Diaspora for organizing the “Diaspora” Summer School Program with Yerevan State University, Rector Aram Simonyan mentioned that the University was excited and was very devoted.

Teacher of the one-day Armenian school of Kiev Ruzanna Martirosyan stated the following: “All the participating teachers are grateful for your generosity. The homeland is in our blood, in our hearts and in our prayers, and we keep in touch with the homeland through you.”

The event was followed by a concert that was organized by the YSU Cultural Center and featured performances by the members of Karine Davtyan’s cultural center, Gagik Ginosyan’s Karin Traditional Song and Dance Ensemble and others.

The “Diaspora” Summer School Program will include the following courses:

1. Accelerated Armenian Language Course (3-30 July),

2. Training Course for Teachers of Armenian Language and History and Organizers of Education (3-30 July),

3. Course for Young Leaders and Community Activists (3-16 July),

4. Training Course for Journalists (3-16 July),

5. Armenian National Song and Dance Master Class (3-16 July).

In addition to the lessons and hands-on activities, the participants will also take part in cultural events, visit the historic sites and sites worth seeing in Armenia and have meetings with state, public and community figures and clergymen.