On July 11, the RA Ministry of Diaspora held the grand opening ceremony of the 4^th stage of the “Ari Tun” Program of the RA Ministry of Diaspora for the homeland recognition of Diaspora Armenian youth.

The fourth stage will be held with the participation of 124 Armenian boys and girls from Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Belgium, Belarus, Sweden, Germany, France, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Cyprus, Syria, Kazakhstan, Lebanon and the United States of America.

RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan gave opening remarks in which she particularly stated the following: “Dear youth, welcome to the Homeland, to Yerevan, the capital of all Armenians and to your ministry. I am certain that, for the next 14 days, you will see and become familiar with the sites worth seeing in Armenia, and by actively participating in the native studies courses, you will learn about Armenian history, culture and the spiritual values of Armenians and will start speaking and writing in the native language more freely.”

The Minister of Diaspora mentioned that the participants would visit the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Armenian Genocide Memorial, the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute and Yerablur Military Pantheon, which are the major places where every Armenian pays respect, feels pride and admiration.

“You will also visit a military unit of the Armenian army and meet with Armenian soldiers defending our borders,” the Minister emphasized, adding: “We would like to express our special gratitude to your parents for trusting the “Ari Tun” Program and sending you to the homeland. We would also like to thank the host families for hosting you with such love and generosity.”

Afterwards, the Minister dressed the youngest participant of the fourth stage, 13-year-old Armenian American David Abrahamyan in the shirt with the logo of the “Ari Tun” Program on it.

Minister Hranush Hakobyan gave special thanks to the students of the Nareg Armenian School of Cyprus. “The Ministry hosts the students of Nareg Armenian School every year, and it seems as though they make pilgrimages to Armenia.”

Expressing gratitude to the RA Ministry of Diaspora and to the Minister for the cordial reception and generosity, head of the group from Cyprus, Violet Tashjian stated the following: “The students of Nareg Armenian School have been waiting for the visit to Homeland impatiently and with longing throughout the whole year. We know that the Armenian language is our Homeland outside of Armenia, and our school does everything it can to help the children know Armenian well.”

Later, everyone stood up and gave warm rounds of applause as they listened to the Armenian song “Haykakan Banak” (Armenian Army). The participants recited poems and performed Armenian folk and ethnographic songs with pleasure.