Another stage of the 2016 “Ari Tun” Program was launched, gathering young Armenians from different parts of the world. Some have always dreamed of visiting Armenia, while others have visited Armenia once or several times. The interlocutors of my interviews for Hayern Aysor are our beautiful Armenian children and youth who miss Armenia, loved the opening ceremony of the program and answered my questions with those impressions and a little nervous.

Ara Ekizian, 16, Sweden

“My brother, Gevorg and I are visiting Armenia for the first time. We had heard a lot about Armenia, but always dreamed of seeing the country with our own eyes, and today our dream came true. Our first impression is that Armenia is just like what we had heard, but we have just arrived and don’t have a complete picture. We’re a little nervous and confused now. It is as if we are in a dream.”

Gevorg Ekizian, 17, Sweden

“I am Ara’s brother. I will soon turn 18. I am 1 year and 8 months older than him. We have always dreamed of being in the Homeland that our father had told us about. We attend an Armenian Sunday school and speak Armenian at home. We know Armenian patriotic songs and about the Armenian Genocide. When we heard about the four-day Artsakh war in April, we were concerned and ready to go and defend the borders of our Homeland and Artsakh, though we are young. We never forget that we are Armenian.”

Inessa Sevigian, 13, Ohio, USA

“I am her with my cousin, Ellen. This is our second visit to Armenia. We heard about the “Ari Tun” Program from our uncle, who is in this hall and is participating in the opening ceremony of yet another stage of the program. We have heard a lot about Armenia. Armenia is a household language in our families, and we never forget it. I would really like the whole world to know about Armenia, its history and the Armenian language.”

Ellen Nersisian, 16, Ohio, USA

“I am also visiting Armenia for the second time. As Iness said, we heard about this program from our uncle. We hear a lot about Armenia. We know the major events in Armenian history, but we were told that we would be visiting sites and learning more about Armenia through this program. Few Americans know about Armenia and the Armenians. We go to an American school where our peers know almost nothing about the Armenians, but they do know that we are Armenian, and through us they also learned that there is a country called Armenia. I really want all Armenian youth of the world to know each other.”

Alina Movsisyan, 15, Lobnia city, Russian Federation

“I attend an Armenian school. I found out about the program from my teacher. This is my second visit to Armenia. I love my Homeland and am very happy to be participating in this program. I hope to spend memorable days, return with good impressions and share them with my friends. We were received so cordially here. It is as if we are home. I am so excited that I can’t express all my emotions. When I recap all that I see and learn after the program, I will be able to give complete answers to all questions. Thank you to the organizers, the RA Ministry of Diaspora and Armenia! I love you, Armenia!”

After listening to the words of these young Armenians expressing their love for the homeland, I watch them dance to the sounds of an Armenian patriotic song with their hands held high and feeling nervous and excited, and all this only means one thing-the type of Armenians is unique, and the Armenians will live on as long as they have such youth.

Karine Avagyan