On July 15, the grand closing ceremony for the courses of the “Diaspora” Summer School Program of the RA Ministry of Diaspora (Course for Young Leaders, Training Course for Journalists and Armenian Song and Dance Master Class) was held at the hall of the Cultural Center of Yerevan State University.

Among the participants of the event were RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan, Rector of Yerevan State University Aram Simonyan, as well as intellectuals and guests.

Minister Hranush Hakobyan greeted the gathered and stated the following: “Dear participants, I am pleased with the fact that the days that you spent as participants of the “Diaspora” Summer School Program became unforgettable for you not only in terms of gaining knowledge and exchanging experiences, but also in terms of seeing the Homeland and becoming more familiar with the problems facing it. I would like to thank Rector of Yerevan State University Aram Simonyan, who opened the doors of Yerevan State University for the Diaspora Armenians and provided them with wide opportunities. I would also like to thank Director of the “Diaspora” Summer School Program Mher Hovhannisyan, who held the courses with great dedication and at a high level. I am certain that all of our participants must become the ambassadors of the Ministry of Diaspora in their respective countries of residence, carry out activities aimed at preserving the Armenian identity and engage their friends in those efforts. Dear participants, as I see your excitement, I am certain that each of you must become the protectors of Armenian culture and values abroad and must transmit the Armenian language to the young generations as well.”

The Minister of Diaspora and the Rector of Yerevan State University granted certificates and certificates of appreciation to the participants of the three courses of the “Diaspora” Summer School Program.

Shakeh Mangasarian, one of the participants of the Training Course for Journalists, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Diaspora, particularly the Minister and stated the following: “We are nervous and don’t want to return to our countries of residence after spending these wonderful days in the Homeland. Now we see the tremendous job that the Ministry of Diaspora does to receive us so generously, to provide us with training and to educate us. The Ministry that works for all us Diaspora Armenians has truly become a structure that is the envy of other structures. Only through dedication and self-devoted efforts was it possible to achieve such results. We trust you and are happy to participate in the various programs of the Ministry of Diaspora. We are leaving, but we definitely have the hope and desire to return.”

The participants of the Armenian Song and Dance Master Class (part of the “Diaspora” Summer School Program) and several trainers recite poems and performed several songs and dances that they had learned throughout the program.

This was followed by performances by the members of the YSU Cultural Center and Gagik Ginosyan’s Karin Song and Dance Ensemble.

The other courses of the summer school program will continue until July 30.