On October 14, RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan received Istanbul-Armenian painter Verjin Shabjian.

During the meeting, the sides discussed issues related to preservation of the Armenian identity and dissemination of Armenian culture in the Diaspora.

In the end, Verjin Shabjian donated her painting “Monastery of Sanahin” to provide assistance in the solution to the key issues facing Syrian-Armenians.

In 2011, Verjin Shabjian was awarded the “Arshil Gorky” Medal of the RA Ministry of Diaspora.