On July 23, the Ministry of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia hosted the Knar Dance Ensemble of Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society in Beirut. The dance ensemble is participating in the “My Armenia” Pan-Armenian Festival and has performed in many countries around the world.

Cordially greeting the guests, Deputy Minister of Diaspora Serzh Srapionyan congratulated the directors and members of the Knar Dance Ensemble on not only the Ensemble’s 60^th anniversary, but also on participating in the “My Armenia” Pan-Armenian Festival in the year marking the 25^th anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Armenia and wished them more successes and the opportunity to carry out more programs and projects.

He expressed his admiration of all the devoted dancers of the meritorious and longstanding ensemble, that is, the sponsors and the dance instructors who instill in the young Diaspora Armenian dancers the love for Armenian culture. Srapionyan stated that Knar Dance Ensemble also struggles for preservation of the Armenian identity abroad and has been struggling through dance for the past 60 consecutive years. The dance ensemble has given many performances in Armenia, France, Kuwait, Iran, Cyprus, Syria and other countries, presenting Armenian dances and awakening in the Armenians the love for and interest in the homeland and Armenian culture.

Serzh Srapionyan expressed gratitude for the dance ensemble’s active participation in the programs and projects of the RA Ministry of Diaspora and particularly in the “My Armenia” Pan-Armenian Festival and, fulfilling the order of Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan, awarded the Knar Dance Ensemble of Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society of Beirut with the Gold Medal of the RA Ministry of Diaspora for making a contribution to the strengthening of relations between Armenian communities of the Diaspora, for the achievements it has made in providing Diaspora Armenian children and youth with an Armenian education and upbringing, for helping increase the reputation of Armenia and make it recognized, for being engaged in community life and for making great contributions to preservation of the Armenian identity.

Expressing gratitude for the cordial reception and receiving such a high award, Director of the Office of Homenetmen in Yerevan Lilit Galstyan particularly said the following: “Dear members of Hamazkayin, let us all express our gratitude to the Armenian government, particularly the RA Ministry of Diaspora and Minister Hranush Hakobyan personally for this cordial reception and high appreciation. Although Homenetmen has been around for 88 years, it has especially become strong over the past 25 years, especially after the establishment of the RA Ministry of Diaspora and thanks to Minister Hranush Hakobyan. Let us be grateful to the Armenian government, the RA Ministry of Diaspora and Minister Hranush Hakobyan for properly appreciating our work, inspiring us and connecting us to the Homeland!”

Afterwards, the directors and performers of Knar Dance Ensemble praised the efforts of the Armenian authorities aimed at reinforcing the relations between Armenia and the Diaspora, gearing the efforts of Diaspora Armenian organizations and properly appreciating those efforts.