On August 19, Minister of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia Hranush Hakobyan, merited cultural figures of the Republic of Armenia Silva Yuzbashyan and Murad Malkhasyan, employees of the RA Ministry of Diaspora and guests participated in the solemn closing ceremony of the seventh stage of the “Ari Tun” Program of the RA Ministry of Diaspora at the “Ari Tun” Camp in Tsaghkadzor.

The Minister of Diaspora greeted the participants and stated the following: “Dear participants, I think these past 14 days became the most unforgettable days of your life. You visited the most beautiful historic and cultural sites in Armenia and learned about the rich history and culture of the Armenian nation. I am also certain that you spent great days with your host families and made new friends, and I am certain that you will maintain ties. Dear youth, the new school year is just around the corner, and I urge you to study well and be the best professionals in your professions of choice. I want you to always remember our ��?golden’ Armenian language and speak Armenian because our language is the Homeland of the Armenians deprived of the homeland, and we need to preserve it in order to transmit it to the future generations. Dear youth, wherever you go, always be proud to be Armenian and stay true to your roots, history and culture. Welcome to the Homeland.”

Merited Cultural Figure of the Republic of Armenia, reciter Silva Yuzbashyan also expressed her greetings to the participants. She attached importance to the “Ari Tun” Program, considering it one of the greatest achievements in the past 25 years of Armenian independence that allows the participants to return to their roots and origins and takes them to the Armenia that is in their soul. “One day, you will return to the Homeland, and Armenia will eventually become your final landmark,” Yuzbashyan said as she addressed the youth.

Silva Yuzbashyan recited an excerpt from William Saroyan’s short story “The Armenian and the Armenian”, and Merited Artist of the Republic of Armenia Murad Malkhasyan greeted the gathered with his performances.

Afterwards, the participants of the seventh stage performed Armenian national and patriotic songs and dances and put on a play devoted to Hayk and the Armenian Alphabet. The young participants’ farewell dance around the traditional bonfire marked the end of the seventh stage of the program.

Let us mention that the seventh stage of the program was held with the participation of 63 young Armenians from 12 countries around the world, including Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Ukraine, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Israel, Germany, Spain, the USA and Syria.