On September 12 ROA Acting Minister Hranoush Hakobyan received Lerna Papazian, lead choreographer of Istanbul’s “Maral” Dance and Song Union’s ensemble, choreographer and dance instructor Talar Keoseoghlu, general coordinator Selma Melekyanin and assistant editor of the “Marmara” daily Makruhi Hakobyan. The ensemble is in Armenia within the framework of the “Im Hayasdan” festival dedicated to the 25-th anniversary of Armenia’s independence to present the “Ara and Shairam” theatrical dance performance.

Hranoush Hakobyan warmly welcomed her guests and expressed her amazement and gratitude to the Armenian community of Istanbul for preserving their identity, living armenianly and for developing Armenian culture; she stressed that today’s guests have their undeniable role in that rewarding endeavor.

Therefore the guests told about the creative projects and especially about the play “Ara the Beautiful and Shamiram”, which is based on the myth of the same name by historian Khorenatsi and is one of the important episodes of the heroic history of our nation.

Saluting the beautiful concept by the “Maral” dance ensemble, Acting Minister Hranoush Hakobyan noted, that dance is a powerful weapon in preserving the spirit and historical memory of our people, and wished success to the “Ara the Beautiful and Shamiram” dance performance that will be held on September 13 at the State Theater of Musical Comedy named after Hagop Baronyan.