On October 28, Head of the Department for All-Armenian Programs at the RA Ministry of Diaspora Atom Mkhitaryan and Vice-President of the Union of Armenians of Russia Vladimir Aghayan gave a joint press conference devoted to the annual Pan-Armenian Awards “For notable contribution to the preservation of the Armenian identity”.

The RA Ministry of Diaspora and the World Armenian Congress have announced four contests for the annual Pan-Armenian Awards “For notable contribution to the preservation of the Armenian identity”, including “Defender of the Native Language”, Youth/Student Organization, Best Creation for Children (“Homeland, This Is How I See You” and “Mother My Dear and Precious” sub-categories) and Best Armenian Community of the CIS countries.

Mkhitaryan mentioned that the goal of the “Defender of the Native Language” contest is to encourage Diaspora Armenian individuals and organizations that make a great contribution to the preservation, dissemination and development of the native language, the formation of thinking in the Armenian language, Armenian education and discipline and the development of Armenian literature and arts in the Diaspora.

The Youth/Student Organization contest is open to active pan-Armenian and Diaspora Armenian youth and student organizations.

The Best Creation for Children contest with the “Homeland, This Is How I See You” and “Mother My Dear and Precious” categories is aimed at contributing to the formation and development of patriotism, national self-awareness and awareness of the nation’s history and culture, as well as to identify and promote talented Armenian children and youth living abroad.

The goal of the Best Armenian Community contest for CIS countries is to identify, encourage and coordinate the activities of Armenian communities, community structures and organizations that preserve the Armenian identity in CIS countries with more effectiveness and is targeted at the preservation and development of the national identity, the self-organization and consolidation of the community, as well as the preservation, development and dissemination of Armenian historical, cultural values, customs and traditions.

Mkhitaryan underlined that the number of contestants is on the rise and that the results of this year’s contest will be summed up in December.

Vladimir Aghayan mentioned that the Union of Armenians of Russia and the World Armenian Congress support the programs aimed at strengthening the bonds between the Homeland and the Diaspora and developing scientific thought and creativity in Armenia. “Our Union has always commended and supported the organizing and holding of such contests by the RA Ministry of Diaspora”

The speakers also answered journalists’ questions.