On January 24, 2017, Uzbekistan celebrated the 25^th anniversary of the Republican International Cultural Center with grand splendor.

As reported Hayern Aysor, among the participants of the celebration were representatives of the Armenian National Cultural Center of Uzbekistan. The ceremony began with a welcoming speech by President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sh. Mirziyev, who also personally granted awards to several representatives of the cultural centers of national minorities, including Editor-in-Chief of Depi Apaga (Towards the Future) magazine Georgy Sahakov, who was awarded with the Shukhrat Medal, and President of the Armenian National Cultural Center of Uzbekistan Martin Setyan. The President of Uzbekistan also granted a valuable gift and certificate of appreciation to the latter.

Of course, receiving a state award and other gifts is a very major event in each person’s life, especially from a country’s President-elect, but what was also significant was the scope of issues that the Armenians of Uzbekistan discussed with President Mirziyev, including issues related to preservation of the national identity and culture.

The event was followed by a concert featuring performances by the Erebouni Armenian Dance Ensemble, one of the performances of which was recognized as the best national dance.