The RA Ministry of Diaspora launched the 2017 “Ari Tun” Program for homeland recognition, and the first participants are 66 students of the Saint Mesrop-Arabian Armenian School in Alfortville, the “Dprotsaser” Armenian School in Paris and the Hamazkayin School in Marseille. During their stay, they will have the chance to go sightseeing in Armenia and admire the colors of spring in the homeland. They are in Armenia with ten teachers. For 11 consecutive years, French-Armenian benefactor Sarkis Bedoian has been sponsoring the Armenian pupils’ trips to the Homeland. Most of those children have seen Armenia for the first time through the “Ari Tun” Program, and so it is safe to consider the patriotic mission of the French-Armenian benefactor a pro-Armenian effort. One had to see the look of excitement on the faces of the children during the solemn opening ceremony of the Program. I had a cordial and sincere interview with two of them for Hayern Aysor.

Rouben Danielian, Alfortville, France-I am in the 5^th grade. This is my second visit to Armenia where I have a lot of relatives. I had missed my Homeland and my relatives. Armenia is smaller than France, but Armenia is also very beautiful. I feel proud because Armenians have created many things in the world and have made many discoveries. Armenian is our household language. I don’t forget and will never forget my native language. I love Lake Sevan. It is a pity that it is cold now. I really wanted to swim in Lake Sevan. My school organizes many games, but we don’t swim. I have decided to become a well-known expert in innovative technologies when I grow up so that I make Armenians proud.

Ani Somonian, Alfortville, France-I am Rouben’s classmate. This is my eighth visit to Armenia. We have a lot of relatives here. We also have relatives and acquaintances in France. I love Armenia. I would like to spend half of the year in France and the other half in Armenia. I want to split my heart into two-one in France and the other in Armenia.

…I see Armenia in the shape of a split pomegranate as I listen to how this small girl expresses her love and longing for Armenia. I see Armenia as pure and clean as the waves of the blue Lake Sevan, and this makes me want to believe and hope that our Diaspora Armenians children will also be the ones who will shape the future of the Homeland.

Karine Avagyan