RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan received Director of Hayastan Cultural Center of Los Angeles Arman Vardanyan and his wife, dance instructor Naira Vardanyan.

The Minister cordially greeted the guests, congratulated the Vardanyans on the 20^th anniversary of the establishment of their dance group and wished them more performances and achievements. She expressed her satisfaction with the creation of the cultural center based on the dance group and stated that the Vardanyans help 500 Armenian children remain strongly connected to the spirit and culture of the Armenian nation. The Minister also attached importance to the unique efforts that are made for children born from mixed marriages and to the efforts aimed at helping the children’s foreign parents become a part of Armenian culture.

Arman and Naira Vardanyans expressed gratitude for the cordial reception and kind wishes and invited the Minister to participate in the dance group’s July 3 anniversary concert to be held at the National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet. The concert will feature performances by 70 members of the cultural center, who are in Armenia with 30 parents, most of whom are visiting Armenia for the first time ever.

Arman Vardanyan presented the activities of the Center, stating that the Center’s headquarters is located in North Hollywood and that the Center has branches in Glendale, Palmdale and Santa Clarita. The Center also offers lessons devoted to Armenian songs, dances, poetry and more. It will grow and enroll more learners in the near future.

The sides discussed issues on organizing a pan-Armenian conference for dancers on the sidelines of the “My Armenia” Pan-Armenian Festival next year, providing textbooks and supporting materials to the Center and ensuring participation of the Center in the programs of the Ministry of Diaspora.