On July 14, Deputy Minister of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Srapionyan received the participants of the Miss and Mr Summer Lebanon Pageant and their accompanying delegation who are on a cognitive visit to Armenia with the support of Talina Travel.

Serzh Srapionyan greeted the young people and stated that he was glad to host the young people of the friendly country of Lebanon at the Ministry of Diaspora. The Deputy Minister attached importance to the attitude that the Lebanese government and people showed to the Armenian migrants who were left homeless following the Armenian Genocide. “In the wake of the Armenian Genocide, Lebanon became a new milestone in the lives of our compatriots. Thanks to the kindness, our compatriots managed to continue their lives, but they also stayed true to their roots, language and identity. Healing their wound, they established schools, unions, societies, associations and cultural centers that have existed for nearly a century,” Serzh Srapionyan stated and added that today, the Armenians of Lebanon have become full-fledged citizens of the country and play a major role in the politics, culture and society of the country.

The Deputy Minister also talked about the programs of the Ministry of Diaspora and placed emphasis on the programs that are especially targeted at young Diaspora Armenians. Afterwards, Serzh Srapionyan answered questions from the young Lebanese.

Representative of the Miss Armenia Foundation Gaiane Shahinyan, who was attending the meeting, talked about the Miss Armenia-2017 Pageant and urged the attendees to let their Armenian female friends and acquaintances about it by referring them to the Foundation’s website where they can learn about the terms and conditions for participation.

At the end of the meeting, the participants of the Miss and Mr Summer Lebanon Pageant expressed gratitude for the cordial reception and shared their impressions of Armenia.