As reported Hayern Aysor, Emilia Mikayelyan, who is from the French city of Lyon and is participating in the Accelerated Armenian Language Course (part of the 2017 “Ari Tun” Program of the RA Ministry of Diaspora), learned to read and write in Armenian and is very happy for that.

Emilia’s knowledge of Armenian has also helped her watch TV shows on Armenian channels and listen to Armenian songs.

Emilia believes the “Ari Tun” Program is a wonderful program that helps consolidate young Diaspora Armenians in Armenia and introduce them to Armenian culture and national traditions. Out of all the places she has visited, her favorite place is the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin where she lit a candle and prayed for peace in Armenia. During the visit to Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex, she got very emotional as she remembered all the sufferings that the Armenians underwent during the deportations. What impressed her the most was the time she spent at a military unit where she was introduced to the daily activities of the soldiers and ate what the soldiers eat.

Emilia was born in the city of Ashtarak. She was one-year-old when she and her family moved to France. This year, she got accepted to university and will study to become an accountant.

Gevorg Chichyan