The U.S. Embassy in Armenia, in association with Charentsavan Library, officially signaled the launch of the American Corner Program in Charentsavan with an event attended by U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern, RA Deputy Minister of Culture Arev Samuelyan, Governor of Kotayk province Kovalenko Shahgaldyan and Mayor of Charentsavan Hakob Shahgaldyan, reports the U.S. Embassy to ArmenPress.

Ambassador Heffern mentioned that the opening of the American Corner will provide residents of Charentsavan and Kotayk province with access to various resources that will contribute to the U.S.-Armenia dialogue and mutual understanding. The American Corner will also provide visitors with the opportunity to use their knowledge of English.

The American Corners are small, American-style libraries that are established in different countries with the purpose of deepening mutual understanding between the United States and the given country. Today, 470 American Corners have been created in different parts of the world through the combined efforts of the U.S. Department of State and the local organizations that host these libraries. The American Corners provide information about America in different formats, including encyclopedias, books, videos and magazines.

These resources are mainly connected to educational opportunities in the United States, U.S. history, culture and society, doing business in the United States and the teaching of English as a foreign language.

The American Corners are also provided with computers with Internet connection. The American Corners organize different kinds of social events such as debates, workshops and meetings with guest speakers. The American Corners provide free services and access to those services for everyone.

Currently, Armenia has American Corners in Yerevan, Gyumri, Vanadzor and Kapan.

Based on last year’s statistics, more than 40,000 people visited the American Corners last year. The Corner in Charentsavan is Armenia’s 5th one was opened in 2005.

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