Another stage of the 2017 “Ari Tun” Program drew to an end. Hayern Aysor’s correspondent sat down for an interview with 15-year-old Narek Zhamharyan, who had traveled from the Belgian city of Kortrik and participated in the camping event that was part of the Program.

“I was born in Armenia. I was two years old when my family and I moved to Belgium. My father found out about this Program on the Internet. We had also seen an advertisement on television, and my family gave their consent to my participation. This is my first time in Armenia. It is a great opportunity for me to go sightseeing in the Homeland and meet my peers from different countries around the world. I interact with them easily since I am fluent in Armenian, French, English and German.

I already have good friends. We have visited many places in Armenia, but I am most impressed with Lake Sevan. However, I was not able to swim a lot. I went into the water with my clothes on, cooled off and admired the clean and transparent water of Lake Sevan. I had heard from adults that people would also drink the sweet-tasting water of Lake Sevan many years ago. Lake Sevan was very beautiful. I had also heard songs and stories about it. The camping event was also very impressive. We learned patriotic songs and national dances. This Program serves as a good opportunity to reveal young talented Armenians. There have always been and there always will be gifted and talented Armenians. This Program is not only a program for homeland recognition, but also a humanitarian program. I thank the Ministry of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia, as well as the organizers and teachers. This is one of the world’s best youth programs, and I would like to see it continue and expand.”

Interview by Karine Avagyan