The 6^th stage of the “Ari Tun” Program of the RA Ministry of Diaspora kicked off with a solemn opening ceremony during which Hayern Aysor’s correspondent sat down for interviews with two of the participants of the Program.

Haig Yeganian, 16, Jordan

“I am from Jordan where I studied at the Youzbashian-Gulbenkian Armenian School until the 6^th grade and was then transferred to another school. Now I am in the 11^th grade, but I don’t attend an Armenian school. I have decided to become a dentist and get accepted to a university. I might continue my studies in Armenia.

This is my first time in Armenia. My Armenian language teacher at school told me about this Program, and I said I wanted to participate.

I had heard a lot about Mount Ararat and the Armenian Genocide and had seen films devoted to Yerevan before my visit. Now I have the chance to see Armenia and Yerevan with my own eyes. I hope I get to see a lot of things and make a lot of new friends during this visit.”

Davit Ohanjanyan, 16, Uppsala, Sweden

“I was born in Sweden to a strong Armenian family that preserves all national traditions and where Armenian is the household language. My parents told me about the Program. I have come to become more familiar with my roots. I have visited Armenia many times, but this time I will be touring the country with my peers from different countries. I think it will be more interesting. I have many relatives and acquaintances in Armenia, and I am certain that I will establish close ties with many people through this Program. I would like to see more similar pan-Armenian youth programs like this one because those programs help young Armenians of the world interact, get to know each other and cooperate in order to carry out interesting programs.”

Interview by Karine Avagyan