On September 26, RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan received Director of Radio Arax of Uruguay, journalist Diego Karamanoukian.

Greeting the guest, Minister Hranush Hakobyan attached importance to the Armenian journalist’s pro-national efforts, asked about community-related news and his impressions of the 6^th Armenia-Diaspora Pan-Armenian Conference.

The Armenian journalist expressed gratitude for the cordial reception and stated that the 6^th Armenia-Diaspora Pan-Armenian Conference was a major, effective and unprecedented conference where the participants expressed interesting views and made interesting proposals that will be implemented in the future as programs.

Talking about the current state of the Armenian community of Uruguay, Diego Karamanoukian stated that the Armenians of Uruguay are strongly connected to Armenia and Armenian culture with their lifestyles, even if they don’t understand even a word in Armenian. “There are 15,000 Armenians living in Uruguay. We have two Armenian schools, but I must say that everything related to Armenia and the Armenians in Uruguay is at risk. The Armenian language is at risk since there are big differences in the educational programs, and there are few hours for Armenian language lessons. Even if they don’t understand Armenian, it is a pleasure for the Armenians of Uruguay to listen to the Armenian radio shows, Armenian songs and Armenian music. What is troubling is the fact that the Armenians of Uruguay have started becoming passive in the community. Armenian schools are being closed down and, for instance, broadcasting of Armenian shows and songs on the radio is restricted. There are not many cultural contacts. Azerbaijan has become active in Uruguay and is working against the Armenians. Armenia has a lot of work to do in this regard,” he added.

The joint programs for revitalization of cultural life within the Armenian community were considered during the meeting.