RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan received Canadian-Armenian sociologist/pedagogue, journalist Vardi Danielian.

Cordially greeting the guest, the Minister highly appreciated her active, enterprising and creative efforts for preservation of the Armenian identity, expressed gratitude for her participation in the 6^th Armenia-Diaspora Pan-Armenian Conference and for her willingness to implement new, unique and interesting cultural and educational programs. With special warmth, the Minister welcomed the fact that Danielian has joined the “What are YOU doing for Artsakh?” pan-Armenian movement and stated the following: “Dear Vardi, your books devoted to Diaspora studies and the numerous academic and pedagogical articles and social studies deserve high appreciation, and they all serve one goal, that is, to preserve and enhance the exclusive type of an Armenian and the marvelous Armenian language, culture and national traditions. But I was simply charmed by your principal, sincere and exemplary decision to repatriate and settle in the homeland and teach Western Armenian so that the Syrian-Armenian children having moved to Armenia never forget Western Armenian.”

Expressing gratitude for the cordial reception, Vardi Danielian provided details of the visit of the delegation of Canada’s Horizon Weekly led by Vahakn Karakashian to Artsakh. “I am impressed with Artsakh, but most of all, I am impressed with the warmth of the people. I visited Artsakh with 27 delegates. We enjoyed the marvelous nature for 5 days. Words can’t describe my admiration. We went sightseeing in Artsakh, visited villages, Shushi and met soldiers defending the borders. We tried to help them a little.”

Vardi Danielian presented her new programs aimed at keeping the national identity alive in Armenian children abroad and awakening the spirit of Armenians. “It is necessary to be active and enterprising. A person who takes steps will always find the path to solve problems. I have to teach ethnography and learn our universal dance, the symbol of which is the harmony of the body and soul of an Armenian. Armenian dance, which stems from sub-consciousness, is a given and runs in the blood. Armenian round-dances symbolize unity. The “Ari Tun” Program simply has an incredible impact on Armenian children. When classes begin, I can’t take them to the classroom. Before I start the lesson, they ask “ten seconds of Armenia and then lesson” and sing the songs of the homeland. Afterwards, all the students share their dreams of how they need to contribute to Armenia’s empowerment. Education has to be cultural, spiritual and national.”

Educational issues and other issues related to repatriation and the return to the roots were discussed.