On October 18, the Ministry of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia hosted a press conference devoted to the annual Pan-Armenian Awards “For notable contribution to the preservation of the Armenian identity”.

The speaker was Head of the Department of All-Armenian Programs at the RA Ministry of Diaspora Gagik Gyanjumyan.

Presenting the history and purpose of the competition, Gagik Gyanjumyan stated that the Awards have been held jointly by the RA Ministry of Diaspora, the World Armenian Congress and the Union of Armenians of Russia since 2010. “Between 2010 and 2016, the Awards have been held with the participation of more than 700 participants from 48 countries around the world. Every year, the organizers announce the categories and the terms and conditions for participation. Last year, we received 192 applications from 24 countries (USA, Russia, Canada, Argentina, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, Austria, Greece, Bulgaria, Sweden, Belgium, Spain, Estonia, Italy, Kuwait, Egypt, Syria, Cyprus, India and other countries) in four categories, including “Defender of the Mother Language”, Best Armenian School, “Best Article Dedicated to the 25^th Anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic” category for Diaspora Armenian journalists and a children’s essay contest under the title “I Love You, My Homeland!”. The committees for each category examine the applications, sum them up and grant the awards during a solemn ceremony. Last year, 177 applicants received awards and diplomas. The categories change every year. We have had categories such as Best Armenian Community, Best Traditional Armenian Family and more.

This year, we selected the following four categories: “Defender of the Mother Language”, Best Armenian School, Best Youth/Student Organization and the children’s essay contest under the titles “Free Artsakh” and “May: A Month of Victories”,” Gagik Gyanjumyan stated.

Gyanjumyan emphasized that the main goal of the Awards is to value the contributions that Diaspora Armenians and Diaspora Armenian organizations make to the preservation of the Armenian identity and culture in the Diaspora and appreciate the activities of Armenian communities, as well as Armenian cultural and educational institutions and Armenian media outlets in the Diaspora.

“This year, the deadline for acceptance of applications is November 30, 2017. We call on the Armenian community organizations, as well as youth and cultural organizations of the Diaspora and representatives of Armenian schools to show active participation. This competition is not only a way of appreciating, but also a unique way of inspiring them, conveying more energy and promoting preservation of the Armenian identity in the Diaspora. We are certain that the number of participants will grow and the geography will expand this year.”

The competition is held in two stages. The first stage is held within Armenian communities, and the selected works are sent to the RA Ministry of Diaspora. In the second stage, the contest committee – set up by the Ministry – declares the winners of the competition following assessment of the works.

The application form needs to be submitted along with a document on education (copy); description/letter of recommendation from a community, organization or school (with an approved seal and signature of director); description of activity of an applicant for each category; materials (videos) that will serve as evidence of the programs carried out by the applicants for preservation of the Armenian identity.

You can download the application form at www.mindiaspora.am or www.hayernaysor.am, complete and sign it and send it to gitakrtakan.diaspora@yandex.ru, gitakrtakan-diaspora@mail.ru or mshakuyt.diaspora@mail.ru along with the letter of recommendation from a community organization (or church) or school.

The Department of All-Armenian Programs at the RA Ministry of Diaspora is in charge of holding the competition and Awards (Tel.: +374 10 58 56 01 (7-00), +374 60 500-830).

The results of the competitions for the 2017 annual Pan-Armenian Awards “For notable contribution to the preservation of the Armenian identity” will be posted on the official website of the RA Ministry of Diaspora (www.mindiaspora.am) or on www.hayernaysor.am (Hayern Aysor electronic newspaper of the RA Ministry of Diaspora).