On December 22, First Lady of the Republic of Armenia Rita Sargsyan attended the “Breath of Syrian-Armenian Culture in Yerevan” charity exhibition-sale dedicated to the New Year and Nativity and opened in the vestibule of Yerevan Municipality. The event was organized by the Ministry of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia and the Center for Coordination of Syrian-Armenians’ Issues NGO.

Escorted by Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan, the First Lady toured the pavilions, was introduced to the Syrian-Armenians’ works and highly appreciated their talent, diligence, the high culture of service and the unique style of service.

The Syrian-Armenians were extremely impressed with Rita Sargsyan’s visit.

The Minister of Diaspora stated that this is the 21^st charity exhibition-sale of the Syrian-Armenians after they settled in the homeland. “Throughout 2017, we held four “Breath of Syrian-Armenian Culture in Yerevan” charity exhibition-sales. What is very important is that our compatriots feel safe and at ease in Armenia and continue to create. They are unmatched in embroidery, silvermaking and confectionery. Every product made by a Syrian-Armenian is tasteful, useful and tasty,” Hranush Hakobyan stated.

The journalists asked the Minister about the achievements that the Ministry has made this year and the major initiatives scheduled for next year. Minister Hranush Hakobyan attached importance to the achievements made during the 6^th Armenia-Diaspora Pan-Armenian Conference and stated that the conference led to wide-format discussions within the Armenian communities of Lebanon, France and the United States of America. “A major event for the Ministry was the signing of memoranda of mutual understanding with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece and the Office of the Presidential Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Overseas Cypriots. I must set aside the holding of events dedicated to the 300^th anniversary of the establishment of the Mekhitarist Congregation on St. Lazarus Island in Yerevan and various Armenian communities of the Diaspora. Throughout November and December, Russia hosted the culture days of Armenia. What was particularly joyful was that more young people participated in the accelerated Armenian language course of the “Diaspora” Summer School Program. Thousands of Diaspora Armenians participated in the “What are YOU doing for Artsakh?’ pan-Armenian movement, and now the Ministry is implementing the program for support to borderline villages through which we have found benefactors for several villages,” Minister Hranush Hakobyan stated. She touched upon the several forums, conferences and other events organized by the Ministry and emphasized that all the programs and events were successful. Presenting the actions to be carried out next year, the Minister attached importance to the development of the strategy and action plan for repatriation, the modification of the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On repatriation”, the holding of the celebrations dedicated to the 100^th anniversary of the First Republic of Armenia and the Battles of May and the 2,800^th anniversary of the establishment of Erebouni-Yerevan with all Armenians around the world and the organizing of pan-Armenian forums of journalists, architects and engineers and a pan-Armenian youth forum.

The exhibition-sale will run until December 23 (11:00-18:00).