The opening ceremony of the second stage of the “Ari Tun” Program for homeland recognition fo Diaspora Armenian youth was held at the RA Ministry of Diaspora on June 23 and began with a welcome speech by RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan. “I’m pleased with the fact that your dream of visiting Armenia has turned into a reality. You have set foot on the native land and feel more empowered. Armenia is the homeland of all Armenians. Welcome to Armenia! You have come to admire Mount Ararat and Lake Sevan, visit the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts (Matenadaran), bow in memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide at the Armenian Genocide Memorial, light candles at Holy Etchmiadzin, as well as visit Khor Virap, Garni-Geghard, Noravank and Sardarapat, but most importantly, you are here to learn and speak in Armenian. I’m certain that you will leave Armenia with the conviction that in addition to knowing foreign languages, you must also have knowledge of the native language.” The minister thanked the parents of the children and youth, the host families, teachers and representatives of the districts and attached importance to their role in making the “Ari Tun” Program a success. Hranush Hakobyan invited the participants of the program to take part in the opening ceremony of the “My Armenia” (Im Hayastan) Pan-Armenian Festival set to kick off on June 1^st and to be held with the participation of dance ensembles from 34 countries around the world.

Armenian American benefactors Vardges and Mary Navasardian also greeted the participants of the program.

Candidate of philological sciences, Professor, Deputy Head of “Tavush” Compatriotic Union Lavrenti Mirzoyan greeted the participants and attached importance to the “Ari Tun” Program and its role in homeland recognition. Mirzoyan mentioned that he has hosted three participants and is ready to host another 15. Mirzoyan added that “Tavush” Compatriotic Union has expressed the willingness to host the participants and urged other compatriotic unions and non-governmental organizations to join the initiative.

Director of School N 118 of Yerevan Karine Hovakimyan gave a speech and expressed her words of gratitude to the organizers, adding that she is hosting two participants.

Among other speakers were the participants of the program, including winner of the Voice of Armenia competition Anna Khanchalyan from Tbilisi, Alexan Hncheyan from Paris, Naira Yepremyan from Riga and Violeta Gharagyozyan from Ninotsminda.

During their 9-day stay, the participants will become familiar with the historic and modern sites worth seeing in Armenia, will have meetings with state, public and cultural figures, will take courses on native studies in the Homeland and will learn Armenian songs and dances. In the end, the participants will spend five days at the “Ari Tun” Camp in Tsakhkadzor.

Let us mention that in the second stage there are 130 participants from 8 countries, including the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Georgia, the USA, France, Sweden, Latvia and Syria.