The already traditional “My Armenia” Pan-Armenian Festival has kicked off. It is one of the major programs of the RA Ministry of Diaspora and one that is highly anticipated by Armenians in Armenia and the Diaspora. The festival is highly anticipated because it serves as a wonderful opportunity for Diaspora Armenian youth to visit Armenia, perform for Armenian audiences in Armenia, as well as receive rounds of applause and words of appraisal. Moreover, the festival also serves as an important step for the preservation of the Armenian identity.

More and more people and communities participate in the festival, and this goes to show that the festival is already becoming popular and is going from being a cultural event to becoming a pan-national event. Yes, an event since this festival is of important significance for Armenians in Armenia and the Diaspora. It helps present and popularize artistic groups of the Diaspora and spark more interest among Diaspora Armenians in culture. The fact that culture is the guarantee for preservation of the national identity is irrefutable. The fact that the people stay true to their roots and history through performing arts is also irrefutable. Through Armenian song, dance and poetry they affirm not only the idea of eternity, but awaken in every viewer and listener the Armenian identity and the incentives that they sometimes lose and forget. Today, the Armenian Diaspora faces the danger of assimilation. Therefore, every initiative becomes valuable and interesting and helps preserve the Armenian language and spirit of Armenians abroad so that every Armenian speaks Armenian and so that Armenian song and dance continue to have an impact on all Armenians.

Thus, the “My Armenia” Pan-Armenian Festival is not only the guarantee for our unity and the Homeland-Diaspora partnership, but also one of the important milestones for preservation of the Armenian identity.

L.M.