The solemn opening ceremony of the third stage of the 2014 “Ari Tun” Program of the RA Ministry of Diaspora for young Diaspora Armenians’ homeland recognition was held on July 7. The event began with welcoming remarks by RA Deputy Minister of Diaspora Serzh Srapionyan who particularly mentioned: “Welcome to the Homeland! Welcome home! The mission of our program is to help you recognize Armenia and become familiar with Armenian culture, customs and traditions. Our goal is to restore and preserve the roots that are becoming detached and the values that are being forgotten. This program helps Armenians remember the national customs and traditions and is aimed at preserving the national image and the unity of the nation. I’m certain that the gene of “Armenianness” will be awakened in you during your stay, and I would like you to refer to Armenia as your land and home whenever you speak about the country. Welcome home!”

Avetis Shahumyan, who represents the most active district for the third stage of the 2014 “Ari Tun” Program, the Kanaker-Zeytun district, gave a speech in which he thanked the Ministry of Diaspora and all the government agencies and organizations for making their contributions to the program.

Representative of the Malatia-Sebastia district Ler-Levon Maghakyan, who has hosted the participants of the program several times, gave a speech on behalf of all the host families.

The participants of the third stage of the 2014 “Ari Tun” Program will be 170 young Armenians from the USA, the Russian Federation, Poland, Belgium, Sweden, Germany, Spain, Israel, Ukraine and Georgia. The participants of this stage will also be accompanied by Syrian-Armenian students Shaghig Shadoian and Ares Reyisian.

During their 9-day stay, the participants will visit Armenia’s historic sites and sites worth seeing, will have meetings with state, public and cultural figures, will take native studies courses in the Homeland and will learn Armenian songs and dances. The participants will spend the last five days of their visit at the camp in Tsakhkadzor.