Dear Director of the Victoria and Krikor Tutunjian School, Mr. Simon Tutelian,

Clergymen of the Saint Gevorg Church,

Members of the Board of Trustees,

Dear teachers, students and parents,

Friends, sponsors and benefactors of the School,

It is with great joy and pleasure that I congratulate you on the 180^th anniversary of Victoria and Krikor Tutunjian School.

Founded nearly two centuries ago in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, the Varvarian Boys’ School grew and was renamed the Victoria and Krikor Tutunjian School, which went on to become a co-ed school that carries out its sacred mission of preserving the Armenian identity, language and culture and carries out the important act of shaping Armenian children.

Today, the School is stronger than ever and carries out its cherished task successfully with the help of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Cultural Center.

The 180^th anniversary is evidence of the strong will and efforts of the Bulgarian-Armenians to preserve the Armenian language and transmit it to the generations, as well as to instill in Armenian children the qualities of the Armenian identity and the national awareness.

The glorious history is evidence of the dedicated efforts of the pioneers of this school, that is, the teachers, who help thousands of Armenian boys and girls receive not only great knowledge, but also reinforce their identity. It is also thanks to this school that Armenians have preserved their identity abroad, keeping the love and vision of the Mother Homeland alive in their hearts and souls.

Glory and honor to the administration, the teachers and students of all times!

It is not by chance that the school and its longstanding teacher, Mrs. Elizabeth Vardanyan have become the recipients of the Best School and Best Teacher of the Native Language Awards at the annual awards “For notable contribution to preservation of the Armenian identity”, which are held by the RA Ministry of Diaspora and the World Armenian Congress.

We express our gratitude to all the benefactors and organizations who have made their contributions to ensuring the activities of the school.

The political, cultural and friendly cooperation between Armenia and Bulgaria contribute to the activities and the development of the Armenian community and school. The Armenian-Bulgarian friendship, the centuries-old cordial relations between the Armenians and the Bulgarians continue and are growing thanks to the school and the hundreds of Armenians united around the school.

We are pleased to be organizing a conference devoted to the Armenian language on the occasion of the school’s anniversary to discuss important issues.

I’m certain that in the future, all the teachers and students of the school, as well as the parents and sponsors will be more motivated and more dedicated to keep the torch of Saint Mesrop Mashtots burning and disseminate the Armenian language and air of Armenians everywhere.

With respect and kind wishes,

RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan