The opening ceremony marking the launch of the second stage of the 2013 “Ari Tun” Program of the RA Ministry of Diaspora was held on June 24^th.

As reported by the Armenian community of Georgia to “Hayern Aysor”, fourteen Georgian-Armenian youth from the youth center of Akhalkalak are participating in this stage of the program. In her speech at the solemn opening ceremony of the 2^nd stage, member of the youth center of Akhalkalak Meline Hovakyan said: “Hello, Armenia! Hello, my country! On behalf of all citizens of Javakhk, I express my greetings and am certain that we’ll have the opportunity to get to know each other and the countries and regions of the participants in the course of the program. We’re certain that this important event organized in the Mother Homeland will provide us with the opportunity to not only make new friends and share ideas, but will also help us get to know Armenia better. We thank the Ministry of Diaspora for carrying out activities aimed at preserving the Armenian identity and for giving us, Javakheti-Armenians the opportunity to participate in the “Ari Tun” Program.”

Each stage of the program lasts two weeks. During their stay, the participants tour sites worth seeing in Armenia, participate in Armenian language and native studies courses, meet with state officials and cultural figures, as well as learn Armenian songs and dances and participate in sporting events.