SOLEMN OPENING OF “ONE NATION, ONE CULTURE” FIRST PAN-ARMENIAN
CULTURAL FESTIVAL TAKES PLACE ON AUGUST 15

YEREVAN, August 16 (Noyan Tapan). On August 15, the solemn opening of
the “One Nation, One Culture” first Pan-Armenian cultural festival
took place in the National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet after
A.Spendiarian. RA President Robert Kocharian, Catholicos of All
Armenians Karekin II, Vardan Oskanian, RA Foreign Minister, Hovik
Hoveyan, RA Minister of Culture and Youth Affairs, and other officials
were present at the ceremony. Numerous well-known cultural workers
from France, Austria, Great Britain, the US, Syria, Lebanon, Iran,
Turkey, Russia were also taking part in opening of the festival.

Greeting the participants of the festival, V.Oskanian mentioned that
the “One Nation, One Culture” festival is a historic event. Quoting
the words of the President, he emphasized: “Every generation living in
its homeland or the Diaspora should newly reveal the depth and wealth
of one united culture of the national originality of his origin,
should be newly filled with aesthetic and moral spirit of national and
human real values.” The State Dance Ensemble of Armenia and the
“Barekamutiun” ensemble, dudukist Jivan Gasparian, RA People’s Artist
Gegham Grigorian, singers Hasmik Papian, Hasmik Hatsagortsian,
Svetlana Navasardian, Ruben Matevosian, actors Vladimir Abajian,
Hovhannes Babakhanian, Zhenia Avetisian and other well-known Armenian
art workers performed at the concert that followed the opening of the
festival.