RIA Novosti, Russia
Aug 24 2004
ALL-ARMENIAN FESTIVAL TO BE HELD BIANNUALLY
YEREVAN, August 24 (RIA Novosti’s Gamlet Matevosyan) – The
all-Armenian One Nation – One Culture festival will be held
biannually, said Lilit Asatryan, Armenian deputy minister of culture
and youth.
According to her, the festival that had concluded yesterday, has
fulfilled its mission – to foster cultural ties between Armenia and
the diaspora, to create the mechanisms for productive co-operation,
and it will become traditional.
“The continuity of national values and the transfer of knowledge from
the older generation to youth is crucial for preserving the cultural
traditions,” Ms. Asatryan said.
The first all-Armenian One Nation – One Culture festival was held on
August 15-22 in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh (a region in Azerbaijan
with Armenian population).
The festival featured masters of such arts as dance, theatre, vocal,
arts-and-crafts, painting and recital.
Over 1,500 people representing Armenian art in 22 countries took part
in the festival. Apart from Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, they come
from Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, France, Austria, UK, U.S., Syria,
Lebanon and Iran.
The festival has been organised by the Armenian Culture and Youth
Ministry, the Armenia foundation and the specially established One
Nation – One Culture foundation under the patronage of Armenian
President Robert Kocharyan.