ARMENIAN CULTURAL DAYS HELD IN SHARJAH ON DECEMBER 11-16

YEREVAN, December 21 (Noyan Tapan). The Armenian cultural days were
held in Sharjah on December 11-16. The string orchestra after Komitas,
the “Shoghakn” ethnographic group and the ensemble of dudukists of
prominent artist Gevorg Dabaghian performed within the framework
of the cultural days. The cultural days completed with the “Game”
performance of Mnjakhagh theater. RA Minister of Culture and Youth
Affairs Hovik Hoveyan said during the December 21 press conference that
the official opening of the cultural days was held at the Arts’ Museum
of Sharjah with the exhibition of the works of Haroutiun Boyajian and
Karo Yeghiazarian, then the presentation of the book “Pages from the
History of Armenian-Arab Cultural Relations” published in Arab was
held at the conference hall of the Expo Center of Sharjah. Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia to the United Arab
Emirates Arshak Poladian is the author of the book. The Ambassador also
spoke about the Armenian-Arab relations – from the Middles Ages to our
times. H. Hoveyan mentioned that the practical program on cooperation
for the upcoming two years was signed between the two countries as a
result of the visit. The purpose of the document is to develop and
strengthen cultural cooperation between the two countries, which,
according to the Minister, will contribute to the deepening of the
friendly relations. According to the program, it is expected that
the Arab cultural days will be organized in Armenia in 2005, and the
exhibitions of book and other printed products will be organized in
Sharjah. The Minister also said that the Armenian art critics visited
the newly constructed church of Gregory the Illuminator in Sharjah,
met with the Armenian Community of the United Arab Emirates, the head
of the council of elders, Head of the Diocese Ter Aram Deirmejian, and
200 books published in Armenia were given to the Ohannesian Gymnasia.