Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 30 2005

HAMLET GASPARIAN: ARMENIAN-ITALIAN FRIENDSHIP DAYS ARE NOT PURELY
SERIES OF CULTURAL EVENTS BUT A POLITICAL ACTION

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 30, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The holding of
the Armenian-Italian Friendship Days im Armenia is considered not
only as series of cultural events but also as a political action.
Hamlet Gasparian, RA Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson, declared this
at the September 30 press conference. He mentioned that Armenia is
involved in the EU “New Neighborhood” program, which means that
Armenia with its history and civilization is included in the system
of European values, starting from ancient period up to this day.

According to Marco Clemente, Italian Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary to Armenia, the holding of Friendship Days is aimed
at mutual acquainting of the two peoples, and the “word “friendship”
in the title of the festival means friendship between the 2 cultures
which will develop seriously in the future.”

The Italian Ambassador is convinced that culture is able to correct
political relations, to establish economic contacts.

Ambassador Clemente reported that the Armenian-Italian Friendship
Days will start on October 5 by an exhibition under the title
“Treasures of St Lazaro Island” at the National Gallery of Armenia.
Representatives of Italian government, in particular, a delegation
led by the Minister of Trade and Economy will be present at the
ceremony of opening. An Armenian-Italian business forum will open on
October 6 at the “Congress” hotel with participation of 30 Italian
businessmen.

32 events will be held within a month – from October 1 through
October 31, some of them will repeat. All the events will be free in
order to be afordable for public. The Italian diplomat mentioned
several important events, in particular, the exhibition under the
title “Treasures of St Lazaro Island”, demonstration of 15 films of
Paolo and Vittorio Taviani Italian brothers.

Conferences, painting and photo exhibitions, film demonstrations,
evenings of Italian opera will be held during the month of
Armenian-Italian Friendship.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress