PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: cathcil@cathcil.org
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:

INTE LLECTUALS MEETING IN ANTELIAS

His Holiness Aram I presided over an intellectual meeting and discussion
organized on the occasion of the "Year of the Armenian Language" in the
"Cilicia" Museum of the Catholicosate of Cilicia on March 2. The Ambassador
of Armenia to Lebanon, Vahan Der Ghevontian, as well as principles of
Armenian schools, teachers, intellectuals, newspapers editors and writers
attended the event.

The Pontiff stressed the importance of the Armenian Language as the basis
of the Armenian nation’s existence and one of the most important factors for
its future eternity. He said that recognizing this fact he wanted Armenians
to reflect on the importance of their language throughout the year, work,
analyze, worry and plan together ways of preserving the Armenian Language
and protecting it from foreign influences.

The moderator of the discussion, Bishop Nareg Alemezian highlighted the
importance of realizing the unique role the Armenian Language plays in the
life of the Armenian nation.

The attendants were then given a platform to voice their ideas, concerns
and proposals on this occasion. Concern was expressed on the issue of
dictation and proposals were made for solving the problem of dual dictation
through consultative meetings between representatives from Armenia and the
Diaspora. The attendants also stressed the importance of taking practical
steps to equip Armenian students with the necessary knowledge of their
language.

Among other concerns was the difficulty of preparing capable teachers of
the Armenian language, especially at a time when Armenian studies programs
are being shut down. Attendants also pointed out that a lot is expected from
Armenian schools, stressing that one of the reasons for the fallback of the
Armenian language is the Armenian schools. They added, however, that the
home environment in the pre-school years is a bigger problem.

The Catholicos delivered the concluding remarks, observing that the
difficulties the Armenian language faces are directly related to
globalization, "a force that destroys values, identities, traditions and
languages, and a force to the influences of which we are subjected
currently." His Holiness added that similar events are being organized in
all the dioceses of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, assuring that the
proposals made during these events will be brought together and materialized
into practical steps.

The event was the second initiative organized by the Catholicosate of
Cilicia within the framework of the "Year of the Armenian Language".

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View the photo here: #2
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The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.