HAMSHEN AND HAMSHEN ARMENIANS: HISTORY AND CULTURE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE TO BE HELD ON JULY 23 IN YEREVAN

NOYAN TAPAN

JU LY 18

On 23 July, the RA National Academy of Sciences Institute of Oriental
Studies and the Yerkir Union of NGOs for Repatriation and Settlement
are organizing the international conference Hamshen and Hamshen
Armenians: History and Culture in Yerevan. According to the report of
conference organizers, curently there are many ethnic Armenians living
in Turkey, who, assimilated and converted to Islam, still preserve
some elements of their original ethnic culture in spoken language,
customs and culture. "Hamshens or Hamshen Armenians are one of such
ethnic group. Interest towards this particular group has considerably
grown in recent years. There have been many scientific studies,
publications and reports about the Hamshen Armenians," the report read.

According to the organizers, the aim of the conference is to
facilitate further studies of Hamshen and Hamshen Armenian reality
and strengthening of ties with Hamshen Armenians.

It should be mentioned that the conference will take place within the
framework of the Hamshen Week to be held on July 21-27 in Yerevan,
during which it is also envisaged to organize other events, concerts
of the Vova Hamshen ensemble, photoexhibition dedicated to Armenian
architecture of Hamshen, etc.