PARTICIPANTS OF COME HOME PROGRAM’S SECOND STAGE SAID "SEE YOU LATER" TO ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Aug 18, 2009

YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The final event
of the Come Home program’s second stage took place on August 14 at
Yerevan Lovers Park. 65 Diasporan Armenian young people arriving
from 65 countries of the world expressed gratitude for giving them a
possibility to closely feel the Armenian spirit. "Visits to the places
of interest made feel the important need of returning to Armenia, to
our roots," many of them said. "Armenia is our homeland, we are its
children," Russian-based Ernest, who learnt Armenian in two weeks,
said holding a placard "Come Home, My Child!"

Yerevan Mayor Gagik Beglarian was present at the farewell event. He
applied to Diasporan Armenian young people calling them for returning
to the capital city. "You are leaving only on one condition,
for returning. The city of Yerevan always waits for you as special
guests." The Mayor also thanked the Armenian families, who had warmly
hosted the program participants. "I am thankful to the inhabitants,
who once more proved our grandfathers’ hospitality." Yerevan Mayor
said that his talks to heads of Yerevan administrative districts made
it clear how warmly Armenian families accepted this program. "I am
delighted with our residents," the Mayor said and called young people
participating in the program for again visiting Yerevan and feeling
themselves at home. The Mayor also considered the Come Home program
the most successful program of the Ministry of Diaspora.

RA Deputy Minister of Diaspora Stepan Petrosian also greeted those
present and thanked all supporters of the program mentioning that
in two weeks Diasporan children received not only knowledge of the
homeland, cultural and spiritual knowledge, but also gained new
friends. S. Petrosian gave letters of thanks and a book entitled
Armenia’s Wonders to the families hosting the participants and
gave certificates to the participants saying "not good-bye, but see
you later."

The talks with the program participants made it clear that many of
them have decided to return to the homeland without fail and to settle
there for ever.

Ani Soghomonian and Christine Hakobjanian residing in the city of
Nizhni Vovgorod, RF, look for ways to continue their studies at
the Slavonic University and to work in Armenia. "My willingness to
return to the homeland and to normalize the international relations
of Armenia became deeper after the program," Ani confessed. And
Christine noted that participants arriving from other countries
were more active and inspired than those arriving from Russia, but
in spite of many difficulties, according to Christine, "an Armenian
is Armenian everywhere."

During a competition on native studies organized during the event
the Diasporan young people presented the knowledge they received
within the framework of the Come Home 2009 program’s Native Studies
subject. Program’s winners received prizes set by Yerevan Mayor’s
Office. The event was concluded by a joyful entertainment program.