Tweet
CULTURAL CENTER FOR NATIONAL MINORITIES IN YEREVAN
By Tamar Minasian
AZG Armenian Daily
10/10/2006
Despite the fact that national minorities in Armenia constitute
only 3% of the population, Hranush Kharatian, head of the RA
Government-affiliated department for national minorities and religious
issues, does not agree that our society is mono-ethnic. "This 3%
non-Armenians are representatives of diverse nationalities" therefore
we are a multiethnic country, she finds. Representatives of other
nationalities feel good in Armenia. "We all live in equal conditions
in Armenia," Gersh Burstein, chief rabbi of Armenian says. "Thank
God there is no ethnic discrimination here, and the government's
efforts for a good life in multiethnic Armenia become apparent with
every year."
Another initiative directed to minorities was creation of a cultural
center for national minorities by the RA government. Government
representatives, ambassadors and minority representatives were present
at the opening of the center on October 7. Gagik Gagian, deputy head
of RA government's staff, said that the center could have been opened
earlier but "better late than never".
The government has spent around $10.000 for reconstructing two floors
of the Central Post Office for the cultural center, which is designed
for concerts, celebrations, sessions, working meetings. It also has
libraries and rooms for studying national languages. Hranush Kharatian
said that the center still needs to be furnished.
Head of the Jewish community said that the opening of the center
was one of the key events in the life of Armenia's minorities. "The
center not only unites the cultural field of separate communities
but also acts as a new cultural environment for all inhabitants of
Armenia. We are hopeful that our Armenian brothers will also take
part in the arrangements here," Gersh Burstein told daily Azg.
Representatives of the most different communities were unanimously
saying that there is no discrimination in Armenia and that conditions
are equal for all. Mrs. Kharatian assured that national minorities
in Armenia have the same problems as the other citizens. Plus their
own cultural issues. "There are several state-backed Sunday schools,
classes of mother tongues, newspapers and radio programs. In general,
the state is obliged to grant rights and not to finance directly but
our state sometimes finances too," Mrs. Kharatian said.
The most active communities in Armenia are the Russian, Ukrainian,
Yezidi, Kurdish, Assyrian and Greek. At the initiative of national
minorities, a memorial to the Armenian Genocide and Holocaust will
be erected at the crossroad of Terian-Moskovian streets.
Government representatives assured that what is essential is that the
minority representatives feel as full-fledged citizens in our country
and have the right for national cultures. The center will also help
the Armenian society to get to know the culture and national values
of the minorities.
From: Baghdasarian
By Tamar Minasian
AZG Armenian Daily
10/10/2006
Despite the fact that national minorities in Armenia constitute
only 3% of the population, Hranush Kharatian, head of the RA
Government-affiliated department for national minorities and religious
issues, does not agree that our society is mono-ethnic. "This 3%
non-Armenians are representatives of diverse nationalities" therefore
we are a multiethnic country, she finds. Representatives of other
nationalities feel good in Armenia. "We all live in equal conditions
in Armenia," Gersh Burstein, chief rabbi of Armenian says. "Thank
God there is no ethnic discrimination here, and the government's
efforts for a good life in multiethnic Armenia become apparent with
every year."
Another initiative directed to minorities was creation of a cultural
center for national minorities by the RA government. Government
representatives, ambassadors and minority representatives were present
at the opening of the center on October 7. Gagik Gagian, deputy head
of RA government's staff, said that the center could have been opened
earlier but "better late than never".
The government has spent around $10.000 for reconstructing two floors
of the Central Post Office for the cultural center, which is designed
for concerts, celebrations, sessions, working meetings. It also has
libraries and rooms for studying national languages. Hranush Kharatian
said that the center still needs to be furnished.
Head of the Jewish community said that the opening of the center
was one of the key events in the life of Armenia's minorities. "The
center not only unites the cultural field of separate communities
but also acts as a new cultural environment for all inhabitants of
Armenia. We are hopeful that our Armenian brothers will also take
part in the arrangements here," Gersh Burstein told daily Azg.
Representatives of the most different communities were unanimously
saying that there is no discrimination in Armenia and that conditions
are equal for all. Mrs. Kharatian assured that national minorities
in Armenia have the same problems as the other citizens. Plus their
own cultural issues. "There are several state-backed Sunday schools,
classes of mother tongues, newspapers and radio programs. In general,
the state is obliged to grant rights and not to finance directly but
our state sometimes finances too," Mrs. Kharatian said.
The most active communities in Armenia are the Russian, Ukrainian,
Yezidi, Kurdish, Assyrian and Greek. At the initiative of national
minorities, a memorial to the Armenian Genocide and Holocaust will
be erected at the crossroad of Terian-Moskovian streets.
Government representatives assured that what is essential is that the
minority representatives feel as full-fledged citizens in our country
and have the right for national cultures. The center will also help
the Armenian society to get to know the culture and national values
of the minorities.
From: Baghdasarian