The event, organized in honor of Armenia's Diaspora Minister Hranoush Hakobyan at the Hamazkayin "Levon Shant" Cultural Center, took place on Tuesday, December 13, 2016, at 7: 00.
Armenia's Ambassador to Lebanon, Samvel Mkrtchyan, members of Hamazkayin Regional Executive Board, principals of Hamazkayin art schools and other guests attended the event.
Hagop Handian delivered the opening speech saying that the Armenians living far from their Motherland have created a spiritual homeland in their hearts that never can be destroyed. That spiritual homeland lives in the heart of every Armenian of the Diaspora due to church, schools, unions, political parties, the native language, and culture.
Referring to the Hamazkayin "Levon Shant" Center, Hagop Handian said that building such a cultural center during the Lebanese Civil War was a kind of Armenian craziness. Moreover, during the last 30 years, the Center uninterruptedly prepared numerous of genuine representatives of the Armenian culture and art.
- Handian confirmed that the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society has actually become an organization equivalent of the Ministry of Education and Culture in the Diaspora, which instills Armenian spirit and gives basic education to generations in the Arts and Armenian culture.
- Handian concluded his speech by saying, "Today we are pleased to host Diaspora Minister Hranoush Hakobyan. We firmly belief that the Armenian Diaspora needs strong Armenia, and Armenia needs a strong Diaspora. For success, they both need bridges. We have been such a bridge between our Homeland and the Diaspora for ages. Together we are strong, the partnership makes us stronger and more powerful to present the authentic image of Armenians around the world."