Diaspora-Armenians honored for national identity preservation efforts

The Ministry of Diaspora hosted Tuesday a special ceremony to bestow awards on the foreign-based Armenians who have had a considerable contribution to the preservation of the Armenian national identity abroad.

The organizers – the World Armenian Congress and the Armenians’ Union of Russia – delivered money awards, diplomas and encouraging prizes to Diaspora-Armenians from different states.

In her opening speech, Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan praised the pan-Armenian organizations that helped realize the initiative. “Our projects are of pan-Armenian significance, with all efforts being directed at the Armenian identity preservation,” she said, considering assimilation the biggest enemy for a small nation like Armenians.

The competition awarding prizes to the Diaspora-Armenians for their nation-loving work was launched in 2010. This year’s nominations include “Youth, Student Organization”, “Homeland, This is how I See you!”, “Sweet and Dear Mother” (a composition contest for children) and “Native Tongue Defender”.