By Alin K. Gregorian, Mirror-Spectator Staff
YEREVAN — For three days, Armenians, Artsakh residents and Armenians from around the world came together for meetings, concerts and reports, at Yerevan’s Karen Demirchyan Complex, September 18-20.
The sixth Armenia-Diaspora Pan-Armenian Conference titled “Mutual Trust, Unity and Responsibility,” was held on the threshold of the 100th anniversary of the declaration of the First Republic of Armenia, the 100th anniversary of the Battles of May 1918 and the 2,800thanniversary of the foundation of Erebouni-Yerevan.
The conference perhaps did not break new ground but if offered a chance for Armenians from around the globe, from countries near and far, including Myanmar, Japan, Argentina, a total of 71 countries, to mingle.
Every day there were four sessions during which presentations were made. Present for the seminars were representatives from the Armenian government, including the ministries of defense, foreign affairs and diaspora.
The wrap-up session presented the attendees with a chance to listen to a positive conclusion by Diaspora Minister Hranush Hakobyan, who stressed unity and suggested that Armenia is for all, locals and Diasporans.
She also stressed that the issue of the different dialects should not matter. “The official language in Armenia is Armenian not Eastern or Western Armenian,” she said, to applause from the audience.