YEREVAN (Public Radio of Armenia) — Armenia has donated Fridtjof Nansen’s portrait by Diaspora Armenian artist Daniel Varoujan Hejinian to the Kingdom of Norway.
Armenia’s Acting Minister of Diaspora Mkhitar Hayrapetyan on November 6 handed over the portrait to Norway’s Honorary Consul in Armenia Timothy David Straight.
Addressing the ceremony, Mkhitar Hayrapetyan noted that Nansen was one of the first to condemn the Armenian Genocide and helped tens of thousands of Armenian refugees find refugees in Armenia and other countries. He also recalled missionary Bodil Katharine Biorn, who worked as a nurse in Western Armenia and saved thousands of homeless and ill children.
“For the Armenian people Fridtjof Nansen and Bodil Katharine Biorn stand as symbols of Norway’s generosity, human benevolence and devotion to the protection of human and nations’ rights,” the acting Minister said.
Mkhitar Hayrapetyan also reminded about the support of the Norwegian government and people in the restoration of the earthquake-hits areas of Armenia after 1988.
Norwegian explorer, politician and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Fridtjof Nansen was a strong supporter of Armenia-related issues. One of the important parts of the public work of Nansen was his activity aimed at helping the Armenian people.
