During their visit to Diyarbakir and Van, the forty-six members of an Armenian group received a sincere welcome, and that reception had nothing to do with Turkey’s traditional policy. The RA National Assembly deputy Aragats Akhoyan and Artistic Director of Akunk ethnographic ensemble Sargis Alaverdian expressed such an opinion at the October 27 meeting with journalists, adding that these areas are rather sovereign and quite free from the influence of central authorities. Recently the group attended the opening and consecration ceremony of the Saint Kirakos Church in Tigranakert (Diyarbakir). The group members also had meetings in Van before the earthquake. “We witnessed a fact: there were posters with the Armenian words “Welcome home” on all historical monuments and the walls of Diyarbakir city and district municipalities,” the press conference participants said. Moreover, during his meeting with the members of Akunk ensemble, the mayor of Diyarbakir spoke Armenian. The group also met with the mayor of Van a day before the earthquake. The mayor said they attached importance to the participation of Armenians because the members of the Armenian group were hosts rather than guests. Aragats Akhoyan called the meetings in Diyarbakir and Van impressive. “What we said and what we heard there – all this proceeded from the interests of our compatriots and inspired high hope for the future,” the deputy said. According to the press conference participants, even the Azerbaijani journalists were amazed at the fact that the Armenian group received such a warm reception in Van and Diyarbakir. After the earthquake in Van, the group members contacted the Van mayor, offering their help. The mayor expressed his deep gratitude to them.

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