On January 25, the U.S. Embassy hosted a blues concert in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Day. The U.S. Embassy’s guests for this concert were alumni of the U.S. government’s International Visitor Leadership Program, and the featured performer was the Suren Arustamyan Blues Band. U.S. Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch welcomed the guests and spoke briefly about the legacy of Dr. King before introducing the band. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a visionary leader of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States and recipient of the 1964 Nobel Prize for Peace. Dr. King, through his leadership and accomplishments, illustrated the essential role that private citizens play as social critics and agents of change in functioning democracies. The third Monday in January is an annual holiday in the United States that marks Dr. King’s profound contributions to American society. President Obama proclaimed, “Dr. King devoted his life to serving others, reminding us that ‘human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle -- the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.’ Commemorating Dr. King's life is not only a tribute to his contributions to our Nation and the world, but also a reminder that every day, each of us can play a part in continuing this critical work.” The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is the flagship professional exchange program of the Department of State. Through the program’s combination of meetings, site visits, consultations, home hospitality, and focused cultural events, the IVLP seeks to provide each participant with a deeper understanding of the political, social, geographic, economic and cultural diversity of the United States; a thorough exposure to a range of responsible viewpoints, both U.S. Government and unofficial; and the opportunity to develop fruitful and lasting contacts with U.S. counterparts. Since 1993, the U.S. Embassy has sent over 500 Armenian leaders to the U.S. through the International Visitor Leadership Program.

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