YEREVAN, JULY 24, NOYAN TAPAN - ARMENIANS TODAY. On July 22 evening, RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobian met the Diasporan Armenian young persons who arrived in Armenia within the framework of the Come Home program. The Minister began her speech with the words "Welcome to your Ministry", then she thanked them for responding to the call of RA Ministry of Diaspora to visit their homeland. The Minister expressed gratitude to the families which receive the Diasporan Armenian young persons, as well as the schools where lessons are held within the framework of the Come Home program. H. Hakobian noted that within the framework of the program these young persons visited places of interest of Armenia and gained friends. They will remember everything they have seen in their homeland and will tell their impressions to their friends and children. "You are infected with Armenian virus on condition of never getting cured," Hranush Hakobian noted expressing the conviction that next year much more Diasporan Armenians will come to their homeland within the framework of the Come Home program. "Being the citizens of another country, remember that Armenia is your homeland. Sarians, Aznavours, Kerkorians should be born among you," the Minister added. She suggested the young persons presenting their impressions that they had gained from the program and the considerations concerning them. To the suggestion of Syrian Armenian Sargis that the program should be prolonged and include working events Mrs. Hakobian answered that Come Home 2009 was the first one and as if it is an experimental one. It is envisaged that next year the program will be held according to age groups. One of the Turkish Armenian young persons noted that Armenian water and air are more tasty. One of the Georgian Armenian girls told that she is a painter and said that every time when returning to Tbilisi she paints new canvases being inspired with the cultural values of the homeland. And a Egyptain Armenian lad thanked the organizers for creating an occasion for getting acquainted with the homeland and its culture. According to the Press and Public Relations Departement of the RA Ministry of Diaspora, in her concluding speech Mrs. Hakobian stressed that by the implementation of the Come Home program "a bridge was created which is impossible to destroy. This bridge is eternal. The Come Home program will always call the Diasporan Armenians." The Minister presented "Wonders of Armenia" encyclopedia to all young participants of the program.

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