YEREVAN, JULY 18 NOYAN TAPAN. On 23 July, the RA National Academy of Sciences Institute of Oriental Studies and the Yerkir Union of NGOs for Repatriation and Settlement are organizing the international conference Hamshen and Hamshen Armenians: History and Culture in Yerevan. According to the report of conference organizers, curently there are many ethnic Armenians living in Turkey, who, assimilated and converted to Islam, still preserve some elements of their original ethnic culture in spoken language, customs and culture. "Hamshens or Hamshen Armenians are one of such ethnic group. Interest towards this particular group has considerably grown in recent years. There have been many scientific studies, publications and reports about the Hamshen Armenians," the report read. According to the organizers, the aim of the conference is to facilitate further studies of Hamshen and Hamshen Armenian reality and strengthening of ties with Hamshen Armenians. It should be mentioned that the conference will take place within the framework of the Hamshen Week to be held on July 21-27 in Yerevan, during which it is also envisaged to organize other events, concerts of the Vova Hamshen ensemble, photoexhibition dedicated to Armenian architecture of Hamshen, etc.

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