ESCS Minister Zhanna Andreyasyan attended the opening of the two-day conference on Armenian Arts and Culture, organized in collaboration with the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Armenia and the International Coordinating Council for Armenian Culture and Arts.

RA High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan, Director of Mesrop Mashtots “Matenadaran” Scientific Research Institute of Ancient Manuscripts Ara Khzmalyan, and cultural figures from Armenia and the Diaspora attended the event.

In her welcoming remarks, ESCS Minister Zhanna Andreasyan, noted that the forum is an important step towards the advancement of Armenian arts and culture. “Armenian culture and arts are an integral part of the world legacy and transcend any domain. Art and culture are still being created today: we still have great artists and creators of whom we can, rightly, be proud. The state's mission and commitment is to bring talented people together on a single platform to collectively address important issues, supporting priority programs and the best ideas.”

In reference to cultural policy, Minister Zhanna Andreasyan pointed out the state support, highlighting the activities to ensure the provision of property, material and technical resources, and essential tools to various cultural institutions. “Creative people should have the necessary conditions, a supportive environment, so that they have time to reflect on culture and arts. It is the state's commitment to ensure the conditions and environment for culture and arts to be self-sufficient. The institutional reforms and new funding models implemented in the sector aim to ensure its independence. I am confident that our compatriots in the Diaspora can provide huge support by sharing their experience and ideas.” Zhanna Andreasyan said, wishing the forum successful and productive discussions.

High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan also delivered a welcoming address, emphasizing that the Armenian people have always been perceived as bearers of culture and arts in various countries thanks to renowned Armenian artists: “Culture unites the Armenian people, regardless of geography. One of the objectives of the Arts and Culture Forum is to strengthen this unity, creating new bridges for cooperation between Armenia and the diaspora, to support the mutual recognition of Armenian artists, to promote the realization of joint projects, and to shape a contemporary and comprehensive cultural policy agenda for our present-day reality by engaging Armenian professionals from the diaspora.”

The two-day conference featured multidisciplinary discussions in a variety of formats: panel sessions, thematic workshops, lectures, exhibitions and a series of cultural events. ESCS Deputy Minister Daniel Danielyan also participated as a speaker in the panel discussion on “Perspectives for Cultural Education in the Environment of Global Exchanges”. The discussion addressed new formats for Armenia-Diaspora cooperation in the field of cultural education, and efficient mechanisms for experience exchange, training opportunities for lecturers and teachers, as well as innovative models applied in the educational process.

The conference brought together around 250 Armenian artists, experts and creative individuals from various countries around the world under one roof. It aims to foster the continuous development of cultural cooperation between Armenia and the Diaspora, expand mutual recognition of Armenian artists, establish and implement a cultural policy involving Diaspora specialists, and, most importantly, present Armenian culture and art on international platforms.