It is with great pleasure and honour that I accepted the invitation of the International Armenian Cultural and Educational Association of Cyprus "HAMAZKAIN", to put under my patronage and attend the annual performance of the dance groups "SIPAN" Nicosia, "ANI" Paphos, "KILIKIA" Limassol and "NANOR" Children's, which this year is dedicated to the 95th anniversary of Hamazkain.
The Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth stands in support of every effort and action that contributes to the preservation of the identity of the Religious Groups of Cyprus. In this context, it supports morally and financially actions and synergies that aim to preserve and promote elements of the cultural heritage of Armenians, Maronites and Latins.
Besides, the Republic of Cyprus, having signed the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages and the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities of the Council of Europe, has actively undertaken the contractual obligation to protect the Cypriot Maronite Arabic and Armenian and to strengthen and promote the elements of identity, customs, traditions and culture of the Armenian, Maronite and Latin communities.
In addition, the Ministry supports in every way the operation of the Armenian Narek schools, where the Armenian language, history, religion and culture are taught. It is also worth mentioning that specific units on the Armenians of Cyprus have been included in the history and religion curricula of public schools, in order to record their historical presence and highlight their enormous contribution to the social, economic and cultural development of Cyprus.
In conclusion, I would like to stress once again that the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth stands by every effort in this direction, recognizing that the culture of the Armenians of Cyprus is an integral part of the cultural heritage of our country. In conclusion, I would like to warmly congratulate the organizers of today's event, the International Armenian Cultural and Educational Association of Cyprus "Hamazkain" and the Office of the Armenian Representative in the House of Representatives, Mr. Vartkes Mahtesyan.
I hope that such commendable initiatives will be undertaken in the future and will give the Armenians of Cyprus the opportunity to come into contact, to present their work and art and to pass on to their children in practice all the elements of the collective memory that they carry from generation to generation.
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