“HUSHAMATEAN” BOOK DEDICATED TO 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE SUMMER COURSES IN VENICE
Noyan Tapan News Agency
Oct 5 2005
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The book
“Hushamatean” (Book of Memories) is dedicated to the 20th anniversary
of the Summer Intensive Courses of Armenian Language and Literature
of the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice. The Yerevan presentation of
the book took place on October 4, at the Writers’ Union of Armenia.
The 20th anniversary of the courses was receintly marked in Venice
with a great celebration with the participation of guests arrived
from Italy, France, England, Germany, Australia and Armenia.
The summer courses have been held at the Ca’ Foskari University of
Venice on the initiative of Father Levon Zekiyan, the Director of
the Armenian Language and Literature Department of the University
Ca’ Foskari, since 1986. Not only Armenians but foreigners, either,
who today works at the Armenian Studies Departments of different
Universities, participate in those courses. 774 people participated
in the courses till now.
Levon Ananian, the Chairman of the Writers’ Union of Armenia
mentioned that those courses are of important meaning for Armenian
traditions. “Today the education field of Diaspora is before danger.
Closing of Moorat-Rafael College of Venice and Melkonian College of
Cyprus already speaks on the fact that the national school in Diaspora
retreats. We should make every effort to keep Armenian schools of
Diaspora otherwise in some years there will be almost no Armenian
schools in Diaspora,” the Chairman of the Writers’ Union mentioned.
L.Ananian emphasized that they should show honour to father Levon
Zekiyan for the work carried out and the activity beneficial for the
nation as the summer school doesn’t only give knowledge of Armenian
language but has a mission of securing Armenian culture and national
originality as well.
“We are proud that 4-5mln Armenians live in different countries of the
world but we shouldn’t forget that only 10% of them speaks Armenian,”
Vladimir Barkhudarian, the RA NAS Academician mentioned.
According to him, courses dedicated to problems of keeping Armenian
traditions should be held not only in Venice but in Armenia as well
for children living in communities of Diaspora like the Fatherland
coming to Armenia, remain Armenians and know the native tongue.