Latin America’s Armenian community under threat of assimilation

PanARMENIAN.Net - In 2009, Armenian government approved a program on assistance to Latin America’s Armenian community in cultural and educational issues.

“In 2010, a number of events were implemented in the framework of the program; AMD 20 million will be allocated from state budget,” RA Deputy Diaspora Minister Stepan Petrosyan stated.

As he told a news conference in Yerevan, Latin America’s Armenian community is under the threat of assimilation. With extensive number of mixed marriages, 70% of Armenians are not involved in the life of local community.

“To increase Latin America’s Armenian community’s awareness of national culture, a group of Armenian artists toured San-Paulo, Uruguay and Brazil on May10-21. Also, a group of cultural workers will be delegated to Latin America till yearend.

Armenian Diaspora Ministry intends to support Armenian Studies Center in San Paulo, allocating funds for creation of Armenian-Portuguese dictionary, as well as Armenian-language program for Armenian grammar tuition,” Petrosyan said.