Prime minister: Armenia has always been in favor of cultural dialog

Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan attended yesterday the opening ceremony of Golden Apricot 11th International Film Festival held at Yerevan’s Alexander Spendiaryan Opera and Ballet Theatre, according to the press office of the government.
Congratulating the festival participants, H. Abrahamyan said Golden Apricot has become a popular and important cultural event.

“The prestige and popularity of the film festival is growing year by year. Since the festival’s foundation, over 2,000 cinematographers and art experts from more than 120 countries have visited Armenia, turning the festival into a holiday. The Golden Apricot Film Festival’s slogan – The Crossroads of Civilizations and Cultures reflect the geopolitical position of Armenia and the history of the Armenian people with their problems and challenges. It shows that on its centuries-old development path, Armenia has always been in favor of cultural dialog, religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence of nations, giving priority to human problems and fates,” the prime minister said.

In his words, this year’s festival is dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the distinguished film director of Armenian descent Sergei Parajanov. H. Abrahamyan said it is an honorable but also obligatory circumstance, noting that the organizers will spare no efforts to duly present Parajanov’s legacy.

The prime minister said addressing those present, “I am sure that all the conditions are created so that you will not only become familiar with the rich cultural and national traditions of Armenia, but also enjoy the hospitality of the Armenians”.

The festival director, filmmaker Harutyun Khachatryan thanked Hovik Abrahamyan and the Armenian government for their assistance to organize the Golden Apricot Festival.