The Belgian Armenian community reports that recently there have been positive changes in the cultural life of Belgian and Dutch Armenian communities. Due to the united efforts of Belgian Armenians a strong Armenian community is created in Antwerp, the proof of which is the festival named “I am Armenian, yes, I am”. The festival is organized due to the efforts of “Arda” NGO headed by Sergey Vardanayan. The festival commenced by a scientific conference on “Armenian identity, where guests from Armenia represented speeches on the peculiarities of Armenian identity. Among the guests were the primate of Armenian apostolic church in Belgium, the president of writers’ union of Armenia and representatives of local Armenian organizations.
The member of Armenian cultural center in Belgium Nikolay Bavtyan said that in coming year the cultural center will have a newly-constructed building. The ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Armenia to Belgium Avet Adonc also gave a speech congratulating everybody on 21st anniversary of Armenian independence. The second part of the festival was full of entertainment and musical performances. Works of art, graphics, and statues were also represented. The documentary movie by Arsen Hakobyan titled “From Ararat to Europe” was also screened. Armenian national songs and dances accompanied the whole process of the festival. The celebrations were a nice present to Belgian Armenian community on the 21st anniversary of Armenian independence.
