Mr

Mr. Robert PALMER's visit to "Naregatsi Art Institute"

The head of the

DIRECTORATE GENERAL IV from the Council of Europe for

EDUCATION, CULTURE AND HERITAGE, YOUTH AND SPORT,

Mr. Robert PALMER's visit to "Naregatsi Art Institute" on 07.08.06

Robert Palmer, the Director of Culture and Cultural and Natural Heritage, was on a 5 day business related trip in Armenia from August 5 to 10. The visit was around the council's "Kiev Initiative" project, which involved Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova.

The reason behind this project is to study the cultural fields of these countries and form a basis for cultural co-operation.

Not only was Mr. Palmer interested in the governmental cultural structures, but had also shown his intentions in visiting private cultural organizations.

"Naregatsi Art Institute" was one of the few private institutions which were presented to Mr. Palmer by the ministry of culture of the Armenian Republic.

On the 7th of August 2006, the vice president of the Ministry Mrs. Garine Khodikian and her staff escorted Mr. Palmer to Naregatsi's center in Yerevan. There, they were introduced to the center's mission and working process, with an emphasis on the National Musical Instrument's project. Thus "Tar"-ist Hovig Sahakian's students performed in a concert for "Tar" instruments, after which they introduced Mr. Palmer to the national instrument which is in fact not very well known in our community, but NAI center has made a commitment to work for the rebirth and distribution or introduction of all the Armenian national musical instruments.

Mr. Palmer also met with handicapped young artist Davit Gabrielian and made a tour at the Center's hall where the deaf and numb Artist's works were showcased.

Robert Palmer was very appreciative with NAI's mission and workflow.