VivaCell-MTS commits AMD 1.1 Billion to support cultural initiatives

YEREVAN, June 16, /ARKA/. Armenian minister of culture Hasmik Poghosyan and VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian held a joint press conference June 15 to present jointly implemented projects and the future plans.

The ministry of culture continues appearing with bold initiatives, numerous musical, theatrical, youth-oriented projects, and the film festivals and the premieres organized in all spheres of culture are the vivid example of that, a press release by VivaCell said. It added, that however, these initiatives do grow into realized projects only because there are friends truly devoted to the cause. In particular, this should be referred to partners such as VivaCell-MTS and personally the Company’s General Manager Ralph Yirikian, within the last several years. The ministry of culture highly appreciates the support VivaCell-MTS manifests in implementing initiatives that promote the Armenian culture in the world.

The culture remains within the focus of the Corporate Responsibility activities of VivaCell-MTS. AMD 1,086,000,000 is the volume of financial investments made by VivaCell-MTS into cultural initiatives in the frames of its commitment as the Culture’s Friend for 2010; and still, the Company’s commitment goes beyond only the material aspect.

“Our culture defines who we really are, its shapes our identity. It is the most valuable treasure a Nation should preserve and cherish from one generation to the other,” stated VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian.

VivaCell-MTS’ support to the culture aims at keeping cultural dialogue with the world by communicating our values. The culture is also a means to present ourselves, our uniqueness, and to share the vision of our development and the national identity. With supporting cultural initiatives, Armenia’s leading mobile operator hopes to see the cultural traditions spread to the wider public and to facilitate the aesthetic education of the young generation. Every unique and remarkable event adds a new quality and cultural mark to Armenian society.

VivaCell-MTS reaffirms its readiness to support the national cultural initiatives believing it can facilitate the preservation of Armenia’s good name particularly in the spheres of cinematography, music and history.

The cultural initiatives supported by VivaCell-MTS embrace a variety of spheres and genres, starting from those which shed light on the tragic pages of Armenian history; particularly, the donation of 96 documentary volumes to the library of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, also the Armenian staging of “Eugene Onegin” opera, the sponsorship of the screening of film “From Ararat to Zion”, the sponsorship of the concert of Ian Gillan aimed at the reconstruction of the musical school in Gyumri, the annual Golden Apricot International Film Festival, the Return and Open music festivals, the round-the-world voyage of “Armenia” ship, the Armenian Monuments Awareness Project promoting general awareness of Armenian identity. Media projects aimed at increasing the awareness and promotion of Armenian cultural traditions are of special importance to the Company: VivaCell-MTS has supported the “On the Ways of Diaspora” program on H1, special film series on “Mir” International TV illustrating the unique Armenian monuments, “The New Select of Duduk” on Shant TV, promoting Armenian national instrument duduk, to mention just few of those undertakings. In addition, VivaCell-MTS supports Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra, the State Youth Orchestra and the State Academic Choir for a better future of arts.

“Those who remember know very well that what VivaCell-MTS has strived for from the first day of its activities to extend hands to scientists, artists, musicians, those who are believers in Armenia the land of culture. The Corporate Social Responsibility approach that embraces all these initiatives, has now been both generally accepted and, what is more important, been applied by a number of organizations in Armenia. The public response is the highest appreciation of our efforts. We are happy to see that the way we have paved becomes wider day after day,” added VivaCell-MTS General Manager. -0-