ALIK" DAILY NEWSPAPER: MIRROR OF IRANIAN-ARMENIANS FOR 80 YEARS On August 23, a grand celebration of Tehran’s "Alik" daily newspaper’s 80th anniversary was held at the Komitas Chamber Music Hall within the framework of the Iranian-Armenian Community Days in Armenia program organized by the RA Ministry of Diaspora. According to the official site of the Ministry, RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Armenia Seyed Ali Saghayan, ARF faction members, current and former editors of "Alik" daily newspaper Derenik Melikyan, Seda Davtyan and Norayr Elsayan, President of the Writers’ Union of Armenian Levon Ananyan, intellectuals, Iranian-Armenians and others were attending the solemn ceremony . Before the event, the gathered viewed an exhibition devoted to "Alik" newspaper’s 80th anniversary through photos and signs. The host for the evening read RA President Serzh Sargsyan’s congratulatory message in which it was particularly stated: "I cordially congratulate "Alik" daily newspaper on its 80th anniversary. Coverage of events related to Armenia, the Diaspora, Iran and the Iranian-Armenian community and the age of this newspaper are a reflection of its meaning and virtues. I am certain that the guarantee of the newspaper’s longevity is the cherished idea of national preservation. Its merit in serving mother Armenia, the ancient Iranian-Armenian community and Iran is unquestionable. The newspaper sheds light on and shapes the history of Iranian-Armenians and the Armenia-Diaspora partnership. "Alik" is one of the heralds of Armenia’s policy on preservation of the national identity. Highly appreciating the newspaper’s role and significance in the assurance of the Diaspora’s collectiveness and national preservation, I once again congratulate "Alik" on its 80th anniversary and wish success and longevity." The president’s speech was followed by a welcoming speech by RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan. The latter thanked the Iranian-Armenian community for preserving the Armenian identity and said that the community is of great significance for the development of Armenia-Diaspora partnership with its cultural and educational structures. " "Alik" newspaper has its special place and role in all this. For 80 years, it has been the favorite newspaper for our fellow Armenians. If it weren’t for the love and demand, "Alik" definitely wouldn’t have existed. It not only represents a source of information, but also national preservation, culture, chronology and history," Hranush Hakobyan mentioned. Hranush Hakobyan congratulated all of "Alik" daily newspaper’s journalists, editorial staffs and sponsors, as well as those who created the newspaper. Head of "Alik" daily newspaper Albert Atchemian received a certificate of the RA Ministry of Diaspora, and the newspaper’s editor Derenik Melikian received the "William Saroyan" Medal of the RA Ministry of Diaspora. Derenik Melikian also received the "Hakob Meghapart" Medal by Director of the National Library of Armenia, Tigran Zargaryan. Among speakers were President of the Writers’ Union of Armenia Levon Ananyan, former editors of "Alik" daily newspaper Norayr Elsaian and Seda Davtian, Dean of the YSU Faculty of Journalism Naghash Martirosyan, Dean of the YSU Faculty of History Edik Minasyan and Vice-President of the Union of Journalists of Armenia Grigor Janikyan. The speakers shared their memories and stated that "Alik" daily newspaper has educated generations and has been able to keep national awareness alive for years. Editor of "Alik" daily newspaper Derenik Melikian delivered a closing speech. He expressed gratitude to RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan for holding an event devoted to the newspaper’s 80th anniversary in Yerevan and handed her a letter of gratitude. Derenik Melikian considered the newspaper’s 80th anniversary the realization of their dreams. "For 60 years, "Alik" daily newspaper has been publishing and living with the dreams of reinstating Armenia’s independence. We witnessed that 20 years ago, and the last 20 years can be considered the realization of the functioning of the state and statehood. "Alik" is also binding. It is the only Armenian daily newspaper in the Iranian-Armenian community that presents its readers with not only meaningful articles on the Iranian-Armenian community, but all Armenians as well," Derenik Melikian mentioned. | 
