BUCHAREST, JULY 11, ARMENPRESS. Last week, in Transylvania’s city of Gherla (historical Armenopolis) the traditional holiday of St. Gregory the Illuminator was celebrated, which was broadcast live on the Romanian TV, and at the University of Cluj city, the Institute of Armenian Studies was opened. These events, however, seem to have passed unnoticed in Armenia. Thus, to fill this gap, "Armenpress" correspondent talked with the Armenian Ambassador to Romania Hamlet Gasparyan.

- Mr. Ambassador, last week Transylvania seemed to be wearing Armenian colors; Armenian spirit was felt everywhere. Please, tell few words about it.

- Indeed, at this time every year Armenian events are held in Gherla, historical Armenopolis, which coincide with the holiday of St. Gregory the Illuminator. The Armenians of Gherla traditionally celebrate this holiday very solemnly, with the participation of the Armenians of Romania and the neighboring countries, in particular Hungary, some of which are originally from those parts. You know, Gherla was founded by the Armenians, who migrated from Moldova at the end of the 17th century, and was called Armenopolis. And last year Gherla Mayor Marius Sabo came up with the initiative to declare the Armenian traditional religious holiday as the day of the city, aiming at promoting tourism and international cooperation through the rich Armenian historical-cultural heritage.

- Which were the main events, and in what way were the Armenians involved in them?

- As I said, the main event was the holiday of St. Gregory the Illuminator, on the occasion of which in the Holy Trinity Armenian Catholic Cathedral of Gherla a festive liturgy is served, by the Armenian rite, which is followed by a great feast with local Armenian traditional dishes – “hurut” and “akanjapur”, which are very popular among the local population. By the way, the Armenians of Transylvania consider themselves to be the descendants of the ancient people of Ani, and those dishes – to be brought from medieval Ani. Even the feast is held in a special place – in seven basement halls connected to each other, which gives a symbolic character to it.

- And what connection do the Embassy of Armenia and Armenia in general have with these events?

- Direct. First let me say that for the preservation of the Armenian historical-cultural heritage and encouragement of the local community’s self-preservation efforts, in 2012 on our initiative Gherla and Ijevan signed a friendship agreement. By the way, agreement was signed not only with Gherla, but also with six other cities with “Armenian biography", and agreements are planned with another five. 

And at the beginning of this year, the Institute of Armenian Studies was founded at the Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, by the decision of the Senate. The initiator and director of the Institute of Armenian Studies is Prof. Dr. Lucian Nastasă-Kovács, who has gathered together several young researchers. (THE FULL VERSION OF THE INTERVIEW IS AVAILABLE IN ARMENIAN)