Delegation of Women's International Club Jakarta visits Armenia on study tour

A 26-member delegation of the Women’s International Club (WIC) in Jakarta has arrived in Armenia on a study visit at the initiative of Armenia’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Serob Bejanyan, and his wife, Anna Hasmikyan.

The delegation includes prominent women from state, public, and business circles, among them ambassadors' wives. The wife of the Brazilian ambassador to Indonesia, the wife of the Indonesian representative to the UN, and the wife of the former Peru's ambassador to Indonesia are part of the group.

Speaking about the initiative, Anna Hasmikyan said the interest in Armenia was aroused last year when the Armenian Embassy in Jakarta organized an event on Sept.21.

“Following the event, they expressed a great desire to visit Armenia. They studied the country in advance and even listed the places they wanted to see. Despite the distance, they insisted on visiting Tatev,” she noted.

The delegation is in Armenia from September 11–18. During their visit they have already visited Tatev Monastery, Garni Temple, Geghard Monastery, Noravank, the Armenian Alphabet Monument, Echmiadzin, Zvartnots Cathedral, as well as the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, where they laid flowers in memory of the victims. Their program also includes an introduction to Armenia’s history, culture, and cuisine.

The guests shared their impressions, praising Armenia’s heritage, nature and hospitality.

“Armenia is a very beautiful country. We are happy to have seen many historical and cultural sites. The people are very kind and friendly, and the food is wonderful. Today we also visited a brandy factory, it was amazing. We did not know Armenia is so famous for brandy,” said Nazneen Khubchandani, President of WIC Jakarta.

Vice President of the Club, Mary Anne Widjaja, said Armenia had touched her soul.

“It is not a famous destination like the big cities of the world, but Armenia is very unique. We visited Gyumri, Echmiadzin, Tatev Monastery. Everything is so historical, I would say it touched my soul. The history of the Armenian Genocide is truly very touching. The Armenian people are strong and very special. God’s hand is in this country,” she noted, expressing hope to bring more people from Indonesia to Armenia.

Miriam Prata, wife of the Brazilian ambassador to Indonesia, also expressed gratitude to the Armenian side: “Your country is very beautiful, and you should be very proud of it. Thank you for welcoming us.”

Hasmikyan expressed hope that the study visit will encourage greater recognition of Armenia in Indonesia:

“I am confident that these 26 women will return and introduce Armenia to a large audience in Jakarta. The main goal of this initiative is to make Armenia better known in distant Indonesia.”