Indeed, we are celebrating resurrection. Proud of our heritage, we look forward to the future, with hope and determination. Today with great excitement and enthusiasm, we ??? taking part in the International Art Biennale of Venice, to interact with other nations, and to lay another brick on the building of world civilization.

Our people have suffered tragic events and traumas of such scale that would, and historically have, put an end to many nations far stronger and larger than Armenia. We have survived, and shall continue to do so. Our people have been uprooted b? force and scattered around the world. ?s they set foot on any land, they create their unique nuclei, and contribute to their host communities superbiy. The result has been ? unique cultural attribute, distinguishable in spirit and identity, yet in peaceful harmony with others.

Symbolizing the rich and colorful spectrum of Armenian contemporary art , this ????, participating artists of the Armenian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale have been selected from around the world-the Republic of Armenia ?s well ?s the Armenian Diaspora. Artists from Armenia ??? Arman Grigorian, Azat Sarkissian and Stepan Veranian, and those from the Diaspora ??? Atom Egoyan from Canada, and Sonia Balassanian from the USA.

While contemporary means of communication-electronic and otherwise-for ?ll practical purposes have obliterated and transgressed geographic and cultural boundaries, the ensuing interaction has only invigorated the quest for identity, and has emphasized the need for ? sense of belonging.

Works presented b? Armenian artists at the Armenian Pavilion, speak of such ? pursuit and propensity. While those from Armenia deal with philosophical issues of self-expression and interaction with society, artists from the Diaspora deal primarily with the frustration of being detached from their roots, and the search for answers to the question of 1ost and/or displaced identity.

Two ????s ago, during the XLVI Venice Biennale, the first ever participation of Armenia at this most prestigious international exhibition took place at the Center for Study and Documentation of Armenian Culture in Venice. This ????, it is the Mekhitarian Congregation of the San Lazzaro Armenian Island which hosts the Pavilion.

Both of these institutions can be rightfully called cradles of Armenian culture. The former was founded in the sixties, more than three decades ago, while the latter has been in existence for more than three centuries. They ??? true examples of perpetuity, and pursuit ?f ????lence and integrity.

We salute them.