Promoting development of the cultures of national minorities
According to statistics of 2011 census national minorities represent 2.2 % of Armenia’s population. Regardless of their small number, Armenia's national minorities (Yezidis, Kurdish, Russians Ukrainians, Greek, Assyrians, Jews, Byelorussians, Ukrainians, Georgians and others) have peculiar culture profile and their culture is a part of Armenia's cultural diversity. National minority languages are under state protection in the Republic of Armenia and have special recognition. The linguistic right of national minorities is enshrined by Article 41 of the Constitution. Article 1 of the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On language” ensures free use of languages of national minorities and dissemination of one's own culture in the national language. Article 2 of the Law of the Republic of Armenia "On Language” and Article 4 of the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On general education” prescribed that instruction and upbringing in the framework of general education in communities of national minorities of the Republic of Armenia may be organised in the mother tongue of national minorities – under a state programme and with state support – with mandatory instruction of Armenian language. Elementary education in mother tongues is accessible to communities of national minorities registered in the Republic of Armenia; it is an indispensable part of the curriculum, and instruction is organised even if the number of pupils is insufficient.
According to statistics of 2011 census national minorities represent 2.2 % of Armenia’s population. Regardless of their small number, Armenia's national minorities (Yezidis, Kurdish, Russians Ukrainians, Greek, Assyrians, Jews, Byelorussians, Ukrainians, Georgians and others) have peculiar culture profile and their culture is a part of Armenia's cultural diversity. National minority languages are under state protection in the Republic of Armenia and have special recognition. The linguistic right of national minorities is enshrined by Article 41 of the Constitution. Article 1 of the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On language” ensures free use of languages of national minorities and dissemination of one's own culture in the national language. Numerous culture centres of national minorities opened in Armenia in the recent years. For instance – Arbela Armenian-Russian-Assyrian science and culture centre opened in the secondary school of Verin Dvin village in Ararat marz of the Republic of Armenia. The centre’s operation is aimed at formation of national identity starting from school age, and ensuring bases of knowledge of mother tongue, literature, history and culture. Also, Arbela dance group functions in Verin Dvin village. Criteria of state support provided to press of national minorities have been facilities by legal acts (in comparison to local press). A total of 13 news papers and two magazines of national minorities receive state support in the Republic of Armenia. Ten items of literature in national minority languages, as well as a literary almanac comprising literary heritage of various nations were published with state support in 2007-2011. There are radio broadcasts and radio programmes in national minority languages (in particular in the Public Radio of Armenia and the Armenian Public TV. Special attention is paid to expansion of a network of kindergartens in areas populated with national minorities in 2008-2015 strategic programme of pre-school education reforms of the Republic of Armenia approved by a decision of the Government.