Maragos: Armenia is key part of European culture

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Catapult program aimed at developing Armenia’s cultural and creative sectors concluded with a ceremonial event that also marked the presentation of a special edition of Yerevan Magazine.

In his speech, EU Ambassador Vassilis Maragos emphasized that the initiative is intended to strengthen key areas of Armenian society and economy by promoting creativity and innovation.

“Armenia is a vital part of European culture and is globally recognized primarily for its cultural richness, as well as for its talented and creative people. We are here to support this process,” said Ambassador Maragos.

He noted that while the Catapult program is ending, cooperation aimed at strengthening cultural ties will continue and grow even stronger.

Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan noted that the program has brought significant changes to cultural perceptions.

“We are entering a new phase in the creative industries that should result in publicly visible changes in the cultural field. Clearly, there is a pressing need to reshape public attitudes toward culture, and our joint efforts are aimed at boosting cultural self-sufficiency,” she said.

The minister also highlighted that the cultural sector can become one of the most important driving forces for both society and the economy.

According to the Ministry, the Catapult program was launched in 2022 through the joint efforts of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports and the EU Delegation to Armenia. Its main objective was to build a sustainable ecosystem for the cultural and creative industries in Armenia, while also strengthening the professional skills and collaboration opportunities of independent artists.

The promotion of the creative economy aligns with the strategic directions of Armenia’s cultural policy and priorities outlined in the government’s 2021–2026 action plan. The program was implemented with EU financial support, in cooperation with the Armenian office of the AGBU. Partner institutions also included the Ministries of Economy and High-Tech Industry.