A solemn ceremony took place at the municipality of Verin Dvin village of Ararat Province, dedicated to the 6766th year of Assyrian calendar. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Armenia Richard Mills also attended the event. At the beginning of the event the congratulatory message of the President of Armenia was read. “I cordially congratulate the Assyrians of Armenia on the occasion of Assyrian New Year - Kha b'Nisan. I wish that this holiday, which symbolizes the revival of nature, bring our brotherly Assyrian nation new success and become a beginning for the implementation of new programs. Let this spring holiday of love and bounty stay with you the entire year, and let wars and hardships stay away. I wish the Assyrian community of Armenia happiness and prosperity”, “Armenpress” reports, the President's message read. In an interview with journalists head of Verin Dvin community Lyudmila Petrova stated that April 1 marks the 6766th year of the Assyrian calendar. “Assyrians mark the New Year on April 1 as that day was selected in Ancient Assyria which symbolizes the revival of spring and nature”, Lyudmila Petrova said, congratulating the Assyrians on the feast that lasts 12 days. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Armenia Richard Mills stated in his speech that it is a great honor for him to be present at the event. “Participating in a New Year ceremony is always a pleasure wherever it takes place. I am particularly happy today to be in Verin Dvin on this occasion, because for a long time I had a desire to come here and see how Assyrians co-exist side by side with their Armenian neighbors. And what I see here is a very good example that should be simulated in other countries. Let me congratulate you on this feast and mention that the Assyrian community in the U.S., Detroit and Chicago, celebrates this feast with you. Next time when I arrive in the USA I will share my memories of this day with them”, the Ambassador stated. President of Assyrian “Artur” union Arsen Mikhailov mentioned in an interview with “Armenpress” that they have the opportunity to celebrate the Assyrian New year in Armenia. “I salute all Assyrians on this occasion, as this day has a very important connotation for us in terms of preservation of ethnic culture. Here I have to mention that the Assyrian community in Armenia has reached a level where it is able to preserve and develop its language and culture”, Mikhailov said. He expressed gratitude to the Armenian people and the Armenian authorities for granting them with broad opportunities. “The Republic of Armenia has granted us with broad opportunities which we must serve for the preservation and development of our educational, cultural and ethnic identity. And we would make a mistake if made no use of those opportunities. For example, in the neighboring countries our communities have not so much opportunities. I wish Assyrians living in Armenia and abroad success and good health. Let they never forget who they are, what are the values they bear, and how they must develop those values”, he added. Mikhailov also touched upon the issue of problems facing Assyrians of Syria and Iraq. He underscored that they follow with grieve what happens to the Assyrian people in Iraq and Syria, adding that they have often voiced about that, that the crimes against the Assyrian people must end. President Congratulates Assyrian Community The President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan sent a congratulatory message to the Assyrian community of Armenia on the occasion of Kha b-Nisan:

"I cordially congratulate the Assyrians of Armenia on the occasion of the Assyrian New Year – Kha b-Nisan. I wish that this festive day, symbolizing the rebirth of nature brings new successes and implementation of new projects for our brotherly Assyrian people.

May this spring festive day of love and fertility accompany the whole year and let wars and challenges stay away. I wish happiness and welfare to the Assyrian Community of Armenia.