Two Kurdish newspapers are published in Armenia - Kurdish-language Rya Taza and Armenian-language Zahros. The Public Radio of Armenia gives daily broadcasts in Kurdish language, which contributes to the revival of Kurds` national consciousness, Head of the Kurdish community of Armenia Knyaz Gasanov told journalists January 27.  

According to him, when first given, Kurdish-language radio broadcasts caused a sensation not only in Armenia, but also among Kurds in Turkey, who were deprived of the right to speak their native language. Gasanov said that the Armenian Writers` Union has a section of Kurdish writers. "Our writers can crearte and publish their works," he said.
The Kurdish alphabet based on Latin letters has for the firs time been published in Armenia. Textbooks for the 4th- 5th -and 6th -formers will soon be published.

Armenian Kurds are also carrying public activities. "A number of Kurdish organizations are operating in Armenia - Kurdistan Committee, Council of Kurdish Intellectuals, National Kurdish Council of Armenia, which is coordinating their activities," Gasanov said.

Kurds started settling down in Armenia in the 18th-19th centuries. Early in the 20th century, many Kurds moved to Armenia after the Armenian Genocide was committed in Turkey. Immediately after Soviet power was established in Armenia in 1920, the Government opened schools and palaces of culture fro Kurds. Kurdish textbooks were published, and teaching was in Kurdish. This is still a practice in Armenia, Gasanov said.