YEREVAN. – The Japanese Embassy in Armenia on Tuesday approved the funding program for the renovation of a building where the “Khikari” Armenian-Japanese Cultural Center will function. The $120,000 grant program is called “Khikari Center Improvement Project.”

Center Director Karine Piliposyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am that the renovation will begin on April 1.

“The preparation for the project took three years, but I am confident that nice and good dreams always come true if you continue to wait and believe,” she noted.  

Piliposyan also extended her thanks to all supporters, which include the Armenian MFA, Ministry of Culture, Government-Affiliated Charitable Project Coordination Commission and, of course, Japan.   

The aforesaid building will be allocated for fifteen years and free of charge. The Center also will have a small Japanese style garden. Moreover, they already have promised to bring Japanese sakura (cherry blossom) flower seedlings to Armenian capital city Yerevan. 

The renovation is scheduled to be completed by the year’s end.