And will meet with friends and colleagues on such Armenian holidays
John A. Heffern, theUSAmbassador to theRepublicofArmenia, has been inArmeniafor 3 months already. He conveyed his best wishes to Armenians on behalf of the embassy and the American people on the occasion of the New Year and Christmas and answered questions of “Aravot” with pleasure.
– How do you celebrate and in particular how will you celebrate the New Year this year?
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– My family and I usually celebrate the New Year at home with friends and family members. In theUnited Stateswe often watched New Year’s Eve Celebration inTimes Square,New York. We will visit our friends and colleagues on holidays this year. I know that inArmeniaeveryone’s doors are open to friends and relatives from January 1 to 10. We will follow this custom.
– What gifts do you usually give to each other in your family?
– We follow the custom of Kris Kringle or “Secret Santa” in our family and each of our children draws the name of one of the others out of the hat, for whom he buys a gift. As we have 5 children, it wouldn’t be easy for everyone to buy 5 gifts each. So everyone gets a gift and no one is supposed to buy 5 gifts. Fortunately, my wife Libby deals with buying holiday gifts. We have been to Vernissage already and participated in the Christmas Fair. There is another custom in our family – we buy Christmas-tree decorations in all those countries we live in.
– What was the most desirable gift from Santa Claus in your childhood?
– It was not that common in our family to give Christmas gifts in my childhood, but I remember my first baseball mitt. I love baseball and that mitt is the best gift for a baseball fan.
– What would you wish to the Armenian people in 2012 and what impression hasArmeniaand the Armenian people made on you?
– I wish my very best to the Armenian people on the occasion of these beautiful holidays. My wife Libby and I moved to Armenia3 months ago. We highly appreciate the hospitality of the Armenian people and are fascinated by the natural beauty and rich history of Armenia. We are glad to celebrate the New Year in Armeniawith our family and our Armenian friends. Armeniaand the United Stateswill celebrate the 20th anniversary of official and strong cooperation in 2012. Our common goal is peace, prosperity, democracy and security inArmenia and in the region.
Interviewed GOHAR HAKOBYAN
