YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 18, NOYAN TAPAN - ARMENIANS TODAY. RA Minister of Diaspora Ms. Hranush Hakobian on September 10 received Brazilian Armenian actor Stepan Nercessian who was on his first visit to Armenia. At a press conference on the same day, the minister said that in addition to his cultural activity, S. Nercessian is involved in politics: he is deputy chairman of Rio de Janeiro City Council where he represents the Socialist People's Party of Brazil. S. Nercessian intends to run in federal elections as well. In 2008 S. Nercessian prepared and submitted a draft law on establishing a day of the support and tribute to the Armenian people in remembrance of the Armenian Genocide. "He managed to make the city council pass a bill on Genocide issues. It means that the problem of the recognition of the Genocide is on the agenda of the Armenian community in Brazil," H. Hakobian stated. "It is my rebirth today because I set foot on the soil of the Mother Homeland for the first time. I am happy to be an Armenian. The Armenians are very well received in almost every place of the world as one of their greatest advantages is that they are on good terms with everybody," S. Nercessian said. According to him, he first heard of the Genocide in his childhood from his father - Karabed Nercessian from Diarbeqir. "I was going to kill my classmate of Turkish descent, but my father said revenge is not a duty of an Armenian. His behest to work for the improvement and development of mankind has become a guideline for me," S. Nercessian noted. As regards the problem of the Genocide recognition, he pointed out the necessity to struggle so that the Genocide will be acknowledged and the history wont't be forgotten. "I do not want revenge and punishment. I want justice. By denying it, they deny my consciousness, my history," he said. "Dance Hall" film with Stepan Nercessian in one of the roles was screened at Moscow House in Yerevan on September 11. Nercessian started his acting career at the age of 16 when he played the lead role in a 1970 film Marcelo Zona Sul. Since then he has appeared in 40 films.

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