Levon Atoyan Awarded First Degree Medal for Services to the Homeland on His 90th Birthday

Today marks the 90th birthday of the renowned artist and cinematographer Levon Atoyan. At the initiative of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian has awarded the distinguished artist the First Degree Medal for Services to the Homeland. The award was presented to him this evening by the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Arayik Harutyunyan and Deputy Ara Khzmalyan, along with a monetary prize.

Expressing his gratitude for the award and recognition, Atoyan stated, “In my 90 years of life, I finally see a change; this is the first time I have received attention and an award of this level from the state.” He also joked that from today, he is starting rehearsals for his 100th birthday.

In congratulating the distinguished honoree and highlighting the artist's contributions to the history of Armenian cinema and his intellectual stance, Minister Harutyunyan emphasized that several generations of young specialists have acquired professional skills thanks to his efforts and selfless dedication.

In his congratulatory message, Deputy Minister Khzmalyan expressed his gratitude to Atoyan for being an exemplary citizen and for maintaining a dignified intellectual presence, emphasizing his characteristic artistic freedom, boundless zest for life, and endless sense of humor.