YEREVAN (Novosti-Armenia), March 9—President Serge Sarkisian received the world famous Serbian film director Emir Kusturica on March 6, according to the press service of Armenia.

The cult director and musician was in Armenia for the first time. On March 5 he held a concert in Yerevan together with his band “The No Smoking Orchestra.”

“We are very pleased to host you on Armenian soil,” President Sarkisian said. “Your visit is a momentous event for our country. Due to historical destiny, our nations have much in common, and your art and music are close to our people.”

Kusturica, in his turn, shared with the head of the state his impressions of visit to Armenia.

“Armenia is a very beautiful country. Our people have much in common in terms of the tragic historical past,” Kusturica said. “I’m glad to visit Armenia, because it allows me to express my feelings about all this and strengthen the friendship between our peoples.”

Kusturica told the president about his creative plans. He also noted that he will put in maximum efforts to assist in Yerevan’s annual “Golden Apricot’ film festival.

Translated from Russian by Yerevan Report