The Armenian National-Cultural Autonomy of St Petersburg is the city’s main Armenian community body, chaired by Karen Mkrtchyan. It runs six dance groups, publishes a bilingual Russian and Armenian newspaper, has operated a publishing house since 1993, supports an association of Armenian doctors and organises Armenian language electives at Gymnasium No. 259, named for Count Loris-Melikov. It works closely with the Armenian church in the city.