Hamazkayin Cultural Forum
10 Rue Hussein Beyhoum
Beirut, Lebanon
Tel: +961 (1) 37-24-55
Email: [email protected]
Web:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2006 Hamazkayin Student Cultural Forum completes in Armenia.
On July 30, 2006 the Hamazkayin Educational and Cultural Society
successfully completed its 12th annual Forum with the departure of the
participants back to their countries.
The Hamazkayin Cultural Forum is an annual event that started in 1995 with
the aim to unite young Armenians from around the world to learn more about
Armenian art, history, culture, society, and modern life in the homeland. It
is a unique opportunity for people to visit Armenia for the first time?or as
a returning visitor?and meet with fellow Armenians from around the globe who
are interested in learning more about their people?s past as well as where
they are headed.
The 2006 Forum had over 50 participates from Canada, Cyprus France, Lebanon,
Syria, UK and the United States. Although the arrival of the participates
from Lebanon was hampered by the bombing of the Beirut airport, 3 of the 6
registered students managed to find their way to Yerevan and took part in
the event. During the event, former Forum participants who happened to be in
Armenia also took part in the various events hence creating a sense of
continuity between current and former Forum participants.
The Forum kick-started with an opening dinner at a traditional Armenian
restaurant, where the participants ate and danced to Armenian folk music,
creating their first connection with Armenia. Before that during the day the
Forum participants had an opportunity to take a tour of Yerevan to get to
know its major landmarks and get orientated in the city.
During the next two weeks the program included a balanced mix of lectures
and excursions both within and outside of Yerevan. The Forum participants
had an opportunity to visit institutions of higher education such as Yerevan
State University and the American University of Armenia where they were
greeted by top ranking administrators to explain to them about their
respective universities. The excursion portion of the agenda included trips
to Garni, Geghard, Sevan, Ejmiadsin, as well as visits to Genocide museum
and memorial in Dzidzernakaberd and to Sartarapat. Other than sightseeing,
the Forum also aimed at introducing the participants to various aspects of
Armenian life by taking them to visits to an Armenian summer camp for
orphans/needy children in Dzaghkatsor, a visit to a school in the village of
Aramous and a visit to an army barracks.
The museums, galleries and concerts livened up the cultural life of the
Forum by allowing participants to enjoy museums by day and concerts and
other cultural activities by night. During the evenings most participants
spent their time dancing or with evening walks around Yerevan with
occasional relaxation in many of the city?s cafes.
The Forum?s educational component included a variety of lectures on issues
such as pilgrimage to Western Armenia, an introduction to the origins of
Armenian letters?both presented by Dr. Herand Markarian; a lecture on the
Armenian Genocide and the latest ?awakening? of Turkish intellectuals
delivered by Prof. Richard Hovanissian; a round-table discussion on the
issue of Armenian upbringing and identity and many more issues. One of the
highlights of the Forum was the screening of the movie ?The Genocide in Me?
with the presence of the director Araz Artinian who talked about her movie
and participated in a lively discussion with the participants about the
meaning of genocide and its impact on one?s life.
The closing ceremony of the 2006 Forum included a talent show presentation
where the participants?who had been training for 2 weeks in Armenian dance
and theater?presented a very diverse entertaining program to sum up their
experience in Armenia during the Forum.
At the conclusion of the scheduled program of the Forum, many participants
went on a tour to Artsakh while others remained in Yerevan to spend the rest
of their summer vacation.
To learn more about the Forum and how to apply for next year, visit
You can also send an email to
[email protected] with specific questions.
Hamazkayin is a worldwide organization with chapters in many countries that
aims to preserve and promote Armenian art, history, and literature. Its goal
is to educate people about the humanities relating to the Armenian people
and perpetuate Armenian culture.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
