Reuters AlertNet, UK
Jan 12 2007
Armenian children continue Christmas celebrations
12 Jan 2007 07:12:54 GMT
Source: World Vision Middle East/Eastern Europe office (MEERO)
Theater performances by children marked a beginning of a series of
Christmas celebrations to cover 20 communities of Tavush region,
Armenia. The participants aged 10-16 were from local theatrical
groups that belong to Armenian Evangelical Church, who partnered with
the WV Tavush Area Development Program (ADP) to give the children in
remote and rural areas a nice opportunity to enjoy Christmas time.
The performances are educational to teach children how to love and
support each other. One of them tells about a clown who treats his
friend unfairly but has to repent afterwards.
‘I liked the play very much. It teaches us to be kind, to love and
not to be naughty,’ said 10-year-old Ani Mirzoyan from Azatamut
village, Tavush region.
‘Theatrical shows are not common for rural areas and children miss
them much throughout the year,’ said Karen Tsovyan, Christian
Commitments Committee member from Tavush ADP.
The performances were imbued with Christmas spirit, music, humor, and
prayers. The young audience was nicely surprised at the end with the
appearance of Dzmer Pap (Santa Clause) who brought presents for
children.
‘Christmas is my favorite holiday when your dreams come true. I wish
all the children could be healthy, successful and live in peace,’
said Hasmik Yaylayan, 11, who came with her mother to watch the
performance.
‘The performances were designed so that they could be understandable
for children of different age groups. They aimed to inculcate love,
respect, and goodness in children as well as make them understand the
message of Christ ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ said
Karen Tsovyan.
The performances had a great success as the auditoriums in each
community were full of people. Happy smiles and laughter of children
were strong evidence of that.
The theater performances are not over yet and will continue to amuse
children until the 13th of January which is also celebrated in
Armenia as New Year’s Eve according to Julian calendar and sum up the
Christmas season.
Christmas celebrations took place in all ADP offices of Armenia
bringing joy and hope to many children from poor families. Along with
many other Christmas Gifts, over 4000 children received Youth Bible
Curriculum textbooks developed and printed by WV Armenia Christian
Commitments department.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
