PRESS RELEASE
Hayastan All-Armenian Fund
Governmental Building 3, Yerevan, RA
Contact: Lusine Mnatsakanyan
Tel: 3741 56 0106
Fax: 3741 52 15 05
E-mail: pr@himnadram.org
Web: www.himnadram. org

25 September, 2007

Reconstruction Completed at Parakar Art School

Yerevan, September 25 – The red ribbon across the school main door and the
spirit of festivity was a witness to a big occasion in Parakar village on
Saturday September 22. With funds from the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund French
Affiliate, the Parakar Art School named after Hovik Edgaryan was
reconstructed.

The project (around US 140 thousand dollars) was carried out in the memory
of Stepan and Kayane Tiryakians. The one-storey building of the school,
severely damaged in the 1988 earthquake, was now standing new and welcoming
– with its roof, floor, doors and windows reconstructed and replaced and
interior refurbished. The school has around 200 students from Parakar and
nearby villages of Tairov, Merdzavan, Ajgek, Baghramyan, Norakert, Ptghunk,
Arevashat, Musaler who will start the academic year in improved conditions.

Under the brass band music, official guests – Hayastan All-Armenian Fund
Executive Director Vahe Aghabegians, Deputy Directors Ara Vardanyan and
Ararat Khlghatyan, Armavir Diocese Leader Sion Archbishop Adamyan, Governor
of the Province Region Ashot Ghahramanyan, Head of the Community Samvel
Vardanyan were ushered into what was now a bright and welcoming concert
hall, where the guests made their speeches. "This is a great event for all
of us. We should make sure that things are improved for this generation in
the hope that the coming generation will do the same for the generation to
come", Vahe Aghabegians pointed out in his congratulatory speech. The
occasion was celebrated by music and dancing performed by the school
students. "I am delighted that we our classes will be held in a well-lit
room and we will be able to work with no interference", Mnatsakan, a 3rd
form art class student added.

Head of the school Almast Svajian, officiating at the opening ceremony
looked thrilled and proud. "Due to the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund efforts,
eventually our students will enjoy classes in pleasant and comfortable
rooms. As for now being able to perform in a well-lit spacious concert-hall,
it feels very much like having a long-awaited dream come true. Painting,
ceramics, brass band and other art classes will have their special
classrooms; classes, such as carpet-making and tapestry are on the way. No
doubt, new conditions of the school will inspire our teachers and students
to do better".

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Hayastan All-Armenian Fund
Public Relations Department