ARMENIA TO HOST 6TH YOUTH DELPHIAN GAMES OF CIS COUNTRIES
NOYAN TAPAN
MAY 6, 2010
YEREVAN
On June 26 – July 2, Armenia will host the 6th Youth Delphian Games
of CIS countries, an event dedicated to the 65th anniversary of
the victory in World War II. Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Armen
Gevorgian has been selected Chairman of the Organizing Committee of
the Delphian Games.
According to the RA Ministry of Culture, the Delphian Games date
back to 582 B.C. and were held in honor of Apollo who killed the
dragon snake Python. The ancient Delphian Games were held mostly
near the Temple of Apollo of Delphi and for that reason they were
called Delphian Games. In 1927 Greece revived the tradition of holding
Delphian Games, and from 1927 to the start of World War II the Delphian
Games took place every three years – as in ancient times. The new era
of Dephian Games began in 2000 when the first World Delphian Games were
organized with the participation of 27 countries, including Belarus,
Vietnam and Greece.
Since 2002 the Delphian Games have been held in the CIS territory –
based on the decision on main events in the sphere of culture in CIS
members states until 2005, which was signed in Moscow on 29 November
2001 by the Council of Heads of Governments of CIS States. Based on
that decision, the Executive Committee of the CIS set up a working
group for organization and assistance to Delphian Games in CIS
countries. Representatives of Armenia have always been involved in
the activities of the working group.
Note that during the 5th Youth Delphian Games held in Belarus in
2008, 2 out of 13 participants of the Armenian delegation won gold
medals, 4 won bronze medals, and 7 participants received diplomas,
while Armenia’s team took third place.