FITCHBURG — Volunteers from Fitchburg Gyumri Arts Connection are organizing an art and craft fair at Fitchburg Parish Church this Saturday and Sunday, to benefit children and families of Armenia after the war on Artsakh.
“For thousands of years, Armenian people have lived in Artsakh, a region east of Armenia,” organizer Sally Cragin said. “After World War I, this part of Armenia was carved up and ‘given’ to Azerbaijan. And last year, there were deadly border skirmishes from fall into winter, killing hundreds of Armenians, and devastating the country.”
The art and craft fair will showcase work from young Armenian artists living in Gyumri, the second-largest city in Armenia, as well as items from area artists.
“Winter is long, and people don’t always have a consistent source of fuel oil,” said co-organizer Elizabeth Nalbandyan, who lost her cousin Grigor Tagvoryan in the fighting. “Now that fighting has resumed, and the Azerbaijani army continues to attack, we want to help people back home.”
The fair is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, with a special Harry Pillsbury Chess Tournament organized by George Mirijanian of Wachusett Chess Club. Registration opens from 1 to 1:30 p.m. A $3 registration is the entry fee and will be donated to the benefit.
“We have many events that will showcase Armenian culture, art and craft,” Nalbandyan said.
Admission is free. Saturday events include:
- Paklava and puff pastry demonstration by Elizabeth Nalbandyan, area pastry chef at 11 a.m.
- Discussion about Armenian Culture at 1 p.m.
- Tangle Art – Armenian Style with artist Kathryn Swantee at 2 p.m.
- Armenian Teatime demonstration with Gayane Tagvoran Seppelin at 3 p.m.
- A paklava demonstration at 4 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday will also feature a free craft table for children: “Make Your Own Holiday Presents,” raffle baskets and more.
Area crafters include: Cindy Blake, Robin Dowling, Spencer Harff, Linda Kiuru Shara Osgood, Susan Parvianen, Kathryn Swantee and Mary Varteresian.
The event is sponsored by Fitchburg Cultural Alliance, First Parish Church, Swan Hope Press and Wachusett Chess Club.