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2006 Hamazkayin Summer Forum Concluded

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  • 2006 Hamazkayin Summer Forum Concluded

    Hamazkayin Cultural Forum
    10 Rue Hussein Beyhoum
    Beirut, Lebanon
    Tel: +961 (1) 37-24-55
    Email: [email protected]
    Web: http://forum.hamazkayin.com

    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
    http://forum.hamazkayin.com. 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
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