Events Dedicated to the 25th Anniversary of Independence

The “Yntaniq” Children and Youth Creative Center of Gyumri under the Ministry of Education and Science implemented a variety of events from September 22 to 26 dedicated to the 25th anniversaries of the proclamation of the Republic of Armenia’s independence and the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

The program aimed to bring together teenagers from Artsakh and Javakhk and introduce them to Independence Day as an expression of the Armenian people’s united will; present the achievements and challenges overcome by the two independent Armenian states during their 25 years of statehood; strengthen the military-patriotic education of the younger generation; and instill the spirit of unity and resilience in the face of difficult circumstances.

As part of the program, the students participated in a variety of activities, including educational tours, seminars and discussions, meetings, and ceremonial events.

The educational excursion to Harichavank was impressive and memorable for the teenagers. The monastery complex, regarded as a gem of medieval architecture, captivated the participants with its majestic structures. Their spiritual experience continued at the Holy “Seven Wounds” Church in Gyumri, where the students received the blessing of Father Hovhannes Alexandryan and raised their voices together in prayer to God.

The participants’ next stops were the house-museums of Hovhannes Shiraz, Avetik Isahakyan, and Mher Mkrtchyan. The enthusiasm of the teenagers from Artsakh and Javakhk was evident, as was their desire to discover new details and fascinating facts about these great Armenian figures.

The seminar entitled “Free and Independent Armenia,” the intellectual quiz competition, and the meetings with members of the Writers’ Union and the Yerkrapah Volunteer Union, along with the lively discussions and viewpoints expressed by the teenagers, demonstrated that the younger generation is ready to fight for and preserve the independence of their homeland.

On September 24, the teenagers from Artsakh and Javakhk also participated in the first stage of the program entitled “Yntaniq 25: The Story Continues,” dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the “Yntaniq” Center. The anniversary was solemnly celebrated at the Center. The national anthem was performed by a military band, followed by a procession of teenagers from Armenia, Artsakh, and Javakhk forming the shape of the tricolor flag.

After participating in the opening ceremonies of the Memorial of Gratitude, the anniversary exhibition, the elevator, the bas-relief of the Armenian alphabet, and the “Mesropian Alphabet” reading room, the guests and program participants attended the award ceremony and festive event in the hall. Students from various groups of the Center, as well as singing and dancing ensembles from Artsakh and Javakhk, performed artistic numbers.

To help the participants become acquainted with national historical and cultural values and enrich their knowledge of them, visits were also organized to Armenia’s notable and historic sites, including Etchmiadzin, Sardarapat, Tsitsernakaberd, and the Matenadaran.

The participants expressed their impressions and assessments of the program on a poster created through their joint efforts. The collaboratively created work became a symbol of victory and eternity, an expression of collective strength, unity, and friendship, reflecting the country’s history and present, its cultural values, and state symbols.