“Yntaniq” Center: Visit to Armenia’s Historical and Cultural Sites

From May 27 to 29, within the framework of the program entitled “Centuries-Old Victorious Peals,” dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Armenia and the May Heroic Battles, the “Yntaniq” Children and Youth Creative Center under the Ministry of Education and Science organized educational visits to historical and cultural sites in Armenia.

As an incentive, children of officers serving on the front line in Artsakh, teenagers from Javakhk, winners and active participants of the creative competition, as well as military servicemen, visited the “Kouliani” Historical and Ethnographic Museum in the village of Spandaryan in the Artik region, the Harichavank Monastery Complex, the Bash-Aparan Battle Memorial, including Dro’s grave, the Monument to the Armenian Alphabet, and Saghmosavank. At these memorial sites commemorating the history of the Armenian people, the visitors expressed their respect and tribute.

Karine Makaryan, a student of the choir of the Holy Cross Church in Akhalkalaki, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to visit various historical sites in Armenia and personally see and experience places and facts they had repeatedly heard about and studied.

As part of the program, the participants also visited the Avetik Isahakyan, Hovhannes Shiraz, and Mher Mkrtchyan museums in Gyumri, as well as other museums in Shirak Province. The participants had the opportunity to discover fascinating information about the lives and activities of these prominent figures.

The teenagers became acquainted with the rich literary heritage of great Armenian writers, as well as with relics and tangible objects associated with the poets and bearing the imprint of their creative hands. They experienced the spirit of their poetry and the depth and grandeur of their works.

The teenagers from Artsakh and Javakhk were particularly impressed by Mher Mkrtchyan, People’s Artist of the USSR and one of the great comedians of Armenian cinema and theater. The personal belongings and photographs of the renowned artist displayed throughout the museum conveyed a sense of his living presence.

“Finally, my dream came true, and I visited Gyumri, where I was welcomed with great warmth and affection. All the events organized during these days inspired us Armenians from Artsakh even more. For me, one of the most impressive moments was visiting the grave of Dro, one of my favorite heroes, in Bash-Aparan,” said Sofia Melkonyan, a teenager from Artsakh.

The educational tour for the teenagers from Artsakh and Javakhk did not end there. Visits were also organized to Tsitsernakaberd, the Komitas Pantheon, Matenadaran, the Sardarapat Memorial, and Oshakan, where the grave of Mesrop Mashtots, the First Teacher, is located.

The teenagers were deeply moved and inspired. They expressed their gratitude to the organizers of the program for these educational and discovery-filled days and for introducing them to Armenia’s historical and cultural heritage sites.

H. Sargsyan