“Yntaniq Center”: “I Am a Pulse of Your Arm” Program in the Border Communities of Tavush Province

The Family Center: “I Am a Pulse of Your Arm” Educational and Cultural Program in the Border Communities of Tavush

The “Yntaniq” Children and Youth Creative Center under the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia implemented an educational and cultural program entitled “I Am a Pulse of Your Arm” in the border region of Tavush from November 22 to 25.

The aim of the program was to become acquainted with the lifestyle, daily routines, and interests of peers and border-guard soldiers living in the border communities of Tavush, to appreciate the role of Armenian soldiers in the formation of the national army and the establishment of an independent state, to contribute to the military-patriotic education of adolescents, and to emphasize the importance of extracurricular education.

As part of the program, students and educators of the “Yntaniq” Center visited various border communities of Tavush and conducted vocational orientation classes for adolescents at Berd No. 3 Basic School, the L. Adamyan School of Nerkīn Karmiraghbyur, and Tavush Secondary School.

The students in the border communities welcomed their guests from Gyumri with great anticipation. Specialists and talented students from the creative center willingly shared their experience and professional skills with the adolescents of Tavush. Through one-day practical courses in various branches of Armenian crafts and arts—including pottery, stained-glass painting, fine arts, beadwork, ethnographic singing, dance, embroidery, wood carving, batik, and quilling—the students became acquainted with the specific features and techniques of their preferred fields and had an opportunity to discover their own abilities and talents.

Ruzan Tumanyan, principal of Berd No. 3 Basic School, shared her impressions of the program: “We stand firmly on the border, and your presence inspires us. The Republic of Armenia, together with Artsakh, forms one arm, and with the strength of this arm we must continue to learn and struggle to affirm our identity throughout the world. Today there was a sparkle in everyone’s eyes, and the children did not want this meeting to end. It was a very meaningful event. Thank you.”

The interest, enthusiasm, and love of the “borderland” adolescents for national crafts and arts were evident. Many of them shared their joy with their peers, and it was no surprise that their thoughts and dreams were the same: to live peacefully under a clear sky, to create and build, and to strengthen their homeland.

“It was a very pleasant meeting and a welcome initiative, because it brought together adolescents from Gyumri and Tavush. In addition to discovering new branches of art, we also participated in singing and dancing together with our new friends. The school was filled with the vibrant spirit of Armenian crafts and arts... Why not? I would like to live in Gyumri, attend an art center, and pursue my preferred profession. We would all like to stay in touch with you and will eagerly look forward to your next visit,” sincerely admitted Anna Ohanyan, a student at Tavush Secondary School.

The courses inspired and impressed not only the students but also the teaching staff, who likewise expressed a desire to receive training in the professional groups.

“Children living on the border truly need such opportunities. They are sincerely happy and participate in such events with great enthusiasm. I express my deepest gratitude to the organizers of the program and our friends from Gyumri. This was a great initiative that helped discover creative and talented children and developed their ability to appreciate beauty. I wish our children peaceful skies. May there never be gunfire. May such events become more frequent, because we feel that we are not alone—that people live with us and are always by our side. This was a great lesson for all of us,” noted Silva Hasanyan, deputy principal of Nerkīn Karmiraghbyur Secondary School.

The joint classes concluded with an exhibition of the participants’ works and artistic performances, followed by an awards ceremony.

Arthur Minasyan, Director of the “Yntaniq” Center, expressed solidarity with the residents of the border communities and encouraged them to remain even stronger and more steadfast. He presented certificates of appreciation and souvenirs to the heads of the educational institutions for promoting cooperation with the center and supporting the military-patriotic education of adolescents. Talented students from the communities who had actively participated in the vocational orientation classes were also awarded.

At the end of the courses, the adolescents from Gyumri and Tavush brought together their impressions and wishes on a symbolic poster they created jointly. It became an enduring expression of their collective and united strength—a strong “bridge” symbolizing their spiritual connection.

With the same victorious spirit and determination, the “Yntaniq” Center then visited a Ministry of Defense military unit in Berd. Inspired by the meeting, the soldiers warmly welcomed the educators and students of the center. The program participants toured the military unit, met with officers and servicemen, and learned about the social and living conditions and daily life of the border guards. The military personnel held discussions with the students on the topic “We Are the Owners and Defenders of Our Homeland” and on various military issues in the region.

The center’s talented students and award-winning singers from Gyumri prepared a concert program for the defenders of the homeland. The idea “Forward Together—Toward Victory” was at the heart of every performance. The hall was filled with a powerful spirit of patriotism: patriotic songs and dances, the soulful melodies of the duduk, and words honoring the motherland deeply moved the participants. Particularly touching was the performance of “If Only I Could Fly Home in My Thoughts” by Taron Vardazaryan, a conscript soldier. Reflecting on the ideas of “Nation–Army–Homeland,” he urged Armenian soldiers to remain energetic and determined and, drawing on his own experience, encouraged them never to fear the enemy’s presumed numerical superiority.

At the conclusion of the event, the spirited song “Pour the Wine” was performed. The hall responded with a united roar, and the spirit of patriotism and victory took root in everyone’s heart with the powerful flight of an eagle. The concert program concluded with the mutual presentation of certificates and souvenirs by the “Yntaniq” Center and the military unit’s command.

The program participants, including future soldiers, bid farewell to the soldiers and commanders defending their homeland, whose dedicated efforts have helped build a professional army and a secure homeland.

Within the framework of the “I Am a Pulse of Your Arm” program, the participants also made educational and cultural visits to historical and cultural monuments in Tavush Province. The students from the center became acquainted with and experienced the region’s historical, spiritual, and cultural heritage.

The adolescents from Gyumri not only taught their peers but also learned valuable lessons themselves and were strengthened by the determination of the people of Tavush, their steadfast attachment to their native land, and their strength to resist and fight against enemy aggression.

Deputy Director
S. Elbakyan