“Yntaniq” Center: Program Entitled “You Are the Salt of Armenia, Gyumri…”

You are the salt of Armenia, Gyumri!
You are a talkative, witty,
Truth-telling district, Gyumri!
You are wise and innocent.
— Hovhannes Shiraz

From September 28 to October 1, the “Yntaniq” Children and Youth Creative Center under the Ministry of Education and Science organized a series of diverse events entitled “You Are the Salt of Armenia, Gyumri…,” dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the devastating earthquake in Gyumri, the city of crafts and arts.

The program aimed to present the progress of the reborn city in various fields, the unbreakable spirit of the people of Gyumri, and the role and significance of the “Yntaniq” Center, which was established in the aftermath of the earthquake. It also sought to build a bridge between the old and the new, honor the memory of the innocent victims, and acknowledge the invaluable role of friendly countries in the rescue and reconstruction efforts following the devastating earthquake.

On this occasion, the Center brought together and involved teenagers from schools in the border communities of Berd and Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur in Tavush Province, as well as Armenian teenagers from Javakhk. During their visit to the “Yntaniq” Center, the participants became acquainted with its activities and, according to their interests, took part in practical classes in various branches of traditional Armenian arts and crafts.

“I was most interested in pottery. What attracted me to this art was that clay seemed to breathe in my hands. I was able to create an image from it and make whatever I wanted,” said Mary Arakelyan, a teenager from the community of Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur.

As part of the program, a seminar entitled “The Historical and Cultural Past of Gyumri” and a screening and discussion of the documentary film “Gyumri: Past and Present” were organized for teenagers from Tavush and Javakhk and students of the “Yntaniq” Center. These activities introduced the participants to the rich history and cultural life of old and reconstructed Gyumri, as well as stories portraying the city’s resilient people.

The teenagers were particularly impressed by meetings with accomplished Gyumri artists and cultural figures. Ethnopsychologist Karine Sahakyan, Head of the Department of Psychology, Sociology and Social Work at Shirak State University, presented her research on the topic “Gyumri in Dreams.” Arthur Gevorgyan, sculptor and Director of the National Park-Museum of Sculpture, spoke about Gyumri’s distinctive arts and crafts, the city’s unique and harmonious style, traditions, and customs. Shoghik Melkonyan, Director of the Mher Mkrtchyan Memorial House-Museum, also shared interesting information about famous people from Gyumri.

To introduce the participants to the historical, cultural, and spiritual values of Shirak Province, as well as details of the lives of its renowned figures, educational visits were organized to monastic complexes in Shirak Province, the Black Fortress, the Aslamazyan Sisters Gallery, and the museums of Minas Avetisyan, Hovhannes Shiraz, Mher Mkrtchyan, and Avetik Isahakyan.

“It was a great honor for me to be in the house-museums of Gyumri’s great geniuses and to set foot in the places where they lived, created, and worked. I would like to thank the ‘Yntaniq’ Center for giving us the opportunity to experience all this,” shared his impressions Arman Arzumanyan, a student of the Educational and Cultural Youth Center of Ninotsminda.

The series of events entitled “You Are the Salt of Armenia, Gyumri…” concluded on October 1. Accompanied by teachers, the teenagers from Tavush and Javakhk and the students of the Center first visited the Khachkar Park located near the Holy Savior Church, laid a wreath at the “To the Innocent Victims, to Merciful Hearts” memorial, viewed replicas of khachkars destroyed in Julfa, and then took part in an artistic event organized at the “Yntaniq” Center.

Artists, clergy, educators, parents, and young creators attended the closing ceremony. During the event, the students also presented the history of the “Yntaniq” Center, which was established after the earthquake, and reflected on its ten years of activity since moving to its new building.

The students of the Center’s dance, singing, duduk, and martial arts groups congratulated the reborn city on its celebration through their performances, once again emphasizing the determination of the proud and hardworking people of Gyumri to remain unbroken, create anew, and build a bright future.

Summing up the program, Director of the “Yntaniq” Center Arthur Minasyan thanked all participants for their presence and active involvement. The Director also presented the results of the thematic creative competition held from March to September. The authors of works that won prizes in various categories were awarded certificates and medals.

Close and friendly relationships were formed among the teenagers from Shirak and Tavush provinces and Javakhk, which they promised to preserve and continue. The teenagers returned home with a renewed commitment—to remember, to pray, to live, and to create.

H. Sargsyan