The Next Stop of the “For Cultural Dialogue” Program: Javakheti

The “For Cultural Dialogue” Program Makes Its Next Stop in Javakheti

Javakheti was the next destination of the second phase of the “For Cultural Dialogue” program. During a two-day visit to the cities of Ninotsminda and Akhalkalaki in Samtskhe-Javakheti, the “Endanik” Children and Youth Creative Center organized a variety of cultural events under the theme “National Identity,” including joint artistic performances, painting flash mobs, exhibitions of creative works, and other cultural exchange initiatives.

The “Endanik” Center participated in the festive events dedicated to the 196th anniversary of the city of Ninotsminda, attended by residents from various communities across Javakheti. The celebration provided another opportunity to highlight the cultural similarities and friendly ties between the Armenian and Georgian peoples. The center’s artistic groups presented a concert program, while its students organized a painting flash mob.

The event was attended by Iosib Alibekashvili, Governor of Samtskhe-Javakheti; representatives of the Akhalkalaki Municipality; Members of the Parliament of Georgia Samvel Manukyan and Smbat Kyureghyan; Vahan Aroyan, Chair of the Ninotsminda Municipal Council; Anivard Mosoyan, Mayor of Ninotsminda; and spiritual leaders Father Armash Poghosyan and Father Anton Antonyan.

Traditional Armenian and Georgian cultures and crafts were presented, alongside handmade works reflecting the two peoples’ cultural values. The guests toured the exhibition area, explored the creative works of the center’s students, learned about the ideas and meaning behind the pieces, and shared their impressions.

Students from the center’s stained-glass painting group had prepared a special handmade artwork depicting the symbol of Ninotsminda for this visit. It was ceremoniously presented to Anivard Mosoyan, Mayor of Ninotsminda, as a symbolic gift representing friendship, cultural ties, and mutual respect.

The students’ next cultural destination was the Akhalkalaki Educational and Cultural Institution, where another cultural gathering was organized. Students from the center and the local institution presented joint artistic performances and participated in a painting flash mob. This shared creative experience allowed the young participants not only to demonstrate their abilities but also to discover one another’s cultures, creative approaches, and traditions.

The second phase of the “For Cultural Dialogue” program also provides an important opportunity to expand and strengthen cooperation between educational and cultural institutions in various communities of Armenia and those in Georgia’s Samtskhe-Javakheti region.

Culture knows no borders. It brings people together, creates opportunities for dialogue, and fosters an environment of mutual understanding and respect. This is the central idea of the program: to connect communities, generations, and peoples through culture and build new bridges of cooperation.

The visit to Javakheti once again demonstrated that creating together is not only an important way to preserve cultural heritage, but also to pass it on to the younger generation and establish new bonds of friendship.