[FAR Schools]: FAR Partners with Armenian Rotary Clubs to Support Local School.

  • April 25, 2012 11:57 am

Tigranashen, a small town near the Azerbaijani border is riddled with heartbreaking poverty. Here most residents exist by subsistence farming because there is essentially nothing available to them in the town – no grocery store and no medical center. The one bright point, however, is the local school, which has a very enthusiastic team of teachers and 16 brilliant children.

Recently, FAR partnered with two Armenian Rotary Clubs – Rotary Yerevan International and the Rotary Club of Yerevan – to support villagers. On April 15th, the Rotarians and FAR paid a visit to the school, where they and the children planted fruit trees around the school building. The pupils and the teachers were also happy to receive school stationery sets from FAR. The Rotarians have tried to renovate the school by fixing the potable water pipe. In addition, they provided books, some furniture and equipment, and also arranged for excursions to Yerevan for the children.

“We are getting wealthier with each visit from our friends,” said the school principal. “We cordially thank the Rotary Clubs and FAR for thinking about the village and, most importantly, the school. Proper education is key to raising educated citizens.”

FAR hopes to see other charitable organizations step up to help the wonderful children of Tigranashen and their school so this town can grow in the future.

FAR recently partnered with Armenian Rotary Clubs to help the
children of Tigranashen, a small village near Azerbaijan.
FAR staff and Rotarians helped children to plant trees around the school building.

With good care, these trees will yield fruit in the coming years.

Credit: FAR Staff

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[FAR Schools]: Christmas at the Hintliyan School.

December 23rd was the last day of the academic semester for Armenia’s schools. Before leaving for the year on Christmas vacation, the teachers and students at the Hovhannes Hintliyan School in Tavush gave a performance based on the fairy tales of the famous Armenian writer Hovhannes Tumanyan. They had worked very hard over the past couple of weeks with their teachers Lusine Hakobyan, Kristine Pashinyan and Vanuhi Gulinyan to plan the presentation. And their efforts certainly showed. The children all demonstrated impressive theatrical skills – singing and dancing and reciting poems with joy and delight for their parents.

This educational institution is currently operating under the auspices of the Constantinople Armenian Relief Society (CARS), and in recent years it has made many considerable achievements. Not only has the number of students increased but the quality of education has also improved. This year teachers received a bonus of 10,000 AMD and a special thanks from CARS. The children of elementary school were given candy and souvenirs as well.

Students make every effort to help keep this school’s spirit alive and continue the traditions established by the pedagogue Hovhannes Hintliyan. An annual celebration event and fundraiser for the Hintliyan School was organized this past fall at the Kalustyan Hall of Holy Martyrs Armenian Church in Bayside, Queens.

First graders after their performance

5. First grade schoolchildren after Christmas partyHintlyan kids with their Christmas gifts

1. Hintliyan kids with Christmas giftsHintliyan’s young artists perform.

3. Young artistsA scene from the Christmas party.

4. A scene from Christmas partyCredit: Levon Lachikyan

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[FAR Schools]: CARS Visits Hovhannes Hintliyan School to Celebrate Armenia’s Independence.

September was a time of celebration in Armenia as it was the 20th anniversary of the country’s independence. Hundreds of groups from the Diaspora came here to celebrate such a glorious anniversary, including a group from the Constantinople Armenian Relief Society (CARS). The members of this group are Istanbul Armenians, otherwise known as Bolsahays, who are now living in various parts of the USA.

This very same group had visited Armenia two years ago to celebrate the re-opening of the Hovhannes Hintliyan School in the Tavush region.  The school had originally opened in 1909 in Bolis, Turkey, but closed in 1988.

The secondary school is just 200 meters from the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. It is the only active institution in the region where today 130 children from the villages of Gayan, Aygehovit and Azatamut come to study. It is also the sole place of employment; the school has 30 teachers and 10 administrative staff.

In partnership with FAR, CARS makes every effort to improve the educational conditions of the school and to support its children. For example, they made it possible to renovate the big hall of the school’s main building, equipping it with a gas stove and other necessary supplies. They have also organized the distribution of free meals to 60 school children. CARS Co-President Tamar Malhas Kayserian, along with Talin Koseyan, Hilda Parunyan, Shamiram Davidyan and Elizabeth Kudian, who are all former students of the Constantinople Hintliyan School, lead this initiative.

The Bolsahays shed tears of joy when they witnessed their warm welcome and hospitality from the “new” Hintliyantsis. They were given salt, bread and Armenian flags upon their arrival. Even Iris Hintliyan, also a former student, came from Austria for the occasion. Like all other members of the group, she was very happy to see the continuation of Hovhannes Hintliyan’s established tradition in action. During their visit, the group immortalized their deceased classmate Anahit Bindig with a plaque, which was blessed by Father Vazken, the spiritual father of Makaravank.

The 20th anniversary celebration feast was unforgettable. The talented schoolchildren all received presents from CARS members. Aygehovit Village awarded CARS Chariman  Berc Araz and his wife Armine Araz with certificates of appreciation, and the Hintliyan School Director Lena Vardanyan presented a thank you diploma to Tamar Kayserian. The remarkable day concluded with pilgrimage to the 10th century Makaravank Church.

Students and teachers get ready for the celebration.

1. Festive meeting at Hintliyan School Credit: Kristina AbrahamyanIris Hintliyan and Berc Araz attended the celebration.

2. Iris Hintliyan and Berc Araz during meeting Credit: Kristina AbrahamyanStudents performed for their guests as part of the festivities.

3. A scene from concert Credit: Kristina AbrahamyanThe group immortalized their classmate Anahit Bindig
with an honorary plaque.

4. Plaque dedicated to Anahit Bindig Credit: Kristina Abrahamyan(left to right) Father Vazken, Talin Koseyan, Hilda Parunyan,
Shamiram Davidian, Elizabeth Kudian and Tamar Kayserian at
the ceremony for Anahit Bindig’s plaque.

5. Anahit Bindig's plaque opening ceremony (from l. to r. Fr. Vazken, Talin Koseyan, Hilda Parunyan, Shamiram Davidian, Elizabeth Kudian and Tamar Kayserian) Credit: Kristina AbrahamyanCredit: Kristina Abrahamyan

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[FAR Schools]: Octet’s Shoghakn Orchestra Goes on Tour.

Fans of Octet definitely remember the February visit of the generous and well-known benefactors from New Jersey, Dr. Raffi and Mrs. Vicki Hovanessian to Gyumri. The Octet student orchestra managed to surprise their benefactors by performing a new musical program that could impress even the staunchest of critics. Chosen performance pieces included works by Armenian composers like Mavisakalyan, Khachatur Avetisyan and Grigor Haghinyan.

Emotions were so high that someone suggested naming the orchestra “Shoghakn” meaning “shining, luminous, brilliant” because they had performed so well. It was also suggested that a “Shoghakn Series” of concerts be organized so the group could tour throughout Armenia. Finally, this idea was able to become a reality. The funds were provided by the benefactors as promised and 34 students and 26 teachers were able participate in a tour to Dilijan and Vanadzor.

The success of the concerts was tremendous. Vanadzor’s Vice Mayor Norik Sardaryan described them as a “brilliant performance by a brilliant orchestra.” Indeed, luminous performance of works of Arno Babajanyan, Jrbashyan, Khachatur Avetisyan, Mozart, Sarasate, Russu Kululi and other outstanding composers could not leave anyone indifferent. The crown of the concert was a performance of a little violinist, Renaissance International Contest laureate Ani Khachatryan.

The performances of the Shoghak Orchestra were impressive and all express their thanks, once again, to the kind-hearted and dedicated Hovanessians.

Shoghak ensemble on the Vanadzor Music school stage

Shoghak Ensemble musicians before a concertRaffi and Shoghak Hovanessians at the Octet School

Credit: Octet school

 

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[FAR Schools]: Tatev Choir Performs At Octet School Of Music.

A graduate of Gyumri State Music College, Yerevan-born professor Maestro Vachagan Navasardyan still cherishes memories from the years he spent in Gyumri, the artistic capital of Armenia. Vachagan – or Maestro, as he is commonly known – is the conductor for FAR’s Tatev Choir. While he has performed in places like Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Italy, France and Lebanon, he eagerly organized a concert last month at Gyumri’s Octet School of Music.

FAR’s Tatev Choir is named after the Tatev Monastery in Goris. Legend has it that the name is tied to the construction of the church, when an apprentice secretly climbed to the top of its steeple to install a cross of his own design. During his descent, the apprentice spotted his master watching him, lost his footing and fell into an abyss, crying out to God to grant him wings, which in Armenian is “Ta Tev.”

Performing in the makeshift containers that have functioned as the school’s classrooms since the 1988 earthquake, Maestro and the Tatev Choir joined the efforts of those around the globe who are bringing attention to this school and fundraising for its reconstruction. The Octet students and teachers had an unforgettable day and thanked Maestro for his support and professional performance. Following the show, the Tatev Choir toured Gyumri.

Maestro Vachagan Navasardyan with Tatev choir

Maestro Vachagan Navasardyan with Tatev choir, photo by LevonTatev choir children Tatev choir children, photo by LevonTatev students are hosted by the Octet school Tatev students hosted by Octet school, by Levon LachikyanCredit: Levon Lachikyan

 

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[FAR Schools]: Embroidery Classes A Hit At Hintliyan.

The Constantinople Armenian Relief Society (CARS) along with FAR has, for the past few years, helped to refurbish the Hintliyan School, which is just meters from the Armenian-Azeri border in the Tavush region. New classrooms have been added and the staff has grown. Among the new members is Lusine Sargsyan who joined the school just two months ago as an embroidery teacher. Today, the group is comprised of nine children from different classes who create beautiful pieces of lace and who knit primarily socks and footwear for infants. Just seeing the class, one gets a sense that these children truly love this hobby. As Lusine said, “The kids embroider at home, too. They also decided to continue the embroidery group through the summer in order to show their work to visiting representatives from CARS.”

One of Hintliyan’s schoolchildren during embroidery class

One of Hintliyan Schoolchildren during embroidery class, photo by Levon

Embroidery classes at Hintliyan

Embroidery Classes At Hintliyan School, photo by Levon

Lusine Sargsyan with Hintliyan children

Teacher Lusine Sargsyan with Hintliyan schoolchildren, photo by Levon

Credit: Levon Lachikyan

One of Hintliyan Schoolchildren during embroidery class, photo by Levon
Embroidery Classes At Hintliyan School, photo by Levon
Teacher Lusine Sargsyan with Hintliyan schoolchildren, photo by Levon
One of Hintliyan Schoolchildren during embroidery class, photo by Levon edit

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One of Hintliyan Schoolchildren during embroidery class, photo by Levon

One of Hintliyan Schoolchildren during embroidery class

 

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[FAR Schools]: Free Dinners for Hintliyan Students.

For the past few months, the UN’s Armenia representative with the World Food Program has provided free meals to students at Armenia’s border schools. The Hintliyan Secondary School in the town of Kayan, near the Azeri border, is one of them. Thanks to support from the Constantinople Armenian Relief Society, which funded the renovation of the school’s kitchen and the purchase of supplies, children were able to receive a free dinner every night for the past 60 days, prepared by local chef Arous Dallakyan. FAR administered all purchases and preparations.

Children at Hintliyan school’s kitchen

Hintliyan schoolchildren at lunch

Plates shelf in Hintliyan school kitchen

New plates and cups

Credit: Levon Lachikyan

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