Gegharkunik children participation in Dance Festival

In commemoration of International Children’s Rights Protection Day, approximately 240 children from six communities in Gegharkunik Province participated in the Dance Festival organized by the “Kamurj” Cultural Center at the Yerevan theatre of the Young Spectator state NGO.

The participation was facilitated by the World Council of Churches Armenia Round Table Foundation through its “Mobile Social Center” project. Operating since 2023 in the communities of Norakert, Mets Masrik, Pokr Masrik, Geghamasar, Sotk, and Makenis, the project aims to develop children’s creative and social skills.

The dance groups formed within the project have become platforms of inspiration for children, where they discover their potential, express themselves, and build an environment of mutual support.

During the festival, children performed with ethnographic dance numbers, presenting their work and achievements.

The ceremonial opening of the event was blessed and addressed by Father Simeon Hovhannisyan, priest of the Diocese of Gegharkounik, who expressed the diocese’s support for children’s creative endeavors.

The safe transportation of children from Gegharkunik to Yerevan and back was ensured by the Patrol Service of the Police of the Republic of Armenia.

This initiative once again emphasized the important role of culture and education in children’s development, uniting the efforts of community, spiritual, and state partners.

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Project Background

The WCC ART conducted household visits and needs assessments while providing humanitarian assistance to the border population of Gegharkunik Province affected by the Azerbaijani aggression in September 2022. During this process, it became clear that there was an urgent need for extracurricular education in border villages, while lacking transportation and financial means to join existing groups operating in Vardenis. 

Remaining faithful to its mission, the ART decided to launch an extracurricular pilot project, thereby making extracurricular education accessible to school-age children in vulnerable border communities.

ART staff met with His Grace Bishop Partev Barseghyan, Primate of the Diocese of Gegharkunik, Mr. Aharon Khachatryan, Mayor of Vardenis, and Deputy Mayor Mr. Karen Mkrtchyan, presenting the preliminary plan of the project. After receiving approval for the concept from them, the ART project team conducted needs assessments in 10 communities, holding focus group discussions with school-age students, their parents, teachers, school principals, and administrative leaders in each. As a result of active discussions, priority was given to dance, sports, painting, and theater groups. 

To generate activity in the communities, it was initially decided to concentrate the groups in Geghamasar and Pokr Masrik communities, bringing children from other communities to these locations via transportation. Based on needs, it was decided to focus available resources particularly on the dance group direction.

The project is based not only on extracurricular groups but also on organizing various events for children and adults, taking into account their needs and pressing concerns.