European Union is organizing projects encouraging repatriation within the framework of which the “Haymatgarden” charity organization offers financial, social-cultural and
psychological support.
On 31 March, the Pedagogical University hospitably welcomed a group of Armenians of different ages repatriated from Germany. A rich table was laid for them offering dishes of the traditional Armenian Easter cuisine which was accompanied by a presentation of a video telling about the holiday seasoned with Armenian traditional music.
The project coordinator, the Head of the University Department of Foreign Languages and its Teaching Methods Ms. Melanya Astvatsatryan considered the day a very interesting one for the guests who were born and lived away from their motherland, from their Armenian mother tongue and culture for many years.
The project is educational but it also comprises various layers of socialization as by only teaching the language without introducing the Armenian culture and remarkable traditions it would be incomplete and imperfect.
In fact, the Easter holiday is a real event for the repatriates and it strongly differs from the one in Europe where the symbol of the holiday is a rabbit. But on this occasion, the Easter table was delicately laid combining dishes from both countries.
What is more, the repatriates are taught Armenian language by Ms. Gayane Terzyan. It is with her presentation that the guests thoroughly watch the video material telling about the celebration, listen to the songs by Hayrik Mouradyan performed by the band “Arevner”, and the song “Zatik/Ladybird” by Rouben Hakhverdyan. As a matter of fact, within the framework of the EU projects, G.Terzyan edits Armenian and teaches it as a foreign language thus giving great opportunities to repatriates to learn Armenian with modern methods.
“We are willing and ready to accept all the volunteering repatriate Armenians spread all over the world,” Ms. Melanya Astvatsatryan mentions. “Currently, we are actively cooperating with the RA Ministry of Diaspora and the Pedagogical University. However, we are only teaching, while there are other projects dealing with searching for such people. What we do is called “art-therapy.”
M. Astvatsatryan called the Easter celebration at the Pedagogical University a manifestation of art-therapy, too, that will
give those present much more than just a narrative lesson.
In addition, not only Armenian, also Russian and German language classes are arranged for the repatriates from Germany parallel with introduction of the Armenian history and culture as the project also has the problem of adaptation. In near future, for children of this group and their parents, with whom various activities are being undertaken in the course of already 2-3 years, will make visits to the museums in Armenia. If, to some extent, children communicated in Armenian in their families, still with Russian language they have considerable problems.
For instance, Mr. Levon Chatyan returned from Germany four years ago. This year he is finishing his 9th grade at school N62 and he has decided to enter the Medical University.
He was only three when his family took him to Ukraine and then to Germany. And now, he is very satisfied with the project, he is assisted in overcoming psychological, language and other obstacles, he loves Armenian environment, and happily communicates with his compeers.
In her turn, Miss Maria Grigoryan was born in Germany and currently she is on her fourth grade at school N12 after Victor Hambardzumyan. She loves Armenia; moreover, she made a wonderful performance of an Armenian song for all those present.
Another example is Jasmin Avetisyan, who lived in Germany for six years, and now she is studying in the German basis school N6 in Armenia.
To cut it short, a small Armenian community that gluts its nostalgia. The day started at the Gregory the Illuminator church where the guests were served a liturgy which was then followed by a joyous celebration at the Pedagogical University. During this time they were accompanied by the President of the Pedagogical University Student Council Mr.Nersik Margaryan, the President of the Student Council of the Faculty of Foreign Languages Ms. Zarouhi Pambukchyan, and all those to whom our repatriated friends were dear.
Silva Asryan
