KHACHATUR ABOVYAN ARMENIAN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY

Within the framework of the international educational project "Summer School-2016,” eleven students of Armenian State Pedagogical University (ASPU) traveled to Belarus where they were met by representatives of Belarusian State Pedagogical University named after Maxim Tank.

On the sidelines of the visit, the ASPU delegates were taken to the historical sites and museums of the country, got acquainted with the history,

culture and traditions of the Belarus.
The ASPU representatives also participated in Belarusian national holidays - the Kupala Night, also known as Ivan Kupala Day, and “День вышиванки” (Day of Embroidered Shirt). During the events, the Armenian students performed works of famous Armenian composer Komitas, thereby attracting the attention of the Belarusian media. For two days, the local media spoke about the Armenian students who had arrived in Belarus to get acquainted with education and culture in Belarus.

The visit to Sputnik, one of the most active camps in the country, coincided with Vardavar, one of the most ancient festivals in Armenia, therefore, the Armenian students celebrated it in Belarus, with representatives of different cultures celebrating the festival like Armenians, drenching each other with water.

The guests from Armenia also visited “Mir” and “Nesvizh” castles, two of the most popular places in Belarus, where they were introduced to the lifestyle of emperors and learnt how they prepared for wars in their splendid castles.

In addition to tours, the Armenian delegates were also involved in sporting events and made national dolls with the help of BSPU lecturers. They also had a meeting with representatives of the local Armenian community and spent the day dancing and singing.

Within the framework of the international programme, the Armenian students also got acquainted with the graduate (Master’s degree) courses offered by the BSPU, attended a lecture on history and visited the National Library of Belarus.

During the closing ceremony, the participants presented their Alma Mater, country, national songs and dances, exchanged gifts, received certificates and promised to meet again within the scope of Summer School projects.