“Tracing back our culture” performance gives center stage to children with special needs
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Participants of the performance are reciting poems
World Vision MEERO, http://meero.worldvision.org
World Vision MEERO, http://meero.worldvision.org
Over 30
children with special needs, living in especially difficult circumstances presented a stunning two hour historical review of Armenia through a theatre performance under the title 'Tracing back our
Culture' in Gyumri, Armenia recently.
'I know the story of many of these children, and it is unbelievable that they play in such a delightful performance', said Hasmik Dzvakeryan, a teacher of the Gyumri Children House- one of the numerous guests of the event.
'Such programs are of multifaceted importance, we not only try to integrate these children into our society, but also prepare the society, acquaint it with the existence of these children and their capabilities to assist integration,' says Zara Aslanyan, Child Protection Programme (CPP) Senior Social Worker, World Vision Armenia.
The children explored the complete history, culture, traditions and the legends of Armenia including Shirak marz, west-north region of Armenia, and the 10th century Marmashen monastery which provided the setting and inspiration for the event.
'Unless you learn the history and the culture of your own nation, you'll be unable to recognize the whole world', was the slogan of the organizers.
'We want to teach these children the history and the culture of their homeland and thus help them become fully integrated members of this society', said Karine Kurghinyan CPP Coordinator of the Gyumri Area Development Programme (ADP).
'I am surprised how well these children know the history of their church. Now I am sure that future generation is able to build a truly Christian community' said, Archbishop Michael Ajapahyan, the head of Shirak diocese of Armenian Apostolic Church, the honorable guest of the event.
The Armenian Apostolic Church can be traced back to the time of the Apostles and is one of the oldest denominations in Christianity.
'It's so amazing when the children themselves were asking to rehearse the performance whenever they have spare time. I was so happy to see 'my' children reciting and playing their parts as well as real actors would do', said children's tutor Ervandanush Asatryan – 'Aunt Anik', as the children lovingly call her.
Currently, 72 children and their parents attend Gyumri ADP Community Centre. They are assisted by psychologists, speech therapists, social workers and a special educator. They also take part in a number of art classes organized by the World Vision Armenia CPP department.
The 'Tracing back our culture' program will continue in the following months with further performances being dedicated to other monasteries and historical monuments of Armenia.
'I know the story of many of these children, and it is unbelievable that they play in such a delightful performance', said Hasmik Dzvakeryan, a teacher of the Gyumri Children House- one of the numerous guests of the event.
'Such programs are of multifaceted importance, we not only try to integrate these children into our society, but also prepare the society, acquaint it with the existence of these children and their capabilities to assist integration,' says Zara Aslanyan, Child Protection Programme (CPP) Senior Social Worker, World Vision Armenia.
The children explored the complete history, culture, traditions and the legends of Armenia including Shirak marz, west-north region of Armenia, and the 10th century Marmashen monastery which provided the setting and inspiration for the event.
'Unless you learn the history and the culture of your own nation, you'll be unable to recognize the whole world', was the slogan of the organizers.
'We want to teach these children the history and the culture of their homeland and thus help them become fully integrated members of this society', said Karine Kurghinyan CPP Coordinator of the Gyumri Area Development Programme (ADP).
'I am surprised how well these children know the history of their church. Now I am sure that future generation is able to build a truly Christian community' said, Archbishop Michael Ajapahyan, the head of Shirak diocese of Armenian Apostolic Church, the honorable guest of the event.
The Armenian Apostolic Church can be traced back to the time of the Apostles and is one of the oldest denominations in Christianity.
'It's so amazing when the children themselves were asking to rehearse the performance whenever they have spare time. I was so happy to see 'my' children reciting and playing their parts as well as real actors would do', said children's tutor Ervandanush Asatryan – 'Aunt Anik', as the children lovingly call her.
Currently, 72 children and their parents attend Gyumri ADP Community Centre. They are assisted by psychologists, speech therapists, social workers and a special educator. They also take part in a number of art classes organized by the World Vision Armenia CPP department.
The 'Tracing back our culture' program will continue in the following months with further performances being dedicated to other monasteries and historical monuments of Armenia.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
