Homeland Recognition Program for the Youngsters of the Armenian Diaspora
“Ari Tun” 2015
Attention
The succession of program days, visits, places of group gathering are subject to change in
case of climate changes or any other unplanned circumstances.
 An adult member of a host family accompanies the participant to the starting spot at the
specified time and then back home at the end of the day.
 Participants should come to all events in T-shirt and cap with the symbol of the program.
 Participants must follow the rules of discipline presented by the staff.
 All the museums, visited by the participants of the program during the tours are free of
charge
 The participants have a meal in Yerevan or at the appropriate place of visit on tour days
 Traffic Police officers accompany the participants throughout the whole program.
 The participants of the program are accompanied by a nurse on tour days
 The participants are accompanied by a guide. One can find a brief information on the
sights, the participants are going to visit.
 On tour days the starting point for the departure of the participants is the school,
they take lessons, and the host family welcomes the participants at the Square named
after Shahumyan.
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 On camping days the participants of the program sleep and eat at camps, have classes,
meetings, take part in rest and pastime activities. At the end of the program
participants present their impressions and suggestions to the head of the program in a
written form filling in the impression sheet of the guide-book.
“Ari Tun” 2015
Phases
I
June 14 – July 27
II
June - July 4
III
July 5 – July 18
IV
July 12 – July 25
V
July 19 - August 1
VI
August 2 – August 15
VII
August 9 – August 22
VIII Auguist 16 - August 29
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Day 1 – Sunday
In course Arrival of the participants, their welcoming
of the day Accommodation of the participants in host families
Day 2 – Monday
“Wecome”
The participants of the program visit the Ministry of Diaspora with
the host family.
9:30
The participants are given equipments with a special symbol “Ari
tun” (T-shirt, cap).
The participants meet the representatives of the coordinating
council of the program.
11:00
The official opening of the program “Ari Tun” (9th floor, Erebuni
Plaza)
12:30
A visit to Yerevan History Museum
14:00
Lunch
15:00
A visit to Oshakan, Ashtarak, Mughni
17:00
Returning to Yerevan, acquaintance to the capital city
18:00
Welcoming of the participants by the host families at Shahumyan
Square
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Yerevan History Museum
Yerevan History Museum was founded in 1931. In the past it was called a
Communal Museum. It is located near the Yerevan Municipality. The
architect of the museum is Jim Torosyan. The museum displays more than
87,000 artifacts, which represent spiritual and material culture of Armenia from ancient times to the
present day. Archeological, ethnographic, numismatic, fine arts, photos and other collections,
ranging from ancient time to the present day and representing the outstanding history of the past
and present-day capital city and its dwellers are kept in the museum.
Saint Mesrop Mashtots Church
(Oshakan)
Mesrop Mashtots is the creator of the Armenian alphabet and the first
teacher of Armenian. After the invention of the Armenian alphabet (405
AD) he founded many schools in various districts of Armenia. The church in
Oshakan, named after Mesrop Mashtots, was founded in 443 AD by one of
the most influential Armenian princes: hazarapet(commander-in-chief of a military detachment,
cosisting of 1000 soldiers) Vahan Amatouni. In the following centuries the church was completely
restored and then, a new construction was founded on the site. On
the ground floor of the sacristy
rest the remains of Mesrop
Mashtots. The crypt of Mesrop Mashtots has become a sanctuary,
the visiting of which is considered the inmost dream of every
Armenian. A park of stone letters is located in the yard of the
church.
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Saint Gevorg Church of Mughni
Saint Gevorg Church is situated in the southern part of the village of Mughni.
It was constructed in the 10th and restored in the 17th century. When the
Emperor Diokghetian begins his persecutions against Christians, Saint
Gevorg tears up the manifesto, forbidding Christianity, in the square for
what he was tortured and killed in 303. His remains were removed to Mughni in the 13th century.
He is described as one, sitting on a white horse, killing the dragon with his
lance. Lots of myths and legends have been invented about him. In the
13th century to treat the Georgian prince, part of the remains of St.
Gevorg was moved to Tbilisi ( Georgia). For further preservation of these
remains, a Church of St. Gevorg was built in Tbilisi, where "the Bible
Mughni" is kept.
Day 3-Wednesday
09:30
Armenian language class
11:00
Leaving for Sardarapat
12:30 - Tour at Sardarapat memorial and Armenian National Museum of
13:30
Ethnography and Liberation Struggle History
14:00
Lunch
14:30
Leaving for Echmiadzin
15:3017:00
Tour at Mother See of Holly Echmiadzin
17:30
Leaving for Zvartnots
18:30
Returning to Yerevan
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19:00
Welcoming of the participants by the host families at Shahumyan
Square
Sardarapat Memorial and Armenian National Museum of Ethnography and Liberation
Struggle History
This memorial symbolizes the glorious victory of the Armenian people
against Turkish invaders in May, 1918. Sardarapat heroic battle not only
checked the Turkish invasion, but also laid a foundation for restoring
Armenian statehood. Two winged bulls guard the entrance of the
memorial and a path, lined with five eagles lead to the Ethnography museum, a constituent part of
the memorial, visiting which, one can get acquainted with the culture, crafts and routine of different
districts of the Armenian land from the ancient times to the present day.
Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin
According to legend, during the preaching of Christianity in Armenia
Gregory the Illuminator had a vision. With a golden hammer in hand, Jesus
Christ descends from the heavens and strikes in a place where there was a
pagan temple. In this place the temple of Echmiadzin was built.
"Echmiadzin" means the place where Jesus, the God’s son came down. According to Agathangelos (V
century), Echmiadzin Cathedral was built near the royal palace during the times of Tiridates the III
of Armenia (298-330 AD) and Grigor the Illuminator
in the first years of Christianity being
recognized as a state religion(301-303). The residence of the Catholicos of all Armenians is situated
here. There is a museum next to the church.
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The temple of Zvartnots
The temple of Zvartnots was constructed by the Armenian Catholicos
Nerses III Ishkhantsi (The constructor) (641-661). Zvartnots stood till the
end of the 10th century. At the end of the 20th century Zvartnots was in
ruins, covered with a thick layer of earth. The excavated objects witness
the existence of IV-V century constructions before Zvartnots was built.
Presumably, on the site of Zvartnots was the pagan temple of the God Tir. Zvartnots is considered a
new type of construction in the Armenian architecture. In course of the following centuries the
Armenian architecture bore the influence of Zvartnots. In 1937 a museum was built, not far from the
ruins of Zvartnots, where the excavated objects are exhibited.
Day 4 - Wednesday
09:30
Armenian language class
A visit to Yerevan State University, Armenian-Russian
11:00
(Slavonic) or French Universities, AGBU Virtual University
12:30
A visit to the Matenadaran
14:00
Lunch in Yerevan
15:00
Leaving for Garni
16:00
17:00
–
A tour at Garni pagan temple
17:00
A visit to Geghard
18:00
Returning to Yerevan
19:00
Welcoming of the participants by the host families at
Shahumyan Square
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The Institute of Ancient Manuscripts after Mesrop Mashtots
(The Matenadaran)
The Matenadaran was constructed in 1959. It’s a large center of ancient
Armenian
manuscripts.
More
than
17.000
Armenian
and
a
comprehensive collection of foreign language manuscripts, relics of some
manuscripts, handwritten books and other pieces are kept here. The
oldest manuscript in the Matenadaran is “The bible of the Blessed Virgin”, created in the 8th century.
The “giant” book- “Msho Tjarentir” and “The ecclesiastic calendar” (1934) are also worth inviting
one’s attention to. The former is the biggest Armenian manuscript book, weighing 28 kilos, and the
latter weighs only 190 grams. The handwritten books, collected here, include nearly all the spheres
of ancient and medieval Armenian science and culture. Besides Armenian books, Arabic, Persian,
Greek, Assyrian, Latin, Euthopian, Indian, Japanese manuscripts are also kept here. In this institute
of Cultural Heritage have been preserved many texts that have not survived in their native language,
and only their Armenian translations are known.
The Pagan Temple of Garni
The pagan temple of Garni is situated on the right bank of the river Azat.
According to a XIV century manuscript, it was founded in 2166 BC.
Legend states that Movses Khorenatsi considered Garni to have been
founded by the great-grandson of Forefather Hayk, Gegham, and the
temple was named Garni after his grandson Garnik. In the middle of I century AD it was destroyed
by the Roman troops. In the 70s of I AD the temple was reconstructed by Tiridates I of Armenia in
the Greek records of whome it was named an “unassailable fortress”. The fortress, which is standing
to the present day was constructed in III-II BC. The compositional center of the forest constructions
was the pillared temple. To the west of the temple, on the very edge of the cape stood the massive
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construction of the palace. After adopting Christianity it became the summerhouse of the sisiter of
Tiridates III of Armenia-Khosrovdukht.
Geghard Monastery
Geghard Monastery was founded by Grigor I the Illuminator. Initially, it
was called Ayrivank, because of its cavern constructions. The sacred javelin,
the iron end of the lance that wounded Jesus, brought to Armenia by the
apostle Tadevos, has been kept in the monastery since the half of the 13th
century. Since then, the monastery has been called Geghardavank (The monastery of the javelin).
Geghard Monastery was an important spiritual and cultural center of Medieval Armenia and besides
constructions of worship it also housed a school, library, a room for copying manuscripts, many
rocky chambers for the residence of monks.
Day 5 – Thursday
9:30
Armenian language class at school
11:30
Leaving for Khor Virap
A tour at Khor Virap and a group discussion on the themes,
12:30
interesting for the participants
13:30
Leaving for Noravank
14:00
Lunch on the way
14:30
17:00
17:00
–
Tour at Noravank
Returning to Yerevan
A visit to the House-museum of Vazgen Sargsyan (if there is
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time left)
19:00
Welcoming of the participants by the host families at
Shahumyan Square
Khor Virap
Khor Virap Monastery is situated on a hill near the village of Lusarat in
the marz of Ararat. In ancient times, here it was the capital of Armenia
Artashat with its high citadel. On the site of the present-day monastery
stood the royal prison. According to Agatangeghos, the virap (the
underground chapter) was a deep hole, full of snakes, venomous insects, where all the convicted
were put in. According to narrators Grigor the Illuminator experienced his sufferings
in this
underground chamber. In 642 Catholicos Nerses III built a chapel on the sacred underground
chamber, then a church was built. Khor Virap monastery was a center of education, and had a
congregation.
Noravank
Noravank was the spiritual center of Syunik in the 13th century and
the patrimonial cemetery of the Orbelyan prince family. In the 2nd half
of the 12nd century the architect Siranes and in the first half of the
XIV century the famous miniature painter, sculptor and architect
Momik worked here. The main church of the Noravank Complex , St. Karapet Church, was built by
the prince Liparit Orbelyan 1219-1223. The church porch was reconstructed by the architect Siranes
in 1261 on the initiative of Smbat Orbelyan. Later, after the earthquake of 1321 the constructionhas
suffered again. Most likely, the reconstruction of the church was realized by the architect Momik.
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The House-Museum of Vazgen Sargsyan
The Armenian national hero Vazgen Sargsyan is one of the prominent figures of
the Artsakh liberation war. The people have named him Sparapet to stress his
role in this war. On October 27, 1999, he was murdered, becaming the victim of
conspiracy. On March 5, 2003, on the day of the 43rd birthday of the hero, in the village of Ararat of
Ararat region, was opened his house-museum, where the history of life and biography of Vazgen
Sargsyan as a writer, soldier, sparapet and politician is presented.
Day 6 – Friday
09:30
Armenian language class
11:00
Leaving for Tsitsernakaberd Memorial and a tour in the museum
12:00
A visit to the Yerablur
13:30
A visit to a military unit or the educational centre “Pokr Mher”. getting
acquainted with the everyday life in the RA army.
14:30
Lunch in the military unit
16:00
A visit to the “Haghtanak” park and museum and Yerevan zoo
18:00
Welcoming of the participants by the host families at Shahoumyan
Square
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Memorial, dedicated to the Armenian Genocide victims
(The Tsitsernakaberd)
The memorial, dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide, is
situated on a hill in Yerevan, called Tsitsernakaberd. Every year, on April
24, hundreds of millions of Armenians and foreigners walk up here, to
honor the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide, perpetrated
by the Ottoman Turkey. In 1965, on the 50th anniversary of the Genocide, demonstrations were
organized in Yerevan and in 1966, the construction of the memorial began, which ended in 1968.
The 44 meters high column of the memorial symbolizes the renaissance of the Armenian people. The
12 stone slabs, arranged like a circle, represent the 12 Western Armenian provinces, inhabited by the
Armenians, situated in the territory of the present day Turkey. At the center of the circle is lit an
eternal flame. On the territory of the memorial complex is a 100-foot wall of mourning with the
most famous names of towns and villages which have been subjected to massacres. In 1995, an
underground museum was opened in the territory of the memorial,
where one can find information on the 1915 events. Beside the museum,
there is a park, where the foreign officials plant trees to the memory of
the victims of the Genocide, when visiting the Tsitsernakaberd.
Yerevan
Yerevan is the capital of the Republic of Armenia. It has a population of
about one million people. The name of the capital has descended from
Erebuni fortress of Urartu, which was built by the king Argishti I in 782
BC. Yerevan is 2797 years old. It is situated on the bank of the River
Hrazdan, the latter being the tributary of the River Arax. Warm, dry summers and relatively short
and cold winters are characteristic to the cimate of Yerevan. Yerevan has been the administrative
centre of the province of Yerevan and has become the 12nd capital of Armenia since 1918. The city
has a form of
an amphitheatre, having been designed by the prominent architect Alexander
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Tamanyan. The panoramas of the mountains Ararat and Aragats give a
special look to Yerevan. It’s also famous for its monuments, museums,
cultural centers, parks, fountains and drinking fountains.
Yerevan Zoo
Yerevan zoo was founded in 1940. Nearly 200 species of birds are kept here,
including animals and birds, peculiar to the Armenian Highland: striped
hyena, bezoar goat, rock partridge, fishes, shield-headed vipers and other
reptiles. 34 of the species kept in the zoo are registered in the International union of the Preservation
of Nature list and 50 of the species in the RA Red Data List.
The Yerablur
The pantheon of Yerablur is a military cemetery
in Yerevan, where
representatives of different generations of Armenian liberation struggle have
found their last refuge. Andranik Ozanyan and sparapet Vazgen Sargsyan, Sose
Mayrig, fedayis of Artsakh liberation war and soldiers rest here. Yerablur is not only a sanctuary, but
also a place of pilgrimage for the young people. It symbolizes the heroic image, the pride and the
perpetual aspiration for liberty of the Armenian people.
The Haghtanak Park (Victory Park)
On one of the hills in Yerevan is the Haghtanak Park or the Monument. The
Mother Armenia Statue is situated here. It represents a woman with a sword in
her hand and a shield under her feet. It symbolizes the will of the Armenian
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people to defend their motherland. There is also a military museum here again called “Mother
Armenia”. The park has picturesque alleys , merry-go-rounds, cafes. The park has a nice view upon
Mount Ararat.
Days 7,8 – Saturday, Sunday
An Administrative District/Community Day
Pastime with the host family
Day 9 – Monday
09:30
Armenian language class
11:00
A visit to Zoravar Andranik Museum
12:00
Leaving for the Sevan, a visit to Sevan Monastery
14:00
Lunch in Sevan
15:0015:30
17:00
18:00
Visiting Lake Sevan, resting on the Sevan beech
Returning to Yerevan
Welcoming of the participants by the hast families Shahumyan
Square
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Zoravar Andranik Museum of Fedayi Movement
Zoravar Andranik Museum of Fedayi Movement was founded in 1995 on the
130th birthday of Andranik Ozanyan . The museum was closed two years later
and reopened in 2006 near Komitas Pantheon. The life, activities and personal
articles of Ozanyan as well as other figures of fedayi movement, Artsakh
liberation war and other prominent national figures are illustrated in the
halls of the museum. The sculpture of Andranik guards the entrance of the
museum and the sculptures of other fedayies are placed in the park nearby.
Pantheon and Museum after Komitas
Komitas pantheon was founded in 1936, a year after removing Komitas’
remains from France to Yerevan. Later the cemetry was turned into a
pantheon of cultural and prominent figures. The wives of Martiros
Saryan(Lusik Saryan, 1893-1974), Avetik Isahakyan(Sofya Isahakyan,
1882-1966), Stepan Zoryan(Satenik Zoryan, 1901-1975) are also buried
here. Not far from the pantheon, in a peaceful corner, is the cementry of the well-known poetess
Shushanik Kurghinyan (1876-1927).
The museum was opened in january, 2015. The author and architect of the museum design is Arthur
Meschyan. Financial expences have been covered by the “Pyunik” pan-Armenian Human Resource
Development Foundation and “Luys” Foundation. The museum-institute has a permanent exhibition,
exhibition halls for provisional exhibitions and a concert hall. As part of the building will operate a
research center, a music studio, a library and a publishing house. The author and curator of the
exhibition is Vardan Karapetyan, designer-artist is Alberto Torsello. The life and activities of
Komitas, his musical- theoretical and spiritual activities as well as the rich ethnographic heritage are
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represented in permanent illustration of
the eight halls of the
museum. The author and the curator of the illustrations are Vardan
Karapetyan, the painter and desighner: Alberto Torcello. The program
has been realized by the Armenian National Committee of The
International Councile of Museums.
Sevanavank Monastery
The monastery of Sevan was founded by Grigor I the Illuminator in 305 AD
on the island of Sevan (now it has become a peninsula). The island was
fortified by fortress still in the age of bronze. There has been a pagan temple
here. In the IX century the princes of Syunik made the Sevan their foothold. In 874 the daughter of
the king Ashot Bagratuni and the wife of the prince Vasak Gabur, Mariam, constructed two churches
here: The Saint Arakelots church and the Saint Astvatsatsin Church. There are many khachkars in
the territory of the island. The churches were reconstructed during 1956-57.
Camping Days
Day 10 – Tuesday
09:30
The participants gather at Shahumyan square
10:00
Leaving for the camp
The participants accommodate themslves in the rest house and
make a tour in the territory.
11:00
The opening of the camp. The participants are divided into
detachments, according to age groups. The best participants
raise the flags of “Ari Tun” and the camp. Speeches and
welcoming words are heard. The participants get acquainted
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with the rules and the timetable of the camping stage.
14:00
15:00
16:00
17:00
19:0020:00
20:00
23:00
–
Lunch
Acquaintance to each other/games for participants aging 13-15
and 16-18
Classes of Armenian Studies, national song and dance
Dinner
If participants wish, competitions between detachments and
events are organized
Good night
Day 11 – Wednesday
08:00
Wake up
09:00
Breakfast
10:00
14:0015:00
16:00
18:00
19:00-
Sports games, classes of Armenian Studies, national song and
dance
Lunch
Interest group activities
Discussions, debates on important issues are organized with the
efforts of the participants
Dinner
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20:00
20:30
23:00
Cultural
events/film
watching,
discussions,
meeting,
presentations, rehearsals for a concert
Good night
Day 12 – Thursday
08:00
Wake up
09:00
Breakfast
10:00
Hiking/interest groups/cognitive lessons
14:00 –
15:00
16:00
19:0020:00
Lunch
Classes of Armenian Studies, national song and dance
Dinner
20:30
Film watching/quiz free pastime
23:00
Good night
Day 13 - Friday
08:00
Wake up
09:00
Breakfast
10:00
Sports games, cognitive lessons
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14:00 –
15:00
16:00
19:00 –
20:00
20:00
23:00
Lunch
Meeting well-known people, getting prepared for the farewell
party
Dinner
Farewell bonfire, made with the efforts of the participants with
the participation of guests
Good night
Day 14 – Saturday
08:00
Wake up
09:00
Breakfast
At the end of the program the participants express their opinions
10:00
and suggestions to the head of the program filling in the
impression sheet of the guide. Leaving for Yerevan
11:30
Welcoming of the participants by the host families at Shahumyan
square
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