THE SECOND PAN-DIASPORAN EDUCATION CONFERENCE CONCLUDES ITS ACTIVITIES
“THE ARMENIAN TEACHER BRINGS TO LIFE THE MISSION OF THE ARMENIAN SCHOOL”
SAYS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
07/19/2008
The second pan-diaspora conference on education organized under the auspices of the Catholicosate of Cilicia concluded its activities on Saturday, July 19.
In his concluding remarks of the conference, His Holiness stressed the important role of the Armenian teacher in Armenian schools, particularly in contemporary times when the number of teachers specializing in Armenological topics is on the decline. “The Armenian School is in a crisis, which should not, however, be presented in a negative way. The highpoints of our nation’s history, our most important achievements have been the results of crises. We should have the courage to see the crisis, make the correct diagnosis and look for solutions to the problems,” he said.
Contemplating on the part the Catholicosate of Cilicia would play in this respect, His Holiness said the Holy See’s role is “that if an initiator at times, that of a reminder at others, without interfering in the internal workings of Armenian schools.”
Pointing to the differences that exist between Armenian schools in communities around the world, His Holiness said: “Our differences are not a reason for us to not become one whole. Despite being in different conditions, we can be of use to one another through systematic work and good organization,” he stressed. Finally, highlighting the true nature of the Armenian school, the Pontiff said: “The Armenian school is not only a collection of classrooms, textbooks; the teacher that breathes life into all this is essential. Today there is a lack of Armenian teachers everywhere. It is not only the number of students that is decreasing; the same is true for the number of Armenian teachers.” The Pontiff called on all educational structures to support Armenian teachers and improve their living standards.
Some 100 representatives from all the dioceses of the Catholicosate of Cilicia (except for the Diocese of Greece) participated in the conference in addition to the representative of the Armenian schools of Istanbul. The active participation of various educational structures and councils was noteworthy.
The final session of the conference, before His Holiness Aram I’s concluding remarks, featured wide-ranging discussions on a number of issues related to the conference. Many constructive proposals were also set forth by the participants. The proposals were drafted by a special committee and are presented below as a blueprint for future projects.
A dinner banquet was organized Saturday evening in honour of the participants in Bikfayya coupled with a beautiful cultural entertainment program presented by the Seminary students.
THE SECOND PAN-DIASPORAN EDUCATION CONFERENCE DISCUSSES
THE TEACHING OF ARMENIAN LANGUAGE, HISTORY AND RELIGION
07/18/2008
The second pan-diasporan education conference organized under the auspices of His Holiness Aram I continued its sessions on July 17, featuring heated discussions on issues related to the Armenian Language, History and Religion.
Vahe Ghazarian chaired the first session, during which representatives of the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s Dioceses spoke about activities at the local level and the teaching of these three subjects in their respective communities.
The participants in the conference discussed and debated these presentations during the second session chaired by Anahit Nersisian. The discussions were enriching particularly with regard to the exchange of viewpoints and the recounting of individual experiences. The third session focused in depth on the imperative of re-organizing the teaching of the Armenian Language, touching on such issues as textbooks, structure of classes and methodology. Jirayr Tanyelian chaired the session, which featured presentations by Clara Aghakhanian, Keghani Etyemezian and Bebo Simonian.
Garo Hovhannessian chaired the following session, which discussed the presentations made previously. The discussions featured not only comments but also proposals and collective efforts for arriving at solutions to the problems presented. The preparation of good textbooks and adequate teachers was considered more important than methodology and a common pan- diasporan approach to these issues was considered essential.
The fifth session chaired by Armine Vahramian looked at re-organizing the teaching of Armenian history. The presenters included Ani Fishenkdjian, Zaven Meserlian and Vicken Avakian. The participants stressed the need to pass beyond textbook teaching to convey the spirit of Armenian History and the significance of the high points in the nation’s
contemporary history with a special focus on the Armenian Genocide. The sixth session discussed the same topic under the chairmanship of Houry Ghougasian.
The last two sessions of the second day were dedicated to the teaching of religion and they were chaired by Jirayr Reyisian and Bishop Shahe Panossian respectively. Presentations were made by V. Rev. Krikor Chiftjian, Father Mesrob Kerkezian and Violet Haroutyounian.
The discussions of this topic stressed the important role of the church and the imperative for preparing an effective manpower towards this goal. The participants also emphasized the need for a professional approach to the teaching of this topic, which will contribute to the formation of the future Armenian generations.
The conference will conclude its session on July 19.
ARTIST HAROUTIOUN TOROSSIAN IS AWARDED THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA’S
“ST. MESRBO MASHDOTS” MEDAL
07/18/2008
His Holiness Aram I awarded the “Saint Mesrob Mashdots” Medal to Lebanese Armenian artist and painted Haroutioun Torossian during a ceremony in the Saint Asdvadzadzine Monastery in Bikfaya on July 18. The event also celebrated the launch of Torossian’s “Tuidanguines” (“From my Perspective”) book.
Father Sahag Yemishian delivered the opening remarks of the conference, highlighting the importance of art and its influence on the lives of people. Well known pedagogue Krikor Shahinian, an old friend of the artist, then spoke about Torossian and his paintings. “The lines of his paintings are clear and firm, his shapes are impressive but not severe.” Due to his long-standing friendship with Torossian, Shahinian had come to know the man beyond the artist. “He’s a good man and a passionate Armenian. It is a true pleasure to see artistic skills and moral values on one person”, Shahinian observed.
Speaking in French, Mrs. Mary Therese Tabet portrayed in detail the artist’s personality. “The art of Haroutioun Torossian is an experience that enriches the soul, specially when produced by an artist who has such a sensitive spirit,” she said.
A student of Torosian, Hanna Bou Soujwan, expressed his gratitude towards her teacher. “An artist in every sense of the word, he never knew hatred, nor rest. He breathed with the colors, having Lebanon as his source of inspiration,” he said in his Arabic speech.
In his concluding remarks, His Holiness Aram I upheld the characteristics of Torossian the man and the artist. “Haroutioun Torossian is the combination of simplicity, love and spiritual values. As an artist, he has been one that has remained peaceful at times like the calm sea and restless at others like the stormy sea.” His Holiness highlighted three unique characteristics in Torossian: the artist of letters, colours and lines; the artist of dialogue between east and west; the artist who clearly articulates the spirit of what does it mean to be Armenian. His Holiness observed that Torossian had produced his art with faith and a firm dedication to our nation’s values. “We come and go, but we remain in the life of people by what we give to humanity” added the Pontiff.
His Holiness then placed the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s “Saint Mesrob Mashdots” Medal on the artist’s chest as a symbol of appreciation for his valuable work. The event also featured a cultural entertainment program including a performance by Father Torkom Donoyan on the piano. The ceremony ended with the collective singing of “Cilicia”.
THE BOOK LAUNCH FOR “ORHNERKOUTYOUN MEDZASKANTCHIN”
IS HELD IN ANTELIAS
07/17/2008
The collection of Eastern and Western Armenian literary masterpieces, “Orhnerkoutyoun Medzaskanchin” published last year by the Catholicosate of Cilicia, dedicated to the Armenian language, was presented on July 17 to educational officials from around the Armenian Diaspora gathered in Antelias to attend the second Pan-Diaspora Conference on Education.
The event, sponsored by His Holiness Aram I, was to re-evaluate the “Year of the Armenian Language” declared by the Catholicosate of Cilicia in 2007, during which several initiatives throughout the Diaspora brought the Armenian Language at the center of attention. The volume was edited by Lebanese-Armenian intellectual Sarkis Giragosian, also lecturer on the Armenian Language and Literature at the Seminary and an intellectual. It had been published towards the end of the year.
In his opening remarks, Deacon Father Mesrob Sarkissian talked about the educational mission of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, which coexists side-by side with its spiritual, religious mission. Seminary students then recited poems praising the Armenian Language.
Lebanese Armenian poet Hagop Manoukian delivered a comprehensive account of the content of the volume and the editorial work involved in its preparation. Mr. Manoukian presented to the audience poetic and literary excerpts from the volume, speaking about the uniqueness of the collection.
In his speech, His Holiness Aram I once again upheld the essential importance of the Armenian Language. Speaking about the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s initiatives to bring important issues to the center of public attention, His Holiness talked about the Year of the Armenian Language in 2007. “However, for each Armenian the Armenian Language is a daily existential struggle. The Armenian Language is one of the Holy values of our nation and one that can not be forgotten, not only because the discovery of the Armenian letters was made by a Saint, but because the Language acquired a value equal to that of sanctity in Armenian life. Is there an Armenian intellectual who has not realized the important value of our language? Is there an Armenian clergyman, who while conveying the Word of God, does not realize the sacred value of the Armenian Language?” wondered His Holiness. On this occasion the Pontiff also highly praised editor Sarkis Giragossian, the Cilician Brotherhood members who organized the conference, the Seminary students who participated in the program and the Seminary’s management.
The cultural entertainment program continued with performances by Seminary students and a reception by the Seminary’s management.
THE SECOND PAN-DIASPORA CONFERENCE ON EDUCATION IS LAUNCHED IN ANTELIAS
07/17/2008
The second Pan-Diaspora Conference on Education was launched on July 17 in the Saint Asdvadzadzine Monastery in Bikfaya. The conference brings together some 100 Armenian community officials from around the world involved in the field of education, including principals of Armenian schools and teachers of Armenian Language, Literature, Religion.
The official opening of the conference in the “Prapyon Doumanian” Hall of the Seminary followed the morning service in the Saint Asdvadzadzine chapel.
In his speech the Pontiff praised the commitment of the Armenian school and its dedicated teachers to the spiritual and intellectual formation of the new Armenian generations. Referring to the discussions of the first conference on education held four years ago in Antelias, His Holiness talked about those proposals, which had been brought to life as well as the shortcomings in realizing some others.
Outlining his vision of the second conference’s discussions, His Holiness advised that it should be unique in its kind. “This is not only a conference to share our difficulties and concerns with one another. We have come here to talk about re-organizing the teaching of Armenological topics, particularly Armenian Language, Literature, and Religion. We live in different circumstances. In some countries there are difficulties with regard to classes, textbooks and even teachers. Therefore, the exchange of viewpoints and your proposals are essential for the coordination of our collective efforts. Finally, His Holiness called up the participants to work collectively.
The sessions of the first day featured discussions on the status of the above-mentioned topics in each of the Dioceses and other concerns. The conference will continue over the next two days.