On November 6, 2016, the pilgrimage of the students and teaching staff of the Ninotsminda’s “Rafael Javakh” Cultural Educational and Youth Center to the functioning Armenian sanctuaries in Tbilisi was organized. The pilgrims were accompanied by Rev. Father Armash Poghosyan, Pastor of Surb Sargis Church in Ninotsminda region of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia; assistant to the Pastor, Dn. Atanas Kirakosyan; Zhora Snkhchyan, Head of “Rafael Javakh” Cultural Educational and Youth Center. The visit started with the candle-lighting and prayer in the Cathedral of Saint George.

The students and teachers visited the Tbilisi Pantheon of the Armenian Writers and Public Figures “Khojivank”, laid flowers at the gravestones of prominent figures.

Later the pilgrims visited the Saint Etchmiadzin Church in Avlabari and were hosted in the Hayartun Center. Welcoming the guest in the Calouste Gulbenkian Hall, Head of the Cultural Department in the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, Levon Chidilyan transmitted to the attendees the blessings and good wishes from the Diocesan Primate, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan. The Hayartun Center’s Director referred to the cooperative activities of the Hayartun Center in Tbilisi, the Alexander Mantashev Center in Batumi, “Rafael Javakh” Center in Ninotsminda that operate under the auspices the Diocese and pursue a common goal to preserve the mother language, Armenian identity, spiritual and cultural values in Georgia.

The joint concert of the “Aravot Luso” Choir (led by Irina Gharslyan) and the “Parnas” Recitation Classes (led by Satenik Snkhchyan) of the “Rafael Javakh” Cultural Educational and Youth Center was started. To enthusiastic applause, soloists and the choir performed religious hymns, classical and national songs, folk quatrains and contemporary choral pieces; students were reciting pieces of classical, Western Armenian, contemporary Georgian-Armenian literature, dedicated to the fatherland, the people, their heroic willpower and victorious spirit; it was accompanied by witty and knowledgeable commentary from Zhora Snkhchyan, who served as a master of ceremonies. The highlight of the event was the performance of “Zartni Lao” and “Sardarapat” songs.

The “Rafael Javakh” Cultural Center’s Concert in the Hayartun Center ended with “Hayastan” and “Tbiliso” songs jointly performed by the “Aravot Luso” Choir and the Saint Nerses Shnorhali Youth Vocal Ensemble. Expressing his gratitude for great aesthetic pleasure, poet and translator Givi Shakhnazari emphasized the importance of similar meetings between the regional and city centers and their students. He expressed hope that they will continue the cooperation.