On April 6, 2017, the Calouste Gulbenkian Hall at the Hayartun Center of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia hosted a performance dedicated to daily bread, particularly the celebration in honor of Armenian lavash. The hall was decorated accordingly. The Armenian lavash baking process was clearly demonstrated thanks to the imagination of primary school teachers. Children dressed in national costumes, acting like adults, skillfully demonstrated the preparation of Armenian lavash, introducing the attendees to the mystery of the performance.

The clergy, employees of the Hayartun Center, teachers and parents took their seats in the hall.

The celebration started by the Lord’s Prayer and by blessing from the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan. With the participation of the Diocesan Primate and the clergymen a prayer was raised for repose of the soul of the “Bread Bringer” Artur Sargsyan, who has died this year.

The Head of the Educational Department of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia and Preschool Director, Eugenia Markosyan, congratulated the attendees on the upcoming feast – the Annunciation to Virgin Mary, referring to the significance of the bread in a man’s life, she laid emphasis on adjectives describing bread, which are in widespread use among ordinary people and have been passed from generation to generation for centuries. The speaker highlighted that Armenian lavash is an inseparable part of Armenia identity and an expression of Armenian culture, and it is inscribed in UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The primary school students skillfully presented the saving grace of Armenian lavash bread for a villager who embarks on a journey, until fate brings him back home, where daily bread is made with love. With clear pronunciation they were reciting, singing and dancing, presenting customs and sayings associated with bread, thanks to the joint efforts of teachers Eugenia Markosyan, Metaksia Ghazaryan, Oksana Sharoyan, Mari Abulyan, Ivane Mkrtchyan and their parents.

Emma Akhtyan, the Head of “Arevik” Foundation, and Mrs. Eleonora Vardanyan, the wife of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of RA to Georgia, shared their impressions of the event

At the end of the event, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia offered his appreciation and blessing remarks. The Bishop emphasized the importance of celebration in honor of bread for the children, as it becomes tomorrow’s vivid memory, while learned traditions will accompany them through every department of life. The Primate highlighted that bread is used in rites and sacraments by the Armenian Apostolic Church, mentioned that people live by bread, swear by bread, break bread with someone to share a common experience, equate bread with justice. The Diocesan Primate highly appreciated the work of the preschool principal and teachers and the appropriate decoration of the venue.

Celebration in honor of bread turned into an important educational and cognitive event.