On June 23, 2017, the Alexander Mantashev Educational Cultural Youth Center in Batumi of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia hosted a concert marking the end of 2016/2017 academic year.

During official visit to Adjaria, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, and his delegation from Tbilisi, attended the event.

The occasion was honored with the presence of Consul General of the Republic of Armenia in Batumi Yeghishe Sargsyan.

The year-end concert, which showed the results of the Center’s work, began with the Lord's Prayer and the blessings of the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia.

The concert was launched with the performances of the students from the senior and junior groups of the St. Gregory the Illuminator Preschool. The children beautifully performed songs and dances, recited poems.

The creative groups of the Alexander Mantashev Center (adjunct to the Surb Prkich (Saint Savior) Church), founded not so long ago, not only have improved their artistry, but have broadened the scope of their activities.

The eloquent testimony of that were the performances by the Aghbyur Youth Vocal Ensemble (choir master Ruzanna Hovhannisyan) of choral songs by Komitas; artistic performances by soloists Anna Soghoyan, Margarita Khumaryan, and Sofia Poghosyan. The Heghnar Dance Group (choreographer Merine Poghosyan) performed a passionate traditional dance “Kochari”, symbolizing the development of Armenian folk dances.

The Alexander Mantashev Center pays special attention to knowledge of the Armenian language, fairy tales and poetry. Through the efforts of the teacher of the drama circle and recitation classes, Satenik Danielyan, the students of the Sunday school and the Preschool jointly presented “The council of mice” by Atabek Khnkoyan; Margarita Danielyan and Carolina Beryukova performed Armenian patriotic and folk songs and recited poems.

At the conclusion of the event, the Consul General of the Republic of Armenia praised the activities of the Alexander Mantashev Center and noted that it had always been a pleasant experience to attend the events of the Center. Each time he became more convinced that the Center was putting a great effort in order to preserve the Armenian identity, give the young generation Armenian upbringing and develop their intellectual skills.

In his remarks, Levon Chidilyan, Director of the Cultural Department of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, noted with satisfaction that our precious language becomes more popular in Batumi day by day, and this is due to the Center and operating there Sunday schools and preschool. The Center through its activities is the guarantee for the preservation of Armenian identity in the multinational city.

The Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan delivered the closing message and offered his blessings. The Bishop praised the activities of the Center, urged to continue working at the same pace and broaden the scope of the activities. Bishop Vazgen highly appreciated the work of the Center’s Director Sona Hovhannisyan, praised all the teachers, who do everything possible to give the children in the city and region Armenian upbringing, teach the children the commandments of the Armenian Church and to raise many worthy sons and daughters for the Armenian community. The Primate extended his gratitude to the parents, who are united around the Armenian Church and influence on their children’s national identity.

The Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia congratulated the students of the St. Mesrop Mashtots Sunday school, offered his paternal blessings and handed out certificates to the students.