On December 2, 2017, a childish atmosphere was created at the Hayartun Center of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia. The Calouste Gulbenkian Hall decorated with beautiful ribbons and colorful balloons had been prepared to celebrate with an event the 15th anniversary of Arevik Benevolent Foundation for Support to Georgian-Armenian Children.

Honorary members of the Armenian community took their seats in the first row of the hall; in attendance were the clergy, teachers, parents and guests.

The occasion was honored with the presence of the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan.

The event began with the Lord's Prayer and the blessings of the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia. Afterwards, Arevik Vocal Ensemble of Tbilisi Public school № 104, led by choirmaster Marina Arshakyan, performed the anthem of the Foundation.

Emma Akhtyan, Head of Arevik Foundation, touched upon the history of the foundation, the purpose of its creation, reviewed 15 years of its activities, expressed her gratitude to the RA Ministry of Diaspora and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Armenia, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, many individual benefactors, who make the Foundation’s work possible. She highlighted that Arevik Monthly’s pages reflect the activities of Arevik Foundation, children’s paintings and poetry, and it provides pleasure for children and adults alike. The newspaper provides information and news from the school life, helps peers to get to know each other.

Vice Chairs of the Foundation, Inga Aghekyan and Aida Barseghyan reminded the attendees that during past years, the foundation has organized many exhibitions, festive events, competitions and donations, uniting children from the cities and regions of Georgia inhabited by Armenians.

Anna Mikaelyan served as the Mistress of Ceremonies. The event featured the screening of a video clip devoted to the Foundation’s activities, and congratulatory remarks from many countries. With their songs, dances, recitations the Hayartun Center’s soloists Ani Hovhannisyan, Aida Bazoyan, Genrikh Petrosyan, Eduard Kocharyan, Anna Ananova, Liana Makaryan, the member of duduk and dhol classes congratulated the Foundation on the occasion of its 15th anniversary.

Poet and translator Givi Shakhnazari; the editor of “Vrastan” (Georgia) newspaper Van Bayburtyan; Karine Manukyan, Coordinator of National School Projects at the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia; President of the Union of Armenian Businessmen of Georgia, Samvel Aghekyan; Romeo Matiashvili, actor of Tbilisi State Drama Theatre after Petros Adamyan; delivered congratulatory remarks and offered their good wishes.

In his remarks, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan offered his blessings and expressed his appreciation. The Primate praised Arevik Foundation for its productive activities, highly estimated the musical numbers and other performances during the event, which began with children; they grow and develop in the Center, proudly present Armenian culture and art everywhere. The Bishop wished success and progress in activities, aimed at multilateral education and patriotic upbringing.

The event also featured an exhibition of works by Gari Arushanyan and Yuri Arutyunov, the students of the painting classes held by Robert Nersesov.