On December 21, 2017, the “Saint Movses Khorenatsi” Primary School celebrated New Year and Christmas in the Calouste Gulbenkian Hall at the Hayartun Center of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia.

The beautifully decorated Christmas tree, full of ornaments and lights, stood proudly in the hall, and the inscription “Craftsman Kitty” on the opposite wall as if was reminding that the children had prepared a surprise for the adults. There were seats for nice-looking children in the center of the hall, who were dressed in different costumes of forest animals, angels and fairy tale heroes, thanks to the imagination of primary school teachers and the support of parents.

The excited children were anxiously waiting for New Year and Santa Claus to come, following their staged performance. The children were very well prepared and wanted their teachers, parents, grandparents, guests, and most of all Santa Claus, to be content.

The honorable guests, namely Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia to Georgia Ruben Sadoyan; and his wife and daughter, as well as diplomats of the Embassy occupied the seats in the hall.

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

The celebration started by the Lord’s Prayer and by blessing from the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia.

The Head of the Educational Department of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia and Preschool Director, Eugenia Markosyan, gave opening remarks and extended her warm wishes for a happy holiday season, while the children appeared on the scene. They were reciting, singing and dancing about New Year and Christmas, thanks to the efforts of their teachers.

Afterwards, the children beautifully performed a new interpretation of Hovhannes Tumanyan’s ballad “Shoonn oo Katoon” (The Dog and the Cat) with new heroes, showing the triumph of good and justice. Especially moving were the children’s acting technique and gestures, costumes of the fairy tale heroes, which adorned the staging, and made the celebration perfect. It was obvious that they were beautifully reciting, singing and dancing, thanks to the efforts of teachers Metaksia Ghazaryan, Ani Zeynalyan, Maria Abulyan, Suren Abrahamyan, Ivane Mkrtchyan, led by Preschool Director, Eugenia Markosyan.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia to Georgia Ruben Sadoyan shared his impressions of New Year celebration. Mr. Ambassador appreciated the work undertaken by the primary school teachers to organize a wonderful celebration and set the children in the festive mood. He appreciated the activities undertaken by the Armenian Diocese in Georgia to make the community life interesting, diverse and goal-oriented, and emphasized the willingness of the embassy to support the activities of the Georgian-Armenian community.

At the end of the event, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan referred to the activity of the Hayartun Center and the “Saint Movses Khorenatsi“ Preschool in particular, and stressed that every time the kindergarten appears in new splendor, with new decorations. The Diocesan Primate expressed his gratitude to the primary school teachers and all the employees for their devoted activity. The Bishop expressed his gratitude to the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia to Georgia, headed by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia to Georgia Ruben Sadoyan, who ever since the first days has been attentive to the Georgian-Armenian community life. Bishop Vazgen congratulated the attendees on the occasion of Upcoming Christmas and New Year, and invited everyone to participate in the ceremonies of Christmas celebration and consecration of water.

Traditionally Santa Clause appeared on the scene; he was very pleased and at the end gave New Year presents to all the children, which had been prepared by the Saint Movses Khorenatsi Preschool and the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia to Georgia.