January 16, 2018, was a festive day in the Gumburdo village of Akhalkalaki region. In attendance during this historical event were not only the residents of Gumburdo, but high-ranking officials and representatives of the municipal authorities from Tbilisi and different regions of Georgia.

After 20 years a dream of many generations of village residents (the village has a population of more than 3000 residents) to have a renovated school became a reality. After attending lessons in a building of a club, the students will now attend classes at a renovated school.

The newly built school was solemnly opened. It was made possible through a donation from Shushik Mghdesyan.

Minister of Education and Science of Georgia Mikhail Chkhenkeli; Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Georgia Lia Gigauri; Members of Parliament of Georgia Davit Chichinadze, Ruslan Poghosyan, Henzel Mkoyan and Samvel Manukyan; Governor of Samtskhe-Javakhk Akaki Machutadze; Mayor of Akhalkalak Yurik Unanyan; Chairman of the Regional Assembly of Akhalkalak Nairi Iritsyan; the benefactor’s representative, Mr. Shirinyan; editor of Georgia newspaper Van Baiburtyan; representatives of the authorities of Ninotsminda, Akhaltsikhe and Akhalkalaki regions; other high-ranking officials; as well as public and cultural figures honored the solemn opening ceremony with their presence.

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

The new school is designed for 400 students. It has a swimming pool and a football stadium. The school has an area of 1,700 square meters; it has equipment and facilities falling in line with European standards.

The guests were greeted by head of village Artur Kurghinyan and Deputy of the Regional Assembly of Akhalkalak in Gumburdo Ashot Saharyan.

The event began with opening remarks by Minister of Education and Science of Georgia Mikhail Chkhenkeli, he named the education and integration of national minorities as a top priority. He expressed his gratitude to all the benefactors for their contribution to the upbringing and education of the young generation. The Minister expressed hope that schools in villages would become a center for culture and education.

The speeches were followed by the closing remarks of the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan. The Bishop conveyed to the local residents the blessings and good wishes of His Holiness, the Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II. The Primate highly appreciated the work that had been done and stated that education is the most powerful weapon that can help change the world. In our days, the role of education is gradually growing, and brilliant evidence of this is the school that has been opened in Gumburdo village.

Afterwards, Mayor of Akhalkalak Yurik Unanyan and head of Gumburdo village Artur Kurghinyan awarded benefactor Shushik Mghdesyan the Gold Medal of the RA Ministry of Diaspora, while chief architect Ruben Yeghiazaryan and builder Misak Kurghinyan received the silver medals. The benefactor personally cut the ribbon, after which the guests toured the newly built school. The Master of Ceremonies was Head of the Resource Center of Akhalkalaki region, Tereza Chivchyan.