On May 11 and 12, 2018, an intellectual competition “One Nation, One Fist” was held at the Akhalkalaki Educational, Cultural and Youth Center. It was dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the First Republic of Armenia and Heroic Battles of May. It was a team competition, requiring intellectual and logical skills. The questions referred to Armenian history, literature and Armenian national songs and dances.
The competition was initiated and organized by the Youth Center of Akhalkalaki under the leadership of Karine Tadevosyan, Chairwoman of ARS (Armenian Relief Society) in Javakheti. Community teams from region were participating in the competition.
For the first time, “Tpghis” team of the “Hayartun” Center of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia participated in the intellectual competition “One Nation, One Fist”. The Team included students of the “Surb Grigor Narekatsi” (“Saint Gregory of Narek”) and Surb Yeghia Margare” (“Saint Elias prophet”) Sunday schools of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia.
“The knowledge of Armenian history, literature and dances, gained by the students during the preparation for the competition, became their property and it is already a victory” - highlighted Mrs. Karine in her opening remarks. The competition was held in two stages – three teams reached the final round out of six teams participated in the first round.
On May 12, “Tpghis” team, with the blessings of the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, headed by Director of the Educational Department Eugenia Markosyan, Teacher of Armenian history Revik Karapetyan and choreographer Suren Abrahamyan arrived in Ahkalkalaki.
At the opening of the competition participants danced roundelay at the Center's courtyard, performed the National Anthem of the Republic of Armenia. Then the competition was launched. All the teams were named after various Armenian historical regions. The participants had to present their knowledge of the abovementioned subjects. The jury of the competition, consisting of professionals, assessed answers gave by participants.
“Tpghis” team joined the competition in the semi-final stage and played with Baralet Public School and Akhaltsikhe Youth Center's teams.
“Tpghis” team met with “Abul” and “Erzrum” teams (the latter was presenting the village of Kirovakan, Akhalkalaki region) and took the honorary second place.
The competition ended with the victory of the “Abul” team of the Youth Center of Akhalkalaki.
For the participants from Tbilisi the competition became not only a test of knowledge but also a great environment for acquiring new friends.
During the two-day visit to Javakheti, young people from Tbilisi stopped at the shores of Lake Parvana, attended Vahan Teryan’s house museum, took part in Dolma Festival and the Divine Liturgy celebrated at the Surb Khach (Holy Cross) church in Ahkalkalaki, visited Rabat, Khertvisi fortress and Saint Gregory the Illuminator Armenian church in Akhaltsikhe.
The “One Nation, One Fist” regional intellectual competition ended giving the participants unforgettable impressions, new acquaintances and many friends.