February 21 is International Mother Language Day. Ahead of the day, within the framework of the academic year of cultural education, at the initiative of the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, an expo dedicated to the culture and language of national minorities living in the Republic of Armenia was held at the G. Sundukyan National Academic Theater, during which schoolchildren’s project works were exhibited.
The event was attended by Minister of Education, Science, and Technology Zhanna Andreasyan, Deputy Minister Araxia Svajyan, Chairwoman of the Language Committee Siranush Dvoyan, President of the National Union of Yezidis Khdir Hajoyan, and editor and translator of “Public Radio” Hasan Tamoyan.
Minister of Education, Science, and Technology Zhanna Andreasyan welcomed the participating schools and expressed gratitude for responding to the initiative and filling the day with unique content.
“This year marks the 25th International Mother Language Day, established by UNESCO. Your projects, which are aimed at presenting the cultures of national minorities, are, on the one hand, part of the educational process, and on the other hand, help us to understand better the minorities living in our country and ourselves since they are part of Armenia,” the Minister said, addressing the schoolchildren.
According to Zhanna Andreasyan, the new standard of general education emphasizes explicit knowledge of the culture, language, and history of national minorities, which is a general rule of coexistence and a path to self-knowledge.
“I am sure that this experience of cognition helps to be more attentive, sensitive, and consistent in seemingly small matters, on which the quality of public life also depends,” the Minister said, thanking the schools for their work.
The Ministry of Education, Science, and Higher Education has previously sent a circular to all schools so that students can carry out project work studying the language and culture of national minorities as part of the second semester’s project work.
The previously announced competition resulted in 2 schools from each region of the Republic of Armenia and the capital being recognized as winners. At the final event, organized at the G. Sundukyan Academic Theater, the latter presented their projects in a separate pavilion.
The Minister and the guests toured the pavilions, got acquainted with the projects, and inquired about the students’ research, what new knowledge they had acquired about national minorities, etc.
Presenting their work, the students emphasized that during the study, they had met with communities representing national minorities, got acquainted with their traditions, cuisine, and history, and implemented the projects with their help. The children were particularly impressed by the rituals and religious features of national minorities. Those students who had not met with national minorities within the framework of the projects assured that they had a great desire to meet, get acquainted with, and communicate with their peers of other nationalities.
After the presentation, the participating students watched the performance “For Honor” as part of the season ticket program.
