ARF worldwide youth jamboree in Armenia

YEREVAN (Combined sources) — The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Fifth Youth Jamboree began at a resort facility on the shores of Lake Sevan, August 1, 1997. More than 650 members of ARF Youth Organizations from Armenia and around the world are participated in this 12 day camp.

The official openning ceremonies began with the singing of the Armenian national anthem and the raising of the flag ceremony. It was followed by the blessing of the jamboree delivered by Primate Anania of the Gegharkounik Diocese. He also conveyed the warm greetings of His Holiness Karekin I, Catholicos of All Armenians.

Armenia’s Education and Sciences Minister Artashes Petrossian read a welcoming message from Prime Minister Robert Kocharian. Armenian Revolutionary Federation Executive Council of Armenia member Rouben Hakopian greeted the participants on behalf of the ARF.

Viken Tufenkjian, the leader of the jamboree, observed that such large gatherings are being held in Armenia for the first time. According to him, “the major objective of the Jamboree is to provide Diasporan youth with the opportunity to come in close contact with their homeland, feel their native earth and water, feel what it means to be an Armenian, to obtain knowledge of their homeland, and enjoy the beauty of Armenia.”

Also present at the official opening of the jamboree were members of the National Assembly, official guests, representatives of humanitarian and social organizations, political parties, defense attorneys of the political prisoners as well as ARF workers and media representatives.

During the next 12 days, Jamboree participants addressed issues concerning Armenians both in Armenia and the Diaspora, and the challenges facing the Republic of Armenia, Karabakh and the pursuit of the Armenian Cause.

A round-table discussion with representatives of different political parties operating in Armenia, as well presentations of different ministries and the Armenian Church helped the participants of the jamboree become familiar with the social, cultural, economic and political condition of Armenia; evaluate them and try to apply solutions.

The participants also discussed reports about the various ARF Youth Organizations attending the Jamboree.

Participants went sightseeing in and around Yerevan. They visited the Genocide Memorial at Dzidzernagapert; they placed a wreath at the Unkown Soldier’s tomb in the Yeraploor Military Cemetery; they visited St. Etchmiadzin, the Seat of the Catholicosate of All-Armenians, and were granted an audience by Catholicos Karekin I; the participants also visited military bases in Armenia. The evening programs of the Jamboree brought a large of number of Armenia’s entertainers, singers, as well as the Hamazkain Theatrical Group to the stage of the jamboree site.

The highlight of the entertainment program was the Festival, during which the participants from Armenia and over fifteen countries presented dishes and ARF Youth memorabilia from their respective countries, as well as performed.

On August 10, the Jamboree participants were transported to Nagorno-Karabakh. On their route they visited the Monestary of Khor Virab.

In Karabakh, the participants visited Shoushi, Stepanakert and the region of Mardakert. At the War Memorial they paid their respects to the fallen soldiers of the Karabakh struggle.

Speaker of the Nagorno-Karabakh National Assembly, Arthur Tovmassian, NKR Minister for Youth and Sports, Armen Sarkissian, ARF Bureau Representative in Karabakh, Serge Amirkhanian, ARF Artsakh Central Committee chairman Vachakan Zakarian and Viken Tufenkjian addressed a rally of the Jamboree participants in Stepanakert. A message from Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’s Acting President and Prime Minister, Leonard Petrossian, was also read.

In Shoushi, at the tomb of ARF freedom fighter Bedo, around fifty members of the participants took the ARF oath and joined the ARF; Vachakan Zakarian presided over the ceremony.

The ARF Fifth Youth Jamboree concluded on the evening of August 12.

The ARF Youth Jamborees take place once every four years. For the first time, it took place on the historic land of Armenia. The previous four jamborees were held in Greece, France, Cyprus and Bulgaria.

ARF youth meet Kocharian

YEREVAN (ArmenPress) - Armenian Prime Minister Robert Kocharian received a group of participants of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Fifth Youth Jamboree, Wednesday, August 6, 1997.

On behalf of Jamboree organizers and participants, Jamboree Executive representative Viken Tufenkjian thanked the Prime Minister and pointed out that such gatherings in Armenia greatly support to the preservation of the national spirit among the youth. He expressed the organization’s wish for such gatherings to become a tradition for Armenia.

Greeting the Jamboree participants, Prime Minister Kocharian stressed the importance of such meetings for strengthening the sense of patriotism among young Armenians, as well as for enforcing Armenia-Diaspora relations. At Kocharian’s request, participants spoke about their daily activities and programs, as well as about their impressions of the homeland.

ARF Youth takes part in Socialist Youth Int’l

ATHENS - A delegation of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Youth Organization attended the annual conference of the Mediterranean region of the Socialist Youth International, which took place in Athens, in May.

Bedo Demirdjian and Krikor Mkhigian represented the ARF Youth Organization at the conference. The conference discussed several issues pertaining to the Mediterranean and evaluated Turkey’s relations and intrusive role in the Mediterranean and the Balkans.

The ARF Youth delegation raised several issues, which were generally approved by the conference, which decided to address the Armenian, Greek, Cypriot and Turkish questions at its next session.

The conference participants also visited the Greek parliament and met with its Speaker Apostolos Kaglamanisi, who also met with the ARF Youth delegation.

The ARF Youth Organization was officially approved as an observer member of the Socialist Youth Organization, after last fall’s membership of the ARF in Socialist International.