Panagoum 97

PANAGOUM 97

SEVAN - KHOCHALOU

Deghegadou

The 5th ARF Student and Youth Jamboree took place in Armenia, near beautiful lake Sevan, from August 1 to 12, 1997. 660 Armenian Youth from 15 different regions participated in the Jamboree.
The Camp sight was full of youth who spoke different languages, but the Armenian language was the language that tied everyone together and it became the main means of communication.

The Jamboree started on August 1, 1997 at 6:00 p.m. by singing the Armenian National anthem. Prelate of Keghakoonik, Anania, conveyed the blessing of Catholicos Karekin I to the participants. The Minister of Education and Science, Ardashess Bedrossian, read an official statement from Robert Kocharian, Armenia’s Prime Minister. Roupen Hagopian, a representative from Armenia’s ARF, welcomed the participants of the 5th ARF Student and Youth Jamboree. At the opening ceremonies, Vazken Manougian and
representatives of various organisations were also present.

Sights that the participants visited

-Genocide Commemoration Museum
-Sardarabad Memorial
-Yeraploor Military Cemetery
-Military barracks
-Echmiadseen
-Artsakh

Educational Program
Many guest speakers were invited to give lectures to the participants.
- ARF members who work in Armenia gave updates about the organisation’s activities in Armenia.
- The Vice Minister of Education and Science, Levon Kalstian, talked about the state of education in Armenia.
- The ex-Vice Minister of Education and Science, Frig Melik-Atamian, discussed about environmental problems in Armenia.
- The Vice-Minister of Industry and Trade, Kakig Yeghiazarian, discussed about the current economic situation in Armenia.
- Dikran Nashtalian talked about media related issues.

Activities
During the Jamboree 4 main committees were formed. The committees were the following: Printed Media, Radio Station, Festival and Social Committees.

The Newspaper Committee published a daily paper that was named "Meg" which means "One" in Armenian.

The Radio Station Committee took the responsibility of broadcasting music and announcing the different events during the Jamboree.

The Festival Committee was responsible for organising a festival in which the participants from the different regions displayed their local activities and their talents.

The Social Committee organised the nightly social activities for the participants. Some of the artists who performed were Noone Yesayan, Roupen Hakhverdian, Magiz and Rock Opera.

The Participants Visit the Armenian National Army.
The participants were warmly welcomed by Armenia’s Minister of Defence, Vazken Sarkisian, the military commanders and the soldiers of Armenian National Army’s 30th Detachment.
The army demonstrated the use of various weaponry and showed various drills to the audience. In honour of the participants the Defence Minister treated the youth to a lunch picnic. During the visit B. Member Apo Boghigian addressed to the youth about the importance of having a strong national army which is the symbol of national unity.

Visit to Artsakh
The participants arrived at Khozalu military barracks in Artsakh after a 16 hour trip from Sevan Lake. During the visit to Artsakh the youth visited Aghdam and Sushi. In Sushi’s military barracks 56 new ARF members gave their oath by Bedo’s (Bedros Ghevontian’s) grave sight.
The 5th ARF Student and Youth Jamboree ended in Artsakh on August 12, 1997 at Stepanagerd’s Youth Palace where the youth met representatives from the Artsakh government. The Jamboree was ended with great festivities with the people of Stepanagerd.

All the participants left the Jamboree with great memories and the hope of reuniting in the future back in Armenia.

For further information please contact P.O.Box: 80-896 Beirut Lebanon.

E-mail: AYF@cyberia.net.lb