Walking the Line
Armenian life in Turkey under the long shadow of history
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August 16, 2007
AGBU-Funded Saturday School Established in Barcelona
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A student gives a presentation as part of the curriculum at the AGBU-funded Saturday School in Barcelona, Spain. -
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An Armenian teacher works with one of the 26 Barcelona Saturday School students during a lesson. The weekly school is made possible by funds provided by AGBU.
The work of the members of the Armenian Cultural Association of Barcelona finally bore fruit this year with the opening of the Armenian Saturday School, funded by the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU). The school's first classes began on February 8, 2007 and finished recently, marking its first ever season.
Divided into two groups, the inaugural students ranged in age from 6 to 17. The first group of 18 students consisted of children 6-12 years old, taught by Tamara Karapetyan, while the second group of 8 was comprised of those between the ages of 11 and 17, taught by Ruzanna Galstyan.
The administration of the school is being handled by Gor Abgaryan, Sevada Sahakian and Anna Kasarjian, with support from Siranuysh Sahakian and Hayk Karapetyan.
The Armenian Saturday School of Barcelona, however, is not your ordinary weekly school. In addition to the aforementioned groups, there is also a group of young professionals made up of five youths, both Armenian and Spanish, who also wish to learn the Armenian language. Their instructor is Dr. Maria Ohannesian. To supplement the classroom experience, a soccer team affiliated with the Saturday School, consisting of 19 young people between the ages of 11 and 19, has been formed under the direction of Armen Sirouyan. Finally, there is a "Group of Fine Arts," consisting of 10 students between the ages of 7 and 17, who are learning drawing, painting and art history under the direction of Ara Mikaelian.
Besides teaching the Armenian language, history and culture, the Armenian Saturday School of Barcelona promotes the gradual integration of the pupils into the local Catalan and national Spanish society. Helping students learn about the possibilities of pursuing higher education and supplying them with appropriate information is also part of the school's mission.
Altogether there are 40 students and a staff of 10 in this Saturday School, which meets in the cultural center of Barcelona, called "La Farinera," every Saturday at 11 a.m.
Once a month, the students are taken on excursions to the parks and cultural centers of Barcelona.
The Armenian Saturday School of Barcelona is closed from June 24 until September 15 for summer vacation.
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