Golden Opportunity
Armenia’s Golden Apricot International Film Festival harvests global awareness, respect, and good will
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October 23, 2008
AGBU's Discover Armenia Trip Exposes Diasporan Teens to Their Heritage
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Participants of the 2008 Discover Armenia Education Trip enjoy the scenic beauty of Armenia. -
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Youth from six countries lend a hand to clean up the Khosrov Forest State Reserve and in the process learn the value of volunteerism through AGBU's Discover Armenia trip.
For the fifth consecutive year, AGBU's Discover Armenia organized an action-packed trip to Armenia and neighboring Karabakh for diasporan youth ages 15 to 18. From August 8 - 27, 22 youths from 13 cities and 6 countries spent 20 unforgettable days in Armenia under the direction and guidance of Herminé Duzian, AGBU Diaspora Youth Programs Coordinator in Armenia. The youths hailed from Belgium (Anvers), Canada (Toronto, Montreal), France (Paris, Marseilles, Vienne, Valance, Bordeaux), Germany (Munich), Lebanon (Beirut), and the United States of America (New Jersey, New York, California).
Along with visits to Garni, Geghard, the Holy See of Etchmiadzin, Noravank, the AGBU Nork Children's Center, Oshakan, the Tsitsernakabert Armenian Genocide Museum, Sardarapat, Sevan, the AGBU-sponsored Vazkenian Theological Seminary and other landmarks and museums, the participants also learned the value of volunteerism by helping with the renovation of homes in the village of Khor Virap, which was sponsored by the Fuller organization, and in the cleaning of the Khosrov Forest State Preserve, coordinated by the World Wildlife Fund.
The youths had a number of unique once-in-a-lifetime experiences, including climbing Armenia's highest mountain, Mount Aragats, and spending an unforgettable evening with renowned Armenian pop singers Shushan Petrossian and Arsen Grigorian at the AGBU Camp Antranik in the Lori region.
The group also went to Karabakh, where they became acquainted with local AGBU projects and visited the city of Shushi and the medieval monastic complex of Gandzasar.
The trip aims to expose participating youth to the wondrous nature of Armenia and the lives of its citizens. "This is my first time in Armenia and I liked it a lot. I will definitely return in the future. I will help my people as much as I can to make Armenia a better place," said Haigaram Kalindjian, who grew up in Lebanon and currently attends a Canadian college.
Talin Knadjian of Belgium shares Kalindjian's enthusiasm: "When we went to Khor Virap to help renovate houses, we got acquainted with several young people there. They asked me what I do and I became acquainted with their everyday activities. They were very kind to us and were very happy that a group of Armenians from abroad had come to help them. It was all very memorable."
For more information about next year's Discover Armenia trip, please email Herminé Duzian at hduzian@ugabfrance.org.
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