Paris Saturday School Marks 20th Anniversary

On Saturday, June 2, 2007, the Paris AGBU Saturday school celebrated its 20th anniversary. Under the direction of AGBU teachers Meguerditch Basmadjian, Lara Wartanian, and other professors, the children and alumni performed an entertaining two-hour spectacle of Armenian songs, poems, readings, dance, and drama for an enthusiastic crowd of over 230 guests at the AGBU Alex Manoogian Center. Among those guests attending the performance and reception were AGBU District Committee of France ex-presidents Levon Kebabdjian and Eduard Attamian and their wives Nadia Kebabdjian and Sona Attamian, all very involved with the development of the school, as well as other members of the AGBU District Committee of France and Paris chapter.

Principal Viviane Muratyan welcomed guests, alumni, and retired teachers Garabet Dakessian, Rubina Altounian and Silva Arax. Muratyan spoke about the history of the school and congratulated the students on their extraordinary achievements and performance.

Beginnings

The Paris Saturday school, known as the Manoogian Saturday School, is one of AGBU's 16 Saturday schools worldwide. Initiated by Nadia Kebabdjian in 1986, the school's primary purpose is to teach the Armenian language to children between the ages of 6 and 18 by creating various levels of classes from beginning courses to baccalaureate. Ms. Kebabdjian and Garabed Dakessian, who developed the teaching approach, integrated traditional music, dance, and computer science into their curriculum. The school began with 15 students in the first year, but the enrollment more than doubled to 40 students during its second year.

Comprehensive, Modern Program

Succeeding director, Vartouchka Samuelian, and teachers Vartouhi Guzelbodur, Vivianne Muratyan and Armand Muratyan, continued the tradition of teaching Armenian language and culture to children in a friendly, family setting, always encouraging them to embrace their Armenian heritage. In keeping with their commitment to excellence, the teaching staff will modernize the facility with computers and Armenian-language software in the coming year.

In addition to language courses, the school's curriculum provides other courses and activities. Teachers believe that each activity is a teaching tool for learning Armenian culture. Songs taught by Hayk Sarkissian, principal of the Tebrotsaser School and director of the AGBU Koghtan Choral Society, help develop the students' aural ability and encourage better pronunciation. Drama, taught by Megueditch Basmadjian, promotes use of the Armenian language in a more expressive way. Dance classes, too, provide students another artistic venue to discover their Armenian culture.

Special performances, incorporating all aspects of Armenian culture, are regularly given by students with the help of alumni. Last year, children prepared a show about the 1600-year-old Armenian alphabet. This year, under the direction of AGBU youth director Tania Etjemezian, students presented a musical comedy for children in French hospitals. Christmas shows and year-end programs are other important opportunities for students to display their newfound talents and pride in their heritage. The June 23, 2007, Latin American-themed end-of-year party attracted a large crowd and heralded in the summer season.

Adult Learning Center

In addition to its Saturday school for children, the AGBU Manoogian Center offers adult evening courses in Armenian three times a week. The use of interactive methods based on conversation, press reviews, and study of literary texts has proved successful in teaching adult students. Courses in choral music, theater, and dance taught by experienced faculty, including Vartouhi Guzelbodur, Haig Sarkissian, Meguerditch Basmadjian and Serop Ohannessian, have likewise helped to attract adults. Presently the school's combined enrollment boasts more than 120 students.

The Paris Saturday school and the adult evening program are just two of the many programs offered by the Alex Manoogian Cultural Center in Paris. Dedicated to furthering the culture of French Armenians, the Center offers an array of activities such as sports, social events, and concerts for young and old.

For more information about AGBU France and the programs at the Manoogian Center in Paris, please visit www.ugabfrance.org.