Plovdiv Hosts Lectures, Saturday School & Summer Camp in First Half of 2007

AGBU Plovdiv Chapter launched a series of special events for the Armenian community in Bulgaria this year. With two book presentations, a summer camp for kids, and an end-of-school-year event, Plovdiv for Armenians has never been more exciting.

On January 19, 2007, more than 80 guests attended the book presentation of the newly published book "The Successors of Atlantis" by Stepan Parseghian in Plovdiv's TrakArt Cultural Center. The AGBU Plovdiv Chapter, the editorial team of "AGBU Voice" newspaper and the Plovdiv Municipality organized the event.

Parseghian, a well-known author amongst the Armenian community of Bulgaria, serves at the Armenian Church of St. Kevork and is the author of several poems. "The Successors of Atlantis" is his first full-length book of prose.

"The Successors of Atlantis" is a Bulgarian-language novel, which combines mysticism and adventure, intriguing suspense and an absolutely captivating interpretation of the emergence of the human race and civilization on Earth. The event was attended by many AGBU members and friends, artists, musicians, and writers. The Mayor of Plovdiv, Dr. Ivan Chomakov, sent a congratulatory message to Parseghian on the occasion.

With the success of the first book reading in January, AGBU Plovdiv Chapter and "AGBU Voice" presented the book "Love and Sacrifice" by Dr. Toros Torosian on May 11, also at the TrakArt Cultural Center.

Torosian has a long working experience as a doctor and is the author of a number of professional essays and articles. "Love and Sacrifice" is his second published book, the first being "Notes from the Professional Diary of a Doctor" in 2004. Both books are full of the author's life experience, beliefs, emotions, inspiration and devotion, with which he works for the good of his nation.

Following a short introductory musical program, journalist Elena Tamamjieva introduced Torosian and spoke about him as a representative of a whole generation of Plovdiv Armenians, emphasizing the special role of the Torosian family in the local community. A number of religious and community leaders, AGBU board members and friends attended the presentation.

On June 16, the AGBU Saturday School in Plovdiv completed its courses for the 2006-2007 academic year. Students and parents attended the end-of-school event in the Argos Plus educational center where Saturday School lessons are held.

Hripsime Tovmasyan, chairwoman of AGBU Plovdiv, made the opening remarks, emphasizing the importance of the Saturday School, which aims at preserving and developing the Armenian language and heritage amongst a generation of Armenians far from the traditional homeland.

To demonstrate their language skills gained during the year, the students recited poems by well-known Armenian authors, including Paruyr Sevak, Hamo Sahian, and Hovhannes Shiraz. In recognition of the school's academic excellence, it was announced at the event that two students from the AGBU Plovdiv Saturday School would represent Bulgaria in the Armenian Language International Olympiad, which will be held in Armenia in September 2007.

During the formal part of the program, students received certificates and special gifts in recognition of their work. The afternoon ended with a light cocktail reception, especially prepared for the occasion.

On July 18, AGBU Plovdiv welcomed 32 kids to its Green School, which is a camp for children between the ages of 5 and 12. Now in its third season, this summer camp, specially designed for Bulgarian Armenian youth, took place at the Balkan Hotel.

Campers from various towns, including Plovdiv, Burgas, Haskovo and Razgrad, had a chance to participate in the camp, which is ideally situated in the picturesque countryside. Camp's main goals are to preserve and develop Armenian-language skills among youth while introducing them to the history and beliefs of the Armenian Church in general. A mixture of educational and fun activities, the annual camp gives participants an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with their national heritage and identity.

Through intensive Armenian-language courses and several religious lectures, children and teens leave the program with a larger perspective of their Armenian identity and religion.

The weeklong camp concluded with an evening performance, which gave campers an opportunity to put their newfound skills to the test. They performed skits and sang popular Armenian songs to the delight of the audience of parents and friends.