Working visit of the President Armen Sarkissiann to Shirak marz

President Armen Sarkissian and Mrs. Nouneh Sarkissian in Gyumri attended the “Wedding behind the frontline” performance at the Vartan Ajemian Drama Theater.

During the intermission and at the conclusion of the performance, President conversed with the actors and representatives of the theater.

During a candid and frank conversation, President Sarkissian expressed thanks for the wonderful performance and generated emotions. He said that visiting Gyumri is not an event for him but part of his everyday life.

“Each time I come and will be coming, I come back home, and this theater is part of it. I am glad that this theater carries on Ajemian’s traditions,” the President said.

The President promised that would be visiting often, in his words, the cultural capital of Armenia which has its unique image. He also said that would do his best so that Gyumri rediscovers its image for everyone to understand that Fatherland is much greater than the capital.

“Those visiting Armenia should come also to this old town, see our culture here, in this town which possesses so much art and poetry,” President Sarkissian said.
He noted that a tradition ought to be formed to visit Gyumri and spend time relaxing here, and in other marzes too, out of the capital.

The best example of it the President’s working visit and leisure time spent with his spouse in Gyumri. 

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President Armen Sarkissian, who is in Gyumri on a working visit, was at the educational and production unit of the Gyumri branch of Armenia’s Association of Visually Impaired Individuals which is manufacturing oil paints based on natural products.

The President conversed with the members of the Association and employees engaged in the production of paints, familiarized with the technologies of paint production and programs to expand it.

The program also has a social content because it creates new jobs, mostly for impaired individuals. The President of Armenia donated 6 million AMD to expand the program.

Members of Armenia’s Association of Visually Impaired Individuals presented to Armen Sarkissian a painting which was created using the oils manufactured by them. The President of Armenia said that the painting would occupy its worthy place at the Presidential Palace.

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President Armen Sarkissian and Mrs. Nouneh Sarkissian visited the Stepan Alikhanian Puppet Theater in Gyumri.

It is Armenia’s first puppet theater and was created in 1935. The Theater is a member of the UNIMA world puppet theaters organization affiliated with UNESCO.

President Sarkissian and Mrs. Sarkissian toured the theater, were told about its history and artistic life. It was noted that throughout its long life, the Theater has participated to multiple festivals and received medals, diplomas, and certificates.

Mr. and Mrs. Sarkissian together with kids watched a performance based on Hovhaness Tumanian’s Sutlik Vorskan fairytale.

After the performance, the President urged children to read fairytales, learn and present each other books.

Noting that the Theater has rich traditions, President Sarkissian said that children of Gyumri deserve better conditions and everything should be done so that this Theater host and educate children in the upgraded conditions.

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President Armen Sarkissian, who is in Gyumri on a working visit, and Mrs. Nouneh Sarkissian visited Mher Mkrtchain’s home-museum.

The museum of the great citizen of Gyumri located in the structure at Varpetats Street, which was built in the end of the 19th century and presents a historic and architectural value, displays the life and work of the beloved artist, a joyful and sad man.

President Sarkissian said that people loved and continue to love today the great comedian of movie and theater unconditionally, continue to be amazed and elated by his creations. He was loved not only in Armenia: “Mher Mkrtchian and his movies part of life of our generation, and it is very important for me that next generations also familiarize with his art,” President Sarkissian said.

Armen Sarkissian and Nouneh Sarkissian visited also Avetik Issahakian’s home-museum in Gyumri. The President was familiarized with the exhibits related to different periods in the life of Issahakian and his literary works.

The President toured the museum, recalled interesting stories about the Great Master, including those related to his childhood.

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On the eve of the 30th anniversary of a devastating earthquake of 1988, President Armen Sarkissian and Mrs. Nouneh Sarkissian in Gyumri paid tribute to the memory of the victims.

They laid flowers at the memorial and honored their memory with a minute of silence.

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“Just as today, I will be coming to visit theater one day, next time – a museum and serve as example for our fellow citizens,” President Sarkissian said today at the meeting with journalists in Gyumri and underscored, “Invite people to visit Gyumri.”

During his working visit to Shirak marz, the President took a walk in Gyumri, greeted the residents and conversed with them.

The President was received cordially at the Aregak inclusive bakery-coffee shop where he met with old acquaintances – Michael, Grisha, Hovhannes and others whom he had met during his previous visit. The President came not empty-handed: He brought gifts for his old friends, had tea with them and tasted candies made by them. Mr. and Mrs. Sarkissian stopped also at the Herbs and Honey café, had a cup of tea and conversed with the visitors.

At the meeting with journalists, Armen Sarkissian noted, “It is necessary to rediscover our Fatherland and it ought to be done first of all by us, residents of Armenia. If a resident of Armenia doesn’t go to Gyumri or Lori, why would others come?”

The President said that during his visits abroad, he discusses issues related to the restoration of Gyumri with different specialized companies and organizations. “I will try as President, and as an individual to assist in the restoration of Gyumri,” President Sarkissian said and added, “One can spend recreation and leisure time in Gyumri, with no special purpose, for a couple of hours, just to take a walk.”

During their visit to Gyumri, Mr. and Mrs. Sarkissian lit a candle at the Holy Mother (Seven Wounds) Church.

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In the framework of his recent official visit to Germany, President Sarkissian visited the headquarters of the German Red Cross in Berlin.

The President of the German Red Cross handed to the spouse of the President, Mrs. Nouneh Sarkissian a donation ticket for 10,000 Euros earmarked for the renovation works of the Berlin medical center in Gyumri.

The President expressed gratitude for the donation and said he too would make a donation for the renovation works at the Berlin medical center in Gyumri to carry out more extensive renovation works.

On December 5, Mr. and Mrs. Sarkissian visited the Berlin medical center in Gyumri and handed the management the donation tickets – 10,000 Euros from the German Red Cross and 5 million AMD from the President of Armenia.

President Sarkissian expressed hope that the donation would allow to improve the working conditions and capacities of the medical center.