President attends Haykyan-2017 Awards Ceremony

President Serzh Sargsyan attended tonight the Haykyan-2017 awards ceremony at the National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater after A. Spendiaryan.

Young people, youth groups and organizations that had excelled and come up with innovative undertakings in 2017 were awarded in different nominations. A special award was envisaged for individual youth programs.

In particular, Haykyan-2017 awards were handed in the following nominations: Best Student Self-Governing Body, Best Student Self-Governing Body President, Best Regional Student Self-Governing Body, Best Youth Scientific Achievement, Original Youth Project, Best Youth Patriotic Project, Best Youth Broadcast - News Project, Best Inter-University Program, Best Youth NGO in Yerevan, Best Youth NGO in Marzes and Best Youth Interaction Program. In addition to traditional nominations, special presidential prizes went to the winners of the competition.

Armenia TV Company received a special award for the “Ancient Kings” TV series, world wrestling champion Maxim Manukyan - for significant contribution and dedication to the development of sports, Head of Artsakh First Defense District’s Medical Service Gevorg Haroutunyan – for excellent accomplishment of his professional duties at the combat line, caring attitude for soldier’s and officer’s health and life, “Armenian Mothers” charitable NGO - for great support and rehabilitation work done for children suffering from pediatric cerebral palsy and their families, Alexander Karalyan from the Quantum College for outstanding results at International Subject Olympiads.

In the Best Youth Sphere Supporting International Organization nomination, the Russian Center for Science and Culture was awarded for supporting Armenian delegation’s participation in the 19th World Youth and Students’ Festival in Sochi; Artsakh’s Human Rights Defender Ruben Melikyan - for valuable contribution to the protection of human rights in Artsakh, as well as for consistent efforts exerted on international platforms for the protection of the rights of Artsakh-based civilians and soldiers of the Defense Army who suffered as a result of Azerbaijan’s bellicose policy. Armenian Public TV’s “Good Evening” televised show – for wide recognition among teenagers and attracting a large youth audience within a short period of time.

At the end of the award ceremony, President Serzh Sargsyan congratulated the winners, wishing them ever new achievements, expressing the hope that the awards they received today would become the components of a long chain of success for the sake of Armenia and the Armenian people.

”The Haykyan Award was established in 2001, that is, this award is the child of the 21st century. You are the children of the 21st century. No matter some of you may have been born in the last century, the 21st century is yours, and you must succeed in the 21st century, honoring Armenia and standing for the living pledge of Armenia’s success.

While being introduced to the award-winners’ works, I could once again make sure that a hard-working smart person can always find the way to success. This is self-evident and axiomatic - there cannot be any questions here, whatsoever. It seems to be quite natural that not all of us can boast great achievements, but it is impossible that a hard-working person fails to reach a degree of success.

I want those boasting some success to build on their achievements and reach the point where they can state that their potential has been realized in full because we should beware of such individuals who feel that their potential has not been tapped. They end up believing that society owes them their share of success and expecting too much from society.
Do not believe those who say they had no luck in their lifetime. Success comes to early risers who get their fortune in honest way - through hard work and, of course, by realizing their capabilities.

Dear youth, I would like to reiterate once again that the Armenian studentship and young people are the hope of us. Perhaps these are beaten words, but the future is yours, and you should go your way in a dignified manner,” President Serzh Sargsyan said in his greeting remarks, stressing that he shared the optimism about the bright future voiced many times during the event.