WIYU-Arm

In cooperation with YMCA Latvia, from 5^th to 12^th of August  200 World Independent Youth Union organized in Lusakert (Armenia) a Youth Exchange (in frames of Youth in Action program,  Action 3.1) named “Culture and Arts for Peace, Understanding and Friendship in Europe”. Participants of  this Exchange were 36 young people from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Moldova, Georgia and Armenia.

 The project itself was a great possibility for  participants to meet and  discuss topics related to cultures, traditions and history. This way young people found out similarities and differences between each other’s cultures and became conscious about the value of peace, understanding and friendship between cultures and countries. The first working day started with an introduction of project. Then during the day the participants got involved in different games aiming at remembering each other’s  names and group building. At the beginning each participant draw his/her portrait on  paper, wrote his/her name and the country he/she comes from, and  afterwards everybody explained the meaning of his/her name. Then participants had to overcome a real ordeal called “Electric Wall”. The task was to pass over to the other side of  a 1,5 meter high rope stretched between two trees. The game lasted quite long as according to the rules it restarted every time somebody touched the rope. However, though tired everybody had a feeling of satisfaction as the task was successfully completed so the participants went to lunch as one strong group.

After lunch the participants spoke about their expectations and fears concerning Youth Exchange. The first working day was summed up with an evening of  national games during which each country suggested the auditorium 2 or 3 traditional games. All the games were held lively and in a cheerful mood. August 7, 2007 was of utmost importance for the participants as the whole day was devoted to developping skills on photography and ceramic work. This was the reason why participants had a “clay mood” during their breakfast. After discussing stereotypes about participant countries that exist in their own societies, each participant had a chance to make figures from clay and to increase his/her skills in picture making. Though the day was quite full the participants were dancing in the hall even after midnight.

Next morning the participants went to the capital Yerevan to visit Yerevan city museum. Here they learnt more not only about the history of capital but also about traditions and national peculiarities of Armenians. Then they visited the office of “World Indepentendent Youth Union”  NGO where Tatevik Margaryan (the president of the organization) explained them the mission and the objectives of “Youth in Action” project as well as made an introduction on non-formal education and Youthpass.  

Within the framework of photo marathon the participants were divided into groups. They walked under the dazzling sun in the streets of Yerevan from 13 till 18 o’clock and took photos of such essential areas as Republic Square, Cascade, Vernissage, Matenadaran, and Fruit Market on Mashtots Avenue. By the way, in the Fruit Market  sellers were very hospitable to treat our guests with different kinds of Armenian fruits, both dried and fresh. After photo marathon the participants returned to Lusakert, had supper and then began to collect the photos of the day. It was necessary to hurry up as at the evening participants from Moldova, Estonia and Lithuania had to represent to the rest their national food and tell about the history of their capitals. The national evenings of those two days were superbly organized and each country tried to amaze the other participants of the project.

Next day was different from the other days as in the morning the buses started a journey towards Geghard Monastery, erected in rock. Here foreign youngsters got acquainted with numerous traditions and history related to Armenian national beliefs and drank natural rock flowing water believed to have a miraculous effect on believers. After exploring the surroundings of the monastery the group continued to Garni Temple. In Garni Canyon located directly below Garni Temple  took place a series of hot and active discussions about peace, conflict resolution, mutual understanding and friendship. Many youngsters used the opportunity to swim in the cold river.  Especially striking were those places for  Moldovians as they confessed that first time in their life they saw such beautiful places in nature. Before returning the participants of  project made with chalk pictures on the rocks for the holiday-makers, travellers, locals, and just passers-by to stop for a second and think even  a bit about the necessity of culture of peace.

On the 5th working day the group of 36 participants again returned to Yerevan and this time they went to Tsitsernakaberd Memorial in order to get acquainted with the history of the Armenian Genocide in 1915. The existence of memorial itself is an evident example what can happen in case of absence of friendship, understanding and peace allover the world. Then all the participants were divided into three groups and “All Equal, All Different” activity began. This activity had a direct connection with the idea of Genocide as such an evil deed would have never taken place if people could understand that all are different and at the same time equal. In the streets of Yerevan three groups were to write “All Equal, All Different” slogan in 6 languages and to take photos near them with ten ordinary passers-by.  After completing the task  participants had free time for walking and shopping.  

In the evening in restaurant all groups continued to teach each other their national dances. For most of the participants it was the first time when they tasted traditional Armenian barbecue. The group returned to Lusakert in high and cheerful spirits . In the morning of the last working day mini-buses took everybody to Yerevan to organizate and present  the visitors the exhibition of their photos and ceramic works – the result of seven days hard work. Representatives of media were also there and it was a good occasion to represent to wide audience of young people a project realized with the support of Youth in Action.

The farewell party was organized after the final evaluation in Lusakert!!!!!!!!!

Next day all the participants were sad as  they had to separate from each other but at the same time they were very happy as during those seven days they got new and wonderful friends from different countries.

 See you again in Armenia ! ! !

Written by WIYU member Seg

Translated by WIYU member Sonya Sahradyan