WIYU-Arm

It is strange, interesting and surprising at the same time to listen, get to know and live with representatives of other cultures and nations, and to sense that you have got lots of things in common notwithstanding many differences that the world outlook of a Caucasian and European may overlap, and the centuries-old traditions interlace. The fact is that it is possible.

In 2006 (August 14-23) a project was carried out in Armenia within the frameworks of the “YOUTH Programme”, Action 1 – an exchange of young people who arrived from Poland (Academic Center of European Information and Education of Warsaw University), Germany (Egea), Georgia (Academy for Peace and Development). The Armenian group presented the members of the youth organization: “World Independent Youth Union”. The project itself was planed much before. The organizers and leaders of the groups made a plan which was accordingly carried out later. The project aimed at providing a chance to establish dialogue between young people. It should be noted that Armenia was a real exotic country for the European audience and for that reason the German group arrived a week earlier. They manage to see more than others-visited Dilijan and stayed in a three-day tent camp in Hakhartsin organized for them by WIYU.

The project took place in Lusakert. The whole 8 days the participants lived in a training center. Each country-participant consisted of 6 members and the gender issue was solved impartially (50/50). The representatives of different countries lived in mixed rooms. As they say “The best way to know a person is to live with him”. The acquaintance started with warm greetings and a game suggested by team leaders, which aimed at remembering the names. Each participant had to introduce him/herself and show a symbol characterizing his/her identity with the help of hands and legs. The others had to remember and repeat the symbols and names without confusing.

As a result of acquaintance some of the participants confused that had never been in Caucasus before and, because of the vague notion they had about Armenia, never thought to make a trip to Armenia. However the Polish participant Adam Kryszkiewicz told that he had once read an article about Armenia. The country interested him and he made up his mind to take part in the project.

On the first day the participants got acquainted with each other, told about them, their countries, drew parallels. It was found out that most of them study at the department of Geography and the trip was very important and useful for them. On the second day the participants visited the villages surrounding Lusakert and took part in the process of baking the Armenian bread-Lavash in the Tonir. It was a real wonder for them! Anna Grueterich – a German participant tried to put the dough on the board in the Tonir and later confused that it was very hard and that it’s not for women. The Armenian housewives accepted the foreign guests warmly and treated them with the Armenian national Gata, which the participants liked very much. After watching the traditional way of baking Lavash in the Tonir, our group made its way to the old bread factory and watched the alternative way of baking Lavash and bread in the huge cast-iron ovens.

On that day the participants organized an evening of national dishes! Each country started preparations some hours before the party. The record was cut by the Georgian group-they needed much more time than others to make Georgian dishes such as Satsivi, Khachapury, eggplant with nuts…… The table was overloaded with delicious dishes and everybody appraised Georgian wine, cheese: Suluguny and the efforts of the three young Georgian girls, who wanted to please everyone! The Polish participants needed the least time, as they had brought lots of half-finished products, candies and chocolate-simply delicious! The Armenian group provided the participants with the chance of tasting the national Armenian dish-Dolma, and of course barbecue (Khorovats) with the Armenian accent and with the Cognac (Brendy) – the product of the native factory Ararat. The king of the German table was beer in its different sorts and shapes, and also numerous candies, dizzy drinks, sausages, sweet rubbers and lots of Cocktails! Lots of national music was played and the participants were teaching each other their national dances. Many of them were training or the national games among which a Polish game was noted for its three unforgettable kisses demonstrated by the Polish themselves. By the way the Polish group prepared for the evening in a peculiar way-all the members had shirts with the colors of their flag on and there were lots of journals, papers and pamphlets on the table providing information on Poland and the very University our participants study at.

The next day after the cheerful carousel the party made its way to Garny, It is notable that the members of the Armenian group helped their new friends to orient themselves in the foreign locality and provided information on various historical places. Garny appealed to them but many of them confused our temple with the ancient Greek temple in Athens. The Garman group was especially interested in the old bath-house made from simply stones. Afterwards the mini-buses took the international party to Gekhard. The old church affected everyone. “It’s a real wonder”, – said Andre Cezanne from Germany. Numerous pictures were taken here. Everything was new, different and interesting, but the group had to think about the working-part of the project. So the group of young perspective people relaxed a little in the canyon of Garni and then raised the question “what do young people in our countries dream about?” For the discussion the participants divided into 4 groups and the results are as follows.

Young people in Armenia dream:

• To settle the question of Genocide with Turkey and the question of Nagorno Kharabakh with Azerbaijan
• To get good education
• To become famous
• To meet with the Italian football team
• To be the world champion in chess
• To have good family, to build a house, to set a tree

In Georgia young people dream:

• To enter the State University to get education
• To get much money
• To have a peaceful family life
• To have Osetia and Abxazia back

In Poland they dream:

• To find an interesting job
• To make a career
• To find a life-partner
• To win the football championship against Germany

In Germany they dream:

• To successfully graduate from the University
• To find a nice-payable job
• To travel a lot
• To have a family

As it is seek the dreams of every country differ specifically but all young people unite in their dreams:

• To find the purpose of life
• To love and be loved
• To believe in one’s own dreams
• To trust oneself and the people surrounding
• Always be dynamic and perspective
• Never get ill – stay healthy
• To travel a lot
• To see peace all over the world
• To live in harmony
• To stay young
• To fly to the moon!!!

We want to live as if we will die tomorrow, to dream as if we live forever!!!

The next day there was a trip to Sevan – the blue wonder of all times and nations. Maksim Gorki once said that Sevan is a piece of the sky resting in Armenia. All the participants agreed with this opinion. None of them expected the lake to be so large. Many of them could not swim, but our German friends helped to overcome the barrier and fear by teaching some elements of swimming. Meanwhile the rest of the participants were discussing the man-woman relations and rights in their countries. Many of them were surprised that in Armenia women’s rights are somehow limited “How sad!”-said Marta from Poland.

            When the party was back to Lusakert they rest a little and then gathered in the bar of the training center. Sitting on the floor they were telling each other national tales, legends and parables.

Afterwards on the agenda was the capital of mountainous Armenia-Yerevan with its numerous cultural units, entertainments and bright-bright sun, which sometimes makes you feel faint. After gathering on the Republic square we all went to the National Gallery of Armenia. Everybody lived the exhibited exponents of national carpets, stone plates and dishes, military attributes of middle ages. However most of them liked the department of old Armenian maps (don’t forget that they are geographers). The polish group was surprised to see Armenia in the times of Tigran II.

The whole day the participants walked about the town getting maximum impressions. In the evening they all gathered in an Italian restaurant where they spent nice time dancing hot Italian dances. Martin Deubel from Germany revealed one paradox, – “I am German, I am in Armenia, I am in an Italian restaurant!”. Armenian-German friendship continued later on the stairs of Cascade with the Armenian bear Kilikia, which our German experts apprised very much.

  Echmiatsin – the ecclesiastical capital of Armenian was on the agenda of the next day. The Armenian group told the rest of the participants about the role of religion in our country and about the structure of Armenian Apostolic Church. An excursion was organized from the churches of Saint Gayne, Hripsime, Shoghakat to the main Cathedral of Echmiatsin we also managed to be in the museum of the Cathedral, where the exponents of vestments of Armenian Catholicoses are demonstrated. Some of the participants found some similarities between these vestments and the vestments of the popes in the Catholic churches of Europe. The excursion made a deep spiritual impression on the participants.

In the evening the participants told about the role of the religion in their countries. National traditions are often associated with religion and that is why the participants decided to discuss the attributes of wedding ceremonies and the meaning of the wedding in general in each country. For presenting Armenian wedding a cultural anthropologist (Satenik Mkrtchyan) had arrived to Lusakert. She demonstrated pictures from an Armenian wedding. The next was the German group. In Germany after the wedding ceremony in the church, the friend of the bride steal her and take to some famous bar, club or disco and the finance has to look for her in the numerous clubs of the town each time drinking a glass of beer. In this particular case the German Herr Daniel Biallas found his Georgian bride Frau Qasradze Nino in a strip-pub, the dancers of which were the male audience of the participants.

The Polish wedding was a little modest. As a rule they play various games during the wedding and the winners get prices, from the bride and fiance. Our invented couple Marta Bzdzion and Lukasz Starowicz gave the winner of their wedding Polish vodka! What about Georgian wedding? It is notable that in present-day Georgia it is in fashion to wear national clothes in one’s own wedding. It is a manifestation of patriotism in the new Georgia after the revolution of Roses!

The evening was very useful. The participants watched the Armenian film “Ararat” of Atom Egoyan and got more information on the history of Armenian nation. The film shocked them and notwithstanding the problems connected with the translation they all got the message of it.

The photo is the mirror reflection of our life, which brings recollections, nostalgia and happiness. The last day of the project was devoted to a photo exhibition. The photos, taken by the participants themselves during the stay in Yerevan, were demonstrated in the garden of the training center. The people resting in the neighborhood were watching the photos with great interest.

It could have been the last activity of the project, but NO! at last we found out who our secret friends were. It was a funny game played by all the participants.

And farewell dances and dances, hugs, emotions good-byes and a big hope to meet again many-many times!!!

Thank you dear friends for your visit and interesting pastime. You are always welcome to Armenia. See you again!!! 

With best regards Violeta and Meline  members of WIYU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Some opinions of our participants!!!

Maria Starowicz – Poland

            I like the project very much. It is my first trip to Caucasus and everything is new and unusual for me here. I like Armenians; they are very kind and friendly. I feel myself like at home, in a big and friendly family, when I was walking along the streets of Yerevan in the evening I did not feel any danger or discomfort, which you usually feel in the capitals of Europe. I liked the landscape and hot climate of Armenia very much. The country is not that rich, but it doesn’t hinder people to live happy and to give happiness. If I ever have the chance I will return to Armenia with pleasure. Here you can find the conception of family and home, which you may fail to find in Europe. My parents work all the time and we hardly spend time together. Here as I saw in Sevan, families spend nice time together!

Hendrik Meyer – Germany

            I was shocked to see that religion plays such a great role in the lives of Armenians. Armenia is a small country, but you can find lots of interesting places, sightseeing and the landscapes are simple wonderful I feel like I have been to Armenia of old times, Armenia as a part of USSR and in present-day Republic of Armenia. I made friends with the Armenians, very nice nation, though not that punctual. I liked Armenian food, except fried or boiled eggplant. It’s a pity I didn’t manage to taste the symbol of Armenia – the red pomegranate, which was talked so much about! I think our group wasn’t mistaken in its decision to come to Armenia a week earlier!!!

Inna Khachaturyan – Armenia

            This project destroyed all my notions of Europeans. Never thought we shall find so much in common. It was very important for me to get to know them, their culture and world outlook. I liked the all groups very much – very active and interesting young people! In a particular period of my life I lived in Russia and the is why many historical places in Armenia were new for me as well. I liked everything about the project. Hope our friendship will last forever!

Andre Cezanne – Germany  

            Geography is not only profession for me, but hobby as well. For that reason the trip was important and useful at the same time. I picked up lots of interesting and important information on Armenia and Armenian nation and by the time I return to Germany I am going to do a scientific research about Armenia. I see real problem in Armenia: corruption not usual for Europe, not developed economic system, unemployment, scanty wages, traffic problems and political problems with neighbor countries, the result of which are closed borders. However I am sure that all these problems can be solved in a democratic way. No corruption no problems. This is not most important I really liked Armenia and will return to study Armenian language!

Marta Bzdzion – Poland

            I have been to man countries and have taken part in many projects, but the idea of photo exhibition was something new for me. I had the opportunity to see Armenia with the eyes of the other participants. I take various and chaotic impressions with me. This country is rally a bridge-country between Europe and Asia. I had completely different notions of the country and the nation before. The Armenians surprise me with their hospitability. I go to shop, buy something and I am given a gift more expansive my shopping. I walk in the street and foreigners invite me and treat with delicious dishes. Especially I liked Armenian bread – lavash and gata. Next time I would like to visit the other regions of mountainous Armenia and to learn to pronounce Armenian names as I fail to do it distinctly now!

George Aronia – Georgia

            As the leader of the Georgian group I would like to thank the organizers of the project. Such meetings are very important and useful for our youth. They develop the ideology of peace and friendship all over the world. Armenia is our neighbor but our countries differ a lot. It’s very interesting for me to draw parallels and study everyday life of Armenians, though it is my sixth visit to Armenia!

Anna Grueterich – Germany

            The trip through old and new Armenia was very interesting for me. I especially liked Garni, Gekhard, Echmiatsin. The evening of national dishes was full of energy and fun. I like swimming very much and the look of empty swimming pool disappointed me but Sevan was a good compensation. I think that Armenia has good chances to be integrated into the EU, but only after the government settles the problem of traffic. It is a real extreme to cross the road in Yerevan. “Lack of adrenalin? – Just cross the street”. IS IT TRUE?

Adam Kryszkiewicz – Poland

            Most of all I liked Armenian games and Armenian girls. I can say that I fell in love with the big black eyes of a girl at first sight – the eyes of the guide whom I met in the Museum of History of Armenia. If more serious, the mountains impressed me most. I liked the way the Armenian group was patriotically presenting its country. I was surprised at Armenian hospitability and the way the youth treats the old. I shot a lot of photos in the streets of Yerevan. I liked the architecture of Armenian buildings, numerous hotels, cafes, clean streets and cars which differ from ours, but look very modern.

            I liked the river in Gekhard but it needs cleaning!!!

Joanna Markowska – Poland

            I think I stay here very short to know the country and to estimate it properly, but the first impressions are very bright and unforgettable. Before I came here I thought that there are a lot of Turkish motives in Armenian architecture, but I was mistaken. I really think Armenia must become a EU member.

            I was shocked by the Armenian landscapes, especially Garni Canyon. The Armenians have very rich and old culture and which is the most important, they know their culture very well and can give the foreigner very interesting information. Besides Geography I am interested in psychology and it was very interesting for me to meet and get to know new people.

P.S. I adore Armenian ice-cream!!!

Sebastian Deubel – Germany

            Everything is cool!!! I liked Armenian cigarettes and mineral water “Germuk” very much. I don’t know how I can survive without them in Germany. The excursions were very interesting and useful. I liked the questions and themes of our debates and the whole process of exchange. But most of all I like Haykuhi – always active, full of energy and caring like a mother! In Yerevan I liked to do shopping. I bout a puppet in national Armenian clothes for my mother in Vernisash. She collects them. In one of the shops I found my favorite color of nail polish and now will be of bright green color. I will put my favorite T-shirt with the Armenian alphabet on and will return to Germany. Attention country, I am back!!!

Yerevan is the most beautiful capital of Eastern Europe I had ever seen. Thank you Armenians!!!