On April 30, 2026, the sixth Hamazkayin YouthLinks Europe program started in Athens.
A total of 28 young Armenians from Canada, Georgia, Lebanon, Armenia, Artsakh, Russia, Spain, Italy, and Austria came together in Athens for a four-day program of workshops and visits. They would get to know each other, learn hands-on about various facets of Armenian culture, and become familiar with aspects of the Athens Armenian community. Hamazkayin Central Executive Board member Hasmig Shahinian was present. The Hamazkayin Regional Executive Board for Greece assisted in the organizing work.
Ara Parseghian, who led the gathering, welcomed participants and explained the details of the program.
Next to speak was Arin Kalousdian, a member of the YouthLinks committee. She provided background about Hamazkayin and its programs, and its children’s and youth programs in particular.
The group visited the Acropolis, then had a memorable meal at the Misafir Armenian restaurant, which overlooks the Acropolis. After a tour of Athens, they attended their first workshop, Armenian dance, at the Zavarian Club. The instructor was Anahid Saribegian.
The day’s program ended after dinner.
The second day was a long day of sightseeing.
The participants first headed to the Peloponnese. The first stop was the magnificent Rio–Antirrio Bridge, designed by Berdj Mikaelian, across the Isthmus of Corinth, which connects the peninsula to mainland Greece.
They then headed to the theater of Epidaurus and the fortress city of Nafplio, which was the first capital of modern Greece. A specialist instructor gave detailed explanations, but the site was closed to celebrate International Workers’ Day. Participants had lunch in the village of Lygourio.
In Nafplio, adapting to the pouring rain, only a short, wet tour was conducted, and the participants returned to Athens. Then during dinner, the program continued in a warm and enthusiastic social atmosphere.
On the third day of the gathering, participants visited the Armenian Prelacy, where Kerop Ekizian, greeting the group, presented the history of the Azat Or newspaper, the path it has traversed, and its important role in the life of the community. He noted that the newspaper, which is still published, has helped develop generations of intellectual leaders in the community.
He invited the participants to send their best work to the newspaper for publication.
The group visited the St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, where they sang “Der Voghormya” together. Rev. Yezras Tenekejian, the pastor, talked about the history of the church. The newly elected prelate, Very Rev. Sahag Yemishian, welcomed the students, said a few words, and wished the group success.
The representative of the ARF Central Committee of Greece, Hripsime Haroutiunian, spoke about the history of the Greek-Armenian community, noting that it existed before the Genocide, but grew after 1915.
That meeting was an opportunity for the students to express their own views on preserving Armenian identity, Armenian upbringing, and the work of the Armenian Cause.
The next destination was the fortress of Sounion, home of the temple of Poseidon, where after taking pictures with wonderful scenery the participants returned with beautiful memories.
And in the evening hours, they danced Greek dances.
On the fourth and final day of the gathering, participants toured and did some shopping in Athens. They listened to a talk on Armenian music by Greek-Armenian musician Stepan Tekirian.
In the evening, the group attended the rehearsal of the Hamazkayin “Nayiri” dance group; dinner and a feast took place with joint dances and a warm social atmosphere.
And thus the gathering came to its end. The participants bid farewell to each other with the hope of meeting again.
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