The delighted voices of some 50 children could be heard once again on December 20, 2022, at the Ararat Club. Their joy cannot be described as they gather to enjoy “Story Day for the Little Ones,” organized for them by the Hamazkayin Regional Executive Board for Australia. The story for the day was Varak’s New Year’s Wish. The children shared their wishes and hopes for the new year as they tried to guess Varak’s wish. They learned some new words in Armenian, including the term zarmig (cousin).
The children also made cards with their holiday wishes. They played games, enjoyed fruit pastries that looked like Santa Claus, and sang songs for the occasion. It was touching to hear the children’s rendition of those songs—songs that are only heard in Armenian homes and transport their parents to their own innocent childhood homes.
At the end, Santa Claus visited the children. On his shoulder he carried a big bag full of presents that brought even more joy to the children.
Thanks to the organizing committee for making this event happen and to Krikor and Rita Simonian for providing the hospitality for the day.
