The tenth day of the Hamazkayin Forum 2015 focused on the Armenian language. Forum participants arrived in Ashdarag, where at the St Mesrob Mashdots church of Oshagan, the local priest, as well as one of the Deacons, Arman, greeted them.
Following an educational tour of the surroundings, the beautiful stone creations of the Armenian alphabet and a crash course on St Mesrob, the deacon led participants inside the church where additional information was shared about the history of the church; participants got to see the tombstone belonging to St. Mesrob, but it was important to note that St Mesrob’s resting place is beneath one of the corners of the church, a decision made at the time, in order to protect his remains from potential harm. Dr. Hrant Markarian’s insightful speech followed, about the history of the Armenian language, the Armenian alphabet and St. Mesrob’s figure and significance of his work in the survival of our identity.
The lecture was followed by a visit to the church of ‘Garmravor’ St. Mary in Ashdarag, and lunch in the adjacent restaurant Pascal & diodato.
Upon arrival in Yerevan,. the third session of the group workshops continued and then, forum participants visited the offices of Birthright Armenia where Sevan Kabakian provided helpful information about the initiative and opportunities for youth.
The dinner was at Safran, the evening continued for hours….Armenian popular and national songs were accompanied by the guitar, shvi, flute, piano and violin…it was a memorable night for all.