His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan, Prelate, presided over the awards ceremony of the Nerses the Great Charitable and Social Organization’s artistic and literary prizes this week in Yerevan, where he is taking part in the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the charity.
The competitions on the theme “Man of God” had been organized with the support of the Yerevan Academy of Fine Arts and the Writers’ Union of Armenia.
The prize giving ceremony for the artistic competition was held on Tuesday, June 27, at the Yerevan Academy of Fine Arts, where Archbishop Anoushavan presented the awards to the winners of the different categories, selected by a jury composed by four faculty members of the Academy. The winners are:
Painting: Mery Hovhannisian (first prize, fourth year of B.A. program); Tehmina Tartikian (second prize, second year of M.A. program); Liana Asatryan (third prize, fourth year of B.A. program); Mane Makian (runner-up, second year of M.A. program).
Graphics: Tatevik Sargsyan (first prize, third year of B.A. program); Zaruhi Tovmasian (second prize, third year of B.A. program); Aghavni Vardanyan (third prize, third year of B.A. program); Anush Abrahamyan (runner-up, third year of B.A. program).
Sculpture: Mushegh Hakobyan (first prize, fourth year of B.A. program); Aghvan Sahakyan (second prize, third year of B.A. program); Kamo Aloyan (second year of M.A. program); Artur Avagyan (runner-up, first year of M.A. program).
Aram Isabekian, former rector of the Academy, and the Prelate addressed the public, extolling the works and the importance of incentives such as this initiative for promoting the creative talents of Armenian youth. Mkrtich Ayvazian, acting rector, was also in attendance.
Literary Prizes
The following day, the awards ceremony for the literature competition took place at the hall of the Writers’ Union of Armenia (WUA). In opening remarks, the president of the WUA, Edvard Militonyan, praised this initiative by the Eastern Prelacy, which contributes to developing Armenian culture and serves as an incentive for writers in the homeland.
Invited by Militonyan to address the public, Archbishop Anoushavan said that the anniversary celebrations of the Nerses the Great organization would not be complete if alongside its charity work, the Church did not care for those who emulate Mesrob Mashdots and defend our cultural legacy in the same way that our heroic troops defend the homeland.
The awards were presented by Prof. Suren Danielian, who served as the president of the jury.
Poetry awards went to Khachik Manukian (first prize), Andranik Karapetian (second), Hasmik Sargsian (third), and Gohar Galstian (runner-up prize). The first prize in the narrative category was vacant, with the second prize shared by Grigor Janikian and Nane, and the third prize shared by Vache Sarukhanian and Garine Rafayelian. In the children-youth category, the prizes were as follows: Satenik Ghazarian (first), Alis Hovhannisian (second), Zaven Petrosian (third), Alvard Hovsepian (runner-up), Olga Silka (runner-up).
Officials of the Writers’ Union, as well as the awardees and members of the public expressed their gratitude for this initiative, with many expressing the wish to see the collection of the winning works published in a volume. Attendees mingled afterwards in a lively reception.
At Yetvart Boyajian School
Also on Wednesday, June 28, Archbishop Anoushavan visited the Yetvart Boyajian School, which is sponsored by the Nerses the Great Organization thanks to an endowment by the Diasporan Armenian writer’s estate.
The Prelate presented the awards given by the Boyajian family to the top three students: Stephan Meseljyan (7th grade); Marianna Khachatryan (8th grade), and Ara Poymushakyan (7th grade). He praised them for their hard work and extraordinary dedication to studying our history, literature and language.