Cameraman Vram Khanamiryan

A solemn procession of high-ranking clergy and religious fathers, led by the Primate of the Shirak Diocese, Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan, went from Vardanants Square in Gyumri to the Holy Savior Cathedral. The clergy, singing psalms and praying, led the faithful to the newly built cathedral. The Primate of the Diocese anointed the nave of the cathedral with holy myron, and the bishops anointed the columns and the baptismal font.

The 150-year-old cathedral, which was destroyed by the devastating earthquake of 1988, has reopened after decades of construction and restoration work. The relic of the Savior's Cross was brought to Gyumri from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin for this historic event. Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II performed the re-consecration of the restored Holy Savior Church. Ten years ago, His Holiness consecrated the crosses on the dome and bell tower of the Holy Savior Church.

 

We cannot imagine the words of Charles Aznavour's famous songs without the accompaniment of a melody, but the words of hundreds of Aznavour's songs can also be read as poetry. Can we talk about the poet Aznavour and what are the characteristics of these poems? Literary critics Hayk Hambardzumyan and Arkmenik Nikoghosyan discuss these issues in the program "Parallel Readings".

What is the subject of linguistics? What are the misconceptions about the profession of “linguistics”? Is linguistic education offered in Armenian universities? Anna Sargsyan spoke with linguist Andranik Ayvazyan, candidate of philological sciences.

Levon Shant was the only Western Armenian writer of the famous Vernatan founded by Tumanyan. He created works in a variety of literary genres, but his literary fame was brought to him by his dramatic works: "The Ancient Gods", "The Emperor", "Oshin Payl", "The Princess of the Fallen Fortress". Like his party friends Nikol Aghbalyan and Avetis Aharonyan, Shant tried to combine literary life and political activity throughout his life. A graduate of the Gevorgyan Theological Seminary, in 1919 he assumed the duties of the Speaker of the Parliament of the First Republic of Armenia. After the Sovietization of Armenia, he left his homeland forever. In 1929, Levon Shant proclaimed the foundation of the National Educational and Cultural Union in Beirut and the creation of the Nshan Palanchkan Seminary. Both are still operating today.

After the ethnic cleansing in Artsakh, a special department was created in “TUMO” to deal with forcibly displaced youth from Artsakh. It supports, helps and makes suggestions to them. In addition, “TUMO” organizes seminars for trainers, in which specialists forcibly displaced from Artsakh participate. The five-month course is free of charge. Moreover, participants receive a scholarship. Hovhannes Yeranyan hosted in the “Tague” the expert-trainer of the “TUMO” center, poet Violet Grigoryan.

With Tigran Shahverdyan, a member of the Scientific Initiative and founder of Robomart, Hovhannes Yeranyan discussed the role and significance of science and technology in ensuring the country's security and economic development in the "Tavern".

 

How was the Mother Cathedral restored? Anna Sargsyan spoke with Amiran Badishyan, the chief architect of the Mother Cathedral restoration project, Hasmik Gevorgyan, the chief materials expert for the Mother Cathedral restoration, and Gagik Galstyan, the founder of the "Horizon-95" construction organization, about this enormous work. Here is a compilation of those conversations.