The Embassy project '99

The Armenian Embassy in Cairo

Diplomatic relations between Armenia and Egypt were established in March 1992. The embassy was in action in October. At first it resided in Cairo's Dokki neighborhood... and in March 1996 it was moved to its current location, in 20 Mohamad Mazhar street, Zamalek.
In January 1999 on His Excellency Ambassador Edward Nalbandian's approval an edu-cultural program was carried out in the embassy's library. It was called Janachenk Hayrenike (Know the fatherland). It was a weekly 3 hour meetings that covered aspects of Armenian culture and history to the young of 10-15 age group. The briefings were carried out, using maps, slide presentations, video films, painting and carving demonstrations, outdoor activities and games. We initially aimed at familiarizing the young with their own cultural heritage, and to arouse their interest in Armenian literature and history, develop a feeling of belonging and to motivate them to visit Armenia. The meetings lasted for 16 consecutive weeks, the program was evolved around the "Doon" HOME concept. As a supplement a weekly bilingual flyer was published to keep the parents informed of the data covered and to file the information gathered for further use.

The presented topics in the Embassy library were: the flag & emblem of the Republic of Armenia, the Anthem, the geography, the meaning and role of an Armenian Embassy, the alphabet & Mesrob Mashdots, the Golden Age 5th century, parchment, manuscript, Madenataran, Printing, miniatures & Toros Roslin, Family, clan, tribe, nation, Armenian Nakharars, the origin and use of IAN suffix, Armenian architecture, the sun clock, the Armenian church structure, the cross-stones.
The educational visits were to the Coptic Museum ( Introduction to manuscripts) to the Mokattam Garbage Village (Introduction to paper recycling) to the Armenian church in Ramses street (Introduction to Armenian architecture).
Video displays were : ARARAT BECKONS (documentary film), A Drop of Honey (play by Henrik Malyan theater company), Karni, Keghart & Ampert (trip documentary), The Madenataran (documentary film produced by Armenfilm)
The Demo workshops were: Modeling map of Armenia. (with Thomas Zakarian), Stenciling the 'khoran' of a miniature. (with artist Shant Avedissian), Carving a cross-stone (with Sculptor Sarkis Tosounian), Book Binding (with Thomas Zakarian.), Assembling the Garmravor church's card model (with Armin Keredian)

Poetry recited and verses analyzed : Vahakn Tavtyan's 'You're young ' , Vahan Tekeyan's 'The Armenian Church', Moushegh Ishkhan's ' Armenian language' poem. Toumanyan's 'The best home' . Toumanyan's 'Drop of Honey' for video shooting. (dialogue)
The program was prepared by Thomas Zakarian