The 'HAYRENIKE VOKOOS' learning experience

“..payts hayrenike vokoos povantag ashkharhe yeghav…” by Yeghishe Charents

The Hayrenike Vokoos workshop sessions’ target was to introduce to a group of 8-13 year old non-Armenian school attenders, Armenia the republic, to make them familiarize with the Armenian alphabet and at the end of the meetings, stimulate them to express or respond creatively.

The sessions were divided into three parts:
First, to get acquainted with the Armenian alphabet by using the Arasan font on a computer keyboard. Note that the position of the Latin letters phonetically correspond to at least 20 Armenian letters… where the young could visually spot and internally recognize the sound. The form of the rest of the 38 Armenian alphabet letters were memorized by association.

Second, to storm them with a vast amount of images ( a private collection, 1000 in number, photographed in November 1999 by Chant Avedissian) presenting Armenian architecture, historical monuments and everyday life of the newly independent republic. The photos were categorized according to themes & subject topics. Indirectly, it was a practical exercise elaborating the effect and role Art of Photography can play in forming concepts, directing opinions and refining esthetic taste of youngsters who did not have the chance to visit the country and see it for themselves.

Third, to promote dynamic learning by providing an interactive approach to the different fragments of the experience. Images, readings, discussions, visual effects. This gave them the opportunity to know about factual data, ask and comment, compare and choose favorite images, write about them, finally adding visual effects that complement and enhance their written short responses.

The weekly 90 minute meetings lasted for ten weeks and the topics were: nature, monuments and statues that have historical themes, occupation, schools and universities, churches and monasteries, civil architecture, portraits and facial expressions.

The experimentation was prepared and conducted by Thomas zakarian.