Somebody once said, “Dance is a poem, and every dance move is a word in a poem”. As to what kinds of interesting “poems” the participants of the “Ari Tun” Program “create”, one can only see them at the “Ari Tun” Camp. During one of the days of the camping event, I visited the participants and participated in the dance lesson. The moves reminded one of a poem not written in verses, but that made it more interesting. Member of the National Union of Dancers of Armenia after Vanush Khanamiryan, artistic director and dance instructor of Tavros Folk Ensemble Ludwig Poghosyan was teaching the participants the “Batola” dance that pertains to the “Ver Veri” group of Armenian dances.

“There are three preconditions for preservation of the national identity-language, religion and culture. The “Ari Tun” Camp creates all the preconditions for preservation of the Armenian identity. The organizers’ generosity towards the children is what strikes the eye. I regret not having come to the camp earlier. I liked the children a lot. There are nearly 150 participants, but it’s so easy to work with them. They’re all good listeners,” says Mr. Poghosyan.

While we were talking, the children were playing volleyball, and what drew my attention was the fact that they were playing in solidarity. “Yes, they play fairly, and they always organize interesting games,” says the dance instructor. “I had gone to watch them play in the evening. They had organized a game called “We’re Looking for Talents”. You can’t imagine how talented they are. One of the girls, Enzeli, danced, and I was amazed. The Ministry of Diaspora is doing a tremendous job by organizing such a program. It helps preserve Armenian arts and culture and helps all Armenians preserve their national identity. It would be better if there were more programs like this.”

By Marianna Ananyan