-Andranik, why didn’t you shake my hand that I extended to you?

-I won’t extend my hand to a person who is red-handed,” said the person playing the role of Warrior Andranik to the “Turk” who extended his hand.

This dialogue was from the event dedicated to Warrior Andranik’s 149^th birthday held at the “Hayordats Tun” School in Moscow. The play was directed by Armenian history teacher Anna Tumanyan and starred the students of the first class above the age of 18.

Anna Tumanyan hadn’t missed an episode of Warrior Andranik’s life in which Priest Vramshapuh described the poor condition of his homeland as Andranik leaped in the air and screamed:

-Homeland, I swear to be your soldier!

The event entitled “Victory with the Symbol of Eternity” addressed a part of Andranik’s oath and his past in which the main events take place at the Arakelots Monastery in Mush. This is where Andranik was surrounded by his brave men and went to fight against the enemy, trying to keep the spirit of patriotism of Armenians high and becoming hope for the orphans in the monastery, the Great Mother and the families of Hayduks who had joined them.

“The description of the battle at Arakelots Monastery wasn’t by chance since it was through that battle that the Ottoman government realized that Armenians don’t fall and are ready to fight until the end. The Turks, seeing that they can’t seize the monastery, initiated negotiations, but fulfilled only one of the demands of Andranik and the Hayduks and liberated 31 Armenian prisoners. The interesting thing is that my students were very impressed by that episode of our history and wanted to present the battle at Arakelots Monastery,” said Anna Tumanyan.

Each of the young people seemed to relive the endeavors of Andranik and his brave soldiers, became filled with patriotism and perhaps swore silently “homeland, I will be your soldier”. At that moment, they felt and conveyed the dedication to the audience that made Armenian youth and elderly be called Fidayi, become the real defenders of the homeland and prove that the spirit is above all circumstances, obstacles and possibilities. When you think of your family and your ancestors, there is no need to talk about retreat.

“After such events, we feel three times more patriotic. Today, we saw Andranik and his brave soldiers on this stage and felt the courage, faith and spirit of our Hayduks. We became convinced once again that no matter the situation, Armenians will continue to live because they have another spirit and will that makes our generations continue to live,” said Priest Arakel Amiryan.

The event included patriotic songs and dances performed by the students with the spirit of patriotism. The music was arranged by the artistic director of the school’s choir Lena Beglaryan. The dances were choreographed by Ani Martirosyan, and the design was by Hrachuhi Martirosyan.

The event “Victory with the Symbol of Eternity” also included the “Yarkhushta” military dance performed by the “Hayduks” and ended with the victorious Armenian Berd and Kochari dances that had become a way of living for the Hayduks and a lifestyle.

Armine Kareyan

Moscow