Hayern Aysor’s correspondent sat down for an interview with Sweden-based Armenian teacher Hripsime Khachatryan, who is one of the participants of the teacher training course being held as part of the “Diaspora” Summer School Program of the RA Ministry of Diaspora.

Hripsime Khachatryan: I have come from Sweden and teach Armenian language and literature and history at the school in Lernia along with Mr. Ekizian.

Karine Avagyan: Do you teach Armenian Church History?

Hripsime Khachatryan: That is a very important question. Unfortunately, I don’t teach that subject.

Karine Avagyan: Where did you study? What is your profession?

Hripsime Khachatryan: I graduated from the Department of Acting of Yerevan State Institute of Arts and Theater, but I teach Armenian language and write plays based on the works of notable Armenian writers. This also serves as a way to teach the work of a given writer in a way that will make it more accessible and interesting for children and help them recognize great Armenian writers. I also give lessons on the performing arts.

Karine Avagyan: Are there a lot of children who learn Armenian?

Hripsime Khachatryan: I have five students. In the past, there were more learners. The generation is changing. The children graduate and leave. Now there are more child learners. They will grow up and become a part of my group.

Karine Avagyan: Do they attend the Armenian language lessons with pleasure?

Hripsime Khachatryan: Most of them come with pleasure. There are also problematic children who don’t think knowledge of the Armenian language can promise them anything in the future. We don’t force or impose. We approach the issue delicately. What is very important is the particular family’s approach to the issue. If Armenian is the household language in a family, the parents can immediately make the child understand. If Sweden is the household language, the language will die. Sweden is a country where a family doesn’t have power over a child.

Karine Avagyan: What did you get out of the “Diaspora” Summer School Program?

Hripsime Khachatryan: I learned a lot about how to teach the language. I was very interested in the lessons of Hagop Hagopian from Beirut. He taught us how to criticize and analyze and how to make sure the child addresses the teacher courageously with questions of interest. I really liked the teaching methods and ways of presentation of Armine Ashikyan. I also liked Arevik Ghazaryan’s class devoted to methods of management. I would like to thank the RA Ministry of Diaspora and all the lecturers and specialists. I am leaving for Syria with new knowledge.

Karine Avagyan: Mrs. Khachatryan, you graduated from one of the best universities of Yerevan, specializing in acting. Have you been able to work by your profession? Have you ever been on stage?

Hripsime Khachatryan: Of course, I have starred at the Yerevan Experimental Theater (also known as Theater of Pos) under the direction of my beloved Hrachik Ghazaryan. Later, I worked with Armen Mazmanyan for several years. I have had wonderful supervisors. I have also played roles in Swedish in three films, one of which received the grand prize in New York and the other won an award at the Cannes Festival.

Karine Avagyan: Well, Mrs. Khachatryan, thank you for this interview. I hope the achievements that you make during this program will be reflected in your future lessons.

Karine Avagyan