The Armenian community of the Netherlands suffered a severe loss after losing a compatriot in Almelo.

We knew that Manuk Mkrtchyan, Principal of the Armenian Sunday School of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Almelo, was fighting against a serious illness, but we had hope that he would recover. However, the miracle didn’t work. The website of the Saint Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church reported the terrible news: “Today our dear teacher, Principal of the Armenian school in Almelo Manuk Mkrtchyan passed away…”

The news is unexpected for all those who know Manuk Mkrtchyan.

Many loved him not only as a smart and skillful pedagogue, but also as a good friend. He would share his knowledge and experience with teachers and students with pleasure and great dedication. In 2008, a couple of years after the establishment of the Saint Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church and the Mesrop Mashtots Armenian Sunday School in Almelo, upon the recommendation of the Church’s council, Manuk Mkrtchyan, who had worked as a teacher until then, is appointed the director of the Armenian Sunday school in the largest Armenian community of Almelo with nearly 6-7,000 members. In that period, Manuk Mkrtchyan manages to raise teaching to a new level and sees the sharp rise in the number of pupils. Year after year, more than 100 Armenian children have learned Armenian language (Eastern Armenian and Western Armenian), recitation, as well as the history of the Armenian people and have acquired skills in dance, painting, recitation and other fields. Under Manuk Mkrtchyan’s direction, the School has closely collaborated with other schools operating in the Netherlands and is part of the platform of one-day schools. Manuk Mkrtchyan established the Zangak Armenian newspaper that featured articles by not only the pupils, but also the teachers.

Manuk Mkrtchyan, who had studied philology and had more than 28 years of experience in teaching, also taught math and world history at a Dutch school. He would also teach the Dutch about the history of the Armenian people with great dedication.

Manuk Mkrtchyan was one of the active members of the Armenian community of the Netherlands. He was an active reporter for the Diary of the Netherlands and would write articles about community life (also for Hayern Aysor electronic newspaper of the RA Ministry of Diaspora and Orer European magazine). He would often visit Armenia.

Manuk Mkrtchyan has received several certificates in the field of education of the Netherlands and from the RA Ministry of Diaspora, has been awarded with the Mesrop Mashtots Medal and the “Ambassador of the Mother Language” Medal of the RA Ministry of Diaspora, and his school has been recognized as the best Armenian school at the Pan-Armenian Awards.

It is hard to come to grips with the severe loss, but memory is truly stronger than loss.

The warm and brilliant memory of the sincere friend and good person will always stay alive in the hearts of all those who knew him.

As reported the website of the Armenian Church in Almelo, Manuk Mkrtchyan’s funeral service will be held on July 28 at 13:00, after which attendees will have the chance to express their condolences to the family and relatives in the hall adjunct to the church.

Sharing this great sorrow, we express our condolences to the family, relatives and the staff of Manuk Mkrtchyan.

Diary of the Netherlands