January 16 was a festive day in the Gumburdo village of the Akhalkalak region since it marked the opening of the newly built Armenian public school, which was made possible through a donation from Shushik Mghdesyan. Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Georgia, His Grace, Fr. Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan; spiritual superintendent of the Armenian communities of Akhaltsikhe and Borzhomi, Rev. Fr. Friar Hakob Sahakyan; spiritual pastor of Akhalkalak and adjacent villages,  Priest tatev Marukyan; Minister of Education and Science of Georgia Mikhail Chkhenkeli; Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Georgia Lia Gigauri; Head of the Resource Center of Akhalkalak region Tereza Chivchyan; Members of Parliament of Georgia Davit Chichinadze, Ruslan Poghosyan, Henzel Mkoyan and Samvel Manukyan; Governor of Samtskhe-Javakhk Akaki Machutadze; Mayor of Akhalkalak Yurik Unanyan; Deputy Mayor of Akhalkalak Armen Marangozyan; Chairman of the Regional Assembly of Akhalkalak Nairi Iritsyan; Vice-Chairman of the Regional Assembly of Akhalkalak Robinzon Kavrelishvili; representative of the Ministry of Reintegration in Akhalkalak Artush Melkonyan; representatives of the authorities of Ninotsminda region; other high-ranking officials; editor of Georgia newspaper Ban Baiburt, as well as public and cultural figures honored the solemn opening ceremony with their presence.

The guests were greeted by head of village Artur Kurghinyan and Deputy of the Regional Assembly of Akhalkalak in Gumburdo Ashot Saharyan. The school, which was under construction for three years, is equipped with devices and equipment that meet the demands of modern education. The Master of Ceremonies was Head of the Resource Center of Akhalkalak region Tereza Chivchyan. The event began with opening remarks by Minister of Education and Science of Georgia Mikhail Chkhenkeli, Governor of Samtskhe-Javakhk Akaki Machutadze, Mayor of Akhalkalak Yurik Unanyan and the benefactor’s representative, Mr. Shirinyan. The speeches were followed by the blessing by Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Georgia, His Grace, Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan. His Holiness highly appreciated the work that had been done and stated that education is the most powerful weapon that can help change the world. In our days, the role of education is gradually growing, and brilliant evidence of this is the school that has been opened in Gumburdo village.

Afterwards, Mayor of Akhalkalak Yurik Unanyan and head of Gumburdo village Artur Kurghinyan awarded benefactor Shushik Mghdesyan the Gold Medal of the RA Ministry of Diaspora, while chief architect Ruben Yeghiazaryan and builder Misak Kurghinyan received the silver medals. The benefactor personally cut the ribbon, after which the guests toured the newly built school.

Press divan of the Vicariate of the General Prelacy of Samtskhe-Javakhk and Tsalka