It seems as though the Armenian language ties Armenians of the world with an invisible ribbon. The awareness of this idea underlies the subsequent event dedicated to Mother Language Day that was held at the Mesrop Mashtots Armenian Cultural Center in the Russian city of Tyumen on February 18. Every time Armenian songs and the laughter of Armenians are heard at the cultural center, it seems as though the distance between the Armenians of Tyumen and the homeland is measured in feet, not kilometers.

As reported the event organizers to Hayern Aysor, the Center’s preparatory and middle groups recited poems, performed songs and recited sayings in pure Armenian.

“Language is the most powerful tool for preservation and development of cultural heritage. It is the guarantee of preservation of the national identity,” Armenian language teacher of the Center’s school Alvan Poghosyan said as she attached importance to language and appreciated the role and significance of the event for providing the new generation of Armenians with an Armenian upbringing.

The attendees also watched the congratulatory video message of Minister of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia Hranush Hakobyan.

The second part of the event was devoted to Hovhannes Tumanyan’s birthday. The Center’s members presented the life and career of the Poet of All Armenians with a video clip. The members of the preparatory group performed “The Dog and the Cat” and “The Complaint of the Kitty”, while the middle group recited the four-lines and poems (“The Best House”, “Old Blessing” and “Sorrow of Armenians”) and shared episodes of poems (“The Seizure of Tmkaberd”, “Anoush”), touching the audience.

The winners of the already traditional trivia received duplicates of the 5,000 Armenian drams (Armenia’s currency) with the image of Tumanyan. This made them excited, and they decided to keep them as a memory.

The guests also shared their great impressions and sang old and new Armenian songs with a feeling of longing.

They extended thanks to the homeroom teacher and the teachers (Principal R. Danielyan) as they appreciated the significance of such events in terms of consolidating the Armenian people.

The event ended, but only according to the script. Just minutes later, the Armenian song “Ampi Takits Jour Eh Galis” (song from Hovhannes Tumanyan’s play “Anoush”) was heard from every corner of this “Little Armenia”…