27 February 2018

On February 24, children from AGBU Sofia “Hayler” Sunday school, young actors and parents from Plovdiv’s ”Malvina Manukian” theater, gathered at the “Erevan garden” next to the Armenian stone cross (khatchkar) to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the tragic events that took place in Sumgait. The ceremony was attended by Michael Vardanyan, Plenipotentiary Minister of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Bulgaria, First secretary Artak Kazaryan, embassy staff as well as members of AGBU Sofia and friends. On behalf of the Embassy of the Rep of Armenia, a beautiful wreath with the Armenian flag and red carnations was laid in front of the khatchkar. Michael Vardanyan remembered the tragic events which occurred in Sumgait in 1988 and Ludmila Doydoyan, a student of HayLer Sunday school recited a poem by Yeghiche Charentz, “Im anoush Hayasdani”. All present deposed flowers lighted candles and prayed in memory of the innocent victims.

Following the ceremony, AGBU Sofia kindly invited all theater performers and guests from Plovdiv and the children of Hayler Sofia Sunday school at the organization’s office for a friendly lunch prepared by AGBU members with great attention and care.

Later in the afternoon, AGBU Sofia Sunday school Hayler children warmly welcomed their friends from Plovdiv at the Vlaykova theater Hall with a presentation of the “Feast of Bread”, a play dedicated to the traditions of bread in Armenia. Following the play, young actors from Plovdiv performed the play “Women’s Kingdom’’, based on the masterpiece of S.L. Kostov, directed by Evelina Nikolova. The comedy pleased and cheered the audience.

HayLer’s 2017 summer camp was a wonderful opportunity for children to get together and form long lasting friendships. AGBU Sofia extended this invitation to their friends from Plovdiv to further develop these friendships among the youth and it is looking forward to the next HayLer camp this summer!