Nansen and children: doing what is difficult even impossible
“The difficult we do immediately; the impossible takes a little longer” . These words belong to Fridtjof Nansen/ the first High Commissioner for Refugees of the League of Nations/ who proved the truth of these words with his devotion to help people.
On December 5th , Music Hall named after Komitas hosted Syrian-Armenian and local pupils of the school after Lazar Saryan and children from Zarujhi Babayan’s studio, who is a follower of UNHCR, who were participating in a concert entitled “Nansen and children” organized by UNHCR Office in Armenia. The event was dedicated to 154th anniversary of Fridtjof Nansen/ the first High Commissioner for Refugees of the League of Nations, a genuine defender of the Armenian people’s rights/.
In interview with WomenNet.am the coordinator of UNHCR public information and external relations Anahit Hayrapetyan, speaking of the event dedicated to the great friend of the Armenian people Fridtjof Nansen, mentioned that it was a tribute of love, respect and gratitude to a man who, being concerned about the fate of the Armenian people, having had suffered from Genocide, became a genuine defender of the Armenian fate and due to his initiative hundreds –thousands of Armenian people were saved from complete destruction. Nansen passports provided 320 000 Armenian people with residence permit in 52 countries of the world, giving citizenship to them.
And now, 100 years later, thousands of Syrian-Armenian people have come to their homeland abandoning their birthplace. They remember Nansen very well as many of their ancestors were rescued and survived due to Nansen passports. Therefore, it is symbolic that this event was dedicated to 154th anniversary of the great humanist, – said A.Hayrapetyan.
In his welcoming speech addressed to the audience UNHCR representative in Armenia Christopher Birvirte once again highlighted Nansen’s humanitarian gesture made towards the Armenian people.
– Unfortunately, I must note that 100 years later wars and displacement of people still continue on the Earth. In this regard, it is very nice of Armenia to take care of its compatriots immigrated from Syria and Ukraine. But it is not only Governments that should take care of refugees` issues, every rational person should care about it and every member of the society can and must support suffered and displaced people, it can be a student, employer, ordinary citizens, who may grant asylum for refugees. Everybody can contribute on their own way to the solution of their problems and alleviation of the pain. But we should also think about eliminating the causes of suffering – said Mr. Birvirte, and willingly pronounced “Crane” ravishing poem.
Indeed, care for Syrian-Armenians should be daily in order not to let the news about the ongoing war in their homeland darken their daily routine. Everyone should take care of creating an opportunity for them and their children to work and be engaged in any branch of art.
– These warm words heard today from this stage must be heard every day. Having a refugee status is really hard, even though I consider them to be our compatriots who have just returned to their homeland, and those who need warmth. I am sure that they feel that warmth every now and then. We must support each other. I think we do so, – said follower of UNHCR Zaruhi Babayan.
Along with RA Government and UNHCR, art school named after Lazar Saryan is among the supporters, and according to school’s deputy director Susaana Balyan, 52 Syrian-Armenian children attend it. They are surrounded with love and care. Joint trainings contribute to formation of warm relations between Syrian-Armenian and local children.
According to Anahit Hayrapetyan/ UNHCR coordinator of public information and external relations/ their office prioritizes the programs aimed at the welfare of refugee children, because taking care of children’s psychological, aesthetic and educational needs thereby ensure well-being of parents.
The present and future of their children is no longer uncertain as the issues of their education and permanent employment are solved in their country. Education and upbringing of Syrian-Armenian children continues in schools equipped with necessary equipment and musical instruments and renovated with UNHCR’s support, including the school of art of Lazar Saryan, which is attended by Syrian-Armenian children with love and enthusiasm. It is noteworthy that as a result of the communication with local children they have excellent command of Eastern Armenian. In other words, preserving their spiritual and cultural values they also perfectly mastered local culture, lifestyle and customs.
Official speeches were followed by a beautiful event organized by UNHCR during which the audience was genuinely delighted with performances of children of Zaruhi Babayan’s studio.
Art school pupils skillfully represented the scene of meeting of the Armenian immigrants at the French port and little broadcasters were telling about Nansen’s life and activity that proved with his own life that the most important profession is to be a human.
After playing their music on the stage Syrian-Armenian children were telling about their own dreams and plans. Anna-Maria Sargsyan, who came to Armenia in 2012 from Aleppo, likes Lazar Saryan’s school and teachers, who teach her musical alphabet. And former pupil of Gyulbenkyan school in Aleppo Jaklin Hakobyan along with studying at Bryusov University attends piano courses at the school named after Lazar Saryan.
Fate smiled also to Meghedi Jeynanyan, Maral Gasparyan, Aram Khanlari and many others who together with their parents did not lose their faith in the coming days as supporting hands in the homeland were even more than praying lips.
Works of art of the children of the art school were exhibited in the chamber music hall: war, migration and homeland were depicted there in children’s imagination. There was a common idea on the canvases – no matter how much wars violate the peace of nations, yet there is light in every darkness, as long as there are honest people fighting against darkness, as Nansen whose portrait was depicted with so much warmth by 17-year-old Serlin Teqeyan.
“My parents stayed in Beirut, I live in my uncle’s house. In the beginning it was difficult for me without parents but then I adapted to it. Here is also good, although I am looking forward to joining my parents”, said Serlin.
At the end of the event dedicated to Nansen’s anniversary UNHCR volunteers presented soft toys – UNHCR’s symbolic bears – to the participants.
By Anush Nersisyan
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