Every Wednesday evening, from 6 to 8 p.m., little children and their parents gather together in the “Hayasdan” hall in Thessaloniki, Greece, to make Armenian music together. There’s storytelling and play and lots of laughter. The new program is an initiative of the local Hamazkayin “Ghazaros Saryan” Chapter. The teacher, Vika Nazaryan, uses current pedagogic techniques to ensure the children and their families are immersed in Armenian culture, art, language, and character.
On November 7, Archbishop Gegham Khacherian, the prelate of Armenians in Greece, visited the children during a visit from Athens. Very Rev. Stepanos Pashayan, the spiritual leader of Armenians in Thessaloniki, accompanied the archbishop. Blessing the children and their families, the archbishop heaped praise on Hamazkayin, Ms. Nazaryan, and the families for the wonderful work they are doing.