“Little Homeland” Summer School: A Celebration of Art and Patriotism in Borderline Kapan
Initiated by the “Nor Nakhijevan” Humanitarian Fund, the “Little Homeland” program, implemented for the fourth consecutive year, once again served as a strong bridge between Kapan’s schoolchildren and Armenian culture and identity.
The format of the program was a summer camp, with 71 students from Kapan community’s 4th–7th grades participating out of the 80 initially registered. Among the participants were children of fallen soldiers, orphans, children from socially vulnerable or large families. Responding to previous years’ feedback, the foundation also offered an opportunity to attend the school to children without official status but living in the border community and expressing a strong desire to participate. They joined the school with great enthusiasm. Every day, a new window into the world of art opened for the students — including dance, theater, and visual arts. One of this year’s new additions, sports games, was also met with great excitement.
In addition to regular lessons, special activities were held for the children — flute and violin classes, visits to the Kapan Museum of Art to explore the works of local Armenian artists, and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Kapan Drama Theater named after Alexander Shirvanzade. During their final visit, the theater actors delighted the children with a performance of “Treasure Seekers.”
The program was implemented in cooperation with the Syunik Regional Governor’s Office and the Kapan Municipality. Special support and participation came from local Kapan volunteers as well as guests from the Armenian community of the Nakhijevan on Don — representatives of the Armenian Youth Union of the Don, who made the school’s mission a vivid example of Diaspora-Armenia collaboration.
Classes were held from June 18 to 22, having been pre-organized between June 15 and 17 with formed groups and structured schedules. After each lesson, the children enjoyed small refreshments, which created not only a sense of care but also a warm, family-like atmosphere.
The program concluded on June 22 with a festive event during which the students showcased their paintings, performed traditional dances, and presented short theatrical pieces they had learned in just a few days. In the afternoon, all students, teachers, and volunteers took part in a celebratory gathering, and all volunteers received certificates of appreciation.
In his closing remarks, the foundation’s director, Mher Hovhannisyan, thanked all participants, their parents, and relatives for the trust they had shown in the foundation. Mr. Hovhannisyan also conveyed greetings from the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Harutyun Surmalyan. On behalf of the foundation, he expressed gratitude to the Syunik Regional Administration, particularly to the Department of Education, Culture and Sports and its head Mary Gandalyan, for their support in working with the local schools. Special thanks were also extended to the Kapan Municipality, the Director of Kapan Art School Marina Nahapetyan, Director of the Youth Gymnastics School Tevan Gevorgyan, Director of the Theater Tigran Atayan, and the staff of the Kapan Art Museum for their warm attitude and assistance.
The “Little Homeland” program is aimed at promoting cultural education and a caring environment, especially for children living in Armenia’s border areas. It also contributes to deepening Diaspora-Armenia cooperation, introducing young Armenians to the rich and meaningful history of the Armenian community of the Nakhijevan on Don, and creating new opportunities for youth-led patriotic initiatives.
