I have visited Erevan 3 times so far, but only at the last time I had a possibility to see more of the city and its life. From 20th to 26th October 5 members YMCA Europe staff (including the Secretary General) stayed together for work on the conclusions of Roots for Reconciliation project evaluation. That visit was long enough to have some cultural experience too. We had some time to see, to hear, to eat and finally to decide unanimously that the capital of Armenia is a really nice place – with its architecture, parks and weather, which is so nice in the autumn.
However, not admiration of the city was the major objective. The main purpose of this staff meeting was common work on the conclusion included in the project evaluation reports. The conclusions, as well as recommendations concerned not only the RfR project itself, but also the strategy of YMCA Europe. From 24th to 25th Oct the meeting joined delegations of main beneficiaries of the project: YMCAs in Armenia, Georgia and Karabakh. Thanks to the joint working sessions and visits to such places as Holy See St. Ejmiatsin (main cathedral), Genocide Monument or Parajanov Museum (stylised Parajanov ‘s picture is the logo of RfR project) the meeting gained additional value and strength. All in all that was a very useful time – and for a person like me, not directly involved in Caucasus and RfR project, all the event was a great training too.
The visit to he Monument of Genocide monument had a unique tone, in a symbolic and emotional significance. The culminating point was planting of a tree, which meant the YMCA’s tribute to the victims of the tragedy of the human kind that happened a hundred years ago. The commemorative speeches were coming from the depth of the heart and after them the gathered put small lumps of soil under a tiny but beautiful Caucasus fir tree – all those moments were moving. Above the place, floated sad but beautiful mournful singing. Even the sky, which was sunny for most of the time dimmed for those whiles. Because of my cultural background I did not cry openly, but inwardly I did.
There were also more light and cheerful items of the programme. There are legends about special musical talents of people from the Caucasus. Improvised jazz concerts in the Parajanov Museum and Club "Loft" – Youth Independent Space seem to confirm them fully. Rezi, my colleague and friend from Georgia, when asked how they cope with that excessive abundance of talents in a relatively small area replied, "Yes, this is a kind of issue, but a pleasant one – leave it to us – we are dealing with it effectively…. ". That soothed me – I could continue to derive satisfaction from beautiful long Armenian autumn combined with musical and esthetical sensations. Certainly all this was by the way – the RfR evaluation was the most important purpose of this visit, of course…. And Vardan Hanmbardzumyan, another my colleague and friend was a very, very good host!
