On May 10, 2019, AGBU-AYA Khosnag Monthly, as per its tradition, organized the annual “Ardasanagan Yev Ngarchagan Mertsoum” (Recitation and Drawing Contest) at the AGBU-AYA Ahramjian Center, under the supervision of the magazine’s editor Mr. Hampig Mardirossian.

While recitation is one of the most important and effective modes of learning a language and appreciating a piece of literature, drawing favors the development of one’s self-expression.

In addition to promoting the Armenian literature, AGBU Lebanon, serves as the only platform in Lebanon to bring students from Armenian schools together to recite and draw, in a fun yet competitive atmosphere. “Poetry cannot leave a deep impression on students till the time they speak it correctly. It also helps in generating self-confidence, and we have been giving this opportunity to students for years now”, says Hampig Mardirossian. Students recited poems by prominent Armenian poets like Vahan Tekeyan, Yeghisghe Charents, Barouyr Sevag, Sylva Gaboudigian, Hovhannes Shiraz and Moushegh Ishkhan.

Students from different Armenian Schools participated. Among the participants were: Yeghishe Manougian College, Hamazkayin Melankton and Haig Arslanian Djemaran, Armenian Catholic Holy Cross Harboyan School, Armenian Catholic St. Agnes School, Hripsimiantz College, Armenian Evangelical College, Armenian Evangelical Central High School, Armenian Evangelical Shamlian Tatigian and Torossian Schools, Vahan Tekeyan School, Mkhiratist School and AGBU Schools.

The evaluation committee was comprised of Arpy Avedikian (actor and poetry interpreter), Shoghig Baghdassarian (Khosnag contributing author and committee member) and Liana Amirkhanyan (poetry interpreter).  Jury members were Lena Aydenian (painter), Nora Diban (painter) and Vazken Moughalian (art critique and painter).