Armenian Sisters Academy celebrates Armenian Cultural Day

Published: Tuesday November 17, 2009

Radnor, Pa. - Armenian Cultural Day was celebrated at the Armenian Sisters Academy, with bright smiles, colorful costumes and cheerful voices.

The Montessori children opened the morning's festivities with the singing of "Mer Hairenik," the Armenian national anthem. Next, they animatedly recited a short poem, "Ge seerem kez im Mayr Lezoo,"  which led into a sing-song version of "Ayp, Pen, Kim," complete with clapping hands. Their upbeat energy carried them into "Kordiguh," a song about a little frog which they acted out with knee slapping, jumping, and quacking.

The Primary Level students (grades 1–3) performed short skits depicting folklore customs. In Armenian and English, students defined folklore as the oldest form of oral tradition. It is the means by which ceremonial events and social customs are passed through the generations.

Dressed in peasant-like costumes, the students explained in their native tongue that Armenians have always been known as generous and hospitable hosts. They shared with guests, even if they themselves had little. When guests would come to visit, they were fed, asked how their trip was, and welcomed to the home. Isn't that custom still alive and well today?

The students continued to show that Armenians are well known as hardworking people who would sing popular songs to make work easier. We were reminded that Armenians are never afraid of hard work.

The children acted out the songs of "Vijag/Hampartsoum" to welcome in the new season. In the spring season, they would predict the harvest of food and prayed for abundance. These songs became part of the spring festival where water was plentiful and fortunes were told.

Lastly, the children depicted the traditional marriage and wedding celebration. A bride was led in on a horse as her classmates clapped her in. More students danced in a celebratory line around the "hars" and "pesa." Many children called out our culture's well wishes:

May you grow old together on one pillow
Bless the in-laws
Bless the Godfather
Sprout, bloom and be strong
Have many children

At the end of the program, students and teachers thanked Armenian teachers Miss Ovsanna and Mrs. Jehanian for their preparation and hard work. Principal Sr. V. Louisa Kassarjian asked the children what culture is and why we celebrate it. The answers were abundant and accurate: our religion, food, clothing, dancing, music and song, history, art, sculpture, language, literature, and architecture. Students in 4th-8th grades continued their cultural education through a field trip to the Arshile Gorky exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.