The Armenian youngsters representing APY came to France with a lot of enthusiasm and ready to share some impressive elements of their lives and cultures.

Participants have learned about the Armenian revolution and how it was seen through the eyes of youth, what youngsters did and what happened. They understood how important the active involvement of everyone in achieving success was.

The Armenian group created a special setting and choose a song. One by one, the Armenian participants shared what they did during the revolution, how it was for them, for their friends and family, what were their thoughts, how they felt. Then we have seen videos from the revolution.

We were taken thought the whole story and made to understand the whole context of the last almost 30 years in Armenia.  The session was intense and emotional and it was a great example of how the people actions do matter in what happens in a country and how young people can do something to change their country for the better.

Armenian dances and songs

The purpose of this workshop was to introduce and invite the participants to embark on a shared dancing journey. The dances serve to connect people to their lands, rituals, traditions and neighbouring cultures. The workshop was an invitation to discover the power, the deep symbolism and meanings encoded in these timeless Armenian folk dances. This practical participatory workshop helped the other participants to get to know Armenian dances and learn several of them.

First, participants learned a song in Armenian language and sang it altogether. Next, they have learned a traditional – group dance of Armenia – step by step exercising.

The participants continued to sing the song they learned during the next days turning it into an anthem/ hit of the project.

The project Passport to Culture is coordinated by Sunrise Project France in collaboration with Youth Dream Algeria, Armenian Progressive Youth, The Change is in You Bulgaria, AISI Youth Alliance Georgia, Cilento Youth Union Italy, People of Delta Romania and We Youth Tunisia. The project is funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union.