"Painting Day" held with VivaCell-MTS support

The annual "Painting Day" was held at Yerevan Zoo on June 5. Huge open-air studio that gathered hundreds of young artists from Yerevan and regions was organized by the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) and General Partner VivaCell-MTS.

The Painting Day marked the end of the 8th Pan-Armenian painting contest. The topic of this year’s contest was the "Family Tree”. This symbolic theme is not only a search for own roots, but a special appeal for commemoration, and a reference to the deep connection between humans and nature.

“The Painting Day is not only a celebration of color, creativity, vivacity and optimism, but it also has educational and pedagogical role. In this environment the children are more likely to absorb the messages this event translates: to love and protect the nature, to know one’s culture and roots, and to maintain identity. VivaCell-MTS highly appreciates this initiative as it is in unison with the priorities and value system of our Company”, VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian noted.

In line with the topic of the day, the event brought together representatives of different generations. 5 to 16 years old children depicted family trees in their paintings; a group of young artists decorated the bus stop and the underpass next to the zoo, while the fragments of the wooden lineage-sculptures served as canvas for paintings of older artists.

"In my painting I tried to depict the colorful and bright family tree where I included my distant relatives living in America. My family tree stands firmly on its “feet”; I want each family to live at carefree, happy, healthy and loving families” said Satenik Mkhitaryan, 12, about her painting.

10-year-old Rostam Ajoyan explained his thoughts about the family tree he painted in another way.

"I have drawn a very thick and strong tree, because my family goes on living and working and creating even after the Genocide. The bird sits on the family tree and eats tasty fruits of the tree".

The entertainment part included folk songs and dances; traditional dance classes were organized throughout the day.

Booths for children and a variety of educational programs were organized during the event and different programs were offered by the partners of the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC): Armenian Tree Project, British Council, UNICEF Armenia, the FAR Children's Support Centre and others.

The results of the 8th Pan-Armenian Painting Contest will be announced in August 2015. The winners will get many prizes: bicycles, photo cameras, books, PCs; children's paintings will be circulated in printed and online publications and exhibitions – as ambassadors spreading the idea of firm Armenian Family Tree.

The PanArmenian Painting Contest is an annual initiative organized by the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets and its General Partner VivaCell-MTS since 2008.