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Narine Daneghyan / youthjournalism.org
Opening Ceremonies |
By Narine Daneghyan
Reporter
YEREVAN, Armenia – August 13. Evening. I took my camera, my YJI press card and went
to the Republican stadium to take part in a big holiday of sport, youth and
unity, the opening ceremony of Pan-Armenian Games.
to the Republican stadium to take part in a big holiday of sport, youth and
unity, the opening ceremony of Pan-Armenian Games.
As most of you live far from Armenia, maybe you don’t know
what I am talking about, but that was really fantastic, friends.
what I am talking about, but that was really fantastic, friends.
First let me introduce what these games are and then I will
speak about my impressions.
speak about my impressions.
The Pan-Armenian Games are a multi-sport event, held between
competitors from the Armenian diaspora and Armenia.
competitors from the Armenian diaspora and Armenia.
They consist of various competitions in individual and team
sports among Armenian athletes.
sports among Armenian athletes.
The Games take place in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia.
Some History
Even in ancient times, Armenians were fond of sports. In
ancient Armenia, August was called Navasard, and in that month, sports
competitions called Navasardian Games were organized.
ancient Armenia, August was called Navasard, and in that month, sports
competitions called Navasardian Games were organized.
Armenians also took part in ancient Olympic Games. The first
Armenian who participated in The Games in Olympus, Greece was King Trdat I, who
competed in quadric – races on horse-pulled carts.
Armenian who participated in The Games in Olympus, Greece was King Trdat I, who
competed in quadric – races on horse-pulled carts.
The first Armenians who won in the Games and became Olympic
champions in Olympus were future Armenian kings – wrestler Trdat (281BC) and
fist-fighter, or boxer, Varazdat (385BC).
The first Armenians who participated in the modern Olympic Games were athletes
Vahram Papazyan and Mkrtich Mkeryan, who were the only representatives of the
Turkish team for the 5th Olympic Games in 1912 in Stockholm.
champions in Olympus were future Armenian kings – wrestler Trdat (281BC) and
fist-fighter, or boxer, Varazdat (385BC).
The first Armenians who participated in the modern Olympic Games were athletes
Vahram Papazyan and Mkrtich Mkeryan, who were the only representatives of the
Turkish team for the 5th Olympic Games in 1912 in Stockholm.
Three years later, the rulers of Ottoman Turkey organized the
Armenian Genocide in the territories of Western Armenia and Southern Caucasus
that took lives of 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1923.
Armenian Genocide in the territories of Western Armenia and Southern Caucasus
that took lives of 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1923.
Armenians who managed to survive the Genocide spread all over
the world, which is why the Armenian Diaspora is so huge.
the world, which is why the Armenian Diaspora is so huge.
Armenians number more than 7 million people and now live in
more than 100 countries of the world. Every four years they gather in their
motherland to compete in different sports and make new friends.
more than 100 countries of the world. Every four years they gather in their
motherland to compete in different sports and make new friends.
The first Pan-Armenian Games took place in 1999 and included
representatives of 62 cities and 23 countries. The second Pan-Armenian Games
took place in 2001, followed by the third one in 2003.
representatives of 62 cities and 23 countries. The second Pan-Armenian Games
took place in 2001, followed by the third one in 2003.
Then it was decided to transform the schedule for the Games
to once every four years instead of once every two years, and the fourth
Pan-Armenian Games were held in 2007.
to once every four years instead of once every two years, and the fourth
Pan-Armenian Games were held in 2007.
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Narine Daneghyan / youthjournalism.org
People gather around the torch at the opening ceremony |
Pan-Armenian Games 2011
This year, 3,000 athletes from nearly 125 cities of the world
competed in 10 sports: football, basketball, chess, mini football, volleyball,
swimming, athletics, badminton, tennis and table tennis.
The Games finished August 21.
competed in 10 sports: football, basketball, chess, mini football, volleyball,
swimming, athletics, badminton, tennis and table tennis.
The Games finished August 21.
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Narine Daneghyan / youthjournalism.org
Buenos Aires – Axalqalaqi basketball game |
During the opening ceremony, Armenian Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsyan, President Bako Sahakian of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Ishkhan
Zakarian, who is the chairman of Pan-Armenian games worldwide and the Chamber
of Control and other officials were present in Republican stadium of Yerevan.
Sargsyan, President Bako Sahakian of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Ishkhan
Zakarian, who is the chairman of Pan-Armenian games worldwide and the Chamber
of Control and other officials were present in Republican stadium of Yerevan.
The ceremony started with the parade of sportsmen, headed by
the delegation of Artsakh, followed by the march of all of the 125
representative delegations.
the delegation of Artsakh, followed by the march of all of the 125
representative delegations.
The flame, which was first set alight in Ani in Western
Armenia, travelling through to St. Tade church in Iran, to Gandzasar, Garni,
Syunik and Khor Virap in Armenia, was taken to the stadium by IBO boxing champion
Vic Darchinyan and world sambo wrestling champion Ashot Danielyan. World and
European weightlifter champion Tigran Martirosyan lit the flame.
Armenia, travelling through to St. Tade church in Iran, to Gandzasar, Garni,
Syunik and Khor Virap in Armenia, was taken to the stadium by IBO boxing champion
Vic Darchinyan and world sambo wrestling champion Ashot Danielyan. World and
European weightlifter champion Tigran Martirosyan lit the flame.
The Catholicos of All Armenian His Holiness Karekin II and
the president of the International Committee of Pan-Armenian Games, Ishkhan
Zakaryan, gave speeches welcoming the participants.
the president of the International Committee of Pan-Armenian Games, Ishkhan
Zakaryan, gave speeches welcoming the participants.
“It’s an excellent holiday in Armenia, a holiday of youth and
unity,” said Chairman Ishkhan Zakaryan of the World Committee of the
Pan-Armenian Games. “And the slogan of the games, “Unity through
Sport” already symbolizes the meaning of this idea. So let this unity
accompany us next to the sports fair fight during the games.”
unity,” said Chairman Ishkhan Zakaryan of the World Committee of the
Pan-Armenian Games. “And the slogan of the games, “Unity through
Sport” already symbolizes the meaning of this idea. So let this unity
accompany us next to the sports fair fight during the games.”
Finally, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan declared the Games
open and the flag of the Pan Armenian Games was raised up.
open and the flag of the Pan Armenian Games was raised up.
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Narine Daneghyan / youthjournalism.org
Men’s basketball game |
The colorful ceremony included speeches, the lighting of the
Olympic torch, massive fireworks, dances and entertainment from famous Armenian
artists.
Olympic torch, massive fireworks, dances and entertainment from famous Armenian
artists.
More than 10,000 tourists had also come to Yerevan to attend
the Games.
the Games.
People who were gathered in the stadium were happy and the
day was really memorable.
day was really memorable.
For most athletes, it was their first trip to Armenia.
Alexis Koruk, who lives in Buenos Aires, represented his city
with his basketball team. He was impressed by the opening ceremony and compared
it with opening of the Olympic Games.
with his basketball team. He was impressed by the opening ceremony and compared
it with opening of the Olympic Games.
Cousins Nazo Guedikian and Hrag Merdinian represented Burj
Hamud, Lebanon. They play basketball and stated that they would like to live in
Armenia in the future.
Hamud, Lebanon. They play basketball and stated that they would like to live in
Armenia in the future.
Sevak Sarikanian, from Paris, was excited to be in Yerevan,
and found everything well-organized. Sarikanian said he’s thankful to all the
organizers of the Games.
and found everything well-organized. Sarikanian said he’s thankful to all the
organizers of the Games.
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Narine Daneghyan / youthjournalism.org
Niklinovka celebrates its |
For him victory is important, Sarikanian said, but the most important thing for every participant of the Games is to be in his homeland His friends Alex Kichek and Sevak Madayan added that they are
thankful to those who came to watch their footzal, or mini-football, games.
thankful to those who came to watch their footzal, or mini-football, games.
The closing of the Pan-Armenian Games, including the
presentation of the medals to the winners, was August 21 in Liberty Square in
Yerevan.
presentation of the medals to the winners, was August 21 in Liberty Square in
Yerevan.
But there couldn’t be and weren’t any losers in these Games,
because everyone is a winner here.
because everyone is a winner here.
They are young and they’re united by their love for sports
and for their homeland.
and for their homeland.
Video shows the opening ceremonies.
