ARS Detroit Zavarian Armenian One-Day School holds annual Christmas program
Gaghant Baba (Father Christmas) made a surprise visit to the ARS Detroit Zavarian Armenian One-Day School students’ annual Christmas hantes on Friday, Dec. 15 at Novi Public Library in Novi, Michigan. The audience enjoyed a program of holiday songs and recitations, which were practiced under the guidance of school principal Lena Nazaryan and teacher Narod Keyvanyan.
Nazaryan’s welcoming remarks recognized the hard work demonstrated by students to prepare a festive holiday program and thanked school parents for choosing to enroll their children and support their Armenian school attendance to keep the Western Armenian language alive and thriving. She also referenced today’s instability in Armenia and the attempted genocide and expulsion of Artsakh’s 120,000 men, women and children, hoping for better times in the coming new year.
After performing for the audience, Gaghant Baba, assisted by Sebouh Sarkissian of the ARF Azadamard Gomidehoutiun, entered the room with a bag of presents for students, who performed more songs to entertain him and bring him to his feet to dance.
The Zavarian School is operated by Detroit’s five sister ARS chapters—Maro, Shakeh, Sybille, Tsolig and Zabelle—and is overseen by the ARS Mid-Council of Greater Detroit. In closing remarks, Mid-Council Chair Ani Attar thanked parents for recognizing the importance of Western Armenian language education and reminded attendees of the Mid-Council’s annual school fundraiser set for Saturday, Feb. 3 featuring comedian Vahe Berberian.
The program concluded with a prayer by St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church pastor Rev. Fr. Hrant Kevorkian, who reminded students that “Armenian is the language of our ancestors, but it is our language too. We always have to speak and use our language.”
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