On December 21 Calouste Gulbenkian Hall of the “Hayartun” Center at the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia hosted another event, which under the auspices of the “Hayartun” Center was initiated by the Association of Armenian Women in Georgia “Shushanik” (Chairperson Susanna Khachaturian) and the aesthetic education group of the center (Teacher Tamara Sulkhanishvili). Superbly decorated hall promised to spring an interesting surprise on visitors. Various pictures, created through the imagination of students of the aesthetic education group of the center, were located on the walls, while beautifully arranged works, that the participants of the contest-festival had prepared, were located in the center of the hall.

Two months ago the “Hayartun” Center announced environmental initiative: to organize an exhibition-contest of Christmas trees made of recycled materials. The proposal aroused interest of school students, and after receiving teacher’s guidance and advice they set to work.

The students of Tbilisi Public schools # 86, 110, 131, as well as the students of the aesthetic school and the aesthetic education group of the center took part in the exhibition-contest. Individual participants also presented their works.

34 works – original Christmas trees made of paper napkins, plastic spoons and forks, plastic bottles, buttons of different size and color, candies, foam plastic, dry foam and other objects were presented.

The Head of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, the editor of "Vrastan" ("Georgia") Van Baiburtian, painters Meruzhan Shahumyan and Marina Khachaturova, puppet creator Zhana Davtyan, teachers, parents, and guests with great interest examined beautifully arranged unique Christmas trees; they could not hide their astonishment relating to the authors’ boundless imagination. While the jury, which consisted of choirmaster Maria Abulyan, responsible for the educational department Eugenia Markosyan, the coordinator of the “Hayartun” Center Levon Chidilyan, should have determined the winners and distributed prize-winning places. The works of the student of school # 104 David Misakyan (3rd place), the student of school # 103 Diana Minasyan (2nd place), and the student of “Intellect” school Nika Bezhanov (1st place) were recognized as prize winners. The performance of St. Nerses Shnorhali Youth Choir and talented Latin dancer Nana Urigaeva decorated the extraordinary event.

The Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan and the coordinator of the “Hayartun” Center Levon Chidilyan highly appreciated the interesting initiative and wonderful event. Prizewinners and all participants were rewarded with gifts and diplomas.