31.08.2024


"We had a school with bright windows, two large rooms, and a corridor-like room in the middle. We started attending at the age of 6. I was 10 years old when I recited Tourian's Drdunchk (Grievance) on the church stage."
— Sargis Alemyan, Berdak village, Kharberd, born in 1903

"I only attended school for a year. On the first page of our book, there was a big cross and the words ‘Cross, bless me!’ I was so happy; my cousin Grigor would take me to school every day. The first thing that struck me was that all the pupils were boys, and the teachers were also men. There was no corporal punishment. All we did during the day was sing, dance, and exercise."
— Garnik Banyan, Kyurin, born in 1910

"A school and a church were to be built. All of us children worked hard, bringing stones, sticks, and sand in our little hands to help the craftsmen. Finally, we entered the school and began learning our ABCs. Our teacher was kind-hearted and spared no effort in making us literate."
— Misak Khranlyan, Till, born in 1901

"When I was 6 years old, I attended school for the first time. My mother hung a small bag made of colorful fabric on my shoulder. It contained all my stationery: a black stone board, several stone pens, and a little alphabet book. In spring, swallows would fly through the open windows and build nests along the ceiling beams in the school’s largest hall. They would soon have nestlings and raise them there."
— Hakob Holobikyan, Charsanjak, Kharberd, born in 1902

In the photograph: The 1912 graduates of St. Hripsimiantz School in Brusa with director Karapet Temidjian (Matenadaran).