The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations continues to support Armenian families with funding from the European Union. On December 2, small agricultural machinery was provided to the economic entities of 25 settlements of Ijevan and Berd communities of Tavush marz, who are involved in local active groups.Equipment provided includes two-wheel tractors, tillers, rotary mowers, electric sprayers, diesel generators and welding equipment.

The support was provided within the framework of the “Empowerment of local actors for development in Lori and Tavush regions” project, which is financed by the European Union and jointly with the United Nations Development Program. The support is aimed at increasing the resilience of small farmers.

The project is implemented in Tavush and Lori regions as part of the concept of community-led local development and aims to actively involve local authorities and the population in development processes by creating infrastructures supporting local development and improving the capacities of relevant ministries and agencies.



On November 25, at 20:53, the regional crisis management center of Tavush was alerted that an accident had occurred on the Gandzakar-Berd highway, and the car fell into the valley.

One combat unit from the fire-rescue squad of the Regional Rescue Department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations went to the scene of the incident.

It was found that near the 10th km of the Gandzakar-Berd highway, the “Gaz-66” truck (driver: N.M., born in 1968) left the roadway and rolled about 800 meters into the nearby valley; the driver died on the spot.

The rescuers cut off the power to the car and took N. M.’s body out of the valley on a stretcher (about 1 km) and brought closer to the vehicle.

“Undefeated, scornful of pain, nimble, physically strong, resourceful, from an early age he learned to self-orient in the terrain, to master weapon, material arts. It can be said Hayk was a ready soldier with his whole being.” (Hayk Papyan’s uncle tells)

The hero of this edition of “The heroes” program is Hayk Papyan from the Berd community of Tavush region. As in life, so in the field, he chose not to surrender until the end, putting honor and his love towards his Homeland above anything else. There are many witnesses to his actions on the battlefield from his commanders and friends and comrades-in-arms saved by him.

“On October 5, when the commander was injured, Hayk and his friends took over, and they stayed in their positions and fought till the end.”

Hayk Papyan was born in Berd, Tavush region, on January 20, 2001. He studied at Berd Basic School N 4. From the age of 10, he participated in the Armenian freestyle wrestling championships as well as international tournaments and won honorable positions.

In 2015, he entered Yerevan State Sports college of Olympic Shift, where he continued his sports career and received a qualification as a coach. Then, he entered the second year of the Armenian State Institute of Physical Culture, Department of Freestyle Wrestling. In 2019 he was drafted into the army on July 5. After serving for six months in Hoktemberyan military unit; then, he was transferred to Goris and received the rank of sergeant.

On September 27, after the explosion of his equipment, he was injured, but he didn’t stay in the hospital and moved up to his friends.

Hayk brought out the bodies of his many friends during the enemy shelling. Placing all the soldiers on IFV entrusted to him, he moved them to a safe place. Then, in order to confuse the enemy, he took the soldiers to a safe place, returned with the enemy’s damaged equipment, left the equipment in the pit, and then returned to the troops on foot.

On October 15, during the occupation of Havsli position of Jabrail by the enemy, 18 soldiers remained under bombardment and were considered missing until December 18.

Hayk Papyan was posthumously awarded “Combat Service” and “Courage” medals.

Hayk wanted to return to his village to open a sports school and work as a coach. Now his younger brother, Gevorg, wants to make his brother’s dream come true, and he wants to become a champion in wrestling.

From the history and traditions of Tavush to traditional Tavush dishes: on May 3, with the joint efforts of lecturers and students of Berd Multifunctional State College, an event entitled “Tavush crossroads” took place.

During the event, the students of the State College presented the history and traditions of Tavush, folklore, traditional cuisine, historical monuments, sights, and cultural values.

At the end of the event, the guests tasted traditional dishes of Berd area cooked by the students. 

Two significant cultural events took place on May 1 in Berd, Tavush. After a long pause, the “Arevaberd” cinema again opened its doors. The reopening of the cinema was announced with the Tavush screening of the “Zulali” film.

Prose writer Narine Abgaryan and director, producer Hayk Ordyan were honored to cut the red ribbon announcing the reopening of the “Arevaberd” cinema. 

According to Narine Abgaryan, the author of “The Zulali” novel, such events should be repeated often, especially in the border area: “I was present at the premiere, both in Yerevan and in Berd. Both there, and here, I was very excited because the words and criticism of a compatriot are always important for every artist.”

“The fact that “Zulai” has already been shown in Berd is a very important point in my life, after which I should work and create differently… Cinema should finally enter Tavush, and cinema should reach the people of Tavush. The assessments that I should hear from the people of Tavush are very important for me as a creative person,” this is how the director of the film, Hayk Ordyan speaks about his impressions from the Tavush screening of the film.  

The shooting of the “Zulali” film started in 2019; however, the film has gone through a very difficult and long way, overcoming the epidemic, financial difficulties, and the war.

The film is not very different from the movie. Dialect conversations have been preserved. All the shootings were carried out in Navur and Aygedzor villages of Tavush. The film shows the manners of the villagers and how warm and honest neighbors and relationships with them change everyone’s reality. 

The film stars Hermine Stepanyan, Marine Petrosyan, and Artyom Meliqyan. 

“In fact, we were waiting for the premiere in Berd more than for the screening of Yerevan because all the feelings we had during the filming in Berd and the great help we got from all the people of Berd was simply indescribable. And we wanted somehow to thank for that; this screening was just a small part of that gratitude. So, I congratulate us for having such an opportunity to show our favorite “Zulali” in Berd,” says Zulali’s actress Hermine Stepanyan. 

“During the war, he said that he drank coffee with the Turks every morning; he said they were a few meters away from us. We wake up every morning and drink coffee together, and sometimes, we also have dinner together. He made everything a joke. ”

The hero of our regular edition of “The Heroes” TV program is Yura Harutyunyan. During the 44-day war, he destroyed 2 enemy tanks, 5 infantry military vehicles, 3 “Urals,” 2 “Kamaz” cars, and 2 tractors, showing amazing courage and strength of spirit.

Yura was born on April 15, 2001, in Berd, Tavush region. In 2007 he attended Berd Basic School number 4. He studied very well and loved all the subjects, especially mathematics.

In 2019, after graduating from school, he got admitted to the Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics at YSU IB. On July 5, he was sent to the army. After serving 6 months in the specialized military unit of Gyumri, he received the rank of junior sergeant and 2 badges and left for Artsakh to continue service.

 

After serving 3 months in Artsakh, he received the rank of sergeant and two more badges. Yura learned the dialect of Artsakh.

From September 27 to October 30, 2020, he actively participated in combat operations. He fought in Fizuli, Jabrayil, Hadrut, and Martuni. He was very enthusiastic during the war; he destroyed 2 enemy tanks, 5 infantry military vehicles, 3 “Urals,” 2 “Kamaz” cars, and 2 tractors. On October 30, on the way from the village of Kert, he received a fatal shrapnel wound from an enemy drone strike.

Yura Harutyunyan was posthumously awarded “Combat Cross” 1st degree, “Combat Service,” and “Mother of Charity” medals.

Yura’s comrades-in-arms testify “Yura inspired all of us.” they speak with admiration about his devotion and cheerfulness.

Sunday liturgy, national song and dance, traditional games, and entertainment. Tavush TV tells how Easter was celebrated in Tavush region.

On April 17, the Armenian apostolic church celebrates the holiday of the Miraculous Resurrection of Christ: Holiday is also called Easter, which means “separation, remission of sins, return to God.” The Resurrection of Christ is the foundation of Christian doctrine and faith. “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.  And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is worthless, and so is your faith.” (1 Corinthians 15:13-14)

As every year, the holiday of the Resurrection was uniquely celebrated in Tavush region. Our film crew was in Makaravank, where the youth and children of Achajur village and surrounding communities gathered together to participate in the liturgy. The holiday continued in the yard of the monastery with a traditional fight with eggs and song and dance.

Our correspondents from the Noyemberyan community were present at the Easter celebration in the yard of St. Gayane church in Voskevan. The Easter event was organized by the Voskevan cultural center, the students of Voskevan and Baghanis schools.

In the Berd community, Resurrection Day was solemnly celebrated in Berd city in the yard of St. Hovhannes church. After the liturgy, 17 settlements of the Berd community, accompanied by national song and dance, as well as Berd Multifunctional State College and the Berd branch of “Bridge of Hope” NGO, presented Easter sacrament, Easter traditions, and dishes in separate pavilions.

“Christ is Risen.”

“Blessed is the resurrection of Christ.”

In Tavush TV, we have again gathered around the discussion table. This time the topic is culture. The guests are the director of Berd Culture House, Armen Meliqyan, the director of Dilijan Art School after Hovhannes Sharamberyan Hreghen Gasparyan, and the organizer of Berdavan Culture House, Ani Hakhverdyan.