‘Palace doors always open to Armenian community’

The doors of the presidential office are always open to support the Armenian community, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Friday, while attending an event to celebrate 50 years of operation of Nareg Armenian schools.

Calling the occasion an “historic moment for Nareg Schools and more broadly for the Armenian community of Cyprus,” the president said this anniversary “proves the dedication and long-term effort of the Armenian community for progress and upgrading of its educational, social and cultural presence in Cyprus, something for which we are all very proud.

“In this very difficult endeavour, we as the state stand as helpers and supporters, and we feel particularly proud and particularly blessed for your contribution to Cypriot development and Cypriot society,” he added.

Looking back on the historical path of Armenian education in Cyprus, the president expressed admiration for the “zeal and unceasing effort of the community of our Armenian fellow citizens, to offer the children and youth of the community the best possible educational level and the same moment to protect and preserve their traditions, morals and customs”.

Despite the difficulties, challenges and obstacles that arise from time to time, the path of Armenian education continues unbroken, he added, from the beginnings of Armenian schools with Vartanants Boys’ School and Sousanian Girls’ School in Nicosia, to today’s Nareg institutions, which operate in Limassol, Larnaca and Nicosia, “with the equivalent in Famagusta awaiting our return”.

Christodoulides said the state has always been a “helper and companion” in this journey, pointing out that he got the chance to sign the visitors’ book that was first signed in 1972 by then president Archbishop Makarios.

“When the school we are in today first opened, the state granted the land and made a decisive contribution to political and financial level for its construction,” he said.

He added that with the later construction of a church, the Armenian metropolis, the Armenian Genocide monument and finally the renaming of the street to Armenias, “the area has truly become the heart of the Armenian community of Cyprus”.

The president pledged the state’s full, practical support for the “excellent work” carried out by the Armenian school board, through the education ministry’s cooperation, “with the sole aim of providing that educational level that will offer the young men and women of the community the guarantees for a prosperous future for themselves and for our society in general”.

“I would like to assure you that both personally, and as the government, we stand by you, our Armenian compatriots, and we will continue to place the needs of Armenian schools high among our priorities,” he finally said, pointing out this applies for the community in general.

“The doors of the Presidential Office are always open for you to discuss, to see how we can, through state initiatives, through joint efforts, empower you in your struggles”.

In his welcome speech, school board president Masis der Partogh said that the presence of the president at the event was an honour for the Armenian community.

He added that the event was special, because Nareg graduates were leaving with new knowledge, but also the foundations of humanity and identity upon which the small but active Armenian community is built.

Der Partogh noted that students also learn the Armenian language, history, culture and religion.

Without the children of Nareg, he added, the community would not have dance groups and choirs, athletes in union teams and school competitions, there would be no stars that shine with theatrical and other talents.

“We are proud that for 50 years the name Nareg has been identified with quality in education and the students excel in whatever school they go to, as a result of the hard work and dedication of our teachers and professors”.