Posted on August, 08 2014

On August 06, 2014 in the frames of the EU funded Forest Transformation Project an awareness raising and educational event was held for the pupils and teachers of Koghb Art School in the Noyemberyan pilot site located near Koghb community on the territory of Noyemberyan Forest Enterprise of “Hayantar” SNCO (Tavush Region).

The aim of the event was to present the EU funded project implemented by WWF as well as to raise the awareness of pupils and teachers on forests and their protection, the vital role of forests for people, the significance of re/afforestation and forest transformation in Armenia and related issues. There were up to 60 participants from Koghb Art School and nearby communities, administration of the forest enterprise and related organizations.

The event was launched by welcome speeches and continued with a brief presentation on the project. Afterword a creative contest «Forest and Me» was organized with two nominations: the first for the group of 11-18 years old participants and the second for the group of 18-30 years old participants from the Art School. There were presented different types of art works: paintings, photos, sculptures, handicrafts, etc. The winners were awarded with prizes for the first three places in each nomination. The awards included tablets (first places), digital cameras (second places) and backpacks (third places). All the contest participants received an EU visibility package with T-shirt and baseball cap.

However, the event was not restricted by the agenda, as unexpected surprises for the organizers were ahead. The Koghb Art School children suggested a creative contest for WWF team – to draw any tree nearby within 15 minutes. After a short inspirational moment the WWF representatives came back with their “pieces of art”. The drawings were reviewed and the best three were selected by the contest announcers. The winners received various hand-made gifts, such as bags, scarfs, cups, necklaces with pomegranate pendant with pretty, tiny illustrations, etc.

Later in the evening a free cultural program started with theatrical and musical performances, poetry, violin music, etc. The event was concluded by watching a video-film about a brown bear and numerous camera traps photos of wild animals.

More information about the Forest Transformation Project can be found here.

For further information:

Mr. Arthur Alaverdyan
Project Coordinator
Tel: +374 10 58 89 83 (ext. 17)
Email: aalaverdyan@wwfcaucasus.org

Mr. Gera Voskanyan
Partnership and Communications Manager
Tel: +374 10 58 89 83 (ext. 14)
Email: gvoskanyan@wwfcaucasus.org