Patriarch of Armenians of Türkiye, Sahak II, met with children at the traditional “New Year Children’s Festival”.
The New Year Children’s Festival, which has become traditional and organized under the leadership of the Armenian Patriarchate of Türkiye, with the participation of the primary schools of the Armenian community, was held on Wednesday, January 3. The festival held at the Patriarchate Central Virgin Mary (Surp Asdvadzadzin) Cathedral, Ghazaz Harutyun Amira Bezciyan Hall. Patriarch of the Armenians of Türkiye, Sahak II presided over the festival and met with the children. He was accompanied by Priest Hovagim Seropyan, Deputy Patriarch Senior Father Krikor Damadyan, and Father Shirvan Mürzyan.
This year, as every year, students from primary schools of the Armenian community attended the festival together with their teachers and parents.
The festival, hosted by Father Natan Arabyan, started with Patriarch Sahak II greeting the children he and the clergy entered the hall.
Patriarch Sahak II made a short speech before the performances began. In his speech, he appreciated those who contributed to this festival and the participants. He had a sincere conversation with the children and gave them advice.
During the festival, which lasted approximately two hours, students from different schools took the stage by presenting songs, poems and dance performances, and at the end of their performances, they presented New Year’s gifts to Patriarch Sahak II and took photographs together.
After the performances, Santa Claus entered the hall, children surrounded Santa Claus as he came to the middle of the stage, then Patriarch Sahak II left his chair to Santa Claus and said, “I leave you alone with our children so that you can give them nice gifts.” and left the hall with the applause of the children. Afterwards, the children received their gifts from Santa Claus and took photos with him.
