On November 29, Hanganak was invited to take part in the celebration dedicated to the Feast of the Apostles St. Thaddeus and St. Bartholomew of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Our beneficiaries and staff were warmly hosted by the Empathy Mental Health Center, which also provided transportation for the visit.
The day began with a prayer service at Surb Marianeh Church in Ashtarak, offering our team moments of peace, reflection, and spiritual strength. Afterwards, the participants were invited to the concert hall of the Ashtarak Armenian Apostolic Church’s youth center to enjoy the performance of the “Artsakhi Tsnundner” folk ensemble. The ensemble was founded in 2014 in Artsakh, within the Stepanakert Children’s Creative Center. After the displacement, Artistic Director Anahit Gabuzian managed to gather her students once again and restart rehearsals with renewed strength together with the talented children from Artsakh. With their stage presence and deeply moving performance, the ensemble created an atmosphere where many felt once again connected to the spirit and memory of Artsakh.
The event’s official description beautifully captures its essence:
“For Armenians worldwide, the Feast of St. Thaddeus and St. Bartholomew has always carried a unifying spiritual force… Such initiatives not only preserve the rich heritage of Artsakh, but also empower people to continue living with their identity, songs, and traditions wherever life leads them… Artsakh lives on through its people, wherever they may be.”
Organized by the Empathy Mental Health Center and partner organizations, this special event became a heartfelt and meaningful experience for our beneficiaries—an opportunity to relive the feeling of home, to be uplifted by music and fellowship, and to remember that the soul of Artsakh lives within its people, through culture, memory, and community.
