News

The Armenian Reporter about Manana

31 Jan 2009

Yerevan - The Manana Youth Center's Under the Same Sun photo exhibition took place the Naregatsi Art Institute from December 23, 2008, through January 8, 2009. Every year the youth center organizes a photo exhibition based on the work of its Photojournalism Studio.

The exhibit drew upon the best work of the students, who range in age from 10 to 16. Photos from the exhibit are available to view online at www.mananayouthcenter.org.

The exhibit included 32 photos depicting life in different Armenian villages. Throughout the year, students had the opportunity to visit villages throughout Armenia and meet with villagers, talk with them, and gain an important perspective on village life. They witnessed similarities and differences between the villages they visited and the city.

"We visited each village with small groups of three or four students," said Albert Babelyan, head of the photojournalism studio. "The students were able to roam around the village, meet with the people who live there and were able to shoot photos at the same time."

Arpen Chichakyan, 15, one of the aspiring photojournalists, said, "I've been to two villages, Arzakan and Ujan. I do not go to the countryside very often, and I was very happy with the decision to shoot photos in the villages. People from the villages were much more welcoming and smiley than people often are in Yerevan. It was much easier to take photos of them, as they were very open, and they didn't hide their faces."

Most of the students whose photos were exhibited were first-time students at the Manana Youth Center.

"I was very happy and excited," said Kristine Sargsyan, 14. "I worried whether people would like them or not. But I heard many compliments that day, and now I will do my best do take more and better photos."

Zaven Khachikyan, one of Armenia's leading photojournalists said, "The photographs are great. You can hardly find such mature vision even in the work of experienced photographers."

"I'm proud and full of hope, as I see we have an organization like this, investing in the development of real Armenians. That means our motherland is safe," said Kitush Arzooian, who was among the visitors to the exhibition.