100 th Anniversary of Armenian Scouting

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100 th Anniversary of Armenian Scouting ANNIVERSARY JAMBOREE August 3-11, 2012 BYURAKAN, ARMENIA For: 14-22 years old (no age limit for Contingent Leaders) Fee: Euros 200 Official

1 100 th Anniversary of Armenian Scouting ANNIVERSARY JAMBOREE August 3-11, 2012 BYURAKAN, ARMENIA For: years old (no age limit for Contingent Leaders) Fee: Euros 200 Official languages: English, Armenian Host: National Scout Movement of Armenia HASK, Deadline for registration: May 15, 2012 Page 1 of 5

2 Daily Program August 3 Arrival of participants, campsite setup August 4 Opening Ceremony August 5 Visit to Echmiadzin (Holy See of All Armenians) Intercultural Evening August 6 Hiking to Amberd fortress / Mount Aragats (4090 meters above sea level) August 7 Scouting Day August 8 Rally August 9 Visit to Yerevan, Tsitsernakaberd Memorial August 10 Closing Ceremony August 11 Departure of participants Page 2 of 5

3 Armenia Armenia is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bordered by Turkey to the west, Georgia to the north, Azerbaijan to the east, and Iran to the south. The average altitude of the territory is 1800 meters above sea level; the highest peak is Mount Aragats (4090 meters). The Kingdom of Armenia became the first state to adopt Christianity as its religion in the early years of the 4th century (in 301 AD). Armenians have their own unique alphabet invented by Mesrop Mashtots in 405 AD. Armenia is a member of more than 40 international organizations, including the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the Asian Development Bank, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the World Trade Organization, World Customs Organization, the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, and La Francophonie. It is a member of the CSTO military alliance, and also participates in NATO's Partnership for Peace (PfP) program. Official name Republic of Armenia (RA), briefly Armenia Official language Armenian Religion Christianity (Armenian Apostolic Church) Territory 29.8 thousand square km (4,7% water) Time zone GMT +4 hours Population 3.2 million (2011) Ethnic breakdown Armenians (96 %), Russians, Yezidis, Kurds, Assyrians, Greeks, Ukrainians, Jews and representatives of other nationalities Currency Dram (AMD) 1.00 USD = 390 AMD 1.00 EUR = 520 AMD Yerevan Yerevan is the capital and largest city of Armenia and one of the world's oldest continuously-inhabited cities. It has been the capital since 1918, the twelfth in the history of Armenia. The history of Yerevan dates back to the 8th century BC, with the founding of the fortress of Erebuni in 782 BC. The climate of Yerevan is a semi-arid, continental climate, with hot and dry summers with the temperature in August reaching up to 40 C (104 F). The amount of precipitation is small, amounting annually to about 318 millimeters (12.5 in). Yerevan was named the 2012 World Book Capital by UNESCO. Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Tsitsernakaberd is a memorial dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide; it is located on a hill overlooking Yerevan. Every year on April 24, hundreds of thousands of Armenians gather here to remember the Page 3 of 5

victims of the 1915 Armenian Genocide that took place in the Ottoman Empire. The 44 meter stele symbolizes the national rebirth of Armenians.

5 million Armenians killed during the Genocide. The Armenian Genocide Museum opened its doors in 1995.

It contains historical documents and is open to the public for tours. Byurakan Byurakan is located on the slope of Mount Aragats with an extraordinary combination of nature and ancient churches.

4 victims of the 1915 Armenian Genocide that took place in the Ottoman Empire. The 44 meter stele symbolizes the national rebirth of Armenians. 12 slabs are positioned in a circle, representing the 12 lost provinces. In the center of the circle, at a depth of 1.5 meters, there is an eternal flame dedicated to the 1.5 million Armenians killed during the Genocide. The Armenian Genocide Museum opened its doors in The Republic of Armenia has made visiting the Armenian Genocide Museum part of the official State protocol and many official foreign delegations have already visited the Museum. It contains historical documents and is open to the public for tours. Byurakan Byurakan is located on the slope of Mount Aragats with an extraordinary combination of nature and ancient churches. The climate is subtropical with cool, dry summers and cold winters. The Byurakan Observatory is also found here. In the town and its surrounding areas there is the Amberd fortress (7c.), the Artavazik Church (7c.), and a cemetery with cross-stones. Fortress Amberd Amberd is the name given to the 7th century Armenian fortress located 2,300 meters (7,500 ft) above sea level, on the slopes of Mount Aragats. The name translates to "fortress in the clouds" in Armenian. It used to be a summer residence for kings. The castle of Amberd and some sections of walls were constructed in the 7th century AD as a possession of the noble House of Kamsarakan. Four centuries later the fortress and surrounding lands were purchased and rebuilt by the House of Pahlavuni. Amberd was invaded in 1070s by the Seljuk Turks who turned it into a military base. In 1197, a joint-army of Georgians and Armenians led by General Zakareh Zakarian liberated the fortress. The noble Vache Vachutian purchased Amberd in 1215, making it a key defensive site in the region. Within a short period of time, the Mongols captured and destroyed the fortress in the year The site remained abandoned and untouched until the 20th century, when reconstruction and archaeological excavations began. Mount Aragats Mount Aragats is the highest point in Armenia and is about 40 km NW of Yerevan. Aragats is extinct volcano with a crater that has become an ice basin. This extinct volcano has formed four peaks: the northern peak is 4090 m above sea level: the western, eastern and southern peaks are 4080, 3916m, 3879m high respectively. Located on its slopes are the Byurakan Observatory and the medieval Amberd Fortress. Page 4 of 5

5 1694. Echmiadzin Echmiadzin is the spiritual center of Armenia. It is where the seat of the Catholicos of Armenia is located. When Christianity became the religion of Armenia, Vagharshapat was called Echmiadzin, after the name of the Mother Cathedral. Since 301, Echmiadzin has been known as Armenia s spiritual center. Echmiadzin is also where one of the oldest schools, established by Saint Mashtots, was located. The first manuscript library in Armenia, founded in 480 A.D. is also in Echmiadzin. The Cathedral of Holy Echmiadzin was built between the years of 301 and 303. Saint Hripsime is a masterpiece of Armenian architecture. It is considered a classic of the medieval ages because of its perfect cruciform plan. Saint Gayane Church was built in 630. Shoghakat Church is a domed basilica completed in Page 5 of 5

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