Young artists publish Biblical works

[MosJan]

Young artists publish Biblical works

By Ashot Gareginian

ArmeniaWeek reporter

 

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As 2001 was ending, so was a cultural project in Armenia that started last February and is hoped to last far into the future.

 

A "Bible for Children" has been completed and printed in Yerevan and illustrated by artists ages six to 17. It has been published in Armenian, Russian and English.

 

The idea to create such a book came from the National Aesthetic Center and the Children's Art Museum.

 

Several hundred children and teenagers offered works for the book. Paintings devoted to the 1700th anniversary of Christianity as the State religion served as illustrations, but other works including sculptures, batiks, wood carvings and ceramics are part of an exhibit that coincides with completion of the project.

 

"I am proud of our pupils", says Henrik Igitian, leader of the Children's Art Museum and National Aesthetic Center. "They proved once more that their works are worthy of admiration."

 

Nearly 2,000 paintings were submitted for the Bible, from which 170 were chosen.

 

The art was judge critically without allowance for age.

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Before drawing pictures, children were instructed to read the Old and New Testaments. Teachers also showed them Armenian miniatures on religious subjects and organized trips to Echmiadzin, the seat of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

 

Students such as Susan Melikian, 14, said the preparation for making the paintings was interesting and useful.

 

Two of her paintings were selected: "Creation of the First Man" and "Passage through the Red Sea".

 

Margarita Mkrtchian, 12, liked the New Testament story about Jesus meeting John the Baptist. Her painting, "The Baptism of Jesus", adorns the cover of the English edition.

 

David Kirimijian, 11, chose to illustrate David's duel with the giant Goliath.

 

Each edition of the Children's Bible has 1,000 copies.

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Adapted texts of the Bible were submitted for approval of representatives of Holy Echmiadzin.

 

Garegin II, Catholicos of all Armenians, sent a word of blessing to the young artists.

 

In addition to the Bible, the children's work also includes another book of Biblical stories. "Let There Be Light" is published in Armenian, English, Russian, Italian, Spanish and German.

 

This month the children's work will be exhibited in the US in the cities of New York, Chicago and Milwaukee.

 

Meanwhile Igitian (pictured) hopes to publish the Armenian legend, "David of Sasoun," also with illustrations made by children