Jessica Klinkenberg
Northern News Services
Published Friday, September 28, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - If you are an Armenian teacher working in Yellowknife stop reading this right now.

Hmayak Mikayelyan is throwing a surprise party this Sunday for a woman who has been teaching Armenian children their language and the culture.

Hmayak Mikayelyan is an Armenian in Yellowknife who is also a musician. He will be performing Sunday at International Music Day and afterwards will host a party for a teacher of Armenian children. - NNSL file photo

"It's very important that our kids know their language and where they're from," said Mikayelyan.

The celebration is a way to say thanks to the teacher who volunteers her time on behalf of almost 100 Armenians who have made Yellowknife their home.

Traditionally in Armenia, which shares borders with Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Iran, the second week of October is a national holiday that honours teachers.

However he wasn't able to get a venue for then, so he's decided to celebrate it early in the Calvary Community Church basement.

"Every Saturday and Sunday she's teaching our kids. Parents are working all week so they're tired."

This is the third celebration that Mikayelyan has organized.

One was to celebrate New Years in 2006, and before that to mark Armenian genocide day on April 24, 2005.

Sunday will be a busy day for Mikayelvan. At 1:45 p.m. he's slated to perform at International Music Day at Squatterz.

Following that he said he'll be rushing to the church to get things ready for the 3 p.m. party.

There will be speeches and poetry readings by the children.

If you know the woman, don't tell her. And while the party will be primarily Armenian, Mikayelyan said that everyone is welcome.