Flags representing eighteen countries were hoisted at the Aghavnatsor campsite where the Sixth Homenetmen International Jamboree came to an end Tuesday. Among officials present at the closing ceremonies were Minister of Culture–Youth Affairs and Sports Ronald Sharoyan; members of the ARF Bureau and the Homenetmen Central Executive and others.
The 740 delegates from sixteen Diasporan regions as well as those from Armenia and Karabakh–all dressed in similar scouts’ uniforms–marched onto the field to the tune of the anthem.
Farewell addresses were delivered by–among others–Minister Sharoyan–ARF Bureau member Tatul Ohanian–and Chairman of the Armenian National Scout Organization Central Executive Harutiun Harutiunian.
Traditionally–the international jamboree is held once every four years. The July 12-21 jamboree was the second held in Armenia. In prior years–they have been held in France–England and Greece. Since the 1994 jamboree in Byurakan–which attracted 450 scouts–it has become customary to hold the jamboree in Armenia.
According to schedule–in addition to scouting activities–the jamboree participants also went on field trips–visited tourist sites–and on Monday participated in the gala celebration of the 80th anniversary of Homenetmen held at the Aram Khachatourian Hall in Yerevan.
It is notable that throughout the jamboree–the scouts–divided into four groups–began the reconstruction project of defunct churches in the regions of Oshagan–Sanahin–Koshavank–Magaravank and Sevan–in preparation for the celebrations marking the 1700th anniversary of the Armenian adoption of Christianity as a state religion.
Harutiunian reported that scouts from Armenia will joint scouts from 162 other countries at this year’s World Scouts Jamboree.