Director of the Stepanakert Center of Child and Teen-age Creativity, Vilen Mikayelyan, told ArtsakhPress that the center was created in 1993, during the Artsakh Movement. Until 2010 the center overcame a number of difficulties, the works were carried out in unfavorable conditions.

In 2010 an international standards-compliant center was put into operation. Education at the center is free of charge.

 In his words, the center has over 30 groups, including dance art, song art, folk instruments, painting, pottery, etc. As of now, about 1400 children attend the center. The number increases every year.

“Pupils of the center actively participate in different international competitions. Recently they have partaken in “Nor Shunch-2018” all-Armenian international dance competition held in Yerevan. They earned highest scores.

Recently pupils of the painting group have participated in the competition held for the presentation of “Tsaghkanots” (Parterre) book dedicated to Silva Kaputikyan’s 100th anniversary. At the competition held in Yerevan, pupils of the Stepanakert center captured four first and two second places,’’ the center’s director said, in particular.

Vilen Mikayelyan concluded that by attending the center children become friendlier, more diligent and purposeful, as well as get deeper knowledge in national art.

Artsakh Minister of Culture, Youth Affairs and Tourism, Sergey Shahverdyan, Artsakh Minister of Foreign Affairs, Masis Mayilyan, Stepanakert Mayor, Suren Grigoryan, Artsakh NA deputies, parents of children attending the center and others were present at the event.