The First Performance of the Puppet Theater in Akhtala

The premiere of the puppet show the Red Hat took place in Akhtala Municipality, Lori Region. The puppet theatre was founded within the Social and Economic Empowerment of Women in Armenia Project.
Social and Economic Empowerment of Women in Armenia Project is implemented by Armenian Young Women’s Association NGO. The project is funded by the European Union. The Puppet theatre social enterprise is one of the six business projects which received a financial support by Armenian Young Women’s Association NGO in April 2014. The initiators of the Puppet Theatre Gayane Paranyan, Gohar Harutyunyan and Hermine Meliksetyan were excited and proud that their idea had shortly been brought to life and their efforts brought a success.
Nelli Mikayelyan, the Art Director of the Puppet Theater artistic director Nelly Mikayelyan said that the group has no name and is not recognized yet but it has already received invitations from Lori region beneficiary communities of Social and Economic Empowerment of Women in Armenia Project.
"We are grateful to Armenian Young Women’s Association and the European Union for this wonderful opportunity. We have been waiting for this day very long. We are very excited and happy that our first performance took place. We hope that our social enterprise will have a long life, and we will be able to present joy not only to the kids of Akhtala, but also to the children in other communities. Their smiles and laugh are our biggest success", said Hermine Meliksetyan, the actor of Red Hat’s role.

Armenian Young Women’s Association (AYWA) has been implementing Social and Economic Empowerment of Women in Armenia Project in Lori Region since May 2013. The project duration is three years from May 2013 to May 2016.
The goal of the Social and Economic Empowerment of Women in Armenia Project is to promote the development of women’s social and economic capacities in Lori region and the improvement of women’s social and economic situation. The project partners are CISP organization, Lori Marzpetaran and Vanadzor municipality. The project is funded by the European Union.