On Friday, 31^st of October, 2008, at 11:00AM, the 9^th, 10^th and 11^th grade students of Mesrobian were gathered in the "Faradjian" auditorium to meet with the Director of the History Department in the National Academy of Sciences in Armenia, Dr. Ashod Melkonian. Dr. Melkonian is the author of the documentary film named "Ararad: the mystery of Armenian Immortality", which he dedicated to Khachadour Apovian's 200 birth anniversary and the 180 anniversary of the first conquest of Mount Ararad.


The head of the extra-curricular activities of Mesrobian, Mrs. Gariné Tashjian, introduced the guest to the students. Hence forth, and before showing the film, Dr. Ashod Melkonian addressed his introductory speech to the students, saying: "Since 2004, Turkish authorities have forbidden Armenians to ascend Ararad, accusing Armenians being pretentious towards Turkish boundaries. Ararad is the symbol of our lands which are violently occupied. In a way, Ararad has been the demarcation for Eastern and Western Armenia, however it is considered today in Turkish territory. Its return to homeland is the debt of honor for each Armenian soul". He explained that today's Turkey is a land of horror, where everything is possible trough bribe. Turks charge USD $200 for ascension to Mount Ararad. Speaking directly about the film, he said: "We successfully ascended to the Top of Mount Ararad and recorded a film. Though I am author of 10 books, I assure you that the most difficult research I made was the scenario of this film, which was only 14 pages. This film is the true story of Mount Ararad starting from the days of Noah and reaching till 1729, where different national mountaineers first conquered that mountain."

Before showing the film, he also gave some interesting facts: "In 2006, a group of Armenian mountaineers bribing Turkish authorities carried the heart of our great poet Hovhannes Shiraz to the top of Mount Ararad, according to his will. Until these days, it was undiscovered, but with this film people started to know about it".

The film was interesting and unique. The historical documents were in details, so the students watched in deep emotion and amazement. At the end of the film, the students applauded ardently to its heroes and to the author of the film, Dr. Ashod Melkonian.

Following that, Mr. Gregoire Kaloust, the principal of the college, thanked Dr. Ashod Melkonian and his colleagues for their courage against the difficulties and the dangers. Though none of them was mountaineer, they were able to conquer Mount Ararad, which is very dear to Armenian people.

As a unique Armenian history course, all the students hardly left the auditorium, carrying with them in their hearts the passion for Ararad and for the occupied territories.