On Friday, the 11th of March 2011, at 7:00 PM, the Armenian Catholic Mesrobian High School educational journalism students' group organized the emblems delivery and the distribution of prizes for the first interscholastic Hrant Dink writing contest that took place in the school's Farajian auditorium.


The opening speech of the ceremony was made, in the name of the students' group, by Sarkis Gudjelian who mentioned that the contest is dedicated to Hrant Dink because he is the last martyr of our claim and he is another victim among one million and a half people who were massacred during the Armenian Genocide and he is also a person devoted to freedom of speech and justice.

Gudjelian affirmed that Dink is immortalized when the Armenian students follow his way and when are born new Dinks who are ready to continue his work with vivacity and bravery.

Then, the audience watched a documentary video tape about Dink. After that, Sarkis Halladjian recited the poem "Menk" by Kevork Emine.


The message of the day was given by Jirayr Tanielian who mentioned that such contests try to prepare especially our new generation for the future and that this enterprise is worth being congratulated and is encouraging. Tanielian added by saying that this ardor comes also from Hrant Dink who, as a modest person, became the idol of the Armenians and the conscious Turkish people.

And after presenting all the details of the contest, Jirayr Tanielian affirmed that all the participants in the contest are winners since they have written their points of view and feelings with national consciousness, engagement and patriotism.

After the message, Nareg Hekimian played "Zeytountsiner" by flute and Stephanie Baltayan recited the poem "Khosk im vortoun" by Silva Gaboudigian.


At the end of the ceremony, the Armenian Catholic Mesrobian High School principal Gregoire Kaloust made a heartfelt speech in which he thanked the principals and the teachers of the Armenian schools for participating in the contest. He also thanked the jury members Shahan Kandaharian, Sarkis Najarian and Jirayr Tanielian for contributing a lot to the success of this enterprise.

Kaloust read the speech of Sarkis Seropian, the editor of the Armenian section of "Agos" weekly where Sarkis said that Dink was assassinated for the freedom of speech and opinion and after four years of his assassination, there is still no freedom. Seropian said through his speech that he is ready to publish the writings of the winners in the Armenian section of "Agos".

By addressing his speech to Dink, Sarkis Seropian said "Dear Hrant, we all know that you were assassinated because you asked for the right to express your opinions with freedom. Therefore, we are doing our best to let our big loss be useful. And it seems that the Armenian Lebanese young people have also thought so and they have named their contest after Hrant Dink, in order to respect your memory and to enliven your aims ".

After Kaloust s speech, the certificates were delivered to the participants and the emblems and prizes of the contest were delivered to the winners. The first winner of the contest was Alik Kandaharian from Hamazkayin M. and H. Arslanian Djemaran, the second winner was Roland Garabedian from AGBU Tarouhi-Hovagimian Secondary School and the third winner was Salpy Ganimian from Kevork Harboyan Armenian Catholic High School. The winners received a collection of books published over the last few years.