“It is not enough to be a son of your Nation; you must also be its fiery soldier.” — Garegin Nzhdeh

January 28th is one of the most significant pages in our history—a day that symbolizes the formation of the Armenian Army and the resilience of our Third Republic. To mark this important occasion, on January 29th, students of the European School, accompanied by their military instructor Arkadi Tovmasyan, paid a diagnostic visit to the Vazgen Sargsyan Military Academy of the RA Ministry of Defense.

THE ARMY AS THE BACKBONE OF STATEHOOD

The purpose of the visit was to explore the history of Armenian military art and the daily lives of those who have dedicated themselves to defending the homeland. Our students realized that a professional army and a skilled officer corps are the guarantees of stability for any developing state, and the Academy is truly the backbone of our armed forces.

HISTORICAL HERITAGE AND HEROIC EXAMPLES

In the Academy’s museum, students discovered the history of the institution’s founding and the paths of cadets who became immortal during the April and Artsakh wars. The story of the April War hero and Academy alumnus, Armenak Urfanyan, was particularly moving.

The museum exhibits—weapons, maps, and photographs—are more than just objects; they represent a collective memorythat passes enduring values down to future generations.

EDUCATION AND DAILY LIFE AT THE ACADEMY

During the tour, students explored the Academy’s infrastructure:

• Educational Environment: Foreign language classrooms and a comprehensive library.

• Physical Training: Modern gym facilities.

• Living Conditions: Cadet dormitories and living quarters.

In the practical session, students had the opportunity to learn the techniques of assembling and disassembling weapons, experiencing a small part of military responsibility.

THE EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT

Educational visits like this are an integral part of the European School curriculum. They help shape conscious and values-driven citizens who respect their own history and heritage.

The event reflected several key attributes of the IB Learner Profile:

• Knowledgeable – Explore concepts, ideas, and issues across a range of disciplines, engaging with significant local and global topics.
• Communicators – Express ideas confidently and creatively in multiple languages and through various modes of communication; collaborate effectively, listening carefully to the perspectives of other individuals and groups.
• Inquirers – Nurture curiosity and develop skills for inquiry and research, fostering a lifelong love of learning.
• Open-Minded – Appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, as well as the values and traditions of others; seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.
• Reflective
  Thoughtfully consider the world and their own ideas and experience; work to understand their strengths and weaknesses in order to support their learning and personal development.

Principled – Act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere; take responsibility for actions and their consequences.

Glory to our soldiers! Happy Army Day, Armenia!