Nine-year-old Sofi had been terrified of butterflies for as long as she could remember. Even the sight of one would send her into a panic. But a few months ago, she joined the “Colors of Flight” art project, where she faced her fear head-on. “I’m not scared anymore. I played a caterpillar that becomes a butterfly, and I overcame my fear,” Sofi shared proudly after her first performance with the MIASIN theatrical group made possible through the generous support of the Mirak-Weissbach Foundation.
Despite limited rehearsal time, Sofi along with other children were confident and expressive on stage. Like the earlier performance, “The Journey of the Water Lily,” this new play, “Colors of Flight,” told the story of a hero who, through faith, willpower, and determination, learns not to give up and gives wings to his dreams.
“Performing has become a joy for these kids. They play, they enjoy it, and they feel accepted. They’re no longer afraid or confused on stage, or when they look out at the audience. They embrace the moment, unafraid of falling or forgetting their lines. We help them conquer their inner fears and discover themselves. It’s more than a performance—it’s therapy. And through this therapy, they feel good, especially when the audience smiles back. Their world is different, and it’s beautiful,” said Marine Asatryan, the play’s director, who has been working with these children for years now.
Through MIASIN, Abraham Khojoyan, 14, who has struggled with speech difficulties and attended the National Center for Inclusive Education, has gained the confidence to speak fearlessly on stage. “This is my fourth play, and it feels easy now,” he says. “I also performed in ‘The Journey of the Water Lily.’ In this show, I play a tree—there are two trees that, by helping each other, dream of flying to reach the flower of their chosen color. I know butterflies live just one day, but it’s a whole life for them, just like it is for us. Before MIASIN, my world felt colorless, but now I see everything in vibrant colors.”
The National Center Supporting Inclusive Education for CWDs is generously sponsored by the Fund for Armenian Relief through generosity of our Friends "Hovsep Foundation," "The John Mirak Foundation" and "Myron and Mary Shahinian Stapanian Fund.
The "Colors of Flight" art project fostered friendship between Armenian and Georgian Centers, focusing on inclusive education for children with special needs. As part of the “Strengthening Women-Led Civil Society” program, and in collaboration with the National Center for Inclusive Education and “Inclusion Armenia,” it brought together Armenia's "MIASIN" theater and Georgia's "Open House" Symphony Orchestra for performances led by children with special needs.
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