OREANDA-NEWS. On September, 14th the “Save the Nature” campaign started in Yerevan. The first event of the campaign – the Painting Day – gathered in the English Garden near Sundukyan Theatre more than 1000 children from all the marzes of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Children were drawing their visions and concerns about the nature on the tables brought from many educational institutions of Yerevan. The best young painters got awards. The same day bicycle riding was taken up in the city center.
 
On September 17th, during a joint press conference held in the UN building, representatives of the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets in the Republic of Armenia (FPWC) and Mr. Ralph Yirikian, General Manager of VivaCell-MTS Company, summarized the results of the Painting Day as well as presented the events, aims and schedule of their joint "Save the Nature" Campaign.
 
Being More than Operator, and as a socially-responsible citizen, VivaCell – MTS considers environmental awareness as part of its mission. The Company has been always supporting and participating in the environmental initiatives of FPWC, including Save the Nature Campaign. VivaCell-MTS cares and always goes beyond offereing products and services, thus the company contributed with AMD 102,632,700 for one-year educational program in ten marzes and for the overall campaign for 6 months. 
 
The Director of FPWC Mr. Ruben Khachatryan presented the activities of FPWC and the organization's environmental education program, mentioning the achievements of SunChild Eco-clubs accomplished last year. The film “Silent Scream” created by the joint efforts of Urtsadzor Eco-club members and FPWC specialists won the first prize in the category “short film” at Green Screen International Wildlife Film Festival in Eckernfoerde/ Germany. Children from Urtsadzor Eco-club were also present at the event.
 
After the press conference from the yard of the UN building a huge balloon filled with helium was set off thus transporting the “Save the Nature” slogan beyond the Armenian borders. A unique “Peace Memorandum” written on a flag in all the South Caucasian languages (Armenian, Turkish, Persian, Georgian, Azerbaijani, and Russian) and in English was attached to the balloon. The balloon and the message it carries are symbolizing that nature has no borders.
 
In the hall of the UN building the first results of the all-Armenian painting contest held in the framework of the “Save the Nature” Campaign - environmental pictures of children were exhibited.