UNICEF Joins Armenian State Symphony Orchestra to Mark World Children’s Day in Armenia

YEREVAN, 21 November 2024 – To mark World Children’s Day and show support for the 35th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Armenia joined other countries to light buildings, monuments and landmarks in UNICEF blue with a renewed concept. With the support of the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, led by National Ambassador Sergey Smbatyan, UNICEF lit up in blue the National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre in downtown Yerevan.

The event was led by the newly appointed members of the Public Council on Protection of Child Rights adjacent to the Human Rights Defender of Armenia. UNICEF has supported the establishment and work of the Council since 2022. Children, joined by UNICEF Representative Christine Weigand and Human Rights Defender of Armenia Anahit Manasian hit the knob to light up the building, marking the 35th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

“As we mark the 35th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, at UNICEF, we see profound changes at the global level. A record high number of children are caught in humanitarian catastrophes, resulting in displacement. Longstanding challenges like poverty, inequality, and discrimination violate the rights of children and the crises of climate and environmental degradation are exacerbating these challenges. Nevertheless, through all upheaval, children’s rights must always be non-negotiable. It is the compass to realizing the future we want. So today, as we light up blue, we hope to send a message to present and tomorrow’s leaders that we need to increase our efforts to create a world where every right of every child is upheld,” noted Christine Weigand.

To show their support for World Children's Day, buildings, monuments and landmarks across the globe light up blue on November 20. In past years, notable landmarks included the Sydney Opera House, the Acropolis in Greece, the Pyramids of Giza, ‘The Water Cube' in China, Petra in Jordan, the Empire State Building in New York, and many more. All turned blue in support of child rights. 

The symbolic ceremony was followed by the launch of the 12th Khachaturian International Festival, one of the very few widely celebrated classical music festivals of the region. The inaugural concert on 20 November was dedicated to the anniversary of the Convention and World Children's Day. Entitled ʺFor every child: A symphony of rights and dreams,ʺ the concert featured performance by a remarkable young talent Leia Zui, 17.

"Music is a universal language, and at the Symphony Orchestra, we believe in its unifying and transformative power. It serves as an accessible and impactful way to raise awareness about children’s rights and amplify their voices,” shared Maestro Smbatyan. “It is essential to remind ourselves that children and young people must always remain at the center of our attention. We must take their ideas seriously and actively involve them in shaping decisions, big or small, that affect their lives. Today's concert is a reflection of this commitment.”

“Over the past three decades, UNICEF office in Armenia has witnessed and contributed to profound transformations in the lives of countless children across Armenia, including and not limited to enhancing access to quality education, improving healthcare services, halving under-5 child mortality, reducing the number of children in residential care and establishing a foster care system and much more. All of this would not have been possible without the unwavering commitment of our institutional and individual partners, our national ambassadors and our supporters whose dedication has helped us to advance the rights of children in Armenia,” shared Christine Weigand.

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For editors:
In 2021, the ruins of the ancient Zvartnots Cathedral near Yerevan went UNICEF blue to represent UNICEF Armenia's mandate to stand for the rights of every child wherever she/he lives. 

While in 2022, the ferris wheel, Mother Armenia statue in Victory Park, Matenadaran – Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, and Margaryan maternity hospital were lighted in blue to symbolize what children need to grow up happy and healthy – fun and entertainment, protection and peace, education and culture, as well as health and nutrition in a family environment.