After breakfast, Zarweek 1 begins with our chosen “ambs”. After these, we gather in “Baytosaran” for “Pari Louys”. Next, for our workshops, we are divided into four groups: “Alnis”, “Palnis”, “Agool”, “Dougoul”. Our schedules direct us to the day’s first workshop. Here are a few of this week’s workshops and “ambs”:MaculelêIn this workshop we meet and practice Maculelê, an African game joining exercise, dance and music. “Bád-ou-han”The participants of this “amb” prepare the following day’s newspaper. Each morning during “Pari Louys”, we read the newspaper to know the latest happenings around our Zarmanazan world. Nightly “Baytozsaran”We gather here nightly to sing, dance, play, listen, share, and improvise. It is always a blast for all involved!
Zarmanazan’s first day began. We all awoke to the song “Zar Zunguh” and after breakfast we gathered in Baytozsaran. First, we familiarized ourselves with the different groups here at Zarmazan: “Chstlikner” (or little-ones), participants, young adults, facilitators, researchers, behind-the-scenes crew, and chefs. All together we form the vibrant and colorful world of Zarmanazan. To present Zarmanazans to its participants the young adults had prepared a medley of song, play, and film; this included an introduction to the 4 Zar-weeks, Zar-days and Zar-sundays. Each Zar-week consists of 5 Zar-days and 1 Zar-sunday. During the Zar-days, with our groups, we participate in a variety of creative workshops; each Zar-sunday we leave our campus to enjoy a unique day trip. We met with our “mdermoug” groups after “Baytozsaran” to choose our “ambs”. Each respective “amb”s is composed of participants of mixed ages 10 to 24; and in these periods, occurring thrice daily, we work together to achieve a creative goal. After choosing our “ambs”, we familiarized ourselves with our whereabouts and played a variety of games. Upon return, we were met with the delicious dinner prepared by our chefs. Gathering in Baytozsaran after dinner, we sang and played joyously until our first day came to a close.
Our location and surroundingsZarmanazan takes place in the village of Abondance nestled between the foothills of the French Alps. The beauty of our natural surroundings inspires us to play, sing, dance, draw, write, and create in various ways.Our campus is host to different spaces where workshops, meetings and gatherings occur.The map displays our entire campus. The main building, "Milky Way", houses "Baytotzsaran", "Zarmanatsayn", "Yerki Ayki", "Zmpakradoun", mess hall, "Chapaknatsk" and "Zartibastan".
Each morning and evening we meet in "Baytotzsaran" to share joyous moments altogether.
In "Zarmanatsayn", Zarmananan's radio station's various radio shows are created, later aired on "Zarmanatsayn".
Moments of singing, dancing, thinking and philosophizing occur in "Yerki Ayki".
Zarmanazan's daily newspaper, "Bad-ou-han" is created in "Zmpakradoun". Workshops full of thinking, singing, writing and reading also occur here.
We gather in our mess hall three times daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, where, along tasty meals we share conversation and the pleasure of getting to know each other.
"Chapaknatsk" is the meeting space dedicated to our young adult participants who daily gather to read, write, converse and discuss.
"Zartibastan" hosts meetings for our facilitators, whose daytime workspace "Petag", is found in the "Vishab" building.
"Knar", lying just past "Havnots", is home to "Zarvestanots", "Krots-Prots", "Zartoog" and "Tadron".
We have the opportunity to practice various arts in "Zarvestanots".
Workshops brimming with reading, writing and creativity take place in "Krots-Prots".
"Zartoog" is where we sew and weave bags, create puppets and enjoy a variety of other handicraft workshops.
We are lucky to enjoy Zarmanazan in this wonderful place.
Welcome to Zarmanazan.