On 3 May, Ambassador Heffern traveled to Syunik Marz for a series of events. The first was held at the Wings of Tatev ropeway near Halidzor. This event, organized by the Tatev Revival Foundation and the Homeland Development Initiative Foundation, brought together several villages to compete in a sheep-shearing contest. Many vendors were also on hand selling regional cuisine and other handmade goods. The Ambassador also tried his hand at sheep-shearing and found it to be much harder than he imagined!
Later in the day, the Ambassador toured the Community Service Center in Kapan with the Mayor, Ashot Hayrapetyan. USAID has funded a unique project here that has helped to create a unified municipal service center. This service center will increase the municipality’s effectiveness and communication with the people of Kapan. After Ambassador Heffern learned about the developments in Kapan, he attended a concert that was organized by the Embassy’s Public Affairs office. The band was the “Imagine” band and they specialize in American-style country music! Country line dancing was taught by Nane Show Ballet company, with Artistic Director Narine Topolyan. Despite some rain at the beginning of the concert, Ambassador Heffern led the dancing; even the governor of Syunik Marz was on hand to enjoy a dance with the Ambassador!
