IM Kayl Foundation Cancels New Year's Educational Child Event in Stepanakert

In response to media inquiries, the IM Kayl Foundation was scheduled to hold a New Year's educational child event in the capital of the Republic of Artsakh, Stepanakert, on December 26 and 27. The event was designed to allow children to create cookies with elves at ten thematic booths, make toys and greeting cards, paint clay figurines and posters, conduct experiments in the 'Little Scientists' Laboratory', enjoy hot chocolate and fresh waffles, receive small gifts from Santa Claus, and play with fairytale characters.

The aim of the event was to provide children with a brief escape from the post-war heavy atmosphere and offer them a small fairytale corner. In the two weeks leading up to the event, Foundation staff had inquired among the public, especially displaced residents, about their interest in attending the educational event for children, and received overwhelmingly positive feedback.

Just yesterday, children approached the Foundation's staff eagerly asking when they could participate in the event. However, on the eve of the event, false rumors circulated on social media claiming a concert was planned. In the morning, the organizers found discarded branches and ornaments from the Christmas tree, and a group of men gathered demanding the dismantling of the booths. Social media already echoed calls to burn the booths and to obstruct children's entry to the event.

Considering that the aim was to relieve the stress experienced by children during the war, the decision was made to cancel the event to avoid subjecting them to further stress. It is worth noting that the organizational work for the event was coordinated with the government of the Republic of Artsakh.