The first Aurora Prize Laureate Marguerite Barankitse has paid a special visit to Armenia ahead of the 2017 Aurora Prize Weekend. She met with communities’ representatives, cultural and religious leaders and young people to talk about her mission and the impact of the 2016 Aurora Prize.
 

Upon arrival to Yerevan Maggie was greeted by Arman Jilavian, CEO of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative.

On May 20 Marguerite Barankitse visited Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute where a special exhibition dedicated to Aurora Mardiganian, the inspirational woman behind the Aurora Prize, was open. Mrs. Barankitse left a note in the Memory Book of Honorable Guests.

Mrs. Barankitse has also visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial and laid flowers there. At the end of the visit the inaugural Aurora Prize Laureate planted a tree in the Memory Alley of Tsitsernakaberd complex in memoriam of the Armenian Genocide victims.

On May 22 Marguerite Barankitse took a trip to Shushi, Artsakh, where she visited St. Ghazanchetsots church and Upper mosque. 

At the Naregatsi Art Center the honorable guest was treated to a performance by local children and met with representatives of the local community. After that Marguerite Barankitse went to Stepanakert, where she met the students of Artsakh State University and visited the War Martyrs Museum.