YEREVAN.-  Origami is not only an ancient art. It is a kind of therapy acknowledged by modern medicine, said head of Yerevan-based Hikari center Karine Piliposyan.

Hikari, translated as “light” from Japanese, was created three years ago, the main direction is teaching children the ancient Japanese art of origami.

“However, we are not teaching traditional origami, we complement and develop it to create something new,” she said.

About 40 children included in four groups are studying origami art in the center, the youngest are only four years old. Their works were presented in the Armenian capital on June 17 at a charity origami exhibition with proceeds to be sent to the Japanese Embassy in Moscow to aid some children’s institution in disaster-hit Japan.

Karine Piliposyan pointed out indifferent attitude of the Armenian officials towards the exhibition.

“Origami exhibition was held at the City Hall but representatives of the municipality did not show any interest,” she emphasized.

In addition to promoting an origami art, the center stages performances and marks the Japanese national and state holidays.

The center is presently located in the building of the National Arts Centre which is in need of repair.

“We have applied to Japanese Embassy for financial assistance,” Piliposyan said.

According to her, if the center had a large room, it would be possible to have more groups without age restrictions, open language groups and a group of Japanese ceramics.

“If we manage to implement our ideas, it will be a piece of Japan in Yerevan,” head of the center concluded.