Month: March 2007

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES METROPOLITAN BISHOY

His Holiness Aram I received Metropolitan Bishoy, the General Secretary of
the Coptic Church’s Sinod in Antelias on March 11. The Pontiff and the
Metropolitan met for over an hour in the presence of Bishop Nareg Alemezian,
the Ecumenical Officer of the Catholicosate, and Georges Saleh, the General
Secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).

His Holiness and the Coptic Metropolitan discussed a number of issues,
including the agenda of the meeting between the three spiritual Heads in
Damascus next month, the upcoming MECC assembly in Cyprus in November, the
future phases of the theological dialogues of the Oriental Orthodox family
with other churches and world communions, as well as the bilateral relations
and collaboration between the Catholicosate of Cilicia and the Coptic
Patriarchate in Alexandria.

The Pontiff expressed his viewpoints on the above issues based on his long
years of ecumenical experience. He stressed the importance of creating a
strong link between the theological and cooperative aspects of ecumenical
relations.

##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

March 13, 2007

STS. VARTANANTZ REMEMBERED IN MUSIC AND POETRY

On Sunday, February 18, 2007 His Eminence Archbishop Osahgan Choloyan
celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Sts. Vartanantz Church in Providence, Rhode
Island. During the service, he ordained Sarkis Menissian as acolyte and
Robert Nazarian as sub-deacon. In his sermon Srpazan Hayr spoke of light
and darkness and how Christ brought light into our lives. He asked that we
keep His light shining in our lives just as St. Vartan and his brave
soldiers did in 451 A.D.
After church, the congregation gathered in Aramian Auditorium to
celebrate Sts. Vartanantz Day officiated by Archbishop Choloyan. Following
dinner prepared and served by the Ladies’ Guild, Joyce Bagdasarian,
chairlady, opened the program by introducing Peter "Doc" Bedrosian, who
spoke briefly about the significance of the day. Anahid Kibarian,
co-director of the Mourad Armenian School, welcomed the audience and
introduced Mrs. Aida Kalikian, music director, and a group of students
representing the school. The program commenced with the singing of
Norahrash, a sharagan (psalm) dedicated to St. Vartan and his followers by
the students accompanied by Mrs. Kalikian on piano, teacher’s aide Nora
Palandjian, and students Nareh Mkrtschjan and Alysha Phillips on violin.
First and second graders Armen Eghian, Ani Armenakyan, Taleen Donoyan and
Anahid Donoyan recited Seerelee Koch Vartan (Dear Brave Vartan) by Nairi
Balanian. This was followed by Maestro Roupen Gregorian’s arrangement of
Oror (Lullaby) performed by the aforementioned violinists. Next, Eem
Hayenyatz Hoki Vartan," a national song, was sung by the chorus accompanied
by Artur Hagopian on drum. Arpi Kalikian’s recitation of a medley of poems
about Vartan Mamigonian was well received by the audience. The march
Shavarshanah was performed by the chorus accompanied by Shant Eghian on
trombone and Artur Hagopian on drum. An excellent rendition of Gomidas’
Dzeeranee Dzaruh (The Apricot Tree) was performed on piano by Ari Dikran
Nalbandian, teacher’s aide. The final selection was the singing and
reciting of Hye Achker (Armenian Eyes) with soloists Anoush Calikyan and
Taleen Donoyan and recitation by Arpi Kalikian accompanied by the violin
trio.
Mrs. Kibarian thanked the audience for encouraging the students’ efforts
by their presence. She commended Mrs. Kalikian for the love and patience she
displayed as she taught the singers and directed the musicians.
In his remarks, Der Gomidas Baghsarian, pastor, expressed his
appreciation for the excellent work the teachers of the Armenian school are
doing. He praised the student performers and music director, Mrs. Kalikian.
He introduced Archbishop Choloyan who began his remarks by enumerating some
of the things money can buy as well as some things no amount of money can
purchase. He cited experiencing the program honoring Sts. Vartanantz as a
priceless gift to the audience. He lauded Mrs. Kalikian and all the effort
that was expended to create such a program. Srpazan Hayr mentioned that
during his stay in California the previous week, the students there sang the
same songs and that these songs would be sung in every country where there
are Armenian students. He spoke of the power of St. Vartan and the martyrs
who gave their lives for their faith. How strong their beliefs were that
even after more than 1500 years they are remembered for defending the faith
and nation.
Srpazan Hayr stated that as he looks out at the audience he recalls the
Armenian Eyes mentioned in the song. In those Armenian Eyes we see our
future, our victory, our strength, our church and faith. Noting that
Catholicos Aram I has proclaimed the year 2007 as the year of the Armenian
Language, he praised the parents who bring their children to Armenian School
to learn the language. Srpazan Hayr directed many of his remarks to the
students who remained on stage so that they could end the program singing
Giligia with him.

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

March 13, 2007

CLERGY CONFERENCE OF THREE NORTH AMERICA
PRELACIES TAKES PLACE IN CALIFORNIA

NEW YORK, NY-The annual Sts. Ghevontiantz commemoration, which precedes the
Feast of Vartanantz, has become a time of renewal, edification, and
reflection for the Armenian Clergy. Each year they gather together to learn
and to pray in an atmosphere marked with brotherhood and fellowship.
Continuing a tradition that was inaugurated several years ago, the 2007
clergy conference was a joint gathering of the Eastern and Western Prelacies
of the United States, and the Prelacy of Canada. The three-day conference
was hosted by the Western Prelacy from February 12 to 14, under the auspices
of Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy;
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy; and Archbishop
Khajag Hagopian, Prelate of Canada.
The main topic of discussion was the many challenges facing the Armenian
Church and Clergy in the Western world in the 21st century and the general
theme of "The Zeal of Clergy." The conference convened in Ghazarian Hall,
adjacent to Forty Martyrs Church in Orange County, with the reading of the
letter of blessing from His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House
of Cilicia. Following the welcoming remarks by the host parish priest and
board of trustees’ representative, the three Prelates offered their remarks
and encouragement to the participants.
The meeting began with V. Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian being elected as Chair
and Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian as Secretary. Over the three-day period,
pastoral and spiritual concerns were discussed, as well as issues relating
to Christian education. Among the items on the agenda were discussions of
topics raised at the Youth Gathering with Catholicos Aram which took place
in December. Morning and evening church services were an important part of
the gathering.
On Monday evening, the eve of the Feast of St. Ghevont, Holy Mass was
conducted at Forty Martyrs Church by Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar
General of the Eastern Prelacy. Requiem service was offered for the souls of
the departed clergy who served the three Prelacies. Among those in
attendance were guest clergy members, including Father Johanna Ibrahim of
the Coptic Orthodox Church, and Father John Monestera of the Catholic
Church, and Mrs. Irma Contrera, secretary of the Catholic Church.
On Tuesday morning, students from the Ari Guiragos Minassian School
attended morning church services and later had the opportunity to be
photographed with the clergy members. In the evening, the eve of the
Presentation of the Lord to the Temple, services took place at St. Mary
Church in Glendale, with the three prelates presiding. Archbishop Khajag
Hagopian delivered the sermon. Homenetmen scouts also participated.
Following the service, the Board of Trustees and Ladies Guild hosted a
reception.
On Wednesday morning, the clergymen visited the new Prelacy building
where morning services took place at the Sts. Dertad and Ashkhen Chapel,
followed by a visit to the Vahan and Anoush Chamlian School where the
students presented a special assembly devoted to Vartanantz.
The conference, which offered the participants the chance to renew their
spiritual responsibilities and their will to serve our faithful, concluded
on Wednesday afternoon and the clergy prepared to return to their respective
communities.

PRESS RELEASE
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia
Contact: Information Desk
Tel: (374-10) 52-35-31
Email: [email protected]
Web:

Statement of H.E. Vartan Oskanian
At the UN Human Rights Council
Geneva, Switzerland
March 13, 2004

Mr. President of the Council,
Madame High Commissioner,

In this first year of this new Council, together with the human rights
community, we have been refining the processes that will empower this body
in order for it to meet our shared high expectations. The expectations of
this Council were high at the outset. They would have remained high, even
if the world were not embroiled in destructive explosive conflicts. It is
no surprise that at the heart of most of those conflicts, lies an absence
of a respect for basic human rights.

Our collective responsibility is to those individuals and groups, those
millions represented through their governments here, as well as to those
whose voices remain muted. They are not interested in our debates, they
know little about the nuance and the detail, but our seriousness and
sincerity will be judged either by their trust and confidence or by their
cynicism and disdain.

With this realization, the strengths of the Commission on Human Rights
drove the need for an even more powerful body. The limitations of that
Commission compelled the creation of a more effective structure with
broader reach. The Universal Periodic Review process, if it lives up to
its name, holds the promise of the impartiality and inclusiveness we seek
and require, in order for the process to transform itself from a means to
an end – from a way of investigating the human rights environment to
enabling an environment where there are human rights.

Our objective is a world where the rights of individuals and groups are
respected, where each neighborhood and each community, each city and
country, each region and continent, are safe havens for all who live or
travel there. Religion does tear people apart, as do economic disparities,
language and ideology. But the frustrating and fascinating contradiction
is that
faith has also bound people together, prosperity has been a common goal,
language and ideology have been shared.

Mr.President, this universal truism is also true in our region.
Unfortunately, the human rights record in our whole region during the past
fifteen years is nothing to be envied; it is a case study in how human
rights abuses lead to conflict and how conflicts heighten human rights
abuses. From pogroms to ethnic cleansing, from destruction of spiritual
markers to vilification of ethnic groups, we have lived through the worst
that man can do to man. It is no wonder that the region has been mired in
conflict since the first days of independence. As we search for ways to
build a peace atop this pain and destruction, however, it is clear that
solutions can only be found through the genuine and universal acceptance
and application of basic, fundamental individual and collective human
rights. There is the formula for peace: The violation of human rights
brought us to this quagmire; the respect for human rights will get us out.

Indeed it is an entangled web of human rights abuses of varied scope,
nature and depth that has brought our region to this situation. First,
there is the total disrespect of the cultural values of other people. When
a government intentionally plans and executes the destruction of
centuries-old monuments of profound cultural, artistic and religious
significance, that government has violated the spirits of the dead and the
trust of the living. Five thousand Armenian monuments have been destroyed
by the Azerbaijani government in the region of Nakhichevan in the past few
years, simply to eliminate the trace of a whole nation from that
territory.

Second, there is the violation of the right of people to
self-determination. In the waning days of the USSR, the people of Nagorno
Karabakh opted for self-determination. The Azerbaijani authorities decided
to attack their own citizens to suppress those calls. And by doing so,
they lost the political and moral right to govern people they considered
their own citizens.

Third, there are the negative consequences of the double denialism of the
Turkish government. The denial of the right of their own people to freely
discuss and debate their common past with Armenians, and the denial to
both Armenians and Turks to forge a common future, by keeping borders
closed. Hrant Dink, the Turkish-Armenian journalist who fell victim to an
assassin’s bullet, was the embodiment of both Turkishness and
Armenianness. Hrant Dink had two missions in his life – to break all
taboos within his own society, Turkish society, and to forge a dialog
between Turks and Armenians to reach understanding and reconciliation.

Indeed, that’s exactly what we want today. There needs to be an open
society within Turkey so that their people can, without the fear of
persecution, freely debate the past, and there has to be an open border
between us so that our two peoples can interact and engage. Only in this
way can we transcend our differences and reconcile.

Now, Mr. President, a word about our own commitment to human rights and
democracy. In this, our 16th year of independence, our people will be
going to the polls to elect a parliament whose powers the people chose to
enhance, to invest them with broad authorities for social and economic
advances. The task of our next government is clear: to stay the course
and more aggressively promote human rights, alleviate poverty and build
effective governing institutions, to enable our society to embrace
democracy individually and collectively.

But the cruelties inherent in the process of massive economic readjustment
that we have been undergoing have led to a sense of powerlessness on the
part of ordinary citizens. As a consequence, they are cynical about the
value of expressing their voice. This means we must work harder to
strengthen democratic institutions and processes, including elections,
because they are not just ends. They are also means to creating the
necessary political and economic environment which lead to distributed
growth and dignified development.

Finally Mr. President, this Council and each of us, its members, have a
responsibility to promote the human rights we hold so dear in the world,
in our regions and in our own societies. There is nothing new in this
formula. Our challenge is to commit to it and make it work.

Thank you.

TRIBECA ’07: Slimmer 34 Film Competition Planned for Tribeca’s 6th Fest;
Spotlight Lineup Also Announced

Indiewire

March 12, 2007

by Eugene Hernandez

"A Story of People in War & Peace"
directed by Vardan Hovhannisyan. (Armenia) – U.S. Premiere

A deeply personal meditation on the horrors of war and its effects is shown
through the eyes of Armenian journalist Vardan Hovhannisyan. Weaving
together footage he shot during his country’s 1994 conflict with neighboring
Azerbaijan over the Nagorno Karabakh region, Hovhannisyan creates a
devastating portrait of lasting damage inflicted by the battlefield. In
English and Russian.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN RELIEF SOCIETY, INC. CENTRAL EXECUTIVE BOARD
PRESS RELEASE NO. 11
Armenian Relief Society, Inc. Telephone£ 617-926-5892
Central Office Fax£ 617-926-4855
80 Bigelow Avenue
e-mail£ [email protected]
Watertown, MA 02472
Website:
Contact: Hamesd Beugekian

ARS Inc. Announces 2006 Eremian Scholarships Awards;
2007 Scholarship Applications Now Available

The ARS Inc. announces the availability of applications for
its prestigious 2007 Eremian Scholarship. The international ARS Inc.
awards the Eremian Scholarship to worthy undergraduate and graduate
students who demonstrate merit, financial need, and Armenian community
involvement. Applicants must be endorsed by their ARS regional or
chapter-at-large entity.

In 2006, 22 deserving undergraduate and graduate students
from 13 countries received a Eremian Scholarship to support their higher
education. Those recipients were: Shoushanik Aleksanyan (Armenia),
Narine Avedanian (Egypt), Hrag Berberian (Greece), Mari Besiktasliyan
(France), Tamar Bouchalian (Canada), Luiza Boghosian (Bulgaria), Sosi
Essajanian (USA, Eastern), Harutiun Gasbaryan (Artsakh), Dzeron
Ghazarian (Syria), Ani Hagopian (USA, Eastern), Aliac Jojaghaian
(England), Serko Karavani (Greece), Talar Keleshian (Lebanon), Baghdig
Keshishian (Syria), Khachadour Khachadourian (USA, Western), Edgar
Makarian (Javakhk), Arpi Mkrtchian (Armenia), Ruppen Nalbandian
(Jerusalem), Rostom Ohannessian (Lebanon), Hrag Palian (Canada), Armen
Taslakian (USA, Western), and Varouzhan Tateosyan (Bulgaria).

"We are so proud of these students and we are very happy
that ARS, in a small way, could help with their education," said ARS
Inc. Central Executive Board Chairwoman Hasmig Derderian.

The ARS Inc. office received many thank you notes from the
scholarship recipients, as it has every year it has given out the
Eremian Scholarship.

"Thank you for awarding me the Eremian Scholarship to assist
me in my academic year of 06-07," wrote University of California,
Berkeley student Khatchadour Khatchadourian. "This award will help me
perform my best in school, by not worrying about getting a job to pay
for my tuition and focusing on academics. Having been given the chance,
I would like to tell you that I am planning on continuing my studies on
the Middle East and Anthropology with major emphasis on Armenian-Middle
Eastern issues. I plan to travel to Armenia this summer of 2007 to
conduct a three-month research on Armenian foreign relations, and
possibly an ethnographic study of Armenian culture. Your scholarship
motivates me to continue, and it pushes me to do my best. For that, I am
really grateful."

Applications for the 2007 Eremian Scholarship must be
received by the ARS Inc. office by May 31, 2007. For information, or an
application, call your local ARS office.

PRESS RELEASE
UCLA AEF Chair in Armenian History
Contact: Prof. Richard Hovannisian
Tel: 310-825-3375
Email: [email protected]

Ebb and Flow of the Armenian Communities of the Indian Ocean

International Conference, March 17-18, 2007
Saturday 9:30-5:00, Sunday 2:00-5:00
University of California, Los Angeles

Court of Sciences 50 (Young Hall)

Sponsored by
Armenian Educational Foundation Chair in Modern Armenian History

Co-Sponsored by
Center for India and South Asia
Department of History
International Institute
G.E. von Grunebaum Center for Near Eastern Studies
and the
AGBU Southern California District Committee

March 17: Saturday Morning (9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.)

Introduction-Ebb and Flow
Richard G. Hovannisian, UCLA

Armenian Settlements and Cultural Life

Chair and Discussant: Engseng Ho, Harvard University

Armenian Mercantile Communities in Southeast Asia
Margaret Sarkissian, Smith College

From Dispersion to Nation: Armenian Diasporic Speculations in 18th-Century
India
Khachig Tölölyan, Wesleyan University

The Indian Interlude in the Development of Modern Armenian Drama
Peter Cowe, UCLA

Refreshments

`Azdarar’ and Other Armenian Periodicals of India
Osheen Keshishian, Glendale Community College

Joseph Emin and British Colonial Policy in Calcutta
Mana Kia, Harvard University

Lunch Recess: 1:00-2:00 p.m.

Saturday Afternoon: (2:00-5:00 p.m.)

Indo-Armenian History and Relations

Chair and Discussant: Houri Berberian (California State University, Long Beach)

Colonial Counterflows: An Armenian Lady from Agra in London, circa 1610
Michael Fisher, Oberlin College

Khwaja Gorgin Khan: An 18TH-Century Armenian General of the Bengal Army
Bhaswati Bhattacharya, University of Leiden

Notables and Benefactors (with a film on Sir Catchick Paul Chater)
Richard G. Hovannisian, UCLA

Refreshments

Armenian-American GIs and the Armenian Community of India in World War II
Gregory Aftandilian, Harvard University

The Present State of the Indo-Armenian Community
Armen Baibourtian, Erevan, First Armenian Ambassador to India

Sunday March 18: (2:00-5:00 p.m.)
Long Distance Merchants and Julfan Trade in the Indian Ocean

Chair and Discussant: Edward A. Alpers, UCLA

French Commercial Ambitions and Armenian Interlocutors in 17th-Century Asia
Sanjay Subrahmanyam, UCLA

Long Distance Merchants and the Role of Julfan `Networks of Trust’
Sebouh Aslanian, Columbia University

Don Pedro di Zaratte: A Julfan Armenian in Mexico City, 1723-31.
Tatiana Seijas, Yale University

Photographic Exhibit by Richard and Anne Elizabeth Elbrecht, Davis

Open to the Public at No Charge. Parking: Structure 2 ($8.00), UCLA
Entrance, Hilgard at Westholme Avenue

Armenian National Committee of Oregon
c/o Rafael Saakyan, Chair
7916 North Wall Avenue
Portland, OR 97203
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
March 13, 2007

Contact: Rafael Saakyan
E-mail: [email protected]

OREGON AND WASHINGTON COMMUNITIES MEET WITH U.S. REPRESENTATIVES HOOLEY
AND BAIRD

— Representative Baird Decides to Cosponsor Armenian Genocide Resolution

PORTLAND, OR – Members of the greater Portland-area and southwestern
Washington State communities held meetings with the district offices of
Congresswoman Darlene Hooley (D-OR-05) and Congressman Brian Baird
(D-WA-03) on March 7, 2007 to ask the representatives to cosponsor
H.Res.106, the Armenian Genocide resolution that was introduced in the
House of Representatives earlier this year. Organized by ANC of Oregon
Chairman Rafael Saakyan, the meetings were also aimed at continuing to
strengthen local grassroots relationships with each Representative.

Saakyan was joined by activist David Tufenkian as well as Armenian
Community of Oregon Vice President Ed Shabanian for a meeting with
Congressional Staffer Jen Wagner at Rep. Hooley’s West Linn district
office. Wagner had met with Saakyan along with Armenian Apostolic
Church of Portland Parish Council Chairman Kevork Parseghian and
ANCA-Western Region Community Relations Director Haig Hovsepian
previously during which they had discussed many issues of concern to the
Oregon Armenian community, including the Armenian Genocide resolution
from the previous Congress. Wagner noted the Congresswoman’s interest
in the current resolution and encouraged the ANC of Oregon to continue
its efforts to bring this constituent concern to the Congresswoman’s
attention.

Later that afternoon, Saakyan joined southwestern Washington residents
John Coutsoubos, Arthur Lazaretyan, Mike Kazanjian, as well as Mr. and
Mrs. Petros Bournelis for a meeting with Rep. Baird’s District Director,
Kelly Love. Love thanked the Congressman’s constituents for bringing
the issue to her attention and welcomed them to continue to work with
the ANC at the local, regional, and national levels regarding Rep.
Baird’s support for the resolution.

As a direct result of these key constituent meetings and relationships,
Representative Baird has agreed to cosponsor the Armenian Genocide
resolution, bringing the total number of co-sponsors to 184.

"We wanted to make sure our elected officials were aware of the
significance of this resolution and why it was important to support it,"
said Saakyan. "This resolution sends a clear message that our Congress
has the strength to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and provide the
moral foundation to help us fight the continuing specter of genocide
that confronts us today in Darfur."

The Armenian National Committee of America is the largest and most
influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working
in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters
throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the
world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American
community on a broad range of issues.

###

PHOTO CAPTION: Saakyan, Parseghian and Hovsepian meet with Jen Wagner
at Congresswoman Darlene Hooley’s West Linn district office this past
August. Wagner met with Saakyan and Congresswoman Hooley’s constituents
on March 7, 2007 to discuss H.Res.106.

Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918
Fax: 818.246.7353
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
March 13, 2007

Contact: Haig Hovsepian
Tel: (818) 500-1918

ANCA-WR ATTENDS RECEPTION HOSTING GOVERNOR MICHAEL DUKAKIS

LOS ANGELES, CA – Members of the Armenian National Committee of
America-Western Region (ANCA-WR) board were joined by local ANC leaders
at an evening reception on March 7, 2007 featuring former Governor and
Presidential candidate, Michael Dukakis. The event was hosted by
long-time ANC supporter and former Clinton Administration official,
Michael Mahdesian and his father, ANC activist Richard Mahdesian. The
ANCA-WR joined other Los Angeles-area elected officials, staffers and
community activists to listen to Dukakis’ perspective on the 2008
General Elections.

In his remarks, Dukakis emphasized the importance of grassroots
mobilization and the role it would play in the 2008 elections. He noted
that recent successes by the Democratic Party could, in part, be
attributed to the amount of effort spent reaching out to voters at a
personal and local level. He argued that this approach has the
potential to be even more effective in California and very important
given the nearly finalized decision to hold California’s Presidential
Primary elections early in the election season.

Glendale City Clerk, Ardashes Kassakhian opened the evening’s event. In
introducing Dukakis, Kassakhian recalled how as a student the former
Governor and part-time UCLA lecturer helped motivate his interest and
strengthen his commitment to public service. ANCA-WR Chairman Raffi
Hamparian was joined by fellow board members, Zanku Armenian and Avo
Ovayan as well as staff and interns from the Western Region office.
Several local ANC chairs and staff also attended the event.

"Being a grassroots organization, the Armenian National Committee can
appreciate the importance of the community outreach described by
Governor Dukakis," remarked Armenian. "Time and again, we see our hard
work at the local level result in a positive contribution to our
community’s well-being and ensure that its issues are appropriately
addressed."

The Armenian National Committee of America is the largest and most
influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working
in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters
throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the
world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American
community on a broad range of issues.

###

PHOTO CAPTION: (from left to right) Ovayan, Hamparian, Armenian, and
ANCA-WR Executive Director, Antranig Kzirian join Dukakis (center) at
the Wednesday evening reception. (Photo by Jacob Margolis)

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:

PRESS RELEASE

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

AGBU’s New York Centennial Marks a Century of Achievement

New York – On Saturday, March 3, 2007, over 300 guests joined AGBU’s
Central Board of Directors and Council of Trustees at the New York
Historical Society (NYHS) to celebrate a hundred years of preserving and
promoting the Armenian heritage around the world. The evening included a
special multimedia program, archival photography exhibition and a grand
cocktail reception in the majestic rooms of the city museum on
Manhattan’s Central Park West. Among the evening’s guests were U.S.
Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ); Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate
of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern Diocese); and Archbishop
Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
(Eastern United States).

Guests were welcomed to the festive gathering with a champagne reception
in the NYHS entrance hall prior to the 30-minute multimedia program in
the auditorium. Showcasing never-before-seen film footage and
photographs of AGBU’s early programs in Armenia, Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria,
and elsewhere, the video program, narrated by Alex Sarian, included
three presenters, each of whom outlined a different era of AGBU’s
achievement and recounted their personal connections to an organization
that touches the lives of 400,000 Armenians annually. The presenters
were AGBU Central Board Member Yervant Demirjian, AGBU Camp Nubar
alumnus John Cherkezian, and AGBU Young Professionals of Greater New
York (YPGNY) Chair Natalie Gabrelian.

AGBU President, Berge Setrakian, concluded the evening’s multimedia
program with some words that reflected on AGBU’s unique place in
Armenian history, "As our reputation for integrity resonated, AGBU
emerged as a steadfast champion of the Armenian people in the 20th
century. A chronicle to the times, the organization’s efforts supported
our people faithfully through a tumultuous history of genocide, natural
disasters, repatriation, resettlement, revival and national
independence. Thanks to the steadfast support of our members and donors,
AGBU has flourished into a world-class organization with the resources
and goodwill to serve Armenians across the Diaspora and in our
homeland."

Setrakian encouraged all Armenians to unite under the inclusive umbrella
of AGBU to face the obstacles ahead, "Let us join together in this
universal mission, greater than any one of us…through cooperation and
solidarity…to appeal to all organizations, religious or otherwise, to
work as a collective whole with Armenia to tackle the challenges ahead
of us to preserve our national identity."

A Proud History on Display

After the program, guests were led to a specially prepared exhibition of
archival photographs from the organization’s Nubarian Library in Paris.
Founded in 1927, the Nubarian Library continues to serve as a leading
Armenian resource for researchers and academics. Arranged in the
two-story NYHS library, the exhibition entitled "Picturing A Century of
AGBU" included over 140 photographs, which illustrated ten decades of
making a difference in the lives of Armenians everywhere.

The images told the fateful history of the Armenian people and AGBU’s
constant effort to safeguard the global Armenian community. Today, with
140 AGBU Districts, Chapters, Young Professionals groups, Offices and
Centers globally, the organization continues to flourish as a bridge
between communities in 35 countries unified by a common heritage and
passion for all things Armenian.

The evening’s guests were also treated to a grand cocktail reception in
one of NYHS’s most elegant picture galleries filled with masterpieces of
early American painting. Guests gathered for the ceremonial cake
cutting, with AGBU President Setrakian, AGBU Trustee Nazar Nazarian,
Central Board members, and New York Centennial Chair, Houri Guedelekian.

"It was a magical evening at the New York Historical Society for AGBU’s
Centennial. It was so rewarding to experience the culmination of months
of hard work with an amazing volunteer committee, and particularly the
support of AGBU staff. I thought I knew a lot about AGBU until I
volunteered on the program committee and discovered how truly deserving
AGBU is of all kinds of accolades for what it has accomplished in a
hundred years," Guedelekian said.

The event was made possible through the generous donations of various
corporations and private individuals, including major gifts from
Deutsche Bank, Yervant Demirjian, David J. Greene & Co., Rothschild
Asset Management, Inc., Berge & Vera Setrakian, and additional support
from Alliance Bernstein, Cadence Capital Management, Cooke & Bieler,
L.P., Vahe & Huguette Gabrache, and Rainier Investment Management, Inc.

AGBU’s final centennial event will take place next month in Yerevan
during Holy Week, when AGBU leaders and volunteers from around the world
will come together for a special conference to set the course of the
organization’s future programs and activities on a short- and mid-term
basis. Looking forward to the next centennial, AGBU members will bury a
time capsule in Armenia on Easter Sunday to be opened in 2106.

Additional photos from the March 3rd New York Centennial Celebration can
be viewed at

Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City with an
annual budget of $36 million, AGBU preserves and promotes the Armenian
identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian
programs, annually serving some 400,000 Armenians in 35 countries.