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PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Veteran Principal of AGBU Tarouhy-Hovaguimian School & Diasporan
Intellectual Jirair Tanielian Honored in Armenia
An evening of tribute to the veteran Lebanese-Armenian educator,
philologist, editor, and public figure Jirair Tanielian was held at the
Komitas Hall of Chamber Music in Yerevan, Armenia on Wednesday, June 3,
2009. The gathering welcomed writers, literary critics, intellectuals,
students and friends and was jointly organized by the Republic of
Armenia’s ministries of Diaspora and Culture and the Writers Union of
Armenia.
Tanielian, the longtime principal of AGBU Tarouhy-Hovaguimian School in
Beirut, Lebanon, was honored with medals and certificates bestowed by
the Armenian Writers Union, Armenia’s ministries of diaspora and
culture, and the Theatrical Workers Union of Armenia, in recognition of
his distinguished record of accomplishment. Diaspora Minister Hranush
Hakobyan also presented him with a watch emblazoned with a symbol of
Armenia-diaspora cooperation.
A number of individuals were invited to speak about Jirair Tanielian and
his many academic and literary accomplishments: Armenian Writers Union
president Levon Ananian, Diaspora Minister Hakobyan, deputy Minister of
Culture David Muratian, theatrical director Yervant Ghazanchian, and
literary critics Yuri Khachatrian, Suren Danielian, Samvel Muratian and
Azat Yeghiazarian.
In congratulating Tanielian, Minister Hakobyan stressed the 40-year
activity of this great intellectual carried out in the diaspora. "Jirair
Tanielian occupies an undeniable place in the area of providing young
generations with Armenian education. He could have been a successful and
wealthy businessman. However, in addition to being the editor of "Hask",
"Shirag", "Haigagan Darekirk", "Gamar" as well as other monthlies and
periodicals, this editor, who is also the author of several volumes of
books, has been active in the public sphere too, serving the Armenian
community of Beirut. At the center of this great intellectual’s activity
have been efforts to keep the Armenian language unadulterated, as well
to foster areas of cooperation between the intellectuals of Armenia and
the diaspora," noted Minister Hakobyan.
Visibly moved, Tanielian expressed thanks for the medals and
certificates awarded to him, as well as the words of appreciation for
his lifelong dedication. He stated that this was the happiest day of his
life, since his teachers were symbolically being honored along with him,
including Simon Simonian, Zareh Melkonian, Vahe Vahian, Onnig Sarkisian
and Kersam Aharonian.
A cultural program followed the official ceremony, which included
performances by artists from Yerevan and Gyumri, including Komitas Choir
soloist Heghine Hambardzumian, international prize-winning pianist
Armine Aharonian, and the Gyumri duduk players ensemble. There were also
readings from Derenik Demirchian by celebrated performer Lala
Mnatsakanian.
Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually serving some
400,000 Armenians on six continents.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
