ARF Day Celebration Highlights Imperative for National Agenda
Friday, January 17th, 2014
by Ara Khachatourian
A scene from the final performance at ARF Day Celebration
Community Flocks to ARF Day Celebration; Hundreds turned away due to
hall capacity; Organizers pledge a larger venue for future events
BY ARA KHACHATOURIAN
GLENDALE’With a message highlighting the imperative for a national
agenda to collectively elevate the Armenian Nation, a capacity crowd
gathered at the Glendale High School Auditorium to celebrate the 123rd
anniversary of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation.
Enumerating the many challenges facing the Armenian Nation today,
Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western US Central Committee
Chairman Dr. Viken Hovsepian in his keynote speech proposed a
five-point plan for `national salvation’ and heralding in a new era of
collectively working toward the advancement of the Armenian Nation.
Citing the almost epidemic wave of emigration from Armenia, the
continued usurpation of power by Armenia’s ruling elite as a result of
which the basic needs of the population are ignored, as well as the
worsening crisis in Syria and its impact and implication for the
Armenian community there, Hovsepian called on each and every Armenian
to take charge of the fate of the nation.
The proposed `National Salvation Program,’ as put forth by Hovsepian
envisions the prioritization of national ideology as the backbone to
addressing all issues that impact the Armenian national security;
granting of citizenship to every Armenian in the world prior to 2015;
the immediate withdrawal of Armenian government’s signature from the
dangerous Turkey-Armenia protocol; the convention of the a truly
all-inclusive national conclave where each and every Armenian in
represented; and the restructuring of Armenia’s government in a manner
that ensures each Armenian is represented.
`These are unusual times fraught with danger that require abrupt and
maximalist solutions,’ said Hovsepian.
Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western US Central Committee
Chairman Dr. Viken Hovsepian
`We must understand that values and interests of the Nation are far
above the individual interests’ of the Homeland and Diaspora, said
Hovsepian adding that the Armenian government cannot weaken one of the
pillars of our National Ideology by, for example, `prioritizing the
opening of the border over the international recognition of the
Armenian Genocide and act shrewd by throwing the `Karabakh card.” By
the same token, Hovsepian said, Diaporan Armenians cannot compromise
strengthening and advancement of Armenia under any circumstances.
Delivering the youth message was Armenian Youth Federation Central
Executive member Sanan Shirinian, who recounted her experience as an
AYF member and highlighted the organization’s input in advancing the
Armenian Cause.
`As the youth wing of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, the
responsibility of ensuring the ARF is remain revolutionary falls upon
us. We are the ones who can take advantage of being risk-takers, of
being khents, unafraid of any uphill battle,’ said Shirnian.
`The generations before us left an impressive legacy, and now the
responsibility falls on us ..to take what we have learned from them,
and raise the bar. To not rest, until we know our future successors
will look back on us, and become inspired by the work we do,’ added
Shirinian. (See the complete text of Shirnian’s speech below)
The capacity crowd that attended the event forced Glendale city
authorities to shutter the doors of the auditorium. As a result,
unfortunately, hundreds of community members had to be turned away at
the entrance because the hall was filled to capacity. Organizers
issued an apology Monday, pledging that a larger venue would be
secured for future such events.
The program began with the Homenetmen Scouts conducting an impressive
flag ceremony, with the American national anthem being performed by
Toukhman Khachadourian. Then the curtain was raised to reveal the
hundred-strong AYF Junior Choir, which performed the Armenian and ARF
anthems to the thunderous applause of the audience.
Masters of Ceremony Balabek Barsamyan and Palig Demirdjian provided
welcoming remarks and guided the programs various facets, which
included an `In Memoriam’ video presentation that paid homage to ARF
members from the Western Region who had died during the past year.
The vibrant cultural program included performances by Hamazkayin Ani
and Nairi dance troupes; performances by Krisdapor Arabian; Harout
Pamboukjian; Araksia Varterestian; the Chamlian Armenian School Chorus
under the direction of Nora Roumian-Bairamian; and a unique recitation
by Sona Madarian, Ara Yacoubian, Maral Varjabedian, Seda Martir and
Ani Ghazarian.
Ö? Ö? Ö?
Sanan Shirinian’s Remarks
`Good Evening everyone, honored guests and friends,
Armenian Youth Federation Central Executive member Sanan Shirinian
The 123rd anniversary of the ARF is undoubtedly a moment of
celebration and reflection for the AYF as well, for we are its future
inheritors.
As the youth wing of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, the
responsibility of ensuring the ARF is remain revolutionary falls upon
us. We are the ones who can take advantage of being risk-takers, of
beingkhents, unafraid of any uphill battle.
There are truly no words I can use to describe the experience of
living as an AYF member. No matter how descriptive or how convincing,
the satisfaction can only be understood after you have been a part of
it. After you’ve experienced your first seminar, your first marathon
meeting, or your first completed project.
Despite these verbal limitations, I will try to demonstrate why the
AYF, so many years after its establishment, remains one of the most
relevant organizations in our daily lives.
We live in a time when education is highly valued, and nearly all of
us have the opportunity to pursue as high a degree as we wish. It is
extremely important for our youth to be educated, to be smart members
of this society, so that they are heard and respected. However, the
AYF is where we go from being just smart, to being wise. The AYF is
where Armenian youth become thinkers; it is what gives us the
opportunity to get up close and personal with the truths learned in
our textbooks. It allows us to live out loud, and value real human
interactions.
The facts and histories may be what make us smart, but its all of
those complimentary experiences that make us wise.
The AYF strives to advance the goals of a free, independent and united
Armenia. Toward that end, it is dedicated to the principles of
freedom, democracy, self-determination, and economic and social
justice. To stay focused what it has set out to do, the AYF cannot
allow either praise or blame to distract us. Roadblocks greet us at
every corner, some even put up by ourselves, questioning how we can
make a real difference, especially in American society; in a foreign
system that is so deeply embedded in individual success, leaving
hardly any room for collective social responsibility.
We easily forget, that it was not too long ago the frustrated youth in
this country severely disrupted the status quo. Their disobedience
changed the world of art, music, politics, racial and gender roles¦
Therefore, we too have the ability to live and work as progressives
concerned with our national wellbeing, even in this American reality.
In fact, the very privileged circumstances under which we live allow
us to explore increased opportunities.
Whether our actions are contained or transgressive, whether they are
labeled as successes or failures, they have an impact on us all. They
set in motion a direction for the future of Armenian youth. Therefore,
the obstacles we face along the way can at most be momentary
distractions, because we can only move ahead, beating the most
unbeatable odds.
It may sometimes feel as though the commitment, drudgery and intensity
of the endless work we are up against, is bound to weaken us. But
quite the opposite; its brings out of us our greatest strengths. It
helps us identify our greatest skills, all of which become
transferable to the world around us.
The projects set forth by the AYF can at times be very intimidating,
and there are moments before embarking upon each endeavor that many of
us doubt our own capabilities. In 2005, the year I joined the AYF,
that challenge was a 215-mile march from Fresno to Sacramento, an
opportunity a 16 year old could find no where else. This year, the
challenge was directing volunteers and hundreds of local children In
Armenia for our Youth Corps program.
With each projects end, upon coming face to face with the challenging
work we may feel unprepared for, we all inch closer to being wiser,
more conscious and we gain the experience needed to take on more. As
my last year in the AYF approaches, I come to realize that we are the
youth of the ARF, and that is one of our greatest challenges.
To give a brief insight of our work during this fiscal year, over the
past five months the AYF has organized an educational seminar with
over 100 participants, published an issue of Haytoug dedicated to
different social and political movements, launched a community
basketball program for special needs kids, participated in a global
AYF conference in Armenia, and opened a new chapter in the North
Valley region. We have welcomed over 30 new members, and many more are
in the process of joining. By no means are we satisfied with these
accomplishments, as they are merely small steps¦ part of the long
journey toward an ideal end. We are dedicated to serving our local
communities, and to ensuring the continued development of our
homeland, but most importantly, we are dedicated to disintegrating the
division amongst the two. Yet we need a more empowered effort, we need
our youth to be convinced of their capabilities to create something
positive for the Armenian nation. We need them to be convinced of
their potential to be leaders and thus servants of a people.
At 16 when you first join the AYF, it’s like stepping into a world of
possibilities; the work you do is not measured by success, you accept
the risk of failure, so long as the activities planned cause some sort
of excitement. These early years are valuable, because it is when our
eyes are opened to the social and political Armenian realities, and we
experience the potential of collective organizing.
As you mature into the organization you find yourself becoming more
critical and cautious of the work you undertake. These later years can
be the most prolific. At the ages of 24 25, you can act upon your
youthful rebellious instincts, while employing a wider worldview and
thoughtful perceptive. These are the years when you are caught in the
crossfires of thinking and feeling.
And Throughout all the ten years spent growing up in the AYF, more
than family, more than school, the AYF becomes the major agent of our
political socialization.
The AYF is where passion translates into action. And the actions we
take, lead us to become meaningful members of the Armenian community.
To have political value that allows us to belong as more than just
spectators of the Armenian world.
When I look back and reflect on the heroisms in ARF and AYF history,
of the ones who gave their lives, the ones who governed a republic,
who built communities, I’m inspired beyond comprehension. The
generations before us left an impressive legacy, and now the
responsibility falls on us¦ to take what we have learned from them,
and raise the bar. To not rest, until we know our future successors
will look back on us, and become inspired by the work we do.’
http://asbarez.com/118601/arf-day-celebration-highlights-imperative-for-national-agenda/