OVERDUE RECOGNITION FOR ANDREAS ROUBIAN
Posted on December 16, 2011
Andreas Roubian receives a medal from Karabagh President Bako Sahakian.
By Hagop Vartivarian
NEW YORK -More than 20 years ago, a handful of New Yorkers, largely
young Armenians, inspired by the Karabagh liberation movement, created
the Karabagh Committee. They set to work in the American-Armenian
community to educate and raise awareness about the plight of the
Armenians in Karabagh. Part of the scope of the committee’s work was
securing substantial financial donations to aid victims of the war
and to assist the movement.
The Karabagh Committee worked tirelessly, gathering support from
Armenians from various countries and all walks of life. This work
of unifying the community for a cause was met with great success as
they received support not only from major philanthropists, but on
the grassroots level.
One of the young and dedicated organizers living in New Jersey,
Andreas Roubian, came to be the leader of this group of heroes,
and his home became the site of the meetings for years. Meetings
with influential representatives from Armenia, Karabagh, the US and
Russia, as well as with American-Armenian activists, also took place
at Roubian’s home. In addition to the meetings, collection campaigns
and social gatherings were organized by the committee.
While it is not possible to make any comparison with the youth of
Karabagh and Armenia fighting for the liberation of Karabagh at
the cost of their own lives, the work of the Karabagh Committee of
New York, including the large sums it raised and sent to Karabagh,
should be recognized, as well as their raising of awareness, which
provided significant aid and comfort to this same youth as well as
essential aid to victims of the fighting. At a time in which the
Soviet Union was in its death throes, this support was a lifeline,
and praise is due to the Armenian-American patriots who pressed on.
In addition to the financial support, many of the committee members,
including Roubain, risked their own lives to travel in this war-torn
region in order to ensure aid was being properly utilized. He
also documented on film frontline activities which were presented
to capacity crowds in the greater New York area. Without a doubt,
one day, in order to do justice to the great work done by these men,
the activities of the Karabagh Committee will be written down in the
annals of history.
Roubian, who is of Evangelical faith, became the benefactor of the
Ghazanchetots Sourp Asdvadzadzin Cathedral of Shushi. He personally
supervised and financed its reconstruction. The cathedral was dedicated
to the memory of his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Zaven Roubian.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, this was the first Armenian
church to be resurrected on Armenian lands, and it became a good
example for the future benefactors of the Armenian Diaspora or homeland
to follow.
During this year’s visit to the US, and on the occasion of the 20th
anniversary of the independence of Artsakh, two awards were presented
to Roubian by Karabagh President Bako Sahakian. These awards were to
honor his patriotism and philanthropy from the onset of the liberation
movement through the subsequent 20 years. The prestigious medal of
Vachagan Parebashd and a proclamation of recognition under the Artsakh
Constitution were both presented to Roubian during the ceremony.
The kind words of Ambassador Garen Nazarian, the United Nations
representative of the Republic of Armenia, were particularly touching
at a November 18 reception in the embassy during the visit of Sahakian
to New York, where Roubian was given the medal and proclamation.
Well-known figures from Armenian life in the New York and New Jersey
area were present alongside former Karabagh Committee members Hrach
Kaprielian, Hirant Gulian and brothers Armen and Paul Shahinian. The
Primate of Artsakh, Archbishop Pargev Martirossian, was present
together with Robert Avetisyan, the permanent representative of the
Republic of Mountainous Karabagh to the United States.
Nazarian gave words of welcome and introduced the guests. Then
Sahakian spoke about Roubian’s unparalleled efforts during the
liberation struggle.
Aide to Sahakian David Babayan read the edict: “In connection with the
20th anniversary of the Republic of Mountainous Karabagh, we award
the American-Armenian benefactor Andreas Roubian for his service to
the Republic of Mountainous Karabagh in the fields of the economy,
culture, education and scholarship, healthcare, and politics.”
In his words of thanks, Roubian said that his collaborators had earned
this medal, but even more than them, those who through the sacrifice
of their lives liberated Karabagh. He said, “I dedicate this to them.”
The evening was a moving one, especially for those who lived day to
day through the moments of the liberation of the Armenian regions of
Lachin, Stepanakert and Shushi, Fizouli and Jebrayil. Together with
those days of pride, they remembered Armenian martyrs sacrificed on
the frontlines.
(This article was translated from the Armenian original.)
http://www.mirrorspectator.com/2011/12/16/overdue-recognition-for-andreas-roubian/