The Award ceremony of the Competition Be the Author of a book for 2016-2017academic years, organized by the Vahe Sethian Publishing House and sponsored by Hovig and Maral Kurkjians, took place on Friday, May 26, 2017 at 6: 30pm, at Hamazkayin Lucy Tutunjian Art Gallery. The M.and H. Arslanian Djemaran, Yeghishe Manukyan National College, Levon and Sophia Hagopian National College, Armenian Evangelical Central High School, Armenian Evangelical Secondary School of Anjar, Shamlian-Tatigian Armenian Evangelical College and Tekeyan Seminary participated in the event.
Director of Vahe Sethian Publishing House and Distribution Unit, Hagop Havatian delivered a speech. He said that 17 students from Lebanese Armenian schools participated in the competition and that in coming year, all efforts will be focused on encouraging individual abilities and revealing talents through the competition. Consequently, every student, along with other skills, will have to develop skills in this direction as well.
Speaking about the sponsors of the event Hovig and Maral Kurkjians, Hagop Havatian said that the event was dedicated to the memory of their mother, Varsenik Shamlian-Kurkjian. Before this event, the beneficent couple had contributed also to the improvement of Hamazkayin bookstore. Therefore, the book publishing competition was named after Varsenik Shamlian-Kurkjian as expression of respect and gratitude.