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During a ceremony for the 80th anniversary of Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Association, the Central Committee honored two dedicated teachers -- Ms. Alice Kazanjian and Mr. Antoine “Sir” Keheian -- for their long and dedicated service to Djemaran. The teachers were presented with Hamazkayin’s medallions. Because of health issues, Sir was not able to attend the event.

On Tuesday, December 23, Mgridich Mgrdichian, the chairperson of the Central Committee, and Sako Armenian visited Sir at his home to present him with the abovementioned medallion. They had been Sir’s students and were also long-time friends. It was only natural that the one-hour visit would evoke memories of Djemaran in the old days; of its dormitory, of Simon Vratsian, Koms’ family, and many other topics. During the visit Sir was excited as a child, and moved with emotions.   Cont.

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During the weekend of 6-7 December 2008, the 80th anniversary of Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Association was celebrated with two consecutive events in Toronto. On Saturday evening, gathered around tables of wine and appetizers, we were in communision with the goals pursued by Hamazkayin and its achievements in Armenia and the diaspora. At the same time, we enjoyed artistic performances from Armenian artists in Toronto.

On Sunday, clarinet player Hampartsoum Jabourian’s performance took place. He was accompanied by the Russian Arc Orchestra of Montreal. The audience enjoyed a singularly artistic weekend. Below is a brief report about the both events. However, first it is worth talking about the secret to the success of these two events and the careful organizational work carried out by the dedicated members – both old and new -- of Hamazkayin.   Cont.

The 80th anniversary of Hamazkayin was celebrated with a magnificent ceremony at the Aminian Hall in Damascus on Friday, December 19, 2008. Arshak Poladyan, the Ambassador of Armenia to Damascus, Karen Grigoryan, the first secretary of the Embassy, Bishop Hovsep Arnaoutian, the Prelate of the diocese of the Armenian Catholics, Rev. Father Movses Donanian, Rev. Datev Basmajian, Pastor of the Evangelical Armenians in Damascus, representatives of Armenian associations, members of Hamazkayin, and a large audience attended the event.

Following the Syrian and Armenian national anthems, Mihran Ghazaryian, the chairperson of the Levon Shant chapter of Hamazkayin, delivered the opening speech. He highlighted the importance of the celebration event. Marianna Julian delivered the opening speech in Arabic.   Cont.

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Organized by the Gomidas Chapter of Hamazkayin in Lebanon, on Friday, December 12, 2008, at 8:00 PM, the opening ceremony of the new center took place at the Nshan Palanjian Center. Members and adherents of Hamazkayin were attending the event.

Norair Najarian delivered a speech on behalf of the Committee of the Gomidas Chapter. He mentioned that the opening of the Center during the year of the 80th anniversary of Hamazkayin is the best coincidence to continue the visions realized by Levon Shant and Nigol Aghpalian through Hamazkayin.   Cont.

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Meeting with RA artist emeritus David Hakobyan

RA artist emeritus David Hakobyan was the featured guest at the latest meeting of the Club of Intellectuals, organized by the Armenia office of Hamazkayin.    Cont.

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On December 9, 2008, Armen Arslanian, the son of Haig Arslanian -- the benefactor of M. and H. Arslanian Djemaran of Hamazkayin -- visited the school. He was welcomed by the members of the Board of Managers and the Board of Benefactors of Djemaran, and the members of the Central Committee of Hamazkayin. Armen Arslanian toured all of Djemaran’s departments, visited the main school building, the library, the Adrineh Karakashian Sports and Cultural Hall which is under construction, and the Norsikian Kindergarten. He also went into many classrooms and chatted with the students, and encouraged them in their studies.

Mr. Arslanian expressed his pleasure with the fact that young generations of Armenians are receiving a healthy education and Armenian spirit, as well as high quality scientific and linguistic teaching, related to which the principals and teachers of Djemaran apply every effort possible.   Cont.

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Organized by the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Association, under the high patronage of Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia, the celebration of the 80th anniversary of Hamazkayin took place at the Hall of Emil Lahoud Cultural Complex on Wednesday, December 3, 2008, at 8:30 PM. The event was attended by Catholicos Aram I, the spiritual leaders of the three Armenian congregations, Ruben Kharazyan, the charge’ d’affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Lebanon, representatives of political parties, cultural, educational, social, and sports associations, donors, and numerous members and supporters of Hamazkayin.

Following the national anthems of Lebanon and Armenia, the hosts of the event, Armen Abdalian and Lorig Dzadourian, welcomed the audience. They emphasized that during its 80 years of existence, Hamazkayin not only has preserved through culture the Armenian nation’s wealth, but also has had contributed to the preservation of the Armenian national identity in diaspora communities around the world.   Cont.

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The subcommittee of literature and art of the Regional Committee of Hamazkayin in Lebanon, under the sponsorship of Bishop Kegham Khacherian, the Prelate of the Armenian Diocese in Lebanon, organized an event dedicated to the “Shirag” songbook on Wednesday, November 19 2008, at 8:30 PM, at the K. and H. Armenian Hall of the Levon Shant Cultural Center of Hamazkayin. Artists, representatives of community institutions, members of Hamazkayin and art lovers were in attendance.

Lousig Somounjian-Afarian opened the event. During the past decades, she said, the “Shirag” songbook, with its literary, children’s, and educational publications, has played a major role in spreading Armenian language and literature. She added that due to the strong willpower of Garabed Hanessian, the songbook holds a unique place in the life of the Armenian diaspora, and especially that of the Armenian community in Lebanon.   Cont.

Organized by the subcommittee of literature and fine arts of the Regional Committee of Hamazkayin in Lebanon, a student event dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Hamazkayin took place Friday, November 14 2008, at 12:00 PM, at Hagop Der Melkonian Theater Hall. Principals, educational administrators, teachers, and students of the Armenian community schools in Lebanon were in attendance.

The schools participating in the event included: Armenian Evangelical College, Armenian Catholic K. Harboian School, Armenian L. and S. Hakopian College, Armenian Evangelical Shamlian-Tatigian School, Armenian Yeghisheh Manoogian College, and M. and H. Arslanian Djemaran of Hamazkayin.   Cont.

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On Sunday, October 26, the London Chapter of Hamazkayin celebrated the 80th anniversary of Hamazkayin with a grand event at the Navasartian Hall.

His Grace Nathan Bishop Hovhannissyan, the prelate of the Armenian diocese, Rev. Father Shnorhk Baghdasaryan, Ara Palamoudian, the chairperson of the community and church council of the Armenian community in Britain, members of the council, committee members of the Armenian Relief Society and Homenetmen, representatives of other community organizations, and many other Armenians attended the event.
   Cont.

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On Thursday, October 30, at the Melankton and Haig Arslanian Djemaran the documentary, “Ararat: The symbol of the Armenians’ immortality,” by Dr. Ashot Melkonyan, the director of the Institute of History of the Armenian National Academy, was screened.

This event, organized by the members of Djemaran Lyceum’s association, drew students from the secondary classes and their teachers.
   Cont.

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In 2008 Hamazkayin, with its many members in Armenia and the diaspora, celebrated the 80th anniversary of the foundation of this grand family in a fitting way.
Hamazkayin’s birth was not a coincidence. Its concept came from a former RA Prime Minister, a former minister of education, a veteran intellectual, an individual dedicated to the stage, as well as many other noble persons, whose supreme goal became the popularization of the Armenian literature and arts. Derived from this directive, Hamazkayin became the modest guardian of our centuries old culture. With its chapters, units, theater troupes, choirs, and dance troupes dispersed all over the world, it has built a spiritual fatherland in our souls and hearts, spread verve within Armenians, and thus guaranteed the persistence of our people.
Hamazkayin’s Regional Committee of the Western USA celebrated the 80th anniversary on Sunday, October 26 with a luncheon and a ceremony at Sourp Khach Church’s Paghramian Hall in Montebello. The organizing committee, instead of marking tables with numbers, decorated each table with the photos of Armenian writers and their brief biographies. There were Taniel Varoujan, Jacques Hagopian, Ghazaros Aghaian, Isahagian, Emin, Gomidas, and many others.
In attendance were: Rev. Father Bartev Gulumian, the representative of Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, the Prelate of the Western Diocese of the United States, Father Arshag Khachadourian, the representative of Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, the Prelate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church, Yervant Mserlian, the representative of the Central Committee of Hamazkayin in Western and Eastern regions of USA, Mgo Yapoujian, the secretary of the Central Committee of Hamazkayin, Mesrop Shapoyan, the vice consul of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles, Dr. Vicken Hosvepian, the representative of the ARF Bureau, Avedik Izmilian, the representative of the ARF Central Committee of the region and member of the Central Committee, Ani Giragossian, the representative of the Regional Committee of the Armenian Relief Society, former members of the Central and Regional Committees of Hamazkayin, Apo Boghigian, the editor-in-chief of Asbarez Daily, and more than 300 guests and members of Hamazkayin.
In her opening speech, hostess Dr. Talar Shahinian first welcomed the guests, then, mentioning the special definitions of "The soul of the art" and "the spiritual fatherland" respectively by Shavarsh Nartouni and Nigoghos Sarafian, referred to Hamazkayin’s since its inception on May 28, 1928. She emphasized that Hamazkayin has played a very important role in her personal growth. "I, myself, and many other Armenian young individuals like me, who have grown up in various communities of the diaspora, would not have been able to easily nurture the Armenian part of our identity without the activities of Hamazkayin,” she said, adding that in Lebanon she has learned her mother language in the Nshan Palanjian Djemaran of Hamazkayin and then, in Los Angeles, had been the student of teachers who graduated from there. She also highlighted the great importance of books, publications published by Hamazkayin, as well as that of the music, theater, and art events organized by the Association. "The persistence of Western Armenian in the communities in the diaspora remains within the sphere of activities of cultural associations like Hamazkayin. Issued from this, Hamazkayin addresses the most severe challenges, and that is why the support of all of us is indeed very essential," she stressed, and wished Hamazkayin a successful journey in its mission. She then mentioned the names of the organizers of the event, and praised their efforts for the event’s success.
As the keynote speaker, Dr. Vicken Yakoubian, the chairperson of the Regional Committee of Hamazkayin, said that the revision of the multilayer activities of Hamazkayin spanning more than 80 years could only be an opportunity for all to be renewed with the energy of Hamazkayin. "In spite of the fact that the foundation of Hamazkayin had been the concept of a handful of Armenians, the organization has ever been possessed by Shant, Aghpalian, Ohanjanian, Yesaian, and their colleagues. Its founders have considered themselves mediators to the cultural needs issuing from the unknown situation of our people," he said. Then he accentuated Hamazkayin’s activities, which are dedicated to the preservation of cultural values and in general of the persistence of the Armenian national identity. "Hamazkayin was conceived for our people, served them and became one of the most magnificent mirrors reflecting the willpower of our people and which reflects the strong bondage of educating people and the national culture," he said. He also referred to the intellect of the intellectuals who created Hamazkayin, the obsessions with their pens, and the factors that made Hamazkayin persist. "In a word, Hamazkayin was historically born from the circumstances of our people, with the noble desire to become the interpreter of its psychological state and visions. Hamazkayin can only guarantee its future with the same desire," he added. Dr. Yakoubian stressed that the Regional Committee remains committed and has decided to enhance its activities and welcomes the encouragement and the complete support of its members and adherents.
Then he called to stage Dr. Vicken Sahagian, who has sponsored events dedicated to the 80th anniversary, and honored him with a letter of appreciation. In his turn, Dr. Sahagian thanked Dr. Yakoubian for the honor and praised Hamazkayin’s activities.
Just before the dinner, a video film prepared by the Central Committee of Hamazkayin about the anniversary was presented. The video film was warmly received by the audience.
Followingthe blessing of the tables by Rev. Father Bartev, scholarships were distributed. On behalf of the scholarship committee, Anita Havatian first explained the reason for this scholarship, which was created a year ago with the aim of presenting scholarships worth $5,000 USD each to Armenian students who pursue higher education in journalism, literature, and film. She also presented the other members of the committee: Dr. Hasmig Tashjian, Apo Boghigian, and Eric Nazarian, and said that following long discussions, this year the committee had committee had decided upon giving only two scholarships, because there was no single candidate presented for journalism.
Chairperson Yakoubian invited the best candidates to the stage and presented the scholarships to Talar Douzian-Der Hovhannessian (literature) and Raffi Barsoumian (film.) Raffi Barsoumian’s sister accepted the scholarship on behalf of her brother because he was out of the country.
Yetvart Mserlian, the representative of the Central Committee of Hamazkayin, first expressed his satisfaction that the celebration of the association's anniversary was taking place in such a joyous atmosphere. He added: "In various corners of the world, besides such celebrations, the 80-year activities of the association are being carried out, as well. Also, its new challenges and obligations are being outlined." Then he quoted the following words by Nigol Aghpalian: "It is culture that bonds us all. It is an axis around which all the Armenian masses around the world we should be able to cluster and keep our unique nationality."
In his speech, Mserlian mentioned the achievements of the great family of Hamazkayin, starting from "Pakin" to the printing house. Noting the deep devotion of Hamazkayin’s leaders to the Armenian national schools, he named all the schools which are affiliated with Hamazkayin in Lebanon, France, and Australia, and praised their mission in the path of preserving the Armenian national identity. "Hamazkayin regards the future of Armenians with faith and optimism, be it in the spheres of education or culture," he said, and thanked all the individuals who have faithfully helped Hamazkayin in realizing its aspirations. Then he briefly featured the first honored person of the day, who long served as a teacher of the Armenian language; Carmen Der Garabedian. He invited Mgo Yapoujian, a member of the Central Committee of Hamazkayin, to decorate longtime Hamazkayin member Carmen Der Garabedian with the association’s highest honor. The great teacher was honored with a standing ovation. In her heartfelt words, she specified deep in emotions and said there is no need for such honors when one is a member of the family. "The Djemaran of Hamazkayin has been my second home, and the Association, my extended family. I have entered the house of Hamazkayin through the Kasbar Ipegian theater company," she said and then stressed the role of Djemaran as the source of the feelings of Armenian national belonging, and she named Hamazkayin the “Ministry of Armenian Culture.”

Mr. Mserlian, a member of the Central Committee, then presented the second honoree; acclaimed musician, conductor and Director of Lark Music School Vache Barsoumian. After inviting him to the stage, he decorated him with Hamazkayin’s highest honor. In his heartfelt words, conductor Barsoumian presented the three stages of his experiences with Hamazkayin. The first was in 1922, when the children’s Tsntsgha choir was founded in Lebanon and was followed by the founding of the Parsegh Ganachian Music College. The last was three exceptional years, during which he has greatly contributed to Hamazkayin’s activities.   Cont.

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The 2008 Pomegranate Film Festival showcased an assortment of prevalent issues affecting members of the Armenian Diaspora as well as the City’s multicultural community at large.

Over the course of four days, September 25-28, the Festival explored themes such as dialogue & reconciliation with Turkey, the state of both identifiable & non-identifiable Armenians who continue to reside in Anatolia, as well as the plight of people initially from the Middle East residing in the western world post 9/11. With these informative films, in addition to others ranging from comedies to explorations of cultural identity, the 2008 Festival took viewers on an amazing trip through the eyes of filmmakers around the globe.   Cont.

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On Saturday, October 11, the 80th anniversary of Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Association was marked with a grand event in Sydney, Australia. Mgrdich Mgrdichian, the chairperson of the Central Committee of Hamazkayin, came from Lebanon to attend the event. He was the keynote speaker.

The event was organized by the Regional Committee of Hamazkayin in Australia and was presided over by Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, the Prelate of the Armenian Diocese in Australia. The representatives of the three Armenian political parties and community institutions, as well as Ms. Gladys Berejiklian, Shadow Minister for Transport and Shadow Minister for Citizenship, Mr. Sarkis Yedelian, the Vice Mayor of the Ride District, and Mr. Artin Ekmekjian, member of the City Hall were in attendance.   Cont.

Amongst the events dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Association, the presentation of the new volume titled “Garo Sassouni” by prominent Armenian intellectual Ashod Nersisian took place on October 3, 2008, at 7:00 PM, at the Glendale Public Library.

This event could not be compared to the traditional book-wining events not because the author was absent or because the book was dedicated to the life of Garo Sassouni, the outstanding teacher and great party member and dedicated revolutionary, but because the life and actions of a modest and exemplary Armenian was being reevaluated by his junior friends: in a word, the life of an Armenian, which was infused with the history of our fatherland, our people, and Armenian Revolutionary Federation.   Cont.

The charm of Armenian folk dance reached a climax on Saturday, September 6, 2008, at the grand hall of Castle Hill in Sydney, Australia, where a huge audience was gathered.

The event was presided by His Grace Aghan Archbishop Baliozian, the Prelate of the Armenian diocese of Australia and New Zealand and was organized by the Regional Committee of Hamazkayin Armenian Cultural and Educational Association. Among the guests of honor were Mr. and Mrs. Sdepan Krkasharian, the Director of Ethnic Affair Commission, Member of Parliament Ms. Gladis Berejiklian, and Mr. and Mrs. Sarkis Yedelian, member of the city council of Ride. The Tro Committee and other representatives of the community were also attending the event.   Cont.

WASHINGTON, DC --Armenian Americans from throughout the nation's capital, joined with Armenian Parliamentarian Lilit Galstyan, Armenian Ambassador Tatoul Markarian and Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of Armenian Apostolic Church of Eastern United States to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society.

The reception and program, hosted at the Armenian Embassy and co-chaired by Ambassador Markarian, featured a moving medal and commendation ceremony during which Hamazkayin Central Executive U.S. Representative Edward Misserlian recounted the decades of self-less contributions to Armenian culture made by renowned pianist Lucy Ishkhanian, playwright Hrant Markarian, Maestro Arsen Sayan, and community benefactor Dr. Hrant Semerjian.
   Cont.