News

Djemaran alumni met the evening of Saturday, September 27, at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Leo Kasbarians. More than 200 Djemaran alumni attended the gathering.

The evening began with the singing of Djemaran’s anthem, after which the attendees were invited to dinner. At 9:30, Sako Berberian, the host of the event, delivered the opening speech, welcoming those former students of Djemaran, and all the attendees who were there to support Djemaran.   Cont.

Internationally acclaimed Armenian pianist Vartan Mamigonian performed in concert October 4 at the American University of Beirut’s Assembly Hall. The event was organized by the Regional Committee of Hamazkayin in Lebanon and was sponsored by the Union of Compatriots of Marash, in cooperation with the Lebanese Canadian Bank.

Very Reverent Dr. Paul Haidostian, the President of Haigazian University, Peter Dorman, the President of the American University of Beirut, Maria Zigler, the Ambassador of Austria to Lebanon, Panos Karogelopoulos, the Ambassador of Greece to Lebanon, Antranig Mselian, the Mayor of Bourj Hamoud, members of Hamazkayin, and numerous piano enthusiasts attended the concert.   Cont.

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On Monday afternoon, September 22, 2008, Martin Yesaian -- the representative of the Armenian department of Kalousd Gulbengian Institution and a member of the Central Committee of the Institution -- and his wife visited M. and H. Arslanian Djemaran. They were accompanied by Dr. Zaven Yegavian, PhD, the director of the Armenian department.

The guests were welcomed by Dikran Jinbashian, the executive director of Djemaran, Peniamin Bchakjian, the chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Djemaran, as well as Hamazkayin members Antranig Mserlian and Mgrdich Yapoujian.   Cont.

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M. and H. Arslanian Djemaran will welcome the new curricular year of 2008-2009 with a new profile: the construction of Adrineh Karakashian Hall is underway, and a section of it will be ready to welcome the students on the first day back to school.

This year, Norsigian Kindergarten will welcome the children with a more fresh and beautiful image. The kindergarten’s walls and the columns have been painted with a new color.   Cont.

The series of the events by the chapter of Hamazkayin in Paris and dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Hamazkayin was commenced on Saturday, September 13, at 8:30 PM, with a lecture by Prof. Richard Hovhannessian and which took place at the Armenian Home on Rue Bleu. He had arrived Paris accompanied with his wife, Mrs. Vartiter, especially to take part in the Conference by International Association of Armenian Studies, which took place on 10-12 September, at the University of Sorbonne. Taking benefit of this visit, Prof. Hovhannessian eagerly agreed to present to the Armenians in Paris accounts of their tour to the Western Armenia.

The committee of Hamazkayin had also invited the committee and members of Nor Serount to take part in organizing this event, given the fact that it was very important to bring this topic to the attention of the youth. A huge number of Armenians were filling the hall. The interest of the youth of Nor Serount to the topic was very noteworthy. They had kneeled on the both sides of the hall. Some of them knew the lecturer, since they had participated to the Forum of Hamazkayin and had came to hear his views on the most burning issues of present.    Cont.

This year the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Association celebrates with grandeur the significant date of its foundation, its 80th anniversary, under the auspices of Rev, Father Oshagan Archbishop Choloian and organized by the Regional Committee of Hamazkayin in the Eastern USA, as well as with the cooperation of all the chapters of Hamazkayin in the Eastern Region.

October is the month of culture; therefore, the celebration events will take place during that month. Dr. Lilit Galstyan, PHD, the President of Hamazkayin Foundation and a member of RA National Assembly, is invited as a guest speaker, as is Yetvart Mserlian, member of the Central Committee of Hamazkayin and the representative of USA in the Committee.   Cont.

Mr. & Mrs. Hagop Kharpoutlian 100 $
Mr. & Mrs. Garo & Silva Kojayan 50$
Mr. & Mrs. Harout Demirjian 20 $
Mr. & Mrs. Azadouhi Demirjian 10 $
Mr. Varoujan Sarkissian 100,000 L.L.
Mr. & Mrs. Hagop Yapoujian 50,000 L.L.
Mrs. Knarig Torigian 50,000 L.L.
Mr. & Mrs. Raffi Tchilingirian 50,000 L.L.
Mr. & Mrs. GarbisTchilingirian 50,000 L.L.
Mr. & Mrs. Garo Setrakian 50,000 L.L.
Mr. Sako Armenian 50,000 L.L.
Mr. & Mrs. Antranig Bedrossian 40,000 L.L.
Mr. Henry Iid 30,000 L.L.
Mr. & Mrs. Jeorjes Mouradian 20,000 L.L.
Mr. Bedig Avedis Bakhchejian 20,000 L.L.

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A book launch for the new volume “Parev Haleb” by Kevork Bedigian took place on Friday, September 5, at the Glendale Public Library.

The event was hosted by Anita Havatian, who first spoke about the role of Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Association in diasporan life. She then invited Dikran Babigian, the vice chairperson of the Regional Committee of Hamazkayin, to deliver the Committee’s welcome message. He started his speech by quoting an article by Boghos Kupelian published in “Asbarez,” which expressed concern that the number of writers in the Armenian language and that of Armenian publications, publishers and readers have dramatically decreased.   Cont.

The General Assembly of the Central Committee of Hamazkayin convened on 5-7 September, at the headquarters of Hamazkayin at the M. and H. Arslanian Djemaran in Beirut. The Assembly discussed the past year’s activities, met with the directors and the management of Hamazkayin-affiliated institutions in Lebanon, and drafted general outlines for the coming year’s activities.

The founding regional meeting of Hamazkayin in South America was concluded on September 7, with participation by delegates from São Paolo, Montevideo, Buenos Aires, and the Northern Region.

The inaugural committee was elected and includes the following members:
Kalousd Janzesian
Edgardo Keorkian
Flora Akshehirlian
Xuan Carlos Tahtajian
Nathalia Hassassian
Arpin Hojajanian
Yeran Habibian   Cont.

The leadership of the National Library of Armenia organized a meeting with Armenian-American playwright, writer, poet, and social activist Hrant Markarian. During the meeting, Hrant Markarian presented a memorial publication dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the New York Chapter of Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Association (1967-2007.) The booklet was prepared by chief researcher Jeannette Markarian, assistants Rita Giragossian and Armineh Minassian. The pictures were provided by Sonia Bzdigian, Armineh Minassian, Jeanette Markarian, Mariette Kaprielian, Koharig Tavitian, and Noubar Karakashian. Aris Sevag served as consultant, and Hrant Markarian served as the editor.

Markarian emphasized the importance of the New York Hamazkayin chapter’s giant cultural efforts in the spheres of theater, choir singing, literature, as well as in the cultural education of schoolchildren and future generations. He said in the last 40 years, Hamazkayin in New York has kept the torch of Armenian culture alight with its high standards for cultural events. The association’s theater company has performed in the United States, Canada, and Armenia. It is the first ever-Armenian theater company to perform off Broadway. Moreover, the association’s choir is the first ever-Armenian choir to perform at Alice Tully Hall in New York. According to Markarian, even though networks of political parties and the church had been well established in the Armenian-American community’s life, the community did not have basic institutions. With the network of its chapters, Hamazkayin has contributed to moving the community in that direction.   Cont.

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During the “One nation, one culture” festival, the Knar Dance Troupe of Hamazkayin in Lebanon performed at the Soundoukyan Theater Hall in Yerevan. The dance troupe presented its latest show, “For you, Aznavour,” which captured the attention of Knar’s audiences in Lebanon.

Festival director Hasmik Poghosyan, deputy minister of culture Davit Mouratyan, members of parliament, artists, and a sold-out audience attended the events. The more-than 1,000 seats in the theater hall were full. Knar’s performances left a positive influence on their audiences.   Cont.

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Australia’s Armenian community is in mourning. National benefactor Arshak Galstaun died on Saturday, August 9, 2008, at 2:00 AM.

The late Arshak Galstaun’s funeral took place Wednesday, August 13, 2008, at the St. Resurrection Armenian Apostolic Church in Sydney. Political figures, representatives of Armenian institutions and the Armenian Church, and a large crowd gathered at the funeral to bid their final farewell to a worthy son of the Armenian nation, whose deeds will continue to drive the Armenian community.   Cont.

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Mr. Galstaun was born 16 February 1912 in Iran in the region of Charmahal's Livasan village. He was the eldest of six children, which included three brothers and two sisters.

Mr. Galstaun’s life was fraught with upheaval. As an 8-year-old child, after living in Basra with his father for six months, he was sent to the Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy in Calcutta, India as a boarder.   Cont.

The Central Committee of Hamazkayin announces with deep grief the death of
Arshag Gaulsten, the chief benefactor of the Arshag and Sophie Gaulsten Lyceum (Djemaran) of Hamazkayin in Australia. He passed away on August 9, 2008, in Sydney.

The Executive Board of Hamazkayin is saddened to announce death of former member, Dr. Varoujan Sahakian, who died Wednesday, Augest 6, 2008.

   Cont.

The Student Forum of Hamazkayin, which has taken place in Armenia since 2002, aims to bring together Armenian university students in an Armenian environment, introduce them to the Armenian culture, Armenian history, social and national issues faced by Armenian youth, as well as introduce the participants to their responsibilities for their nation.

Around 40 students have taken part in this year’s Student Forum. They came from Canada, the East and West Coasts of the United States, Australia, France, England, Argentina, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and Armenia.   Cont.