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On Monday, April 6, 2009, the book “Penelope, oh Penelope,” by Simon Apkarian was presented in French at the Armenian Cultural Home in Paris’ Rue Bleu. The event was organized by the Paris chapter of Hamazkayin and the Nor Serount Association in Alfaville. A huge audience of mostly young people gathered to get a chance to know more about the talented actor.

In 2008, this book received the Le Grand Prix de la meilleure creation Francaise. Simon Apkarian is a famous actor in the diaspora, especially among French Armenians: He is well-known for his roles in major movies. In 2001, he received the Moliere Award in France as the best actor for his role in the play La Bete sur la Lune.   Cont.

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“The survival of the diaspora and us,” a public lecture, was held Sunday, April 19 at the Navasartian Center in London. Hrach Boghosian, a member of the London Chapter of Hamazkayin, hosted the event. Following his brief welcome, he presented keynote speaker Hagop Balian, a publicist, author, teacher, and executive editor of “Pakin” literary monthly.

The lecturer focused on the following three topics:
-Preservation of cultural monuments in the diaspora,
-The diaspora and the Armenian language,
-The diaspora and the issue of Western Armenian.   Cont.

Orhan Pamuk’s “Snow” was recently published in Armenia due to the initiative of the Central Committee of Hamazkayin.

With his much-publicized statement,“We have killed 1 million Armenians and 30,000 Kurds,” Orhan Pamuk became one of the few Turkish intellectuals for whom “the Turkish repent” and facing one’s own history is necessary for a healthy society.   Cont.

On Sunday, April 12, 2009, Hamazkayin hosted its traditional Easter Luncheon at restaurant Diamantaire. More than 100 people attended the event.

Hera Tossounian, the organization’s chairperson, welcomed the attendees and the members of the Central Committee of HMEM, who were in Paris to attend their regular committee meeting and joined the Hamazkayin members at the luncheon.   Cont.

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The Regional Committee of Hamazkayin in Lebanon, on Tuesday, April 14, at 8:30 PM, hosted a ceremony at the Hagop Der Melkonian Theater. The event was organized as part of the celebrations for Hamazkayin’s 80th anniversary and on the occasion of the republishing of eight volumes of Levon Shant’s work. Representatives of authoritative bodies and organizations, art lovers, and members of Hamazkayin were among those present in the huge audience.

Following of the recitation of “Naghashi Jare” by Levon Shant and recited by George Sarkissian, Lousig Somounjian-Afarian welcomed the audience on behalf of the Regional Committee of Hamazkayin. She said that all his life Levon Shant had his own working style, which allowed him his many contributions to literary, intellectual, creative, national, and educational spheres. Somounjian-Afarian said today Hamazkayin’s members follow Levon Shant’s path by preparing new generations in science and art.   Cont.

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As part of Hamazkayin’s 80th anniversary celebration, a public ceremony took place Wednesday, April 1, at the Pierce College at Aia Paraskevi. Armenians in Greece were joined by representatives from numerous community institutions.

Mr. Vahram Gajoyan, the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Greece, and his wife Mrs. Valia Gajoyan, Bishop Khoren Dighramajian, the Prelate of the Armenian Diocese in Greece and members of the clergy, Reverend Vicken Cholakian, the Prelate of the Armenian Evangelical Church in Greece, and Serovpe Pechanian, the advisor of the Armenian consulate were among those in the audience.   Cont.

On Tuesday, March 31, 2009, at 8:00 PM, the book “yergou sbant” by literary critic and intellectual Boghos Snabian was presented at the Nshan Palanjian Center of Hamazkayin. The event was organized by the Gomidas Chapter of Hamazkayin. Intellectuals, art lovers, and Hamazkayin members were among those in the audience.

Seda Khedeshian opened the event on behalf of the Gomidas Chapter of Hamazkayin. After welcoming the audience, she highlighted Boghos Snabian’s contribution to Armenian literature. Afterward, she presented the biography of keynote speaker, Dr. Vahe Maljian.   Cont.

The office of the principal of the M. and H. Arslanian Djemaran of Hamazkayin attentively follows the achievements of its alumni, who are spread worldwide, and with great content notes their contributions to the pursuing of the Armenian Cause. It is in this way that the mission of Djemaran -- the preservation of the Armenian national identity -- can be measured as a success.

Mardig Taslakian is one of the conscientious alumni, who continue to keep the torch of Djemaran alight in the path of the preservation of the national identity.   Cont.

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Following two years of regular rehearsals, the concert of the Kousan Choir of Hamazkayin took place March 27, 2009, at 8:30 PM, at the Assembly Hall of the American University of Beirut. Bishop Kegham Khacherian, the Prelate of the Armenian Diocese in Lebanon, Varoujan Archbishop Hergelian, the representative of the Catholicos at the Armenian Diocese in Cyprus, Antranig Mserlian, the Mayor of Bourj Hamoud, representatives of other authorities, members of Hamazkayin and art lovers were among those in the audience.

Hagop Aprahamian welcomed the audience on behalf of the Regional Committee of Hamazkayin in Lebanon. He said that in the diaspora, spreading Armenian songs not only means encouraging the survival of that music, but also the preservation of the Armenian national identity.   Cont.

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The celebration of Hamazkayin’s 80th anniversary highlights the association’s glorious activities and explains to the new generation the efforts made by dedicated members to preserve the national identity.

In this sense, Sunday, March 22, 2009 was significant. On that day, the Armenians in Aleppo once again gathered in the Kevork Yesayian Hall, to enjoy Hamazkayin’s jubilee celebration. The event was organized by the Regional Committee of Hamazkayin in Syria and was presided over by the high auspices of Bishop Shahan Sarkissian, the Prelate of the Armenian Diocese in Aleppo.   Cont.

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On March 19, at 1:30 PM, a gala event took place in the lobby of the Library of Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Association in Yerevan. The aim of the event was to introduce to the public the newly published volume “Anthology 18-33: Modern Armenian prose.” The volume was compiled and edited by Lilit Galstyan and Arkmenik Nokoghosyan. The volume groups the already-published works of Armenian prose writers aged 18-33, who, according to the editors, represent the future of our prose. The book is in an appealing form, with only 264 pages. The organizers promised that discussions about the volume will follow this event.

Lilit Galstyan, the executive of the offices of Hamazkayin in Yerevan, and Member of Parliament, hosted the event. In her opening speech, she mentioned the goals of Hamazkayin, and referred to Nigol Aghpalian and his special affection for Yeghishe Charents. According to her, the publication of this book is the continuation of that very same attention toward young writers. She promised that in the near future a similar anthology will be published featuring the works of young Armenian poets.   Cont.

On February 14, 2009, the Belgium Chapter of Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Association reorganized.
The Committee members are:

Armen Arslanian (chairperson)
Markarid Khachadrian (secretary)
Sarkis Keorkian (treasurer)
Kapriel Garabedian
Garen Kasbarian
Hrach Zabounian
Samuel Sarksian   Cont.

Organized by the editorial staff of “Pakin,” a literary meeting dedicated to the 140th anniversary of writer Hovhannes Toumanian’s birth took place Wednesday, March 18, 2009, at 6:00 PM at the editorial offices of “Pakin.” Lebanese-Armenian intellectuals attended this meeting. The keynote speaker was Doctor of Science of Linguistics and literary expert Arthur Andranikyan.

Firstly, the speaker presented a lecture titled “Yeghishe Charents-Nigoghayos Sarafian: An outline through literary profiles,” and afterward presented another lecture titled “The publicist and the literary critical legacy of Hovhannes Toumanian.”   Cont.

An anthology of 13 young Armenian prose writers titled “18-33: Modern Armenian prose” was recently published with the support of Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Association.

The title “18-33” does not necessarily mean that all the prose writers aged 18-33 are included in the publication. According to the publishers, writers who are shaping or claim to shape the future of literature were chosen for the volume. They are positioned in the anthology not in order of age or the age at which they wrote their pieces, although these principles have sometimes been used. Rather, they were placed in order of the importance of the role they play in the stream of modern literature. This, naturally, is a subjective perception, which can be formed while reading each of the authors’ works. In fact, after reading, these opinions are, of course, later subject to corrections and clarifications. Short stories by Hrachia Saribekyan, Mher Beileryan,    Cont.

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The official celebration of Parsegh Ganachian Music College’s 25th anniversary took place Wednesday, March 4, 2009, at 8:00 p.m., at Saint Joseph University’s Abou Khater Hall. The event was organized by the Parsegh Ganachian Music College of Hamazkayin and was presided over by Archbishop Kegham Khacherian, the Prelate of the Armenian Diocese in Lebanon. It was sponsored by Walid Gholmieh, the Director of the State Conservatory. Rouben Kharazyan, the chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Lebanon, former MP Jack Choukhadarian, ,Bourj Hamoud Mayor Antranig Mserlian, a delegation of the Central Committee of Hamazkayin, as well as representatives of cultural, educational, political, sports, and health associations and organizations were included among the audience.

Following the Lebanese and Armenian national anthems, Hagop Aprahamian spoke on behalf of the Regional Committee of Hamazkayin in Lebanon. He said Parsegh Ganachian Music College was created in 1983, in the most critical years of the Lebanese Civil war. Since its very first days, it faced the challenges of migration and degeneration, consequently becoming a strong force in the spread of Armenian music and songs. He expressed hope that Parsegh Ganachian Music College, following the path of Parsegh Ganachian himself, will continue its important role in Lebanese-Armenian life, continuing the influence of Gomidas, Khachadourian, and others.   Cont.