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The Arshag and Sophie Golsten Djemaran of Hamazkayin opened its welcoming doors to its current and new students for another year on the morning of Thursday, January 29.

The official launch of the new school year took place at the Nalbandian Hall of Djemaran, under the auspices of the Prelate of the Armenian Diocese, Aghan Archbishop Baliozian, and with the presence of the members of the Regional Committee of Hamazkayin in Australia and the members of the Board of Trustees of Djemaran.   Cont.

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Hamazkayin’s Kashatagh Committee met with members of the Central Committee on February 27. Maro Matossian, who is responsible for issues related to Kashatagh at the Tufenkian Foundation, along with teachers from M. and H. Arslanian Djemaran of Hamazkayin and the Yeghisheh Manoogian Armenian Secondary School, as well as representatives from the Armenian National Educational Council joined in the meeting at Djemaran, the Head Offices of the Central Committee of Hamazkayin.

Mgo Yapoujian, the representative of the Central Committee of Hamazkayin, welcomed the attendees to the meeting and explained why they gathered together. Afterward, Maro Matossian presented a detailed view of the general circumstances of Kashatagh through a slide show, particularly focusing on the current situation of the schools there. The slide show was followed by a a brainstorming session, during which the teachers, based on their experience, discussed several methods of teaching.   Cont.

With a decree published February 21 on the occasion of the Day of the Mother Language, Republic of Armenia President Serge Sargsyan honored historian, intellectual, and social activist Yervant Pamboukian with the Presidential Letter of Appreciation, for his long service in the sphere of the preservation of Armenian national identity in Armenian communities.

The Central Committee of Hamazkayin congratulates Yervant Pamboukian, the long-serving director of the Armenological Institute of Hamazkayin, on this honor.
   Cont.

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The Djemaran of Hamazkayin in Marseille marked a memorable day on Saturday, February 21, 2009, with the presence of more than 100 guests, among whom were donors Souren and Sonia Sarkissian, three members of the Central Committee of Hamazkayin, members of the Levon Shant Committee of Hamazkayin in Valance, members of Hamazkayin who arrived from Paris especially for this occasion, the representative of the ARF Central Committee in Paris, Seta Biberian, the Director of Djemaran, all the members of Board of Trustees of Djemaran, all Djemaran's teachers, and members of Hamazkayin.

Bridget Margoyan, the Chair of the Board of Trustees of Djemaran, welcomed the audience, and Simon Mnagian, a Board member, delivered a speech on behalf of the Board of Trustees. Afterwards, Mgridich Mgrdichian, the chairperson of the Central Committee of Hamazkayin, delivered a speech on behalf of the Central Committee of Hamazkayin (we published the complete speech.) It was with a great pleasure that Suren Sarkissian delivered his heartfelt words, after which those present ascended to the second floor, where the complementary section of Djemaran was named "Souren and Sonia Sarkissian".   Cont.

The 15th regional assembly of Hamazkayin in the Western USA officially commenced Friday, February 20, 2009, at 7:30 PM, at Armenian Relief Society office in Glendale.

Attendees included: Yervant Mserlian, the representative of the Central Committee of Hamazkayin in the region, Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, the Prelate of the Armenian Diocese of the Western USA, Grigor Hovhannisyan, the newly assigned Chief Consulate of the Republic of Armenia to Los Angeles, Dr. Vicken Hovsepian, representative of the ARF Bureau, Seto Boyajian, representative of the Central Committee of ARF, Vahe Jamakordzian, a member of the Central Committee of Hamazkayin from Syria, Zarmair Setragian, the chairperson of the Regional Committee of Hamazkayin in the Western USA, Sossy Poladian, the vice-chairperson of the Regional Committee of the Armenian Relief Society, Vartan Khalatian, member of the Regional Committee of HMEM, Khachig Mouradian, the editor of the Armenian Weekly from Boston, Vahagn Karakashian, the editor of Horizon Weekly from Montreal, Apo Boghigian, the editor of Azbarez Daily, Dr. Vicken Yakoubian, chairperson of the Regional Committee of Hamazkayin in the Western USA and all the members of his committee, former members of the Central and Regional Committees of Hamazkayin, members of committees of the chapters and units of Hamazkayin, individuals honored with the highest medallion of Hamazkayin, invited guests, and more than 100 members.   Cont.

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On February 19, 2009, at 8:00 PM, the Levon Shant Chapter of Hamazkayin celebrated the 80th anniversary of Hamazkayin at the Armenian Cultural Center in Valance. Mgrdich Mgrdichian, the chairperson of the Central Committee of Hamazkayin and around 200 attendees attended the event.

Sossi Bairamian opened the event and read the epistle of the Catholicos Aram I. Afterwards, Maral Harboyan presented the arts program, which began with a recitation because Armenians as a people love verse, which has been a means of expression for many centuries. Each of the five participants recited poems selected from the treasures of Armenian literature. With their unique style, they tried to transfer the emotions of the poet to the ears, mind, and hearts of the audience.   Cont.

The Central Committee of Hamazkayin announces the death of the honored Hamazkayin member, intellectual, and educator
KRIKOR SHAHINIAN
Who departed this world on Sunday, February 15, 2009.
Biography of Krikor Shahinian:

Krikor Shahinian was born November 13, 1930 in Beirut. He graduated from the Djemaran of Hamazkayin, and afterwards continued his education at the Free University of Brussels, where he was funded by Djemaran and specialized in education and literature. He received a bachelor of arts degree, and later, in 1956, the degree of educator. He presented a thesis studying the literary creations of Shahan Shahnour in Paris in 1979, at the Faculty of Literature at the University of Sorbonne, and later in 1994, at the State University of Yerevan.   Cont.

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An evening dedicated to the memory and the merit of the renowned poet Misak Medzarents took place on Friday, February 13, at 8:00 PM, at the K. and H. Armenian Hall of Levon Shant Cultural Center of Hamazkayin. The literary-cultural committee of the Central Committee of Hamazkayin organized the event, which drew a large number of art lovers.

At the beginning of the event, a film prepared by the committee was presented in which intellectuals, school directors, teachers, students, and lovers of literature expressed their thoughts, opinions, and impressions of Medzarents and his work.   Cont.

The Executive Director of the M. and H. Arslanian Djemaran of Hamazkayin is pleased to announce that at the fundraising dinner for the Students Fund of Djemaran on December 6, 2008 and in the following weeks, 146,000 USD was raised. We also would like to announce that the fundraising is continuing.

We express our deep gratitude to all the donors who believe in the mission of an Armenian school and an Armenian education, and willingly supporting our activities.   Cont.

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This year’s Armenian Heritage Cruise took place January 11 to 18, 2009. About 1,800 Armenians boarded the ship, which cruised for one week from Florida and harbored at Cozumel (Mexico,) Roatan (Honduras,) Belize, and the Grand Cayman Islands.

The tourists visited historical monuments and seaside sites. On board, the biggest pleasure was the rich Armenian program. Several Armenian-spirited events, national and cultural programs, Armenian folk dance music troupes, and Armenian folk dance lessons followed one another in various halls and the participants took part according to their preferences.   Cont.

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On Wednesday, January 21, 2009, Hamazkayin’s 80th anniversary celebration took place in Athens.

The celebration event commenced with a musical concert, during which Christine Tokatlian performed on the piano and Hagop Kolanian performed on the guitar.   Cont.

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On January 20, at the Vachik Gharabegian Hall, the 23rd Representative Assembly of the Armenian Ararat Cultural Association (AACA) was launched with the participation of Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian, the Prelate of the Armenian Diocese in Teheran, the Representative Assembly of the Armenian Diocese in Teheran, the representatives of the Diocese Council, Mardig Demirjian, the representative of the Central Committee of Hamazkayin from Lebanon, Krikoris Bogharian, the chairperson of the Central Committee of Homenetmen, committees of sister associations in the Armenian community in Iran, representatives of Alik Corporation, invitees, and other figures from Iran’s Armenian community.

Edward Babakhanian, the chairperson of the Central Committee of AACA, delivered the meeting’s opening speech. He then invited the Archbishop to bless the meeting and thus officially launch its activities.   Cont.

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Organized by the director of the arts schools of Hamazkayin in Lebanon, the audition for Parsegh Ganachian Music College of Hamazkayin took place in two phases, on January 22, at 11:00 AM and 12:30 PM. The students of the elementary 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades of 13 Armenian schools participated.

Sanan Kandaharian, member of the Student Council of the Arts Schools of Hamazkayin, welcomed the students at both events. She said being amongst the audience of audition events is the best opportunity to become acquainted with Armenian and foreign classical music, as well as with students’ performances. She added that the cultural wealth of the Armenian people is a solid wall that can stand against all kinds of currents.    Cont.

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Organized by the P. Ganachian Music College of Hamazkayin and its Alumni alumni, and within the scope of the 25th anniversary foof the College, the a second musical event took place at the Levon Shant Cultural Center of Hamazkayin on Sunday, January 18, 2009, at 8:00 PM. The event was the concert of the Lebanese-Armenian guitarist Mgrdich Mikayelian gave a concert. Members of Hamazkayin, art lovers, music teachers, students, and parents were present among those in the audience.

Armen Kecheg, the director of the P. Ganachian Music College of Hamazkayin, delivered the opening speecwhelcomed the audience. He mentioned that thesaid music events are an opportunity to create the an artistic atmosphere of the music in the community.   Cont.

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Within the scope of the initiative titled “Whatever is Armenian, is paramount,” sponsored by Bishop Kegham Khacherian, the Prelate of the Armenian Diocese in Lebanon, and organized by the Regional Committee of Hamazkayin in Lebanon, the inaugural event for the Tricolor Fund of the Arts Schools of Hamazkayin took place on Friday, January 16, 2009, at 8:00 PM, at the K. and H. Armenian Hall at the Levon Shant Cultural Home of Hamazkayin. Members of Hamazkayin, parents, and many others attended.

Raffi Demirjian, the director of the L. Shant Cultural Center of Hamazkayin, delivered the opening speech. He mentioned that to sustain the arts schools, there must be determined workers, the spirit of Hamazkayin, masterful artists, and funding.   Cont.

Haroutioun Kurkjian was honored by the highest honor of the RA Ministry of Education and Science, the “Golden Memorial Medallion,” for his great contribution to the sphere of education.

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The 16th Regional Assembly of Hamazkayin in Greece took place on Sunday, January 11, 2009.

The newly elected members of the Regional Committee are:    Cont.

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The Regional Committee of Hamazkayin in Lebanon, on Tuesday, January 6, at 6:00 PM organized a New Year celebration event at the Hagop Der Melkonian Theater. Members of Hamazkayin, parents, and numerous youth and children attended.

In the first part of the program, Areg Theater School of Hamazkayin performed a play titled “The Christmas Tree,” touching on topics including the preservation of the environment and Christmas. The young actors in the play had already mastered a series of acting skills during their three months of intensive rehearsals. The director of Areg is Robert Arakelian.   Cont.

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The celebration of the 80th anniversary of Hamazkayin took place in early December in Beirut. During that event, the Central Committee of Hamazkayin declared that it will bestow its medals to Ms. Alice Kazanjian and Mr. Antoine “Sir” Keyaian, for their more than 50 years of dedicated educational service. The beloved Sir was absent from the mentioned ceremony due to health issues. Therefore, on Tuesday, December 23, 2008, a delegation representing the Central Committee of Hamazkayin visited Sir at his home to give him the medallion and the accompanying certificate.

Following a warm and friendly conversation, the certificate was presented to Sir. Because of his weak eyesight, Sir slowly read the certificate. He had just read the words “Hamazkayin Educational and Cultural Association,” when he paused to say “You know what great achievements Hamazkayin has had? So many Armenian students have come from Sudan, Iran, the United States, Greece, and other countries, have been educated here and returned to their countries and have become active members of their community.” Sir was choked up with emotions and did not reach the part dedicated in his name. He recalled a student who, after struggling at Djemaran for years, left the school in tears. We told him that without his fatherly presence, such enormous achievements could not have been accomplished. (Sir was in charge of Djemaran’s dormitory from its early days until its closing due to the war.) Once again, Sir got emotional when we told him the truth, that when any two dormitory students met each other, the first thing they ask is about Sir, and how they never felt the absence of their parents because Sir was there to take care of them.   Cont.