The San Francisco Nigol Aghbalian chapter of Hamazkayin on September 22 hosted a festive celebration of the organization’s ninetieth and the chapter’s 44th anniversary. The event was held at the Saroyan Hall of the Khachaturian Armenian Community Center.
To mark the occasion, every founding member of the chapter was given a lapel rose by a current member of the chapter executive board.
Among over 300 people in attendance were the Very Rev. Fr. Barouyr Shernezian, parish priest of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church; Rostom Aintablian, chairperson of the parish Board of Trustees; representatives of the ARF Krisdapor and Sardarabad Gomidehs, the Armenian Relief Society, and other organizations. Also present was the speaker for the evening, invited especially from Los Angeles, Hamazkayin Regional Executive chairperson Seta Simonian.
The event began with the national anthems of the United States and Armenia.
Chapter chairperson Roubina Boghossian Kasparian emceed the event. In welcoming everyone, she quoted Mahatma Gandhi, “A nation’s culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people.”
“How true,” she said. “As proof, look at our Armenian people. The founders of Hamazkayin kept the love of Armenian culture alive among people dispersed worldwide and living in difficult circumstances. Born in Egypt, and spread to the Middle East, North and South America, Europe, and Australia, the organization has served as a vigilant guardian of Armenian culture and torchbearer for the Armenian people’s vision.”
Ms. Boghossian Kasparian added, “The year 2018 is a special year. It is the centennial of the first Armenian republic, the centennial of Homenetmen, and the 90th anniversary of Hamazkayin. Of course, it is an occasion for all of us to take pride, because in the 90 years that have passed, Hamazkayin has achieved a great deal. Today, in the Saroyan Hall of the San Francisco Armenian community center, it is love and faith that has brought us all together.”