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Tuesday, February 22, 2005
AGBU FRANCE DISTRICT 2005 CALENDAR OF EVENTS NOT TO BE MISSED
New York, NY – From January 15th-16th in Valence, France, AGBU
District Committee of France and AGBU representatives from Lyon,
Paris, Marseilles, St. Chamond, Valence, and Vienne gathered to
address and discuss the District’s projects for 2005 as well as its
long-term, strategic role within AGBU Europe. Also present were AGBU
President Berge Setrakian, Central Board member Sam Simonian, and
Director of AGBU European Programs Nicolas Tavitian.
At the invitation of AGBU District Committee of France, a dinner was
held at the restaurant Michel Chabran on Saturday evening attended by
the Mayor of Valence, Léna Balsan, former Mayor and current member of
the French Parliament, Patrick Labaune, as well as various
representatives of local government organizations. On Sunday,
Setrakian along with AGBU District Committee of France and Chapter
representatives toured the premises of AGBU Valence Center and were
invited by the local Committee to a luncheon.
Commensurate with the mission of AGBU, the activities of AGBU France
District concentrate on three main areas: Youth, Culture and
Education, and Armenia. On the youth front, AGBU Paris kicked off 2005
hosting a Young Professionals (YP) conference in Paris on January 17th
with 25 attendees. As a result, an AGBU YP Group has been established
in Paris with Vanessa Ketchedjian as its chairperson. Other 2005 youth
activities include a youth ski trip in February, summer camp sessions
in Ancelle, “AGBU Paris Summer Intern Program,” and the new “AGBU
Young Pioneers Program,” a summer student exchange program to Armenia
and Karabagh.
To support Armenian cultural and educational endeavors, AGBU Paris has
planned a 2005 “Young Talent of Armenia” concert series. The first of
the two scheduled performances took place on February 7th by violinist
Suzi Yeritsian, while the second will showcase violinist Saténik
Khourdoyan and pianist Varduhi Yeritzian on May 13th. A lecture
series, devoted to topics of interest, kicks off in Paris on March 3rd
with renowned scholar and member of the French Academy Jean-Pierre
Mahé.
In commemoration of the 90th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide this
April, AGBU France District will sponsor a conference on April 14th at
the Shoah Memorial as well as a commemorative concert on April 20th
with musician Gérard Gasparian. On June 11th, together with all French
Armenians, AGBU France District will be celebrating the inauguration
of the Armenian Heritage Center of Valence.
On July 2nd, AGBU Marseilles will honor Serge Tchuruk, Chairman and
CEO of multinational corporation Alcatel and one of the world’s most
prominent business leaders of Armenian descent, on the occasion of its
95th anniversary in the presence of notable AGBU dignitaries from AGBU
France District and around the world.
As in years past, AGBU France District’s fundraising support for AGBU
Children’s Centers in Armenia will continue throughout the year.
Additional information about AGBU France District’s fall 2005 plans
will be released as they become available.
AGBU France District is dedicated to preserving and promoting the
Armenian heritage and culture through humanitarian, educational, and
cultural programs in France and Armenia. For more information, please
contact AGBU France District by visiting its newly launched website
, e-mailing ugab@wanadoo.fr, or calling (33) (1)
45-20-03-18.
For more information on AGBU and its worldwide chapters, please visit
and click on Global AGBU.