PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: cathcil@cathcil.org
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
Watch the recorded video of the message of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos
of Cilicia here:
TH E THIRD PAN-ARMENIAN WRITERS’ CONFERENCE KICKS OFF IN ANTELIAS
“A WRITER IS A MESSENGER OF TRUTH”
SAYS HIS HOLINESS ARAM
The third Pan-Armenian Writers’ Conference was officially inaugurated in the
Antelias headquarters of the Catholicosate of Cilicia on April 6. The
conference is the initiative of the Writers’ Union of Armenia in cooperation
with the Assembly of Lebanese-Armenian Writers. It is held under the
patronage of His Holiness Aram I.
More than 300 Armenian writers from Armenia, Nagorno Karabagh, Lebanon, the
Middle East, Europe, Northern and Southern America, Canada and Australia
gathered in Antelias to participate in the conference.
The conference was inaugurated by a beautiful performance by the Seminary
students of “Vork Zartaretsin” on the sounds of which His Holiness entered
the conference hall with a procession. The students then sang “Hair Mer”
with the blessings of the Pontiff, launching the historical conference with
prayers.
Bebo Simonian spoke on behalf of the organizing committee, highlighting the
important value of the conference to the history of Armenian literature and
culture in general. Simonian also focused on the locality of the meeting,
Antelias “where the spirit of Western Armenian martyrs, martyr writers and
intellectuals breathes.” He expressed his gratitude to His Holiness for his
patronage and support to Armenian culture.
The chairman of the Armenian Writers’ Union, Levon Ananian, then expressed
his gratitude for His Holiness Aram I for inviting the third Pan-Armenian
Writers’ Conference in the heart of the Armenian Diaspora, Lebanon and the
Catholicosate of Cilicia in particular.
Addressing HIS Holiness, Ananian said: “We know very well your efforts and
initiatives in the spiritual, cultural, educational, intellectual fields and
other activities that serve the interests of the Armenian nation, activities
to which you give breath and spirit, depth and vision. Indeed, Your Holiness
‘ care and support of literature and culture know no boundaries.”
Ananian assured that Armenian writers are well aware of the challenges that
face the 15-year-old Republic of Armenia and the Armenian nation all over
the globe. He pointed out that Armenian writers are gathered in Antelias to
listen to the wise advice of the Armenian Pontiff.
The Ambassador of Armenia to Lebanon, Vahan Der Ghevontian, then read a
letter by the president of the Republic of Armenia addressed to the
participants of the conference. In his letter His Excellency Robert
Kotcharian welcomed the organization of such a conference in Antelias, “one
of our communities having rich literary tradition.”
Roupen Hovsepian then read a letter by Artuir Baghdassarian, the Speaker of
the Armenian Parliament, who focused on the important role of Armenian
writers in preserving the Armenian nation and identity throughout history.
Aram Garabedian read the letter of Armenian Prime Minister Antranig
Markarian, who highlighted challenges and new expectations from Armenian
writers, including the protection of Armenian spiritual life from foreign
influences.
His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians sent a Letter of
Blessing which was read by Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian, Catholicosal Vicar
in the Diocese of Cyprus. Conveying his brotherly greetings to His Holiness
Aram I, His Holiness Karekin II emphasized the importance of Armenian
literature in preserving the Armenian identity. “We are a small nation, but
have rich literary heritage which has guided our nation through its
historical difficulties and will also act as a gear through our contemporary
challenges,” His Holiness said.
Dr. Zaven Yegavian, director of the Armenian Communities Department of the
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, also sent a letter which was read by Varti
Keshishian. Dr. Yegavian called on Armenian writers to believe in their
mission, stressing on the important role of Armenian intellectuals in the
efforts to preserve the Armenian national heritage.
The chancellor of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, Khatchig Dedeyian, then read
the letter by the Ambassador of Lebanon to Armenia.
The oldest participant in the conference, prominent poet Jack Hagopian, who
had arrived from Los Angeles, took the stage with heart spoken words about
brotherly love between Armenian writers of Armenia and the Diaspora.
His Holiness Aram I then delivered his visionary thoughts to the conference.
Speaking about the history and mission of the Armenian Catholicosate of
Cilicia, His Holiness said: “This Catholicosate became, particularly after
the Genocide, a house of faith for our nation, assembling the children of
our nation on the foreign and alienating paths of the Diaspora, providing
them with spiritual-intellectual nourishment, nurturing them moral values
and national dreams, protecting them from the fierce waves and storms of
life.”
His Holiness also expressed his thoughts on the conference as leading
viewpoints for the sessions to follow. “The theme of this conference, “the
challenges of globalization and the Armenian literature” is not an
invitation to discuss issues of theoretical, abstract or academic nature; it
‘s a challenge to face problems related to our everyday life. I invite you
to wrestle with your concerns and problems in this perspective,” he said.
On the mission of Armenian writers His Holiness stated: “A writer is a
messenger with his nature and mission. I believe that more than anything
else, a writer is a messenger of the truth, the witness of truth and the
preacher of truth. What sacred but difficult mission is called upon the
Armenian writer.”
“These days we unfortunately look elsewhere for the truth. We have
transformed fakeness, interests, temporary considerations and the person
into truth,” said the Armenian Pontiff, assuring that true literature is the
echo of truth and its mirror. (For the full text of His Holiness’ message,
see here).
The Seminary Choir then perfomed “I Veh Partsants” and “Cilicia.” An
exhibition of books published in Armenia followed the inauguration of the
conference in the “Gulbenkian” hall of the “Cilicia” museum. Levon Ananian
and His Holiness delivered speeches on this occasion.
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View the photos here:
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ctures38.htm
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The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.