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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
AGBU HOSTS 84th GENERAL ASSEMBLY & CENTENNIAL GALA IN PARIS, FRANCE
Over 800 Members and Friends Fete a Hundred Years of Excellence
On the occasion of AGBU’s 84th General Assembly, which took place on
December 9, 2006, in Paris, France, over 800 AGBU members and
supporters from 17 countries convened in the French capital to attend
a weekend of events, meetings and activities, including a
Saturday-night banquet at the Grand Hotel Intercontinental, a concert
at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, and a gala at the world-renowned
Château de Versailles.
Founded in 1906, a century later AGBU has grown from its visionary
beginnings as a non-political philanthropic organization for the
benefit of all Armenians to become the world’s largest Armenian
non-profit organization with an annual budget of $36 million and
programming on six continents.
Today, with a steadfast belief in maintaining a clear dedication to
its mission in the 21st century–to promote the Armenian heritage
around the world–AGBU marked the beginning of a new century of
adaptation, innovation and excellence, with a festive weekend in
Paris, the home of the organization’s central office from 1922 to
1940. Guests from the four corners of the world joined AGBU leaders,
benefactors and members to toast the foremost organization, which
continues to safeguard the global Armenian heritage for future
generations.
Organized by AGBU France District, the weekend-long event was
organized by dozens of volunteers who tirelessly devoted their time
to ensure the success of the festivities. During this Centennial
weekend, AGBU also launched the first of its two-volume History of
AGBU published by AGBU Nubarian Library in Paris and written by
leading French Armenian historians Raymond Kévorkian and Vahé
Tachjian. Also commissioned for the landmark event was a special
90-minute documentary written and directed by Manuel Toulajian on the
history of the organization. The film integrates rare archival
footage of AGBU’s early educational and humanitarian programs, and
presents the powerful and rippling effect of the organization’s
programs on the lives of Armenians today.
STRENGTHENING A POWERFUL INSTITUTION
Hosted at the Intercontinental Hotel, the Saturday-morning General
Assembly welcomed AGBU leaders, donors, members and visiting
dignitaries to discuss matters relevant to the organization’s mission
and work. During the 2006 Opening Session, AGBU President Berge
Setrakian spoke about the ongoing effort to modernize AGBU and the
pursuance of the organization’s mission to improve the lives of
Armenians globally within the framework of its humanitarian,
educational and cultural programs.
During the biennial meeting, AGBU members voted to establish a new
Council of Trustees composed of some of the most senior members of
AGBU’s Central Board of Directors, and longtime contributors to
AGBU’s projects and mission. The founding members of the newly formed
Council are Sarkis Demirdjian, Richard Manoogian, Nazar Nazarian,
Louise Manoogian Simone, Karnig Yacoubian, as well as the President
of the Union, Berge Setrakian.
In addition, the 2006 Assembly witnessed the election of eight new
members to AGBU’s distinguished Central Board. The recently elected
members are Yervant Demirjian, Nazareth Festekjian, Vahé Gabrache,
Sarkis Jebejian, Ruben Kechichian, Levon Nazarian, Berge Papazian and
Vasken Yacoubian.
The following Central Board directors will continue to serve in their
capacity as sitting members: M. Michael Ansour, Carol Bagdasarian
Aslanian, Aris Atamian, Joseph Basralian, Arshavir Gundjian, Levon
Kebabjian, Sam Simonian, Sinan Sinanian, and Dickran Tevrizian.
Michael Ansour presented AGBU’s financial statement to the General
Assembly, indicating that the assets of the organization at the end
of 2005 totaled $272.5 million, a $22.5 million increase from 2003.
During the Assembly, AGBU France District Chairman, Denis
Ketchedjian, introduced two short films that were created on the
occasion of the Centennial, one of which illustrates the breadth of
the organization’s historical and current projects on six continents,
while the focuses on the AGBU’s European programs in France, and its
growing success at creating programs that serve the diaspora, Armenia
and, most recently, Karabakh.
Saturday’s biennial meeting was attended by a number of dignitaries,
including His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians; His
Excellency Vartan Oskanian, Foreign Minister of the Republic of
Armenia; His Excellency Edward Nalbandian, Ambassador of the Republic
of Armenia to France, Israel and the Vatican; Patrick Devedjian,
Member of the French Parliament and former Cabinet Minister; François
Rochebloine, Deputy of the French National Assembly and President of
the "France-Arménie" friendship group; Alexis Govciyan, President of
the pan-French Armenian organization CCAF (Comité de coordination des
associations arméniennes de France); His Eminence Archbishop Barkev
Mardirossian, Primate of Karabakh; His Eminence Kude Nakashian,
Primate of Paris and the Pontifical Legate of Western Europe; and
Nelly Tardivier-Henrot, Commissioner General for the Year of Armenia
in France.
Setrakian spoke about the organization’s dedication to the original
vision of AGBU’s founders with an emphasis on meeting the challenges
of the upcoming century through new programs which will allow the
Union to pursue and address the needs of its new constituencies. He
further emphasized the importance of investing in Armenia for the
development of projects that will benefit the diaspora, such as the
development of a student center for diasporan youth in Yerevan that
will facilitate college exchanges. He addressed the symbiotic
relationship between the diaspora and Armenia, "It is necessary to
develop a close and fruitful relationship between the two faces of
our people, the diaspora and Armenia. It is a privileged relationship
for the diaspora but equally essential for the prosperity of
Armenia."
Patrick Devedjian spoke about AGBU’s crucial role in the lives of
Armenians through its programs, which he feels complements the
Armenian Apostolic Church’s role as spiritual guardian. He expressed
a great optimism about the flourishing of the Armenian identity in
the new global age, an era when organizations like AGBU will prosper,
"Globalization does not offer the same risk to us that conversion
once did in our history. Armenians are a people of resistance…their
history, their dispersion have given us a disposition to
globalization. I think French Armenians are possibly better equipped
to adapt than others, including other French citizens."
His Holiness Karekin II spoke about the solid foundations of AGBU,
and quoted Luke 6:48, "He is like a man building a house, who dug
deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred,
the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because
it had been well built." He lauded the bond that AGBU creates between
Armenians, one that brought together hundreds of people from around
the world to mark the important celebration, "We see all of you from
various parts of the diaspora, from Armenia and Karabakh, assembled
here together to mark this great historic occasion of AGBU’s
Centennial. The mission of AGBU was established with faith, hope,
love and charity and built on solid foundations."
The Armenian Pontiff praised Boghos Nubar’s idea to create an
organization with the breadth and reach of AGBU, and paid tribute to
past presidents, Calouste Gulbenkian, Zareh Nubar, Arshag
Karagheusian, Alex Manoogian, Louise Manoogian Simone, and current
president, Berge Setrakian, who have never veered from the original
vision. His Holiness blessed the past and present leaders of AGBU and
its worldwide membership. On the occasion of the Paris gathering, He
prayed for the continuing friendship between Armenia and France, and
mentioned France’s decision to honor that special relationship with
this year’s "Year of Armenia" initiative, which is creating bridges
between the people of both nations.
In a small ceremony that concluded the day’s assembly, AGBU
recognized the longstanding tireless devotion and service to AGBU of
two French District Committee members whose efforts made the Paris
Centennial weekend possible, Sona Attamian and Michel Sabbagh.
Setrakian bestowed each honoree with Honor Membership and an engraved
crystal award to mark the occasion.
VISITING PARIS’ ARMENIAN LANDMARKS
Following the General Assembly, members of the AGBU Central Board of
Directors and guests visited the mausoleum of Boghos Nubar, which is
located in the city’s famed Père-Lachaise cemetery. A brief service,
presided over by Archbishop Kude Nakashian, Primate of Paris and the
Pontifical Legate of Western Europe, blessed the memory, vision,
lifetime devotion and achievements of AGBU’s founding father and
first president. On this occasion, in a brief address at the
conclusion of the prayers, President Setrakian asked for a minute of
silence in the memory of the Founder and stated "Here we are a
hundred years latter to pay tribute to our founder and renew our
pledge to continue his visionary mission we inherited for the future
of the organization."
As a further honor to his memory as an AGBU pioneer, visitors
continued on to "Maison Arménienne," a dormitory that houses students
of Armenian descent which was founded by Boghos Nubar as part of the
Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris. The majestic building,
inspired by historic Armenian architecture and stone carving and was
built in 1927, has helped to encourage generations of Armenians to
reconnect with their cultural heritage.
A MUSICAL FEAST
On Saturday and Sunday nights, French organizers treated the
international gathering of guests to two exciting musical events that
underscored the organization’s commitment to cultural excellence.
During Saturday night’s gala at the Grand Hotel Intercontinental,
AGBU showcased the finalists of the inaugural Sayat Nova music
competition, which sought out the most gifted young composers
demonstrating an understanding and appreciation of the Armenian
musical heritage. Juried by world-renowned composers and musicians,
both Armenian and non-Armenian, the contest attracted entrants from
France, Armenia, Argentina, Italy and the United States.
AGBU Board Member Aris Atamian introduced the evening’s program and
was joined by President of the Jury, Marie-Madeleine Krynen, to
present the awards to the winning composers, along with a bursary to
help support their growing interest in Armenian music. 2006 Sayat
Nova award winners are Arthur Akshelyan of Armenia (first prize) for
his composition "Pray," Grégoire Lorieux of France (second prize) for
his "Mémoire Pleine Étoile," and Hernân Dario Palmieri of Argentina
(third prize) for his "Suite Arménienne."
Guests were treated to a special performance of Akshelyan’s winning
composition and received a CD in their program booklet, which
contained a recording of all three award-winning songs.
Sunday night’s concert at Théâtre des Champs-Élysees–one of the
city’s leading venues for classical music–attracted an audience of
1,200, which was a vibrant mix of the city’s classical aficionados
and AGBU members. Organized by AGBU France District, with the
creative input of pianist Vahan Mardirossian, the program featured
compositions from various European composers, including Arno
Babadjanian, Claude Debussy, Manuel De Falla, Edward Grieg, Aram
Khachaturian, Edward Mirzoyan, and Piotr Ilitch Tchaïkovski, and the
debut of the Ensemble Maestria at Champs-Élysees. The evening’s
performance showcased four emerging soloists of Armenian descent who
have been garnering a growing international reputation for their
musical mastery: violinist Jean-Marc Phillips-Varjabédian, cellist
Xavier Phillips, pianist Vahan Mardirossian and harpist Iris
Torossian.
A YOUTHFUL PRESENCE
Throughout the Paris Centennial Weekend, a strong contingent of young
AGBU members and Young Professionals (YPs) was highly visible and
eager to participate in each activity to demonstrate the growing
enthusiasm of the emerging generation for AGBU and its mission to
promote the Armenian heritage.
In addition to the over 150 YPs who attended Saturday night’s gala
event, YPs were welcomed Friday night with an introductory dinner at
the popular restaurant and nightclub, La Suite, while on Sunday
afternoon YPs were treated to a lecture on feminism in the workplace
by Valérie Toranian, editor in chief of French Elle magazine.
A PALATIAL GALA
Under the patronage of French President Jacques Chirac, Monday
night’s black-tie gala at the French royal palace of Versailles was
one of the pinnacle celebrations that marked the first century of the
world’s foremost Armenian non-profit organization.
Armenian and French dignitaries, political, business, cultural and
community leaders from around the world were among the over 600
guests that joined His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All
Armenians, and His Excellency Vartan Oskanian, Foreign Minister of
the Republic of Armenia, for the event hosted by AGBU.
Among the distinguished guests were French Armenian musical legend,
Charles Aznavour; Patrick Devedjian, former French cabinet minister;
François Rochebloine, deputy of the French National Assembly and
president of the "France-Arménie" friendship group; René Rouquet,
deputy of the French National Assembly and Mayor of Alfortville;
André Santini, deputy of the French National Assembly, Mayor of
Issy-les-Moulineaux and former French cabinet minister; Jacques
Toubon, former French cabinet minister; Nelly Tardivier-Henrot,
Commissioner General for the Year of Armenia in France; His
Excellency Edward Nalbandian, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia
to France, Israel and the Vatican; His Excellency Viguen
Tchitetchian, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the European
Union; Her Excellency Sylvie Fadlallah, Ambassador of Lebanon to
France; Her Excellency Dina Kawar, Ambassador of Jordan to France;
His Excellence Archbishop Kude Nakashian, Primate of Paris and the
Pontifical Legate of Western Europe; Bishop Norvan Zakarian of Lyon;
Alexis Govciyan, President of the CCAF (Comité de coordination des
associations arméniennes de France); and a vast cadre of AGBU
benefactors, donors and members from 17 nations.
Upon entrance to the royal palace, guests were welcomed in a
reception hall lined with statues of French monarchs. The visitors
were then led on a tour through the palace’s regal rooms, some of
which had musicians, attired in eighteenth-century costumes, playing
tunes that marked the golden era of Versailles.
After touring room after room of majestic splendor, including the
crystalline Hall of Mirrors, dinner guests were escorted into the
grand Hall of Battles for a dinner celebration. The banquet hall,
which houses an epic series of paintings recounting the historic
battles of France, was an appropriate setting to reflect on the
sweeping history of an organization that has had a powerful impact on
the lives of the Armenian nation. Six hundred guests joined together
to celebrate AGBU’s successes in the past and ambitions for a united
future for all Armenians.
After the invocation by His Holiness Karekin II, and welcoming
remarks by AGBU France District Chairman, Denis Ketchedjian,
President Setrakian, in his address, thanked President Chirac for
extending his patronage to the Paris Centennial events and then
renewed his appeal to all Armenian organizations and individuals to
work together to meet the overwhelming challenges facing the nation
in general and the diaspora in particular.
Foreign Minister Oskanian, who proudly stated that he himself has
been a beneficiary of AGBU educational and youth programs, lauded the
Union’s role as one of the leading institutions in the Armenian
world, "The Armenian diaspora is a means of widening the living space
of our nation, a way to pass the cultural wealth of the nation to
each other, a solid basis for economic and political investments,
with the help of which the Diaspora can participate in awakening of
the state and people. After independence in Armenia, AGBU became one
of those national structures, which actively participates in
reconstruction of the Armenian state. I am sure that in the upcoming
10 years Armenia will be on a steady path to progress. We do not have
an alternative. Only by this way we can preserve the national
originality of the new diaspora, offering them a democratic and
prospering Armenia, to which they can resemble and be proud of."
Laurent Bili, Diplomatic Advisor of French President Jacques Chirac,
delivered a special Presidential message on this important occasion
applauding the devotion of so many AGBU members to an organization
that continues to grow and help more and more individuals.
To date over 50 Centennial events on six continents have marked
AGBU’s century of accomplishments. Celebrations will continue until
April 2007, when the organization will sponsor a working conference
in Yerevan, Armenia to conclude a yearlong salute to its proud past
and its exciting and dynamic future.
Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City with
an annual budget of $34 million, AGBU preserves and promotes the
Armenian identity and heritage through educational, cultural and
humanitarian programs, annually serving some 400,000 Armenians in 35
countries.
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