PRESS RELEASE
Armenian General Benevolent Union Inc.
Rita Kuyumjian MD
Chairperson
805, Manoogian street
Ville St-Laurent, QC H4N 1Z5
Tel: 514-748-2428
Fax: 514-748-6307
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Montreal, February 10, 2007 – It is with great sadness that AGBU Montreal
announces the passing away of the great Armenian intellectual, writer, poet
and essayist and the director of its unique Armenian Studies Program, Mr.
Manuel Keusseyan.
Mr. Keusseyan was, above all, an ardent educator and teacher of new
generations of Armenians. Thousands of Armenians across the Diaspora owe
their love of the Armenian language, culture and their Armenian heritage to
the inspiration of Manuel Keusseyan who has taught and lectured in Syria,
Lebanon, Jerusalem, Cyprus, Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan, Argentina, Los Angeles,
Armenia, Venice, Canada and specifically in Montreal. His teaching career
within the AGBU spanned decades in the AGBU Melkonian Educational Institute
in Nicosia and the AGBU Alex Manoogian School in Montreal. Over the past 4
years he has been the innovative director and the driving force behind the
Armenian Studies program of the AGBU Montreal chapter.
Mr. Keusseyan was the author of several volumes of literary works, as well
as hundreds of essays in the Diasporan Armenian press, he had also edited
several volumes of works of other authors. His other credits include an
expert translation for the award-winning Atom Egoyan film, "Ararat" in 2002.
For his contributions to Armenian culture, Mr. Keusseyan was awarded the
Gold Medal of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Armenia. He was an
Honorary Member of the Writers’ Union of the Republic of Armenia. He was
invited to, and actively participated in, the three Pan-Armenian Writers’
Conferences, the first two, convened in Armenia and the third in Antelias,
Lebanon.
Mr. Keusseyan was 66 years old, and he had recently returned from an arduous
one month walking pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella, in Spain. He had
lectured on the topic and the Armenian connection of this journey at the
AGBU.
The funeral viewing of Mr. Keusseyan will be held at the St. Gregory the
Illuminator Cathedral in Outremont, Montreal on Wednesday the 14th of
February, 2007 at 6 p.m. A religious ceremony will follow at 8 p.m. in the
same location.
AGBU Montreal extends its sympathy to his wife, Sirvart Zarian-Keusseyan,
his son Herag and his family, his younger son Dyrr and his sister Anahid and
to all other family members. Our deepest sympathy as well to all his
friends, students and followers around the world. Today, we bow our head in
sorrow together with all of the Diaspora.
Condolences to the AGBU and to the family of Mr. Keusseyan will be accepted
at the AGBU via email at [email protected] or directly to the
Keusseyan family at [email protected].
Rahel Ourfalian
Executive Secretary of AGBU Montreal Chapter
805 Manoogian street
St-Laurent, QC H4N 1Z5
Tel: 514-748-2428
Fax: 514-748-6307