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PRESS RELEASE
Monday, August 4, 2008
AGBU Lebanon District Celebrates 50th Anniversary of "Khosnag" Monthly
On June 15, 2008, the golden jubilee anniversary of the AGBU Lebanon
District Committee’s Armenian-language "Khosnag" publication
("Announcer" in English) was marked with a special celebration at the
AGBU Demirdjian Center in Antelias, Lebanon. In attendance were Bishop
Kegham Khacherian, Prelate of the Diocese of Lebanon, members of AGBU
Lebanon District Committee, members of the executive committee of the
local Armenian Youth Association (AYA), and many devoted readers of
"Khosnag."
Angele Misisian delivered the opening remarks, in which she elaborated
on the influence that "Khosnag" has had on generations of Armenian youth
and young professionals. Writer and educator Jirair Tanielian, and
former "Khosnag" editors Bariur Aghbashian and Aram Sepetjian reflected
on the periodical’s history and the role it has played in
Lebanese-Armenian life, also making reference to its offshoot the
"Khosnag-Badanegan" ("Khosnag-Youth") periodical.
Words of congratulations were then offered by Garo Jeghelian, chairman
of AYA Executive Committee, and Avedis Demirdjian, chairman of the AGBU
Lebanon District Committee. Rosette Alemian, in turn, was invited to
read the official words of AGBU Central Board of Directors President
Berge Setrakian on the occasion. Finally, current "Khosnag" editor
Hampig Mardirossian took to the podium to share his feelings about the
publication.
Plaques were awarded to all the past editors of "Khosnag": Onnig
Sarkissian (1957-1959), Levon Vartan (1961-1963), Sarkis Minassian
(1964-1973), Aram Sepetjian and Bariur Aghbashian. Family members of the
two deceased editors, Sarkissian and Vartan, accepted plaques in their
honor.
The 50th-anniversary celebration also featured an artistic program of
song, dance and recitation by various student groups, including the
Garmirian and Nazarian schools’ choral group, which was led by Nora
Yeghiayan; Raffi Arakelian (piano and organ); Toukhig Avedisian
(recitation); Arin Cherchian and Houri Babahekian (dance); Anna
Batouzian and Ani Madjoulian (solos) and the AGBU "Spitak" choral group.
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 on six continents.