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PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, October 30, 2008
AGBU 85th General Assembly in Aleppo Prepares for a New Century of
Accomplishments
Proud pages in the annals of AGBU were recorded during the
organization’s 85th General Assembly which convened in Aleppo from
September 30 to October 7, 2008. The AGBU Central Board of Directors and
Council of Trustees, headed by President Berge Setrakian,
representatives of chapters and affiliated bodies, members and friends
had come to Aleppo from across the globe to review the past two years
and plan the next century of work in light of new challenges facing
diasporan Armenians and Armenia.
Starting October 1, President Berge Setrakian and members of the Central
Board of Directors convened a series of consultative meetings in the
Aleppo Sheraton Hotel with chapter chairpersons, representatives of
executive committees, as well as the organization’s representation in
Armenia and those coordinating projects there. The meetings were an
opportunity for AGBU leaders to discuss the changing demographics of
their communities and the role Armenia plays as a focal point of
Armenian communities everywhere.
The following day, a welcome reception was held in the AGBU Calouste
Gulbenkian Center, attended by General Assembly participants,
representatives of bodies of the organization’s Syrian chapters, His
Excellency Arshak Poladyan, ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to
Syria, representatives of the Republic of Armenia’s consulate in Aleppo,
local Armenian religious leaders, headed by Bishop Shahan Sarkissian,
Prelate of the Diocese of Aleppo, as well as representatives of the
community’s cultural associations.
Over 4,000 Attend Artistic Showcase in Aleppo’s Citadel
On October 3, an unprecedented artistic festival, under the high
patronage of Syria’s Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Dr. Diala
Al-Haj [Hajj] Aref, took place in the historic citadel of Aleppo, which
dates back many millenia. More than 4,000 local Armenians filled the
amphitheater for the unique celebration, the likes of which had never
been seen before in Aleppo. Approximately 600 AYA scouts, students and
youths participated in the event. The festival was organized by AGBU’s
Syrian District Committee and the Armenian Youth Association (AYA).
The evening began as standard bearers, scouts, athletes and all the
participants in the gala presentation ascended to the stage from three
entrances to the tune of bells, which filled the expanse of Aleppo’s
historic citadel, and "Ov Hayots Ashkharh" (Oh, Armenian World). The
introductory extravaganza was followed by a documentary film about
AGBU’s illustrious history and continuing mission to promote the
Armenian heritage around the world.
After the playing of the national anthems, over a dozen doves and
thousands of balloons were released in the air to mark the occasion. The
AGBU anthem was played, followed by the procession. One after another,
an extensive roster of performers and ensembles took to the stage to
celebrate AGBU’s continuing impact on Aleppo and the world beyond.
Performing in the artistic festival were AGBU Aleppo Spendiarian chorus,
Antranik dance ensemble, Gomidas chamber orchestra, children’s dance
group, as well as soloists and reciters Salpi Darakjian, Raffi
Kalayjian, Tamar Injeyian, Nanor Mikayelian, Lila Vartanian-Boghosian
and Armen Khorozian. The well-known head of the Armenological Department
of AGBU Lazar Najarian-Calouste Gulbenkian Secondary School of Aleppo,
Hagop Mikayelian, conducted the program. The festival concluded with an
awe-inspiring display of fireworks, which illuminated the Aleppo skyline
and impressed all the citizens of this city of four million.
Visiting artists from Armenia, including Hrachya Ashughian, Ashot
Hambardzumian and Ashot Sargsian, as well as Hovhannes Mubayed (director
of AYA Gomidas Chamber Orchestra), Shahe Keshishian and Berge Yeretzian
(conductors of the Spendiarian chorus), presented a show-stopping
program to the festival goers. Later on the same evening, a traditional
Middle Eastern dinner was held at the Kassir El Wali restaurant of
Aleppo.
General Assembly
On Saturday, October 4, 2008, the first session of AGBU’s 85th General
Assembly convened in the Aleppo Sheraton, under the patronage of AGBU’s
Central Board of Directors. Present by special invitation was Hranush
Hakobian, the Republic of Armenia’s Minister of Diasporan Affairs.
This General Assembly, with the title "New Century, New Vision," which
was the first at the threshold of the organization’s second century, was
significant in terms of its scope and particularly its setting of
Aleppo, which symbolizes the revitalization of Armenian culture and
community in the post-Genocide era. "It is not the result of chance that
we are convening the first General Assembly of the new era in the
historic city of Aleppo. It is here that the providential role of our
great organization and its gallant members became manifest at one of the
most critical moments in our history. Aleppo, which was planned to be
the preliminary station for the death of our people, became a beaming
center and a foothold near the homeland. It is the place from where many
of our intellectuals, including those who repatriated to Armenia, as
well as shining stars in the arts and other cultural realms in our new
diasporan communities, were born," Setrakian explained.
In his opening remarks, AGBU President Berge Setrakian summarized the
importance of this convention, and remarked on the organization’s
emphasis on Armenia as a crucial player in the Armenian diaspora.
"The 85th General Assembly of AGBU…is an occasion to become conscious
of the primary and responsible role that is entrusted to us, as the
largest all-Armenian organization at this juncture that marks a turning
point in the history of our nation and AGBU alike. Our homeland, with
its democratic structures in the formative stage, is prospering in a
complex political situation, both regionally and internationally. The
Diaspora, which makes up two thirds of our world population, presents
new organizational realities to us, with its new territorial
distribution and new understandings defining its identity. New ways and
means of work are necessary for the preservation of the identity of the
generation bound to assume leadership roles."
Speaking about AGBU’s future programs and orientation, Setrakian said,
"Today, the focus of our activities and initiatives is our future
generations; in particular, the formation of their national identity and
the preservation of their profile. We must realistically admit that
those belonging to the new generation are no longer living in the past;
they are integrated with the social and cultural fabric of their
environment and, for that very reason, they are subject to losing their
identity and falling out of touch with the traditional activities of
Armenian life, especially in communities that are far away from the
homeland. We must be circumspect when it comes to the expectations and
aspirations of our youth, and adapt our initiatives to them, through
high-quality and effective educational and cultural measures."
At the recommendation of the Nominating Committee of the AGBU 85th
General Assembly, President Berge Setrakian, Aris Atamian, Joseph
Basralian, Nazareth Festekjian, Vahe Gabrache, Arda N. Haratunian,
Sarkis Jebejian, Levon Nazarian and Sam Simonian were reelected as
members of the Central Board of Directors, while Yervant Zorian, Silicon
Valley chapter chairperson, was unanimously elected as a new member of
the Central Board.
Upon his election, Zorian addressed the Assembly. "It is a distinct
honor for me to join the Central Board of AGBU. This unique Board
continues to shape our future, the future of our nation, based on the
vision of AGBU. In its second century, this board probably has an even
more critical role to play, than its role in the first century. With a
free and independent Homeland, on the one hand, and a global Diaspora,
on the other, only an organization such ours can serve this nation in
its entirety, with full dedication, with state-of-the-art methods and
without self-interest," Zorian said.
The AGBU 85th General Assembly also served as the occasion to honor
those individuals, who have made an important contribution to the
strengthening of ties between the Diaspora and Armenia, as well as the
expansion of the organization’s activity.
President Setrakian bestowed awards on Hranush Hakobian, Diaspora
Minister of the Republic of Armenia; Vartan Oskanian, former Foreign
Affairs Minister of the Republic of Armenia (in absentia); Levon
Sargsian, former ambassador of Armenia in Syria; Samvel Shukurian, an
Armenian scientist and one of the directors of the new AGBU Armenian
Virtual College program; Romen Kozmoyian, one of the former top
officials of Soviet Armenia’s Committee for Cultural Relations with
Armenians Abroad; and Gueguel Khatchadourian, executive committee member
of the organization’s Milan Chapter.
Expressing their thanks, the honorees praised AGBU’s activity for the
benefit of the Armenian nation. During her speech, Minister Hakobian,
who was on her first official visit to the diaspora, spoke about issues
pertaining to the preservation of the Armenian identity, utilization of
the Armenian people’s potential and the vision of repatriation to a
prosperous Armenia, as well as cooperation with AGBU.
The same evening, a Gala dinner took place at the Sheraton with over 400
people in attendance.
On Sunday, October 5, the General Assembly participants and guests
visited the AGBU Lazar Najarian-Calouste Gulbenkian Secondary School,
where they were greeted by the school’s student body and staff, who
presented an artistic program in the Gulbenkian auditorium.
Official Visit to Damascus
On Monday, October 6, a delegation, headed by AGBU President Berge
Setrakian, was received at the presidential palace by Syrian President
Bashar al-Assad. The ceremonial meeting was an opportunity to discuss
the work of AGBU and its chapters in the country and around the world.
Touring Der Zor & Syria’s Historic Sites
In addition to the extensive schedule of meetings and festivities, AGBU
members and guests took time to explore the rich history of Syria and
its vibrant Armenian and Christian communities. On Wednesday, October 1,
and Thursday, October 2, they made a pilgrimage to Der Zor, with a
tourist stop in the ancient desert ruins of Palmyra. A requiem service
was performed in the Der Zor chapel in memory of the martyrs of the
Armenian Genocide and deceased benefactors of the organization. The
group also traveled to various other historic sites.
The 85th General Assembly of AGBU generated new excitement among the
representatives of the organization’s worldwide chapters, who returned
to their communities with the best of memories and impressions and eager
to serve the mission of this pan-Armenian organization with the goal of
benefiting the Armenian nation as a whole.
To view the online photo gallery from the 85th General Assembly, please
visit
Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually touching the
lives of some 400,000 Armenians on six continents.