US-ARMENIA TV FACILITIES IN BURBANK ARE BLESSED IN A VISIT BY ARCHBISHOP HOVNAN DERDERIAN
by Paul Chaderjian
us-armenia-tv-facilities-in-burbank-are-blessed-in -a-visit-by-archbishop-hovnan-derderian
Saturday April 18, 2009
Burbank, Calif. – Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, on Friday, April 17 blessed
CS Media’s new state-of-the-art, all-platform media production facility
and studios, located in the heart of the entertainment capital of
the world.
"It is my privilege and my joy today to celebrate the official opening
of this very special institution," Abp. Derderian said. "The opening
of the US-Armenia television station will be a milestone in the life
of this community, the Western Diocese, and Armenian communities
through the West Coast."
The Primate and a group of clergy began the blessing service outside
the main lobby of the four-story building at 2727 West Alameda. After
hymns and prayers blessing the facilities of the new television
station, Abp. Derderian spoke to those gathered and praised the
efforts of Gerard L. Cafesjian for creating a new, professional
media organization.
The mission of CS Media "has the blessing of the President of the
Republic of Armenia and the blessings of His Holiness Karekin II, the
Catholicos of All Armenians," Abp. Derderian said. He asked all those
present "to become shareholders of the vision of this institution. This
will be a blessing also for our community members," he added.
Attending the event were a delegation of clergy from the Western
Diocese, Armenian community leaders from throughout Southern
California, and staff members of the local Burbank operation. (This
newspaper is affiliated with CS Media, and its Southern California
office is located in the building that was blessed.) The archbishop
led a procession from the lobby to the second-level patio, where the
Armenian tricolor and the Stars and Stripes have been flying with
pride since US-Armenia TV launched its broadcasts less than a year ago.
"I’m tremendously thankful for the support that was extended to me from
Mr. Bagrat Sargsyan," the archbishop said, referring to Mr. Cafesjian’s
partner in CS Media and the president of US-Armenia TV. "Mr. Sargsyan
assured me that this institution will also serve the better interests
of the faithful members of the Armenian Apostolic Church."
Gerard Cafesjian’s message
In a note read to those attending, Mr. Cafesjian offered his heartfelt
welcome and thanks to all those who came together to witness the
blessing of US-Armenia TV.
"I gratefully acknowledge President Sargsian and His Holiness Karekin
II, Catholicos of All Armenians, for their welcome and support,"
Mr. Cafesjian wrote.
He extended his sincere gratitude to Abp. Dederian for consecrating
the creation of "yet another Armenian institution in service to our
people and the causes we hold dear.
"All of us involved in CS Media are enormously proud that US-Armenia
TV is the largest broadcasting platform of multilingual, Armenian
entertainment, culture, and information," Mr. Cafesjian wrote. "I am
with you in spirit on this day of reflection about the vital role that
the broadcast media plays as a link between Armenia and the diaspora,
the diaspora and Armenia, and among Armenians residing everywhere
who are eager to learn about their compatriots everywhere else."
Mr. Cafesjian wrote that the CS Media family of Armenian-focused
broadcast stations and print publications are the most-watched and
most-read television programs and written products in the world. "It
is gratifying to know that US-Armenia TV has made so much progress
in so short a span of time.
"Bagrat and I are mindful of our special privilege and responsibility
as managers of the source for our far-flung diaspora and our evolving
and dynamic ancestral homeland," Mr. Cafesjian wrote.
"Bagrat and I assure you that the best is yet to come," concluded
Mr. Cafesjian’s note.
Importance of Armenian media
In an interview with the Armenian Reporter after the formal program,
Abp. Derderian commended US-Armenia TV for its professional approach
to media-content creation and broadcasting.
"We need to understand that for us to be able to survive in this
community, in this world, in the United States of America, we should
also compete with other institutions," Abp. Derderian said. "We can no
longer be satisfied with the status quo. We need to advance. We need
progress. We need to do what needs to be done to get the attention
of our community members, especially our young people."
Abp. Derderian said that television is very important way to reach
out to the entire community and beyond. He said television is the
bridge that connects the local community to itself and to Armenia.
"Television will help us understand one another. It can help us
understand our faith, which also helps us better understand our
responsibilities as exemplary citizens of this country," said the
archbishop.
Longtime community activist and philanthropist Vahe Karapetian
underscored the important role media plays and must play in helping
the Armenian community’s relationship to the homeland.
"All of us are getting together through TV and understanding who we
are and where we are coming from," said Mr. Karapetian. "Communication
increases the chances of stronger results on all fronts. For example,
with the Armenian Reporter, you’re reaching untapped Armenian
audiences who only speak and read English. Now, with US-Armenia TV,
you’re touching everyone’s hearts and minds. Together, through media,
we’re learning, growing together, spreading the word about our people
throughout the diaspora, so that everyone can help our causes."
Mr. Karapetian said this was the ideal time to embark on investing in
21st century media, because he said the ever-changing media landscape
and information technologies will leave many behind if they are not
utilized and exercised fully now.
"Imagine where our people, our community would be in 100 years,
if we don’t create TV stations and newspapers like yours today,"
he said. "We have to do it today, to embrace technology and use it
to build our communities."
New content is under development for this new station, which is the
first to broadcast over antenna TV (KSCI digital channel 18.5 in
Southern California). The station also reaches North Americans via
the Globecast satellite service.
The signal is also carried on the Hotbird satellite in Europe, which
allows it to be received in Armenia, and around the Middle East,
Europe, and Russia. Together with Armenia TV, broadcast from Armenia,
it reaches a very diverse Armenian population around the world.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress