ARMENIANS HOLD ANNUAL CULTURAL FESTIVAL In Laval

Laval News
r171404.html
July 15 2009
Quebec, Canada

Armenians from all over Laval, Montreal and areas even further got
together for one of Quebec’s biggest annual celebrations of Armenian
culture in the days leading up to this past Canada Day.

The Armenian Festival, held on the site of the former Centre 2000
shopping centre on Saint-Martin Boulevard, attracted thousands of
local Armenians who enjoyed traditional foods, midway games, dancing
and live music, to remind them of their Armenian roots and culture. As
many as 9,000 Laval residents are of Armenian descent.

A fundraiser Organized as a fundraiser by members of the Sourp Kevork
Armenian Apostolic Church, it is one of the largest festivals local
Armenians stage. "We organize every year an Armenian festival in
Laval and everyone is welcome," said Sarkis Majarian, one of the
organizers. "It’s to collect money to build a church, and for some
activities for the young generation, such as basketball, hockey." While
the weather was excellent on Canada Day when many of the festival’s
main events were taking place, things weren’t so good on the previous
days when it often rained.

A family reunion "It’s a family reunion with friends," he said. "Friday
night we had about 900 people. Saturday we had an excellent day. We
had more than 1,000 people." One of the main sponsors was the Caisse
Desjardins de Chomedey, which sponsored the children’s inflatable
games. Attendance at this year’s festival was at about 80 per
cent of the norm, due partly to rain, but also the downturn in the
economy." Among the dignitaries who dropped by were the Armenian
Orthodox archbishop from Montreal, Bloc Québécois MP for Laval Nicole
Demers, Chomedey Liberal MNA Guy Ouellette, Laval city councillor
Ginette Bernier and others.

Formula for success For the past three years, the Armenian community
has been able to use the Centre 2000 site for the festival free
of charge thanks to the generosity of the SmartCentres corporation
which is the owner. Part of the festival’s formula for success has
been keeping up with the times — especially in terms of the music,
which is rooted in folk-tradition and focuses on love, hope and
friendship. Some who come to the festival each year do so as a way
of encouraging younger family members to keep Armenian traditions
and values.