PRESS RELEASE
Haigazian University
Mira Yardemian
Public Relations Director
Mexique Street, Kantari, Beirut
Email: mira@yardemian.com
HAIGAZIAN UNIVERSITY INAUGURATES ITS NEW HERITAGE BUILDING
Beirut, May 3, 2010 – On April 29, 2010, Haigazian University held the
inaugural ceremony of the Heritage Building as a proud culmination of
five years of fundraising, planning, construction and hard work.
This building, whose construction notably took three years of dedicated
effort that preserved the Lebanese architectural heritage of the
exterior, will serve a dual administrative and academic purpose with its
6 floors, including offices as well as classrooms.
The Heritage Building originally built around 1930 does not only serve
as a valuable addition to an educational institution, but also stands as
an effort by Haigazian University to preserve the Lebanese cultural
heritage in general and of the traditional and prestigious neighborhood
of Kantari in particular. With this addition, Haigazian University now
possesses two buildings of Lebanese architectural heritage as classified
by the Ministry of Culture
This grand event was conducted under the High Patronage of the President
of the Council of Ministers, H.E. Mr. Saad Hariri, represented by the
Minister of Culture, Mr. Salim Wardé. Also in attendance at this
impressive occasion were Minister of State Jean Oghasabian, members of
Parliament Walid Jounblat, Hagop Pakradounian, Tamam Salam, Arthur
Nazarian, Serge Toursarkissian, and Shant Chinchinian. Representatives
of the Commanders of the Army, General Security and Internal Security
were also present, in addition to the Armenian Ambassador to Lebanon,
Mr. Ashod Kotcharian, President of the Supreme Council of the
Evangelical Community in Syria and Lebanon, Rev. Salim Sahyouni,
President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near
East, Rev. Megrdich Kargeozian, Bishops Kegham Khatcherian and Vartan
Ashkarian, previous ministers and members of parliament, community
leaders and dignitaries, in addition to Haigazian faculty, staff and
students.
The HU Board of Trustees, twelve of whom came with their spouses from
the USA, were among the distinguished guests at the inauguration, which
coincided with the annual HU Board of Trustees meeting in Beirut that
took place from April 30 to May 1.
Following a musical prelude of classical pieces skillfully performed by
four Haigazian University students, the official ceremony kicked off
with a live performance of the national anthem presented by Nare
Havatian, Karoun Bardakjian, Talar Mandoyan and Sarine Karajian.
The introduction and welcoming address was given by Dr. Ani Darakjian,
the Chair of the HU Board of Trustees, who extended a warm welcome to
all. "With its traditional Lebanese architecture, the Heritage Building
will be a valuable addition to Haigazian University" said Darakjian. She
concluded by accentuating the great role this university plays in
shaping future leaders of society.
Rev. Meguerdich Karageozian offered the Prayer of Dedication, asking God
to bless all those who will enter this building. "This building is
dedicated to be the home of Truth, Freedom and Service," Karageozian
concluded, emphasizing the university motto.
After a riveting performance of "The Prayer," beautifully sung as a duet
by Haigazian graduate Joyce Saddi and Ricardo Daou, President of the
Armenian Missionary Association of America, Dr. Hrair S. Aharonian
brought his greetings from the AMAA, as one of the two main sponsors of
the project. Aharonian shared experiences about his childhood in this
neighborhood, adding that the Heritage Building has "never looked as
beautiful as it does today."
Aharonian reminded the audience of the purpose that this building would
serve as a means to ensure growth of the university and expansion of its
graduate school. He ended with a quote by Eleanor Roosevelt: "The future
belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
A congratulatory note was then given by Mr. Walid Joumblat, Member of
Parliament, who was introduced as a neighbor of HU. Joumblat praised the
university, declaring that "where various municipalities have failed to
preserve the heritage of Beirut, Haigazian has succeeded," leading the
audience to roar with applaud.
In the festive spirit of the occasion, the Haigazian University Dance
Club performed the traditional Lebanese Heritage Dance, more commonly
known as Dabke, to the tune of "Lebanon will Return" by Joseph Attiyeh
In his President’s Address, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian opened with a quote
from the Bible (Psalm 118: 24) and introduced the Heritage Building as
"our gift for the 55th anniversary of Haigazian University." Haidostian
then proceeded to speak of the close association between Mexique Street
and HU for the past 55 years and how we would now be also linked to May
Ziadeh Street. He referred to the connection that the university has
with the area and placed the street names in historical context.
Haidostian added that the Heritage Building would be fully operational
in September and thanked all those who worked hard to make this building
possible, highlighting the fact that with three years of work and
hundreds of laborers there was only one minor injury. Before inviting
the Minister of Culture to give his message, Haidostian concluded
saying, "Haigazian University stands in awe and praise before the Lord,
and thanks all the donors, Board members, friends, volunteers,
technicians and staff who have transformed stones and dust into a
magnificent home-like university building."
Minister of Culture Salim Wardé addressed the audience on behalf of
H.E. Mr. Saad Hariri to express his gratitude and congratulations. He
then praised the role Haigazian University played in preserving this
Heritage Building, informing the audience of the upcoming strategy of
the Ministry of Culture in setting strict rules to preserve the heritage
aspect of the city of Beirut.
Dr. Ani Darakjian then invited Mr. Salim Wardé, Rev. Dr. Paul
Haidostian, Rev. Meguerdich Karageozian and Dr. Hrair Aharonian to cut
the ribbon, thus officially inaugurating the building.
The audience was then invited to enter the building to attend the
unveiling of the plaque that revealed Sirpuhe Philibosian Conte Hall as
the name of the multipurpose hall. Mrs. Joyce Stein, daughter of
Sirpuhe, emotionally expressed the vision of her parents and their
sustained love and support of Haigazian University.
After touring the building from the inside and the beautiful floor tiles
that were preserved from the original structure, everyone had the chance
to view an outdoor exhibition featuring pictures and descriptions of old
Lebanese heritage buildings and the defining characteristics of their
architecture, taken from a book by Mr. Robert Saliba.
The program then concluded with a reception accompanied by live music by
another Haigazian graduate, the talented Shahan Kilaghbian on the
keyboard.
In addition, for this special occasion a booklet was published featuring
a brief history of Haigazian University and its most recent acquisition,
the Heritage Building, as well as pictures of the construction work in
progress and a list of all those who generously donated to this project.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress