ARF Central Committee members in front of the Soghomon Tehlirian Monument
The ARF Leaders Attend 128th Anniversary Celebrations and Visit the Soghomon Tehlirian Monument
Members of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western United States Central Committee visited Fresno over the weekend to meet in person with ARF officials in Fresno and attend community events dedicated to the 128th anniversary of the party’s founding.
The ARF Central Committee delegation was headed by the body’s co-chair Carmen Ohanian and included members Garo Ispendjian, Toros Kejejian, Levon Kirakosian and Koko Topalian. They met with the ARF’s Fresno Tehlirian Gomideh and hosted a briefing for the ARF members in Fresno.
Ahead of a dinner banquet celebrating the ARF’s 128th anniversary of the ARF, organized by the Armenian Youth Federation Fresno Kevork Chavoush chapter and featuring a performance by Karnig Sarkissian, four individuals entered the ranks of the ARF in ceremony officiated by veteran ARF member Edward Megerditchian.
On Sunday, the ARF Central Committee members attended Mass at the Holy Trinity Armenian Church, where Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian presided over services and helmed a requiem service in memory of Armenian hero Soghomon Tehlirian, who in 1920 avenged the deaths of 1.5 million Armenian Genocide victims by assassinating the architect of the Genocide, Talaat Pasha in Berlin, as part of the storied Operation Nemesis project.
Following church services, a commemorative event was held at the Soghomon Tehlirian Monument, where Ohanian, the ARF Central Committee co-chair, delivered remarks (see video).
The weekend’s events in Fresno concluded with an ARF Day Celebration, attended by many community members and featuring a keynote address by long-time ARF leader Dr. Viken Hovsepian.
Asbarez will provide detailed coverage of the events in future editions.