SHUSHI’S CONTRIBUTION TO ARMENIA FUND
By Hilda Hartounian
AZG Armenian Daily
03/12/2008
Social
On Friday, November 21, 2008, an elegant and intimate dinner reception
took place at the home of Mr. Andreas Roubian, in Saddle River, New
Jersey. The guests of honor were H.E. Mr. Bako Sahakyan, President
of the Republic of Karabagh, and His Eminence Pargev Martirosyan,
The Primate of Karabakh. Mr. Roubian was one of the founders of
the Karabagh Committee, which became a reality in 1992 at this very
location.
During the tumultuous times in Nagorno-Karabagh, when Armenians all
over the globe came together in order to provide aid to our people
and soldiers fighting courageously for our lands, the Shushi Dance
Ensemble, very young at the time, did not miss any opportunity
to support the fundraising efforts of the Karabagh Relief Fund,
by engaging the guests through patriotic songs and dance at every
event. Soon after, the group adopted the name "Shushi Armenian Dance
Ensemble" after the liberation of the ancient capital city of "Shushi".
The highlight of the evening was a surprise performance by Shushi Dance
Ensemble of St. Vartan Cathedral, NY. After performing for the guests,
the beautiful and graceful dancers presented a check in the amount
of $2000.00 to the Armenia Fund’s 11th International Telethon. The
president of Karabagh thanked the group and its Artistic Director
and Choreographer, Mrs. Seta Paskalian-Kantardjian, for this very
generous donation. The Chairman of Armenia Fund, Mr. Raffi Festekjian,
thanked the dancers who volunteered their time for the Phonaton in NYC,
and also for their contribution to this year’s fundraising efforts.
Shushi’s next performance will be on the beautiful Costa Fortuna
cruise ship during the Armenian Heritage Cruise XII, sailing January
11-18, 2009. The ensemble will have 2 spectacular performances
featuring famous vocalists from Los Angeles Hovig Krikorian and Armen
Hovanessyan, along with musical director Andranik Mouradian.
For more information on the Shushi Dance Ensemble, visit