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PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
AGBU Garbis Papazian Award Given to Polish Public Figure & Photographer
Msgr. Stanislaw Pindera
The 2008 AGBU Garbis Papazian Award was given to Monsignor Stanislaw
Pindera at a reception held at the Armenian Embassy in Warsaw, Poland on
March 31, 2009. A devout servant of the Catholic Church, Msgr. Pindera
is also a well-known public figure and photographer in Poland. He was
given the award for his preparation and publication of an impressive
photographic album entitled Armenia: Stones Are More Eternal Than Man,
which was realized through the patronage of the Armenian ambassador to
Poland.
Present at the reception were Polish political and public figures,
including members of the Polish Republic’s Sejm and Senat, high-ranking
diplomats at the country’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, various foreign
ambassadors to Poland, the dean of the Polish diplomatic corps and the
Catholic Archbishop of Warsaw.
His Excellency Ashot Galoyian, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to
Poland, spoke about how Msgr. Pindera’s impressive achievement made him
eminently worthy of this type of recognition. Amb. Galoyian went on to
outline the history of the photographic project and expressed his
gratitude to the author for his valuable contribution in spreading
knowledge and increasing public awareness about the scenic wonders and
historic monuments of Armenia and Karabakh.
Subsequently, Razmik Hartunian-Tamrasians, representative of the Garbis
Papazian Fund and president of the Austrian-Armenian Cultural
Association, presented the certificate and monetary award to Msgr.
Pindera. The congratulatory message of AGBU President Berge Setrakian
addressed to the award winner was also read.
During his speech, Msgr. Pinera thanked AGBU for the presentation and
spoke about the deep connection he feels for Armenia:
"I fell in love with this country at first sight. I can see it when I
close my eyes and when I open them again; it is like an open-air museum.
Finally, I fell in love with Armenian people whom I met during my
pilgrimage…In this album I wanted to show the true beauty of the
nature and the wealth of spiritual values of Armenia. This album is my
admiration for this extraordinary country and the people, who shed their
blood for the country – it is a miracle that Armenia and its nation
still exist. The miracle of a nation’s wisdom, but first of all the
strength of the written word."
The AGBU Garbis Papazian Award was established in 1988 through the
initiative and with the financial resources of Garbis Papazian, for the
purpose of recognizing non-Armenian intellectuals who contribute to an
increase in awareness of Armenian history, culture and the Armenian
Question.
Established in 1906, the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) is the
world’s largest non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New
York City, AGBU () preserves and promotes the Armenian
identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian
programs, annually serving some 400,000 Armenians in 35 countries.