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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 21, 2005
AGBU HONORS ANTRANIG DANCE ENSEMBLE AND ARMENINE SAPAH-GULIAN
Generation of Performers Gather to Pay Tribute to Founding Member
New York, NY – Close to 150 former and current dancers, as well as
supporters and friends came together on April 1, 2005, at the Rockleigh
Country Club in New Jersey to honor the AGBU Antranig Dance Ensemble
and Mrs. Armenine Sapah-Gulian, a founding member of the Ensemble
and an AGBU Life Member. In addition to a festive evening of dinner
and dancing, guests enjoyed a special program that paid tribute to
the Ensemble’s 35th Anniversary and Mrs. Sapah-Gulian’s 70 years of
service to both the Union and Antranig.
Mr. Robert Doramajian, Chairperson of the Ensemble Committee, acted
as Master of Ceremonies. Starting the program off on a high note,
he presented a recording of the voice of Mr. Gagik Karapetian
from Armenia, the Ensemble Choreographer, who congratulated
Mrs. Sapah-Gulian on this momentous occasion.
In her address to guests, Artistic Director of the Ensemble,
Mrs. Joyce Tamesian-Shenloogian, recalled wonderful memories with
Mrs. Sapah-Gulian. Beginning as a back row dancer in the early 1970s
and progressing on to become a soloist, then Assistant Dance Director
and now Artistic Director, Mrs. Shenloogian has continued to work
with Mrs. Sapah-Gulian for over thirty years, longer than anyone in
the group. She also highlighted the many different generations of
dancers that have participated in the Ensemble and recognized several
performers from each era who were present that night.
Mr. Randy Sapah-Gulian, son of Mrs. Sapah-Gulian, remarked on his
mother’s tireless efforts and countless sacrifices over the decades
to assist the Ensemble as it moved forward, addressing any obstacle
they encountered, no matter how large or small. He emphasized that
his mother believed in working on behalf of the youth and making a
difference in their lives. Mr. Sapah-Gulian also commented that the
Antranig Dance Ensemble has been a catalyst “that binds us to AGBU”
and recalled his first days as a dancer attending weekly rehearsals.
Surrounded by several members of her family including her son,
daughter-in-law and three granddaughters, in addition to Mrs. Vera
Setrakian, Mrs. Anita Anserian, AGBU Director of Central Board Programs
and other AGBU friends, Mrs. Sapah-Gulian stepped onto the podium
with a standing ovation. She thanked AGBU and its President, Mr. Berge
Setrakian, for recognizing the Ensemble’s milestone anniversary.
She went on to share with guests a few anecdotes about how she
became a member of the AGBU Executive Central Committee of America
and was chosen to chair the Youth Activities Committee in the United
States. This youth-oriented position led her, along with a few other
dedicated AGBU members, to the founding of the AGBU Antranig Dance
Ensemble. She noted that one of the primary reasons for starting
the Ensemble was due to her forte in dance, and her dedication
and love for the group was evident among the guests present, even
after thirty-five years. Mrs. Sapah-Gulian also remembered her late
husband, Vart, who was like an uncle to all the dancers. He joined
her at hundreds of rehearsals and never missed a major performance,
regardless of where it took place.
Going back to the year 1971, AGBU President, Mr. Berge Setrakian,
recounted his first meeting Mrs. Sapah-Gulian in Beirut, Lebanon, at
the AGBU Regional Games. He recounted how impressed he was with her
vitality and commitment to the organization at that time and how he is
even more impressed with her voluntary devotion to the Ensemble today.
After presenting Mrs. Sapah-Gulian with a token of appreciation from
AGBU, Mr. Setrakian addressed guests by thanking them for their
dedication not only to the Ensemble, but also to their Armenian
culture. He noted that Antranig has been one of the pioneer AGBU
programs that attracted large numbers of youth to the Union and
this is an important factor in judging the success of the dance
group. Hundreds of young Armenians believe in their heritage and this
is why the Ensemble is where it is today. Moreover, Mr. Setrakian
stressed the importance of all programs within AGBU working together
to further the organization’s mission and ensure the preservation of
the Armenian identity among young Armenians throughout the world.
Before concluding the evening’s program, Mr. Doramajian announced
that the Ensemble wanted to demonstrate its appreciation to
Mrs. Sapah-Gulian and her endless efforts “through what we do best,
and that is dance”. In a matter of moments, dozens of Antranig
dancers from every generation took over the dance floor for a surprise
performance. With their energy and fervor still intact, they presented
one of their classic line dances to delighted guests, who applauded
their efforts with sincere enthusiasm.
For over thirty-five years, the AGBU Antranig Dance Ensemble
() has dazzled thousands upon thousands of audiences
around the world with its full-length productions, exemplifying
the rich Armenian dance culture. Through a variety of folk dances
from different regions in Armenia, vibrant costumes and exceptional
choreography, the Ensemble continues to perpetuate the Armenian
heritage in support of AGBU’s mission.
AGBU is the largest Armenian non-profit organization in the world,
reaching out annually to 400,000 Armenians. For more information on
AGBU and its programs, please visit