ARF Bureau’s new building opens in Yerevan
17.08.2005 11:56
YEREVAN (YERKIR) – A new building to house the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation (ARF) Bureau solemnly opened in Yerevan on August 16,
ARF Press office reported.
Representatives of Armenian political parties as well as ARF members
from around the world were present at the opening ceremony also
attended by Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian, Armenian
president’s chief of staff Artashes Tumanian, and Bishop Vazgen
Mirzakhanian, representing Catholicos Garegin II.
The ceremony began with the Armenian national anthem and “Mshak
Banvor,” the official anthem of the ARF, followed by a speech of ARF
Armenia Supreme Body Representative Armen Rustamian.
After welcoming the representatives of the Armenian political parties
and ARF members from across the world, Rustamian pointed to the
importance of unification to settle the national issues.
In his turn, ARF Bureau Representative Hrant Margarian noted that
during its 115-year history, the ARF Bureau had never had a building
of its own; it had offices, places to work, but now, it has it has
its own building in Armenia allowing to show the party in its entirety.
“Today we are not in a position to chose our tasks because the issues
of Armenians are our issues from the strengthening of the Armenian
statehood and ensuring its security to the people’s prosperity and
acquiring our nation’s collective rights from Artsakh to Javakhk
and the fragments of the Armenians in Western Armenia, fragments
of Armenians in the former Soviet Union and more organizing of the
Diaspora.”
Margarian noted that the new building was acquired due to generous
donations from party members and sympathizers, among them Varand and
Hury Melkonians from Western United States. He also mentioned Zohrap
and Noyemi Tazians whose donation helped to establish a library-museum
in the building, adding there are also other donors.
Varand Melkonian said that being a ARF sympathizer he was happy to
be given a chance to contribute to the Armenian Cause and serving
the Armenian national interest.
Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanian bestowed the blessings of Catholicos
Garegin II and wished luck for the works to be accomplished.
Hrant Margarian and Varand Melkonian cut the band at the building
entrance and then the guests explored the rooms of the 3- story
building followed by a treatment.
The building will house several offices of the ARF Bureau, including
the Youth office, Hay Dat office, Economic office and others.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress