PRESS RELEASE
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research
395 Concord Ave.
Belmont, MA 02478
Phone: 617-489-1610
E-mail: [email protected]
Contact: Marc A. Mamigonian
“ROOTS OF AN ARMENIAN AMERICAN”
IN ILLUSTRATED TALK AT NAASR
Most Armenian Americans feel a bond to their ancestral lands, be
they in Eastern Turkey or the Republic of Armenia, and many will
visit those lands. But only a few form a deep involvement with the
areas from which their ancestors were either forcibly uprooted or
voluntarily departed.
Harry Parsekian, a life-long resident of Watertown, Massachusetts,
will speak about his extensive experience traveling in and working
for the betterment of Armenia in an illustrated talk at the Center of
the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR),
395 Concord Ave., Belmont, Mass., on Thursday, June 24, at 8 p.m.
Extensive Travels and Humanitarian Work in Armenia
Parsekian first visited Armenia in 1968, but his real ties began in
1987 when the Cambridge-Yerevan Sister City Association was founded.
Since then he has been to Armenia on many occasions – volunteering
to deliver supplies for the United Armenia Fund, monitoring the
distribution of food in the earthquake-stricken Shirak region,
or simply traveling for pleasure and recreation such as climbing
Mt. Ararat. One of his most memorable experiences was in 1986 when
he visited his parents’ villages of Nirze and Efkere, as well as
other historic cities and towns in Historic Armenia.
Parsekian has been and continues to be deeply involved in Armenian
life in the diaspora as well as in the homeland. He has documented
his far-flung travels in photographs, and he will share images and
emotional anecdotes about his extraordinary journeys, with particular
attention to the issue of Armenian identity in diaspora.
Final NAASR Talk Until Fall
Parsekian, a well-known figure in the Boston-area Armenian community
and active in numerous Armenian organizations, will provide the final
talk in NAASR’s Spring 2004 Lecture Series. Plans are underway for
a busy fall schedule of lectures and seminars.
Admission to the lecture is free (donations are appreciated).
A question-and-answer period and reception will follow the lecture.
The NAASR Bookstore will open at 7:30 p.m.
The NAASR Center and Headquarters is located at 395 Concord Avenue
near Belmont Center and is directly opposite the First Armenian Church
and next to the U.S. Post Office. Ample parking is available around
the building and in adjacent areas.
More information on Mr. Parsekian’s lecture or about NAASR and
its programs for the furtherance of Armenian studies, research, and
publication may be had by calling 617-489-1610, by fax at 617-484-1759,
by e-mail at [email protected], or by writing to NAASR, 395 Concord Ave.,
Belmont, MA 02478.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
