AGBU Newsletter, December-2009, English

Dear Fellow AGBU Members, As we prepare to celebrate Christmas and the New Year, I am pleased to extend to you on behalf of myself and the AGBU Central Board of Directors our warmest greetings and best wishes. The past year was a difficult one for our organization and membership, due to the added challenges of the worldwide economic crisis. However, we are proud to affirm that we had an active and productive year, with nu-merous accomplishments and diverse activities in the homeland and diaspora alike. We are optimistic that the coming year will be economically less turbulent and shall bring better tidings for our organization and our homeland. Noteworthy among the programs of our worldwide chapters, which aimed at accomplish-ing AGBU’s educational, cultural and benevolent mission, were the brisk activity of our youth organizations and especially the Young Professionals Group whose membership is expending. The Northern California and New York YP groups both marking their tenth anniversaries where honored by the Central Board of Directors this year. Their many social and networking activities benefited AGBU programs in Armenia. The traditional biennial FOCUS event, which took place in Chicago this year, once again brought to-gether a large crowd of the alumni of the Internship Program from all over the world. Two hundred fifty competitive and high achieving graduates from our eight secondary schools in North and South Americas and the Middle East moved on to colleges and uni-versities. Many of them had the opportunity to visit Armenia and experience the life changing impact of the homeland. The Alex and Marie Manoogian School in Southfield, Michigan became endowed with a brand-new, state-of-the-art high school building through the magnanimous donation of Louise Manoogian Simone and Richard Manoogian, while the High School and Center in Pasadena were strengthened through a generous endowment from Vatche and Tamar Manoukian. The AGBU Virtual College successfully completed its internet based summer and fall courses in Armenian language, history, and culture that are offered in six languages, and is preparing to start its third semester with the participation of hundreds from around the

world. The New York, Paris and Yerevan Summer Intern Programs were successfully implemented, as were the di-asporan Armenian youth trips to Armenia and the scouting jamborees at Camp Antranik. In addition to the continuing support provided to the American University of Armenia through the AGBU en-dowment fund, more than 300 top students pursuing higher education in various countries of the world re-ceived scholarships in various professional fields, particularly the performing arts, social sciences and the preparation of clergy. For the second year in a row, a new group of our talented young stars in the performing arts performed in concert at New York’s Carnegie Hall. Besides the AGBU’s permanent programs and investments in Armenia and Karabakh, particularly the ongoing support of the Children’s Centers, the Senior Dining Centers and the sponsorship of Armenia’s Chess Federa-tion, the construction of the sports and cultural complex in Nubarashen was completed, and the Writers’ Union of Armenia was endowed by a new printing house. Being particularly solicitous of the spiritual role played by the Armenian Church, AGBU continued its close re-lationship with the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin through the improvement of resources for the preservation and study of treasures of Armenian spiritual and cultural heritage, as well as through its contributions toward continuing construction programs. Our European district and the Nubarian Library engaged in noteworthy activity through scientific congresses organized to acquaint international academic and political circles with issues involving the just rights of the Armenian people, the protection of our cultural monuments, as well as to educate European public opinion concerning the realities of the historical evolution of the Karabakh Question.

ARMENIAN GENERAL BENEVOLENT UNION

AGBU ARMENIA NEWSLETTERAGBU ARMENIA NEWSLETTERAGBU ARMENIA NEWSLETTER Yerevan, Armenia

ISSUE 3, DECEMBER 2009 IN THIS ISSUE

♦ AGBU President Berge Set-rakian’s New Year message (p. 1, 2)

♦ US President Barack Obama responds to the joint letter of major Armenian-American institutions (p. 2)

♦ AGBU AVC hosted RA Dias-pora Minister (p. 3)

♦ First session of the AGBU AVC Board (p. 3)

♦ AGBU YP Yerevan helps the family that lives in a hut for 21 years (p. 4)

♦ AGBU YP Los Angeles makes a donation to the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute (p. 5)

♦ First official swearing-in cere-mony of AGBU Yerevan Scouts’ Arabkir Branch (p. 5)

♦ A new phase in AGBU-ACAB cooperation (p. 6 )

♦ Armenian Church Council of Spain being formed (p. 6)

♦ Armenian cross-stone un-veiled in La Plata, Buenos Aires, thanks to AGBU and local politicians (p. 7)

♦ Jubilee stamps marking AGBU’s 100th anniversary put into circulation in Arme-nia (p. 8)

THE YEAR 2009 IN RETROSPECT AT THE THRESHOLD OF A NEW YEAR

AGBU President Mr. Berge Setrakian

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AGBU ARMENIA NEWSLETTER ISSUE 3, DECEMBER 2009

The year 2009 will be also be remembered for the events pertaining to the opening of the border and establishment of dip-lomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey, which constitute a distinct juncture in the history of our people. Our organi-zation had a characteristic position in connection with these events. These developments, which stirred and prompted ac-tion on the part of the Armenians in Armenia and the rest of the world, gave a new emphasis to AGBU’s Armenia-centered activity, which, we are convinced, will also define the subsequent course of our chapters’ activity, in terms of maintaining Armenia as the center of the diasporan Armenians’ attention and linking our activities, especially in the case of the youth, to the daily life and developments in the homeland. In this regard, it is also important for our chapters to encourage the participation of their circles in the programs organized by AGBU in Armenia for diasporan Armenian youths. We note with satisfaction that the young and energetic members and new chair people that have joined many of our district committees, chapter executive committees and educational committees are studying and planning new organizational measures in an-ticipation of future developments. We hope that the many thousands of our graduates, who have enjoyed the organiza-tion’s support, will assist in these efforts. The inclusion of new members and the productive use of local assets that make chapters’ activity self-sufficient, are important prerequisites for the success of AGBU’s general programs. To that end, we extend our warmest wishes for a Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year marked by prosperous activity and success. Respectfully,

Berge Setrakian President

U.S. President Barack Obama responded to a joint letter sent by major Armenian-American institutions, which outlined se-veral concerns with respect to "Turkey's failures to uphold its international obligations." The joint letter called on the Ad-ministration to "hold the Turkish government accountable" with respect to Turkey's public commitments to establish normal relations without preconditions and lift its blockade of Armenia. In addition, the letter also emphasized that "true reconcilia-tion will occur only when Turkey comes to terms with its past" and urged President Obama to affirm the Armenian Geno-cide. Moreover, the letter conveyed the concerns shared by the Diaspora across the globe that "if this normalization proc-ess is used as a smokescreen for not reaffirming the Armenian Genocide and the U.S. record, it will be a blow to the rap-prochement process and the expectations of people of goodwill everywhere." Responding to the joint letter, President Obama reiterated America's position that "normalization between Armenia and Turkey should move forward without pre-conditions and within a reasonable timeframe." This position also reflects that of the governments of Switzerland, France, Russia as well as the European Union. In addition, President Obama also incorporated by reference the fact of the Arme-nian Genocide stating that "my view of that history has not changed. My interest remains the achievement of a full, frank, and just acknowledgement of the facts." The President’s reference to his historical view was used during his trip to Turkey earlier this year as well as in his April 24, 2009 statement and includes multiple usages of the term Armenian Genocide. Also, the Swiss, French, Russian, and European parliaments have all affirmed the Armenian Genocide. The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (East and West), Armenian General Benevolent Union, and Armenian Assembly of America welcome President Obama's strong commitment and interest in helping the people of Armenia. We also stand united in our position that U.S. reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide should not be held hostage to normalization of relations. President Obama's upcoming meeting with Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan scheduled for December 7th in Washington, DC represents an important opportunity to hold the Turkish government accountable with respect to its inter-national obligations to lift its blockade of Armenia and normalize relations without preconditions, as well as come to terms with its genocidal past.

Text of President Barack Obama's letter Thank you for your letter in support of the normalization of relations be-tween Armenia and Turkey. I believe this historic process has important benefits for the future of both countries. I agree that normalization between Armenia and Turkey should move forward without preconditions and within a reasonable timeframe. On October 10, Secretary Clinton represented the United States at the historic signing of the protocols providing a framework for normalization. We continue to support Armenia and Turkey as they move ahead to fulfill the promise of normalization. Regarding the past, I deeply appreciate your views on what is one of the great atrocities of the 20th century. As I said in my Remembrance Day message, my view of that history has not changed. My interest remains the achievement of a full, frank, and just acknowledgement of the facts. I believe that the best way to advance that goal is for the Armenian and Turkish people to address the facts of the past as part of their efforts to move forward. We will continue to vigorously support the normalization effort in the months ahead. Sincerely, Barack Obama

US PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA RESPONDS TO COMMUNITY CONCERNS WITH RESPECT TO TURKEY - INCORPORATES WITH

REFERENCE ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

US President Barack Obama

On December 22, Armenian General Benevolent Union’s (AGBU) Armenian Virtual College (AVC) hosted RA Dias-pora Minister Hranush Hakobyan and Vice President of the RA Chess Federation Smbat Lputyan. The goal of the vi-sit was to get acquainted with the AVC activities and the results of the first two academic terms. Over 300 students from 25 countries were enrolled in the summer and fall terms of 2009, who successfully finished the courses of Armenian language, Armenian history and Armenian architecture. The-re is increased interest towards the AVC courses from USA, France and Canada. The geography of participation has also expanded including students from Belgium, New Zealand, Syria, Brazil, Argentina and even Reunion Island. The enroll-ment period for Winter 2010 term is over and the classes started on January 11. The guests were told that many stu-dents who successfully finished one term, are interested in continuing their study at AVC. “This is a very important initiative for several reasons. First of all, being available to everyone, it has great potential to ex-pand its geography and reduce the danger of assimilation for the Armenians living outside Armenia. On the other hand, this education greatly contributes to the spreading of Armenian heritage not only among Armenians but also among for-eigners”, said Hranush Hakobyan expressing eagerness to support the program in every possible way. Considering that RA Education and Science Ministry decided recently to include chess in the secondary school pro-

gram, the visit of the RA Chess Federation Vice President to the AVC was a suitable occasion to discuss the possibilities of in-cluding chess as a separate course in the Armenian Virtual Col-lege. Days before this visit the AGBU AVC also hosted the officials of RA Education and Science Ministry’s National Institute of Edu-cation (NIE) and National Center for Educational Technologies (NCET) headed by NIE Deputy Director Vartan Ghandilyan and NCET Director Areg Grigoryan. The goal of the visit was to get acquainted with the AVC activities and programs, and to dis-cuss possible prospects of collaboration. During the meeting the sides also spoke about the possibilities of cooperating in the sphere of online teachers’ training. To learn more about AVC please visit www.avc-agbu.org or write to [email protected]


AGBU ARMENIAN VIRTUAL COLLEGE HOSTED THE RA DIASPORA MINISTER

The first meeting of the AGBU Armenian Virtual College (AVC) Board took place at the AVC office in Yerevan with the participation of the AVC Board Chairman Yervant Zoryan, AVC Board members from Armenia Samvel Shoukou-rian, Ashot Ghazarian and Varoujan Masarajian, AVC Board members from abroad Ara Yerkanian, Artoun Hamalian, Talar Kazanjian, Carol Aslanian, Molly Freeman and Nelson Baloyan, AVC Education Director Hasmik Khalapyan and AVC Development Team Manager Artur Avakian. The parti-cipants were introduced to the structure of the AVC - Devel-opment and Operation teams, various committees and sub-committees - after which the works carried out by the teams were presented. The process of accreditation of the AVC, currently underway in Armenia, Europe and the USA, was discussed during the meeting. The RA National Assembly adopted a law on virtual education and the government is working on sub-legislative acts. Taking into consideration the growing interest towards the AVC in different parts of the world and the possibilities of expanding the institution, it was decided to increase the number of online teachers. The AVC Board meetings will be held once every two months. The next meeting is scheduled for January, 2010.

RA Diaspora Minister Hranush Hakobyan and Vice President of the RA Chess Federation Smbat Lputyan visited

the AGBU Armenian Virtual College

The first meeting of the AGBU AVC Board

Officials from RA Education Ministry’s National Institute of Education and National Center for Educational Tech-

nologies at the AGBU Armenian Virtual College

AGBU ARMENIAN VIRTUAL COLLEGE EXPANDS ITS ACTIVITIES The process of AVC accreditation underway

www.avc-agbu.org Page 3


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AGBU YOUNG PROFESSIONALS OF YEREVAN HELP THE FAMILY THAT LIVES IN A HUT FOR 21 YEARS

Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) has many youth programs: Youth Centers, “Antranik” scout camp, Yerevan Summer Intern Program, “Discover Armenia” Diaspora youth trip to Armenia, etc. AGBU Young Professionals (YP), cre-ated in 2007, implements educational, cultural and social activities in Armenia and Karabakh. Besides Yerevan, there are

groups of AGBU Young Professionals in North California, New York, Phila-delphia, Lebanon, Paris, etc. In December the Yerevan YPs visited Gyumri in order to provide help to the Mkhitaryans family, who are in a dire social situation. According to Anna Aghaganian, a graduate of University College Dublin, the idea of social projects in Shirak region was conceived at the Uni-versity of Utah by 13 students from Armenia under the presidency of Gagik Melikyan. One of the members of this committee is originally from Gyumri and he informed his friends about the plight of the local families, who have no permanent homes as a result of the earthquake. Donations were received from the president of the Armenian Relief Association in Utah Raffi Shahin-ian and Doctor Miriam McFadden. Matching these donations AGBU YP Yer-evan visited Akhurian, where the Mkhitaryans live and tried to help them through at least this winter. Anna says that the Mkhitaryans have lived in a metal cabin for the last 21 years on Jrashinararner street of Akhurian region.

All the members of the family: parents, 3 children, son in law and the baby live in one room with gaping holes in the roof, no glass on the windows with a constant wind blowing in. 53-year-old Amalia, the mother, was bedridden for more than 3 months. This family lives in conditions unimaginable to us with no outside help and no social assistance from any govern-mental body.” Anna, who as a small child, moved to Ireland with her family cannot imagine how people are able to survive in such conditions. Her desire to help the poor is so strong that she decided to stay in Armenia and to implement social programs with her group. Due to lack of finances Amalia was unable to receive medical help and her condition was wors-ening. With the help of AGBU Armenian Representation Director Ashot Ghazarian, they were able to get medical treatment for Amalia at the regional hospital. Upon examinations and blood tests it was discovered that Amalia suffers from rheumatoid arthritis. The AGBU Youth provided her with a month’s supply of the necessary medication, fuel to get them through the winter and upon finding out that the family had not eaten for days they also provided them with food to last them for at least a month. “Of course we can lend a hand to some of these families, however there are gov-ernmental bodies in place for just these situations, it’s their sole responsibility to take care of these families. I know there are hundreds of families like the Mkhitaryans and our groups can’t help them all. Yes we helped this family survive another winter but this is only a short term solution. There are three men in this family who are ready and willing to work on any construction site but they are unemployed because the major construction firms working in Gyumri are from Yerevan and they bring in their own workers and do not hire locals. These are issues that must be tackled immediately in order to help these families pull themselves out of the hopeless situation” says Anna. She and her friends are amazed that many young people in Yerevan are simply not aware of the social conditions in which many families live in Gyumri and other towns. The AGBU YP Yerevan consists of 22-40-year-olds with various backgrounds such as doctors, architects, musicians and other professionals, who meet once a week to discuss new projects. Each group member uses their connections and profes-

sional expertise in order to put the minimum budget they have to the maxi-mum use. As part of one of their largest projects so far, the group organ-ized a cultural day out in Yerevan for the Children of a Gyumri Orphanage including a visit to the circus and a meeting with their favorite celebrities. The proceeds from their fundraiser was used to renovate a room in the orphanage, hire English and computer teachers who would supplement the subjects learned at school and provide a second career options for the future and a possible way for them to make additional money. The group has also worked with the Fuller Center, which with the help of volunteers constructs homes for socially vulnerable families. “22 of us went to Kotayk and helped a family construct their house. In one day we were able to bring forth their completion by one month. One of our upcoming projects is in Khachik village in Vayots Dzor. The village authorities have given us a

room, which we will turn into an Information Center for the youth. Can you imagine that to use the internet or just to print something people from Khachik have to go to their nearest town? It is our ultimate goal to create an environment in the village conducive to the youth staying and working in their place of birth.” Anna works at the AGBU Armenian Representa-tion and as part of this project she has asked her office to donate a fax machine, printer and computer. After the New Year holidays the group will also start an environmental project in another village to provide the local youth with something to do and a source of income to encourage them to stay in their village. By Rouzanna Poghossian, “Azg” daily

Mkhitaryans family of seven has been living in this hut for 21 years

AGBU YPs provided the family with food

…. and fuel


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DONATION OF THE AGBU YOUNG PROFESSIONALS OF LOS ANGELES TO THE AGMI

On December 6, the first official swearing-in ceremony of the Arabkir branch of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) Yerevan Scouts took place at the AGBU and Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Youth Center in Arabkir district of Yerevan. In front of the flags of the Republic of Armenia and Armenian General Benevolent Union the scouts swore to: - be faithful to God and serve their homeland; - always help others; and - be faithful to the Armenian scouts’ code.

In his congratulatory speech Head of the AGBU Yerevan Scouts Karen Tirarian said, “May this swearing-in ceremony be a new beginning for all of you to march successfully in your new scout life”. Present at the ceremony was Ms. Hermine Duzian, god-mother of the AGBU Yerevan Scouts. Members of the AGBU Yerevan Scout Council also made speeches congratulating the new members of their group and extending their warm wishes to them. 45 new members joined the AGBU Yerevan Scouts during the first official ceremony on December 6.

Every year the collection of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Insti-tute (AGMI) is enriched with new and unique materials that greatly promote the research on Armenian Genocide and organization of museum exhibition. Those materials are mostly obtained with the support and donations of friends of the AGMI. Donation made by AGBU Young Professionals of Los Angeles to the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute in 2009 enriched the museum collection with unique materials. With the financial support of the organization the museum obtained about 150 valuable museum items, including 75 volumes of rare books, which are primary sources

for Armenian genocide studies, of which 30 are of unique impor-tance. Hundreds of rare magazines and newspapers, original pho-tos, postcards, medals, stamps, as well as a unique collection of original photos (38 items) taken by Russian photographer D. I. Yermakov at the end of the 19th century, depicting Armenian cul-tural monuments. The Armenian Genocide Museum expresses its deepest gratitude to the AGBU Young Professionals of Los Angeles for their honest and patriotic step, hoping that henceforward the collaboration for preservation of our common memory will be continued.

AGMI enriched with new unique materials thanks to the donation of AGBU YP LA

Materials purchased by AGMI

The official swearing-in ceremony

AGBU Yerevan Scouts

THE FIRST OFFICIAL SWEARING-IN CEREMONY OF AGBU YEREVAN SCOUTS’ ARABKIR BRANCH


A NEW PHASE IN AGBU-ACAB COOPERATION

ARMENIAN CHURCH COUNCIL OF SPAIN BEING FORMED The first official liturgy at St. Gevork church

On December 6, the first official liturgy was served at the St. Gevork Armenian Church of the city of Calonge, Spain, by Archbishop Norvan Zakarian, Pontifical Delegate of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Western Europe and Primate of the French Diocese. The liturgy was followed by a requiem ceremony in memory of the victims of the 1988 earthquake and the 40th day of the death of His Holiness’ father. The delegation of the AGBU Europe and many Armenian families from Calonge and Barcelona gathered in the St. Gevork Church opened at the initiative of Armenian-Spanish businessman Gaspar Pet-rossian. This was truly a historical day for the Armenian community of Spain. Vicar General of the Pontifical Delegate in Spain and Portugal the Very Reverend Father Sassoun Zmrukhtyan was also present at the liturgy. The number of Armenians in Spain has tangibly increased in the past several years. About 50,000 Armenians moved to Spain from different European countries. On December 5, the meeting of the Ar-menian Apostolic Church Council of Spain was held in Barcelona pre-sided over by Archbishop Norvan Zakarian and attended by the Father Sassoun Zmrukhtyan, AGBU Europe Chairman Alexis Govciyan, mem-bers of the AGBU Europe Board Astghik Alexanian, Sona Atamian, Michel Sabbagh, members of the Church Council, RA Diaspora Minis-ter’s Advisor in Spain Gaspar Petrossyan, ACAB representatives Gor Abgarian and Sevada Sahakian, businessmen Davit Hambardzumian and Eduard Hovanissian. Father Sassoun presented the works imple-mented during the past four months in Spain during which he visited Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante and Madrid, got acquainted with local Armenian communities and served liturgies. He ex-pressed hope that the Armenian communities will unite and help the servant of the Armenian Apostolic Church work effec-tively in the whole territory of Spain and successfully finish the process of establishment of the Spanish Diocese. AGBU Europe Chairman Alexis Govciyan emphasized the importance of running church customs and practice. The strength of the Armenian Church, both in the Diaspora and the homeland, has always been very important for the AGBU. Archbishop Nor-van Zakarian spoke about the importance of creation of spiritual motherland in Spain. Establishment of parochial units is also very important. Armenian Church was registered in Spain in 2003 and only now, after the formation of the church coun-cil, it will be possible to make amendments in the church regulations. RA Diaspora Minister’s Advisor in Spain Gaspar Pet-rossyan noticed the lack of information about the church activities as a major drawback and offered to be more active in organizing church life. It was decided during the meeting to find quick solutions to all the raised issues and be more actively involved in church activities.

On December 5, the Armenian Cultural Association of Barcelona (ACAB) hosted the members of the AGBU Europe board headed by Chairman Alexis Govciyan. Armenian General Benevolent Union and ACAB collaborate in a number of cultural programs. AGBU also supports the Barcelona Saturday school. ACAB was founded in 2004 and has implemented many educational and cultural programs since. It has a www.acab.es Spanish-language website and a football team, which partici-pates in European tournaments. ACAB President and AGBU Europe representative from Spain Gor Abgarian presented the

members of the organization, its activities and the new chairman of ACAB Sevada Sahakian. He emphasized the importance of establishing an Ar-menian Cultural Center in Barcelona. Currently the ACAB operates in the “Ateneu Barcelones” cultural center of Catalonia. Linguist Lilit Ma-noukian, European projects unit coordinator of the Autonomous Univer-sity of Barcelona, talked about the activities carried out among the Arme-nian students including job consulting, recruitment and training of special-ists. This will help Armenian students of Spanish universities to find jobs in international organizations. In the past two years the organization has also participated in EU Tempus educational program, launching a veteri-nary education exchange program between the Veterinary University of Barcelona and the Agrarian University of Yerevan. Chairman of AGBU Europe Alexis Govciyan answered the questions raised by those present and talked about the Armenian-Turkish relations and the signed proto-cols. Also present at the meeting was Hakob Asatrian, Editor-in-Chief of Armenian-language European “Orer” magazine. He spoke about the im-

portance of the magazine for the new Armenian communities of Europe and presented a cooperation proposal. He also pre-sented detailed information about the “Come Home” project implemented by the RA Diaspora Ministry emphasizing its sig-nificant role for the new generation. The participants of the meeting visited the Armenian cross-stone unveiled near the con-temporary art museum of Catalonia by the initiative and financial support of Armenian businessman from Barcelona Davit Hambardzumian, other Spanish-Armenians, and ACAB. Members of AGBU Europe Board Alexis Govciyan, Astghik Alex-anian, Sona Atamian and Michel Sabbagh visited the ACAB sports ground, got acquainted with the students of the Saturday school and watched their trainings. Director of the school Tamara Karapetyan presented the academic program and the current issues of the school. Football coach Miguel Gasparyan from Uruguay praised his players.

ACAB hosted the AGBU Europe board members

From left: AGBU Europe Board members Sona Atamian, Michel Sabbagh and Astghik Alexanian, Archbishop Nor-van Zakarian, AGBU Europe Chairman Alexis Govciyan

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On December 2, 2009, an Armenian khatchkar (cross-stone) was unveiled on a prominent square in La Plata, the capital of the province of Buenos Aires. Made possible by a donation from the AGBU Buenos Aires Chapter, and through the initiative of Sergio Nahabedian, advisor to the province of Buenos Aires and Honorary Member of AGBU, the unveiling and blessing of the khatchkar was conducted on the square next to the Cathedral of La Plata.

The work of Armenian sculptor Ruben Nalpantyan, the khatchkar was carved out of the traditional Armenian stone known as tufa, and it measures 2.30 meters [8'] high, 80 centimeters [32 inches] wide, 30 centimeters [12 inches] deep, and weighs 800 kg [over 362 lbs.]. The major public event was organized by the Municipality of La Plata and AGBU. The day's program began with an Armenian religious ceremony in the cathedral involving the participation of His Eminence Kissag Mouradian, Primate of the Diocese of Argentina and Chile of the Armenian Ap-ostolic Church; Archbishop Hector Aguer of the Archdio-cese of La Plata; and Archbishop Mor Nicholovos Matti Abd Alahad, Patriarchal Vicar of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch. After the religious ceremony, a series of speeches were made in the cathedral by Ruben Kechichian, chairman of AGBU Buenos Aires Chapter and member of AGBU Cen-tral Board of Directors; Sergio Nahabedian; His Excellency

Vladimir Karmirshalian, Armenian Ambassador to Argentina; and Oscar Pablo Bruera, Mayor of La Plata. After the speeches, the procession, which was comprised of the clergymen and the laymen in attendance, headed for the square, where the unveiling and blessing of the khatchkar was conducted by Archbishops Mouradian and Aguer. After the consecration of the khatchkar, Archbishop Auger addressed the attendees as follows: "It is with great joy that today I am receiving the members of the Armenian community, as well as my brother, Archbishop Mouradian, and his retinue. I also express my satisfaction and gratitude for this symbolic cross installed near the cathedral and the di-ocesan palace. I hope that this cross will be honored and wor-shiped, and be our - the Christians of La Plata - symbolic wit-ness, to get a little closer to God and live in peace and happi- ness." The Gomidas Choir of St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral performed under the direction of AGBU Honor Member Makrouhi Olmesekian and offered a unique background to the religious ceremony that took place in the cathedral. Following the ceremony, which marked the unveiling and blessing of the khatchkar, an artistic program took place with the Armenian Cultural Association's “Gayane” Dance Ensemble, which per-formed under the direction of AGBU Honor Member Alicia An- treassian. Present at the ceremonies were members of the executive committee of AGBU Buenos Aires Chapter, Ladies Auxil-iary, Youth League and members of the General Antranig scout troop, as well as teachers, pupils, school board, mothers' committee of, and others associated with, the AGBU Marie Manoogian School. Representatives of other institutions in the Armenian community of Buenos Aires, the press and members of the general public were also in attendance for the unveiling and dedication.

ARMENIAN CROSS-STONE UNVEILED IN THE CENTER OF LA PLATA, BUENOS AIRES,

THANKS TO AGBU AND LOCAL POLITICIANS

From left: Oscar Pablo Bruera, Vladimir Karmirshalian, Archbishops Kissag Mouradian and Hector Aguer,

Sergio Nahabedian, and Ruben Kechichian

Armenian Cultural Association’s “Gayane” dance ensemble during the performance in La Plata

NEW YORK YEREVAN 55 East 59th Street, 9 Alex Manoogian Street, New York, NY 10022-1112 Yerevan, Armenia Phone: 212 319 6383 Phone: (374 10) 51-22-51 Fax: 212 319 6507 Fax: (374 10) 51-22-52 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.agbu.org Website: www.agbu.am

JUBILEE STAPMS MARKING AGBU’S 100TH ANNIVERSARY PUT INTO CIRCULATION IN ARMENIA

Please be advised that in the event of any full or partial reference or citation of the texts above AGBU Armenia Newsletter must be mentioned. All rights reserved. Established in 1906, AGBU (www.agbu.org) is the world's largest non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City with an annual budget of $36 million, AGBU preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually touching the lives of some 400,000 Ar-menians on six continents.


PREPARED BY AGBU ARMENIAN REPRESENTATION Page 8

ARMENIAN GENERAL BENEVOLENT UNION

In 2006, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), “HayPost” postal company printed stamps dedicated to AGBU by the order of the Transport and Communi-cation Ministry of the Republic of Armenia. The sheet of three stamps printed upon the initiative of the AGBU Armenian Representation and in coop-eration with the RA Transport and Communication Ministry depicts the organization’s founder and first president Boghos Noubar, the minutes of the found-ing meeting of the organization, and a portrait of hon-orary life president of AGBU Alex Manoogian.

To mark the AGBU centennial in 2006, the postal service of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh also issued a stamp, which depicted the statue of Alex Manoogian located on his namesake street in Ste-panakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. The stamp issued in NKR has been in circulation since 2006, while the stamp set issued in Armenia, after certain delays, has been put into one-time circu-lation at the end of 2009. In celebration of Christmas and the New Year, the AGBU Armenian Representation sent out greeting cards using the AGBU stamps to the AGBU Presi-dent, AGBU Central Board members, AGBU Chap-ters, government officials and friends.

Jubilee stamps marking the AGBU Centennial

AGBU jubilee stamp printed by the NK postal service

Documents

AGBU Newsletter, December-2009, English