Orange County Saturday School Holds Successful Year End Concert

The AGBU Saturday School in Orange County celebrated its year-end graduation ceremony on Saturday, June 12th. A lovely talent program which included poetry recitals, Armenian songs, musical performances and dance was followed by a picnic reception for all in attendance.

Antranik Scout Camp Visits Etchmiadzin

More photos from this year’s Antranik Scout Camp in Armenia. This time from their trip to the Holy See of Etchmiadzin, where they met with His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians.

Many Participants in “Ari Toun” Program Become Armenian Virtual College Students

AGBU Central Board member Yervant Zorian discusses the Armenian Virtual College with participants of the “Ari Toun” program. (Image via Armenia's Diaspora Ministry)

YEREVAN, NOYAN TAPAN: On June 30, the participants of the “Ari Toun” (Come Home) program visited the French University of Armenia. University rector Joëlle le Morzelec acquainted them with the various departments, the areas of specialization offered by the university, as well as the terms of admission and enrollment.

Some of the participants of the “Ari Toun” program at the French Univ. of Armenia. (Image via Armenia's Diaspora Ministry)

In the afternoon, Yervant Zorian, director of the AGBU Armenian Virtual College (AVC) program, made a presentation to the participants on the possibilities of this educational system and its curriculum. The goal of AVC is to help students obtain basic knowledge of Armenological topics by means of online education. By means of synchronous and asynchronous communication, the students are able to procure new knowledge by organizing their time properly, as well as communicating directly with their online teacher and classmates.

Sources: Asbarez, July 1, 2010, p. 4; Nor Hayastan, July 3, 2010, p. 18; press release of Armenia’s Diaspora Ministry, June 30, 2010.

Photos from Antranik Scout Camp 2010

We recently received these photos from this year’s Antranik Scout Camp in Armenia.

AGBU Melbourne’s “Nor Tsayn” July 2010 Newsletter

Click here to download the PDF (943KB) of the July 2010 edition of AGBU Melbourne’s Nor Tsayn Newsletter.

Armenia News Bulletin 07-23-10

Click here to download the PDF (130KB) of the latest AGBU Armenia News Bulletin.

Vahram Papazian Theater Group of Beirut Visits Armenia’s Diaspora Ministry

Members of Beirut's Vahram Papazian Theater Group with Disapora Minister Hranoush Hakobian (via the Republic of Armenia's Ministry of Diaspora)

On July 6, the AGBU-AYA Vahram Papazian Theater Group of Beirut, headed by its chairman Dertad Avedikian and accompanied by Professor Yervant Ghazanchian, artistic director of the Yerevan State Theater of Musical Comedy named after Hagop Baronian, visited the Diaspora Ministry of the Republic of Armenia. The drama group was on tour in Armenia within the framework of the “One Nation, One Culture” pan-Armenian festival.

Diaspora Minister Hranoush Hakobian spoke highly of the theater group’s role in community life and called on the group to be more active, to work in united fashion. She also presented the Diaspora Ministry’s tasks and goals.

Professor Ghazanchian, in presenting the professional capabilities of the group’s members, stressed their great creative potential.

On July 4, the theater group presented the comedy “Shoghokorte” (The Flatterer) at the aforementioned theater under Ghazanchian’s direction. The same performance was also given on July 8 at the State Dramatic Theater named after Amo Kharazian in Artashat.

Source: Press release of RA Ministry of Diaspora, circulated by Noyan Tapan and published in the July 8, 2010 issue of Nor Hayastan (New Armenia) daily.

Alexander Primary School Debating Teams Wins Interschool Competition

AGBU Alexander Primary School Debating Team holds their trophy from the Forest District Interschool Debating Competition 2010

From the AGBU Alexander Primary School we received the following exciting news:

On Thursday, 17th June 2010 AGBU Alexander Primary School hosted the fourth debate in the ‘Forest District Interschool Debating Competition’. Alexander school was represented by Aren Bedikian, Sevag Keoshgerian, Cassandra Stephan and Michael Tateossian. Virginia Keshishian and Hagop Topouzian took on the duties of time keeper and chairperson. The students were challenged by the topic ‘Governor Phillip would be pleased with Australia’. Our team presented the negative case against John Colet School. Both teams had researched the topic well and were able to present excellent arguments. Each student was able to listen carefully to the arguments of the opposition and devise excellent rebuts. It was an interesting and enjoyable debate. It was very closely fought, with our team coming up with the win in the end.

Armenia News Bulletin 07-20-10

Click here to download the PDF (87KB) of the latest AGBU Armenia News Bulletin.

Scouts Destined for Antranik Camp Arrive in Armenia

AGBU scouts in Yerevan's Zvartnots airport.

We received the following photo from the organizers of the AGBU Antranik Scout Camp in Armenia. They wanted everyone to know that yesterday all the Syria & Lebanon scout groups arrived safely in Yerevan. The scouts were welcomed by camp administrators & local AGBU scout leaders.  Next stop Antranik Scout Camp!