Photos from YP Chicago’s Inaugural Event

On November 21, 2009, the newly established Young Professionals of Chicago held their first event at NAHA restaurant in downtown Chicago.

Fifty people attended the kick-off event and the following are some photos from the gathering.

 

Armenian Virtual College on 12th Annual Armenia Fund USA Telethon

AGBU’s newest educational project, the Armenian Virtual College (AVC), will be featured as one of the spots during the annual Armenia Fund USA (Hayastan Himnadram) Telethon tomorrow (Thursday, November 26, 2009).

AGBU Central Board Member and AVC founder, Yervant Zorian, will be in the Telethon’s Los Angeles studios for an interview and to present a video about the project.

This segment will be televised on Armenia’s H1 public television station on Thursday, November 26 at 2:30 PM (PST).

You may also watch a live webcast of the entire 12-hour telethon (8 AM – 8 PM PST) from anywhere in the world on www.armeniafundusa.org.

Armenia News Bulletin 11-25-09

Click here to download the PDF (57KB) of the latest AGBU Armenia News Bulletin.

Fresno Establishes Sister City Relationship with the City of Etchmiadzin

Via the Armenian Mirror-Spectator:

On Friday, October 30, [Fresno] Mayor Ashley Swearengin and Council member Andreas Borgeas held a press conference in front of the City Hall Council Chambers to announce the formation of its newest Sister City partnership between Fresno and the City of Etchmiadzin, Armenia.

In addition to a representative of AGBU, representatives from several Armenian organizations were in attendance, including the Armenian American Citizen League (AACL), the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party (ADL), the Armenian National Committee (ANC), the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), the Armenian Relief Society (ARS), the Armenian Technology Group, the Daughters of Vartan, Hamazkayin Cultural Association, Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Fresno, Homenetmen, the Knights of Vartan, St. Gregory Armenian Church of Fowler, St. Mary Armenian Church of Yettem, St. Paul Armenian Church of Fresno, Tekeyan Cultural Association, and the Triple X Fraternity Fresno & Selma Chapters.

According to the Watertown, Massachusetts, Armenian American newspaper:

“The City of Fresno is blessed with a vibrant and robust Armenian community that has contributed so much to our way of life here in Fresno and throughout the entire San Joaquin Valley,” said Swearengin, adding, “I am proud of the efforts City of Etchmiadzin. Due to the efforts of our committee members, Fresno and Echmiadzin will enjoy a host of new business, trade, travel, cultural arts and educational opportunities.”

Golden Age Committee of AGBU Montreal Celebrates 35th Anniversary

From Abaka weekly (November 9, 2009):

Montreal – The celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Golden Age Committee of AGBU Montreal took place on October 18, 2009 in the Jirair and Elise Dervishian Hall of the AGBU Alex Manoogian Center. It began under the auspices of Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, Primate of the Diocese of Canada, and the presidency of Mrs. Christine Kouyoumdjian. Renditions of the Canadian, Armenian and AGBU anthems were followed by opening remarks by Rahel Ourfalian. Hagop Melkonian, chairman of the Golden Age Committee, expressed gratitude to the event’s organizing committee for making the day pleasant and memorable.

A group of talented artists volunteered their participation in the celebration, including Mesrob Berejikian, Silva Amadooni-Tokatlian, Hilda Libarian-Okoomooshian, Razmig Barbarian, Arthur Apkarian and even Hagop Melkonian himself.

The program was enhanced with a slide show depicting events of the recent past, prepared by Golden Age Committee secretary and emcee of the day’s event, Rahel Ourfalian.

Armen Bechakjian, chairman of the executive committee of the AGBU Montreal Chapter, invited Mrs. Christine Kouyoumdjian to cut the 35th-anniversary cake, then remembered Lucy Kestekian, founder of Golden Age, and finally invited the members of the Golden Age Committee on stage to receive plaques of appreciation.

Fr. Vazken Boyajian, representing Bishop Galstanian, read the Primate’s congratulatory message and blessed everyone.

The article has been edited and translated by Aris Sevag.

Armenia News Bulletin 11-23-09

Click here to download the PDF (53KB) of the latest AGBU Armenia News Bulletin.

YP Philly Visits Arshile Gorky Retrospective

On November 6, 2009, the AGBU Young Professionals of Philadelphia visited the Arshile Gorky retrospective that is currently on view at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Over 75 attended the event and the private tour was followed by a social event that was designed to strengthen the bonds between local Armenian Americans.

Armenia News Bulletin 11-20-09

Click here to download the PDF (50KB) of the latest AGBU Armenia News Bulletin.

Harout Chitilian Elected Member of City Council for Bordeaux-Cartierville District

From Abaka Weekly (November 9, 2009) we learn that a local AGBU leader has been elected to public office:

Harout Chitilian, a former graduate of the AGBU Armen-Quebec Alex Manoogian School and member of the executive committee of the AGBU Montreal Chapter, emerged victorious in the Bordeaux-Cartierville district during the municipal elections of Montreal which took place on Sunday, November 1, 2009. Representing the Union Montréal Party, he won 37.71 percent of the overall votes.

Congratulations to Harout Chitilian for his wonderful achievement.

Armenia News Bulletin 11-18-09

Click here to download the PDF (71KB) of the latest AGBU Armenia News Bulletin.