Camp Nubar’s Winter Reunion Set for Sat, Jan 14

Camp Nubar is having their Winter Reunion event on Saturday, January 14 in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. This annual event allows campers and counselors to reconnect with friends from the summers past.

Armenia News Bulletin 12-20-11

IN THIS ISSUE

1. Vladimir Petrosyan appointed acting vice-mayor of Moscow
2. Turkey does not have any serious source to prevent adoption of the bill penalizing the denial of the Armenian Genocide
3. Serzh Sargsyan attends opening of exhibition dedicated to the 500th anniversary of the Armenia typography in Venice
4. President Serzh Sargsyan visits the Mkhitarian Congregation at the St. Lazarus Island in Venice
5. Turkey sends parliamentary delegation to France for preventing adoption of Armenian Bill
6. Sharmazanov considers continuation of dialogue possible
7. Hayk Demoyan convinced war to result in coup in Azerbaijan
8. Works over international recognition of Armenian Genocide to intensify
9. Turkish organizations are refused to be provided a hall in Paris for conducting conference against Armenian bill
10. Turkish businessmen fear to tell their government that they cooperate with Armenians
11. Deputy finance minister thinks system of obligatory accumulative pension to result in economic growth
12. French-Armenians expect NA of France to adopt Bill Criminalizing Armenian Genocide Denial
13. Armenian community of France coming forth as a citizen of France demands adoption of bill criminalizing denial of Armenian Genocide
14. Armenia’s participation in “Eurovision 2012” to be clear at the end of the year
15. Gathering of Armenian film figures of Hollywood in LA
16. His Holiness Aram I Welcomes the United States of America’s House of Representatives Bill 306 on Church property
17. Government to allocate funds for paying the tuition fees of about 600 socially insecure and progressive students
18. Ara Abrahamyan and Samvel Karapetyan – laureates of “Man of the Year-2011” awarding
19. Money awards to leading Armenian athletes
20. Arsenal looks at Armenian international midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Click here to download the PDF (64KB) of the latest AGBU Armenia News Bulletin.

AGBU Initiates Tour Promoting Dr. George Bournoutian’s New Publication; Makes Appearance on Armenian Radio Hour of New Jersey

On October 30, 2011, AGBU launched a tour to promote Dr. George Bournoutian’s newest publication – The 1823 Russian Survey of the Karabagh Province: A Primary Source on the Demography and Economy of Karabagh in the Early 19th Century with an appearance by the author on the Armenian Radio Hour of New Jersey. You can watch the full interview by clicking here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ogorHbsQSE. The following weekend, Bournoutian traveled to Montreal and Toronto for talks in front of packed audiences, and also lectured for enthusiastic attendees in New York and Detroit. Several more presentations are scheduled for 2012. The scholarly work proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that Armenians formed the overwhelming 95% majority of the populations inhabiting the Nagorno-Karabakh territory and the villages of Zangezur before 1822.

On a related note, another one of Bournoutian’s more than a dozen works has just been published in Turkish. A Concise History of the Armenian People, which was translated by an Armenian and a Turk, made its debut via Aras Publishers in Istanbul at the annual Istanbul International Book Fair (November 18-December 1). This was the first time that an Armenian publishing house participated in the fair. A Concise History, the first of its kind in English, was commissioned by AGBU in 1993-1994, and has since sold 20,000 copies and been adopted as the main text at a number of colleges, universities and high schools teaching Armenian history. The Turkish edition may be purchased through the Aras site.

Armenia News Bulletin 12-13-11

IN THIS ISSUE

1. Better mobility between Armenia and EU discussed
2. There is no political crisis in Armenia so that government resigns
3. ARF’s initiative not backed by the parliament
4. Armenian President attends opening of Armenian Consulate General in Marseilles
5. President of Lebanon arrives in Armenia
6. Heritage Party accepts EPP mandate
7. President of Lebanon wishes Armenia find its perfect integrity
8. RA President says attempts of Azerbaijan to present NK issue in religious coloring senseless
9. RA President’s speech in Marseille causes shock in Turkey
10. Raffi Hovhannissyan believes Armenia is on the threshold of big changes
11. RA President’s visit to Italy kicks off
12. Serzh Sargsyan is in Italy on a working visit
13. Serzh Sargsyan to meet Mayor of Rome and President of Italian Chamber of Deputies
14. British companies interested in making investments in Armenia
15. Armenia and Lebanon to reinforce economic ties
16. President of Armenia urges Armenians of France return to Homeland
17. Philharmonic Orchestra faces serious financial challenges
18. Charles Aznavour to present “Aznavour Toujours” new album in Kremlin
19. Documentary film on NK issue presented in Prague
20. Italy to be moved to Yerevan
21. 23 years after devastating earthquake: still remembered, still mourned
22. Poorest community of the country has a new kindergarten and medical center
23. Capital to mark New Year in unimaginable light

Click here to download the PDF (69KB) of the latest AGBU Armenia News Bulletin.

New Cookbook by Local AGBU Member Aline Kamakian Launched at Annual AGBU Lebanon Christmas Bazaar

Attracting hundreds of local community members excited about the upcoming holiday season, the AGBU Lebanon District Ladies’ Committee held its annual Christmas bazaar at the Demirdjian Center during the weekend of December 9 to 11, 2011. Featured at the event was a brand new cookbook published by local AGBU member Aline Kamakian entitled “Armenian Cuisine (pictured above),” which features authentic recipes researched during her trip to the Cilicia region of Turkey with anthropologist and writer Dr. Barbara Drieskens. Kamakian, who is the co-owner of the renowned restaurant Mayrig in Lebanon, will also be touring North America in March/April of 2012 to present the book and talk about her travels. For those in the US and Canada interested in purchasing this 368-page full color cookbook, please contact bookstore@agbu.org ($45 + $7 shipping).

AGBU’s Toronto Chapter Holds Its Annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony

AGBU’s Toronto Chapter held its annual scholarship awards reception at the Alex Manoogian Cultural Centre on December 1, 2011. This year’s recipients included Mher Areyan, Hrant Babayan, Daron Bedrosyan, Davit Davtyan, Knar Deherian, Michelle Deherian, Garen Hagopian, Levon Kostanyan, Nyrie Kouyoumdjian, Tamar Makdessian, Liana Sukiasyan, and Khatchadour Wanes.

The Chapter’s executive members welcomed and congratulated the recipients on their achievements, and then invited scholarship recipients to talk about their ongoing education and future plans. Board members also took the time to introduce the recipients to AGBU’s worldwide humanitarian and programs, as well as ongoing activities at the local chapter.

AGBU’s Education Department, based at the Central Office, awards scholarships based on high academic achievement, the caliber of the institution at which they are enrolled, and their involvement in community service. Furthermore, their potential for success and contributions to the Armenian people and nation are of important value in the decision making process. The hope is that scholarship recipients will assist AGBU in accomplishing its mission in their own capacity.

Armenia News Bulletin 12-06-11

IN THIS ISSUE

1. Conflicts in the region should be solved through negotiations: President Sargsyan
2. Smessow notes about possibility of elimination of visa regime between Armenia and the EU countries
3. Armenian party not accredited at the session undertaken by Azerbaijan on NK issue in the French Senate
4. Nikoyan will continue succeeded programs of Hovik Abrahamyan
5. Eduard Sharmazanov elected NA Deputy Speaker
6. First international forum of economics in Armenia
7. Possible crisis to have minimal impact on Armenia
8. Karen Karapetyan appointed first vice chairman of “Gazprombank”
9. Bako Sahakyan visits the Chaco province of Argentine
10. Official reception in honor of the Artsakh President held in RA embassy of Argentine
11. “The Other Frunzik”: New Film about the Great Artist
12. Armenia’s culture and history to be presented to tourists in 7 languages
13. “Babajanyan Fest” going on
14. Works of 36 Armenian artists to be presented
15. Pashazadeh’s visit to Armenia a way to calm down the international community
16. Catholicos of All-Armenians receives participants of “Junior Eurovision 2011”
17. Karekin II address a letter to Pashazade
18. Majority of young people tie their future with Homeland
19. 300 children in Armenia are homeless
20. Serob Ter-Poghosyan received utmost punishment
21. Children’s houses to have computer rooms
22. 110 Breakaway buildings in Shirak province
23. Henrik Mkhitaryan – best football player
24. Levon Aronian beats Nigel Short

Click here to download the PDF (64KB) of the latest AGBU Armenia News Bulletin.

AGBU’s New England District and YP Boston Host Thanksgiving Dinner for University Students

On Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2011, the AGBU New England District and the Young Professionals (YP) of Boston hosted what they hope to be an annual Thanksgiving Dinner for Boston-area Armenian college and university students and their friends. “We’re committed to reaching out to local college students,” announced New England Chair Ara J. Balikian. “It was a pleasure for us to provide a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for those who were unable to go home for the holiday. We consider them a part of our family.”

The dinner was free to students and was held at the AGBU Center located in Watertown, MA.  As a bonus, several students were picked-up and returned to their respective campuses.  Everyone who attended enjoyed the food, conversation, and hospitality. With plans to re-energize the local community, AGBU’s New England Chapter has recently regrouped with a new young and vibrant committee.