ARMENIAN GENERAL BENEVOLENT UNION AGBUAGBU ARMENIAARMENIA NEWSLETTERNEWSLETTER Yerevan, Armenia IN THIS ISSUE Issue 28, November, 2013 - January, 2014 AGBU President Berge Setrakian in Armenia (p. 1) AGBU PRESIDENT BERGE SETRAKIAN IN ARMENIA AGBU Yerevan Headquarters Berge Setrakian, President of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), visited our (p. 2-3) homeland between January 25-31. While in Armenia, he met with RA President Serzh Sarg- AGBU to Support Tourism syan, the Catholicos of All-Armenians His Holiness Karekin II, Nagorno Karabakh Prime Development in Armenia (p. 4) Minister Arayik Harutyunyan, US Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern, and AUA President AUA Celebrates Launch of Dr. Bruce Boghosian. Undergraduate Program (p. 4) On January 27, Mr. Setrakian AGBU Armenian Virtual was received by RA President College (p. 5-7) Serzh Sargsyan to discuss re- th lations between Armenia and 8 Republican Interschool the Diaspora and AGBU’s ro- Chess Tournament (p. 8) le in these relations. Mr. Setra- NUR: 800 Computers kian spoke about the wide Delivered in Artsakh (p. 9) range of programs carried out AGBU Yerevan Scouts by the Union all over the Celebrate 5 Years (p. 10) world, and the support pro- AGBU YP Yerevan Organizes vided to Syrian-Armenians in Public Discussion on Pension particular. He invited the RA Reform (p. 11) President to participate in the many events scheduled as part AGBU and Holy Etchmiadzin th Youth Centers Celebrate 20th of AGBU’s 88 General As- AGBU Delegation Attended the Divine Liturgy on RA Army Day sembly to take place in Arme- Anniversary (p. 11) in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin nia in October. Tigran Nazaryan: “AGBU On January 26, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Changed My Life, I Want to Change Armenia” (p. 12) Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided over the Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the Armed Forces Day of the Republic of Armenia. The celebrant was His Grace Bishop AGBU Western District Vrtanes Abrahamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Armed Forces and Head Chap- Committee’s Gala Banquet lain of the Armenian Army. Raises 125,000 USD for Youth Programs (p. 13) Present at the Divine Liturgy were RA Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan, Senior Officers of the Armenian Army, Primates of the Armenian Church, members of the Brotherhood of Holy AGBU Scholarship Program Etchmiadzin, Mr. and Mrs. Berge and Vera Setrakian, AGBU Vice President Mr. Sinan Distributes 1.1 mln USD Sinanian and his wife Angele, and AGBU Central Board Members Vasken Yacoubian and (p. 14-15) Dr. Yervant Zorian. AGBU Summer Programs Following the Divine Liturgy, at the Holy Altar of Descent of the Mother Cathedral, the Ca- (p. 16) tholicos of All Armenians presided over the prayer “Blessing of the Republic” for the welfare and vibrancy of Armenia and the Armenian Army. Following the prayer, a formal reception was held in the Events Auditorium of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary, during which His Holiness once again congratulated everyone on the occasion of the 22nd anniversary of the Army of the Republic of Armenia, extending his blessings and best wishes. At the con- clusion of the reception, medals were bestowed on army officials. A wide range of national and religious issues were discussed with His Holiness Karekin II at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin on January 27. Mr. Se- trakian avowed his faithfulness and dedication to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and assured His In AGBU Yerevan Office with US Ambassador John Heffern Holiness that AGBU would continue supporting projects of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Holy See. On January 28, the AGBU delegation, headed by President Setrakian, attended a concert on the occasion of Army Day at the Opera and Ballet Theater Hall. During their visit to Armenia, the AGBU leaders also visited the construction site of the new AGBU building in the center of Yerevan. Issues regarding the expansion of AGBU activities in Armenia were also discussed. Page 1 AGBU ARMENIA NEWSLETTER ISSUE 28, NOVEMBER, 2013 - JANUARY, 2014 PRESERVING THE PAST AND EMBRACING THE FUTURE: NEW AGBU CENTER IN YEREVAN In recent years, Yerevan has witnessed a dramatic increase in construction. Simultaneously, society continues to demand that architects preserve historical architectural design, adhere to modern rules of urban development, and tastefully develop new structures. There is a growing awareness of environmental protection issues. In 2011, when the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) decided to build its new AGBU Center in Yerevan, emphasis was placed on creating a modern structure which would introduce new, environmentally-friendly practices to Yerevan. The building had to differ dramatically from other recently-constructed buildings. AGBU resolved to design a contemporary struc- ture which preserved the architectural and historical flavor of Armenia, while at the same time complied with international rules, norms and the most advanced construction technologies. In 1906, the same year in which AGBU was founded, the Erivan Municipality Duma (Council) building was constructed in Ta- jarayin Square (now Shahumyan Square). Although that building was demolished in 2000 to make way for other construction, its exterior stones were salvaged, numbered and preserved. These stones were acquired; some will be displayed in the new cen- ter. The original design of the Duma has been replicated in the facade of the new AGBU Center. Construction is well underway and is expected to be completed later this year. Located at 2/2 Melik-Adamyan Street, just off Republic Square, the 6,800 square meter complex rises five stories, is built on 1,300 square meters of land, and is within walk- ing distance of numerous restaurants, shops and hotels, transportation and more. (Continued on p. 3) The Old Duma Building on Tajarayin (now Shahumyan) Square Page 2 AGBU ARMENIA NEWSLETTER ISSUE 28, NOVEMBER, 2013 - JANUARY, 2014 PRESERVING THE PAST AND EMBRACING THE FUTURE... (Continued from p. 2) Housing AGBU Armenia’s new home, it will allow for the expansion of AGBU’s cultural, educational, youth and other programs. Archives from AGBU’s more than 100 year old rich history and other materials will be housed here. AGBU’s Tourism Project, now being developed, is ex- pected to be headquartered here. This state-of-the-art building holds endless potential to strengthen Armenia-Diaspora rela- tions and expand AGBU programs in Armenia. Stones from the Old Duma Building will be Displayed Combining Armenian architectural designs and contemporary western construction technologies, the environmentally- friendly complex includes generous office space, conference and exhibition halls, two underground levels of parking, a restaurant with indoor and patio dining, a rooftop café, and more. Cutting-edge technologies, such as thermally-insulated fa- cades and solar panels, will make this building energy effi- cient, and even partially self-sufficient, generating an esti- Traditional Armenian Carpet Motifs on the Elevator Shafts mated 20 kilowatts of electricity per hour. The solar panels, to be installed in the inner courtyard, not only provide shade and an ultra-modern look to the building, but also ensure this building is added to the ranks of the world’s leading structures utilizing European standards to preserve energy. This is the first such building in Yerevan. Its efficient energy saving system will contribute to a sustainable, environmentally-friendly building. The exterior of the building is nearly complete. The installation of an anti-vibration layer under the foundation of the building will effectively isolate sound and vibrations from the nearby subway system. Distinctive black tuff stones, from Armenia’s Shirak Region, form the façade. More than 70% of the exterior walls of the building are glass, providing abundant natural light. Window panes will be fitted soon, thereby completing the ex- terior envelope of the center. With the study of solar panel providers now done, production will soon begin on the customized, louvered solar panels that will cover each window facing the inner courtyard. These will be partially manufactured in Armenia. The interior design of the building combines Armenian culture with the modern and minimalistic. The prevailing theme is the individual and his need to move freely, comfortably and effi- ciently. Comfortable Office Space As one enters the building, AGBU’s history can be read on the huge translucent glass wall. Elevators provide an unusual taste of traditional Armenian carpet motifs painted on the elevator shafts. Very shortly, work will begin on the interior and under- ground parking areas. The Government of Armenia and the Yerevan Municipality facilitated AGBU’s realization of this major project. Gener- ous donations by AGBU Council of Trustees Member Nazar Nazarian and his wife Artemis made this dream a reality. AGBU Central Board Member Aris Atamian, dedicated con- Solar Panels in the Back Make the Building Self-Sufficient cept designer and architectural advisor, continues to offer his time and contributions through the planning and construction phases. The AGBU Center in Yerevan is being developed in collaboration with Horizon-95 Construction Company, Narek Sarg- syan Architectural Studio, and Storaket Architectural Studio. Construction process is supervised by AGBU Central Board Mem- ber and AGBU Armenia and Middle East Coordinator Vasken Yacoubian, who heads the construction committee. This premiere AGBU Center demonstrates a shining illustration of AGBU’s commitment to, and vision and hope, for Armenia. Page 3 AGBU ARMENIA NEWSLETTER ISSUE 28, NOVEMBER, 2013 - JANUARY, 2014 AGBU TO PARTICIPATE IN TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN ARMENIA The Board of Trustees of the National Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia (NCFA) met on November 2 under the auspices of RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan. Tourism development in Arme- nia, a top priority for the government, was on the agenda. NCFA’s Tourism Development Project is designed to make Armenia a fa- vorable and attractive country for tourism and to professionally represent Armenia’s achievements in international markets.