Armenia Discovered Why the World Is Waking up to the Wonders of Armenia As a Global Tourism Destination
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ARMENIAN GENERAL BENEVOLENT UNION MAR. 2018 Armenia Discovered Why the world is waking up to the wonders of Armenia as a global tourism destination ARMENIA’S NEW PRESIDENT ARMEN SARKISSIAN ELECTED HEAD OF STATE P.07 Armenian General Benevolent Union ESTABLISHED IN 1906 Central Board of Directors Հայկական Բարեգործական Ընդհանուր Միութիւն President Berge Setrakian Mission Vice Presidents To preserve and promote the Armenian heritage through worldwide educational, Sam Simonian cultural and humanitarian programs Sinan Sinanian Treasurer Annual International Budget Nazareth A. Festekjian USD Assistant Treasurer Forty-six million dollars ( ) Yervant Demirjian Education Secretary 24 primary, secondary, preparatory and Saturday schools; scholarships; alternative Sarkis Jebejian educational resources (apps, e-books, AGBU WebTalks & more); American University Assistant Secretary of Armenia (AUA); AUA Extension—AGBU NKR Program; Armenian Virtual Col- Arda Haratunian lege (AVC); TUMO x AGBU Honorary Member Cultural, Humanitarian and Religious His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians AGBU News Magazine; the AGBU Humanitarian Emergency Relief Fund for Syrian Members Armenians; athletics; camps; choral groups; concerts; dance; films; lectures; library re- UNITED STATES search centers; medical centers; mentorships; music competitions; publica- tions; radio; scouts; summer internships; theater; youth trips to Armenia. Armenia: Noubar Afeyan Holy Etchmiadzin; Arapkir, Malatya and Nork Children’s Centers and Senior Dining Eric Esrailian Centers; Hye Geen Women’s Centers; Sevan Theological Seminary; Ultrasound Center. Ani Manoukian Republic of Artsakh: Chamber Orchestra Lori Muncherian Levon Nazarian Districts, Chapters, Centers and Offices Yervant Zorian Argentina: Armenia: Artsakh: Australia: ARMENIA Buenos Aires, Córdoba; Yerevan; Stepanakert; Melbourne, Sydney; Austria: Vienna; Belgium: Brussels; Brazil: São Paulo; Bulgaria: Armen Sarkissian Sofia, Plovdiv, Burgas, Dobrich, Haskovo, Russe, Silistra, Sliven, Yambol;Canada: Vasken Yacoubian Cyprus: Egypt: Ethiopia: CANADA Montréal, Toronto; Larnaca, Nicosia; Alexandria, Heliopolis; Addis Ababa; France: Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Paris, St. Chamond-St. Étienne, Valence, Lena Sarkissian Vienne; Germany: Hamburg; Greece: Athens; Iran: Tehran; Iraq: Baghdad; Italy: FRANCE Milan; Lebanon: Beirut, Zahlé, Amanos, Antelias, Sin el-Fil; The Netherlands: Almelo; Aris Atamian South Africa: Johannesburg; Spain: Barcelona; Switzerland: Geneva; Syria: Aleppo, RUSSIA Damascus, Kamishli, Kessab, Latakia, Yacoubieh; Uruguay: Montevideo; UAE: Ruben Vardanyan Dubai; United Kingdom: London; United States: Arizona, Boston, Canoga Park, SWITZERLAND Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Fresno, Glendale, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New Vahé Gabrache York, Orange County, Pasadena, San Diego, San Fernando Valley, Silicon Valley, UNITED KINGDOM Washington, D.C. Arnaud Attamian Young Professionals Joseph Oughourlian Council of Trustees Argentina: YP Buenos Aires; Armenia: YP Yerevan; Austria: YP Austria; Belgium: YP Belgium; Brazil: YP Brazil; Bulgaria: YP Sofia, YP Plovdiv; Canada: YP Montréal, YP Sarkis Demirdjian Denmark: France: Toronto; YP Copenhagen; YP Lyon Rhône-Alpes, YP Marseille, YP Richard Manoogian Germany: Greece: Iran: Lebanon: Vatche Manoukian Paris; HAIK (Frankfurt); YP Athens; YP Tehran; YP Lebanon; The Netherlands: YP Amsterdam; Russia: YP Moscow; Switzerland: YP Nazar Nazarian Turkey: United Kingdom: United States: Louise Manoogian Simone Switzerland; (UTI) Istanbul; YP London; Karnig Yacoubian YP Arizona, YP Boston, YP Chicago, YP Detroit, YP Houston, YP Los Angeles, YP In Memoriam Greater New York, YP Philadelphia, YP Northern California, YP Washington, D.C. Boghos Nubar, Founder Alex Manoogian, Honorary Life President MCEACHERN ALLEN PAGE: FOLLOWING 2 AGBU March 2018 | www.agbu.org Editorial he tourism industry is one of the largest eco- spotlight will reach new heights as two of the world’s most nomic drivers in the world, accounting for ap- prestigious research centers and museums—the Smithson- proximately 10% of global GDP and one in ten ian Institution and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in jobs. The flow of people and goods fuels not New York—focus on Armenia with feature exhibitions. only economic growth, but promotes national On May 28th, Sadarabad Day, the Armenian nation will development, cultural awareness and tolerance honor an historic expression of its sovereignty by marking Tthrough the exchange of ideas and social interaction. the 100th Anniversary of the establishment of the first Armenia is just beginning to realize its largely untapped Armenian Republic since 1375 and commemorate the potential as a unique tourism destination that combines 30th anniversary of the birth of the Karabakh movement. staggering natural beauty with a rich cul- On October 13th, Yerevan will cele- tural heritage. Home to three UNESCO brate its remarkable 2800th Anniver- World Heritage sites—with several sary with a calendar of special events more under consideration—Armenia expected to attract large numbers of offers an extraordinary travel experi- foreigners and Armenians from the ence that will enchant every kind of diaspora. At the same time, the capital visitor from adventure seekers to art will host over 50 heads of state and aficionados. Throughout the world, governments as part of the largest in- Armenians are also renowned for ternational summit ever held in the their welcoming generosity, which nation, La Francophonie. Combined never fails to leave a memorable im- with an exciting number of annual art, pression. film, music and wine festivals and ex- There are more than 700 possible hibitions, there has never been as tourist attractions in Armenia, repre- many dynamic opportunities for de- senting enormous potential for growth veloping sustainable tourism markets and sustainable development, particu- in the country. larly in rural towns and villages with We all have a role to play in ensuring dwindling populations in need of alter- this golden opportunity is not squan- native sources of income. Many of these dered. It is not something we can do. It attractions, however, remain under- is something we must do. Armenians developed and difficult to access. worldwide can serve as ambassadors to help fuel the growth As exciting as the past year may have been for Armenia’s of tourism. Encourage your family members and non- international reputation, 2018 promises to be even more Armenian friends to visit this year and discover the wonders exceptional. The election of new President Armen Sarkissian of Armenia. By working together with government organi- as head of state under the new constitution presents a new zations, private sector companies, NGOs and grassroots face of the nation to the world. Armenia’s ambassador to the movements to help raise the country’s international profile, United Kingdom and former Prime Minister, Sarkissian will Armenia will in turn reap the benefits of a stronger economy, now serve as a symbol of unity and integrity of the Armenian job growth, and a greater connection to the world beyond its nation at home and abroad. Throughout the year, the global borders. Berge Setrakian President FOLLOWING PAGE: ALLEN MCEACHERN ALLEN PAGE: FOLLOWING www.agbu.org | March 2018 AGBU 3 ARMENIAN GENERAL BENEVOLENT UNION MAR. 2018 Volume 28/Number 1 www.agbu.org 03 Editorial 06 Features 07 Presidential Election What the new power shift in governance means for Armenia 08 Armenia Discovered How Armenia is becoming a premier travel destination 15 Yerevan 2800 Honoring the capital’s exceptional past with an eye toward the future 16 Blazing a Trail How Armenia’s innovative hiking culture is preserving the environment while boosting the economy 19 Vivre Armenian Hospitality Yerevan selected host of this year’s La Francophonie Summit 20 Armenia! Medieval Armenian art takes center stage at The Metropolitan Museum of Art 2 4 In Pictures: Homeland as Wonderland There’s so much more to explore in Armenia than first meets the eye 28 A Model for Success The AGBU Alex Manoogian School in Montreal pioneers a Welcome program for Syrian Armenians 32 Education 32 Conversation Piece ANI finds a shortcut to English fluency for Armenia’s youth 33 AGBU Donors 35 Tenny Tatusian: A Thirst for Life and Journalism 38 Alice Martin: Continuing Her Family Legacy 4 1 Rose and Berdj Tanielian: Keeping Their Ancestors’ Memory Alive 4 4 Krikor Ermonian: A Lifetime of Dedication to Education and Philanthropy 4 6 AGBU News 46 Highlights 59 Young Professionals 61 Chapters 71 Summer Programs 80 Bookstore AGBU News Magazine is published by the Central Board of the Armenian General Benevolent Union: 55 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022-1112. Tel:212 319-6383 Fax: 212 319-6507/08. E-Mail: [email protected]. POSTMASTERS: Send address changes to above. Printed in U.S.A. 4 AGBU March 2018 | www.agbu.org AGBU News Magazine COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Lara Messerlian MANAGING EDITOR Kathryn Manuelian EDITOR Daniel Halton EDITORIAL STAFF Randa Akda, Anita Anserian, Alex Basmagian, Hrant Kamalyan, Vahe Kiljian, Jennifer Manoukian, Karen Papazian, Linda Ravul, Olya Yordanyan ART DIRECTOR Levi Nicholson/Biohazard Design This publication of the Armenian General Benevolent Union is mailed free of charge to members and donors of the organization. If you are not a regular contributor and wish to continue receiving the AGBU News Magazine, please send a minimum contribution of $25.00 in the envelope enclosed in the issue. The AGBU News Magazine Page