AGBU 110th ANNIVERSARY VIDEO IN THIS ISSUE: AGBU DEBUTS THE INTERNATIONAL MUSICAL COLLABORATION HOKIS BEFORE A SOLD-OUT AUDIENCE (p. 2) Be Part of History AGBU HOLDS INSPIRING SERIES OF EVENTS FOR ITS 89th GENERAL ASSEMBLY Be Part Of TOMORROW IN NEW YORK (p. 3) AGBU CELEBRATES 110th ANNIVERSARY GALA IN NEW YORK (p. 5) AGBU HOLDS 89th GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN NEW YORK (p. 7) AGBU 110th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS IN ARMENIA (p. 9) PRESS CONFERENCE AND AGBU HISTORY E-BOOK PRESENTATION (p. 9) GALA DINNER IN YEREVAN (p. 10) PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN CONGRATULATED THE AGBU ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 110th ANNIVERSARY (p. 11) AGBU PRESIDENT BERGE SETRAKIAN’S 110th ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS (p. 12) AGBUTALKS HELD WITH PRIME MINISTER KAREN KARAPETYAN ON ARMENIA’S LONG-TERM SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (p. 14) HOKIS MUSICAL PERFORMANCE PREMIERED IN YEREVAN ON THE OCCASION OF AGBU'S 110th ANNIVERSARY (p. 14) BERGE SETRAKIAN'S VISIT TO CENTRAL MILITARY HOSPITAL OF THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE SUMMARIZED THE RESULTS OF THE "HELP ARTSAKH" CAMPAIGN (p. 16) AGBU OPENS A NEW MEDICAL CENTER AS PART OF ITS SYRIAN ARMENIAN RELIEF PROGRAM (p. 17) GRANT CONTRACT SIGNING CEREMONY BETWEEN AGBU ARMENIA AND THE EUROPEAN UNION DELEGATION TO ARMENIA (p. 18) PARTNERS APPRECIATION DAY (p. 19) AGBU ACQUIRES TWO 110-YEAR-OLD DOCUMENTS ATTESTING TO THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION (p. 20) AGBU 110th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS IN DIASPORA (p. 21) AGBU ARMENIA NEWSLETTER USA AGBU DEBUTS THE INTERNATIONAL MUSICAL COLLABORATION HOKIS BEFORE A SOLD- OUT AUDIENCE Students from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin & AGBU Nork Children’s Center and The TUMO Center for Creative Technologies perform at New York City Center On October 28, the AGBU-sponsored musical spectacular HOKIS featured the awe-inspiring skills of three groups from HOKIS debuted at the renowned New York city Center before the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin & AGBU Nork Children’s a sold-out audience. A highlight of the AGBU 89th General Center, known for its excellence in the performing arts, and Assembly Weekend in celebration of the organization’s 110th three groups from the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies, anniversary, the performance showcased the talents of recognized for its superb technology curricula. over 70 young dancers, musicians, acrobats and technology From the Children’s Center, the audience was treated to the students from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin & AGBU talents of the Acrobatics Ensemble, acclaimed aerialists who Nork Children’s Center and the TUMO Center for Creative dazzled with their daring, high-flying feats; the Narek Dance Technologies in Armenia. Invited to New York especially for Ensemble, world-class dancers rigorously trained in modern, this performance, the students represent some of the most jazz and classical along with traditional Armenian dance; and cutting-edge talent in digital and performing arts in Armenia, the Percussion Ensemble, an all-male group who thrilled with pushing the limits of what is conventionally understood as their eclectic sound and rhythmic innovation. Armenian art. The three groups from the TUMO Center were comprised The story of HOKIS is an allegory for the Armenian nation of Decibelle, an all-girl quintet music production team who told through the lives of two young lovers who begin together, debuted their songwriting, vocal and instrumental skills for are torn apart and are then triumphantly reunited. The brainchild the first time at HOKIS; Pyramidz, TUMO’s electronic music of creative director Patrick Malakian, a noted French Armenian ensemble that creates innovative compositions inspired by producer, HOKIS was brought to life by performance director electronica masters like Flying Lotus and Gramatik; and TmbaTa, Grigor Khachatryan and choreographer Arman Julhakyan, who a vocal group that prides itself on original pieces and modern trained the performers for months in preparation for their debut. arrangements of traditional Armenian songs. “What the show is about is to say that we are one: it’s not “I was really impressed by the artistry of the HOKIS about children from Armenia and children from the diaspora. performers, especially their mixing of old and new elements— HOKIS is about bringing people together from all over the there were even musicians playing the groovebox and using world,” said Malakian. modern instruments to remake Armenian music. When you go 2 USA AGBU ARMENIA NEWSLETTER to an Armenian show, it’s usually either music or dance, but I liked how HOKIS decided to present us with different elements, including acrobatics. I hope these performers will have a great career, because, of course, they represent the future,” said AGBU Young Professionals (YP) Lyon Rhône-Alpes chair Viken Kojakian. HOKIS Committee member Sossy Setrakian echoed Kojakian’s sentiments:“The HOKIS performance was a true expression of our people’s artistic talents, and AGBU’s dedication and long-term commitment to nurturing them. I am honored to have had the opportunity to take part in showcasing the love, dreams and aspirations of the Armenian nation through the HOKIS performance.” The student performers were joined by three special guests, dancer Seta Paskalian-Kantardjian, the founder and artistic The theme of the meetings revolved around the concept of director of the Shushi Dance Ensemble; dancer Arsen Sargsyan, strengthening the global Armenian nation, honoring Armenians former soloist of the National Ballet of Armenia; and mezzo- who bring pride to the Armenian community through their soprano Solange Merdinian, co-music director of the New Docta outstanding achievements, reinforcing the link between International Music Festival. All of the sets for HOKIS were Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh and the diaspora, and acting as designed by the Ardean Design Studio, a collective of young one nation. designers that emerged from a TUMO workshop in 2014. The The series of events began on Thursday with a full day studio harnesses the talent and creativity in Armenia to create of meetings for AGBU delegates at the AGBU Central Office. a new visual narrative that fuses Armenian cultural heritage Board members and staff gave an overview of AGBU activities, with the new technologies of the 21st century. Led by designer, emphasizing the role of its various programs. Extensive architect and founder of Ardean, Vasken Brudian, the students communications, development and outreach meetings all create products ranging from scarves and tablecloths to leather focused on fostering closer relationships between AGBU goods inspired by intricate Armenian patterns. chapters and districts around the world. The day ended with “HOKIS is a testament to the vitality of Armenian arts and a delegate session for the AGBU Young Professionals (YP) the importance of encouraging the creative potential of our leadership, giving them a platform to connect and collaborate, youth both in Armenia and across the diaspora. AGBU prides address similar challenges, enhance outreach activities, and itself on its array of youth programs and is grateful to have the cultivate new action items for the future. opportunity to expand its impact through partnerships with The events continued on Friday at the Harold Pratt House, institutions like the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the where the meetings centered around the theme of moving TUMO Center for Creative Technologies. The extraordinary AGBU forward through empowerment. The morning began with talent showcased in HOKIS assures us that the Armenian people a presentation by AGBU Central Board member Noubar Afeyan, will continue to prosper culturally and artistically well into the who introduced the AGBU vision for the global Armenian: “AGBU future,” said AGBU President Berge Setrakian. can take three bold steps: it can realign its vision to address current realities; secure human capital, financial resources and strong partnerships to ensure a sustainable future for the global Armenian nation; and rebalance the AGBU platform to bolster it.” During Friday’s meetings, AGBU Central Board member Arda AGBU HOLDS Haratunian summarized the four strategic breakout sessions that were organized, during which various groups discussed AGBU’s four program pillars: culture and identity; education; INSPIRING SERIES humanitarian relief; and socio-economic development in Armenia. The small groups allowed participants to develop OF EVENTS FOR and exchange proposals that may help AGBU leadership shape programs and policies in the future. Seta Nazarian also th discussed the importance of fundraising and the opportunities ITS 89 GENERAL for connection that can be created by donating to AGBU. The day ended with a panel discussion moderated by Lara ASSEMBLY Setrakian, the founder of News Deeply, on human rights in Armenia, organized in collaboration with Human Rights Watch. IN NEW YORK Panelists included Rachel Denber, deputy director of the Europe and Central Asia Division of Human Rights Watch; Giorgi Gogia, South Caucasus director of Human Rights Watch; Sheila Paylan, From October 27-29, the AGBU 89th General Assembly was legal officer at the United Nations Mechanism for International held in New York and welcomed hundreds of AGBU leaders, Criminal Tribunals; and Serj Tankian, singer, songwriter and delegates, members, donors and friends from Australia, Europe, activist. The expert panelists discussed topics including the North America, Russia and South America in celebration of the prevention of domestic violence, women’s rights, the assurance organization’s 110th anniversary. 3 AGBU ARMENIA NEWSLETTER USA The General Assembly came to a close with an address by His Holiness Karekin II, the Catholicos of All Armenians, who asserted the inextricable link between AGBU and the Mother See and congratulated AGBU on its 110th anniversary. At the close of his speech, His Holiness Karekin II praised President Setrakian for his tremendous service and commitment to AGBU and to the Armenian nation by bestowing him with the Knight of Holy Etchmiadzin Medal. On Saturday evening, AGBU held its 110th Anniversary Gala at the renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall with over 500 guests from 24 countries.