ARMENIAN GENERAL BENEVOLENT UNION AGBUAGBU ARMENIAARMENIA NEWSLETTERNEWSLETTER Yerevan, Armenia IN THIS ISSUE ISSUE 13, APRIL-MAY, 2011 ♦ Tsitsernakabert visit (p. 1) AGBU ARMENIA PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE VICTIMS ♦ AGBU “Groong” choir on tour in Armenia (p. 1, 2) OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE ♦ Mr. and Mrs. Yacoubian visit the renovated library teaching On April 24th, on the occasion of the 96th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, center (p. 3) the Armenia-based structures and members of the Armenian General Benevolent ♦ Working meeting at the RA Union (AGBU), headed by AGBU Armenian Representation Director Ashot Ghaza- Diaspora Ministry (p. 3) rian, AGBU Armenian ♦ Final round of the 5th Republi- Representation Deputy can Chess Tournament (p. 4) Director Hovig Eorde- kian and AGBU Dias- ♦ AGBU continues its support of “Renaissance” festival (p. 5) pora Youth Programs Coordinator in Armenia ♦ AGBU Nork Youth Center Hermine Duzian, vis- children in Beirut (p. 6) ited Tsitsernakabert to ♦ APO presents Tchaikovsky's pay tribute to the 1,5 “Nutcracker” (p. 6) million innocent victims ♦ APO continues the series of of the Armenian Geno- university concerts (p. 7) cide. Carrying the flags ♦ Artsakh Chamber Orchestra’s of the Republic of Ar- concert dedicated to the Arme- menia, AGBU and the nian Genocide (p. 7) scout movement, mem- ♦ AGBU YP Yerevan new pro- bers of the AGBU Yer- jects (p. 8) evan Scout movement, AGBU Armenia-based structures and members visit Tsitsernakabert ♦ AGBU Yerevan Scouts’ events AGBU Young Profes- (p. 9) sionals Yerevan team, AGBU Armenia members and AGBU Armenian representa- ♦ AGBU Switzerland honors the tion staff, accompanied by the AGBU Montevideo “Groong” choir, who were on a leaders of Topalian Foundation concert tour in Armenia during that time, walked to the Genocide memorial and (p. 10) laid a wreath at the eternal fire to honor the memory of the Genocide victims. ♦ AGBU AVC announces sum- mer term 2011 (p. 10) AGBU URUGUAY “GROONG” CHOIR’S ♦ Armenian National Library donation (p. 11) “TO THE HOMELAND” CONCERTS IN ARMENIA ♦ AGBU Cultural Center opened in Larnaca (p. 11) Upon the initiative of the Diaspora Ministry of the Republic of Armenia and Arme- nian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), “Groong” choir of AGBU Montevideo, ♦ Berdj Terzian awarded (p. 12) Uruguay, gave two unforgettable concerts in Armenia, as the start of the series of concerts dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence. Established in 1993, “Groong” choir is headed by Maestro Alvaro Hakobian, who is also the principal conductor of the Montevi- deo Philharmonic Orchestra. After tour- ing South American cities with substan- tial Armenian populations, the choir hea- ded to Armenia for their first-ever perfor- mance in the Homeland. The first concert of the “To the Home- land” tour took place at the Arno Baba- janian Concert Hall in central Yerevan, on April 26. Many prominent art figures, government members, representatives of diplomatic missions and the intelli- gentsia were present at the concert. RA Diaspora Minister Hranoush Hakobian welcomes the AGBU “Groong” choir at their Yerevan concert (Continued on page 2) Page 1 AGBU ARMENIA NEWSLETTER ISSUE 13, APRIL-MAY, 2011 AGBU URUGUAY “GROONG” CHOIR’S “TO THE HOMELAND” CONCERTS IN ARMENIA (see page 1) In her opening remarks, RA Diaspora Minister Hranush Hakobian said: “My warm and cordial greet- ings to our compatriots from Uruguay. We are grateful to “Groong” for preserving Armenian roots, Armenian iden- tity and Armenian culture. This is the result of the unification of the Armenian communities of South America. Symbolic is the fact that Uruguay was the first coun- try in the world to recognize and condemn the Arme- nian Genocide and certainly, the Armenian commu- nity of Uruguay played a major role in this. For dec- ades “Groong” choir has sung about Armenians and Armenia and their heart is, indeed, in Armenia”. The Minister thanked the choir members and conduc- tor Alvaro Hakobian and awarded them with an RA Diaspora Ministry’s certificate for the proliferation and development of the Armenian culture, preservation of the Armenian identity and continuous creative activi- ties. The concert program presented by the choir included pieces by Komitas, Tigranian, Hekimian, Avetissian, Goosan Sheram, Goosan Ashot, Goosan Shahen, Kotoyan, Tamatian and others, as well as “Groong” members were received by His Holiness Karekin II various interpretations of famous folk and patriotic songs. After a lasting standing ovation of the packed hall the choir performed several additional songs. A warm and touching atmosphere filled the hall and the choir was very warmly received by the audience. The second concert by “Groong” took place in the Gyumri Art Academy on April 28th opening the “Renaissance” 3rd International Contest-Festival of Musician-Performers. The concert was attended by town officials, prominent public and art figures and students. The choir members also went sightseeing and visited different cultural centers in Armenia. On April 24th, together with AGBU Armenian Representation staff, AGBU scouts and Yerevan YP team, the choir ascended to the Arme- nian Genocide Memorial in Tsitsernakabert to pay tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide. A wreath on behalf of the Union was placed at the eternal fire. On April 29th, members of “Groong” visited the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and were received by His Holiness Karekin II. On April 30th, the choir was hosted at the AGBU Armenian Representation, where Ashot Ghazarian, AGBU Armenian Representation Director, made a The second concert of “Groong” took place in Gyumri brief presentation on the Union’s activities in Arme- nia. The guests also got acquainted with the activi- ties of the AGBU Armenian Virtual College. On the evening of the same day the choir members at- tended the beautiful and unforgettable concert at the AGBU and Holy Etchmiadzin Nork Children’s Center. On May 2, Mr. and Mrs. Hrayr and Anna Hovnanian organized a farewell evening for the choir members Members of the choir hosted at AGBU Armenian Representation in their Yerevan residence. For the video material please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvFUmfWqugI Page 2 AGBU ARMENIA NEWSLETTER ISSUE 13, APRIL-MAY, 2011 REPUBLICAN SCIENTIFIC-MEDICAL LIBRARY TEACHING CENTER RENOVATED WITH THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF MR. AND MRS. YACOUBIAN On May 13th, AGBU Board of Trustees member Karnig Yacou- bian, together with his wife Ani Yacoubian, visited the Republi- can Scientific-Medical Library of the RA Health Ministry to partici- pate in the opening of the library’s teaching center renovated with their financial support. As part of the “Electronic Medical Library” project the Open Soci- ety Institute had already provided substantial financial assistance to the Scientific-Medical Library for the purchase of furniture, equipment, as well as for the preparation and launch of the li- brary website. Mr. and Mrs. Yacoubian had generously taken the responsibility of financing the renovation of the teaching center including reno- vation and painting of the walls, changing of windows and doors, and purchase of window blinds and carpeting. In her speech Director of the Library Anna Shirinyan thanked the benefactors and handed in a special letter of gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Yacoubian for their contribution in the renovation of the li- brary teaching center. The Republican Scientific-Medical Library of the RA Health Min- istry was established in 1939. Mr. and Mrs. Yacoubian at the renovated library teaching center A WORKING MEETING OF MOSCOW-BASED ARMENIAN BUSINESSMEN AND AGBU REPRESENTATIVES AT THE RA MINISTRY OF DIASPORA On April 9th, RA Diaspora Minister Hranush Hakobian received Moscow-based Armenian businessmen, active members of the Armenian community of Russia Avetik Chalabian, Gregory Mazmaniants, Igor Zargarian and Ashot Tumasian, as well as AGBU Central Board member and AGBU Armenian Virtual College President Dr. Yervant Zorian, AGBU Armenian Representation Deputy Director Hovik Eordekian, and Executive Director of “Birthright” Sevan Kabakian. Mrs. Hakobian spoke about the activities of the Ministry and the upcoming programs scheduled for 2011. The scope of issues discussed during the meeting included the educational problems of the Armenian community of Russia, the need to provide assistance to the Armenian schools and to publish modern Armenian textbooks for a Rus- sian-speaking Armenian population with a goal of making the Armenian language easier and more accessible to learn for the Armenians of Russia. Dr. Zorian and Mr. Kabakian presented details about the activities of AGBU AVC and Birthright correspondingly. Moscow-based Armenian businessmen and AGBU representatives meet at the RA Diaspora Ministry The prospects of involving more and more repre- sentatives of the Armenian community of Russia in the youth programs carried out by the Republic of Armenia’s Diaspora Ministry were also discussed during the meeting. Those present expressed their eagerness to assist the Ministry in its mission and programs directed towards uniting the potential of the Diaspora. Page 3 AGBU ARMENIA NEWSLETTER ISSUE 13, APRIL-MAY, 2011 THE FINAL ROUND OF THE AGBU-FUNDED 5TH REPUBLICAN INTERSCHOOL CHESS TOURNAMENT HELD IN DILIJAN AGBU awarded netbooks to the winners The final round of the AGBU-sponsored 5th Republican Interschool Chess Tournament was held on May 6-8th, 2011, in the city of Dilijan in Armenia's Tavush region with three winning teams from Yerevan, two from Shirak,