30th Anniversary of the Founding of Ardavazt Theater Company Celebrated in Grand Fashion

The celebration of the 30th anniversary of AGBU Ardavazt Theater Company, under the sponsorship of AGBU Southern California District Committee and the patronage of Mr. and Mrs. Albert and Tove Boyajian, took place on Sunday, October 25, 2009, in the auditorium of the AGBU Pasadena Center in Pasadena, California.

Besides giving an account of the theatrical group's activity over the past three decades, the purpose of this celebration was to show appreciation to all the directors, actors, behind-the-scenes workers and administrators, who had worked hand in hand, and at the cost of great sacrifices, to not just maintain the group's existence but, more importantly, to foster its continual progress.

Ara Babayan, chairman of the executive committee of Ardavazt Theater Company, delivered the opening remarks, during which he welcomed the 300-some attendees. He was highly appreciative of Haig Messerlian, Parsegh Kartalian and Krikor Satamian for having founded Ardavazt in 1979, dwelling in particular on the latter's many years of service as the group's artistic director. He expressed warm thanks to the event's patron, Albert Boyajian, for his moral and financial support to the youth, athletic and cultural activities of AGBU from his days as member of the Armenian Youth Association right down to the present.

Babayan pointed out that, to date, Ardavazt Theater Company has performed 55 plays, including three operettas by Dikran Tchouhadjian in conjunction with Lark Musical Society, not only in Los Angeles but also on the East Coast of the United States and in Canada. He also noted that young talented actors and actresses have joined Ardavazt, thus allowing for a successful generational change and making the drama group the pride of the community. Finally, he thanked the Central Board of Directors of AGBU, the Southern California District Committee, all the actors and actresses, the technical support personnel, the Armenian press and the audience.

Babayan then invited Maral Kojayian and Ari Libaridian, graduates of the AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School and two of the company's young members, to take over as emcees. After speaking about the invaluable contribution of the Ardavazt Theater Company to the community and the important role played by its artistic director, Krikor Satamian, they invited Satamian to the podium.

In his address, Krikor Satamian presented an evaluation of the theatrical group's activity over the past thirty years. The following quote from his remarks best presents his feelings of gratitude: "When Haig Messerlian, Parsegh Kartalian and I founded AGBU Ardavazt Theater Company in 1979, we had faith and hope that the newly formed drama group would survive for at least a few years but it never crossed my mind that 30 years later, we would be gathered in this beautiful hall to celebrate its 30th anniversary. We owe this great success to the uncompromising dedication, painstaking work and indestructible faith of the 55 administrative staff members, 174 technical staff members, and 202 actors and actresses, who have gone through the ranks of the theater company. Today it is not possible to mention the names of all those devoted individuals. They will be included in a memorial book that will be published in the beginning of next year on the occasion of the 30th anniversary."

Satamian then presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Haroutioun Toumayan and posthumously to Loulou Fermanian, which was received by her husband Ara Fermanian. A slide show documenting the AGBU Vahram Papazian Theater Group of Beirut, Lebanon and the Ardavazt Theater Company of Los Angeles also took place on this occasion.

Certificates of special appreciation were given by Krikor Satamian to Kevork Keoshgerian, Alex Khorchidian, and Roupen Harmandayan.

The most striking part of the program was the screening of video clips depicting the prolific activity of Ardavazt Theater Company over the past thirty years. Prepared by Arpi Samuelian, the presentation included images of Mher Mekertchian, Berge Fazlian, Tamar Hovannissian, Gerard (Jirair) Papazian, Krikor Satamian and other professional directors and actors who invoked fond memories in the audience.

The main speaker of the evening was Sarkis Minassian, vice chairman of the executive committee of AGBU Ardavazt Theater Company during its initial years. He rightly pointed out that the theatrical movement within the realm of our organization is 50 years old today. He expressed appreciation to AGBU, Gerald Papazian, who directed seven productions between 1981 and 1984 before leaving for Paris, and artistic director Krikor Satamian, who has produced and directed 35 plays, to date.

Minassian also mentioned the names of others who, besides Papazian and Satamian, had directed Ardavazt, starting with the first, Bedo Manoogian, followed by Loutfi Tabakian, Mher Mekertchian, Haigaz Stepanian, Sako Dadoyian, Peter Manoogian, Anita Khanzatian, James Martin, and Armen Kerasimian.

Words of heartfelt appreciation were spoken by Berj Shahbazian, Chairman of AGBU Southern California District Committee, who commended the group on its past accomplishments and wished it success in its future activities.

Certificates of appreciation for being founding members of AGBU Ardavazt Theater Company were given by executive committee member John Samuelian to Bedo Ben Manoogian, Loutfi Tabakian, Ani Yaghjian, Setta Mardirosian, Nono Vartabedian, Maro Hagopian, Nayiri Partamian, Ani Donigian, and, posthumously, to Sako Sadoyan.

A special certificate of appreciation was presented to Krikor Satamian by Ara Babayan on behalf of Ardavazt's executive committee.

Albert Boyajian was called upon to honor those individuals who have given noteworthy service to Ardavazt. He, in turn, asked Samuel Ilanjian, Vahe Imasdounian and Haroutioun Toumayan to join him in presenting the awards.

Silva Nazaretian presented certificates of appreciation for having taken part in more than ten productions to the following individuals: Lena Karageuzian, Armen Kerasimian, Varoujan Varjabedian, Sossi Varjabedian, Vartouhi Kojayan, Maro Ajemian, and Hrach Ajemian.

The following individuals, who had furnished technical assistance in more than ten productions, also received certificates of appreciation from Asdghig Khanjian: Atam Aivazian, Ara Fermanian, Jack Khorchidian, Madlen Satamian, and Raffi Boyajian.

Ani Imasdounian presented special certificates of appreciation to past and present executive committee chairmen: Vahram Ishlemejian, Atam Aivazian, Alec Ekmekjian, Vahe Imasdounian, Samuel Ilanjian, and Ara Babayan.

Krikor Simonian expressed appreciation to Ardavazt's artistic directors, Gerald Papazian and Krikor Satamian. He also mentioned guest actors Mher Mekertchian, Berge Fazlian, Sirvart Fazlian, Kevork Soghomonian, Zaven Kalousdian, Buck Kartalian, Magda Harout, and Vahe Berberian.

Vartouhi Kazanjian, executive committee member of Ardavazt, read a letter of congratulations from Gerald Papazian.

Following the presentation of all the certificates, Kazanjian invited everyone to stand and observe a minute of silence in memory of the drama group's deceased members: Ani Ajemian, Vazken Yaghjian, Harout Kaprielian, Loulou Fermanian, Mireille Kalfayan, and Sako Dadoyan.

The piano playing of talented Arpi Samuelian, one of the newest members of Ardavazt Theater Company, constituted the artistic portion of the program. She gave an impressive rendition of Aram Khachaturian's "Toccata," one of his more difficult compositions.

At the conclusion of the program, the attendees were invited to Boyajian Hall to participate in the reception and to congratulate the actors and administrative personnel having received certificates of appreciation.

This report, in the main, is based on "H.P.E.Mioutian Ardavazt Taderakhumpi himnatrutian 30-amyagi donagadarutiun; Taderagan Angiun" (Celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Founding of AGBU Ardavazt Theater Company; Theatrical Corner) by Kevork Keoshgerian (Nor Gyank and Nor Or, November 5, 2009) and "Ardavazt Taderakhumpi 30-amyagi Donagadarutiune" (The Celebration of the 30th Anniversary of Ardavazt Theater Company) by Sarkis Majarian (New Armenia daily, October 30, 2009), with additional information culled from "HPEMi Ardavazt Taderakhumpi 30amyagi Donagadarutiun" (Celebration of the 30th Anniversary of AGBU Ardavazt Theater Company) by Kevork Bedigian (Asbarez daily, October 31, 2009), "Ardavazt Taderakhumpe Arzhetsuts Ir Himnatrutian 30 Amyage" (The Ardavazt Theater Company Is Worthy of the 30th Anniversary of Its Founding) by Dr. A. Kazanjian (Massis, November 7, 2009) and "H.P.E. Miutian Ardavazt Taderakhumpe Gu Sharunage Yerghazaramya Hai Tadronin Yerte Californio Mech" (AGBU Ardavazt Theater Company Continues Procession of Two-Thousand-Year-Old Armenian Theater in California) by Toros Toranian (Nor Gyank, November 12, 2009).