AGBU 85th General Assembly in Aleppo Prepares for a New Century of Accomplishments

Proud pages in the annals of AGBU were recorded during the organization's 85th General Assembly which convened in Aleppo from September 30 to October 7, 2008. The AGBU Central Board of Directors and Council of Trustees, headed by President Berge Setrakian, representatives of chapters and affiliated bodies, members and friends had come to Aleppo from across the globe to review the past two years and plan the next century of work in light of new challenges facing diasporan Armenians and Armenia.

Starting October 1, President Berge Setrakian and members of the Central Board of Directors convened a series of consultative meetings in the Aleppo Sheraton Hotel with chapter chairpersons, representatives of executive committees, as well as the organization's representation in Armenia and those coordinating projects there. The meetings were an opportunity for AGBU leaders to discuss the changing demographics of their communities and the role Armenia plays as a focal point of Armenian communities everywhere.

The following day, a welcome reception was held in the AGBU Calouste Gulbenkian Center, attended by General Assembly participants, representatives of bodies of the organization's Syrian chapters, His Excellency Arshak Poladyan, ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Syria, representatives of the Republic of Armenia's consulate in Aleppo, local Armenian religious leaders, headed by Bishop Shahan Sarkissian, Prelate of the Diocese of Aleppo, as well as representatives of the community's cultural associations.

Over 4,000 Attend Artistic Showcase in Aleppo's Citadel

On October 3, an unprecedented artistic festival, under the high patronage of Syria's Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Dr. Diala Al-Haj [Hajj] Aref, took place in the historic citadel of Aleppo, which dates back many millenia. More than 4,000 local Armenians filled the amphitheater for the unique celebration, the likes of which had never been seen before in Aleppo. Approximately 600 AYA scouts, students and youths participated in the event. The festival was organized by AGBU's Syrian District Committee and the Armenian Youth Association (AYA).

The evening began as standard bearers, scouts, athletes and all the participants in the gala presentation ascended to the stage from three entrances to the tune of bells, which filled the expanse of Aleppo's historic citadel, and "Ov Hayots Ashkharh" (Oh, Armenian World). The introductory extravaganza was followed by a documentary film about AGBU's illustrious history and continuing mission to promote the Armenian heritage around the world.

After the playing of the national anthems, over a dozen doves and thousands of balloons were released in the air to mark the occasion. The AGBU anthem was played, followed by the procession. One after another, an extensive roster of performers and ensembles took to the stage to celebrate AGBU's continuing impact on Aleppo and the world beyond. Performing in the artistic festival were AGBU Aleppo Spendiarian chorus, Antranik dance ensemble, Gomidas chamber orchestra, children's dance group, as well as soloists and reciters Salpi Darakjian, Raffi Kalayjian, Tamar Injeyian, Nanor Mikayelian, Lila Vartanian-Boghosian and Armen Khorozian. The well-known head of the Armenological Department of AGBU Lazar Najarian-Calouste Gulbenkian Secondary School of Aleppo, Hagop Mikayelian, conducted the program. The festival concluded with an awe-inspiring display of fireworks, which illuminated the Aleppo skyline and impressed all the citizens of this city of four million.

Visiting artists from Armenia, including Hrachya Ashughian, Ashot Hambardzumian and Ashot Sargsian, as well as Hovhannes Mubayed (director of AYA Gomidas Chamber Orchestra), Shahe Keshishian and Berge Yeretzian (conductors of the Spendiarian chorus), presented a show-stopping program to the festival goers. Later on the same evening, a traditional Middle Eastern dinner was held at the Kassir El Wali restaurant of Aleppo.

General Assembly

On Saturday, October 4, 2008, the first session of AGBU's 85th General Assembly convened in the Aleppo Sheraton, under the patronage of AGBU's Central Board of Directors. Present by special invitation was Hranush Hakobian, the Republic of Armenia's Minister of Diasporan Affairs.

This General Assembly, with the title "New Century, New Vision," which was the first at the threshold of the organization's second century, was significant in terms of its scope and particularly its setting of Aleppo, which symbolizes the revitalization of Armenian culture and community in the post-Genocide era. "It is not the result of chance that we are convening the first General Assembly of the new era in the historic city of Aleppo. It is here that the providential role of our great organization and its gallant members became manifest at one of the most critical moments in our history. Aleppo, which was planned to be the preliminary station for the death of our people, became a beaming center and a foothold near the homeland. It is the place from where many of our intellectuals, including those who repatriated to Armenia, as well as shining stars in the arts and other cultural realms in our new diasporan communities, were born," Setrakian explained.

In his opening remarks, AGBU President Berge Setrakian summarized the importance of this convention, and remarked on the organization's emphasis on Armenia as a crucial player in the Armenian diaspora.

"The 85th General Assembly of AGBU...is an occasion to become conscious of the primary and responsible role that is entrusted to us, as the largest all-Armenian organization at this juncture that marks a turning point in the history of our nation and AGBU alike. Our homeland, with its democratic structures in the formative stage, is prospering in a complex political situation, both regionally and internationally. The Diaspora, which makes up two thirds of our world population, presents new organizational realities to us, with its new territorial distribution and new understandings defining its identity. New ways and means of work are necessary for the preservation of the identity of the generation bound to assume leadership roles."

Speaking about AGBU's future programs and orientation, Setrakian said, "Today, the focus of our activities and initiatives is our future generations; in particular, the formation of their national identity and the preservation of their profile. We must realistically admit that those belonging to the new generation are no longer living in the past; they are integrated with the social and cultural fabric of their environment and, for that very reason, they are subject to losing their identity and falling out of touch with the traditional activities of Armenian life, especially in communities that are far away from the homeland. We must be circumspect when it comes to the expectations and aspirations of our youth, and adapt our initiatives to them, through high-quality and effective educational and cultural measures."

At the recommendation of the Nominating Committee of the AGBU 85th General Assembly, President Berge Setrakian, Aris Atamian, Joseph Basralian, Nazareth Festekjian, Vahe Gabrache, Arda N. Haratunian, Sarkis Jebejian, Levon Nazarian and Sam Simonian were reelected as members of the Central Board of Directors, while Yervant Zorian, Silicon Valley chapter chairperson, was unanimously elected as a new member of the Central Board.

Upon his election, Zorian addressed the Assembly. "It is a distinct honor for me to join the Central Board of AGBU. This unique Board continues to shape our future, the future of our nation, based on the vision of AGBU. In its second century, this board probably has an even more critical role to play, than its role in the first century. With a free and independent Homeland, on the one hand, and a global Diaspora, on the other, only an organization such ours can serve this nation in its entirety, with full dedication, with state-of-the-art methods and without self-interest," Zorian said.

The AGBU 85th General Assembly also served as the occasion to honor those individuals, who have made an important contribution to the strengthening of ties between the Diaspora and Armenia, as well as the expansion of the organization's activity.

President Setrakian bestowed awards on Hranush Hakobian, Diaspora Minister of the Republic of Armenia; Vartan Oskanian, former Foreign Affairs Minister of the Republic of Armenia (in absentia); Levon Sargsian, former ambassador of Armenia in Syria; Samvel Shukurian, an Armenian scientist and one of the directors of the new AGBU Armenian Virtual College program; Romen Kozmoyian, one of the former top officials of Soviet Armenia's Committee for Cultural Relations with Armenians Abroad; and Gueguel Khatchadourian, executive committee member of the organization's Milan Chapter.

Expressing their thanks, the honorees praised AGBU's activity for the benefit of the Armenian nation. During her speech, Minister Hakobian, who was on her first official visit to the diaspora, spoke about issues pertaining to the preservation of the Armenian identity, utilization of the Armenian people's potential and the vision of repatriation to a prosperous Armenia, as well as cooperation with AGBU.

The same evening, a Gala dinner took place at the Sheraton with over 400 people in attendance.

On Sunday, October 5, the General Assembly participants and guests visited the AGBU Lazar Najarian-Calouste Gulbenkian Secondary School, where they were greeted by the school's student body and staff, who presented an artistic program in the Gulbenkian auditorium.

Official Visit to Damascus

On Monday, October 6, a delegation, headed by AGBU President Berge Setrakian, was received at the presidential palace by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The ceremonial meeting was an opportunity to discuss the work of AGBU and its chapters in the country and around the world.

Touring Der Zor & Syria's Historic Sites

In addition to the extensive schedule of meetings and festivities, AGBU members and guests took time to explore the rich history of Syria and its vibrant Armenian and Christian communities. On Wednesday, October 1, and Thursday, October 2, they made a pilgrimage to Der Zor, with a tourist stop in the ancient desert ruins of Palmyra. A requiem service was performed in the Der Zor chapel in memory of the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide and deceased benefactors of the organization. The group also traveled to various other historic sites.

The 85th General Assembly of AGBU generated new excitement among the representatives of the organization's worldwide chapters, who returned to their communities with the best of memories and impressions and eager to serve the mission of this pan-Armenian organization with the goal of benefiting the Armenian nation as a whole.

To view the online photo gallery from the 85th General Assembly, please visit www.agbu.org/ga.