AGBU Founding Day Celebration Draws Crowd of 600 in Pasadena

The celebration of the 104th anniversary of the founding of the Armenian General Benevolent Union took place on Saturday evening, April 10, 2010, at the AGBU Complex in Pasadena. AGBU Southern California District Committee (SCDC) hosted the event with longtime AGBU leaders Karnig and Angele Karayan as guests of honor. In attendance were their son-in-law and daughter, benefactors Vatche and Tamar Manoukian, and Mihran Agbabian, a former member of AGBU Central Board of Directors and one of the founders of the American University of Armenia.

The founding of the Fresno, Calif., Chapter, AGBU's first in the United States, took place on February 21, 1910, while the Los Angeles Chapter was founded on June 24, 1911 in the Armenian Evangelical Church of Gethsemane, through the initiative of Bishop Moushegh Seropian.

The 104th-anniversary celebration began with a memorial service at the cross-stone in the complex courtyard, which was a gift from Dr. Kevork and Cecile Keshishian. Representatives of various AGBU entities placed wreaths in memory of the organization's deceased leaders and benefactors. On this occasion, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, recalled the statement made by His Holiness Karekin I, Catholicos of All Armenians: "We are a nation that refuses to die."

After a flag ceremony by AGBU and AYA scouts and the singing of the Armenian national and AGBU anthems, emcees Raffi Svajian and Narine Avakian delivered opening remarks. They were followed by Sylva Karayan, chairman of the organizing committee, who started her address by saying that the day's motto, "Gank, bidi linenk ou ter shadanank" (We are, shall be and still increase), is already being realized as a precept within the organization.

Silva Karayan then introduced Karnig Karayan, emphasizing his uncompromising service to AGBU, beginning in Aleppo, continuing in Beirut and finally reaching the West Coast of the United States. When he spoke, Mr. Karayan stressed that the AGBU motto of "Unity Is Strength" must not be forgotten, and that personal interests must be set aside for the common cause of ethnic survival.

The keynote address was given by Dr. Kevork Keshishian, an intellectual and community activist who has served the organization for many years, as a member of both the Central Board and various committees. He likened AGBU to a kiln, in which the hearts and souls of our young generation are forged. "AGBU taught us to love one another, to be law-abiding and become model citizens of the countries of our residence," he continued. Dr. Keshishian concluded his speech with the final verse of Vahan Tekeyan's well-known poem, "Hashvehartar" (Settling Scores).

Amid the various speeches, the emcees recalled the words of renowned Armenians, including AGBU's founding president Boghos Nubar, the organization's honorary life president Alex Manoogian, Armenian-American author William Saroyan, Catholicoi Vazken I, Khoren I and Karekin II, among others.

Archbishop Derderian remarked that today was a special day that filled our souls and warmed our hearts. "Such a program in the month of April symbolizes victory," he said. "The AGBU elders respected the homeland, church, and our traditions, and became roots and the way for us. Now it's our turn."

A program of performances included a rendition of Beethoven's Piano Sonata 28 by Karnig Karayan's grandson, Hovig Vartan; flutist Salpi Kerkonian, violinist Mihran Kojian and cellist Garig Terzian played "Hoy Nazani," "Ay Aylughus," and "Haberban"; and tenor Suren Mkrtchian, accompanied on the piano by Alice Der Kevorkian, sang Vagharshak Gotoyian's "Inchpess Yeraz" and Fusco's "Dicitencello Vuie." Takouhi Arzoumanian, in turn, recited Paruir Sevak's "Mayreni Lezu" (Mother Tongue) and "Kovk Parekordzaganin" (Ode to AGBU), a poem that London AGBU Chapter member Asadour Guzelian wrote especially for the organization's centennial anniversary.

The celebration also included an arts and crafts exhibition, entitled "New Generation - New Horizon," by the students of AGBU Vatche and Tamar Manoukian High School. A reception followed the program.