Fighting the Fallout with Friendship
AGBU’s response to the wildfire disaster in Los Angeles
Image
May 06, 2010
AGBU Milan Celebrates 140th Anniversary of Calouste Gulbenkian
-
Image
Some of the AGBU Milan leaders and invited guests at the 140th Anniversary of Calouste Gulbenkian celebration in Milan. (Left to right) Dikran Salibian, Vera Astourian, AGBU Europe District member Krikor Istanboulli, AGBU Milan chairwoman Gueguel Khatchadourian, Dikran Alexanian, Reverend Father Aren, Mrs. Ibishian, Dalida Zabounian, H. Alexanian, Sonia Istanboulli, and Araks Antanesian.
AGBU's Milan Chapter celebrated the 140th birthday of AGBU's second president, Calouste Gulbenkian, on March 19, 2010, at the Armenian House of Milan. The Honorary Consul of the Republic of Armenia, Bedros Kuchukian, attended the event.
The evening began with the anthems of the Republic of Armenia and of AGBU, as well as a prayer by Father Aren, the parish's spiritual leader. Chapter chairwoman Gueguel Khatchadourian followed with a speech, in both Armenian and Italian, about the admirable work former president Gulbenkian achieved throughout his career.
Gulbenkian, an oil businessman and generous patron of the arts, lead AGBU to invest substantially in the Armenian neighborhoods of Syria and Lebanon during his leadership from 1930-1932, as well as planning and organizing financial support to resettle Armenian refugees in both countries. He endowed a philanthropic foundation, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, in Lisbon, Portugal, which hosts a museum and supports art, science, education and charity projects in Portugal and abroad. Gulbenkian's foundation also provides technical and financial support to the Armenian Diaspora.
After the speech, Chapter members and other guests enjoyed a performance by the Geigenbaum Quartet of the folk songs of Komitas, which were arranged by S. Aslamazian. One of the musicians, Hrachya Galstian, has been an AGBU scholarship recipient.
The second part of the evening was devoted to Father's Day. The Chapter secretary, Vera Asdourian, spoke about the origins of the holiday and its importance in Italy. Tamar Mousayelian recited two poems by Hovhannes Shiraz. And a newly formed Armenian dance group performed two dances for the attendees. This was the debut performance by the group, which was created several months earlier by former AGBU student and dancer Araks Antanesian. Antanesian is now a member of the Milan Chapter's new executive committee.
Following the speeches and performances, Dikran Alexanian, the senior chairman of AGBU Milan, was invited to cut a celebratory cake. The evening continued with a lavish reception for all attendees to mix and mingle.
Please note that archived content may appear distorted as it has been stripped of formatting and original images.
