Balancing Act
Can two ancient cultures and religions coexist in one identity?
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October 26, 2006
AGBU Montreal Honors Former Chairman Viken Attarian
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AGBU Montreal’s Chairwoman Rita Kuyumjian gives former Chairman Viken Attarian the Armen Tarian Literary Award presentation.
On September 17, 2006, AGBU Montreal honored former Chairman Viken Attarian and his wife Datevik with a special dinner held at the local AGBU Alex Manoogian Center. Nearly 300 AGBU members, friends and distinguished guests attended the event to pay tribute to Mr. Attarian and his accomplishments as Montreal’s 11th Chapter Chairman from 2004 to 2006 and Vice Chairman from 2000 to 2004. Long before holding leadership positions for the Montreal Chapter, Mr. Attarian’s earliest experiences with AGBU began in 1969 as a child in Lebanon. More than three decades later, the former Chairman was praised during this tributary dinner for his focus on preparing the Chapter’s youth for future leadership.
Mr. Attarian received his elementary and secondary education through AGBU schools in Beirut, where he also began his lifelong involvement with AGBU’s Scouting Program. As Chairman, he was instrumental in reviving the Montreal Chapter’s scouting movement, now one of the top troops in all of Canada with over 180 members. Also during his tenure, he cultivated a partnership with PBS resulting in the regular broadcasting of Armenian programs, as well as brought the Chapter online with a highly developed website (www.agbumontreal.org).
Among the many dignitaries present to congratulate Mr. Attarian were local Mayors Vera Danyluk of Ville Mont Royal and Alan de Sousa of Ville Saint Laurent, several members of the Quebec Parliament, and AGBU Central Board Member Dr. Arshavir Gundjian. Mr. and Mrs. Attarian were presented plaques with engraved Honorary Membership cards, along with messages from AGBU President Berge Setrakian, Canadian Parliament Member Stéphane Dion and Lieutenant Governor of Quebec Lise Thibault.
Dr. Rita Kuyumjian, AGBU Montreal’s recently elected Chairwoman, concluded the evening with a special surprise as she presented the biography of Mr. Attarian’s father, author Armen Tarian, and announced the establishment of the Armen Tarian Literary Award. The dinner reception raised nearly $11,000 (Canadian) for the Montreal Chapter’s Paul & Sirvart Kichian Capital Renovation Fund which was established in 2005 to cover the ongoing expenses of the Alex Manoogian Center.
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