AGBU President Sam Simonian Visits Communities in Cyprus and Greece on Global Tour

AGBU President Sam Simonian, accompanied by his wife Sylva, led an official delegation to Cyprus and Greece from February 19 to 23 as part of his ongoing global tour of Armenian diaspora communities. 

The delegation included Vasken Yacoubian, Central Board member and President of AGBU Armenia, and Nazareth Festekjian, Treasurer of AGBU, as well as Chief Financial Officer Mark Gitlen and Middle East Regional Director Arine Ghazarian.

Nicosia and Larnaca Visit 

In Cyprus, the delegation met with members of both the former and interim committees of the AGBU Nicosia Chapter, as well as representatives of the broader Armenian community. Discussions centered on assessing current needs, identifying opportunities, and charting a strategic path for AGBU’s continued presence and growth in Cyprus. President Simonian also paid a visit to the campus of the Melkonian Educational Institute (MEI), his father’s alma mater. 

Official meetings included discussions with Vartkes Mahdessian, Member of the House of Representatives of Cyprus; Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian, Prelate of the Armenian Prelature of Cyprus; and H.E. Inna Torgomyan, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Cyprus. Conversations focused on the sustained vitality of the Armenian community in Cyprus and the value of closer collaboration between community, church, and state institutions.

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AGBU President Sam Simonian and Central Board Members Nazareth Festekjian and Vasken Yacoubian with His Eminence Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian, Pontifical Vicar to the Armenian Prelacy in Cyprus.

The delegation also met with Davit Karapetyan, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia (MFA), in the presence of H.E. Inna Torgomyan at the Armenian Embassy in Nicosia.

A dinner in honor of the delegation, hosted by Benon Sevan, former AGBU Central Board Member and AGBU Representative in Cyprus, brought together attendees from across the island’s Armenian organizations and institutions.

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AGBU Central Board Member and Treasurer Nazareth Festekjian, AGBU Central Board Representative in Cyprus Benon Sevan, AGBU Central Board Member and AGBU Armenia President Vasken Yacoubian, and AGBU President Sam Simonian.

In his remarks, Simonian described how he grew up believing in the ideals of AGBU — an organization that supports Armenians regardless of background or persuasion and works with whichever Armenian government is in place: “Those principles became part of my foundation early in life. Now, we are thinking about how to revitalize this community — how to create something that will make Armenians here proud,” he added. 

In a separate meeting, the Interim Committee of the AGBU Nicosia Chapter presented its vision for revitalizing the chapter amid recent challenges. Priorities included preserving Armenian identity in Cyprus, deepening youth engagement through cultural, professional, and sports programs, and strengthening ties with AGBU’s global network. Participants reaffirmed their shared commitment to institutional stability and a dynamic and productive future for AGBU Cyprus.

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AGBU Larnaca Chair Roupen Kalayjian and AGBU Cyprus staff member Karekin Costanian guide AGBU President Sam Simonian and Central Board members on a tour of the AGBU Armenian Cultural Center's recently renovated library in Larnaca.

To close the delegation’s visit, the AGBU Larnaca Chapter — under the chairmanship of Roupen Kalayjian — hosted a farewell lunch and arranged a tour of the AGBU Armenian Cultural Center in Larnaca.

Athens Visit

President Simonian and the delegation continued their tour to Greece with an official visit to Athens, where they met with the local Armenian community and held discussions on strategic plans for the future of AGBU’s presence in Greece.

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The AGBU delegation with members of the AGBU Central Committee of Greece in front of the AGBU Artaki Kalpakian School in Athens.

A cocktail reception hosted by AGBU Greece welcomed the delegation, bringing together community members and organizational representatives. The delegation met with the AGBU Greece committee, chaired by Aris Chatzatourian, and held an official meeting with Bishop Khoren Arakelyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Greece. The delegation also visited the AGBU Artaki Kalpakian Elementary School, reaffirming AGBU’s commitment to Armenian education and community life in Greece. 

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AGBU President Sam Simonian with the AGBU delegation and members of the AGBU Central Committee of Greece during their visit with His Grace Bishop Khoren Arakelyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Greece.

President Simonian’s global tour will continue in the months ahead.