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December 20, 2011
AGBU Valence Celebrates Its 80th Anniversary
Celebrating its 80th anniversary in a friendly and joyful atmosphere, the AGBU Valence Chapter gathered 200 members and supporters for a gala dinner dance on Saturday, November 19, 2011, at "The Columbine" in Bourg-lès-Valence. Special guests included AGBU Europe & France Districts Chairman Alexis Govciyan, AGBU Valence Chapter Chair Philippe Panossian, the Mayor of Valence Alain Maurice, government officials of the Drôme department (French administrative division), local officials of Armenian origin from Valence, AGBU representatives from Lyon, Marseille and Paris, representatives from local Armenian organizations, and former Valence Chapter Chairmen Edward Torossian, Jean-Jacques Gochgarian, Jacques Markarian and Varoujan Varvarian.
Philippe Panossian addressed the audience by recalling a number of events that the Chapter had helped to organize over the past five years: the opening of the Armenian Heritage Centre in 2005, a performance by the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra at Théâtre Belle Image in 2006, the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the earthquake in Armenia at the Municipal Theatre of Valence in 2008, and a concert by internationally renowned young jazz pianist Tigran Hamasyan at the Train-Théâtre de Portes-lès-Valence in 2009.
On this occasion, Alexis Govciyan presented an AGBU France Honor Member certificate to renowned French-Armenian sculptor Toros Rastklan in recognition of his many years of service, as well as ongoing commitment, to the French republic's Armenian community. The artist, also known as TOROS, had carved a bust of AGBU Founder Boghos Nubar, which is displayed in the AGBU Valence Center.
In his remarks, Govciyan presented AGBU's current and new projects in France, Europe and Armenia, and also drew emphasis to the organization's guiding principles of preserving and promoting the Armenian heritage around the world.
The weekend of events also included a slideshow presentation on Thursday evening, November 18, when a sizeable audience gathered to remember with pride 80 years of AGBU in Valence, and a requiem service for deceased members of the Chapter on Sunday, November 20, at the local St. Sahag Armenian Church.
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