Buenos Aires Chapter Celebrates Its 99th Anniversary; AGBU's Youth League Celebrates Its 70th

On May 18, 2010, AGBU's Buenos Aires Chapter held a special event to celebrate the Chapter's 99th anniversary and the 70th anniversary of the AGBU Youth League. The celebration was attended by a number of distinguished guests, including the Primate of the Armenian Apostolic Church for Argentina and Chile Monsignor Kissag Mouradian, French Ambassador Jean Pierre Asvazadourian, AGBU Buenos Aires Honorary Chairman Vahram Hairabedian and his wife Rosa, Buenos Aires Chapter chairman Ruben Kechichian and his wife Elsa, members of the Executive Committee, national benefactor Eduardo Eurnekian, members of the Ladies Guild, representatives of the Marie Manoogian School, the General Antranik Scout Group, and Professional Youth. The Armenian community press was also in attendance, as were representatives of various institutions that have contributed to AGBU and furthering the interests of Armenia.

The event opened with remarks from Francisco Balassanian, a lawyer and President of the Youth League. Balassanian spoke about the various activities, sports events, and cultural and educational conferences the organization offers and the important role it has had in the local Armenian community throughout the years. He emphasized the brotherhood of the Youth League and proudly noted that a number of former members now make up part of the Chapter's Executive Committee. Following his introduction, Balassanian was joined by Chapter Chairman Ruben Kechichian to award commemorative plaques to Nicholas Hermes and Bautista Kuyumdjian, both members of the Youth League's founding committee. Jorge Nikotian was also honored but was not present at the event.

General Secretary of the Chapter's Executive Committee, Antonio Sarafian, followed up with a message to the attendees, speaking about the objectives and success of AGBU. He highlighted two fundamental stages in the history of AGBU. "There was Boghos Nubar, the visionary who worked tirelessly to make sure that the Armenian people and the Armenian nation were not erased from the face of the earth; there was the reconfiguration of the diaspora, in which shelter was offered to all the fleeing war refugees, who were taught the necessary skills for their livelihood and whose employment was facilitated." He continued, "The second stage was led by the national benefactor Alex Manoogian, with the construction -- around the world -- of educational, social, cultural and sports centers, and lending permanent support to the Armenian Church. The immigrants' families, already established in their jobs, had the opportunity to study in their local environments and develop communities, while maintaining their ancestral language, traditions, culture, and faith. All this was taking shape without leaving out assistance to Armenia and the people in the homeland. And still today, under the presidency of Berge Setrakian, we continue with the same ideals but now with a modern dynamic structure leaning unconditionally towards a free Armenia, immersed in a world of nations."

Following the General Secretary and to finish off the anniversary celebration, engineer Rosalba Sarafian led an awards ceremony, recognizing and presenting five new Honor Members to the AGBU Buenos Aires Chapter. The distinguished group was composed of Christian Leblebidjian, Vahram Ambartsoumian, Beatriz Hairabedian, Carlos Potikian, and Jean-Pierre Asvazadourian.

Leblebidjian is a graduate of the Marie Manoogian School and a sports journalist, who most recently traveled to South Africa to cover the World Cup. He received his award from AGBU Buenos Aires Committee Treasurer Daniel Vaneskeheian. Yerevan-born Vahram Ambartsoumian is a successful ballet dancer and choreographer who has been performing with the Argentinian ballet company Ballet Estable del Teatro Colon since 1995. He has appeared in a number of productions with the company as lead dancer and, since 2004, has been choreographing Armenian folkloric dances with his wife, Tereza Sargsian. Biochemist Beatriz Hairabedian is a bacteriologist and member of the Luisa Hairabedian Foundation's Administrative Council. The foundation focuses on human rights and recognizing victims of the Genocide. Honorary member and Chapter benefactor Berdjuhi Emirian presented Hairabedian with her award. National benefactor Carlos Potikian was awarded honorary membership for his life of service and continuous philanthropic work to help Armenia and Karabakh, including the reconstruction of the village of Vaghuhas in Karabakh. Potikian received his award from his friend, AGBU Buenos Aires honorary chairman Vahram Hairabedian. AGBU Buenos Aires chairman Ruben Kechichian presented the final award to Jean-Pierre Asvazadourian, who started working in foreign policy in 1985, and since October 2009 has been serving as France's ambassador to Argentina.