Delegates and Representatives Attend Consecration of AGBU's Highly-Anticipated New Yerevan Center during 87th General Assembly

On the occasion of AGBU's 87th General Assembly on October 17, 2012, His Holiness Karekin II, Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan and AGBU delegates got an exciting preview of the new AGBU center under construction, which will soon stand tall in Yerevan.

Guests were welcomed to the downtown location by President Setrakian, who remarked, "this building will further cement AGBU's roots in the soil of our homeland and strengthen Armenia-diaspora ties." AGBU Central Board Member Vasken Yacoubian provided additional details on the project, as well as background on the new building's historical relevance. As he described, the facility will represent one of Armenia's premiere office sites when it is unveiled in early 2014. The environmentally friendly complex will include conference and exhibition halls, a cafeteria and two underground levels of parking, all of which will rise five stories and span 6,800 square meters. Cutting edge technologies, such as thermally insulated facades will make the building energy efficient.

The building will benefit from all that today's new, green technologies have to offer, while incorporating many significant elements from the past. The site was first home to the Yerevan Municipality's Duma (Council) building, which was built in 1906 on the Dajarayin Square (now Shahumian Square). It, along with neighboring buildings, was torn down in 2000 to make way for the present-day Congress Hotel, but many of the stones were salvaged and preserved, and will now be used to reproduce the original façade. AGBU representatives had the opportunity to see what the building and the neighborhood looked like in the last century, thanks to poster-sized images that were obtained from the National State Archives and displayed throughout the visit. Those photos were placed alongside architectural renderings of the new building and the surrounding area, as well as a running slideshow of the construction phases. Together, these graphics illustrated the ways AGBU is taking the city, and the country, into the future, a major theme of this year's General Assembly. As Mr. Yacoubian stated at the event, "this building not only is a symbol and expression of our unending dedication towards our homeland, but also of our forward-looking new initiatives and wide-spread activities, which, in effect, express AGBU's 87th General Assembly slogan: Engaging the Future."

During the gathering, Mr. Yacoubian continued to thank the key individuals who have made the project a reality. He noted that a great debt of gratitude is owed to AGBU Council of Trustee Member Nazar Nazarian and his wife Artemis for their generous contributions in making the building possible. Yacoubian also acknowledged the government of Armenia and the Yerevan Municipality, which facilitated AGBU's realization of the project. In addition, he gave special thanks to the building's dedicated concept designer, architectural advisor and AGBU Central Board Member Aris Atamian, who continues to offer generously his time and contributions through the planning and construction phases. Finally, recognition was given to the Narek Sargsyan Architectural Studio and Horizon-95 Construction Company, who are bringing the building to life.

Following Mr. Yacoubian's remarks, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, offered a prayer for the success of the project. Mayor Margaryan then delivered words of praise for AGBU's many projects, and especially for this latest initiative, which will allow for the expansion of AGBU's cultural, educational, humanitarian and youth programs. The building, he noted, will provide much-needed resources to the community – marking AGBU's continuous efforts to helping Armenia prosper.

To see additional photos from AGBU’s 87th General Assembly, please visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/agbu/collections/72157631913503978/