A Quest for Acknowledgement
Anoush Baghdassarian on the power of oral testimony
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February 21, 2012
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Takes Place for AGBU-AYA Ahramjian Center in Beirut
Attended by a crowd of hundreds of enthusiastic AGBU members, community supporters and leaders, the opening of the AGBU-AYA Ahramjian Cultural Center took place on January 28, 2012, in Beirut Lebanon. The ceremony was held in conjunction with the 80th anniversary of the founding of the AGBU Armenian Youth Association (AYA). Cutting the ceremonial ribbon was AGBU President Berge Setrakian. In attendance were Lebanon's Minister of Industry Vrej Sabounjian; Armenia's Ambassador to Lebanon Ashot Kocharyan; AGBU Lebanon District Chairman Gerard Tufenkjian; Archbishop Kegham Khatcherian, Prelate of the Diocese of Lebanon; Lebanese MP's Arthur Nazarian and Hagop Pakradouni; Bourj Hammoud mayor Antranig Misirian and Baouchrieh-Jedeideh mayor Antoine Bshara; AGBU Central Board member Vasken Yacoubian; AGBU AYA Lebanon Chairman Garo Djeghelian; benefactor Yercho Samuelian, and several other AGBU Lebanon and AYA members to applaud the joyful occasion.
On this occasion, welcoming remarks were delivered in Arabic by Aida Rizk, who noted that the intention of the Ahramjian Center was to encourage youth and to cultivate educational programs. She also expressed the hope that this facility would play its role in society to promote Armenian culture.
Hampig Mardirossian, editor of Khosnag, the official organ of AGBU Lebanon District Committee, emphasized that, despite various difficulties, the Lebanese-Armenian community has maintained its vitality and continues the commitment in preserving and cultivating the Armenian identity.
In his remarks, AGBU President Berge Setrakian gave special thanks to all those who made this project a reality. He went on to emphasize AGBU's role in unifying the efforts of all Armenian organizations operating in Lebanon. Speaking on behalf of the AGBU Central Board of Directors was Vasken Yacoubian, the body's Middle East and Armenia coordinator, who noted that this center was bound to become the hub of the entire local Armenian community through its productive and lively activity.
Stressing in his benediction that the establishment of this center was the continuation of AGBU's devoted service to the Armenian nation, Abp. Khatcherian added that the contribution of benefactor Yercho Samuelian, founder of the Tricolor Fund, reflected true philanthropy. Through a major gift, Samuelian had underwritten the costs for furnishing the entire facility. Appreciation was also expressed to Shahe Khatchadourian, who had donated not only a piano, but assisted in the task of equipping the center, and to Vergine Jerejian, who had donated the entire book collection belonging to her husband, Vahrich.
The Ahramjian Center was originally built in 1953 through a donation by the Ahramjian Brothers to AGBU, and was used as a school for some five decades by the Prelacy of the Armenian Church of Lebanon. Following the closure of the school, the facility was transferred to AGBU. The structure will now house the Khosnag offices, the Vahram Papazian Theater Group, the Amanos Chapter and youth division, a small library, as well as a seated auditorium.
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