Against All Odds
The spirit of Musa Dagh keeps the last Armenian village in Turkey standing
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March 27, 2008
XVIII AGBU World Games to Kick Off July 2008 in Montevideo, Uruguay
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On July 7-13, Armenian athletes from all over the globe will gather in Montevideo, Uruguay for the XVIII AGBU World Games. Since Beirut first hosted the event in 1955, the AGBU World Games continue to bring thousands of Armenian youth together to engage in sporting and camaraderie on an international level. Past host cities have included Buenos Aires, Sydney, Paris and Los Angeles.
This year, the AGBU Montevideo Chapter, chaired by Hagop Chamikian, and the World Games Committee, chaired by Rupen Topalian, are eager to bring a week of athletic competition, social events and excursion tours back to South American soil. The second smallest country in the continent, Uruguay is situated between Argentina, Brazil, and the Atlantic Ocean, seeing both mild winters and summers.
Opening Ceremonies on July 7 will initiate a week of basketball, volleyball, soccer (known outside North America as football), swimming, tennis, table tennis, chess and backgammon competitions for both men and women, individuals and teams. Athletes will have the chance to show their Armenian spirit and skills in a variety of contests to vie for the AGBU gold.
Between sporting matches, the AGBU Montevideo Chapter has arranged for city tours, day trips to famous sites, nightlife outings, and cultural events, including a concert by the Montevideo Philharmonic Orchestra, whose conductor, Alvaro Hagopian, is an alumnus of the AGBU Nubarian Manoogian School, and a performing arts program of traditional song and dance.
Guests will be lodged at three-, four-, four-superior- and five-star hotels in the center of Montevideo with easy access to the AGBU Center, as well as the city's best shopping, restaurants, culture and entertainment. Visitors can spend free time shopping in the "centro" or exploring one of the city's fine museums like the Museo del Gaucho or Museo Torres Garcia. The "Ciudad Viejo," or old city, is the new happening spot for nightlife, and no trip to the Uruguayan capital would be complete without a visit to the port market for a traditional "Asado" barbecue dinner.
The 2008 World Games are expected to bring in a record-high number of participants, not only looking to showcase their athletic abilities, but also to make lifelong friendships with fellow Armenians from around the world.
Since 1955, the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) World Games has brought together thousands of youth from around the world to engage in sporting competitions and create lifelong bonds. Thanks to its overwhelming success, AGBU Regional Games are now held in Canada, Europe, the Middle East and South America.
The registration deadline for the 2008 AGBU World Games is June 13. Please visit: www.agbu.org/worldgames for registration forms and for more information.
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