Passing on our heritage

Ever since I was a child, I've been lucky enough to experience the richness of my dual culture to the full, combining my Armenian roots with my French identity. My involvement with AGBU has been a natural extension of this heritage, but also a real school of life. It has enabled me to reinforce essential values such as benevolence, empathy, solidarity and teamwork. 

How did you get involved with AGBU?

My involvement with AGBU began as a child. My mother, originally from Turkey, became involved with the organization very early on, when she arrived in Valence. Her commitment over more than 30 years paved the way for me to follow in her footsteps. When I was a teenager, I joined the AGBU Youth Committee in Valence. I was also active in sports (women's basketball team) throughout my adolescence, with unforgettable moments such as our participation in the Pan-Armenian Games in Geneva and Vienna. Later, I was councilor at the Colonie de Vacances of AGBU France, where I was able to share the values of Armenian identity with the younger generation. Even after I left Valence for my studies and career, I always found a way to take part in AGBU events, thanks to the presence of local chapters internationally.

Why were you drawn to the organization? 

Valence is a small town, but it has an incredibly rich community and associative life. Between the various organizations, churches, schools, and cooperations with Armenian cities, there is no shortage of opportunities to get involved. After spending more than ten years in Paris, Toulouse and Hong Kong, I came back to Valence and joined the chapter. The Young Professionals committee had just been set up by Gayané Kaskassian, my predecessor and long-standing friend. It was obvious for me to join the committee and get involved. It was part of my desire to pass on our heritage, but also to commit myself to the Armenian cause. What particularly appeals to me about AGBU is its inclusiveness and open-mindedness: there's room for everyone, whatever their background. What really convinced me to join the organization was its international reach and actions. Did you know that AGBU brings together over 500,000 volunteers in more than fifty countries? The organization connects and brings together people from all over the world, through events such as Focus and the General Assemblies, and enables ideas and actions to be shared over the long term. AGBU's reliability and practical impact make it a unique force for serving local communities and those in Armenia.

Can you please describe the goals of your committee and how it serves the local community?

AGBU Valence recently made a fresh start by moving into modern and spacious premises, an ambitious project made possible thanks to the vision and hard work of our former chair, Kévin Markarian, and his team. This change has breathed new life into our initiatives, particularly those led by the YP committee. AGBU Valence has for many years supported the Kévork Arabian Franco-Armenian school in Valence, of which I am also co-chair. Serving Armenia and supporting the local diaspora are at the heart of our objectives and constitute our identity.

Our objectives, under the leadership of our new chair Grégory Manoukian, are to honor this heritage while looking to the future: to continue traditional events such as lotos and festive and cultural evenings, to strengthen the YPs dynamic by creating opportunities for young people to meet and by promoting our professional talents, and to inspire and unite all those who share our love for Armenia.

If you could describe your program in only 3 words, what would they be?

Sustainability, commitment, and solidarity.

Sustainability because we are ensuring the continuity of our actions by recruiting new members, rejuvenating our teams and opening our doors even wider to friends of Armenia.

Commitment, enabling us to strengthen our impact with concrete humanitarian missions and actions that make a difference.

Finally, solidarity, which ensures the well-being of all Armenians, whether in the diaspora or in Armenia.

Can you share with us some of your achievements and plans for the committee? 

In November 2024, we organized a YP Talk entitled “Secrets d'étoiles”, followed by a tasting of exceptional wines, in the presence of David Sinapian, President of the Pic Group and husband of French three-star chef Anne-Sophie Pic. It was an inspiring and convivial evening, attended by a hundred people! We've also introduced themed afterwork sessions to bring youth and elderly together, with networking events like Jazz Mazz concerts. But perhaps the most important of all is our involvement in AGBU's Volunteer Service programs in Armenia.

The first mission, in January 2021, took place in Stepanakert, in a particularly difficult context just after the 44-day war. We were the first AGBU group to have access to this region. It was a deeply moving experience: we saw the immense challenges faced by the local people, but also their resilience and dignity in the face of adversity. The trip also enabled us to forge very strong human links, both between the members of our group and with the local AGBU teams in Artsakh.

Our second mission, in April 2023, was part of the AGBU ACT (Armenians Come Together) program. We went to the Armavir and Ararat regions to visit displaced families from Artsakh. What made this mission unique was the participation of non-Armenian friends, who discovered the richness of Armenia for the first time. Their insight brought a fresh perspective and underlined the importance of solidarity and inclusion, values dear to AGBU.

We are now preparing for a third mission, scheduled for autumn 2025. We have already started to raise funds from the profits generated by our events. This trip will be another opportunity to forge links between the diaspora and Armenia, while demonstrating our commitment to building a stronger Armenia.

At the same time, we want to continue our monthly radio program on Radio A, with the idea of adapting it as a podcast to reach a bigger audience. We are also relaunching our very popular Armenian cookery classes and would like to organize more cultural events.

What is one thing about AGBU that you wish people knew? 

AGBU is much more than an organization: it's a family. Its motto, “In Unity is Strength”, sums up its core values. For over a decade, AGBU has been working for the well-being and prosperity of Armenians around the world, with programs that support education, women's emancipation and socio-economic development, culture and humanitarian action. We are all working together to make Armenia stronger and more open to the world, while remaining rooted in our history and traditions. Whether you are Armenian or simply a friend of Armenia, you will always find your place at AGBU.

How has your involvement with AGBU shaped who you are with your family, friends, career?

Ever since I was a child, I've been lucky enough to experience the richness of my dual culture to the full, combining my Armenian roots with my French identity. My involvement with AGBU has been a natural extension of this heritage, but also a real school of life. It has enabled me to reinforce essential values such as benevolence, empathy, solidarity and teamwork. These are principles that I carry with pride today in my personal and professional life. 

On a personal note, what is your favorite Armenian tradition/recipe/holiday?

I have a particular attachment to the Vartanantz holiday, because it resonates with my involvement with AGBU. It is much more than a simple community event: it embodies resilience, courage and the passing on of a precious heritage. Celebrating Vartanantz means passing on this message of unity, resistance and attachment to our roots to new generations. This is exactly what motivates me in my commitment: to preserve our identity and pass it on with pride.