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Capacity Crowd Turns Out for 121st Anniversary of ARF
asbarez
Friday, January 27th, 2012
Community members attend the ARF Day Celebration
GLENDALE - `During its more than 120-year history, the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation has worked and will continue to work firmly
rooted in its ideological principles,' said Avedik Izmirlian, chairman
of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Central Committee of Western
US. Thus, with the motto of `For the People and With the People,' the
ARF Western United States marked the party's 121st anniversary on
Sunday, January 22, with a capacity crowd at the Glendale High School
auditorium.
The ARF believes that `the survival of a nation is reliant, first and
foremost, in its people's belief in an ideal and its willingness to
fight for that ideal in the name of victory,' added Izmirlian, who was
the keynote speaker at the celebration.
ARF CC Chairman Avedik Izmirlian
In his assertive presentation, Izmirlian also touched on the need for
regime change in Armenia, rejecting any sort of bargaining by what he
called the `discredited government officials' with the ARF on the eve
of the upcoming parliamentary elections.
`The priority for the ARF is the national interests and the well-being
of the people,' said Izmirlian. `For the ARF regime change is
essential, with complete and fundamental ouster of the current ruling
elite.'
Izmirlian placed a special emphasis on the Western Region
Armenian-American community saying that as the most populous Armenian
entity outside of Armenia, this community must become more organized
and urged organizations to become active in maintaining and
strengthening the atmosphere of cooperation.
`Only a strong, united and self-sufficient community can effectively
the Armenian people and the homeland, as well as cooperate with the
Armenian state,' said Izmirlian.
Attending the celebration were Western Primate Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian; Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian; head of
the Armenian Evangelical Church of North America, Father Joe
Matossian; the Rector of St. Gregory Catholic Church Very Rev. Fr.
Krikor Chahinian; representatives of the Catholicosate Central
Executive Council, the Prelacy Executive Council; ARS, Hamazkayine and
Homenetmen regional executives, as well as representatives of the
Social Democratic `Hunchakian Party,' the Armenian Democratic League
(Ramkavar Party), the AGBU and educational, cultural and compatriotic
organizations.
With the drum-beat of the Homenetmen marching band, the scouts ushered
in the Armenian tri-color, the US and ARF flags, as Payla Kevorkian
sang the ARF anthem `Meshag Panvor.'
The program began with the singing of patriotic songs by the ARF
Badanegan (junior) organization chorus, whose members were clad in
red, blue and orange t-shirts. Under the leadership of Avedik
Mikaelyan, the chorus presented several patriotic songs, setting the
festive mood for the celebration.
The masters of ceremony were Sanan Haroun and Raffi Bedrosian of the
Armenian Youth Federation Western US, who in their bi-lingual opening
remarks, quoting important figures in ARF history, ushered in the
evening's message and sense of national pride.
Two video presentations during the celebration highlighted the
community's work in pursuit of the Armenian Cause, as well as the
AYF's activities, focusing on the organization's effort in Armenia and
Artsakh.
Davit Arakelyan of the AYF CE
The AYF message was conveyed by the organization's chairman, Davit
Arakelyan, who announced that the AYF has declared 2012 the year of
the freedom fighter. In his remarks he explained that 20 years after
the heroic battles in Artsakh, those who risked their lives for our
nation's liberation are still not provided with basic needs for
survival.
Arakelyan said that the AYF is undertaking several educational
projects, to sensitize the community about this issue and through
various fund-raising events the AYF aims to assist in the betterment
of the lives of the freedom fighters.
`We call on the community to join this effort and support this
important undertaking. It is through such programs that our
organization can attain the trust of our people,' said Arakelyan.
`The ARF must look at its past and renew its oath - the pledge by the
founders of our party - to always be dedicated to our people, our ideals
and our national principles,' added Arakelyan.
The Hamazkayine `Ani' Dance Troupe took part in the cultural portion
of the program, which included performances by Karnig Sarkisian and
the `Cilicia' Chamber Orchestra. At the conclusion of the evening
singers Souren Mktrchyan and Rima Karapetian joined the orchestra in a
rendition of `Ariunot Trosh,' which was met with a standing ovation,
thus capping off a successful celebration.
asbarez
Friday, January 27th, 2012
Community members attend the ARF Day Celebration
GLENDALE - `During its more than 120-year history, the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation has worked and will continue to work firmly
rooted in its ideological principles,' said Avedik Izmirlian, chairman
of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Central Committee of Western
US. Thus, with the motto of `For the People and With the People,' the
ARF Western United States marked the party's 121st anniversary on
Sunday, January 22, with a capacity crowd at the Glendale High School
auditorium.
The ARF believes that `the survival of a nation is reliant, first and
foremost, in its people's belief in an ideal and its willingness to
fight for that ideal in the name of victory,' added Izmirlian, who was
the keynote speaker at the celebration.
ARF CC Chairman Avedik Izmirlian
In his assertive presentation, Izmirlian also touched on the need for
regime change in Armenia, rejecting any sort of bargaining by what he
called the `discredited government officials' with the ARF on the eve
of the upcoming parliamentary elections.
`The priority for the ARF is the national interests and the well-being
of the people,' said Izmirlian. `For the ARF regime change is
essential, with complete and fundamental ouster of the current ruling
elite.'
Izmirlian placed a special emphasis on the Western Region
Armenian-American community saying that as the most populous Armenian
entity outside of Armenia, this community must become more organized
and urged organizations to become active in maintaining and
strengthening the atmosphere of cooperation.
`Only a strong, united and self-sufficient community can effectively
the Armenian people and the homeland, as well as cooperate with the
Armenian state,' said Izmirlian.
Attending the celebration were Western Primate Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian; Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian; head of
the Armenian Evangelical Church of North America, Father Joe
Matossian; the Rector of St. Gregory Catholic Church Very Rev. Fr.
Krikor Chahinian; representatives of the Catholicosate Central
Executive Council, the Prelacy Executive Council; ARS, Hamazkayine and
Homenetmen regional executives, as well as representatives of the
Social Democratic `Hunchakian Party,' the Armenian Democratic League
(Ramkavar Party), the AGBU and educational, cultural and compatriotic
organizations.
With the drum-beat of the Homenetmen marching band, the scouts ushered
in the Armenian tri-color, the US and ARF flags, as Payla Kevorkian
sang the ARF anthem `Meshag Panvor.'
The program began with the singing of patriotic songs by the ARF
Badanegan (junior) organization chorus, whose members were clad in
red, blue and orange t-shirts. Under the leadership of Avedik
Mikaelyan, the chorus presented several patriotic songs, setting the
festive mood for the celebration.
The masters of ceremony were Sanan Haroun and Raffi Bedrosian of the
Armenian Youth Federation Western US, who in their bi-lingual opening
remarks, quoting important figures in ARF history, ushered in the
evening's message and sense of national pride.
Two video presentations during the celebration highlighted the
community's work in pursuit of the Armenian Cause, as well as the
AYF's activities, focusing on the organization's effort in Armenia and
Artsakh.
Davit Arakelyan of the AYF CE
The AYF message was conveyed by the organization's chairman, Davit
Arakelyan, who announced that the AYF has declared 2012 the year of
the freedom fighter. In his remarks he explained that 20 years after
the heroic battles in Artsakh, those who risked their lives for our
nation's liberation are still not provided with basic needs for
survival.
Arakelyan said that the AYF is undertaking several educational
projects, to sensitize the community about this issue and through
various fund-raising events the AYF aims to assist in the betterment
of the lives of the freedom fighters.
`We call on the community to join this effort and support this
important undertaking. It is through such programs that our
organization can attain the trust of our people,' said Arakelyan.
`The ARF must look at its past and renew its oath - the pledge by the
founders of our party - to always be dedicated to our people, our ideals
and our national principles,' added Arakelyan.
The Hamazkayine `Ani' Dance Troupe took part in the cultural portion
of the program, which included performances by Karnig Sarkisian and
the `Cilicia' Chamber Orchestra. At the conclusion of the evening
singers Souren Mktrchyan and Rima Karapetian joined the orchestra in a
rendition of `Ariunot Trosh,' which was met with a standing ovation,
thus capping off a successful celebration.