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AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.agbu.org
PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Paris AGBU Saturday School Marks 20th Anniversary
On Saturday, June 2, 2007, the Paris AGBU Saturday school celebrated its
20th anniversary. Under the direction of AGBU teachers Meguerditch
Basmadjian, Lara Wartanian, and other professors, the children and
alumni performed an entertaining two-hour spectacle of Armenian songs,
poems, readings, dance, and drama for an enthusiastic crowd of over 230
guests at the AGBU Alex Manoogian Center. Among those guests attending
the performance and reception were AGBU District Committee of France
ex-presidents Levon Kebabdjian and Eduard Attamian and their wives Nadia
Kebabdjian and Sona Attamian, all very involved with the development of
the school, as well as other members of the AGBU District Committee of
France and Paris chapter.
Principal Viviane Muratyan welcomed guests, alumni, and retired teachers
Garabet Dakessian, Rubina Altounian and Silva Arax. Muratyan spoke about
the history of the school and congratulated the students on their
extraordinary achievements and performance.
Beginnings
The Paris Saturday school, known as the Manoogian Saturday School, is
one of AGBU's 16 Saturday schools worldwide. Initiated by Nadia
Kebabdjian in 1986, the school's primary purpose is to teach the
Armenian language to children between the ages of 6 and 18 by creating
various levels of classes from beginning courses to baccalaureate. Ms.
Kebabdjian and Garabed Dakessian, who developed the teaching approach,
integrated traditional music, dance, and computer science into their
curriculum. The school began with 15 students in the first year, but the
enrollment more than doubled to 40 students during its second year.
Comprehensive, Modern Program
Succeeding director, Vartouchka Samuelian, and teachers Vartouhi
Guzelbodur, Vivianne Muratyan and Armand Muratyan, continued the
tradition of teaching Armenian language and culture to children in a
friendly, family setting, always encouraging them to embrace their
Armenian heritage. In keeping with their commitment to excellence, the
teaching staff will modernize the facility with computers and
Armenian-language software in the coming year.
In addition to language courses, the school's curriculum provides other
courses and activities. Teachers believe that each activity is a
teaching tool for learning Armenian culture. Songs taught by Hayk
Sarkissian, principal of the Tebrotsaser School and director of the AGBU
Koghtan Choral Society, help develop the students' aural ability and
encourage better pronunciation. Drama, taught by Megueditch Basmadjian,
promotes use of the Armenian language in a more expressive way. Dance
classes, too, provide students another artistic venue to discover their
Armenian culture.
Special performances, incorporating all aspects of Armenian culture, are
regularly given by students with the help of alumni. Last year, children
prepared a show about the 1600-year-old Armenian alphabet. This year,
under the direction of AGBU youth director Tania Etjemezian, students
presented a musical comedy for children in French hospitals. Christmas
shows and year-end programs are other important opportunities for
students to display their newfound talents and pride in their heritage.
The June 23, 2007, Latin American-themed end-of-year party attracted a
large crowd and heralded in the summer season.
Adult Learning Center
In addition to its Saturday school for children, the AGBU Manoogian
Center offers adult evening courses in Armenian three times a week. The
use of interactive methods based on conversation, press reviews, and
study of literary texts has proved successful in teaching adult
students. Courses in choral music, theater, and dance taught by
experienced faculty, including Vartouhi Guzelbodur, Haig Sarkissian,
Meguerditch Basmadjian and Serop Ohannessian, have likewise helped to
attract adults. Presently the school's combined enrollment boasts more
than 120 students.
The Paris Saturday school and the adult evening program are just two of
the many programs offered by the Alex Manoogian Cultural Center in
Paris. Dedicated to furthering the culture of French Armenians, the
Center offers an array of activities such as sports, social events, and
concerts for young and old.
For more information about AGBU France and the programs at the Manoogian
Center in Paris, please visit www.ugabfrance.org.
For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit
www.agbu.org.
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.agbu.org
PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Paris AGBU Saturday School Marks 20th Anniversary
On Saturday, June 2, 2007, the Paris AGBU Saturday school celebrated its
20th anniversary. Under the direction of AGBU teachers Meguerditch
Basmadjian, Lara Wartanian, and other professors, the children and
alumni performed an entertaining two-hour spectacle of Armenian songs,
poems, readings, dance, and drama for an enthusiastic crowd of over 230
guests at the AGBU Alex Manoogian Center. Among those guests attending
the performance and reception were AGBU District Committee of France
ex-presidents Levon Kebabdjian and Eduard Attamian and their wives Nadia
Kebabdjian and Sona Attamian, all very involved with the development of
the school, as well as other members of the AGBU District Committee of
France and Paris chapter.
Principal Viviane Muratyan welcomed guests, alumni, and retired teachers
Garabet Dakessian, Rubina Altounian and Silva Arax. Muratyan spoke about
the history of the school and congratulated the students on their
extraordinary achievements and performance.
Beginnings
The Paris Saturday school, known as the Manoogian Saturday School, is
one of AGBU's 16 Saturday schools worldwide. Initiated by Nadia
Kebabdjian in 1986, the school's primary purpose is to teach the
Armenian language to children between the ages of 6 and 18 by creating
various levels of classes from beginning courses to baccalaureate. Ms.
Kebabdjian and Garabed Dakessian, who developed the teaching approach,
integrated traditional music, dance, and computer science into their
curriculum. The school began with 15 students in the first year, but the
enrollment more than doubled to 40 students during its second year.
Comprehensive, Modern Program
Succeeding director, Vartouchka Samuelian, and teachers Vartouhi
Guzelbodur, Vivianne Muratyan and Armand Muratyan, continued the
tradition of teaching Armenian language and culture to children in a
friendly, family setting, always encouraging them to embrace their
Armenian heritage. In keeping with their commitment to excellence, the
teaching staff will modernize the facility with computers and
Armenian-language software in the coming year.
In addition to language courses, the school's curriculum provides other
courses and activities. Teachers believe that each activity is a
teaching tool for learning Armenian culture. Songs taught by Hayk
Sarkissian, principal of the Tebrotsaser School and director of the AGBU
Koghtan Choral Society, help develop the students' aural ability and
encourage better pronunciation. Drama, taught by Megueditch Basmadjian,
promotes use of the Armenian language in a more expressive way. Dance
classes, too, provide students another artistic venue to discover their
Armenian culture.
Special performances, incorporating all aspects of Armenian culture, are
regularly given by students with the help of alumni. Last year, children
prepared a show about the 1600-year-old Armenian alphabet. This year,
under the direction of AGBU youth director Tania Etjemezian, students
presented a musical comedy for children in French hospitals. Christmas
shows and year-end programs are other important opportunities for
students to display their newfound talents and pride in their heritage.
The June 23, 2007, Latin American-themed end-of-year party attracted a
large crowd and heralded in the summer season.
Adult Learning Center
In addition to its Saturday school for children, the AGBU Manoogian
Center offers adult evening courses in Armenian three times a week. The
use of interactive methods based on conversation, press reviews, and
study of literary texts has proved successful in teaching adult
students. Courses in choral music, theater, and dance taught by
experienced faculty, including Vartouhi Guzelbodur, Haig Sarkissian,
Meguerditch Basmadjian and Serop Ohannessian, have likewise helped to
attract adults. Presently the school's combined enrollment boasts more
than 120 students.
The Paris Saturday school and the adult evening program are just two of
the many programs offered by the Alex Manoogian Cultural Center in
Paris. Dedicated to furthering the culture of French Armenians, the
Center offers an array of activities such as sports, social events, and
concerts for young and old.
For more information about AGBU France and the programs at the Manoogian
Center in Paris, please visit www.ugabfrance.org.
For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit
www.agbu.org.