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ARS' European cruise attracts more than 200
http://www.reporter.am/go/article/2012-08-23-ars--european-cruise-attracts-more-than-200-
Published: Thursday August 23, 2012
ARS activists in Lisbon.
The 3rd ARS International Cruise took place from June 30 to July 14,
with over 210 voyagers on board, including ARS members, as well as
other Armenian and non-Armenian supporters.
This cruise dropped anchor at various European ports, beginning with
London, where the local ARS Chapter organized a tour of the city and a
special reception during which the voyagers and members of the local
Armenian community mingled, renewing or establishing new friendships.
The cruise set sail from the British port of Southampton, visiting the
French coast of Provence, Italy, including Florence and Rome, then
sailing on to Corsica's port city of Ajaccio and Seville in Spain. The
cruise reached its summit in Lisbon, Portugal, where special tour
buses took everyone to popular and historic sites of the city,
followed by a visit to the Gulbenkian Foundation's Museum. There, the
visitors were welcomed by the Assistant Curator of the Museum's
Armenian section. After being shown a brief documentary film on the
life and works of Kalousd Gulbenkian, the ARS cruise visitors toured
the museum, accompanied by the Curator, who not only answered all
their questions as they viewed the exhibits, but expressed his
appreciation for the keen interest shown by the ARS and its membership
in the activities of the Foundation and its programs.
After Lisbon, and a visit to the city of Vigo, the ship returned and
anchored in Southampton. From there, the voyagers of the 3rd ARS
International Cruise returned to their respective homes, carrying with
them precious memories of unforgettable days spent in good company, at
sea and ashore.
While at sea, the participants enjoyed four Armenian dances and
banquets, enlivened by the music of Arthur Apgarian and his band. In
addition to the ARS Day celebration, as a cultural event, the
participants had the opportunity to view a screening of Bared
Maronian's film, Orphans of the Genocide.
Many statements and e-mails of appreciation for the cruise keep
arriving at the ARS Central Office. "We had a wonderful time on this
Cruise and most certainly we'll take part in the next one," stated one
participant; "Special thanks to those who organized our visit to the
Gulbenkian Museum, bringing our enjoyment to its culmination," said
another; "Everything was beautifully organized; this was my first time
on an ARS Cruise, most assuredly it won't be my last one," said yet
another; "When is the next one?" asked another. "Please notify me as
soon as it is planned..." These are just a sampling of the notes and
comments from the ARS cruise participants.
"We are grateful to all those who participated in our 3rd ARS Cruise,"
stated former ARS Central Executive Board member and organizer of ARS
Cruises, Shakeh Basmajian. "They combined the enjoyable with the
beneficial by participating in this ARS program, knowing full well
that the proceeds will be applied to the humanitarian projects of our
Society. In the crisis situation of our communities, the ARS has a
dire need of every penny to assist our compatriots in various regions
in their immediate basic needs for survival."
Over the coming months, the ARS will advertise the details of the 4th
ARS International Cruise.
http://www.reporter.am/go/article/2012-08-23-ars--european-cruise-attracts-more-than-200-
Published: Thursday August 23, 2012
ARS activists in Lisbon.
The 3rd ARS International Cruise took place from June 30 to July 14,
with over 210 voyagers on board, including ARS members, as well as
other Armenian and non-Armenian supporters.
This cruise dropped anchor at various European ports, beginning with
London, where the local ARS Chapter organized a tour of the city and a
special reception during which the voyagers and members of the local
Armenian community mingled, renewing or establishing new friendships.
The cruise set sail from the British port of Southampton, visiting the
French coast of Provence, Italy, including Florence and Rome, then
sailing on to Corsica's port city of Ajaccio and Seville in Spain. The
cruise reached its summit in Lisbon, Portugal, where special tour
buses took everyone to popular and historic sites of the city,
followed by a visit to the Gulbenkian Foundation's Museum. There, the
visitors were welcomed by the Assistant Curator of the Museum's
Armenian section. After being shown a brief documentary film on the
life and works of Kalousd Gulbenkian, the ARS cruise visitors toured
the museum, accompanied by the Curator, who not only answered all
their questions as they viewed the exhibits, but expressed his
appreciation for the keen interest shown by the ARS and its membership
in the activities of the Foundation and its programs.
After Lisbon, and a visit to the city of Vigo, the ship returned and
anchored in Southampton. From there, the voyagers of the 3rd ARS
International Cruise returned to their respective homes, carrying with
them precious memories of unforgettable days spent in good company, at
sea and ashore.
While at sea, the participants enjoyed four Armenian dances and
banquets, enlivened by the music of Arthur Apgarian and his band. In
addition to the ARS Day celebration, as a cultural event, the
participants had the opportunity to view a screening of Bared
Maronian's film, Orphans of the Genocide.
Many statements and e-mails of appreciation for the cruise keep
arriving at the ARS Central Office. "We had a wonderful time on this
Cruise and most certainly we'll take part in the next one," stated one
participant; "Special thanks to those who organized our visit to the
Gulbenkian Museum, bringing our enjoyment to its culmination," said
another; "Everything was beautifully organized; this was my first time
on an ARS Cruise, most assuredly it won't be my last one," said yet
another; "When is the next one?" asked another. "Please notify me as
soon as it is planned..." These are just a sampling of the notes and
comments from the ARS cruise participants.
"We are grateful to all those who participated in our 3rd ARS Cruise,"
stated former ARS Central Executive Board member and organizer of ARS
Cruises, Shakeh Basmajian. "They combined the enjoyable with the
beneficial by participating in this ARS program, knowing full well
that the proceeds will be applied to the humanitarian projects of our
Society. In the crisis situation of our communities, the ARS has a
dire need of every penny to assist our compatriots in various regions
in their immediate basic needs for survival."
Over the coming months, the ARS will advertise the details of the 4th
ARS International Cruise.