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BOSTON CELEBRATES ARF 120TH ANNIVERSARY
Armenian Weekly
Mon, Nov 8 2010
WATERTOWN, Mass. (A.W.)-On Nov. 7, the greater Boston area
Armenian community celebrated the 120th anniversary of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation with a three-hour long political and cultural
event, featuring a keynote speech by Antranig Kasbarian, revolutionary
songs performed by Christopher Arabian, and dance performances by
the Sayat Nova Dance Company.
The event, organized by the Boston "Sardarabad" Gomideh in
collaboration with the local Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) chapter,
began with the Homenetmen scouts marching into the hall and the
playing of the national anthems and "Mshag Panvor."
Addressing the crowd of several hundred community members, chairperson
of the ARF Eastern Region Central Committee Dr. Antranig Kasbarian
highlighted the importance of making the ARF's 120th anniversary
an opportunity not just to celebrate and recount the party's
accomplishments, but to critically evaluate its record. He said
that the ARF has, in its long history, taken up many-sometimes too
many-roles and responsibilities, and continues to do so. Knowing to
prioritize, however, has been key. At different stages of its history,
he noted, the ARF has been a revolutionary organization, state-builder,
movement organizer, community builder in the diaspora, etc.
Kasbarian stressed that the ARF has been at its best when it has been
a party "by the people, for the people." He noted that in Armenia,
the party became part of the governing coalition hoping that it could
generate change from within, but after the Armeno-Turkish protocols it
withdrew from the government and is now in opposition, partly because
it has realized that for reform to take root, change from within the
existing structures is not possible.
The celebration concluded with performances by DJ Rams, Christopher
Arabian, and the Sayat Nova Dance Company.
From: A. Papazian
Armenian Weekly
Mon, Nov 8 2010
WATERTOWN, Mass. (A.W.)-On Nov. 7, the greater Boston area
Armenian community celebrated the 120th anniversary of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation with a three-hour long political and cultural
event, featuring a keynote speech by Antranig Kasbarian, revolutionary
songs performed by Christopher Arabian, and dance performances by
the Sayat Nova Dance Company.
The event, organized by the Boston "Sardarabad" Gomideh in
collaboration with the local Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) chapter,
began with the Homenetmen scouts marching into the hall and the
playing of the national anthems and "Mshag Panvor."
Addressing the crowd of several hundred community members, chairperson
of the ARF Eastern Region Central Committee Dr. Antranig Kasbarian
highlighted the importance of making the ARF's 120th anniversary
an opportunity not just to celebrate and recount the party's
accomplishments, but to critically evaluate its record. He said
that the ARF has, in its long history, taken up many-sometimes too
many-roles and responsibilities, and continues to do so. Knowing to
prioritize, however, has been key. At different stages of its history,
he noted, the ARF has been a revolutionary organization, state-builder,
movement organizer, community builder in the diaspora, etc.
Kasbarian stressed that the ARF has been at its best when it has been
a party "by the people, for the people." He noted that in Armenia,
the party became part of the governing coalition hoping that it could
generate change from within, but after the Armeno-Turkish protocols it
withdrew from the government and is now in opposition, partly because
it has realized that for reform to take root, change from within the
existing structures is not possible.
The celebration concluded with performances by DJ Rams, Christopher
Arabian, and the Sayat Nova Dance Company.
From: A. Papazian