On the evening of Dec. 7, 450 hamagirs and believers in the Armenian Cause led by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) filled the ballroom of Livonia’s Embassy Suite Hotel to celebrate the ARF’s 123rd year in defense of the Armenian people.
The Detroit ARF “Azadamard” Gomideh continues to maintain its stellar reputation as a hotbed of Tashnagtsagan leadership. This evening they actively included Armenian youth in training to rise to the occasion and fulfill their role as community activists.
The Homenetmen Scouts presented the American stars and stripes and the Armenian tricolor, Artsakh, and ARF flags.
The Armenian and American national anthems were beautifully sung by Araxie Tossounian, Tamar Changelian, and Nayiri Carman, bringing strong applause.
Young attorney Alidz Oshagan welcomed guests saying, “Each of us have come together as ungers. Proceeds from this evening will be donated to the Syrian-Armenian relief fund.”
Oshagan follows in the footsteps of her attorney mother Georgi-Ann and Ph.D. father Hayg in community leadership. She comes from illustrious Oshagan roots.
The ARF is a political party accountable to all Armenians. That ideology remains steadfast today.
Attending this momentous celebration were members of the ARF Central Committee, Eastern Region.
Months of intensive planning for the 123 years of success included an ad booklet with photos of ARF historical events on the cover.
Also attending were Hairenik editor Zaven Torigian, Armenian Weekly editor Khatchig Mouradian, and Hairenik Association manager Armen Khachatourian, and ARF Eastern Region Central Committee executive director Maral Choloian.
Clergy present at the event included Fr. Andon Atamian of the Armenian Catholic Church, Badveli Dr. Vahan and Mrs. Rosette Tootikian and Pastor Shant Barsamian of the Armenian Congregational Church, Rev. Hrant and Mrs. Tamar Kevorkian of St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church, and Rev. Daron and Mrs. Sosy Stepanian representing St. Hagop Armenian Apostolic Church of Racine, Wisc.
ARS was represented by Sirvart Telbelian and her Husband, Hamazkayin was represented by chairwoman Hermine Manougian and her husband, Homenetmen was represented by Garineh Chopjian and Rozalin Basmajian, AYF was represented by Haygan Tcholakian.
“Azadamard” Gomideh chairman Raffi Ourlian thanked the audience and all those who served the party during its 123 years of existence. “The ARF is a political organization to bring the communities together. You all know the horrible events of 1915. All of us remain touched by that injustice. The guilty ones were brought down by members of the ARF’s Nemesis group in various European cities where they sought safety. Some of those heroes were Aram Yarganian, Misak Torlakian, Shahan Natalie, and of course Soghomon Tehlirian, who assassinated Talaat [Pasha] in the streets of Berlin, was tried, and exonerated.”
We fondly remember the now silent voices of Detroit’s own greats, Hagop Mooradian and Kopernik Tandourjian, Providence’s Arthur Giragosian, and Boston’s James Tashjian.
Guest speaker was Antranig Kasbarian, Ph.D, Vice-Chair of the ARF Central Committee-Eastern Region. Conversant in both English and Armenian, he has served the ARF in many capacities. He has worked for the Tufenkian Foundation for many years in resettlement efforts in Artsakh. Kasbarian noted the warm reception he had received from many in the crowd, likening the evening “to a family reunion.” He added that “the strength and vitality of this community is apparent in the wall to wall attendance of an overflow crowd of 450 people.”
Kasbarian’s message stressed that while the ARF has played many different roles in the life of our people, these roles have been generally reducible to three core pillars: 1) Sovereignty and social justice for Armenia and its people; 2) The quest for historical justice, i.e. the struggle for Hai Tahd, which includes Artsakh as well as Western Armenia which was lost in the 1915 Genocide; and 3) The struggle to maintain and develop Armenian language, culture and national identity, i.e. “hayabahbanoum.”
He continued, “The ARF was a leader of our first fledgling Republic and in 1990 actively returned to the Armenian homeland. While the ARF has made mistakes alongside its accomplishments, it has always done so from the standpoint of commitment and engagement. The Republic of Armenia today has goals to achieve. The malaise of people leaving the country must be stemmed. Jobs must be created for people to visualize the hope for economic prosperity to remain in Armenia.”
“We want Armenia to flourish. The ARF kept the dream alive of a sovereign Armenia. ‘They’ laughed at us, calling our dreams unrealistic, but freedom did come to Armenia. If the Soviet Union could fall, who is to say that Turkey is an unbreakable monolith? Our dream may not come today, but over generations the opportunities can arise, so we must remain prepared.” In his remarks, he also elaborated on the importance and contribution of the ARF’s partners and affiliates — the Armenian Relief Society, The Hamazkayin, Homenetmen, Armenian Youth Federation and the church.
Guests dined on a gourmet dinner. Buttery platters of baklava sated the sweet tooth. Johnny Walker flowed for some, but it was Harout Pamboukjian and his band from Los Angeles that excited the crowd, bringing them to their feet as he hit the stage like a rock star singing patriotic songs.
Harout Pamboukjian and his band was introduced by Toros Bardakjian, who first thanked the organizing committee and then the volunteers.
“Detroit, I’m glad you remembered me and invited me back,” the popular singer said. “As cold as it is outside, my heart has been warmed by your support. I remember my father said, “The walls have ears,” thinking of the bad times in Soviet Armenia before our family’s arrival in Lebanon. He would whisper to me about the ARF, the party seeking freedom and justice for the Armenian people. Thanks to the ARF, we have Armenian schools, churches, and community centers. Thanks to the ARF, I too am a believer.”
The artist performed until 2 a.m., bringing people to fill the dance floor with great energy.
The clergy led the guests in the “Hayr Mer” prayer. The ARF anthem “Mshag Panvor” was sung with pride and reverence.
Carly Simon’s composition “Nobody Does It Better” appropriately played softly in the background during the dinner hour; it is an all-telling indication of the ARF’s direction for the future. These 123 years of dedication to the wellbeing of the Armenian people with God’s guidance will grow stronger. The 450 hamagirs cannot be mistaken.
The ARF “Azadamard” Gomidehoutiun and the Greater Detroit community deeply appreciate the performance of Harout Pamboukjian under very difficult circumstances and, collectively, wish for the full recovery and good health of his beloved wife, Rosa.
Betty Apigian-Kessel
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Ungerouhi Betty,
Great article, it’s always lovely to read of such vibrant communities. However I ask you to consider the contradiction of the title you have chosen for this piece. I’m sure you realize the guests of honor who have come together from various communities, many not from Detroit, who put aside their individual communities and instead prioritize the forward movement of the Armenian Cause. So I ask, Detroit does it better than who? This contradicts the fraternity our carefully written bylaws so proudly emphasize.
Weekly Reader:
Perhaps Ungerouhi Betty means that “Detroit Does it Better” than those communities that do not have any ARF members!
good to see her back again.