LOWELL, Mass.—Two long-time friends who’ve made repeated trips to Armenia will pool their efforts toward a joint program Feb. 20.
Joe Dagdigian and Tom Vartabedian, two active members of the Merrimack Valley Armenian community, will collaborate on a program entitled “Armenia Revisited.”
The event will take place at 6 p.m. at the ARS Community Center, 142 Liberty St., Lowell, sponsored by the Lowell “Aharonian” ARF Committee.
Both men will present their impressions and photography on a 3-week trip taken last spring which focused primarily on village life and the more remote areas of the country, including Artsakh.
Among the highlights will be a personal account of April 24th at Tsitsernagapert (Armenian Genocide Memorial), Cosmic Ray Division, life in Yerevan today, rebirth of Gyumri after the earthquake, ruins of Ptghni, Armenian Tree Project and Botanical Gardens, Stepanagert and Shushi, Nor Armavir, Shamiram, Datev Vank, Zvartnots and Mastera.
Dagdigian was past national chairman of the AYF Central Executive and is currently a member of the Merrimack Valley ANC and Lowell ARF. He is also a member of NAASR, ALMA and the Knights of Vartan.
He and Anahid Yeremian are co-founders of the Support Committee for Armenia’s Cosmic Ray Division which supports the scientists, engineers and students at the CRD of the Yerevan Physics Institute.
He and his wife Lisa have visited Armenia more than 10 times since the independence, remaining at their own apartment in Yerevan, meeting the people and photographing interesting sites.
Dagdigian is also teaching a non-credit introductory course titled “Introduction to Armenian History” (PER680) at the Bedford campus of Middlesex Community College. Details, (800) 818-3434 or online at http://www.middlesex.mass.edu under “non-credit” and “personal enrichment” courses.
Vartabedian is also a member and past chairman of the Lowell ARF, taught Armenian language and culture at Northern Essex Community College, and continues to teach Armenian School at St. Gregory Church of North Andover. He is currently involved in promoting a genocide curriculum in high schools north of Boston. He is an active correspondent for the Armenian press. A book on Armenian photography is in the works.
A dinner will precede the program. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students and may be purchased at the door.
Tom and Joe, two towering Armenians dedicated to the perpetuation of their heritage. Your community is fortunate to have this presentation. All of us our proud of the work you do.