WASHINGTON—On March 19-20, the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Union held its 34th regional conference in Washington.
The opening ceremony took place on Fri., March 19 at the residence of Dr. Krikor and Arax Khatchigian. The event was open to the public. Around 100 guests were present, including public figures, Hamazkayin branch representatives, community activists, and the general public. Among them were Armenia’s ambassador to Washington, Tatoul Markarian, and the ambassador to the UN, Garen Nazarian. The opening remarks were made by Maggie Aprahamian.
Among the speakers was Zarmayr Setrakian, the chair of the outgoing Executive Committee of the Eastern U.S. Hamazkayin. Setrakian also read the congratulatory notes sent by Manuel Batakian, the Armenian Catholic Exarch for the U.S. and Canada, and Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of the Eastern United States. Hovsep Avakian spoke on behalf of the ARF Eastern U.S. “Shiragian” Central Committee, and was followed by Ambassador Markarian, Ambassador Nazarian, and Garo Armenian, a former ARF Bureau member. Edward Misserlian represented Hamazkayin’s Central Executive.
On Sat., March 20, the conference continued in the local Holy Cross Armenian Church. Participants represented the Hamazkayin branches in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Washington, Boston, Detroit, and Chicago.
The following members were nominated to this year’s regional committee: Ara Nazarian (Boston, chairperson); Maggie Simonian (Washington, secretary); Lena Ohannessian (Philadelphia, treasurer); Hasmig Aprahamian (New Jersey, secretary); Aline Baghdasarian (Washington, advisor); Hagop Melkonian (New Jersey, advisor); and Harmik Avedian (Boston, advisor).
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