WATERTOWN, Mass.—Encouraged by the success of the ARS Mediterranean Cruise two years ago, the ARS Central Executive Board organized a second European cruise—this time to the Baltic countries—coinciding with the ARS centenary.
On Aug. 22, the 360 ARS members and supporters from 20 different countries set sail from Amsterdam on board the “Celebrity Constellation.”
The first port of visit was Waremunde, Germany, from where trips were organized to Berlin and Rostock.
The next scheduled stop was Stockholm, Sweden. The voyagers were welcomed by local ARS members who had prepared a special program consisting of visits to local landmarks—such as the royal palace—as well as a luncheon, attended by the local parson, Father Daniel, and noted community leaders.
After Stockholm, the cruise ship anchored in Helsinki, Finland, to sail the next day to St. Petersburg, Russia.
The group spent two days in this grand capital city built by Peter the Great, enjoying, among other things, a performance of Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” in the city’s ballet theatre.
The next stop was Estonia’s capital Tallinn, followed by Copenhagen, Denmark. The participants then returned to Amsterdam.
To emphasize the Armenian aspect of the cruise, the ARS had organized an ARS centennial celebration event, Armenian-style festivities and parties, as well as an evening of Armenian songs.
The Centennial was celebrated on board with appropriate pomp and circumstance. The opening remarks at this function were delivered by Central Executive Board member Shakeh Basmajian, a film about the ARS was presented, followed by the message of the ARS Central Executive by Mayda Melkonian. The festivity continued with personal impressions shared with the audience by a young woman who had recently climbed to the summit of Mt. Ararat, while others in the artistic program. Singer Suzan Margarian from Armenia enchanted the audience with her songs. Spontaneous donations were made to the ARS Centennial Fund during the banquet/dance as the 100th Anniversary cake was being cut.
“On the occasion of the unprecedented success of the second ARS Cruise, first and foremost, I wish to thank all ARS members and executives, whose efforts made possible the participation of people from twenty different countries; I also thank all participants who merged the pleasurable with the productive. The income from this cruise will help the ARS in its endeavors across the Diaspora and the Homeland,” said Shakeh Basmajian, the ARS Central Executive Board member responsible for the Cruise, promising to get together at the next ARS Cruise.
Be the first to comment