The Armenian Relief Society (ARS) this month celebrated the conclusion of its centennial with a series of events that started in Aleppo, Syria, on Oct. 8, and ended in Nagorno-Karabagh (Arstakh) on Oct. 18.
In Syria, ARS members embarked on a pilgrimage to the desert of Der Zor—where hundreds and thousands of Armenians died during the Armenian Genocide. In Armenia and later in Artsakh,
members were warmly greeted by their counterparts in those countries, and met with both President Serge Sarkisian of the Republic of Armenia and Bako Sahakian of the Nagorno-Karabagh Republic (NKR).
During a reception organized by the Diaspora Ministry on Oct. 16, Minister Hranoush Hakobyan awarded the ARS with the ministry’s Golden Medal. Praising the efforts of the ARS for maintaining Armenian national identity in the diaspora and for its services to the homeland, she invited the chairperson of the ARS, Inc. Central Executive Board to receive the medal on behalf of the Society.
On Oct. 18, a celebratory event to mark the ARS’s centennial was organized at the Youth Palace in Stepanakert, the capital of Karabagh. President Bako Sahakian and the First Lady attended the event. Sahakian awarded the “Vachakan Parebashd” Medal to the ARS, Inc. Central Executive Board and the “Gratitude” Medal to the ARS Artsakh Executive Board. The chairpersons of the ARS, Inc. and the Artsakh Executive, Vicky Marashlian and Bella Haroutunian, were then invited to receive the medals from the president.
More details on the concluding centennial events will appear in upcoming issues of the Weekly.
Hye, ARS chapters in Haiastan? Yea/nay, to assist our women in Haiastan to stand
up to the abuse offered by misdirected husbands… Too, offer aid to the families of those in this ‘condition’….Manooshag