ALPINE, N.J.—Mr. and Mrs. Vahe and Shaké Nahapetian hosted a banquet celebrating the 115th anniversary of Hairenik and the 80th anniversary of the Armenian Weekly.
ARF Bureau member Hagop Der Khatchadourian, members of the ARF Central Committees of Canada, the Western U.S. and Eastern U.S., editors of Asbarez, Apo Boghigian, and Asbarez English edition, Ara Khachatourian, and some 90 community leaders and activists attended the event.
“I have grown so dependent upon–and appreciative of–the Weekly,” novelist Chris Bohjalian, the keynote speaker of the evening, said. “We need the Weekly, because week after week it helps us understand the fiscal and political realities of the small swatch of earth that today is our homeland, while informing us of the challenges we face in terms of Genocide recognition and cultural resurrection,” he added.
“So I thank everyone here who is a part of the Hairenik family. I celebrate what you have accomplished and what you will do. Thank
you so much for championing day-in and day-out what words and reading and stories (Our stories!) can mean to the soul,” Bohjalian concluded.
The master of ceremonies of the evening was Dr. Herand Markarian. Brief comments were offered by Hagop Der Khatchadourian, ARF Eastern Region Central Committee
member Antranig Kasbarian, editor of the Hairenik Weekly Zaven Torigian, editor of the Armenian Weekly Khatchig Mouradian.
In his remarks, Mouradian announced that beginning in September 2014, Nanore Barsoumian, currently assistant editor of the Armenian Weekly, will assume the newspaper’s editorship.
Hairenik’s most recent publication, Voices from the Past, translated and edited by Vahe Habeshian, was launched during the evening. Those in attendance received copies of the book.
Pianist Kariné Poghosyan dazzled the audience with her performance.
On behalf of the organizing committee, Sona Bezdigian thanked the attendees for their support.
More than $40,000 was raised during the banquet, $10,000 of which was generously donated by Mr. and Mrs. Nazar and Ardemis Nazarian.
A series of events and banquets celebrating the anniversaries of the newspapers will be held during the year. The next banquet will be hosted by Arpy Seferian in Chicago on May 17.
Be the first to comment