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Armenian Youth Federation-YOARF Eastern US
80 Bigelow Ave
Watertown, MA 02472
Tel. (617) 923-1933
Fax (617) 924-1933
www.ayf.org
PRESS RELEASE
June 08, 2005
Contact: Sossi Essajanian
(617) 923-1933
Over 350 Gather at Annual AYF-YOARF Junior Seminar
[Sub Headline] Guest lecturers include ARF Eastern Region chairman
Hayg Oshagan and Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan
WATERTOWN, MA--From May 27-30, over 350 junior and senior members of
the Armenian Youth Federation-Youth Organization of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (AYF-YOARF) Eastern Region gathered in
Prospect, Penn. to attend the 34th annual National Junior Seminar.
The theme for this year's event was ?Stepping in to the Future: A
Journey through Armenia's Past,? aimed at bridging Armenia's history
and today's efforts of cultural preservation, Genocide recognition and
reparations, and a deeper understanding of Western Armenian lands.
On the first night, welcoming remarks were given by the 2005 Junior
Seminar committee, and members of the AYF-YOARF Central Executive and
Central Junior Council were introduced. A slide show was presented by
Greater Boston AYF chapter member Sossi Essajanian on the AYF
Pan-American Seminar and the contributions of the eight AYF-YOARF
delegates to the seminar. Finally, Central Executive member Aram
Hovagimian offered a PowerPoint of his recent trip to Turkey, with
comparative photographs from the region of sites before the Genocide
and today.
During the event, members attended lectures on such topics as activism
and Hai Tahd issues, genocide denial, and Armenia's independence and
progress. Lecturers included Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA) Western Region board of directors member Raffi Hamparian, who
discussed the activities of the organization and what each individual
can do to help the cause; Dr. Lucy Der Manuelian, who presented a
slide show of Armenian monuments and manuscripts; and Dr. Dikran
Kaligian, who discussed the modern history of Artsakh.
This year, the seminar also featured four lectures by Archbishop
Oshagan Choloyan and Rev. Father Anoushavan Tanielian, who discussed
the challenges facing the Armenian Church and Christianity as part of
Armenia's history. According to the Prelacy Crossroads E-Newsletter,
the Archbishop noted that he was particularly impressed with the
questions that were posed by the young participants, showing maturity
and knowledge, he said.
Also addressing attendees this year was ARF Eastern Region Central
Committee chairman Hayg Oshagan, who spoke to the older juniors and
senior members about the ARF, its goals and work in the Eastern
U.S. and abroad. Oshagan fielded many questions from the large group,
ranging from his work as chairman and the structure of the
organization.
Evening entertainment was provided by singer Avo Ashjian from
California as well as Antranig Kzirian on oud, Aram Hovagimian on
keyboard, Jimmy Kzirian on dumbeg and vocals, and on the final night,
Armen Sevag on violin and vocals. The group energized junior and
senior members alike by leading AYFers in singing patriotic songs, as
well as popular Armenian songs.
Various chapters also presented skits during a talent show with
performances commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Armenian
genocide, and remembering the founding of Armenia's first independent
republic in 1918. Acts included a solemn skit depicting the many
fedayees that fought in the battle of Sardarabad, as well as a moving
presentation of Western Armenian villages and the total number of
people lost in each.
The following evening, the Central Junior Council announced the
winners of its annual programs and contests. The first award given was
for the Junior Page contest, where chapters submit articles for the
Armenian Weekly newspaper's AYF Page. Taking first place was the
Greater Boston chapter, followed by the Chicago and Providence
chapters. The honor of Best Article was awarded to Sahag Zakarian,
while a Camp Haiastan Campership was gifted to Araxi Karafian of the
Greater Boston chapter. Finally, Outstanding Junior Member awards were
given out to one person from each of the region's 18 chapters.
Also during the weekend, and in an attempt to link the past, present
and future, members also filled a time capsules with letters and
keepsakes from the weekend, to be opened by the committee in five
years.
"As a parent and as a lecturer, I was very impressed by how well
Junior Seminar was run. Any event that can gather 60 percent of an
organization's membership is astounding. In this age of video games
and youth sports, it is to the great credit of the AYF that so many of
its members are dedicated enough to travel hundreds of miles for an
educational, as well as social, weekend," said lecturer George
Aghjayan.
"The whole weekend is energizing. I only wish the entire Armenian
community could witness junior seminar, where our kids shine;
intellectually, athletically and socially," he said.
Junior members were also enthusiastic about the event. "I thought this
year's seminar was a great success. The lectures covered a lot of
topics including the AYF history, Armenian dynasties, and Armenian
architecture. I especially liked the way the lecturers presented the
information; by using PowerPoint, maps, videos, slide shows, and
through group activities. It was also fun reuniting with of all of my
Armenian friends. Nothing makes me happier than seeing over 300 people
Armenian line-dancing; this is a way of keeping our Armenian culture
alive," said Providence junior member Ani Anto Megerdichian.
Since 1971, Junior Seminar has grown to become the largest AYF junior
event with more than 350 junior participants from throughout the
United States and Canada each Memorial Day weekend. The event is an
opportunity for juniors to meet and take part in a thorough
educational program, which consists of a set of eight lectures geared
to the participants? age groups to relay information and to encourage
discussion and independent thinking. The seminar is supervised by a
staff of more than 50 AYF senior members from various local chapters
who accompany the junior participants to activities and supervise them
throughout the weekend.
PHOTO CREDIT: Arsineh Khachikian
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
JrSem01.jpg: Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan (far right) and Rev. Father
Anoushavan Tanielian (second from right) discussed the Armenian church
with AYF Junior Seminar participants
JrSem07.jpg: Over 300 junior and senior members of the AYF-YOARF
Eastern Region gathered in Prospect, Penn. to attend the 34th annual
National Junior Seminar
JrSem08.jpg: ARF Eastern Region Central Committee chairman Hayg
Oshagan
JrSem10.jpg: AYF junior and senior members attended a set of eight
lectures about topics such as Genocide recognition and reparations,
and Western Armenian lands
80 Bigelow Ave
Watertown, MA 02472
Tel. (617) 923-1933
Fax (617) 924-1933
www.ayf.org
PRESS RELEASE
June 08, 2005
Contact: Sossi Essajanian
(617) 923-1933
Over 350 Gather at Annual AYF-YOARF Junior Seminar
[Sub Headline] Guest lecturers include ARF Eastern Region chairman
Hayg Oshagan and Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan
WATERTOWN, MA--From May 27-30, over 350 junior and senior members of
the Armenian Youth Federation-Youth Organization of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (AYF-YOARF) Eastern Region gathered in
Prospect, Penn. to attend the 34th annual National Junior Seminar.
The theme for this year's event was ?Stepping in to the Future: A
Journey through Armenia's Past,? aimed at bridging Armenia's history
and today's efforts of cultural preservation, Genocide recognition and
reparations, and a deeper understanding of Western Armenian lands.
On the first night, welcoming remarks were given by the 2005 Junior
Seminar committee, and members of the AYF-YOARF Central Executive and
Central Junior Council were introduced. A slide show was presented by
Greater Boston AYF chapter member Sossi Essajanian on the AYF
Pan-American Seminar and the contributions of the eight AYF-YOARF
delegates to the seminar. Finally, Central Executive member Aram
Hovagimian offered a PowerPoint of his recent trip to Turkey, with
comparative photographs from the region of sites before the Genocide
and today.
During the event, members attended lectures on such topics as activism
and Hai Tahd issues, genocide denial, and Armenia's independence and
progress. Lecturers included Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA) Western Region board of directors member Raffi Hamparian, who
discussed the activities of the organization and what each individual
can do to help the cause; Dr. Lucy Der Manuelian, who presented a
slide show of Armenian monuments and manuscripts; and Dr. Dikran
Kaligian, who discussed the modern history of Artsakh.
This year, the seminar also featured four lectures by Archbishop
Oshagan Choloyan and Rev. Father Anoushavan Tanielian, who discussed
the challenges facing the Armenian Church and Christianity as part of
Armenia's history. According to the Prelacy Crossroads E-Newsletter,
the Archbishop noted that he was particularly impressed with the
questions that were posed by the young participants, showing maturity
and knowledge, he said.
Also addressing attendees this year was ARF Eastern Region Central
Committee chairman Hayg Oshagan, who spoke to the older juniors and
senior members about the ARF, its goals and work in the Eastern
U.S. and abroad. Oshagan fielded many questions from the large group,
ranging from his work as chairman and the structure of the
organization.
Evening entertainment was provided by singer Avo Ashjian from
California as well as Antranig Kzirian on oud, Aram Hovagimian on
keyboard, Jimmy Kzirian on dumbeg and vocals, and on the final night,
Armen Sevag on violin and vocals. The group energized junior and
senior members alike by leading AYFers in singing patriotic songs, as
well as popular Armenian songs.
Various chapters also presented skits during a talent show with
performances commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Armenian
genocide, and remembering the founding of Armenia's first independent
republic in 1918. Acts included a solemn skit depicting the many
fedayees that fought in the battle of Sardarabad, as well as a moving
presentation of Western Armenian villages and the total number of
people lost in each.
The following evening, the Central Junior Council announced the
winners of its annual programs and contests. The first award given was
for the Junior Page contest, where chapters submit articles for the
Armenian Weekly newspaper's AYF Page. Taking first place was the
Greater Boston chapter, followed by the Chicago and Providence
chapters. The honor of Best Article was awarded to Sahag Zakarian,
while a Camp Haiastan Campership was gifted to Araxi Karafian of the
Greater Boston chapter. Finally, Outstanding Junior Member awards were
given out to one person from each of the region's 18 chapters.
Also during the weekend, and in an attempt to link the past, present
and future, members also filled a time capsules with letters and
keepsakes from the weekend, to be opened by the committee in five
years.
"As a parent and as a lecturer, I was very impressed by how well
Junior Seminar was run. Any event that can gather 60 percent of an
organization's membership is astounding. In this age of video games
and youth sports, it is to the great credit of the AYF that so many of
its members are dedicated enough to travel hundreds of miles for an
educational, as well as social, weekend," said lecturer George
Aghjayan.
"The whole weekend is energizing. I only wish the entire Armenian
community could witness junior seminar, where our kids shine;
intellectually, athletically and socially," he said.
Junior members were also enthusiastic about the event. "I thought this
year's seminar was a great success. The lectures covered a lot of
topics including the AYF history, Armenian dynasties, and Armenian
architecture. I especially liked the way the lecturers presented the
information; by using PowerPoint, maps, videos, slide shows, and
through group activities. It was also fun reuniting with of all of my
Armenian friends. Nothing makes me happier than seeing over 300 people
Armenian line-dancing; this is a way of keeping our Armenian culture
alive," said Providence junior member Ani Anto Megerdichian.
Since 1971, Junior Seminar has grown to become the largest AYF junior
event with more than 350 junior participants from throughout the
United States and Canada each Memorial Day weekend. The event is an
opportunity for juniors to meet and take part in a thorough
educational program, which consists of a set of eight lectures geared
to the participants? age groups to relay information and to encourage
discussion and independent thinking. The seminar is supervised by a
staff of more than 50 AYF senior members from various local chapters
who accompany the junior participants to activities and supervise them
throughout the weekend.
PHOTO CREDIT: Arsineh Khachikian
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
JrSem01.jpg: Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan (far right) and Rev. Father
Anoushavan Tanielian (second from right) discussed the Armenian church
with AYF Junior Seminar participants
JrSem07.jpg: Over 300 junior and senior members of the AYF-YOARF
Eastern Region gathered in Prospect, Penn. to attend the 34th annual
National Junior Seminar
JrSem08.jpg: ARF Eastern Region Central Committee chairman Hayg
Oshagan
JrSem10.jpg: AYF junior and senior members attended a set of eight
lectures about topics such as Genocide recognition and reparations,
and Western Armenian lands