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PRESS RELEASE
Fund for Armenian Relief
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Edina N. Bobelian
Tel: (212) 889-5150; Fax: (212) 889-4849
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.farusa.org
June 27, 2006
____________________
Dr. And Mrs. Raffy and Vicki Hovanessian ReDiscover the Fund for
Armenian Relief and its Work to Help the People of Armenia
Add a FAR Excursion on Your Next Trip to the Armenian Homeland
`The road going to the school did not look like anything; there were
huge potholes full of water. It took an expert driver to get around
those potholes and get to the school. I kept asking myself, `How are
the kids getting to school when the road is this bad?' Then, when we
arrived at the place, I didn't see anything that had a semblance of
being a school.'
That was Dr. Raffy Hovanessian's first thought as he approached the
Octet Music School in Gyumri with his wife, Vicki (Shoghag), and two
representatives from the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) that provides
scholarships to 32 of the school's 200 students.
`When we arrived, I saw the temporary tin shelters and didn't think
there was a music school there. I thought refugees lived there,'
Vicki added.
A MUSICAL OASIS
In April 2006, the Indiana residents set aside one day of their 11-day
trip to Armenia for a visit to FAR-operated projects in Gyumri and
Vanadzor. Although they have traveled to Armenia countless times over
the past 16 years and visited other FAR projects (the Areni water
pipeline and the Siranoosh summer camp in Yeghegnadzor), this
experience was different because of the people they met, such as the
young musicians at the Octet Music School.
`They put together a phenomenal concert for us. They played the
violin, piano and cymbalta (an Armenian folk instrument),' said Vicki
who was touched by the talents of the children such as nine-year old
Ani, a violin player who walks 40 minutes from Ashotks, a village
outside of Gyumri, to attend the school. `You wouldn't think that in
such an environment, in the poorest section of Gyumri, in the Octet
Music School made of temporary tin shelters, this talent would even
exist.'
The couple expressed surprise that in such tough living conditions -
from the small classrooms with individual space heaters to a small
auditorium - the students were able to master both classical and
modern instruments.
`Once the students started playing, you'd think that you're in
Carnegie Hall. They didn't play just national music, they also played
classical music, pop and hit music - such up-to-date music in such a
dingy place,' said Dr. Raffy. `It inspires so much hope!'
The students are also aided by teachers.
`The students are so dedicated to music, to practice and to excel.
It's unbelievable, and really worth a visit,' exclaimed Vicki, who
promised to sponsor the five-year tuition of violinists Hripsimé and
Raiya if they are accepted into the Komitas Conservatory in Yerevan.
`The school's principal and the teachers are extremely dedicated.
They are teaching, nurturing, and raising a great musical generation,
even going beyond the call of a simple music teacher.'
`Even as we left, we parted with a light heart, knowing that we also
made them happy just by the fact that we just came to visit them.
These people are invigorated by signs that the Diaspora is not
forgetting them. Hopefully, many others will help them in whatever
capacity they can,' said Dr. Raffy, the dynamic doctor who also,
during the April trip, coordinated an operation in Yerevan to repair a
seven-year old talented violinist student's split palate that
prevented her from speaking clearly.
Having visited Gyumri in 1990-1992, Dr. Raffy was shocked to see that
temporary tin shelters were still being used and that the Octet Music
School operated in such an environment. This surprise was accentuated
because of the stark difference given the main music Conservatory in
Gyumri, a big, solid building serving the entire city.
`I can see a big difference between the adult Conservatory on the main
street of Gyumri and this place that serves the talented neighborhood
kids. It is all the more reason for us to make sure that small, local
places of talent for artistic work like the Octet Music School are
available,' he explained. `Without public transportation in Gyumri,
there is no way for young kids to go from one side of town to the
other. We must support these local access places.'
Seeing the importance of music to these children, the couple has
decided to help through FAR. They are now looking at possible
properties in the area and reaching out to friends to fund the
renovation of the music school and, guided by Vicki's own passion to
maintain and uphold Armenian art, to add and develop a fine arts
program to this school.
OTHER FAR PROJECTS
Next, the Hovanessians visited the Hagop S. Touloukian Senior Center,
two FAR-sponsored schools - the Ounjian School in Gyumri and the
Mathevosian School in Vanadzor - and the Old Age Home in Vanadzor.
They were impressed with the cleanliness, maintenance and services of
each of the programs, as well as the attentiveness of the staff.
During their visit, Dr. Raffy and Vicki met Dr. John Ounjian, the
Ounjian School's benefactor, who gave them a tour of the grounds and
introduced them to students and teachers.
`I was so impressed by the Ounjian School,' said Vicki. `Dr.
Ounjian's dedication, his concern and fatherly attention to every
detail of the school was obvious. FAR has done an absolutely
magnificent job executing his wishes. It is amazing all the good he
is doing.'
`The school is in excellent condition, very clean and fully equipped.
I was impressed with the caliber of the school's construction and the
gym,' shared Dr. Raffy. `I am very happy that Dr. Ounjian has also
thought about vocational training and university scholarships for the
school's graduates.'
IMPACT OF A SINGLE DAY WITH FAR
This one day's guided trip with FAR's Country Director Bagrat Sargsyan
and Press Secretary Levon Lachikyan, which started with their first
visit to the FAR office in Yerevan, provided the Hovanessians with a
better understanding of the diversity and comprehensiveness of FAR's
programs helping the people of Armenia.
`We were touched by the individuals we met,' said Dr. Raffy, whose
recent appointment to the Diocesan Council prompted the day's
excursion with FAR. `We could see the reality of the support given to
the people through FAR. We saw the faces, the talent, the ambition of
the beneficiaries of FAR programs. We witnessed that donations given
to FAR really do translate to hope and opportunity. I think all
people should allocate one day to visiting FAR projects.'
`Throughout my many visits to Armenia, I always concentrated on
nothing but promoting Contemporary Art and artists through exhibitions
in Armenia and the United States, but I am glad we took the time to go
to Gyumri and Vanadzor with FAR and witness first-hand the results of
FAR's hard work. It certainly was a great experience,' declared
Vicki, who also opened a retrospective exhibition of Sarkis
Hamalbashian with a catalogue raisonée at the National Museum of
Yerevan during this trip. `From this and our previous experiences
with FAR, I can say that FAR, through the leadership of Executive
Director Garnik Nanagoulian, is doing good deeds. We witnessed the
implementation of people's donations to FAR and we saw real results.'
ABOUT FAR
Since its founding in response to the 1988 earthquake, FAR has served
millions of people through more than 220 relief and development
programs in Armenia and Karabagh. It has channeled more than $265
million in humanitarian assistance by implementing a wide range of
projects including emergency relief, construction, education, medical
aid, and economic development.
FAR, one of the preeminent relief and development organization
operating there, is dedicated to realizing the dream of a free,
democratic, prosperous, and culturally rich Armenia. It works towards
a brighter future by partnering with donors to make life a little
better for our people. By offering hope and more promising prospects
in Armenia, Karabagh, and Javakhk, FAR binds the Diaspora and the
Armenian family together around the globe.
For more information about FAR, to organize a visit to FAR projects,
or to send donations, contact the Fund for Armenian Relief at 630
Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016; telephone (212) 889-5150; fax (212)
889-4849; web www.farusa.org; e-mail [email protected].
-- 06/27/06
E-mail photos available upon request.
PHOTO CAPTION1: During their recent visit to the FAR-sponsored Azad
Shishian Octet Music School in Gyumri, Dr. and Mrs. Raffy and Vicki
(Shoghag) Hovanessian (third and sixth from right) were treated to a
special concert by a few students, including the two violinists
pictured here with their principal (second from right), teachers, FAR
Country Director Bagrat Sargsyan (far right), and FAR Gyumri Office
Director Marina Bazayeva (second from left).
PHOTO CAPTION2: Vicki (Shoghag) Hovanessian (far right) with
violinists Hripsimé and Raiya (center) and their teacher (far left) at
the FAR-sponsored Octet Music School. The Hovanessians promised to
sponsor the five-year tuition if these talented girls are accepted
into the Komitas Conservatory in Yerevan.
PHOTO CAPTION3: Holding the Ounjian School flag, Dr. Raffy Hovanessian
(right) was impressed with school's building and cleanliness, as well
as the attentiveness of Dr. John Ounjian (left), the New York
benefactor who rebuilt the Gyumri school in honor of his parents
through FAR.
# # #
Fund for Armenian Relief
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Edina N. Bobelian
Tel: (212) 889-5150; Fax: (212) 889-4849
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.farusa.org
June 27, 2006
____________________
Dr. And Mrs. Raffy and Vicki Hovanessian ReDiscover the Fund for
Armenian Relief and its Work to Help the People of Armenia
Add a FAR Excursion on Your Next Trip to the Armenian Homeland
`The road going to the school did not look like anything; there were
huge potholes full of water. It took an expert driver to get around
those potholes and get to the school. I kept asking myself, `How are
the kids getting to school when the road is this bad?' Then, when we
arrived at the place, I didn't see anything that had a semblance of
being a school.'
That was Dr. Raffy Hovanessian's first thought as he approached the
Octet Music School in Gyumri with his wife, Vicki (Shoghag), and two
representatives from the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) that provides
scholarships to 32 of the school's 200 students.
`When we arrived, I saw the temporary tin shelters and didn't think
there was a music school there. I thought refugees lived there,'
Vicki added.
A MUSICAL OASIS
In April 2006, the Indiana residents set aside one day of their 11-day
trip to Armenia for a visit to FAR-operated projects in Gyumri and
Vanadzor. Although they have traveled to Armenia countless times over
the past 16 years and visited other FAR projects (the Areni water
pipeline and the Siranoosh summer camp in Yeghegnadzor), this
experience was different because of the people they met, such as the
young musicians at the Octet Music School.
`They put together a phenomenal concert for us. They played the
violin, piano and cymbalta (an Armenian folk instrument),' said Vicki
who was touched by the talents of the children such as nine-year old
Ani, a violin player who walks 40 minutes from Ashotks, a village
outside of Gyumri, to attend the school. `You wouldn't think that in
such an environment, in the poorest section of Gyumri, in the Octet
Music School made of temporary tin shelters, this talent would even
exist.'
The couple expressed surprise that in such tough living conditions -
from the small classrooms with individual space heaters to a small
auditorium - the students were able to master both classical and
modern instruments.
`Once the students started playing, you'd think that you're in
Carnegie Hall. They didn't play just national music, they also played
classical music, pop and hit music - such up-to-date music in such a
dingy place,' said Dr. Raffy. `It inspires so much hope!'
The students are also aided by teachers.
`The students are so dedicated to music, to practice and to excel.
It's unbelievable, and really worth a visit,' exclaimed Vicki, who
promised to sponsor the five-year tuition of violinists Hripsimé and
Raiya if they are accepted into the Komitas Conservatory in Yerevan.
`The school's principal and the teachers are extremely dedicated.
They are teaching, nurturing, and raising a great musical generation,
even going beyond the call of a simple music teacher.'
`Even as we left, we parted with a light heart, knowing that we also
made them happy just by the fact that we just came to visit them.
These people are invigorated by signs that the Diaspora is not
forgetting them. Hopefully, many others will help them in whatever
capacity they can,' said Dr. Raffy, the dynamic doctor who also,
during the April trip, coordinated an operation in Yerevan to repair a
seven-year old talented violinist student's split palate that
prevented her from speaking clearly.
Having visited Gyumri in 1990-1992, Dr. Raffy was shocked to see that
temporary tin shelters were still being used and that the Octet Music
School operated in such an environment. This surprise was accentuated
because of the stark difference given the main music Conservatory in
Gyumri, a big, solid building serving the entire city.
`I can see a big difference between the adult Conservatory on the main
street of Gyumri and this place that serves the talented neighborhood
kids. It is all the more reason for us to make sure that small, local
places of talent for artistic work like the Octet Music School are
available,' he explained. `Without public transportation in Gyumri,
there is no way for young kids to go from one side of town to the
other. We must support these local access places.'
Seeing the importance of music to these children, the couple has
decided to help through FAR. They are now looking at possible
properties in the area and reaching out to friends to fund the
renovation of the music school and, guided by Vicki's own passion to
maintain and uphold Armenian art, to add and develop a fine arts
program to this school.
OTHER FAR PROJECTS
Next, the Hovanessians visited the Hagop S. Touloukian Senior Center,
two FAR-sponsored schools - the Ounjian School in Gyumri and the
Mathevosian School in Vanadzor - and the Old Age Home in Vanadzor.
They were impressed with the cleanliness, maintenance and services of
each of the programs, as well as the attentiveness of the staff.
During their visit, Dr. Raffy and Vicki met Dr. John Ounjian, the
Ounjian School's benefactor, who gave them a tour of the grounds and
introduced them to students and teachers.
`I was so impressed by the Ounjian School,' said Vicki. `Dr.
Ounjian's dedication, his concern and fatherly attention to every
detail of the school was obvious. FAR has done an absolutely
magnificent job executing his wishes. It is amazing all the good he
is doing.'
`The school is in excellent condition, very clean and fully equipped.
I was impressed with the caliber of the school's construction and the
gym,' shared Dr. Raffy. `I am very happy that Dr. Ounjian has also
thought about vocational training and university scholarships for the
school's graduates.'
IMPACT OF A SINGLE DAY WITH FAR
This one day's guided trip with FAR's Country Director Bagrat Sargsyan
and Press Secretary Levon Lachikyan, which started with their first
visit to the FAR office in Yerevan, provided the Hovanessians with a
better understanding of the diversity and comprehensiveness of FAR's
programs helping the people of Armenia.
`We were touched by the individuals we met,' said Dr. Raffy, whose
recent appointment to the Diocesan Council prompted the day's
excursion with FAR. `We could see the reality of the support given to
the people through FAR. We saw the faces, the talent, the ambition of
the beneficiaries of FAR programs. We witnessed that donations given
to FAR really do translate to hope and opportunity. I think all
people should allocate one day to visiting FAR projects.'
`Throughout my many visits to Armenia, I always concentrated on
nothing but promoting Contemporary Art and artists through exhibitions
in Armenia and the United States, but I am glad we took the time to go
to Gyumri and Vanadzor with FAR and witness first-hand the results of
FAR's hard work. It certainly was a great experience,' declared
Vicki, who also opened a retrospective exhibition of Sarkis
Hamalbashian with a catalogue raisonée at the National Museum of
Yerevan during this trip. `From this and our previous experiences
with FAR, I can say that FAR, through the leadership of Executive
Director Garnik Nanagoulian, is doing good deeds. We witnessed the
implementation of people's donations to FAR and we saw real results.'
ABOUT FAR
Since its founding in response to the 1988 earthquake, FAR has served
millions of people through more than 220 relief and development
programs in Armenia and Karabagh. It has channeled more than $265
million in humanitarian assistance by implementing a wide range of
projects including emergency relief, construction, education, medical
aid, and economic development.
FAR, one of the preeminent relief and development organization
operating there, is dedicated to realizing the dream of a free,
democratic, prosperous, and culturally rich Armenia. It works towards
a brighter future by partnering with donors to make life a little
better for our people. By offering hope and more promising prospects
in Armenia, Karabagh, and Javakhk, FAR binds the Diaspora and the
Armenian family together around the globe.
For more information about FAR, to organize a visit to FAR projects,
or to send donations, contact the Fund for Armenian Relief at 630
Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016; telephone (212) 889-5150; fax (212)
889-4849; web www.farusa.org; e-mail [email protected].
-- 06/27/06
E-mail photos available upon request.
PHOTO CAPTION1: During their recent visit to the FAR-sponsored Azad
Shishian Octet Music School in Gyumri, Dr. and Mrs. Raffy and Vicki
(Shoghag) Hovanessian (third and sixth from right) were treated to a
special concert by a few students, including the two violinists
pictured here with their principal (second from right), teachers, FAR
Country Director Bagrat Sargsyan (far right), and FAR Gyumri Office
Director Marina Bazayeva (second from left).
PHOTO CAPTION2: Vicki (Shoghag) Hovanessian (far right) with
violinists Hripsimé and Raiya (center) and their teacher (far left) at
the FAR-sponsored Octet Music School. The Hovanessians promised to
sponsor the five-year tuition if these talented girls are accepted
into the Komitas Conservatory in Yerevan.
PHOTO CAPTION3: Holding the Ounjian School flag, Dr. Raffy Hovanessian
(right) was impressed with school's building and cleanliness, as well
as the attentiveness of Dr. John Ounjian (left), the New York
benefactor who rebuilt the Gyumri school in honor of his parents
through FAR.
# # #