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University Of Michigan Unveils Archive Of Hunchakian Leader Hamparzo

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  • University Of Michigan Unveils Archive Of Hunchakian Leader Hamparzo

    UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN UNVEILS ARCHIVE OF HUNCHAKIAN LEADER HAMPARZOUM ARZOUMANIAN

    PR-Inside.com (Pressemitteilung)
    http://www.pr-inside.com/univer sity-of-michigan-unveils-archive-of-hunchaki-r9265 49.htm
    Nov 20 2008
    Austria

    Armenian Studies Program and Special collections of the University
    of Michigan unveiled the archive of Hamparzoum Arzoumanian, a leader
    of the Hunchakian Party from 1891 to 1909.

    ANN ARBOR, MI -- At a special event organized on October 31, the
    The Arzoumanian Archive, consisting of some 1200 pages of party
    related and personal correspondence, Hunchakian Center circulars
    and related materials, mostly in Armenian, had been donated to the
    University of Michigan by the granddaughter of the Hunchakian leader,
    Mrs. Marguerite Harms, and University of Michigan Unveils Archive of
    Hunchakian Leader Hamparzoum Arzoumanian the Arzoumanian family, some
    time ago. The archive was organized and documents classified recently.

    Hamparzoum Arzoumanian was born in historic Gantzak; he started his
    political activities in Tabriz, Iran, as a field worker for the party
    and continued as organizer, propagandist and ideologue in Russia,
    Europe, and the United States until his death in New York in 1909,
    where his life ended at age 43 as a factory worker. His archive
    spreads light on a variety of issues, including the battles within the
    Hunchakian Party, the organization of chapters in places like Baku,
    Novorossisk and cities in the US.

    Throughout his life he remained a staunch believer in socialism and
    its relevance to the Armenian struggle for liberation. Throughout
    his career Arzoumanian had the full support of his wife Sona. More
    than 60 faculty members, students, administrators and members of the
    family participated in the presentation of the archives. Fifteen
    grandchildren and their offspring had traveled to Ann Arbor from
    California, Pennsylvania and other states to attend the event and
    learn about theArzoumanians.

    The program was initiated by Prof. Gerard Libaridian, Alex Manoogian
    Chair in Modern Armenian History and Director of the Armenian
    Studies Program, giving an overview of the history of the Arzoumanian
    Archives. It was followed by remarks from Margaret McKinley, Director
    of Development (The Value of Special Collections and Archives) and
    Peggy Daub, Director of Special Collections Library (The Arzoumanian
    Archive and the Special Collections). Dr. Nora Nercessian (Consultant
    on the Arzoumanian Archive) gave an eloquent presentation titled 'The
    Contents of the Arzoumanian Archive' and Prof. Libaridian evaluated the
    Archive in the context of history 'The Significance of the Arzoumanian
    Archive for modern Armenian History'. The event was concluded with
    a reception and an exhibit of some samples of the archival material.

    The Arzoumanian Archive is currently being digitized and
    placed on the website of the University Special Collections
    gradually. Information regarding the Arzoumanian papers
    and the documents themselves can be accessed on the web
    (quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/f/findaid/findaid-idx? c=sclead&idno=umich
    ..) or through the University Special Collections (History) and
    Armenian Studies Program websites; the archive is also open to
    researchers who wish to access them at the Special Collections.

    'One reason we wanted to organize this event and present the
    Arzoumanian Archive is to encourage others to preserve family papers
    and prod organizations to open their archives to researchers,' stated
    Prof. Libaridian. 'The Armenian Studies Program and the Special
    Collections at the University of Michigan are ready to assist in
    achieving these goals, including receiving papers, organizing them
    and making them available to researchers in a safe and professional
    environment.' The presentation of the Hampartzoum Arzoumanian Archives
    is a significant step forward towards the efforts exerted since the
    independence of the Republic of Armenia in collecting the dispersed
    archives of the Hunchakian party. It is unfortunate that a lot has
    been lost due to persecutions and wars, specially the Lebanese civil
    war of 1975-1990. However, every attempt is being made to collect and
    recover as much as possible and every step in that direction is truly
    appreciated. In this context, Mrs. Marguerite Harms and the Armenian
    Studies Program, under the directorship of Prof. Gerard Libaridian
    have extended an invaluable help. Their efforts are truly commendable
    and their services highly appreciated.
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