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A Commemoration Event Organised by Armenians in South Australia

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  • A Commemoration Event Organised by Armenians in South Australia

    PRESS RELEASE
    Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia & New Zealand
    10 Macquarie Street
    Chatswood NSW 2067
    AUSTRALIA
    Contact: Laura Artinian
    Tel: (02) 9419-8056
    Fax: (02) 9904-8446
    Email: [email protected]


    9 September 2008


    A COMMEMORATION EVENT ORGANISED BY ARMENIANS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

    Last weekend, His Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, Primate of the
    Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia and New Zealand made his
    biannual pastoral visit to the Armenian Community of Adelaide. However,
    this was to be markedly different from other visits with the first-ever
    event of Armenian culture and identity to an Australian audience in the
    capital of South Australia, which was also a commemoration event for
    Australia's first international relief effort to help survivals of the
    Armenian Genocide.

    The event was held on Friday, 29 August at the Pilgrim Uniting Church in
    Adelaide. It was organised by the Armenian Cultural Association of South
    Australia Inc. (ACASA) and in his welcome address, President of the
    Association, Mr Gevik Abedian remarked, "Tonight is truly a dream-come-true
    for most of us in our community as we had always been thinking of such an
    event where we could introduce Armenia and Armenians, effectively ourselves,
    to our fellow Australians."



    As Australia supports the policy of multiculturalism, encouraging Australian
    citizens of ethnic backgrounds to maintain and embrace their cultural
    heritage, traditions and beliefs, it was important for the small and
    faithful Armenian Community to share their cultural identity with the
    broader community in which they live.



    The commemoration was attended by a list of dignitaries made up of
    government and consular officials, church representatives and community
    organisations. Master of Ceremonies for the evening was The Reverend Dr
    Brian Philips. The program commenced with an introduction about Armenian
    migration to Australia and specifically to South Australia by Secretary of
    ACASA and former long-serving President, Mr Alec Balayance who also told his
    own story and experiences of arriving in Adelaide.



    Cultural performances included an English translated recitation of Baruyr
    Sevag's "Kich Enk, Payts Hay Enk" ("We Are Few But We Are Armenian") by Anya
    Martirosyan as well as traditional Armenian musical items presented by
    pianist Janna Gousian and a string quintet compromising of Minas Berberyan
    (director and violin), Erina Berberyan (violin), Michael Robertson (viola),
    Cameron Waters (cello) and Jacky Chang (bass). Vocalist, Gevik Abedian
    accompanied by the string quintet performed two Armenian songs, "Im Anoush
    Tavigh" and "Cilicia".



    Speeches were given by ACASA executive committee member, Mrs Shaghik
    Atakaramians about Armenia and its people and by Ms Vini Ciccarello MP on
    behalf of the Honourable Michael Atkinson MP, Attorney General, Minister for
    Justice and Minister for Multicultural Affairs who represented the Premier
    of South Australia, the Honourable Mike Rann. The Honourable David Ridgway,
    Assisting the Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs, delivered the
    speech of the Opposition Leader.



    The guest speaker of the evening was Mr Vicken Babkenian, member of the
    Australian Institute of Holocaust and Genocide Studies of the University of
    NSW who addressed the audience on Australia's first major international
    humanitarian relief effort and in particular the good deeds of the late
    Reverend James Edwin Cresswell of the Congregational Church of South
    Australia in reaching aid to the survivors of the Armenian Genocide of 1915.
    A photographic exhibition entitled "An S.O.S. From Beyond Gallipoli" on the
    relief effort was also presented in the adjacent hall.



    Before the closing of the program with Archbishop Baliozian's final address,
    in recognition of Mr Alec Balayance's immense contribution to the Armenian
    Community of South Australia, namely Adelaide since the inception of ACASA
    Inc. in 1965, he was tributed for his valuable years of service and was
    presented with a gift of appreciation.



    The weekend long pastoral visit continued over Saturday and Sunday providing
    opportunity for the community to come together in the company of the
    Archbishop.



    On Sunday morning, the Primate celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Chapel
    of the Christian Brothers College, which is made available by Christian
    Brothers College in Adelaide in the spirit of brotherly love and kindness
    for the Armenian congregation to worship in, whenever the Archbishop visits
    the mission parish.



    Following a memorable weekend, Archbishop Baliozian farewelled Adelaide and
    returned to his residence in Sydney on Monday evening having been rewarded
    by the enthusiastic and patriotic spirit of the Armenians of Adelaide.



    For information on the Armenian community of Adelaide, contact the President
    of the ACASA, Mr Gevik Abedian at [email protected] or the Secretary,
    Mr Alec Balayance at [email protected].

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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