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THE UNPRECENTED SUCCESS OF THE SECOND ARS CRUISE
Noyan Tapan
10.09.2010 | 14:52
Encouraged by the success of the Mediterranean Cruise which took place
two years ago, the ARS Central Executive Board organized a second
European cruise -- this time to the Baltic countries -- coinciding
with the ARS Centenary.
The August 22 to Sept. 3, 2010 Cruise, set sail from Amsterdam on board
the ~SCelebrity Constellation~T with 360 participants consisting of
ARS members and supporters from twenty different countries, present
and past members of the Executive Board, accompanied by their spouses.
The cruise ship excelled in size and luxurious accommodations.
The first port of visit was Waremunde, Germany, from where visits to
Berlin and Rostock were made possible, thanks to the tours organized
by the cruise ship.
The next scheduled stop was Stockholm, capital of Sweden, where the
voyagers were met by local ARS members who had prepared a special
welcoming program consisting of visits to local landmarks ~V such
as the royal palace ~V as well as a luncheon, attended by the local
parson, Father Daniel and noted community leaders.
After Stockholm, the cruise ship anchored at Helsinki, capital of
Finland, to sail the next day to St. Petersburg, Russia, the high
point of the scheduled cruise.
The group spent two days in this grand capital city built by Peter the
Great, enjoying, among other things, a performance of Tchaikovsky~Rs
~SSwan Lake~T in the city~Rs ballet theatre.
The next stop was Estonia~Rs capital Tallinn, followed by the capital
of Denmark, Copenhagen, and return to Amsterdam, from where the
participants of this memorable cruise returned to their countries.
To emphasize the Armenian aspect of the cruise, the ARS had organized a
celebration of the Centennial, Armenian style festivities and parties,
as well as an evening of Armenian songs. Also, in a gathering of ARS
members on board from various countries, were discussed the concluding
Centennial functions in Armenia and Artsakh.
The Centennial was celebrated on board with appropriate pomp and
circumstance. The opening remarks at this function were delivered
by Central Executive Board member Shakeh Basmajian, a film about
the ARS was presented, followed by the message of the ARS Central
Executive by Mayda Melkonian, one of its officers. The festivity
continued with personal impressions shared with the audience by a
young woman who had recently climbed to the summit of Mt. Ararat,
while some of the voyagers participated in the artistic program on the
piano, delivering recitations and monologues. Talented singer, Suzan
Margarian of Armenia enchanted the audience with her songs. In high
spirits, spontaneous donations were made to the ARS Centennial Fund
during the banquet/dance as the 100th Anniversary cake was being cut.
On the occasion of the unprecedented success of the second ARS
Cruise,~T stated Shakeh Basmajian, the ARS Central Executive Board
member responsible for the Cruise, ~Sfirst and foremost, I wish to
thank all ARS members and executives, whose efforts made possible the
participation of people from twenty different countries; I also thank
all participants who merged the pleasurable with the productive. The
income from this cruise will help the ARS in its endeavors across the
Diaspora and the Homeland,~T concluded Mrs. Basmajian, promising to
get together at the next ARS Cruise.
From: A. Papazian
Noyan Tapan
10.09.2010 | 14:52
Encouraged by the success of the Mediterranean Cruise which took place
two years ago, the ARS Central Executive Board organized a second
European cruise -- this time to the Baltic countries -- coinciding
with the ARS Centenary.
The August 22 to Sept. 3, 2010 Cruise, set sail from Amsterdam on board
the ~SCelebrity Constellation~T with 360 participants consisting of
ARS members and supporters from twenty different countries, present
and past members of the Executive Board, accompanied by their spouses.
The cruise ship excelled in size and luxurious accommodations.
The first port of visit was Waremunde, Germany, from where visits to
Berlin and Rostock were made possible, thanks to the tours organized
by the cruise ship.
The next scheduled stop was Stockholm, capital of Sweden, where the
voyagers were met by local ARS members who had prepared a special
welcoming program consisting of visits to local landmarks ~V such
as the royal palace ~V as well as a luncheon, attended by the local
parson, Father Daniel and noted community leaders.
After Stockholm, the cruise ship anchored at Helsinki, capital of
Finland, to sail the next day to St. Petersburg, Russia, the high
point of the scheduled cruise.
The group spent two days in this grand capital city built by Peter the
Great, enjoying, among other things, a performance of Tchaikovsky~Rs
~SSwan Lake~T in the city~Rs ballet theatre.
The next stop was Estonia~Rs capital Tallinn, followed by the capital
of Denmark, Copenhagen, and return to Amsterdam, from where the
participants of this memorable cruise returned to their countries.
To emphasize the Armenian aspect of the cruise, the ARS had organized a
celebration of the Centennial, Armenian style festivities and parties,
as well as an evening of Armenian songs. Also, in a gathering of ARS
members on board from various countries, were discussed the concluding
Centennial functions in Armenia and Artsakh.
The Centennial was celebrated on board with appropriate pomp and
circumstance. The opening remarks at this function were delivered
by Central Executive Board member Shakeh Basmajian, a film about
the ARS was presented, followed by the message of the ARS Central
Executive by Mayda Melkonian, one of its officers. The festivity
continued with personal impressions shared with the audience by a
young woman who had recently climbed to the summit of Mt. Ararat,
while some of the voyagers participated in the artistic program on the
piano, delivering recitations and monologues. Talented singer, Suzan
Margarian of Armenia enchanted the audience with her songs. In high
spirits, spontaneous donations were made to the ARS Centennial Fund
during the banquet/dance as the 100th Anniversary cake was being cut.
On the occasion of the unprecedented success of the second ARS
Cruise,~T stated Shakeh Basmajian, the ARS Central Executive Board
member responsible for the Cruise, ~Sfirst and foremost, I wish to
thank all ARS members and executives, whose efforts made possible the
participation of people from twenty different countries; I also thank
all participants who merged the pleasurable with the productive. The
income from this cruise will help the ARS in its endeavors across the
Diaspora and the Homeland,~T concluded Mrs. Basmajian, promising to
get together at the next ARS Cruise.
From: A. Papazian