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Armenian Culture Shines During ARS 10th Annual Armenian Festival
asbarez
Friday, May 6th, 2011
The reenactment of a traditional Armenian wedding is an ARS Festival staple
GLENDALE - In its 10th straight year, the Annual Armenian Cultural &
Food Festival, organized by the Armenian Relief Society of Western
USA, brought together crowds from near and far to the Glendale Civic
Auditorium on Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1.
The event, which attracts more and more festival-goers with each
passing year, not only allowed attendees to explore Armenian culture
through special foods, live music, dance performances, and exhibits,
but was also a meeting-ground for families and friends to reunite and
share in the experience of this thriving event.
Kicking-off with an opening ceremony, Master of Ceremonies Arshalous
Darbinyan conveyed welcoming remarks, which was followed by a flag
ceremony by Homenetmen Scouts and the singing of anthems by soloist
Anahid Nersisyan. Arousyak Melkonian, Chairperson of the ARS Regional
Executive Board, delivered remarks, stating `For 10 years, we have
seen how our festival unites our community and, at the same time,
allows for the richness and uniqueness of our culture to beam.'
Offering his blessings, Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian expressed, `Through this and other events, the ARS
revitalizes our national identity by preserving and promoting our
centuries' old traditions handed down from generation to generation.
With this festival, our community and the community at large are
offered the opportunity to celebrate our unique traditions and, most
importantly, our youth is more closely familiarized with our customs,
thus, ensuring that our history and culture will continue to thrive...'
In appreciation of the generosity of sponsors, including individuals,
fellow non-profits, small and large businesses, and medical centers,
who have generously shown their supports towards the annual event and
the ARS year after year, commendations were presented. Also, marking
the 10th anniversary of the festival, a special cake-cutting ceremony
was held with participation of the Prelate, ARF Bureau Member Dr.
Vicken Hovsepian, ARS Central Executive Chairperson Vicky Marashlian
and Board Member Nova Hindoyan, and festival committee members.
>From the moment doors opened to the public until the festival's
closing, attractions for people of all ages to enjoy entertained
guests, occupying both levels of the venue. The lower level offered an
intriguing line-up of cultural exhibits, which took onlookers back in
time and featured old-world displays of artwork, traditional garb of
regions such as Kharpert, Lori, Drabizon, and more, as well as a
`lavash'-making demonstration. Armenian compatriotic unions, such as
the
Union of New Julfa, presented traditional pieces dating back decades.
Even meeting the needs of eager, young children, a section was solely
dedicated to children's games and activities.
The upper level, filled with appetizing aromas, was the scene where
renowned Armenian singers, including Harout Pamboukjian and Gagik
Badalyan, as well as many folk dance groups, took to the stage with
back-to-back performances. A main attraction, the re-creation of a
traditional Armenian wedding, was a hit similar to years past, whereby
a group of 30 people dressed in authentic costumes accompany the bride
and groom into the hall while lively Armenian music plays.
The weekend-long event was a celebration of culture in every way
possible and will surely be long-remembered by its attendees.
Proceeds from the festival support the ARS of Western USA's various
programs benefiting the needy, youth, and elderly; social and
counseling services; tuition assistance; scholarships; kindergartens;
youth centers; Saturday Schools and after-school programs.
From: A. Papazian
asbarez
Friday, May 6th, 2011
The reenactment of a traditional Armenian wedding is an ARS Festival staple
GLENDALE - In its 10th straight year, the Annual Armenian Cultural &
Food Festival, organized by the Armenian Relief Society of Western
USA, brought together crowds from near and far to the Glendale Civic
Auditorium on Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1.
The event, which attracts more and more festival-goers with each
passing year, not only allowed attendees to explore Armenian culture
through special foods, live music, dance performances, and exhibits,
but was also a meeting-ground for families and friends to reunite and
share in the experience of this thriving event.
Kicking-off with an opening ceremony, Master of Ceremonies Arshalous
Darbinyan conveyed welcoming remarks, which was followed by a flag
ceremony by Homenetmen Scouts and the singing of anthems by soloist
Anahid Nersisyan. Arousyak Melkonian, Chairperson of the ARS Regional
Executive Board, delivered remarks, stating `For 10 years, we have
seen how our festival unites our community and, at the same time,
allows for the richness and uniqueness of our culture to beam.'
Offering his blessings, Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian expressed, `Through this and other events, the ARS
revitalizes our national identity by preserving and promoting our
centuries' old traditions handed down from generation to generation.
With this festival, our community and the community at large are
offered the opportunity to celebrate our unique traditions and, most
importantly, our youth is more closely familiarized with our customs,
thus, ensuring that our history and culture will continue to thrive...'
In appreciation of the generosity of sponsors, including individuals,
fellow non-profits, small and large businesses, and medical centers,
who have generously shown their supports towards the annual event and
the ARS year after year, commendations were presented. Also, marking
the 10th anniversary of the festival, a special cake-cutting ceremony
was held with participation of the Prelate, ARF Bureau Member Dr.
Vicken Hovsepian, ARS Central Executive Chairperson Vicky Marashlian
and Board Member Nova Hindoyan, and festival committee members.
>From the moment doors opened to the public until the festival's
closing, attractions for people of all ages to enjoy entertained
guests, occupying both levels of the venue. The lower level offered an
intriguing line-up of cultural exhibits, which took onlookers back in
time and featured old-world displays of artwork, traditional garb of
regions such as Kharpert, Lori, Drabizon, and more, as well as a
`lavash'-making demonstration. Armenian compatriotic unions, such as
the
Union of New Julfa, presented traditional pieces dating back decades.
Even meeting the needs of eager, young children, a section was solely
dedicated to children's games and activities.
The upper level, filled with appetizing aromas, was the scene where
renowned Armenian singers, including Harout Pamboukjian and Gagik
Badalyan, as well as many folk dance groups, took to the stage with
back-to-back performances. A main attraction, the re-creation of a
traditional Armenian wedding, was a hit similar to years past, whereby
a group of 30 people dressed in authentic costumes accompany the bride
and groom into the hall while lively Armenian music plays.
The weekend-long event was a celebration of culture in every way
possible and will surely be long-remembered by its attendees.
Proceeds from the festival support the ARS of Western USA's various
programs benefiting the needy, youth, and elderly; social and
counseling services; tuition assistance; scholarships; kindergartens;
youth centers; Saturday Schools and after-school programs.
From: A. Papazian