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With a Commitment to the Future, ACF Supporters Come Together at Annual Gala
asbarez
Friday, March 2nd, 2012
Several hundred community members gathered for the annual ACF celebration
BEVERLY HILLS - Supporters, benefactors and friends of the Armenian
Cultural Foundation came together on February 26 at the Mirage Hotel
to reaffirm their commitment to the future of the Armenian Cause and
to celebrate the accomplishments of the venerable community
organization.
The future generation was the highlight of the evening, as Armenian
Youth Federation members Niree Kodaverdian and Saro Haroun welcomed
the more than 300 guests to the event, but pledging that a new,
vibrant, generation of Armenians is ready and committed to carry the
torch of the Armenian Cause.
In his keynote address, ACF chairman Avedik Izmirlian touched on the
important role of the youth and emphasized the mission of the
organization, which for decades has supported and granted fund `for
educational, cultural, youth and media projects dedicated for the
preservation of Armenian identity and national heritage in the United
States and around the world.'
He also stressed to the donors and benefactors gathered that `Your
support to the ACF is your support to that higher dream.'
`On a different note,' Izmirlian said, `let's imagine that instead of
being seated at separate tables we are gathered around a single huge
table, in which we share an excellent dinner with those who are part
of our large family, and because we are like a family, we can talk
about all the good things that make us happy, but we can also talk
about those things that are not so good, and we should feel
comfortable by doing that.'
`In other words, what I want to say is that you have to excuse us if
we are not pleasant all the time, because you really know that we will
always say the truth, even if you don't like to hear it,' said
Izmirlian. `And it is by telling the truth that we can be responsible,
and we can make the right judgment of all the matters that are of our
mutual concern. It is by being sincere and honest that we can make a
difference, so when we criticize the government or we do the same with
our community, it is not for the sake of criticizing. It is because we
want to excel, because we want the best for our people, we want the
best for our Nation. And we do the same with ourselves, just because
along with the good things we do we also make mistakes, because those
who work hard and do something make mistakes, while those who don't do
anything never make them.'
`We want to also assure you that we multiply every penny we receive by
ten if we measure the work that it's been accomplished compared to the
donations we receive. Because when it comes down to dedication, to
passionate and extreme work, our organization has and will always be
on the front line, second to none, and has always captivated and
attracted young and not so young volunteers that have joined us in a
continuous basis. The combination of our principles, with the
dedication and the spirit of sacrifice is what has kept our
organization forever young,' added Izmirlian.
Following the welcoming remarks by Kodaverdian and Haroun, the
National Anthems were performed by Lori Partamian and Tenor, Suren
Lazarian.
Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian delivered the
evening's invocation and thanked the ACF for its tireless efforts and
committed mission.
A video presentation, entitled `ACF: The Trailblazer of Armenian
National Aspirations,' chronicles the impact of the organization not
just on the Western Region community, but its reach worldwide to make
a difference in the advancement of the Armenian nation.
On behalf of the organizing committee, Pattyl Aposhian-Kasbarian
thanked the tireless efforts of the committee, but paused to express
her gratitude to all the guests who were in attendance and made the
evening a special celebration and reflection of the ACF's true
mission.
The evening also featured a rich cultural program. The Vahagni
ensemble entertained the guests during dinner, while a special
performance by Ani Christy dazzled the audience.
Noted Armenian artist Vahe Berberian was on hand with his unique and
comedic monologue, as the guest celebrated the evening through
laughter.
Various musical selections were also performed throughout the evening
by the Cilicia String Quartet.
asbarez
Friday, March 2nd, 2012
Several hundred community members gathered for the annual ACF celebration
BEVERLY HILLS - Supporters, benefactors and friends of the Armenian
Cultural Foundation came together on February 26 at the Mirage Hotel
to reaffirm their commitment to the future of the Armenian Cause and
to celebrate the accomplishments of the venerable community
organization.
The future generation was the highlight of the evening, as Armenian
Youth Federation members Niree Kodaverdian and Saro Haroun welcomed
the more than 300 guests to the event, but pledging that a new,
vibrant, generation of Armenians is ready and committed to carry the
torch of the Armenian Cause.
In his keynote address, ACF chairman Avedik Izmirlian touched on the
important role of the youth and emphasized the mission of the
organization, which for decades has supported and granted fund `for
educational, cultural, youth and media projects dedicated for the
preservation of Armenian identity and national heritage in the United
States and around the world.'
He also stressed to the donors and benefactors gathered that `Your
support to the ACF is your support to that higher dream.'
`On a different note,' Izmirlian said, `let's imagine that instead of
being seated at separate tables we are gathered around a single huge
table, in which we share an excellent dinner with those who are part
of our large family, and because we are like a family, we can talk
about all the good things that make us happy, but we can also talk
about those things that are not so good, and we should feel
comfortable by doing that.'
`In other words, what I want to say is that you have to excuse us if
we are not pleasant all the time, because you really know that we will
always say the truth, even if you don't like to hear it,' said
Izmirlian. `And it is by telling the truth that we can be responsible,
and we can make the right judgment of all the matters that are of our
mutual concern. It is by being sincere and honest that we can make a
difference, so when we criticize the government or we do the same with
our community, it is not for the sake of criticizing. It is because we
want to excel, because we want the best for our people, we want the
best for our Nation. And we do the same with ourselves, just because
along with the good things we do we also make mistakes, because those
who work hard and do something make mistakes, while those who don't do
anything never make them.'
`We want to also assure you that we multiply every penny we receive by
ten if we measure the work that it's been accomplished compared to the
donations we receive. Because when it comes down to dedication, to
passionate and extreme work, our organization has and will always be
on the front line, second to none, and has always captivated and
attracted young and not so young volunteers that have joined us in a
continuous basis. The combination of our principles, with the
dedication and the spirit of sacrifice is what has kept our
organization forever young,' added Izmirlian.
Following the welcoming remarks by Kodaverdian and Haroun, the
National Anthems were performed by Lori Partamian and Tenor, Suren
Lazarian.
Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian delivered the
evening's invocation and thanked the ACF for its tireless efforts and
committed mission.
A video presentation, entitled `ACF: The Trailblazer of Armenian
National Aspirations,' chronicles the impact of the organization not
just on the Western Region community, but its reach worldwide to make
a difference in the advancement of the Armenian nation.
On behalf of the organizing committee, Pattyl Aposhian-Kasbarian
thanked the tireless efforts of the committee, but paused to express
her gratitude to all the guests who were in attendance and made the
evening a special celebration and reflection of the ACF's true
mission.
The evening also featured a rich cultural program. The Vahagni
ensemble entertained the guests during dinner, while a special
performance by Ani Christy dazzled the audience.
Noted Armenian artist Vahe Berberian was on hand with his unique and
comedic monologue, as the guest celebrated the evening through
laughter.
Various musical selections were also performed throughout the evening
by the Cilicia String Quartet.