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PROCEEDS FROM SARF HYEAID3 RAISES TOTAL TO $900,000
By Contributor on June 3, 2014
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2014/06/03/proceeds-sarf-hyeaid3-raises-total-900000/
GLENDALE, Calif.--The most recent Syrian Armenian Relief Fund (SARF)
HyeAID3 concert, held on April 29 at the Alex Theatre in Glendale,
raised an additional $100,000 for Syrian Armenians in need. Within
days of the attack on Kessab on March 21, the SARF sent $100,000 in
aid to Armenians displaced from their ancestral homes.
The concert began with a medley of Aram Khachatourian's music,
featuring Armen Aharonian on the piano, accompanied by his orchestra.
Artist-broadcast journalist Nune Avetisyan opened the concert
by reciting the poem "Gantsreve Dghas" ("It's raining, my son,"
in reference to crying) by Vahan Tekeyan. Avetisyan delivered the
opening remarks, thanking the audience and volunteer artists for
supporting SARF, and quoted poet Barouyr Sevag--"We exist, we shall
prevail and multiply"--to show the determination of the Armenian
people throughout history.
SARF Executive Committee chairperson Zaven Khanjian then addressed
the audience with an inspiring message that reaffirmed the enduring
quality of the Armenian people despite the genocide and the recent
crisis in Syria. Khanjian noted, "What's happening in Syria is the
latest chapter of the annihilation of our race that started with the
heinous crime of the Young Turks in the Ottoman Empire a century ago.
... I have often found myself weak and desperate, which has led
me to search the word of God for hope and consolation. Jesus said,
'If you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples. Then you
will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' There is no
doubt that we should be vigilant in the pursuit of justice."
Khanjian concluded, "At this gathering of solidarity with our
brethren in the Armenian Diasporan community of Syria, let us use our
knowledge of the truth in our struggle to bring peace and harmony to
ourselves, and to the troubled region and life and resurrection to
its unjustifiably crucified communities."
The program continued with alternating performances of songs,
instrumental music, and dance, with a dash of poetry. Aline
Aroustamian, Gagik Badalyan, Ani Christy, Harut Hagopian, Harout
Jeghelian, Arthur Madoyan, Salpy Mailyan, Heibert Sarian, and Samuel
Sahakyan sang; Harout Pamboukjian played the guitar and sang; Ruben
Harutunian accompanied the Karavan Studio dancers on the duduk;
the Dynamic Duo performed; and the Hamazkayin Ani Dance Company
and Hamazkayin Barouyr Sevag "Nairi" Dance Group performed several
elaborate dance numbers.
Poet Gailag's (Panosian) lyrics dedicated to Kessab, titled "Geh
Lsvin Voghper," were read by Nune Avetisyan. In honor of renowned
composer Konstantine Orbelyan (1928-2014) who recently passed away,
Armen Aharonian played one of his compositions on the piano.
As Kessab is one of the last remnants of the Armenian Kingdom of
Cilicia, the closing song was aptly "Giligia." Arthur Hagopian began
with an English version, and the rest of the singers joined him with
the original Armenian version by Nahabed Rousinian.
Closing remarks were made by Ara Aroyan, vice-chairperson of the
SARF Executive Committee, who applauded Louise Mardirossian Gill's
"vision, persistence, and persuasion" as co-chairperson of the HyeAID3
organizing committee. The participating artists were handed special
Congressional certificates of appreciation from Rep. Adam Schiff
(28th District) and certificates of recognition from California
Assembly member Mike Gatto (43rd District).
The program was accomplished with a large crew of volunteers. The
program execution relied on the technical skills of the production
crew, which included Edgar Nikolian, Neptune Productions, and Val
Hovanissian.
The varied styles and subjects of the lyrics and dances from "Adana"
to "Yeraz Im Yergir" allowed the audience to feel a range of feelings,
from sorrow to joy. One audience member who lost a family member to
the fighting in Kessab said, "They sang, we cried."
Those who have family members caught in the middle of the conflict in
Syria are sacrificing whatever they can to financially support them;
it is up to the rest of the diaspora to do its part and let those
effected by the calamity in Syria know that "We are still here,"
as Khanjian said.
Among the audience were representatives of the SARF organizations,
including Archbishops Hovnan Derderian and Mousheg Mardirossian, Very
Rev. Fr. Andon Atamian, and Rev. Hendrik Shanazarian. In addition to
other local clergy, Very Rev. Fr. Tatoul Anoushian of the Armenian
Patriarchate attended from Istanbul, Turkey.
The following churches, charities, and organizations came together to
form the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund in August 2012: Armenian Catholic
Eparchy in North America; Armenian Evangelical Union of North America;
Western Diocese of the Armenian Church; Western Prelacy of the Armenian
Apostolic Church of America; Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU);
Armenian Missionary Association of America; Armenian Relief Society
(ARS) of Western USA; Armenian Democratic Liberal Party (ADLP);
Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Western USA; and Social
Democrat Hunchakian Party (SDHP) Western USA.
Ani Keshishian (ARS CEB), Lena Bozoyan (ARS Western USA), Avedik
Izmirlian (ARF CC), Krekor Karaguezian (AGBU), Gabriel Moloyan
(SDHP), Hagop Nazarian (ADLP), and Esther Tognozzi (Kessab Educational
Association of LA) also attended the event. The concert was sponsored
by many generous donors, including the general sponsor, Onnik Mehrabian
of Glendale and his family.
To learn more, visit www.SyrianArmenianReliefFund.org.
From: A. Papazian
By Contributor on June 3, 2014
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2014/06/03/proceeds-sarf-hyeaid3-raises-total-900000/
GLENDALE, Calif.--The most recent Syrian Armenian Relief Fund (SARF)
HyeAID3 concert, held on April 29 at the Alex Theatre in Glendale,
raised an additional $100,000 for Syrian Armenians in need. Within
days of the attack on Kessab on March 21, the SARF sent $100,000 in
aid to Armenians displaced from their ancestral homes.
The concert began with a medley of Aram Khachatourian's music,
featuring Armen Aharonian on the piano, accompanied by his orchestra.
Artist-broadcast journalist Nune Avetisyan opened the concert
by reciting the poem "Gantsreve Dghas" ("It's raining, my son,"
in reference to crying) by Vahan Tekeyan. Avetisyan delivered the
opening remarks, thanking the audience and volunteer artists for
supporting SARF, and quoted poet Barouyr Sevag--"We exist, we shall
prevail and multiply"--to show the determination of the Armenian
people throughout history.
SARF Executive Committee chairperson Zaven Khanjian then addressed
the audience with an inspiring message that reaffirmed the enduring
quality of the Armenian people despite the genocide and the recent
crisis in Syria. Khanjian noted, "What's happening in Syria is the
latest chapter of the annihilation of our race that started with the
heinous crime of the Young Turks in the Ottoman Empire a century ago.
... I have often found myself weak and desperate, which has led
me to search the word of God for hope and consolation. Jesus said,
'If you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples. Then you
will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' There is no
doubt that we should be vigilant in the pursuit of justice."
Khanjian concluded, "At this gathering of solidarity with our
brethren in the Armenian Diasporan community of Syria, let us use our
knowledge of the truth in our struggle to bring peace and harmony to
ourselves, and to the troubled region and life and resurrection to
its unjustifiably crucified communities."
The program continued with alternating performances of songs,
instrumental music, and dance, with a dash of poetry. Aline
Aroustamian, Gagik Badalyan, Ani Christy, Harut Hagopian, Harout
Jeghelian, Arthur Madoyan, Salpy Mailyan, Heibert Sarian, and Samuel
Sahakyan sang; Harout Pamboukjian played the guitar and sang; Ruben
Harutunian accompanied the Karavan Studio dancers on the duduk;
the Dynamic Duo performed; and the Hamazkayin Ani Dance Company
and Hamazkayin Barouyr Sevag "Nairi" Dance Group performed several
elaborate dance numbers.
Poet Gailag's (Panosian) lyrics dedicated to Kessab, titled "Geh
Lsvin Voghper," were read by Nune Avetisyan. In honor of renowned
composer Konstantine Orbelyan (1928-2014) who recently passed away,
Armen Aharonian played one of his compositions on the piano.
As Kessab is one of the last remnants of the Armenian Kingdom of
Cilicia, the closing song was aptly "Giligia." Arthur Hagopian began
with an English version, and the rest of the singers joined him with
the original Armenian version by Nahabed Rousinian.
Closing remarks were made by Ara Aroyan, vice-chairperson of the
SARF Executive Committee, who applauded Louise Mardirossian Gill's
"vision, persistence, and persuasion" as co-chairperson of the HyeAID3
organizing committee. The participating artists were handed special
Congressional certificates of appreciation from Rep. Adam Schiff
(28th District) and certificates of recognition from California
Assembly member Mike Gatto (43rd District).
The program was accomplished with a large crew of volunteers. The
program execution relied on the technical skills of the production
crew, which included Edgar Nikolian, Neptune Productions, and Val
Hovanissian.
The varied styles and subjects of the lyrics and dances from "Adana"
to "Yeraz Im Yergir" allowed the audience to feel a range of feelings,
from sorrow to joy. One audience member who lost a family member to
the fighting in Kessab said, "They sang, we cried."
Those who have family members caught in the middle of the conflict in
Syria are sacrificing whatever they can to financially support them;
it is up to the rest of the diaspora to do its part and let those
effected by the calamity in Syria know that "We are still here,"
as Khanjian said.
Among the audience were representatives of the SARF organizations,
including Archbishops Hovnan Derderian and Mousheg Mardirossian, Very
Rev. Fr. Andon Atamian, and Rev. Hendrik Shanazarian. In addition to
other local clergy, Very Rev. Fr. Tatoul Anoushian of the Armenian
Patriarchate attended from Istanbul, Turkey.
The following churches, charities, and organizations came together to
form the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund in August 2012: Armenian Catholic
Eparchy in North America; Armenian Evangelical Union of North America;
Western Diocese of the Armenian Church; Western Prelacy of the Armenian
Apostolic Church of America; Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU);
Armenian Missionary Association of America; Armenian Relief Society
(ARS) of Western USA; Armenian Democratic Liberal Party (ADLP);
Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Western USA; and Social
Democrat Hunchakian Party (SDHP) Western USA.
Ani Keshishian (ARS CEB), Lena Bozoyan (ARS Western USA), Avedik
Izmirlian (ARF CC), Krekor Karaguezian (AGBU), Gabriel Moloyan
(SDHP), Hagop Nazarian (ADLP), and Esther Tognozzi (Kessab Educational
Association of LA) also attended the event. The concert was sponsored
by many generous donors, including the general sponsor, Onnik Mehrabian
of Glendale and his family.
To learn more, visit www.SyrianArmenianReliefFund.org.
From: A. Papazian