February 1, 2019
On February 1, the AGBU-AYA’s Central Committee organized a book signing/cultural event and paid a tribute to Maitre Hratchya Setrakian. The event was held in AGBU Demirdjian Center under the patronage of the AGBU Lebanon District Committee, headed by its president, Gerard Tufenkjian. More than 250 members and friends attended this event. Among the attendees were Leonard Abajian (Consul of Armenia to Lebanon), Bishop Nareg Hedjinian (Representative of Archbishop Nareg Alemezian), Berge and Vera Setrakians (President of AGBU), Gerard Tufenkjian (President of AGBU Lebanon), MP Arthur Nazarian, Sarkis and Seta Demirdjians, Avedis and Rita Demirdjians, representatives of political parties and and cultural associations, members of the District Committee of AGBU Lebanon, chairman and members of the AGBU-AYA Central Committee. Kevork Santourian, member of AGBU-AYA Central Committee, welcomed the attendees, introduced the key note speakers and highlighted on the importance of the event. Vicken Tchertchian, the Chairman of the Antranik Youth Association, touched on the involvement and important contribution Maitre Hrachya Setrakian had in the ranks of AGBU and AYA in Lebanon. Dr. Zaven Messerlian, AGBU Veteran member and the long-years director of the Armenian Evangelical College, presented the book (Maitre Hratchya Setrakian – Martn Ou Kordze) written by Barouyr Aghbashian. The book was published by the financial support of AGBU President Mr. Berge and Mrs. Vera Setrakian. Barouyr Aghbashian, then took on the stage, to share with the audience the different stages he went through in collecting archives, writing, assembling the book. The event was concluded with the remarks of AGBU President Setrakian who emphasized on the important role Hrachya played during the repatriation 1946-1948. Hrachya Setrakian and all the influential community leaders should be well known by the young and future generations. Our history should be preserved.