November 17, 2018
On November 17, the AGBU-AYA’s Khosnag Monthly, in collaboration with the Embassy of Armenia in Lebanon, the Antranik Cultural Assocation and Lebanon’s French Institute, organized a cultural event and paid a tribute to Charles Aznavour, the internationally acclaimed, best known French chansonnier and Armenia’s most famous son. The event was held under the patronage of the AGBU Lebanon District Committee, headed by its president, Gerard Tufenkjian. More than 600 members and friends attended this cultural event. Among the attendees were HE Samvel Mkrtchyan (Ambassador of Armenia to Lebanon), Mr. and Mrs. Jean and Nadia Oghassabian (Minister of Women’s Affairs), Mr. Hagop Terzian (Deputee Member), Mr. and Mrs. Ghassan Mokheiber (former minister), Bishop Nareg Hadjinian (representative of Archbishop Nareg Alemezian), Mr. and Mrs. Hrayr and Myrna Sarkissian, Mr. and Mrs. Hagop and Ani Kassardjian, President Gerard Tufenkjian and members of the District Committee of AGBU Lebanon, Vicken Tchertchian, chairman of AGBU-AYA and members of the AGBU-AYA Central Committee. Hampig Mardirossian, the editor in chief of Khosnag Monthly welcomed the attendees. The biiography of Aznavour was recited by Dr. Shahe Partamian and Dr. Hovig Arakelian, while Nareg Mikaelian demonstrated the life of the chansonnier through an interactive presentation. The artistic program included performances by Jeanna Sahagian (piano), Gilbert Simon (vocal), Grace Ayanian Ashkhar (vocal), Shahe Babahekian (accordion), Johnny Geokjian (vocal) and Liana Amirkhanyan (poem) accompanied by Hagop Kelougian (Duduk). The event was emceed by Houry Babahekian. During the event, Mr. Gerard Tufenkjian honored Ambassador Samvel Mkrtchyan, who has been relieved from duties in Lebanon, in the name of AGBU Lebanon. He was presented with the “AGBU Cedars Lebanon” award, the highest within the ranks of AGBU Lebanon, as token of appreciation.