At the initiative of the Hamazkayin Nigol Aghbalian Chapter Executive Board and the San Francisco KZV School administration, a fortieth-day memorial service was held for Charles Aznavour on December 7, 2018, in the Saroyan Hall of the Khachaturian Armenian Community Center. In attendance were the Very Rev. Fr. Barouyr Shernezian, pastor of the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, representatives of local organizations, and a large crowd of Aznavour fans.
Opening the evening was chapter president Roubina Kasparian, who thanked everyone for attending the memorial to “French-Armenian singer, actor, poet, diplomat, humanitarian activist, and benefactor Charles Aznavour.”
Continuing her speech, Kasparian noted that, parallel to his stage presence, Aznavour showed that you can also use art to draw attention to just causes. In commemoration of and to aid survivors, Aznavour held a benefit concert, “They Have Fallen”, and to provide for survivors of the 1988 earthquake, the song “For you, Armenia” which introduced the world to the Armenian people and the Armenian Cause. Aznavour influenced France’s acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide. Today, we bow our heads before his memory; together we must celebrate his life because on October 1, 2018, he began his journey to immortality.
