The Armenian community of Sydney celebrated the 350th anniversary of the first Armenian printed Bible. The celebration organized by Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia and New Zealand, in cooperation with the Regional Executive Board of Hamazkayin and its Literary Committee, took place in April-May of this year, in Sydney. On this special occasion, Director of National Library of Armenia, Dr. Dikran Zarkarian was invited as a keynote speaker.
The first event took place on April 28, under the auspices of Primate of the Armenian Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia and New Zealand, His Grace Bishop Haigazun Najarian and in the presence of representatives of Armenian national bodies and more than hundred Armenians, at Wright’s Technical College Hall. The conductor of the event was Lilik Kotoyan.
Hamazkayin Regional Executive Board Chair, Viken Galloghlian delivered the welcoming speech, after which RA Diaspora Minister’s counselor Hanriet Andriasian delivered Diaspora Minister Hranush Hakobyan’s congratulatory speech.
The program included poetry and musical performances. Student George Shishoyan recited poetry. Members of St. Haroutyun Church Сhoir of Forty Children (Lilit Minasyan, Gayaneh, Argina and Nanor Muratians, Marine and Asbed Anoushian and Boghos Keleshian) performed sharagans directed by Deacon Vartan Elmasian. Lusik Tovmasyan (kanon), Natalie Minassian (cello), and Alex Sahakian (piano) performed musical pieces from Gomidas, arranged by Alex Sahakian.
In his speech, Dr. Zarkarian spoke about the Armenian printing, particularly of the Bible, as an important national and international event. The lecturer also gave exhaustive answers to many questions and satisfied the audience.
His Grace Bishop delivered the closing speech and prayer.
The organizers had prepared an exhibition of antique books that created great interest among the audience.
The second event, hosted by New South Wales Governor Gladys Berejiklian, took place in the evening of May 3, at one of the halls of the Parliament. The representatives of Armenian organizations and more than sixty foreign guests, high-ranking clergymen, political figures, lawyers, and representatives of the Armenian and Australian press attended the event. The event conductor was Viken Kalloghlian. In his opening speech, he gave brief information about the Armenian printing culture. Governor Gladys Berejiklian, after welcoming the guests, proudly spoke about the importance of the 350-year-old first Armenian Bible, and presented the keynote speaker Dr. Zarkarian.
Dr. Zarkarian delivered his speech in English. In his speech, he focused on the publication of 5,000 copies of Armenian Bible in Amsterdam initiated by Voskan Yerevantsi, his sacrifice, the importance of his initiative and the role, which Amsterdam played in his success.
In his final speech, Holy Father thanked the Governor and the speakers for sharing important information and for highlighting the historical event.
Toward the end of the event, Holy Father and Dr. Zarkarian honored Governor Gladys Berejiklian with Hagop Meghapart Order, and gave the voluminous illustrated book Khachkar by Hrair Bazeh to the library of the Parliament as a gift. The exhibition of antique books and the reception, during which the participants were closely acquainted with the activities of the RA National Library as well as the missions of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Hamazkayin Society, took place in the next hall.
On this occasion, a booklet was published in Armenian and English, dedicated to the Armenian printing in general, and particularly to the printing of Bible, which was presented as gift to all participants of the events.
On May 7, the Armenian University Students’ Association organized an event Meeting with Dr. Dikran Zarkarian at St. Haroutyun Church. About forty members of 4 Armenian youth organizations took part in the event. Tamara Kotoyan conducted the event. Dr. Zarkarian delivered his lecture in English, and then answered many question. The interest of young students towards printing art and history was rather encouraging. Holly Father expressed his pleasure for the young people’s active participation in such an important event.
Dr. Zarkarian, during his stay in Sydney, visited the National Library of Australia, Kanpera, as well as New South Wales Library, where he got acquainted with Armenian and foreign publications, published newspapers, and some antique books, the copies of which are missing in the National Library of Armenia. The heads of the three libraries decided to collaborate and develop lending relationships between their libraries.
Dr. Zarkarian also succeeded in providing the National Library with books and newspapers published in Australia and elsewhere, donated by the Armenian Community members of Sydney. He also visited the AGBU Armenian daily Alexander School and Hamazkayin Galstaun School, as well as Toumanyan and Alex Manoogian Saturday schools, where he met with principals, teachers and students. Guest speaker gave a detailed explanation about the activities of the National Library creating great interest among the audience.
Dr. Zarkarian also gave interviews on Voice of Armenian Church and Armenia Radiostations.
The celebrations dedicated to the 350th anniversary of Bible printing had a great success thanks to good cooperation and organization.
