On Tuesday 18 October 2016 at 8: 00 pm, the Literary Committee of Hamazkayin "Sanahin" Chapter, in cooperation with Quebec's Armenian Medical Association, organized the presentation of Dr. Garbis Harboian's "Doctor's C Word" and "Doctor's D Word" Volumes at "Avedis Aharonyan" Hall of the Armenian Center in Montreal.The event was attended by numerous of national figures, doctors and readers, which encourage publications in Armenian.
The host of the event was the representative of Sanahin Chapter's Literary Committee Anahid Balian. She welocmed the guests and spoke about the newly published books, which are neither literary creations, nor documentaries or photographic albums but are valuable pieces of medical literature in Armenian. In contrary of the fact, that many Diaspora doctors reach professional achievements at international level, this medical literature has had very modest achievments so far. This gap is obvious also in the Armenian press, where one can find relatively very small number of health and medical special articles.
Dr. Garbis Harboian is well-known in the Montreal Armenian Community. A. Balian briefly presented his biography, noting that after finishing his medical studies at the American University of Beirut, Harboian continued his training in the treatment of ear, nose, and throat disorders. He worked as a surgeon for decades and published a series of medical research articles, leaving his mark in the international medical literature. Dr. Harboian’s medical and health articles, lectures, and radio programs in Armenian serve as a great benefit to the Armenian society. He volunteered his assistance in the humanitarian and health-medical centers and hospitals in Lebanon, actively contributed to the national public life, and assumed important responsibilities and posts. In appreciation of his many years' service, the Jinishian institution granted him Certificate of Merit and the Hamazkayin Central Executive Board awarded him the Hamazkayin Medal.
Before one of the most prominent figures of the Community, Senior Editor of Horizon Weekly and Horizon Literary, Vrezh-Armen Artinian would present his close friend Dr. Harboian’s books, Anaհid Balian briefly presented Artinian’s life and career achievements. She spoke about his collection of traveler's memoirs entitled Web 1, Web 2, Web 3, and Web 4 and informed that Web 5 and Web 7 will soon be published online. In appreciation of his tireless diligence and contribution to national or public life, and for his dedicated service to literature and culture, the Great House of Cilicia awarded Vrezh-Armen Artinian the Mesrop Mashtots Order.
Vrezh-Armen spoke about Dr.Harboian’s rich literary merit referring to his books consisting of 214 articles. "Those articles concern not only the doctor's specialty in ear- nose and throat (ENT) diseases, but also many diseases and pains, in which people are generally interested. They give the reader useful knowledge about health and medicine, and are written in clear and understandable language.″
Speaking about the 126-paged glossary in "Doctor's D Word" Volume, as well as the new list of Armenian terms proposed by the author and editor, Vrezh-Armen said, ″Perhaps the author’s most important contribution is the development of our language, explaining the existing medical-scientific terms, and proposing new ones." Vrezh-Armen concluded his speech by encouraging the audience to purchase those valuable medical books.
The next speakers were Quebec Armenian Medical Association member, Dr. Ohan Tabakian and vice president of the same association, Dr. Sero Andonian. They highly appreciated Dr. Harboian’s work. Doctor Tabakian congratulated the author and expressed his opinion about some of the terms included in the list of new words in Armenian.
Later, Anahid Balian invited the author to speak. Dr.Harboian made a heartfelt speech and thanked the Armenian Department of Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation for financial support, the Catholicos of Great House of Cilicia Aram I for his encouraging support, His Grace Bishop Meghrig Parikian for writing the preface of the book, his close friend, Dr. Vazgen Ter-Kalousdian for the professional editing of the content of book. He expressed his special gratitude to Vrezh-Armen Artinian for presenting the published books and for doing linguistic and general editing.
After expressing his gratitude to Quebec Armenian Medical Association and the Executive Board of Hamazkayin Sanahin Chapter and the host of the event, Anahid Balian, Dr. Harboian mentioned that initiating this work he wanted to help the Armenian people to get some medical and health care knowledge and advice in their own mother tongue.
Toward the end of the event, Q&A part started, after which Anahid Balian congratulated the author and expressed her gratitude. The participants of the event in a cordial and friendly atmosphere congratulated the author and received the books gladly signed by him. The evening continued with treating coffee and delicious biscuits.
Anahid Balian