In March 2023, in Beirut, Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society began the celebration of its 95th anniversary. The celebration continued in Armenia, Europe, Australia, and North America.
The celebratory year concluded in the spring of 2024 in North America. The events associated with the closing celebrations were special because some devoted cultivators of Armenian education and culture were honored for their service.
Before the events in North Americathe Hamazkayin Medal was awarded in Australia to Makruhi Kortian, Eddie Vetsmadian, and Asadour Shugayian for their long years of service.
In Canada, the Central Executive Board awarded Viken Tufenkjian, Ph.D., for many years of service in the public, organizational, educational, cultural, and literary spheres; Shake Geonjian for her spiritual and especially financial support for Armenian educational and cultural activities; Haroutioun Berberian for activity in the public, educational, cultural, and above all literary spheres (especially through the journal Pakine); Atom Egoyan for leaving his mark on international cinema; Fimi Der Hagopian for many years of service in the public, educational, and cultural spheres of the Syrian-Armenian community. For service in the Lebanese-Armenian community and contributions to Hamazkayin, Hagop Yapujian was awarded a Hamazkayin Memento.
In the Western Region of the United States, the following individuals were awarded the Hamazkayin Medal: Varuzhan Demirdjian, Hrach Simonian, and Mher Babian for their organizational and cultural contributions to the Western USA Region; Rita Vorperian and Rupina Pakraduni for their organizational, educational, and cultural contributions to the Western USA Region; Kevork Bedigian for his organizational, educational, cultural, theatrical, and literary contributions to various regions; Poghos Kupelian for literary contributions; Grish Davtian for public and literary activities; Sona Zeitlian for public, cultural, and literary activities; Rubina Peroomian for public, cultural, educational, and academic contributions; Tsoline Khachadurian for educational and cultural activities and financial support in Lebanon; Garbis Tertzakian for organizational and cultural contributions to the Syria Region; and Vahe Jamakordzian for organizational, cultural, and educational contributions to the Syria Region.
The Hamazkayin Memento was awarded to Edward Missirlian, Khosrov Asoyan, Bedros Alahaydoyian, and Kurken Kasabian in recognition of their significant contributions.
In the Eastern Region of the United States, in various cities, the Hamazkayin Medal was awarded to the following individuals for their years of service: Vazken Ayvazyan, Mariette Kaprielian, Dr. Janet Mouradian-Markarian, Armine Minassian, Ani Aghajanian, Maggie Madarents, Alfred Yeznaayian, and Sirun Garoyan. In addition, the medal was awarded for service in the public, cultural, and especially literary spheres to Vehanoush Tekeyan.
In Aleppo, meanwhile, Hrip Gananian was awarded the Hamazkayin Medal for public, educational, and cultural contributions to the Syria Region.
Later, in three separate events, in Cyprus and Beirut, the Hamazkayin Medal was awarded to Dr. Hayg Utudjian for musical contributions; Tavit Hagopian for theatrical contributions; and Levon Chilingirian for making his mark in international musical circles.
A posthumous award of the Hamazkayin Medal was made in Armenia to Sahak Sahakyan for his role in disseminating national, troubadour, and revolutionary songs.
According to the bylaws of the Hamazkayin Medal, the award can go to Armenian and non-Armenian individuals who have made a significant contribution to Armenian culture or Hamazkayin.
Beirut, May 8, 2024
