QUEBEC, Canada—Around 20 participants between the ages of 21 and 35 from the United States and Canada arrived at Auberge du Mont-Lanaudière in Saint-Gabriel-de-Brandon, Quebec, on June 30 for ArtLinks 2016, a four-day arts retreat organized by the Hamazkayin regional boards of the East Coast, West Coast, and Canada. The program promised to deliver five engaging workshops run by experts in their respective fields covering film, theater, journalism, leadership, and mythology. Participants, workshop leaders, and organizers emerged from the weekend having gained so much more—from newly gained knowledge to an immersion in the arts and, more importantly, an opportunity to engage with others who have an appreciation for the exploration of the arts and of Armenian culture.
“ArtLinks was incredible—an amazing weekend of great people, limitless conversation, and a reminder that as the future leaders in our communities we can be the beginning of change! This was a weekend that I won’t forget,” said Helena Bardakjian, a participant who hailed from Detroit.
Upon arriving at the retreat, the participants were given folders containing information, ArtLinks tees, and a room number. Once everyone had gathered in the cafeteria for the lahmajun andmana’ish dinner, the chair of the Hamazkayin regional of Canada, Dzovig Kahvejian, offered welcoming remarks, which were followed by introductions. The evening waned with conversations, discussions, and games.