June 3, 2026, was a joyful and historic day for the Hamazkayin members of Kessab and the entire Kessab-Armenian community. The Hamazkayin Kessab “Hamo Ohanjanian” Branch acquired a new center. This building, near the St. Asdvadzadzin Church, was provided to Hamazkayin by the Land and Culture Organization.
Now, with the completion of the center’s renovation work, a solemn opening ceremony took place, under the auspices of Archbishop Magar Ashkarian, Prelate of Syria. The event was organized by branch executive board.
Present at the ceremony, alongside the prelate, were representatives of the Hamazkayin central and regional executive boards; the branch executive board; members of the Responsible Body; members of the Prelacy’s National Representative Assembly; the Very Rev. Yesayi Eortekian, the parish priest; the Very Rev. Karnig Hovsepian, representative of the Armenian Catholic Church; the mayor of Kessab; representatives of associations, and other invitees.
Silva Kazazian-Ashkeian delivered opening remarks. Welcoming the attendees, she said, “From the very first day of its founding, Hamazkayin made the cultural life of Kessab blossom, but until today it did not have its own center. Today, that dream is finally realized. This building shall serve the new generations and act as a new platform of knowledge, culture, and harmony.”
She thanked the supporters of the center, especially the Land and Culture Organization, wishing that the center becomes a warm hearth where new ideas and successes are born.
