On October 28, the 90th anniversary of Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society was celebrated at the society’s Arshak and Sophie Galstaun College in Sydney at the initiative of the regional executive board for Australia.
Bishop Haygazoun Najarian, primate of Armenians in Australia and New Zealand, was present, as were leaders of the Armenian Catholic and Armenian Evangelical churches, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Central Committee, the Armenian Relief Society, Homenetmen, and other organizations active in the region. Dr. Meguerditch Meguerditchian, chairperson of Hamazkayin’s Central Executive Board, had travelled from Lebanon to participate in the event. All told, 250 guests had come to support Hamazkayin on its 90th anniversary.
The choirs of Hamazkayin’s day school and Saturday school joined forces to open the event with the national anthems “Advance Australia Fair” and “Mer Hairenik.”
The emcee, Silva Nazarian, welcomed everyone on behalf of the regional executive board for Australia, the Shant, Nyree, Sevan, and Gomidas chapters, the Nubar Khachadourian theatrical group, the Sydney dance ensemble of the Sassoun chapter, and the Galstaun College. She noted that the occasion also marked the 55th anniversary of Hamazkayin in Australia.
A moment of silence was observed in memory of deceased Hamazkayin members and in honor of Charles Aznavour, who had died only recently.
In the first part of the program, Mosig Injejikian, François Pamboukian, and Antranik Jenjy played the roles of Nigol Aghpalian, Levon Shant, and Hamo Ohanjanian and recreated the scene in Cairo in 1928 where Hamazkayin came to be. Concerned about the dispersion of surviving Armenians after the Genocide, the trio had the vision to establish an educational and cultural association to keep Armenians Armenian.
Over the course of the evening, the Hamazkayin’s Sydney Dance Ensemble and Nyree Dance Ensemble performed. Artistic and other video clips portrayed the founding of Hamazkayin as well as its activities, over 90 years, around the globe.
On the canun, or zither, Meghri Oundjian interpreted “Im Sirun Yerevan” to warm applause.
Two Galstaun College students spoke words of gratitude to Hamazkayin for their school.
Vicken Kalloghlian, chairperson of the regional executive board, spoke next. He presented the vision of the founders of Hamazkayin ten years after the Armenian republic was formed and spoke of the lively role the organization has played in the lives of Armenian youth, students, and artists in Australia over the last 55 years. He praised the devoted Hamazkayin members who have served for over half a century in schools, dance ensembles, choirs, theatrical troupes, literary and art committees, and in executive capacities.
Dr. Meguerditchian spoke on behalf of the Central Executive Board. He emphasized the breadth of the organization’s activities, and on ways to keep its mission shining brightly. He decorated long-serving Hamazkayin members Hagop Zaratsian and Haigaz Bedrossian with medals.
In the final part of the event, the Hamazkayin Nyree Choir sand “Yeraz Im Yergir” and “Azk Parabandz,” and an excited audience sang along.
Bishop Najarian provided a benediction, after which a sumptuous reception was held.
—Silva Nazarian
