Aleppo Armenians celebrated the 98th anniversary of the First Armenian Republic on Sunday, May 29, 2016 at 6:00 pm, at "G. Yessayan" Hall. The event was organized by the Regional Executive Board of Hamazkayin Syria under the patronage of Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Aleppo Bishop Shahan Sarkissian.
The opening ceremony began with anthems of Syria and the Republic of Armenia.
Raffi Sulahian and Salpi Tufekchian delivered the opening speech of the event in Armenian and Arabic. In their speech they stated, "The independence established on May 28, 1918, became a cornerstone in our modern history, and after centuries of persecutions and massacres, Armenians ensured their right to freedom and sovereignty. Today, 98 years later, we assert our will to live in a sovereign state, as we are convinced that the nations develop and strengthen on their own in free and independent statehoods."
Then, a video film telling about the history of establishing independence was presented.
The artistic program included the performance of Hamazkayin's "Zvartnots" Choir, conducted by Gayane Simonyan-Derian, accompanied on piano by Ruzan Barsoumian. Chorus successively performed the songs "Rise up, Armenian people", "Range of Patriotic songs", "Free Armenia", "We shall Defend" and "Sardarapat". Then, Avo Alexanian performed a song dedicated to Hrayr Marukhian playing on the guitar in a very unique style, which was followed by a group recitation of Siamanto’s poems by Betty Kelerchian, Ara Mutafyan and Maria Mansuryan. Then, violinist Rosie Shushanian performed Robert Amirkhanyan’s musical composition "My Armenia", accompanied on piano by Ruzan Barsoumian.
The gorgeous dances of Hamazkayin "Sardarapat" and "Shushi" Ensembles made the event more luster.
Event conductor Betty Kelerchian thrilled the audience with inspiring quotations, after which she invited Holy Father to the stage, which conveyed blessings and said, "The victory gained on May 28 became a cornerstone for the realization of our national goals and ideals, and a starting point for heroic exploits in modern times. Syrian Armenians, being even in a period of crisis, never forget that unique historical victory gained in the nearest past and symbolizing all our victories".
Holy Father made also a congratulatory speech, addressing it to the RA Consul General in Aleppo, President of Armenia, President of Artsakh and to the people, especially, to the brave soldiers defending the borders of Artsakh and the audience. He wished all Armenians to unite and establish Free, Independent and United Homeland in the nearest future.
Holy Father’s speech concluded the official part of the ceremony.
In the end, Khachik Ashdjian, Lusin Hovhannessian, Meghri Nazarian and George Kalaydjian performed national and patriotic songs, accompanied by organist Repper Khachaturian, which greatly inspired the audience. The 98th anniversary celebration was closed with the song "Bloody Flag".
"Gandzasar"