This year, the traditional New Year celebration of the Sanahin Chapter of Hamazkayin took place on January 20, because of the terrible snowstorm of January 12-13.
Nearly 250 members of the Hamazkayin family and the related chapters had gathered around the festive tables to celebrate the coming of the New Year.
The members of Ani Dance Group, Petros Adamian Theater Company, Knar Choir, Book Delivery Libraries, Children’s Story Hour, Coffee, Tee and Opinions, Sanahin Film Clubs, Nanor Children’s Choir, the regional and local board members, and the faithful friends of Hamazkayin were among the guests.
After the opening speech of Tamar Shahinian-Polatian, the dinner-party started with congratulations. Nanor Children's Choir, which had already given its first concert, performed New Year and Christmas songs conducted by Lusine Zhamkochian. Nanor Snapian, Anahit Balian, Karekin Gurunlian and Ghazar Kalayjian recited poetry. Laura Berberian charmed everyone with her zealous voice.
After dinner, a warm and sociable and entertaining atmosphere was created through games, which have become specific to our traditional New Year feasts. Tamar Shahinian expressed words of gratitude to all donors. Before the lottery started, she made a speech and then, awarded Rita Shamlyan for her selfless hard work within many years. Rita Shamlyan was present at the event with her husband and children.
It was a touching episode for all of us. We were so happy to know that our dearest Rita-a person respected by all, was being appreciated.
Board Chair Tamar Shahinian said, ″When we often want to award a dedicated Hamazkayin member and show our gratefulness for being always there for Hamazkayin family, we start a kind of searches according to our unwritten standards and human values to find the right person, and to express the Hamazkayin’s cordial words of appreciation for dedication and contribution....
In hope to find that very valuable and the most worthy ones, we diligently look for them away from us. We don’t notice those dedicated people in our immediate surroundings, but try to find them somewhere else. The ones who follow our every step, who are ready to help us in every initiative with love and merciful devotion, the ones who have considered every call of Hamazkayin as a national duty for many-many years.
Rita’s candidacy was not of course a discovery, but we accepted it as such.We were so happy and excited that we had finally found the true person, our dear Rita Shamlian, who had all of these virtues. Rita Shamlian has been everywhere as longtime member of the Regional or Local Boards, personally involved in organizing all the activities of Hamazkayin or as a pianist accompanying the singers and reciters. She has been a sister, mother or grandmother to all of us. She is so patient and so forgiving, with her kind smile on her face. She is a real model, a type of a Hamazkayin member. Let me present some parts of her biography so that our newcomers know her and her earnings."
Lebanon
Specialty: Music
- Lebanese National Conservatory of Music and Kaslik
Successfully graduated from both as a pianist
Montreal
UQAM - received a local certificate as a pianist
Social Services:
Lebanon
- Member of the ARC's Health Committee and Regional Executive Board’s responsible person for banks
- Homenetmen- Scout Council member, Solfeggio teacher at Fanfare
- Hamazgayin Antelias – Administrative worker
- Hamazkayin's Regional and Local Board Member – Sanahin
- Long –time dedicated pianist at the Hamazkayin Knar Choir
Rita Shamlian still works with great patience making a lot of sacrifice.
She has succeeded in accomplishing all these activities, thanks to her husband's encouragement and support. He helped Rita to improve her education and to bring up their four children with national spirit and consciousness of duty, to give them family warmth and education. They have become exemplary models for all of us with their lifestyle, experiences and ideals.
Dear Rita, Hamazkayin is proud of you and wishes the young generation imitate you. Good job!
Varti Danielian
Montreal, February 18, 2018