The Yerevan Office of the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society recently undertook two very important initiatives. It organized two major scholarly conferences. One was dedicated to “Hovhannes Kajaznuni the Architect”; the other to “The Role of the Armenian Church in the Absence of Statehood.” Kajaznuni was the first prime minister of the Armenian republic, in 1918–19. The papers presented at the conferences were compiled in scholarly volumes.
On June 20, 2025, at the initiative of Yerevan and Gyumri Offices of the society, a ceremony dedicated to the two books took place in the hall of the Shirvanyan Youth Center.
An address by Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan, Primate of the Shirak Diocese, was read to the audience by a Deacon Artashes. The performers of the “Mi Sar” ensemble performed national music throughout the event. Ruzan Arakelyan, the Yerevan Office manager, provided background and introduced the books. Araks Margaryan, an associate professor of art, discussed Kajaznuni's life and work, recounting sweet anecdotes.
Political scientist Derenik Malkhasyan spoke about the architecture of Alexandropol-Gyumri, the role of the church, and the history of Kajaznuni’s masterfully designed “Lodka” building.
Ashot Mirzoyan, director of the Center for Urban Studies, gave a specialized talk.
Finally, Arevik Tanashean, president of the “Mi Sar” organization and conductor of the ensemble., performed “Der Voghormia” by Gomidas.
Ara Nakhshkaryan, the Gyumri Office manager, said: “On behalf of the Gyumri Office of Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society, I express my gratitude to Hamazkayin's Central Executive Board for constantly being in the trenches of preserving national culture, to the Hamazkayin Yerevan Office for regularly implementing such undertakings, to the Artsakh Office for constantly being by all of our sides and securing its organizational presence, to the “Mi Sar” Ensemble for their cooperation, to the Shirvanyan Center for constantly supporting the Hamazkayin Gyumri Office, to the speakers of the day, to Mher Melkonyan, member of the National Assembly and member of the Hayastan Caucus, for honoring the event with his significant presence, and finally to all of you, the attendees, for making the day a beautiful one. Otherwise, what we heard and witnessed today with the eyes of our soul would not have materialized. For every event succeeds with the curiosity and interest of its audience.”
