NEW YORK—The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Eastern Region marked its 120th anniversary last weekend, organizing two regional events—a Nov. 20 fundraiser/celebration and a Nov. 21 public forum critically assessing the party’s record of accomplishments.
On November 20, the ARF-ER Central Committee raised $150,000 at a fundraiser held at the Alpine, NJ home of Vahe and Shake Nahapetian. The event drew more than 70 community leaders, activists, and supporters.
Commemorative activities continued on Nov. 21, with a public forum entitled “The ARF at 120: A Critical Appreciation,” which took place at the New York Hilton Hotel. Featuring historians, economists, political scientists, and activists, this unprecedented panel discussion reviewed the ARF’s history and current politics critically, and provided recommendations for the road ahead.
The panel featured David Grigorian (Senior Fellow, Policy Forum Armenia), Dennis Papazian (Professor Emeritus of History, University of Michigan-Dearborn), Ara Sanjian (Professor of History, University of Michigan-Dearborn), and K.M. Kourken Sarkissian (President, Zoryan Institute), with Dr. Hratch Zadoian (Professor of Political Science, Queens College) serving as moderator. Antranig Kasbarian (chair, ARF Central Committee, Eastern U.S.) served as discussant.
