YEREVAN(ARF Press Office)–Sponsored and organized by the ARF Dro Gomideh of Australia–the 112th anniversary of founding of the ARF was celebrated in Sydney at the Hamazkaine Arshag & Sophie Galston Armenian School’s Leslie Nalbandian Hall.
ARF Bureau member Hrant Markarian–Mountainous Karabagh Republic (MKR) representative in Australia Varoujan Iskenderian–the entire staff of Dro Gomideh as well as members of affiliated Armenian organizations and media representatives–attended the celebration.
Conducted by Ara Vardukian–the Gomidas Choir opened the ceremonies by performing the national anthems of Armenia and Australia. In her opening remarks–the master of ceremonies Ani Sarafian mentioned that ARF’s 112th anniversary coincides with the 14th anniversary of the disastrous earthquake in Armenia. She asked participants to stand for moment of silence in remembrance of the innocent lives lost in 1988 as well as for those who lost their lives in MKR’s liberation struggle.
Speaking frankly–ARF Bureau representative Hrant Markarian stressed that–operating in 30 countries worldwide–the ARF is a nationalistic party. Its goals are to secure the protection and advance the goals of the Armenian people. Markarian added that although the ARF has been established in Armenia–it does not neglect the Diaspora. In fact–the Diaspora must strengthen further and organize in order to assist Armenia and Karabagh . He also presented political and social developmen’s in Armenia as well as in MKR and Javakhk.
Regarding upcoming presidential elections in Armenia–Markarian stated that all political forces–while campaigning against each other–must follow several moral codes.
"We live in critical times now; let us be united and consistent–and the victory will not be late," concluded Markarian.