ENCINO–A celebration marking the anniversary of the February Revolt and attended by more than 700 community members at Avedissian Hall–yielded more than $50,000 for Armenian Revolutionary Federation activities in the Western Region.
During the celebration Mr. & Mrs. Manuel Sassounian donated $10,000–while the ARF Dro Gomideh and Jack Nakkashian each donated $5,000. Hovig Bilmedjian and Joe Samuelian each also donated $3,000.
Present at the celebration were newly-elected member of the ARF Bureau Viken Hovsepian–members of the ARF Central Committee Western US–as well as members of local chapters of the ARF and a large number of ARF supporters.
The celebration which was sponsored by the ARF Western US Central Committee–kicked off with welcoming remarks by Master of Ceremonies Sako Sassounian.
In his remarks Sassounian provided an historical overview of the February Revolt–praising the Armenian people’s resilient will and conviction in defending their rights and the independent Armenian state.
In other remarks–ARF Western US Central Committee chairman Hovig Saliba–who had just returned from the 28th ARF World Congress in Armenia–said that the ARF–after overcoming numerous obstacles has found its just place in Armenia today.
He specifically thanked the Armenian-American community of California for its unwavering support–assistance and participation in efforts to help the homeland ranging from earthquake relief activities–to the marshaling the cause of the Karabakh liberation movement to supporting the pursuit of the Armenian Cause.
The celebration was highlighted by performances by Harout Pamboukjian and Karnig Sarkissian–who through their renditions of national and patriotic songs inspired the attendees–especially the large number of youth in attendance.