BEIRUT (Hamazkayin)–More than thirty students from around Argentina–Canada–Iran–Switzerland–Syria–and the United States–gathered in Lebanon on July 12–to kick-off the 10th Hamazkayin Summer Forum.
The official opening took at the Hamakayin Lebanon’s Gomidas hall. Speaking on behalf of the organizing committee–Forum Board member Shoushig Arslanian welcomed participants and introduced counselors and supervisors–along with board members. Supervisor Serj Kalousdian detailed the program–expounding certain points and items. The participants then introduced themselves.
The same afternoon–participants visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I to receive his blessing and message.
Forum participants will continue their activities in Lebanon until July 18–and will then depart for Armenia to continue the program until July 31. Students from Armenia–Georgia–Great Britain–and Mountainous Karabagh Republic will be joining the group in Armenia.
Since its inception in 1995 the Hamazkayin Summer Forum has provided a friendly and exciting environment for bright young Armenia’s. Students get the chance to learn a great deal about Armenian culture–discover the sites and sounds of the host country–and–most importantly–plant the seeds for lifelong friendships. Thought provoking lectures–trips to historic destinations–and nights of dancing and entertainment are only some of the things the forum has to offer. Past participants have called it "an experience of a lifetime."
In addition to the meeting with His Holiness Catholicos Aram I–this year’s forum highlights include visits to Khor Virab–Lake Sevan–Yeraplour–the Armenian Manuscripts Museum (Madenataran)–the Sarian and Parajanov Museums–the Genocide Memorial Monument and Museum–and the St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral. The forum lecture series this year features a diverse pool of speakers–including Yerevan State University President Radik Mardirossian–art historian and critic Shahen Khatchatrian–National Dance Academy choreographers Vanoush Khanamirian and Norayr Mehrabian and National Assembly Special Committee for Foreign Relations’ Chairman Armen Rustamian.
The West Coast participants of the 2004 Hamazkayin Summer Forum are: Alida Ararxian–Natalie Melissa Asik–Annie Babikian–Tamar Baldjian–Alex Beylerian–RJ Boyajian–Karin Cemcem–Arpi Chahenian–Noeme Chahenian–Alex Giragosian–Gabrielle Iagjian–Ari-Hovig Ishkhanian–Hovsep Kabaklian–Salpi Kabaklian–Noushig-Siran Karpanian–Hrayr Khanjian–Laura Kurkjian–Lori Markarian–Sebu Sabounjian–Sevag Simonian–Terenig Topjian–Annie Voskerchian–Armand Yardemian and Armen Yemenidjian.
