BOSTON — On Sunday, September 26, Eduard Nalbandian, the minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, and his wife, Natalya Nalbandian, and an official delegation arrived in Boston after a week of talks at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Upon their arrival by train from New York, they were greeted by Ambassador Tatoul Markarian, Armenia’s ambassador to the United States, his wife Anna, philanthropist Nishan Atinizian, Executive Secretary of Tekeyan Cultural Association Kevork Marashlian and member of AGBU New England District Committee Garo Yavshayan.
The ambassador and his delegation were led to the Armenian Heritage Park on parcel 13 on the Kennedy Greenway, where on September 9, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and Massachusetts Governor Duval Patrick presided over a ceremony of blessing.
Nishan and Margrit Atinizian hosted a reception later on Sunday night at the Sheraton Commander Hotel in Cambridge, attended by the leaders of many Armenian-American institutions.
Master of ceremonies was Carolyn Atinizian, who in her opening remarks said that the common thread joining all those present was “our love for Armenia. We are anxious to find means to contribute to Armenia’s development.”
She noted that there was a “great sense of pride at being in the community,” and that the community appreciates the “deep resolve” of the government in Armenia to safeguard the future of the population and have a positive impact on the region.
Representing the community organizations, Marashlian welcomed the minister and briefly presented all community organizations’ works. He concurred that the majority in the diaspora look upon the administration of President Serge Sargisian favorably and that they should be able to offer constructive criticism if they disagree. He also suggested, to great applause by the audience, that the Armenian government should consider opening a consulate in Boston, even if only an honorary one.
