Legendary Singer and Philanthropist Charles Aznavour Is Honored in New York

“When he put all his passion, all his time and stubbornness, into helping Armenia, it was spectacular,” she said.

At Minnelli’s introduction, the crowd rose to its feet to welcome the evening’s honoree, who walked onstage with his famous Gallic swagger and expressed his gratitude for the tribute.

“It is moving to be honored by your own community,” said Aznavour, in brief but poignant remarks. “Thank you for honoring me and thank you for our country.”

An Enduring Legacy in Armenia

Aznavour’s humanitarian efforts in Armenia have outlived the earthquake crisis, and continue to aid the needy and vulnerable as the country develops as an independent republic.

His concerts have raised money for important causes throughout Armenia, including child protection, education, healthcare and especially the care of Armenia’s elderly citizens.

Awakened early on to the precarious living conditions of senior citizens in Vanadzor (Armenia’s third- largest city), Aznavour Pour l’Armenie established the Vanadzor Old Age Home. A decade ago, by agreement with the Aznavour foundation, FAR began overseeing the operations of the home and receives generous support in this effort from the Kevork and Sirvart Karamanuk Foundation. At present, 55 local senior citizens live at and are cared for by 30 staff members at the Vanadzor Old Age Home.

Aznavour’s humanitarian endeavors have also reached beyond Armenia. Following the earthquake in Haiti last year, he collaborated with 40 singers and musicians to record Un Geste Pour Haiti Cherie to raise money for victims.

Addressing the honoree at the May 20 event, Armenia’s Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian spoke from the heart about the man he had come to know and admire during his earlier tenure as Armenia’s Ambassador to France.

“You are 100-percent French and 100-percent Armenian,” said Nalbandian, “and you can add 100 percent world citizen. You sow seeds of love in people’s souls and in our souls.”

Nalbandian went on to highlight Aznavour’s strong ties to Armenia. In very personal remarks, he related the inspiration he drew from Aznavour’s music and from the singer’s devotion to his Armenian heritage.

The honoree’s daughter, Seda Aznavour, a talented singer in her own right, sang a song in honor of her father, titled Voch Mi Dzaghig (Not a single Flower). Seda Aznavour’s lively rendition in Armenian paid homage to her family’s ongoing commitment to preserve the Armenian culture.

Gift to the World

In addition to his humanitarian work, Charles Aznavour has taken up roles in the diplomatic arena, serving as Armenia’s ambassador to Switzerland and Armenia’s permanent delegate to the United Nations in Geneva. He has also been a leading voice for Genocide recognition in his native France.

A number of foreign dignitaries were among the distinguished guests at the May 20 gala, including Armenia’s Ambassador to the US Tatoul Markarian, Armenia’s permanent representative to the United Nations (UN) Karen Nazarian and Switzerland’s ambassador to the UN Paul Seiger.

The May 20 tribute also served to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence, and to highlight the many humanitarian outreach programs undertaken by FAR since its founding more than two decades ago. In the course of its history, the organization grew and prospered under the leadership of its great founding chairman, the late Kevork Hovnanian. Initially, FAR focused on medical and humanitarian assistance to the earthquake-ravaged region. But as Armenia was reborn as a free and independent republic, it was Hovnanian’s determination that caused FAR to expand its projects to include housing, food and social programs as well as economic development.

Since its founding, FAR has provided $285 million in aid to Armenia — making it one of the most effective, respected and honored humanitarian agencies working in the region.

To conclude the tribute evening, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) and president of FAR, spoke of the strength that Charles Aznavour has always found in his Armenian roots. He recalled an occasion in 2001 — during the celebration of the 1,700^th anniversary of Armenia’s conversion to Christianity — when Aznavour sang Ave Maria during a requiem service at the Dzidzernagapert Genocide Memorial, leaving “everyone in tears” — including the visiting Pope John Paul II.

“Charles Aznavour is an internationally loved and respected figure, and is a great example for all of us,” said Barsamian. “Charles, your presence among us has been a gift to the world — and a gift to your fellow Armenians.”

In addition to the film presentation tracing Aznavour’s life and contributions to Armenia, a musical performance of Armenian songs was offered by Nina Stern (on clarinet) and Glen Velez (percussion). Anoosh Barclay sang the Armenian national anthem, and Karim Sulayman the anthems of the United States and France, which opened the evening’s formal program.

The Honorary Committee for FAR’s Charles Aznavour Tribute was chaired by Minnelli, and included Tony Bennett, Celine Dion, Placido Domingo, Atom Egoyan, Arsinee Khanjian, Sir Elton John, David Furnish, Nalbandian, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York Sen. Charles Schumer, New Jersey Rep. Frank Pallone, Greek Orthodox Church Primate Archbishop Demetrios, Roman Catholic Archbishop of New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan, Episcopal Church Bishop of New York Bishop Mark Sisk, Appeal of Conscience Foundation President Rabbi Arthur Schneier, France’s Ambassador to the US Francois Delattre, France’s Ambassador to the UN Gerard Araud, Armenia’s Ambassador to the US Tatoul Markarian, Nazarian, Mexico’s Ambassador to the US Arturo Sarukhan Casamitjana, former US Ambassador Edward Djerejian, Carnegie Corporation President Vartan Gregorian, Carnegie Hall Artistic Director Clive Gillinson, Lincoln Center President Reynold Levy, Juilliard School President Joseph Polisi and President Emeritus of the World Bank James Wolfensohn.