New Tekeyan Center Opens in New Jersey Dignitaries Celebrate New Site for Community Activism

Tarpinian then spoke about the history of the chapter, with its first chairman in New York being Souren Manuelian, a community activist who was executive director of the Diocese.

During the founding of the chapter, committee members included Lucy Piligian, Jack Antreasian, Antranik Poladian and Krikor Maksoudian.

Added Tarpinian, “Thus TCA became to be known as one of the pillars of the cultural life of our community.”

He noted that the TCA maintains close relations with the AGBU and many AGBU members financially have supported TCA activities, including Alec Manoogian, Edward Mardigian, Nazar Nazarian and Souren Fesjian, among others, who have been staunch supporters of the TCA. Tarpinian continued to say that in 1973, the first convention of the TCA in North America and Canada, was held at Kavoukjian Hall in New York. “It is a pleasure to see two of the participants of that convention, Mr. and Mrs. Papken and Anahid Megerian, who are with us today.”

Since 1969, TCA has been a strong cultural bridge between the Diaspora and Armenia. “In the past, during the Soviet era, their ties were with individual artists and friends,” said Tarpinian. “Yet today we maintain those traditional ties with the leaders of independent Armenia and cultural activists. We commemorate Armenia’s independence and the Liberation of Sushi in cooperation with other organizations. We are pleased to say that those ties have deepened thanks to our ambassador, Garen Nazarian.”

Armenia’s Ambassador to the United Nations, H. E. Mr. Garen Nazarian underlined the role played by the TCA in preserving the Armenian identity, language and culture. He also mentioned that the Armenian Church, Diasporan Armenian political parties and cultural organizations have played a parallel role.

Ambassador Nazarian thanked the TCA membership for their patriotism and dedication. He alluded to the fact that during past years, the TCA and the Armenian Permanent Mission to the UN have jointly organized public events such as Armenian Independence Day, Armenian Army Day, liberation of Shushi and the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s admission to the United Nations.

TCA New York Chapter Co-Chairman Harout Chatmajian expressed his appreciation for all those who supported the establishment of this center. He added that the center will enhance Tekeyan activities and become a gathering point for all Armenians.

“We are certainly indebted to the Armenian churches and the ‘Hye Doon’ [in Cliffside Park] which has provided their facilities without charge,” said Chatmajian. “Nevertheless, it was high time for us to have our own place. First and foremost, this center will serve as a studio for the TCA Mher Megerdichian theatrical group, which will celebrate the 15th anniversary of its inception. We have come a long way in the service of Armenian culture. We have contributed immensely to the theatrical life of Armenian through our tours.”

Chatmalian enumerated five events that will be the core of the center’s activities. The center will serve as an exhibition hall with the assistance of Shoghag Hovhanesian, a recent recipient of the Ellis Island Medal, and a well-known figure in the art world.

It will also be used to hold receptions for guests from Armenia as well as literary meetings. Most importantly, the center will serve as a meeting place for the youth, he said.

“This will be indeed the meeting place of our future writers, composers, musicians, artists and writers,” said Chatmajian. “From these ranks will emerge our future leaders, political thinkers and advocates for the Armenian cause. Those clubs have a very significant role to play in preparing our future leaders. It should be recalled that a few months back, our dear benefactor, Mrs. Ardemis Nazarian, declared publicly that she ‘received her national education’ in the ADL Watertown Chapter and from the pages of the Armenian Mirror-Spectator.’”

On behalf of the TCA Central Committee, Dr. Noubar Berberian welcomed the attendants and congratulated the TCA membership for this achievement. “On behalf of the TCA Central Committee, I wholeheartedly congratulate you for this initiative,” said Berberian. “The faith and the enthusiasm you can preserve, but not the language.”

He continued: “Our life is split into two, happiness and concern. Today is the day of happiness. Imagine, one hundred years ago, according to a reliable German source, 10 percent of the population of Constantinople was composed of Armenians and Armenians published as many newspapers as the Turks did. Today our happiness is doubled despite the many difficult days through which we lived. One of the saddest events was the termination of the Baikar newspaper. That day I cried like no other day in my adult life. Today my happiness is multiplied because the TCA has not only maintained its center, but it is expanding it considerably.

He continued, “For the last 24 years, we had an executive secretary, Mr. Kevork Marashlian, who has recently decided to retire. For many years, for his dedicated and faithful service, he was held with high esteem by the Central Board. From now on, we will have Baydzig Kalayjian, the chief editor of Beirut’s Zartonk Daily. She is one of the most outstanding female representatives in our diaspora. We applaud her for staying on that position for so many years.”

The evening’s closing remarks were made by Barsamian, who spoke about the service for the welfare of Armenia as well as about a trip he made last year to Historic Armenia.

“Last year, during our journey, we visited Gesaria, the birthplace of famous poet Vahan Tekeyan and offered a requiem services at St. Garabed Church in his memory. I am pleased that the spirit of Tekeyan is still alive and this comes through the activities of the Tekeyan Cultural Association. Based on Armenian spirit and moral principles, our leaders of the past have built their march to existence.”

He concluded, “You will be able to preserve the spirit but not the language.”

(Translated from the Armenian by Taleen Babayan)