By Gloria Korkoian
DEARBORN, Mich. — The Knights and Daughters of Vartan will hold their annual convocation here from July 11 to 15. This will be the 100th convocation for the Knights of Vartan, which was established in 1916, and 78th convocation for the Daughters of Vartan, which was established in 1933.
The convocation meetings will be chaired by Grand Commander Dr. Gary Zamanigian of Bloomfield Hills, and Grand Matron Diana Tookmanian of Pasadena, Calif. Delegates and guests will come from across the US to deliberate and participate in workshops.
When asked to comment on the current work of the Knights of Vartan and the Knights of Vartan Communications Office in Yerevan, Zamanigian stated, “The Knights of Vartan continues to provide assistance to many worthy projects, namely: The Armenian Schools Support Project (ATDF/ASSP) World Bank 19:1 Program that helps numerous schools, students and teachers in Armenia; the Knights of Vartan Funds for Armenian Studies (FAS) which benefits Armenian Scholars; the University of Michigan Dearborn Knights of Vartan Armenian Research Center; the Knights of Vartan Scholarship Program for students in the United States and in Armenia including the American University of Armenia (AUA). We initiated and co-sponsor the Annual New York Times Square Armenian Genocide Commemoration and through Fuller House, we fund the building of homes in Armenia. In addition to our national programs, individual Lodges and Chapters have their projects which aid the people of Armenia and students in America. This year, the Knights of Vartan Communications Office in Yerevan was staffed with a well-trained, multilingual, professional communications liaison. Her name is Gohar Palyan and she has advanced computer and social networking skills, writing and graphic design skills and non-profit development experience. She will be attending and she will be giving a presentation at our Convocation in Dearborn, Michigan July 11-15, 2018.”
The keynote speaker on Thursday, July 12 will be Taner Akçam, the well-known Turkish-German historian and sociologist. He was the Knights of Vartan Man of the Year in 2012. His new book, Killing Orders: Talat Pasha’s Telegrams and The Armenian Genocide, was published in March. He will speak at 10:30 a.m. in the Desoto Room of the Edward Hotel.
This year, the Avak Tivan and Avak Khorhourt have selected two worthy individuals as Persons of the Year and Woman of the Year. They will be honored at the Grand Banquet on Saturday, July 14.