Armenian Cultural Center of Forest Hills Dissolves: Its Legacy Survives Through HMADS

During its active years, the ACCFH organized both culturally and socially meaningful events such as theatrical productions in Armenian based on the works of Hagop Baronyan and Yervant Odyan; scholarly book presentations — the one by Sona Tingir was memorable in its scope; concerts of classical Armenian and European music, among which soprano Ruthann Turekian Drewitz’s was the most riveting; English language classes for new immigrants taught skillfully by Josephine Bebirian were also an introduction to American culture; and talent shows of poetry recitation, playing musical instruments, singing and dancing by the students of the Armenian schools in our Greater New York area enlivened the cultural life of our community.

The Paregentan, a dinner-dance masquerade party, had been a celebrated annual event for the ACCFH for many years. In addition to the Armenian music and dance, the “Quadrille Dance” conducted by Baruyr Tezel was considered the trademark of the ACCFH Paregentan event.

The ACCFH also collaborated with its sister institutions in organizing literary, musical, celebratory, commemorative events. Among the many renowned figures who were either honored or participated in those events, the following names stand out: Archbishop. Shnork Kalustyan, Archbishop Karekin II Kazanciyan, Archbishop Mesrob Mutafyan, Archbishop Sahan Sivaciyan, Archbishop Nourhan Manougian, Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, Prof. Abraham Terian, Zahrad, Rober Haddejian, Zareh Khrakhouni, Vahakn Dadrian, Yves Ternon, Israel Charny, Peter Balakian, Aris Sevag, Berc Araz, Sahan Arzruni, Vartan and Silva Gomigyan, Agop Hacikyan, Gabriel Basmajian, Nourhan Ouzunian, Hrant Dink, Rakel Dink, Herand Markarian, Hagop Vartivarian, Osheen Keshishian, Carla Garapedian, Ara Kalaydjian and Zakariya Mildanoglu.

Those collaborative events were mostly organized under the auspices of Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and facilitated by the Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center of the Diocese of the Armenian Church through its directors Rev. Fr. Krikor Maksoudian, Aram Arkun, and Rachel Goshgarian. The collaborating organizations generally consisted of the Armenian Cultural Center of Forest Hills, Constantinople Armenian Relief Society (CARS), Esayan-Getronagan Alumni of New York, Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Center of New York, Hye Doun – Armenian American Support and Educational Center, Tekeyan Cultural Association of NY and NJ, and Tibrevank Alumni of New York.

The ACCFH was one of the pioneers among its sister organizations in philanthropy. The ACCFH donated $2000 to the St. Sarkis Armenian Church for its reconstruction at Douglaston after the fire in 1985; $2000 to the Earthquake Relief for Armenia through the Armenian Diocese in 1988; $2000 to the Emergency Fund – Food for Armenia through the Armenian Diocese in 1992; $500 to the Gandzasar Theological Center in Artsakh in 1995; $2000 to the Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul for earthquake relief in 1999; frequently rented the Kalustyan Hall of the Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs for its events to provide income to the Church; made donations to the Holy Martyrs Day School, Holy Martyrs Armenian Language School, St. Illuminator’s Armenian School, and St. Sarkis Armenian Saturday School.

The ACCFH remained dormant in recent years after contributing to the vibrant cultural and social life of the community in Queens for more than 40 years. The main reasons for this decline were the migration and the loss of its members and friends.