LODI, N.J. — The Tekeyan Cultural Association (TCA) of Greater New York, under the auspices of the TCA Board of Directors of the United States and Canada, celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of its chapter through a Valentine’s dinner-dance on February 9 featuring international Armenian superstar André and DJ Shant (Babikian). The event was held in the elegant banquet hall of the Elan events and wedding center.
At the start of the formal program, guests were welcomed by TCA Greater New York chapter Vice Chair Vartan Ilanjian, who introduced the chapter’s chair, Hilda Hartounian. Hartounian recognized the roles of past chairmen and members in reaching this golden anniversary as well as the members of the fiftieth anniversary committee, which included Talia Bouldoukian, Katia Buchakjian, Sylvia Buzantian, Aline Madalian, Nanor Kradjian and Margaret Janikian, along with Hartounian, Ilanjian, TCA Greater New York Treasurer Barkev Kalayjian and chapter adviser Nadya Boyadjian.
Hartounian acknowledged the generosity and support of event benefactors Ed and Carmen Gulbenkian, and Vartan Nazerian of Los Angeles, and emphasized that “Our mission has always been and will always be to promote Armenian cultural and educational activities around the world.”
Ilanjian then read a congratulatory letter to the chapter from the TCA Central Board, which stated, among other things, that “You have invigorated and enriched our culture through many projects in theater, arts and literature. You have projected your activities well beyond the circle of your membership, serving the needs of the entire community.”
Fr. Norayr Kazazian, a vartabed now serving in the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America who previously was Director of the Gulbenkian Library and Dean of Sts. Tarkmanchatz Armenian School in Jerusalem, took the podium to add his congratulations. He spoke with pride of his days as a student in the TCA Vahan Tekeyan School of Beirut and voiced his joy in seeing Armenians coming together in the diaspora in the name of their culture and heritage.
Special guests that evening included Ambassador Mher Margaryan, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Armenia to the United Nations, and TCA Central Board President Edmond Y. Azadian, Executive Director Aram Arkun, and board members Hagop Vartivarian, Kevork Marashlian and Mihran Minassian.
