WATERTOWN – After arriving on April 4 in Boston, primarily in support of the City of Smile Foundation banquet, Anna Hakobyan, journalist and wife of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, went to the Armenian Heritage Park where she was greeted with the traditional salt and bread ceremony.
That same evening, a reception was held in honor of Anna Hakobyan at the Armenian Museum of America which was cosponsored by Boston area Armenian women’s associations, namely the Armenian International Women’s Association, Armenian Relief Society Watertown “Leola Sassouni” Chapter, Armenian Relief Society Cambridge “Shushi” Chapter, Armenian Women’s Welfare Association, Daughters of Vartan Arpie Otyag and New Paths – Bridging Armenian Women. Representatives of various Armenian community organizations in the greater Boston area were invited to the reception.
Director of Finance and Building Operations of the Armenian Museum Berj Chekijian greeted the guests in Armenian. In her English-language welcoming speech, President of the Museum Board of Trustees Michele Kolligian expressed her renewed hope and pride in Armenia as a result of the recent revolution and the dedication and commitment to the homeland of Hakobyan and Pashinyan. Kolligian presented Hakobyan with a certificate of lifetime membership to the museum on behalf of its board of trustees and staff.
Dr. Ara Nazarian introduced Armenia’s Ambassador to the US Varuzhan Nersesyan, who spoke about the revolution and welcomed all Armenians who wish to come to Armenia and be a part of the Armenian success story.
Hakobyan in her remarks expressed how touched she was by the welcome she received from the Boston Armenian community and how impressed she was by the Armenian Museum’s collection. Hakobyan was given a private tour of the museum.
After meeting and mingling with the leaders of Armenian organizations, she went to dinner at the house of Raffi and Nina Festekjian.
