AGBU Bulgaria Plovdiv Chapter

2013 Activities

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PPPAAARRRTTTIIICCCIIIPPPAAATTTEEEDDD IIINNN TTTHHHEEE PPPRRROOOGGGRRRAAAMMM Anahid Tateosyan - harp, Agop Tateosyan -viola

and Elise Gagosyan - opera singing (on the picture - Elise Gagosyan on the left)

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First initiative of the newly elected YP Plovdiv Core Committee

On February 27, 2013, AGBU Plovdiv Young Professionals held a

business cocktail reception at the ASK Academy Schwarzkopf Professional

in Plovdiv. Over 50 guests RSVPd and attended the networking event.

Among them were representatives of the emblematic native Armenian

companies: AGI -1, GARO-M, Inspres Ltd., Tirlin AD, Star nails,

INTERCOMPLEX, restaurant ARMENIAN House, Ascot Rubber Ltd., etc.

Among the prominent guests was Dr. Garabed Tomasyan—former mayor

of the city of Plovdiv.

One of the main goals of the event was to serve as an opportunity for

young Armenians in the community to meet and greet fellow Armenians

with a considerable professional experiences and success in their fields, as

well as receive guidance from them. The cocktail served as an impromptu

mentoring night experience and for encouraging the new committee

members in their future projects.

Video wall projected slides with information about the AGBU Young

Professionals in Plovdiv, as well as the projects the YPs carry through

around the world.

There was a brief exposé of the AGBU Summer Intern Programs that allow for a unique professional development, intercultural exchange and social

networking.

Official guest of the event was Dr. Dimitar Shishkov - one of the leading urologists in the country, as well as the local coordinator of ‘Bulgaria for Citizens’

political party, whose professional path and public awareness in short was presented by Haik Garabedian, co-chair of YP Plovdiv.

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This year on March 24, 2013 the Armenian community in Plovdiv received a

truly colorful gift for Dzaghgazart from the AGBU Saturday School Theater

Group „Malvina Manoukian“. Two newly staged performances directed by

Varta Marukyan flourished on stage at the Armenian Cultural Hall in Plovdiv

on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Along with the students of the Theatrical Group, the AGBU Plovdiv

Saturday School vocalists presented their most current repertoire of songs.

Young professionals brought their congratulations to the children theater group

"Malvina Manukyan" and a wonderful cake!

Image: Nora Radoslavova, Co-YP Plovdiv and Onnik Kyurkchiyan member of YP

Plovdiv.

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On April 6, 2013, AGBU Plovdiv celebrated its 103rd Anniversary since its establishment and

by the active initiative and participation of the Young Professionals in Plovdiv organized a

Charity Gala to raise funds for the participation of Bulgarian-Armenian kids and youth in

AGBU and the Ministry of the Diaspora summer programs in Armenia.

The Charity Gala hosted over 220 guests from five different

cities in Bulgaria, among which were HE the Ambassador of

RA in Bulgaria, His Holiness the Archimandrite Abgar

Ovagimian, HE the Honorary Consul of RA in Plovdiv, and a couple of the city’s past Mayors and a number of prominent city council members and

politicians.

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For the first time this year, a representative of AGBU Plovdiv chapter participated in

the International Youth Forum, which was held in Armenia from 22nd to 24th of April

2013 under the title "The Armenian language is in my heart." Krikor Arakelyan

represented the Plovdiv chapter of "AGBU" and is also a member of the leadership of

young professionals - YP.

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in Istanbul for the first time foreign delegation composed of 20 Armenian

representatives from 15 countries joined the events dedicated to the anniversary of

the genocide.

Haik Garabedian of AGBU Plovdiv, who is co-chairman of the Young

Professional" - YP and was the sole representative of Bulgaria took part in all the

events that took place in Istanbul. He was part of the delegation of the European

Committee of AGBU.

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At the invitation of AGBU Burgas Chapter and the local

Armenian Church Parish Council, the AGBU Plovdiv and the

only Armenian Vocal Instrumental Band in Bulgaria –

Erebouni held a concert in the city of Burgas by the beautiful

Bulgarian seacoast on April 27, 2013.

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On 19th of May, 2013 this year at the Armenian Cultural House in Plovdiv, a croup-sized cultural event was held. In the celebration day for the Armenian Apostolic Church Day Hokekalust, Young Professionals (YP)-AGBU Plovdiv gathered in one place - in our culture house, a ‘bunch’ of Armenian talents.

According to the citizens of Plovdiv, this event was an exciting celebration, which was framed by the Bazaar of the Armenian book. It started at 10 a.m. under the beats of traditional Armenian music. At the hall of the Armenian cultural center, there were book shelves with stands Armenian books. With every book purchased, the guests received a gift – one more of the titles which were editions of AGBU. While, visitors were looking through the exhibited titles which were more than 20, on an interactive screen Armenian music videos and short films were projected, related to the sights of Armenia. Containing its customs and its culinary skills with which the country is famous for around the world.

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On April 25, 2013 Rupen Chavushyan, Chairman of AGBU Plovdiv met in the club of

AGBU Plovdiv, with a scholarships from Plovdiv to award them with annual

scholarships from AGBU. Representatives of the leadership of YP Plovdiv Nora

Radoslavova and Zarko Gogov shared with them the purpose of YP and told them

about programs Benevolent Union in Armenia.

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More than 500 young talents took part in the festival "Roshavata Kotka" in Plovdiv, organized for 11 consecutive years by the Rotaract Club, Plovdiv. Children's theater group "Malvina Manukyan" participated with two one-act plays by the Armenian classic Hagop Baronyan on May 11, 2013 in Drama Theatre - Plovdiv. Scenes were in Armenian.

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On 8th of June 2013, a concert of Vocal Instrumental Band "Erebuni" took place in Rousse. Invited by AGBU Ruse, the prepared for months concert was an inspiring and very happy day for both Plovdiv and Ruse. Despite the strong rain that fell prior to the concert the hall of the Military Club was full of emotionally charged audience. Applause erupted before the end of the songs and soloists Simon Pachadzhyan, Taki Melkonian, Virginia Vicheva Shishmanyan and Harry gave the audience fervor and excitement with all their talent of artists and singers.

We were deeply touched by the speech of archimandrite Abgar Ovakimyan, vicar of Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, who attended for the first time a concert by „Erebuni" and witnessed the premiere of the new formation "Araks" Rousse.

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YP Plovdiv hosted around 20 guests from AGBU Haskovo (including members of the Church committee of Haskovo, “Surp Stepanos”) for a soccer game and a banquet.

The winners were once again YP –Plovdiv, who are the champions from the 10th Euro Armenian Games, from Sofia-Bulgaria.

Besides the soccer team of AGBU-Plovdiv, the whole YP management body was also present and other YP members and friends.

All together around 50 people, including the 15 soccer players. The program included the following: 10 a.m. arrival of the group from Haskovo. From 10-12 present at the prayer at the Armenian Church in Plovdiv “Surp Kevor”. 12-1 p.m. soccer game after that banquet.

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Stara Zagora, 21 June 2013 With proposal of Armenian and Jewish communities in Stara Zagora on 2004 was created the Club of ethnic communities. On Juny 21, 2013 was hold a concert of ethnic groups.

Armenian ethnicity was presented of two young talented singers to the AGBU Plovdiv Chapter Virginia Vicheva and Taki Melkonian, soloists of group Erebuni.

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For the second year in Armenia was held program

of AGBU Musical Armenia 2013

On 14 July, 2013 from Plovdiv to Armenia went three young

people who participated in the program of AGBU Musical

Armenia 2013. Anahid Tateosyan - harp, Agop Tateosyan -

viola and Elise Gagosyan - opera singing, presented for the

first time "AGBU" Plovdiv

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On June 22, 2013 in Kardzhali was opened an exhibition dedicated to the Armenian traditions and way of life from the beginning and the first half of the 20th century.

The opening ceremony was attended by Minister of Culture Dr. Petar Stojanovic and Deputy Ministers of Culture Velislava Kristeva and Vassil Vassilev, Elizabeth Kehayova, Deputy. - Mayor of Kardzhali, MPs, councilors, many citizens. The exhibition, located at the "Circle" Art Gallery, included a number of items from the life of the Armenians decades ago.

"It all started with a perfectly preserved bridal dress" - say Radost Nikolaeva and Galina Dimova from Art Gallery "Circle" in Kardzhali. The dress was tailored for the engagement of Azaduhi Enicheryan in 1942. For a short time in their gallery arrive materials, enough for a whole exhibition. Timely and valuable assistance gave Rupen Chavushyan, chairman of the AGBU Plovdiv Chapter, our compatriots of Haskovo and Dobrich. Agop Uzunbohosyan, director of the Astronomical Observatory in

Kardzhali and leader of the Armenian community in the city is responsible for the event. He coordinated the idea with AGBU Plovdiv and the Benevolent Union attracted Armenians from different cities - Plovdiv, Haskovo and Dobrich to do everything possible to collect various exhibits.

"With Hripsime Erniasyan from AGBU Plovdiv, we managed to arrange everything in a common conceptual framework - so that the objects can tell their story" - says Galina Dimova.

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In June 2013, was issued the

first compact disk of the

singer Mary Movsesyan from

Burgas. It contains 14

popular Armenian songs,

including songs from

Gomidas and Arno

Babadzhanyan. On the disk

their place found three

passages from the Armenian

Church liturgy.

Mary Movsesyan is

conductor of the Armenian

church choir at church "Surp

Hach" Burgas. She has music

education. She participated

in various charity events,

invited by Municipality of

Burgas. At the same time she

is soloist of the

representative choir of the

Municipality.

Pictures: Mary Movsesyan with armenians from Russe town.

Issuing the disc becomes possible thanks to the

sponsorship of the President of "AGBU" Plovdiv Chapter -

Rupen Chavushyan.

In 2013, AGBU Plovdiv organized the presentation of the

SD in Burgas, Shumen, Ruse and Dobrich, Haskovo and

Plovdiv(2014).

Pictures: Mary Movsesyan with armenians from Haskovo

town.

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For the nineteenth time was held in Plovdiv The International Folklore Festival, which met us with the folk dances of people from different parts of the world. The number of dancers was almost three hundred and fifty. The event began on July 29, 2013.

The day before, young professionals from Plovdiv walked guests from Armenia in Old Town showed their Armenian church and crypt to them, gave them T-shirts with the logo of AGBU Plovdiv.

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On 15 August, 2013 The editors of the newspaper AGBU Voice were invited to participate in the first event of "Bread houses" in Plovdiv. It was organized by

Bulgarian Red Cross in the city. Armenians, Bulgarians, Jews and Turks

kneaded together traditional breads. Ch. Editor of AGBU VOICE Hripsime

Erniasyan surprised the attendants when she presented shashlik wrapped

with traditional Armenian bread lavash.

The "Bread Houses" is known worldwide. Through it people get closer,

feeling like one family, showing its tolerance of the different religion and

nationality.

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25 Aug.2013 from Plovdiv traveled group of 44 children to Pamporovo, where was held the traditional AGBU Plovdiv camp. The pictures show the first activities of children and the on the blog: http://hayler2013plovdiv.wordpress.com/photo-gallery/ you can track their daily activities. Emotion that a long time will not be forgotten.

Furthermore, apart from Art classes for children, were organized hiking, hours of swimming in indoor pool complex, sports, video screenings of Armenian animated films and other activities.

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November 2013 - Having become the expected and increasingly gaining speed program of AGBU Europe, GORIZ was held for the fifth time. The place this

time was Istanbul, Turkey.

Haig Garabedian, co-chair of

young professional and Onnik

Kyurkchiyan, member of YP

Plovdiv, were representatives of

the Plovdiv Chapter.

To reflect this unique program

for young leaders, Plovdiv

Chapter sent Ch. editor of the

newspaper AGBU Voice -

Hripsime Erniasyan, who took

part in all meetings and lectures,

and provided a lot of photos for

the newspaper to reflect

repeatedly the GORIZ seminar

held in Istanbul.

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December 2013. Month tangible excitement. The decoration of streets and homes brings the smell of snow, linked by small and large with Christmas

and the holidays at the end of the year.

Festive is the decoration of the Armenian Cultural Centre in Plovdiv, where traditionally was organized evening where Armenian students and friends

gather to pass the hours in a pleasant atmosphere. It was a Young

professional’s initiative.

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On 6,7 and 8th December 2013 in Bulgaria, Varujan Vosganian, our

famous compatriot from Romania, personally presented his book

"Whispered book".

The book has been translated into 10 languages. The author is proposed for

the Nobel Prize.

AGBU Plovdiv organized the book presentation in Sofia with the assistance

of YP Sofia and Coordination Council - Sofia, in Plovdiv, in Varna with the

assistance of the Armenian church council in Varna and in Ruse with the

assistance of AGBU Ruse.

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Picture: On the image with the

Chairman of the Plovdiv Chapter

Roupen Chavushyan and autor

Varujan Vosganyan are Diocesan Vicar

Abgar Ovagimyan, Father Kevork

Hacherian, pastor of the Armenian

church in Plovdiv, Ambassador of

Armenia in Bulgaria H.E. Arsen

Shoyan, Ambassador of the Republic

of Armenia in Romania H.E. Gamlet

Gasparyan. The picture was taken in

Plovdiv.

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AGBU Plovdiv Chapter launched the first work of the Honorary President of AGBU Plovdiv Agop Daydzhanyan. Poetry book has been praised by experts and

fellow readers. The publication

contains poetry, satirical poems

and a special section dedicated to

the genocide of Armenians under

the heading 'Crucifixion'. The

event was held at the Armenian

cultural center in Plovdiv on

December 15, 2013.

Picture: Mr. Agop Daydzhanyan

with his wife during presentation

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The author himself,

who was approaching

his 80th anniversary,

recited his works that

impacted so heavily on

the audience, that it

repeatedly stood to its

feet.

Agop Daydzhanyan was

awarded the Order

"William Saroyan", by

the Ministry of Culture

of the Republic of

Armenia.

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For the second consecutive year Chess Club "Levon Ovanezov" in Varna held year-round tournament in blitz and rapid chess Cup "AGBU" Chapter Plovdiv. Involving nearly 40 players from Varna, at the end of the year, a representative of AGBU Chapter Plovdiv awarded the winner with the AGBU Cup and are given certificates for participation to the first 6 winners.