Tekeyan Cultural Association Concludes Successful 25th Annual Convention in Los Angeles

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Tekeyan Cultural Association Concludes Successful 25th Annual Convention in Los Angeles
Vartkess Balian Reelected President

By Kevork Keushkerian

LOS ANGELES, CA - The annual conventions of the Tekeyan Cultural Association of North America have always been an opportune time to showcase a multitude of talents, through a series of high-caliber cultural activities. The 25th Annual Convention hosted by the Los Angeles Chapter was certainly in keeping with those high standards. Below is a brief chronological review of the events.

The opening reception of this exhibition took place at the AGBU's Boyadjian Gallery in Pasadena on Thursday, November 9. It remained open throughout the duration of the Convention.

Twelve artists from Armenia and the Diaspora were featured in this group exhibition. It included a total of 53 works of oil and acrylic paintings, watercolor and ink or pastel, graphic design, and illustrations in gouache. The themes varied from nature, to still life, to romance, and national heroes.

Delegates Entertained at Social Gathering

Friday, November 10, was set aside for the registration of the delegates and a social get-together at the TCA Arshag Dickranian School in Hollywood. After dinner was served, a talented group of students from the Dickranian School were featured in a medley of Armenian dances and piano recitals. The delegates were proud of the artistic achievements of the students, who were also on the principal's Honor Roll, for their academic excellence. The current academic year marks the 20th anniversary of the Dickranian School, which started with just 44 students and seven staff members and now has 333 students and 29 faculty members. The school has thus far produced 126 graduates and was recently granted accreditation from the prestigious WASC.

It was welcoming news to hear that the Dickranian School has just embarked on the difficult task of expansion, which will include a 450-seat auditorium, a multitude of classrooms, and other state-of-the-art facilities. This requires everybody's help, financial or otherwise.

TCA 25th Annual Convention

The 25th Annual Convention was held on Saturday, November 11, at the Asatryan Hall of the TCA Arshag Dickranian School. The morning session started with the confirmation of the delegates. There were 39 delegates from 14 chapters and all the members of the Central Committee. This session was devoted mainly to the presentation of the annual financial and activities reports by the Central Board of Directors and by the different chapters represented from all over the United States and Canada.

During the afternoon session, Mrs. Rita Balian of Arlington, VA gave a comprehensive report about TCA's projects in Armenia. Her presentation was basically focused on the state of three TCA Vahan Tekeyan schools there. She was deeply concerned about the dire need for textbooks and the timely compensation of the faculty.

Touched by the humanitarian urgency of the latter, a motion was made, seconded, and passed to start a Sponsor-A-Teacher program. The purpose of this spontaneous action was to help out the teachers so they would not leave Armenia by emigrating to other countries and better perform in their jobs of educating the youngsters, who are destined to become our future leaders. We are very pleased to note that many delegates responded positively to this plea with pledges and actual donations. A campaign will start soon to implement this program.

The delegates were pleased to learn from Mrs. Balian's report that the Vahan Tekeyan School in Gumri had moved into a very modern building and the Garpi School will soon build a new facility.

The delegates reelected Osheen Keshishian, Vatche Semerdjian and Harout Yeretsian as members of the Central Board of Directors. Members of the Board of Administrators also were elected as follows: For a three-year period, Lora Kuyumjian, Mihran Minassian, Oscar Tatossian and Haroutioun Diratzouian, and Kevork Keushkerian for a one-year period.

The convention also announced the annual "Vartkess and Rita Balian" Press Award and the "Dickran Simsarian" trophy.

The next convention will be hosted by the New York/New Jersey Chapter. The Tekeyan Cultural Association Central Board of Directors reelected Mr. Vartkess Balian as its president for the year 2000-2001.

Annual Banquet

The culminating event of the 25th Annual Convention was the traditional annual banquet, which took place later on Saturday, starting at 7 p.m., in the Boyadjian Hall of AGBU's Alex Manoogian Center in Pasadena. Lora Kuyumjian was the mistress of ceremonies.

Dr. Hovig Melidonian, member of the Arshag Dickranian School board, was the speaker of the evening. He dwelled upon the crucial role of TCA in the Diaspora, characterizing it as a golden bridge between the two segments of Armenians, those living in Armenia and those in the Diaspora. Vartkess Balian, chairman of the TCA Central Board of Directors, was the keynote speaker. He presented TCA's achievements in the past year and pledged to continue its distinguished service to the Armenian communities throughout the world in the years to come. George Mandossian was honored for his 20 years of service as chairman of the Arshag Dickranian School, and Vartkes Kourouyan was commended for his 20 years of service as principal of said school. All members of the Board of the school received memorable plaques during the banquet. The "Balian Press Award" was presented, in absentia, to Varoujan Mardigian of Paris, for his outstanding contribution to the recognition of the Armenian Genocide in the French Senate. Mardigian is the editor of Lettre de l'UGAB, the weekly publication of AGBU France. The "Dickran Simsarian Trophy," usually awarded to the most active chapter, was presented to the Los Angeles Chapter, which recently commemorated its 30th anniversary with a series of cultural activities.

A cultural program followed the official session of the evening, featuring Nune Avedisian and her talented group of artists with recitations, piano recitals, and vocal renditions from poet Vahan Tekeyan, composer Parsegh Ganachian, and others.

Literary Evening

Last but not least was the presentation of the late Mikael Gurdjian's two publications, Mardig Agha and Azkayinchin (the Nationalist). This event took place on Sunday, November 12, at 6 p.m. at TCA's Beshgeuturian Center in Pasadena. Edmond Azadian, TCA Central Board of Directors vice chairman, and Haroutune Mekerian, the books' editor, presented the books. During the evening, well-known Diasporan benefactor Haroutune Simonian was awarded Armenia's highest civilian medal, "Mesrob Mashdots," by Armenia's Consul General, the Honorable Armen Melkonian. Simonian has sponsored the publication of many books both in Armenia and the Diaspora. A cultural program also took place during the course of this literary evening.

Many thanks to TCA Los Angeles Chapter and its organizing committee for a weekend which saw a productive convention, intermingled with a taste of diverse ethnic cultural heritage, which many of those attending will long cherish.