Torontohye/Թորոնթոհայ #190

A.R.S. Armenian Private School

Տարեկան մեր նուիրահաւաք՝ Թելեթոն 2023էն հանգանակուեցաւ 622,692 տոլարի պատկառելի ընդհանուր գումար մը: Երախտագիտական մեր ջերմ զգացումները կը փոխանցենք մեր յաջողութեան հիմքը հանդիսացող բոլոր նուիրատուներուն, ներառեալ գլխաւոր հովանաւոր՝ The Fitness Factoryին, իրենց բացառիկ

Our Annual Giving Campaign: Telethon 2023 has raised an amazing grand total of $622,692! We extend our sincere gratitude to all our donors who are at the heart of our success, including our major sponsor The Fitness Factory for their exceptional generosity. To everyone who contributed, volunteered, and participated, THANK YOU for your unwavering support of our school and students.

Zaven & Varsenig and 1 donor who wishes to remain

$2,000 - $4,999

Boghossian Boghos & Annie

Chitilian Hovig

Hasserjian Ara & Gassia

Hasserjian Karnig & Karina

Hasserjian Levon, Ani & Family

Hotoyan-Joly Ani & Joly Michael

In Memory of Nerses Nersessian

In Memory of Shogher BezdjianYeghoyan

Iskenderian George & Jivana

Kassabian Aris & Winnie

Kerjikian Ara & Nairi

Koujanian Serge & Nooshig

Moushian Hovig & Taline

Sarkissian Varouj & Sidonna

Titizian Vrej and Sossee and 2 donors who wish to remain anonymous

$1,000 - $1,999

Abkarian Cimini Natalie & Family

Agopian Haig & Chouchan

Ajamian Arpi

Ajamian Vahan & Jackline

Atam-Baghdassarian Peter, Garni, Ella & Talia

Atikian Aspet & Sosy

Ayvazyan Edmond & Alina

Bakos Patrick & Natacha

Balian John

Bedrossian Aved & Sevana

Chitilian Artin & Eliza

Chitilian Hoori

Chitilian Krikor & Arpi

Clarke Jim

Crook David & Garine

Gevorgyan Dr. Artur & Eileen

Ghorghorian Dikran & Katia

Ghorghorian Dr. Berge

Hasratian Daniel & Karine

In Honour of Rubina Baronian

In Memory of Anahid Janoyan

In Memory of Arakel Najarian

In Memory of Arshalouys Mksyartinian

In Memory of Mano Hallajian

In Memory of Nerses

Khanzoghian

In Memory of Sarkis Hambaryan -

Hamparian Janet

In Memory of Tanya Nakhnikian -

Nakhnikian Ara

Isnar Aram & Tili

Kedersha Anthony, Matilda & Amelia

Kedersha Jack, Nelly, Carina, Anthony, Matilda & Amelia

Kharlakian Arevig

Koujanian Areni & Haig

Koujanian Katchayr & Sonia

Krikorian Suren

Kurdian Zaven and Ani

Lotfi Shamim & Lorig

Mardirossian Garabed & Knar

Markarian Armen & Lorin

Mirakian Apkar & Sona

Mirakian Shahen

Nakhnikian Vazken & Carol

Nersesian Tony & Mayda

Pirjanian Vahram & Sonia

Sakarya Soghomon & Areknaz

Saraphanian Hovig, Talar, Tveen, Datev & Sevan

Saraphanian Vazrig & Kayanee

Sarkissian Sebouh & Sosseh

Satouri John

Shahinian Hrair & Arda

Tatikian Zohrab

Ternamian Jirayr & Eky

Tomarci Grbiz & Sake

Torossian Hagop & Hermine

Torossian Meher & Eliz

Yeghyayan Victoria and 4 donors who wish to remain anonymous

$500 - $999

Adorian Shant & Liza

Alekian Rita & Lo Andrew

Artinian Dikran & Madeline

Artinian John & Maria

Arzoumanova Karine

Aynedjian Hratch & Sose

Balian Vartan & Talene

Bazarian Martik & Agapi

Bedrossian Harout & Mirna

Bekmezian Christapor

Bekmezian Nareh & Megheti

Belgen Kevork & Alis

Boudakian Mihran

Buzbuzian Greg

Chamahyan Serge & Lara

Chitilian Sevan

Cicekian Sarven & Romina

Demirjian Avo, Shoghig, Lara & Aram

Derderian Daron

Derderian Lia

Derderian Matios & Maro

Etyemezian Ishkhan & Nyrie

Eudemishlian Grace

Frankian Raffi & Myda

Frankian Vartan & Aida

Hasserjian Garen & Nersesian

Talar

In Memory of Marie Marlene

Ghazarian-Nichols

In Memory of Sebouh, Nabila & Joseph Mahdessian

In Memory of Seta Najarian

Janbazian Hagop & Juliet

Khalili Araz & Ani

Kidikian Armen & Aida

Mahdessian Vahan & Arda

Mahserejian Edward

Manougian Sam & Sevan

Members of the Alumni & Community

Mentcherian Haroutioun

Mermer Levon & Silva

Movel Teny

Najarian Stepan & Houri

Odjaghian Rita

Oymakas Leda & Aret

Santourdjian Markar & Nayri

Sarkisian Gassia & Hamo

Sarkissian Hagop & Cintia

Sarkissian Raffi & Sandy

Sarkissian Vahe & Christine

Shahinian Krikor & Christina

Sharabkhanian Markar & Elise

Tachjian Abraham & Taline

Tatikian Garni

Ternamian Miran, Natalie & Nareg

Ternamian Paul, Tzoline, Aram & Ari

Titizian Houry

Titizian Razmig & Arpy

Titizian Sevag, Tamar & Arka

Trionfo Marcello & Marianna

Zakarian Arsho

Zarokian Chahe & Hasmig and 2 donors who wish to remain anonymous

$200 - $499

Adriakos A.

Agnerian Hrayr & Michelle

Anderian Armen & Hourig

Artinian Sona

Asik Family

Asik Lucy

Assilian Aram & Ayk

Astourian Armen & Arsho

Avakian Beatrice

Babian Hasmig

Babochian Raffi and Nareen

Basmadjian Emma

Batikian Gabriella

Bederian Sossy

Bedrossian Liliane & Djerrahian Anne

Bekmezian Mgo & Zarmine

Boshyan Karen & Anahit

Camgozlu Apel & Kenny

Cholakian Vera

Der-Bedrossian Shahan & Torabinejad Raisa

Derohan Araz

Derohan Maral

Dervartanian Vahe Monte & Vatche Njteh

Ebrahimi Roubik & Ani

Ebrahimian Armen

Elejian Hovsep & Karen

Ghazarian Vigen

Gilmour Haig & Henri

Gokchenian Sarkis & Nathalie

Graduating Class of 1996

Graduating Class of 2022

Hanimyan Jirayr & Diana

Haroutunian Sevag, Bella & Arakel

In Honour of Armenian TeachersJanbazian Rupen & Araz

In Honour of Charles-Armen

Shahinian

In Honour of Manas Titizian

In Memory of Hovsep Arabian -

Arabian Yeranouhy

In Memory of Krikor & Harout

Baghdasarian - Bagh Anjel

In Memory of Levon & Shake

Tourian

In Memory of Mike (Mgo) Garinian

In Memory of Shake OrakianTourian

Jandu Hasmig

Kakousian Karni & Kami

Kaloustian Serouj & Jasmin

Kassab Family

Kassabian Armen & Sona

Kassabian Maral & Khadduri

Tammam

Kavazanjian Gary & Christiane

Kazandjian Alex & Wendy

Kelebozian Vatche & Talin

Keoshkerian Arthur & Arpi

Keskinian Ari & Sona

Khanzoghian Zabel

Koulajian Dr. Khajag & Ani

Kzirian Krikor & Narek

Loussarian Andy & Betty

Malkhasian Ashkhen

Manukyan H.

Masbanajian Seta

Missirlian Garo & Maral

Mkhitaryan Anna

Moucessian Zenon & Talar

Mouradian Arman & Tamar

Movel Alex & Maria

Movel William & Anahid

Ohanian Baghdig & Sylvie

Orfalian Eddie & Alice

Pailian Silva

Panossian Haig, Siroun & Tveen

Proudian Nazareth & Zaroug

Rubenyan Vatche & Niver

Safar Travel

Sarkissian Gary & Tara

Sarkissian Julliette

Sarkissian Krikor & Hasmig

Sarkissian Raymond

Sarkissian Zohrab & Sona

Shahbikian Koryun & Anome

Sinani Ardashes & Hripsik

Sinani Sevak & Shoghag

Sismanian Annie & Choquet

Andre

Snow Lena & Talia

Sorfazlian Shant & Jessica Joy

Stepanyan David & Daniella

Tafadjian Laila

Tafadjian Leon

Tellian Ardaches & Lusine

Tellian Bedros, Naira, Shant & Liana

Tutkhalyan Gohar

Vardanyan Ashot & Yekhshatyan

Lora

Vartanian Family

Vartanossian Levik & Frangyan

Ofelya

Vio Carlos & Aylin

Yeghoyan Garo & Azniv

Zadoorian Martik & Lernik and 5 donors who wish to remain

anonymous

$100 - $199

Agop Dikran & Lena

Balayan Yelena

Bardakjian Lala

Bedrossian Hassmik

Berberian Shoushik

Berberian Tereza & Naroud

Boyadjian Mary

Danadian Mosig & Anna

Demirdjian Raffy & Armineh

Derohan Jora & Melina

Evans Hayley

Faridani Ligia

Garabedian Sako

Garboushian Koharig

Gershone David & Tania

Gragossian Arka

Hagopian Artie & Sylvia

Haroutunian Areg & Dianna

In Honour of Meghety KeskinianDerhovagimian Katya

In Memory of Artie Hagopian

In Memory of Astrid Chamelian

In Memory of Daniel Boyadjian & Sahag Kassabian - Kassabian

Danny, Arpy & Arto

In Memory of Hagop Malkhassian - Malkhassian Souham &

Family

In Memory of Gomidas JibelianTcherkezian Hagop

In Memory of Kevork Mayisian

In Memory of Lucine Nersesian

In Memory of Migirdic Eginliyan

Iskedjian Karnie

Jakoujian Alina

Jamjekian Armen & Harutyunyan

Naira

Joly Stephen Armen

Kaloustian Vekan & Movsessian

Lousineh

Karaian Nanor

Karaoghlanian Joseph & Mary

Keshishian Albert & Alvart

Kouyoumdjian Seta

Kouyoumjian Alice

Kudbalyan Haroutyun & Anahit

Kurdian Hasmik

Maleganovski Zoran & Amanda

Manukyan Sevak & Armenuhi

Matossian Taline

Melkonian Apel

Moghaddam Massis & Karolin

Nahabedian Dikran & Marina

Ozilhan Hakan & Gayane

Sarkisian Sarkis

Sharabkhanian Nairi

Shemavonian Mari

Simonian Andy & Hroot

Tashjian Hamazasb

Tatikian Gassia

Telemi Iren & Sako

Tghlian Vahe & Rita

Toodakian John & Nairy

Tutunjian Diran & Christine and 12 donors who wish to remain anonymous

$20 - $99

Bekmezian Sevana

Chen Jing

Ghazarian Haik

In Memory of Annie Madenian

In Memory of Harry Bagh

In Memory of Mahdessian Family

Members - Mahdessian Azo

In Memory of Rev. Yessayi

Sarmazian

Koulajian Arya, Naro & Lelag

Mikaelian Sirvart and 7 donors who wish to remain anonymous

Armenian Endowment Fund

The following A.R.S. Armenian Private School endowments earned $99,619 in investment proceeds in 2022, which were donated to our school:

$500,000+

Simon & Maral Hasserjian Fund

Kevork & Silva Charshafian Fund

$100,000+

Jemil & Noemi Hasserjian Fund

Nadia Tatikian Fund

$50,000+

Mr. & Mrs. Hagop and Dzovig

Kidikian Fund

Ghazarian Scholarship Fund

Srabion Hagopian Fund

$25,000+

Hovig Chitilian & Anita Hovanissian Fund

Hagop & Seda Tachdjian Fund

Mr. & Mrs. Kevork Kololian Fund

Manuel & Zevart Sherhirian Fund

Titizian Brothers Fund

$10,000+

Mr. & Mrs. Vart & Arsho Zakarian

Mr. David Davidian

In Memory of Hagop Artinian

In Memory of Krikor & Razmouhi

Shahinian

In Memory of Joe Ghazarian

In Memory of Ara Jelderian

Diana & Ani Takvorian

ACC Seniors

$5,000+

Dr. & Mrs. Jirair Ternamian

Leading Graphics

Mr. & Mrs. Greg Buzbuzian

Mr. Hagop Yeremian

Mr. Mike Shahinian

Mr. George Aghazarian

Sarkissian Family

Mr. & Mrs. Sarkis & Haigouhie Marandjian

In Memory of Talin Mikaelian

Mr. & Mrs. Dikran Solakian

Garabet, Pergruhi & Nadia Hamparian

$2,000+

In Memory of Maro Plessas (Mikaelian)

Mr. & Mrs. Vince Amato

Mr. & Mrs. Anto Derbedrosian

Mr. & Mrs. Raffi Arabian

Mr. & Mrs. Hovsep Tavitian

Mr. & Mrs. Greg Aghamanougian

Mr. & Mrs. Harout Chitilian

Dr. & Mrs. Raymond Kevork

Mr. & Mrs. Markar Sharapkhanian

$1,000+

Mr. Berdge Aintablian

Anglo Oriental Rug Co.

Mr. Harry Bodourian

Mr. Vahe Hovsepian

Mr. Antranig Kazazian

Dr. A.G. Kerestechi

Mr. & Mrs. Zohrab Kilislian

Mr. V. Manoian

Dr. & Mrs. Vahe Manoug

Mr. & Mrs. Apkar Mirakian

Mr. & Mrs. Minas Voskeritchian

Telethon 2023 Committee

Nairi Kerjikian, Chair Annette Bardakjian Khajag Koulajian Lorig Sarkissian Jackline Ajamian Maral Chamelian Taline Moushian Liz Snow

Ruzanna Artinian Aida Frankian Sevan Salibian Garni Tatikian

Natacha Bakos Vigen Ghazarian

Music & Band Program Kololian Family $2,500

Project-Specific

ARS Armenian Private School’s track and field team earns six medals

By Sam Manougian

On May 10, the ARS Armenian Private School Kololian Elementary track and field team participated in the SSAF (Small Schools Athletic Federation) track and field meet at York University. Over 40 schools were represented in the under-12 and elementary divisions, which included students from grades four to eight.

Led by coaches Miss McDowell, Mrs. Miller, and Coach Sam, the ARS athletes had been diligently training and attending regular morning practices. They focused on improving their speed, endurance, strength, and jumping skills. Some students had prior experience in other sports, while others were new to athletics. The track practices not only enhanced their performance in track and field but also benefited them in various other sports, such as volleyball, basketball, soccer, and badminton. Even those less involved in sports enjoyed the health advantages of regular exercise. The students cherished the camaraderie among their teammates and took pride in representing their school at the SSAF track meet.

After weeks of morning practices, the tournament day finally arrived, greeted by beautiful sunshine. At 7:30 a.m., the students eagerly gathered at the school, brimming with anticipation for the exciting day ahead. Upon reaching York University, they were greeted by a large group of volunteer parents who generously set up the athletes' tent and ensured their timely arrival at their respective events. The day's events included the 100 m, 400 m, 1,500 m, and 4x100 m relay running events on the track, as well as the standing long jump and running long jump at the jumping pits. Each event was further divided into boys and girls divisions for 10-year-olds, 11-year-olds, 12-year-olds, and 13/14-year-olds.

The events swiftly kicked off with the demanding 1,500 m race. In the 12-year-old boys division, ARS's George Missirlian exhibited remarkable strength, positioning himself comfortably among the leading pack. As the laps progressed, many runners began to falter and fall behind. With one lap remaining, George shifted gears and surged ahead, securing a wide-margin victory in first place. Similarly, in the 11-yearold girls' 1,500 m division, both Areni Balian and Sevana Toodakian from ARS demonstrated their prowess, consistently among the front-runners throughout the race. Sevana ultimately finished strong in second place overall.

Next came the 400 m race, which, due to the substantial number of participants, featured staggered starts and lane restrictions, necessitating multiple heats and races against the clock. In the 11-year-old girls division, both Areni Balian and Tereza Berberian showcased their strength, winning their respective heats by significant margins. After careful calculations, Areni secured an impressive fourthplace finish, while Tereza claimed the first-place title. Similarly, in the 12-yearold boys' 400 m division, George Missirlian delivered a powerful performance,

narrowly missing third place by a mere 0.05 seconds to secure a commendable fourth-place finish.

ARS athletes also excelled in the jumping pits. In the 12-year-old girls division, Sevana Sarkissian showcased her explosive strength, earning two medals. She secured second place in the standing long jump and third place in the running long jump. The scorching day was filled with exhilaration as ARS athletes passionately competed in their events, filling the air with resounding cheers for their teammates.

At the end of the day, on their way back to the school, despite their exhaustion, the students reflected on their accomplishments with contentment. They deemed it a tremendous experience, acknowledging the value of practice, training, and the thrill of competition. Anticipation for next year's event resonated with each of them.

Coach Miss McDowell expressed immense pride in her students, saying that the students had dedicated themselves to practice and had now reaped the rewards of their hard work.

Coach Sam added that he holds a profound sense of pride and respect for each and every one of the students. "As a coach, we can only ask our athletes to give their all, and today, that's precisely what they did. Success demands sacrifice from athletes, coaches, and parents alike, and at ARS, we are fortunate to have the best of all three."

ARS Principal Raffi Sarkissian encapsulated their achievements: "At ARS, we have always taken pride in our students' academic excellence, and now, thanks to our dedicated coaches, we can celebrate their athletic accomplishments as well."

L-R: George Missirlian, Sevana Toodakian, Tereza Berberian and Sevana Sarkissian (Photos courtesy of the ARS Armenian Private School)

Ս. Երրորդութիւն

առաք. եկեղեցւոյ «Բարեւ»

օժանդակ

Մայրերու տօնին առթիւ, շաբաթ, 13 մայիս 2023-ի երեկոյեան ժամը 8-ին

եկեղեցւոյ «Մակարոս Արթինեան» սրահին մէջ կազմակերպած

ձեռնարկ մը՝ Dinner-Theatre «Նոր բժիշկ- միժամեայ

Պապայեան, Լարա Թորոսեան եւ Ժոզէֆին Եղոյեան, որոնցմէ իւրաքանչիւրը ապրումով, վարպետութեամբ, բնական միմիքներով, վճիտ եւ սահուն հայերէն առոգանութեամբ, լաւապէս մարմնաւորեց իրեն վստահուած դերը։

ձեռնարկը սկիզբ առաւ ընթրիքով, որուն յաջորդեց թատերական ներկայացումը։ Մուտքի կարգով մասնակից դերակատարներն էին՝ Ռուզաննա Արսլանեան, Գէորգ Արսլանեան, Թալին Պալթայեան, Արէթ Պոյաճեան, Դալար Սարգիսեան, Արշակ Մավիսակալեան, Սեւակ Քէշիշեան, Փիեռ Օթճեան, Մաթիւս Ադամեան, Պարէթ Սանդուրճեան, Տիրան Բարնաքօղլու, Սիլվիա Քէշիշեան, Ալիանա Աթթա, Լիլիան

Ներկայացման աւարտին, անոնք արժանացան հանդիսատեսի յոտնկայս ծափահարութիւններուն, ապա Գանատահայոց թեմի առաջնորդական փոխանորդ եւ Ս. Երրորդութիւն հայց. առաք. եկեղեցւոյ հոգեւոր հովիւ տէր Զարեհ աւ. քհն. Զարգարեան իր սրտի խօսքն ու շնորհաւորութիւնները փոխանցեց դերակատարներուն, բեմադրիչ Սեդա Քէշիշեանին, օգնական բեմադրիչ Ցոլինէ Ճելլատեան Զերէնցեանին, երախտագիտութիւն յայտնեց նաեւ՝ թատրոնի պատրաստութեան մասնակից բոլոր անհատներուն։ «Պահպանիչ»-ով երեկոն իր աւարտին հասաւ։ Ներկայացումը կրկին անգամ հանրութեան ներկայացուեցաւ

կիրակի, 14 մայիս 2023-ին, կէսօրէ ետք ժամը 2։00-ին։

Քաջալերելի է խումբ մը տաղանդաւոր երիտասարդներու տարած նուիրական աշխատանքը եւ ցուցաբերած սէրը հայ թատրոնին նկատմամբ։

«Լուսաբեմ» թատերախումբի ներկայացումը՝ Մայրերու տօնին առթիւ Մատաթ Բ. Մամուրեան

Ս.

Թորոնթոյի Ս. Աստուածածին հայց. առաքելական եկեղեցւոյ պատմութեան «Յուշամատեան»-ին մէջ, կարելի է արձանագրել, որ բախտաւորութիւն է ունենալ ժրաջան եւ հաւատարիմ սպասաւորներ, որոնք ծառայեցին եւ կը շարունակեն ծառայել եկեղեցւոյ պայծառութեան եւ գոյատեւման ի խնդիր։ Արդարեւ, 28 ապրիլ 2023-ին, ներկայիս հոգեւոր հովիւներն ու հոգաբարձական կազմը ազնիւ գաղափարը ունեցան, եկեղեցւոյ «Յովնանեան» սրահէն ներս՝ ի մի համախմբելու հոգաբարձական

նախկին անդամները Wine and cheese-ի մտերմիկ հանդիպումի մը:

Նախքան պաշտօնական յայտագիրին, եկեղեցւոյ հոգեւոր հովիւներու

աղօթքով «Հոգւոց հանգուցելոց» աղօթքը կարդացուեցաւ մեզմէ առ

յաւետ բաժնուած նախկին հոգաբարձական անդամներուն: Երեկոյի

բացման խօսքը կատարեց հոգաբարձութեան անդամ Սարգիս սրկ. Կիտանեան, որ ըսաւ․ «Թորոնթոյի Ս. Աստուածածին եկեղեցին ընտանիք մըն է, ուր շարուկաբար իրարայաջորդ սերունդներ զիրար կը փոխարինեն: Այսօր հպարտութեամբ կրնանք ըսել, թէ դուք ձեր կարելին ըրիք, կարելիութեան սահմաններուն ներած չափով, իսկ այժմ եկած էք ձեր պատրաստակամութիւնը յայտնելու, որ պատրաստ էք կրկին ձեր ներդրումը բերելու եկեղեցւոյ պայծառութեան: Յարգանք ձեր վաստակին, որ օտար ամայի ճամբաներուն վրայ պահեցի՛ք այս եկեղեցին։ Վարձքերնիդ կատար կ'ըսենք ձեզի»: Ապա` բարի գալուստի խօսքով հանդէս եկաւ եկեղեցւոյ հոգեւոր հովիւ, տէր Տաթեւ աւ. քհն. Միքայէլեան, ողջունելով ներկաները եւ մանաւանդ եկեղեցւոյ հոգաբարձութեան երիտասարդ անդամները` ըսաւ. «Մեր եկեղեցին եւ hայրենիքը այժմ կը գտնուին նոր

մարտահրաւէրներու դիմաց, պարտ է, որ բոլորս համախմբուինք երիտասարդ եւ նորակազմ հոգաբարձութեան շուրջ, որ կարիքը ունի փորձառութիւն ունեցող խորհրդատուներու՝ իրենց շինիչ գաղափարներով եւ աջակցութեամբ օժանդակելու երիտասարդներուն»: Այնուհետեւ, եկեղեցւոյ հոգաբարձական կազմի ատենապետ տոթք. Գրիգոր կիսասարկաւագ Պէպէտճեան արտասանեց իր սրտի խօսքը եւ եկեղեցւոյ

առաւել եւս համախմբուինք եկեղեցւոյ շուրջ, մանաւանդ որ այս տարի եկեղեցւոյ քառասնամեակը պիտի նշենք: Իսկ յառաջիկայ 7-15 յունիսին բոլորս միասնաբար պիտի դիմաւորենք ՆՍՕՏՏ Արամ Ա. վեհափառ հայրապետի օրհնաբեր այցելութիւնը»: Ներկաները յուզիչ պահեր ապրեցան, երբ ընթերցուեցաւ նախկին հոգաբարձու Ժիրայր Յովհաննէսեանի շնորհաւորական խօսքը, որ վատառողջութեան պատճառով ներկայ չէր եղած։ Ան իր խօսքին մէջ կ'ըսէր. «Վաթսուն տարիներ առաջ այսօրուան Թորոնթոյի գաղութը չհերկուած արտ մըն էր, մենք ալ՝ Միջին Արեւելքէն ներգաղթած բուռ մը անփորձ երիտասարդներ, որոնց վիճակուեցաւ զայն հերկել, ցանել, ջրել, բերք աճեցնել, հոգեւոր հաց թխել եւ ազգը սովէն փրկել։ Ինչ որ կա՛յ այսօր, արդիւնքն է անցեալի անգնահատելի զոհողութեան, անմնացորդ նուիրումին եւ անշեղ հաւատքին։ Փառք Աստուծոյ, որ նուիրական դրօշարշաւը կանգ չէ առած եւ կը շարունակէ իր մարաթոն ական վազքը»: Ապա ներկաներուն բաժնուեցաւ երախտագիտութեան գիրեր։Խօսք առաւ եկեղեցւոյ Ազգային վարչութեան ներկայացուցիչ Յակոբ Ճանպազեանը, որ հակիրճ կերպով ներկայացուց եկեղեցւոյ հիմնադրութեան պատմականը։

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Musical minds: A conversation with Serouj Kradjian

By Dr. Araxie Altounian

Musical Minds is the title of a conversation series with established, talented Armenian musicians with a Canadian connection who contribute to Armenian musical culture in innovative ways and build bridges between the Armenian diasporic community and its host societies. AGBU Toronto has graciously provided its Zoom platform for live broadcast on Facebook, and its recording on Facebook and Instagram, while Torontohye has been kind enough to publish them.

The following is based on my conversation with my first guest, pianist/composer Serouj Kradjian. Born in Lebanon, Kradjian moved to Toronto, Canada as a teenager, where he pursued his music studies at the University of Toronto, receiving a bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance. He completed his postgraduate studies at the Hochschule für Musik in Hanover, Germany, and resided for several years in Madrid, Spain, where he founded and directed the Camerata Creativa. Since the 2008-2009 season, he is the pianist and co-artistic director of the Amici Chamber Ensemble in Toronto.

Kradjian stands out as a creative and versatile musician who wears many hats: a concert pianist, collaborative artist, arranger, and composer who is equally at ease in various musical genres stemming from different cultural backgrounds.

He is the winner of two Juno Awards: one for his 2004 recording of works by Pauline ViardotGarcia with soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian and the second for “Levant” (2012) with the Amici Chamber Ensemble. Serouj has also received Juno nominations for the following recordings: “Armenian Chamber Music” (2010) with the Amici Chamber Ensemble, “Troubadour & the Nightingale” (2013), “Mother of Light” (2016), and a Grammy nomination for “Gomidas Songs” (2008).

Araxie Altounian: Serouj, 2023 has been a very active year for you so far! It started with two trips of special significance to our discussion today, one to Armenia and another to Lebanon. Special significance because firstly, both countries are related to your (and my) identity: Armenia being our spiritual homeland, and Lebanon our birthplace, but more importantly, because both small countries are going through some of the darkest times in their modern history. Armenia is a country at war, and Lebanon is severely crushed by one of the worst economic crises in the world today.

What is it like to make music in countries where people’s immediate concern is survival and hope for a better future is growing slimmer? What was the reaction of your audience? And what role can music

play in such a bleak environment?

Serouj Kradjian: “Yes, these two countries are very significant to many Armenians and are going through some challenging times. Let’s start with Armenia. I was born in Lebanon, but Armenia was born in me. My recent trip there was my first in sixteen years. Planned some time ago, postponed because of Covid and the war, this concert was a new project called “Ser yev Ouj” & Strength). I needed a band and asked for some of the best musicians. We had just five days to rehearse, which was a big risk. Unlike anywhere else in the world, these musicians were not only talented, but they made it their mission to give their best. The time invested in rehearsals was irrelevant–they just wanted to present their best. These days, Armenians receive a lot of negative news; however, there is so much good going on in everyday life in Armenia by silent heroes, who, for me, are the essence of the nation. The negative news became unimportant to me because there was so much more in that country. More than the rest of us, Armenia residents have been through a major trauma in the past few years, but I see in them a sense of pride in living there, creating there, and, yes, believing in the future.

As for Lebanon, the story is both similar and different–different because I was born there and spent the first 14 years there. The socio-economic situation is nearly catastrophic. The Armenian community, which was known as the backbone of the diaspora, has dwindled. However, I saw pride in its institutions, which kept us Armenians for so many years: the churches, the schools, and the various community organizations. Returning there after 20 years, I rediscovered the true meaning of an “unker ” (friend) in the sense of loyalty and devotion. Hamazkayin hosted my concert with the purpose of raising funds for their art school.

As a performing artist, you feel the moment when you establish contact with the audience. Both in my Armenian and Lebanese concerts, I felt that moment from the very first note, which was a truly special feeling, one that I will never forget.

A.A.: On April 16, 2023, the Amici Chamber Ensemble gave its final concert of the season, titled “From Strauss to the Orient,” with special guest Canadian Lebanese soprano Joyce El-Khoury. The last portion of the show was dedicated to Lebanese songs with your arrangement, which Joyce sang beautifully. The Toronto-based opera critic Joseph So writes in Opera Canada: “Speaking to the audience, [Serouj and Joyce] expressed the wish

that Lebanon is much more than the war and bloodshed one hears in the news reports.

Lebanon has a rich history and culture, and what better way to show the beautiful side of that country than through music? […] These songs are indeed lovely, folk-based, melodically inspired, and above all, full of life and spirit of the people. While I confess that I am not very knowledgeable about Lebanon, these gorgeous pieces, performed with such beauty, passion, and commitment, whetted my appetite for more.”. Well, Serouj, it looks like it’s mission accomplished!

S.K.: Both Joyce and I are Lebanese-born Canadians, and we had this idea to record a new album that highlights Lebanese music from folk to sacred and pop, including Wadih El-Safi, Fairuz, and Zaki Nassif, and to cross over many styles, with Joyce’s operatic voice taking on folk songs, but not always sung in an operatic way. Such an album does not exist and would present the best in Lebanese music in this arrangement. The album will be recorded in Lebanon in September. Again, for me, it’s about rediscovering my roots. Throughout my musical journey, both my Armenian and Lebanese roots have been a lighthouse; I’ve always been proud of them and always used them as my inspiration and stayed true to both cultures. I think it’s time to present Lebanon in another light. People hear about the socioeconomic problems, the civil war, the refugee crisis, and the port explosion. It’s time to show the country’s glorious side and why the Lebanese nation does not deserve what it is experiencing right now.

A.A.: You recently performed at the Armenian Embassy in Ottawa for an audience of diplomats from various countries. What was the purpose behind the concert?

S.K.: The idea came when I met the Ambassador of Armenia, her Excellency Mrs. Anahit Harutyunyan, at the Hayastan Foundation Toronto

dinner. The international community associates Armenia with the war and the political crisis surrounding it, and I intended to present Armenia in a different light to the various ambassadors in Ottawa. Unfortunately, the international community perceives us Armenians as a people who demand justice and fairness–which is true–but to associate our nation only with that is a bit sad because we have so much more to offer. Ambassadors from over 25 countries from Europe, Africa, Argentina, and the Arab world attended. The program that I presented was far from their expectations: I wanted to tell them my story as a Lebanese-born Armenian, my life story with all its glories and defeats, childhood memories, the civil war, the last Artsakh war, but also the hope, the light and the resilience that we have, and the beauty that we can give to the world as a nation, especially, as in my case, through music. I’m so happy that this story resonated with each of them because it was a human story told through Armenian art. This has become my mission: to tell human stories through my music, which is so heavily influenced by Armenian music.

The words of the Armenian poet Paruyr Sevak, “If we have ruled, ’twas only through our talent,” have become my motto. Our trump card is our arts. Our per capita contribution to world arts puts us in the top 20 percent, and this is a fantastic accomplishment–a potential that has not been used to the fullest.

A.A.: Let’s turn to Serouj, the composer. Since your youth, you have loved to improvise, and it’s only a few short steps from improvisation to composition. But what I find remarkable is your tackling of large forms. You have a Cantata and film music in your portfolio, and recently you have composed an opera for the Canadian Children’s Opera Company (CCOC). Can you give us a quick overview of your journey as a composer?

S.K.: My journey from pianist to arranger to composer has been atypical. I never studied composition; composition found me. It was a way to express myself other than performing onstage. As a musician, you go through different stages: first, as a student, you’re trying to please your teacher, then the jury that hears you in competitions. Then you’re trying to please the audience who has come to hear how you will interpret Beethoven or other composers–they’re very critical. After a while, I started getting bored and needed to do more. I entered the path of composition through Komitas when I arranged some twenty-five songs of his for orchestra. Another inspiration was the French composer Francis Poulenc, who was also self-taught.

A.A.: Your upcoming children’s opera, “The Nightingale of a Thousand Songs,” is written for the Canadian Children’s Opera Company and is based on an ancient tale known in Armenian as

How did your collaboration

with the CCOC start? What is it like to write an opera for children?

S.K.: The idea came from the CCOC after we collaborated on “Komitas: A Canadian Tribute” concert in 2019, in which the children’s choir sang amazingly well! They asked me to write an opera based on an Armenian folk tale. I went through a number of them and found

(The Nightingale of a Thousand Songs). I approached a librettist [Dora award-winning librettist Marjorie Chan]. The opera will be premiered in June (9-11) at the Meridian Arts Centre in Toronto. It’s for about 80 kids who will sing mainly in English and some Armenian. It has a lot of Armenian symbolism and imagery.

The story is about a brother and a sister who have just gone through a significant tragedy in their homeland, symbolized by an orchard that has suffered a storm. To bring back light and hope (լոյս և յոյս) to their country, they must search for music. They go on an adventure to find the Nightingale of a Thousand Songs and to convince her to make their homeland a better place again. The opera is very colourful and has a leitmotif that frequently appears: “to live, to thrive, to heal.” Not only are these our nation’s goals but they also contain a universal message–to find light and hope.

Writing an opera for children has its own challenges because the voices are not fully developed. The ages range from seven to 14. You must be mindful of the accompaniment so that it does not cover their voices. But the kids are amazing–I did not have to write “easy” music for them. They’re incredibly good and take on any challenge.

In terms of introducing Armenian art, I met with the singers to answer their questions. One sevenyear-old asked if the storm at the beginning of the opera signified a genocide that my nation went through! I had not mentioned anything about it because I wanted to keep the opera’s significance universal, so I was stunned and moved! When I think about what it means to be an ambassador of our culture, it’s about sending out universal messages through our art.

A.A.: You are currently working on a recording project with the Amici Chamber Ensemble called “Diasporic Bridges.”

S.K.: It was made possible through a generous grant from the Canada Council–it’s a film project that will tell musical stories of different diasporic communities. I divided the idea of the diaspora into four concepts:

Displacement because of war.

Descendants of genocide or holocaust who have formed diasporas throughout the world.

The role of women in the diaspora (women as the backbone of their families who have just settled in a new place).

New beginnings.

For the last one, I took different neighborhoods of Toronto: Little Portugal, Little Italy, Greektown, Chinatown, and the music that exists in these neighborhoods that sometimes border each other, Little India as well… It’s a wide array of music and involves around twenty-five musicians from different backgrounds, fifteen composers of different styles, and about 15 stories of different diasporic communities told through music.

A.A.: To conclude, I would like to have your opinion on the following comments: French composer Maurice Ravel, who lived through the First World War, was quoted in an article as having said: “Joy is more fertile than pain.” On the other hand, Mademoiselle Nadia Boulanger, another French composer, choral conductor, and one of the most eminent (and exacting) music teachers of the 20th century, was invited to give a concert for soldiers during the war, which she did with apprehension, thinking her program would be too difficult for the soldiers to comprehend. To her surprise, one of the works, “Dieu! Qu’il la fait bon regarder” by Claude Debussy had to be performed three times! Being both a composer and performer, how would you comment on the views expressed by Ravel and Boulanger?

S.K.: I think both emotions have shaped me. By nature, I’m an optimist and see the good even in the worst situations. I composed some of my best music after the Second Artsakh War when, like many Armenians, I was absolutely devastated. Both joy and pain affect me, yet, whatever the mood, I sincerely believe that music has the power to heal and even defeat evil. If we allowed good music to shine and become an affecting factor in our daily lives, we would see a change. After my concert in Lebanon, people approached me, people who had lost so much during the economic crisis, and told me they did not want to leave the hall because they did not want to face reality once they walked out the door. They thanked me for giving them an unforgettable evening, but they made my evening even more memorable– they healed me as well, inspired me, and gave me the will to do even better. Music is not an easy path. Despite its glamorous aspect, it has a lot of lows, some quite devastating, but also some highs. It is not only the performer who heals the audience; things can work the other way around too!

Scan to watch the interview on AGBU Toronto’s Facebook page.

Local talents inspire:

‘The Art of Filmmaking and Performance’ panel held at AGBU Toronto

By Anna Maria Moubayed

On Friday, May 12, AGBU Toronto hosted a panel discussion on the “Art of Filmmaking and Performance.” The two-hour, capacity-crowd event showcased the outstanding talents of Armenian creators and artists in Toronto.

Veteran filmmaker and producer Silva Basmajian led the panel, which featured filmmaker, writer, director, and producer Arshile Egoyan; visrual artist, performer, filmmaker, and immersive storyteller Kamee Abrahamian; and performer, actor, director, and writer Lara Arabian.

“Arts are our bloodline; this is how we show who we are, and particularly for Armenians, it’s a way for us to let the rest of the world know about our history, who we are as human beings and as creative entities,” said Basmajian.

Each panelist shared stories about the unique paths that sparked their careers. “I was that nerdy kid who would practice acting in front of the mirror,’ explained Lara Arabian, who recently premiered her multimedia and multilingual onewoman show titled “Siranoush.” The show, which showcased her desire to dig deeper into her cultural roots, was welcomed by sold-out audiences. “I thought this is what everyone did to amuse themselves. So, from a very young age, [performing] was something I wanted to do,” she explained.

For Arshile Egoyan, his path was completely different. “I vehemently rejected [the film industry]. I was so used to people assuming that I would go into film that I decided I wouldn’t go into film at all. It wasn’t about what I wanted; it was about making sure that everyone else was wrong,” he said. “Everyone ended up being right, and I was the one that was wrong.” Egoyan, who discovered his love for film after writing his first script, is currently in pre-production on his second short film, “Before They Joined Us,” which he hopes to finish before he begins a Master of Fine Arts and Screenwriting at the American Film Institute in August.

Kamee Abrahamian, who has created, produced, toured, and presented a vast body of work internationally, has always found themselves immersed in different art forms. Whether it was painting, ballet, or film, taking on the role of an artist was natural for them. “I think the first moment I identified as an artist was when I, for the first time, found an Armenian woman in history who was an artist. I discovered Armen Ohanian, this very enigmatic, mysterious person. And I became very obsessed with her,” Kamee, whose work deals with issues of gender equality and justice, said.

Fascinating projects

Arshile Egoyan’s “Absence” is a short film filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic. It came about after he formed a close relationship with somebody with a disability. “When we meet people in a social environment, we find common ground. In this case, I had to find his ground,” Egoyan said.

He wanted to portray not only the life of someone with a disability that made it difficult to communicate with others but also not to present the lives of those surrounding that person in “rose-tinted glasses.”

When Egoyan was writing the film, it was necessary for him to present the characters accurately. He approached Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital to better understand the challenges and experiences of patients and their families.

Lara Arabian’s “Siranoush,” on the other hand, taps into themes of ancestral knowledge, the Armenian diaspora, and female empowerment. The performance is based on an Armenian actress, born in the 19th century, named Merope Sahaki Kantarjian, otherwise known as Siranoush.

“Information about her work and her life was incredibly hard to find, and I asked around, and no one knew about her. And that became one of the driving forces for me when I created this project,” said Arabian. Siranoush was the first woman

in the West to play Hamlet and played more than 300 roles in nearly 12 countries. While she started as an actress, she later as an opera singer for the Armenian theater companies in her hometown.

“In the piece, I perform some of the roles that Siranoush did. So, the story is about Lara trying to find Siranoush, and then Siranoush appears,” Arabian explained.

Kamee Abrahamian’s “Dear Armen” deals with themes of Armenian culture and Queer culture. The story is based on Armen Ohanian’s memoirs. Born Sophia Pirboudaghian in Shamakha in the 19th century, the Armenian performer, dancer, and actress adopted Armen as her stage name.

The play presents a character named Garo, a researcher and writer who is interested in Ohanian’s story and wants to find out more about the mysterious artist. As they follow the story of Armen, they discover more of themselves, bringing up themes of family, drama, trauma, and history.

“She was this fascinating character who ran in these circles that I never imagined an Armenian woman existing in,” Abrahamian detailed. “She was a complex Armenian woman, which I thought was incredibly interesting.”

Words of advice

Egoyan has three completed projects as a writer, director, and producer. “Easily, my least favorite [role] is producing, and yet, where I’m at in my career, it’s completely necessary,” he explained.

Egoyan said producing and the creative side of a project go hand in hand. According to him, each detail in the final product can be traced back to a decision to allocate time and resources to one element.

“Unless you have a sense of what you’re dealing with financially and practically, you have no control over what you’re able to do creatively,” Egoyan explained.

For Arabian, finding collaborators that support your ideas and projects is a fundamental aspect of the industry. “I know I would not have been able to do my shows without the people that I had on that team,” she said.

Arabian also said finding mentors, talking to people within the industry, and being part of the “ecosystem” are necessary for artists.

Abrahamian took a different approach. Staying away from exposure to the highs and lows of the industry allowed them to listen to their intuition and not be influenced by other people’s paths.

“It was the naïveté that I needed to do something really insane–follow this

L-R: Kamee Abrahamian, Silva Basmajian, Arshile Egoyan, and Lara Arabian (Photo: Vazken Keshishian)

ԵՒ ՄՇԱԿՈՅԹ

path–because I think if I had dived into the backend of it and seen how hard and challenging it is, I would have run the other way,” they said. “But, I have come to learn that if you’re not willing to put yourself in the line of fire, then this isn’t the industry for you.”

Future endeavours

After realizing that there are no Armenian, South Asian, or Middle Eastern science fiction stories, Abrahamian decided to be the one to produce one. They created a story world set in the future, where one of her other projects, “Ensouled,” is set. Funded by the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council, the story follows a character who wants to unearth stories and knowledge of their ancestors by listening to plants.

Arabian is working on a French play titled “Convictions” that will have its world premiere in France at the end of September. The play, which follows the daily life of a Lebanese-Canadian family and the evolution of their traditions, religion, challenges, memories, and commitments, will have its Canadian premier in October.

Arshile Egoyan’s “Before They Joined Us” follows the journey of two Armenian sisters and their parents as they leave behind Beirut and head to Montreal, facing struggles as they try to rebuild their life. The film is currently in its casting phase. The audience members, ranging from art enthusiasts to aspiring filmmakers, were actively engaged in the discussions on the different aspects of art and film. Many found inspiration in the panelists’ stories and continued to converse with the panelists after the panel discussions following the Q and A. The lively exchange of ideas and the panelists’ knowledge and experience left the audience feeling enlightened and motivated to explore their own artistic endeavours. It was an event that fostered a sense of community and sparked a renewed passion for the arts and filmmaking.

Բարձունքներն ի վեր Տարօն Պարոյր

Եկէ՛ք սլանանք բարձունքներն ի վե՜ր, ձեռք ձեռքի տուած

հասնինք նոր սարեր, միահամուռ եւ միաբանուած՝

նուաճենք նոր սէգ կատարներ, միասին կերտենք

պատմութեան նոր փառահեղ էջեր։

Եկէ՛ք սլանանք բարձունքներն ի վեր, երգը թող թնդայ

Թորգոմեան ցեղին մեր, փշրենք շղթան հալածանքի, թող

պանծայ հայ ազգը հնամենի։

Եկե՛ք սլանանք բարձունքներն

Planting Trees from the Diaspora with the Armenia Tree Project

By Armen Poladian

We have to leave the earth in a better state than we found it–if not for us, for our children’s children. I always hear myself saying this, especially after graduating from the University of Waterloo in 2015 with a Bachelor of Environmental Studies. I became obsessed with sustainability and striving to make the world a cleaner and healthier place for all living in it. I immediately started driving a fully-electric car after wrapping up my studies and working at multiple environmental organizations that were building a more sustainable future in Waterloo Region.

As a proud Armenian born and raised in Cambridge, Ontario, I wanted to use my environmental passion to give back to the homeland. In 2016, I planned a 25th birthday fundraiser by hosting an event to support the Armenia Tree Project (ATP). The ATP, a non-profit program based in Woburn, Massachusetts, and Yerevan, conducts vitally important environmental projects in Armenia’s cities and villages and seeks support in advancing its reforestation mission. Their goal is to assist the Armenian people in using trees to improve their standard of living and protect the global environment. In so doing, the ATP is guided by the need to promote self-sufficiency, aid those with the fewest resources first, and conserve the indigenous ecosystem.

Since its inception in 1994, ATP has mastered the art of growing and planting trees in Armenia and honed its ability to produce healthy trees to sustain and propagate the country’s natural resources. ATP’s solution is holistic: both nature and people are integral forces that must work together to create a sustainable, healthy, and non-threatening environment.

I knew I wanted to do something to help with this mission, so I started to plan. My fundraiser was a success, and in September 2016, I proudly announced to my guests that because of their generous support that day, I planted 100 trees in Armenia. I was beyond proud of our accomplishment, reaffirming that one person can ignite significant change with a community’s support.

I got involved for two reasons: love for my homeland and respect for God’s green earth. A sustainable future promises healthy and prosperous generations to come, and I want that for Armenia and, frankly, for the entire world.

Since then, I have been selected to be ATP’s Canadian ambassador to help spread the word. I’ve been continuously trying to lead by example by sharing news in-person and online, giving lessons to local Armenian students, and occasionally doing Nor Hai Horizon interviews. In 2017, I volunteered with the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) of Canada’s Camp Vanadzor as a counsellor. The counsellors were encouraged to prepare activities to teach the children of the camp–typical examples are teaching them Armenian dances, songs, and sporting games. I wanted to leave my group of kids something personal, so my mind went straight to teaching them about the environment and instinctively reached out to the ATP. My idea was to distribute flowers in plant pots to the

children, teaching them about the beauty that encompasses our natural environment. I was so happy when this idea became a reality in collaboration with the ATP. They provided the flowers and also taught a lesson about native bird species. We took the children birdwatching in a local park before discussing the importance of doing our part to keep our home planet clean and sustainable for the health of biodiversity, our own well-being, and future generations. I hope the children will never forget their experience at AYF Camp Vanadzor, and they’ll take that environmental spark with them wherever they go.

After graduating from university in 2015, I became a filmmaker. To date, I have written and directed seven short films and two music videos, and I just completed my very first feature film. Merging my two passions of environmentalism and filmmaking plus being an active member of our local Hamazkayin chapter in Cambridge, I was approached by the ATP to help host a screening of their project “Antar: The Reforestation of Armenia” a – short film that takes a behind-the-scenes look into ATP’s to ensure the highest quality trees and longest survival rates. Hamazkayin Cambridge hosted that screening at the Armenian Community Centre of Cambridge on March 5, 2023, followed by a Q&A session with ATP executive director Jeanmarie Papelian to an inspired audience.

My goal is to keep up this environmental preservation, both in the homeland and around the globe. I always say that it is important to talk the talk, but one must walk the walk to make a difference and truly inspire. I do what I can for sustainability, for creation care, for future generations, and for the future of Armenia. You, too, can do your part.

Vol. 18, No. 5 [190] ◆ June 2023

Այդ նուիրեալներուն արեան եւ քրտինքի կաթիլները սնուցանեցին մեր վերելքը, ահա հերթը մերն է: Արդարութիւն կ'ուզեն մեր նախնիները, արդարութիւն եւ արժանապատուութեամբ ապրիլ կ'ուզեն նաեւ անծին սերունդները, որոնց համար մեր պայքարիլը անհրաժեշտութիւն է: Ամէն հայու առօրեայ որոշումները այսօր կը սահմանեն մեր ապագան: Օրինակ՝ մեր զաւակները հայկական դպրոց արձանագրելու որոշումը կամ պարախումբի, երգչախումբի, եկեղեցական կեանքի, մարզական, երիտասարդական եւ պատանեկան շարքերու մասնակցելու մեր քաջալերանքը բոլորը կը կանխորոշեն մեր գաղութի ապագայ համայնապատկերը:

Ինչպէ՞ս պիտի արժեւորէինք Նժդեհի, Անդրանիկի, Չաւուշի եւ այլ հերոսներու կեանքերը, եթէ անոնք իրենց անձնուիրութեան եւ քաջութեան փոխարէն ըլլային թուլամորթ եւ անհոգ: Ինչպէ՞ս պիտի յիշեն մեզ գալիք սերունդները, եթէ մենք չխնամենք մեզի վստահուած գաղութները եւ յառաջ չտանինք մեր դատը: Ինչպէս անցեալի ինքնապաշտպանութեան եւ ազատագրական պայքարներուն ընթացքին՝ այսօր եւս՝ կամաւորականութիւնն է մեր պահպանիչ ուժը: Հայ կամաւորականութիւնն է, որ սարսափ կը շարունակէ սփռել մեր թշնամիներուն սեւ սրտերուն: Կամաւորը՝ այդ անշահախնդիր,

փրկարար մեր ժողովուրդի ամենատաժանելի պահերուն: Առանց որուն մեր դպրոցները, եկեղեցիները եւ կենդրոնները շուտով կը դատարկուին:

Ահա՝ թէ ինչպէ՞ս կը գոյատեւէ թորոնթոհայ գաղութը: Կամաւոր փոքրամասնութեան ժրաջան ջանքերով է, որ կը շարունակենք ծաղկիլ, եղեռնի երկիւղով շրջապատուած ըլլալով հանդերձ: Բայց հայ կամաւորը պէտք է պատրաստել, առանց թթխմորի անկարելի է ունենալ հայ կամաւորներ, որոնց աճը կախեալ է շրջապատէն եւ ստեղծուած բարենպաստ պայմաններէն:

Մեր վարժարանը ամէն տարի կը ծրագրէ Հայաստանի ճամբորդութիւնը։ Քովիտի պատճառով երկու տարուան յետաձգումներէ ետք, բարեբախտաբար այս տարի եւս կրցանք կազմակերպել: Մեր աշակերտները, որոնք միաժամանակ զանազան միութիւններու եւ հայ եկեղեցիներու մէջ ծառայողներ են, կը տեսնենք, թէ ինչպէս իրենց հոգեկան սնունդն ու կարօտը կ’առնեն հայրենի հողէն: Ճամբորդութեան ընթացքին կը վկայենք մեր գաղութի հրաշագործ կարողութեան եւ կամաւորներու աշխատանքներու արդիւնքը: Առ այդ՝ ձեզի ներկայացնեմ դրուագ մը, որ կը կրկնուի ամէն տարի: Ընդհանրապէս առաջին օրը կ’այցելենք Ծիծեռնակաբերդ, Կոմիտասի այգի եւ Եռաբլուր: Օրը նուիրուած է ոգեկոչելու եւ

մեր մեծ մեռելները: Եռաբլուրի մեր այցելութեան ընթացքին, որպէս երախտառուներ՝ մեր այցը կը համարենք գերագոյն արտայայտութիւնը մեր երախտապարտութեան: Սիրելինե՛ր, կեցած այդ յաղթական բլուրին վրայ կը դիտենք, թէ ինչպէս մեր աշակերտները կանգնած բազմաթիւ կամաւոր ազատամարտիկներու շիրիմներուն դիմաց, կ’արտասուին եւ կ’աղօթեն: Իրենց հայրենակարօտ եւ հարազատ աչքերէն յորդած ջե՛րմ արցունքներով կը ջրեն շիրիմները՝ ծաղկուն պահելու մեր հերոսներու յիշատակը: Մեր աշակերտները, նորընծայ կամաւորներ, կ’երթան խոնարհելու իրենց առաքելութեան թափ տուող մարտիրոսներուն դիմաց: Ահաւասիկ, թէեւ օտարութեան մէջ ծնած, բայց թորոնթոհայ գաղութի նուիրուած կազմակերպութիւններուն շուքին տակ սնած, այս հայորդիները, մարդկային ամենաբուռն զգացումներով կ’արժեւորեն իրենց նախնիներու սխրագործութիւնները:

Հաւատարիմ մնալով մեծ հերոս զօրավար Նժդեհի խօսքերուն. «Իր ընտիր մեռելների պաշտամունքը չունեցող ժողովուրդը՝ ապերախտ ու բարբարոս, անարժան է անկախ հայրենիքի, որը միշտ էլ նահատակների սրբազան աճիւնից կը բարձրանայ»։ «Մի ժողովուրդ բարոյապէս այնքան է ուժեղ, որքան ջերմ է նրա պաշտամունքը դէպի իր մեծ մեռելները»։ → 24

յաւիտենականացնելու

When, where, and how to vote in the biggest by-election in Canadian history

By Harout

Manougian

On Monday, June 26, 2023, Torontonians will take part in the biggest by-election in Canadian history as they elect a new mayor. While by-elections have historically had lower voter turnout than general elections, they have also been opportunities for Toronto Armenians to demonstrate their engagement in the political process and reward candidates with outstanding records on human rights issues. The Armenian National Committee of Toronto (ANCT) is endorsing Josh Matlow in this election.

Who can vote?

All Toronto residents who are Canadian citizens and 18 or older can vote in the byelection. In addition, those who typically live outside Toronto, but either own or rent property within the City of Toronto, are also eligible to vote.

When to vote?

It is highly recommended to vote in the Advanced Polls, well ahead of Election Day. Advanced Voting will take place June 8-13, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. This period includes the weekend of June 10 and 11. It is typically much easier to take some time on the weekend to go to the Advanced Poll, than it is to rush after work on Election Day, which is a Monday.

Where to vote?

During the Advanced Voting from June 8 to 13, eligible voters can vote at any Advanced Voting location; it does not have to be the location closest to their home. There are 50 Advanced Voting locations listed at on the city of Toronto’s elections website: toronto.ca/city-government/elections.

The closest Advanced Voting locations to the Armenian Community Centre/St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church are:

• Ellesmere Community Centre, 20 Canadian Rd, Scarborough, ON

• Stephen Leacock Seniors Community Centre, 2520 Birchmount Rd, Scarborough, ON

• Oriole Community Centre, 2975 Don Mills Rd, North York, ON

• Broadlands Community Centre, 19 Castlegrove Blvd, North York, ON

The closest Advanced Voting locations to the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church are:

• Centennial Recreation Centre, 1967 Ellesmere Rd, Scarborough, ON

• Heron Park Community Centre, 292 Manse Rd, Scarborough, ON

• Malvern Recreation Centre, 30 Sewells Rd, Scarborough, ON

• Milliken Park Community Recreation Centre, 4325 McCowan Rd, Scarborough, ON

The closest Advanced Voting locations to the St. Gregory Armenian Catholic Church are:

• Edithvale Community Centre, 131 Finch Ave W, North York, ON

• Oriole Community Centre, 2975 Don Mills Rd, North York, ON

• Armour Heights Community Centre, 2140 Avenue Rd, North York, ON

• St Bonaventure’s Church, 1300 Leslie St, North York, ON

On Election Day, however, you can only vote at the location printed on your Voter Information Card. If you did not receive a VIC or lost it, you can look up the location at www.toronto.ca/elections (or email anct@anctoronto.org with your address).

How to vote?

You only need one piece of ID that includes both your name and address, to vote. It can be a driver’s licence, bank statement, utility bill, rental agreement, mortgage bill, tax form, or any other official paperwork. The deadlines for mail-in voting or appointing a proxy have passed; therefore, those who did not apply for alternative voting arrangements must vote in person.

շարժման վայր է Հայոց ցեղասպանութեան ժամանակ, հարուստ է թէ՛ պատմութեամբ եւ

խոհանոցով։ Այս աղցանը յաճախ կ'անուանուի «Մուսալեռցի հովիւի ընթրիք», ամենայն հաւանականութեամբ

քանի որ հիմնական բաղադրիչները՝ ձիթապտուղն ու ընկոյզը, առատօրէն մատչելի եւ հասանելի են ամբողջ լեռնային շրջանին մէջ, եւ աղցանը յարմար, յագեցնող եւ սննդարար կերակուր է՝ հողը մշակողներու համար։

Բարեբախտաբար, այս ուտեստը, որ թերեւս ստեղծուած է իր օգտակարութեան համար, նաեւ համեղ է։

Բաղադրութիւնը

1,5 գաւաթ կանաչ ձիթապտուղ, կորիզը հանուած՝ լման կամ մանրուած

0.5 պզտիկ սոխ,

Crossword

Խաչ-բառ

Հորիզոնական

2. հարկաւ, անշուշտ, ուրեմն

4. գրելու յատուկ տախտակ (դասարանի)

6. զաւեշտ, հանաք, սրամտութիւն

7. հայ մեծ նկարիչ-արձանագործ.

«Սասունցի Դաւիթ» յուշարձանի հեղինակ՝ Երուանդ _____

11. հայ եկեղեցւոյ 125-րդ կաթողիկոս.

_______ հայրիկ

13.

19. լարերով շարժող պուպրիկ, ուրիշին ձեռքին մէջ խաղալիք

21. կարճ ու կոր սուր

22. հաւատք ընծայել, վստահիլ, դաւանիլ

27. բերանը եզերող մկան էր

28. արտասովոր, եզական, զարտուղի

29. զարնել (սիրտի), տրոփել

Ուղղահայեաց

1. սերով սառած անուշեղէն

3. լաւ, աղէկ, ազնիւ, չարին հակառակը

5. հայ բանաստեղծ. «Անլռելի

զանգակատուն»-ի հեղինակ

8. Պարսկաստան

9. ոչ-երկար, համառօտ

10. գրական, հասարակական հանդէս, որ կը հրատարակուի Պէյրութի մէջ, 1962-էն ի վեր

12. գրիչ՝ հանքային նիւթով

14. Միսիսոկայի Ս. ______ ծուխը 15. մորթէ պատրաստուած էջ, ձեռագիր

17. Թորոնթոյի Հայ աւետարանական եկեղեցւոյ երկարամեայ հովիւ, որ Մարտ 15-ին վախճանեցաւ.

Վերապատուելի Եսայի _________

20. պատուական, բարձրորակ, յարգի

23. Յունաստանի մայրաքաղաքը

24. արկղ, սնտուկ, պահպանակ (ակնոցի, գիրքի)

25. ՆՍՕՏՏ Մեծի Տանն Կիլիկիոյ

Կաթողիկոս,

Խմբագրութեան կողմէ

«Թորոնթոհայ»-ը պատասխանատու չէ իր էջերուն

մէջ լոյս տեսած ծանուցումներու բովանդակութեան: Հրատարակութեան մէջի ներկայացուած կարծիքներն ու տեսակէտները հեղինակներունն

են. «Թորոնթոհայ»-ի խմբագրութիւնը անպայման

չի բաժներ զանոնք: Հրատարակութեան մասնակի

կամ ամբողջական վերարտադրութիւնը առանց

հրատարակիչին կամ խմբագիրին գրաւոր

արտօնութեան արգիլուած է: Մեզի յղուած բոլոր

From the editor

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Armen’s math corner

Junior problem:

How many distinct rectangles of any size are there in the figure shown below?

իւրաքանչիւր ամսուան

15-ը ուղարկել թերթին մէջ լոյս տեսնելիք

ձեր յօդուածները, ծանուցումները, յայտարարութիւնները, կամ սիրելիներու մահազդները։ Չմոռնաք զանոնք ղրկել info@torontohye.ca ե-հասցէին մինչեւ

վերջաժամկէտը, որպէսզի անոնք ներառուին

մեր յաջորդ թիւին մէջ։ Համայնքին հետ

կիսուելու հնարաւորութիւնը մի՛ փախցնէք։

Senior problem:

Talin looks at the clock and notices that it is currently 7 o’clock. Curious about the time one thousand hours from now, she seeks assistance in determining the future reading on a 12-hour clock. Can you help her find the answer to her question?

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