Hayern Aysor’s correspondent sat down for an interview with member of the Central Board of the Armenian General Benevolent Union, correspondent and honorary chairman of the AGBU in South America Ruben Keshishian.

Since 1973, Ruben Keshishian has been making efforts to strengthen the bonds between Armenia and the Diaspora as secretary of the AGBU board. He has received several high awards for his notable contributions and services to the Homeland, including the Mkhitar Heratsi Medal granted by RA President Serzh Sargsyan, the Grigor Lusavorich Medal granted by His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians and the Boghos Nubar Medal granted by RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan.

Ruben Keshishian’s father was one of the eyewitnesses of the Armenian Genocide and saw how his father was killed right in front of his eyes. He escaped the yataghan of the Turks, found himself in an American orphanage in Aleppo and settled in Argentina in 1927.

When he was 17, Mr. Keshishian started working as chairman of the Youth League of Argentina, but he was always aware of the fact that he had to be of help to the Homeland.

“My parents would always tell us to support Armenia and contribute to the advancement of the Homeland with our work and activities. I paid heed and carried out various cultural programs devoted to preservation of the Armenian identity for 11 years in the Youth League. The activities were mainly targeted at the Armenian youth of the community,” Mr. Keshishian recalled.

Serving as secretary of the AGBU Board between the years of 1973 and 2013, Ruben Keshishian continued to carry out many cultural events. He says he spent the best years of his life as a member of the AGBU and that remembering those years always puts a smile on his face.

In 1973, artists Ruben Matevosyan, Eduard Mirzoyan, Edgar Hovhannisyan, Lusine Zakaryan and many other beloved and well-known individuals of Armenia gave concerts for the Armenian community of Argentina. Through the efforts of the AGBU, world chess champion Tigran Petrosyan also came to Buenos Aires and inspired the members of the community so much that one of the local schools named a classroom after him.

All the programs were carried out through close cooperation with the Committee on Cultural Relations with the Armenians of the Diaspora, which was the only state authority linking Armenia to the Diaspora at the time. It was at the invitation of the Committee on Cultural Relations with the Armenians of the Diaspora that Ruben Keshishian first visited Armenia in 1971.

Mr. Keshishian remembers that during those years, the AGBU didn’t feel discourage and continued to carry out all its programs for the benefit of Armenia and the Armenian people in spite of all the difficulties. The ultimate objective was to preserve the Armenian identity and teach youth to be patriotic.

In the end, Ruben Keshishian happily and cordially talked about Argentina, particularly the Armenian community of Buenos Aires. “The Armenian community of Buenos Aires is very vibrant and stands out with the unity and diligence of its members. It is one of the major communities of the Diaspora. Among the members are devoted and patriotic people whose activities help bring glory and honor to not only Armenia, but also Argentina. The community has seven Armenian churches, cultural and charitable unions, choirs, dance ensembles and other major institutions. One of the famous streets in Buenos Aires is Armenia Street where all the major organizations (the Surp Grigor Lusavorich Armenian Church, the Surp Grigor Lusavorich School, the building of the AGBU, the Marie Manoogian Educational and Cultural Center, the Tekeyan Cultural Association, Sardarabad Weekly’s editorial office, Armenia Cultural Society, the club of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutyun, the Compatriotic Union of Marash, the Progressives and the home of Ayntap) are located,” Ruben Keshishian concluded.

Currently, Ruben Keshishian actively participates in the events held within the community. In 2006, on the 100^th anniversary of the AGBU, he was elected chairman of the AGBU. Keshishian continues to carry out pro-national programs.

By Gevorg Chichyan