On August 19, RA Deputy Minister of Diaspora Serzh Srapionyan participated in the presentation of the books by Lebanese-Armenian figures Zaven M. Msrlian and Hovsep Artinian at Tekeyan Cultural Association. The presentation was organized by Lebanon’s Zartonk Daily.

Among other participants were Vice-Chairman of the Central Committee of the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party (Ramgavar) Levon Blkian, members of the Central Committee, President of the Union of Artists of Armenia Karen Aghamyan, intellectuals, as well as writers and others.

According to Hayern Aysor, Zartonk Daily’s editor-in-chief Sevag Hagopian gave his opening remarks and said the following: “Today’s presentation can be considered symbolic in that it is the first event that Zartonk Daily is holding in Armenia throughout the years of its entire existence. This is one step ahead of the opening of the daily newspaper’s office in Yerevan. The books will also be presented in Beirut, but we wanted to present the books in the Mother Homeland first.”

Deputy Director of the Office of the Armenian General Benevolent Union in Armenia Hovik Yordekyan presented the book “Meguerditch Msrlian’s National and Political Activities” that Zaven M. Msrlian has dedicated to his father.

Yordekyan reflected on the career and fruitful activities of member of the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party (Ramgavar) and the Armenian General Benevolent Union, national and political figure Meguerditch Msrlian, who was a famous businessman and benefactor in the countries of the Near East in the 1930s and 1940s.

Aleppo-Armenian writer, publicist and public figure Toros Toranian presented Hovsep Artinian’s book “Bibliography of the Responses to the Actions of Gurgen Yanigian and the Articles about the Armenian-Turkish Conflict”.

Journalist and historian Kevork Yazichian, who had helped publish Hovsep Artinian’s book, also spoke at the event.

RA Deputy Minister of Diaspora Serzh Srapionyan transmitted the welcome speech of RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan, stating that the releases and proper presentations of such books serve as one of the major ways to know and understand the Armenian Diaspora and preserve the Armenian identity.

The Deputy Minister praised the career of Meguerditch Msrlian and stated that, being one of the founders and sponsors of Tekeyan Cultural Association, Zartonk Daily and Ani literary magazine, he made great contributions to the preservation of the Armenian identity-an act that the new generations continue with great dedication. The Armenian people need to know and appreciate Msrlian, who actively participated in the creation of the “Sasuntsi Davit” series of tanks during the years of WWII, helped organize the Great Immigration, assisted in the implementation of many other national initiatives and received the diamond Grigor Lusavorich Order from Catholicos of All Armenians Gevorg VI for the numerous charity acts that he had carried out for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the scholar’s home of Antelias, the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Armenian Diocese of Lebanon and the AGBU.

The Deputy Minister of Diaspora also praised Hovsep Artinian’s book “Bibliography of the Responses to the Actions of Gurgen Yanigian and Articles about the Armenian-Turkish Conflict” and attached importance to the creation of such bibliographies devoted to the lives of Armenians. Srapionyan stated that this bibliography of articles released in Beirut’s Zartonk and Ararat Dailies between 1973 and 1995 can serve as a major source for historians conducting research on the Armenian Cause and Armenian-Turkish relations and set an example for compiling the Armenological works, books and different articles that are released in the Armenian Diaspora.

The attendees also viewed the painting by President of the Union of Artists of Armenia Karen Aghamyan devoted to Gurgen Yanigian.