“LET’S SIT AT THE TABLE WITH AT LEAST THREE SONS”
“ARMENIANS WITHOUT CIGARETTES”
“ARMENIA IS THE HOMELAND OF ALL ARMENIANS, LET’S MAKE IT STRONG!”
“AN ARMENIAN IS HE WHO FEELS ARMENIAN”
“ARMENIANS MUSTNOT ONLY SERVE THE HOMELAND, BUT ALSO GAIN PROFIT”
“BECOME THE INHERITOR, OWNERAND DEFENDER OF ARMENIAN CULTURE EVERYWHERE!”
“RETURN A PART OF YOUR TALENT AND GIFTS TO YOUR HOMELAND”
“SPEAK ARMENIAN AT HOME!”
“SPEND YOUR VACATION IN THE HOMELAND ONCE EVERY 3 YEARS!”
“DRAW YOUR FAMILY TREE!”
“MARRIAGE WITH THE BLESSING OF MY HOMELAND”
“ARMENIAN NAME AND THE “YAN” IS YOUR IDENTITY IN THE WORLD”
“OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT IN THE HOMELAND”
“EVERY ARMENIAN MUST SEE ARMENIA”
“WE EXIST, WE MUST EXIST AND WE MUST GROW IN NUMBER” P. SEVAK
“OH! ARMENIAN PEOPLE, YOUR ONLY SALVATION LIES IN YOUR COLLECTIVE FORCE” Y. CHARENTS

Vicken Assilian: “I am ready to do anything for Armenia!”

In an interview for Hayern Aysor, Chairman of the Tekeyan Cultural Association Lebanon Committee Vicken Assilian, who was recently hosted at the RA Ministry of Diaspora, gave a complete picture of his activities. Hayern Aysor presents the interview to its readers.

Karine Avagyan: Mr. Assilian, being a dentist by profession, it seems as though you are more involved in community service. What made you want to become so active in community service?

Vicken Assilian: One word-Armenia! From 1980 to 1986, I studied at Yerevan State Medical University after Mkhitar Heratsi in Yerevan. Of course, my parents and my Armenian upbringing also played a role. Throughout the six years of my studies, I grew to love my Homeland and became strongly connected to Armenia, and that love is eternal. I breathed the air in Armenia, drank the water in Armenia, enjoyed the sun-ripened fruits and enjoyed listening to the sounds of spoken Armenian everywhere for six years…All this helped me become unconditionally dedicated to preservation of the Armenian identity.

Karine Avagyan: Is there a particular community service that is more important and current?

Vicken Assilian: When I graduated and returned to Lebanon, I started working for Tekeyan Cultural Association, the AGBU and various committees, but my greatest task was the preparations for the events dedicated to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide. It was very important for every Armenian to get the message across to foreigners in any field (culture, arts, politics, science, pedagogy) 100 years after the Armenian Genocide. Taking this into consideration, we held local cultural events in Lebanon for nearly two years. Out of the main events, I would like to set aside two events. The first was the event that featured performances of Armenian songs by Arab children of Lebanon, and the other was the exhibition showcasing the works by Arab painters and held in Byblos on April 24th. The main topic of the paintings was the Armenian Genocide.

Karine Avagyan: During the years of the Armenian Genocide, the Arab nation was one of the nations that provided shelter to some of the Armenians having escaped the Genocide, but the Arabs living now are the 3rd and 4th generations. Who guided them to take a retrospective glance at that monstrous crime after 100 years? Was it you or non-governmental organizations?

Vicken Assilian: The Arabs are truly a kind nation, and they received and provided shelter to the Armenians during the difficult times. As for the Armenians, they have always been diligent, law-abiding and dedicated to the particular country of residence. The relations have helped spark the interest of the current generation of Arabs in Armenian history and culture, and this is the basis of our activities.

Karine Avagyan: Mr. Assilian, what is the purpose of your visit to the Homeland?

Vicken Assilian: This time we decided to take one step forward with the plan to hold the concert (held in Lebanon) in Armenia. The concert was held at Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall and featured performances of the works of Armenian composers by 10 Arab children. The only Armenian performer was my daughter, Tamar Assilian.

We brought nearly 40 children and their parents, for which we are extremely grateful to Minister of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia Hranush Hakobyan, the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Lebanon, particularly Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Samvel Mkrtchyan and Vladimir Poghosyan, who is part of the staff of the Embassy. This event was also sponsored by the Ministry of Culture. We might hold other cultural events in Armenia next year. With these events, we not only protect and preserve Armenian culture, but also introduce the Arabs to our culture.

 

Karine Avagyan: Do the Arabs perform the works of Armenian composers with pleasure?

Vicken Assilian: You can’t imagine what a pleasure it is for them to learn and perform those works. It has already been a year since their teacher, Mrs. Rita Assilian started practicing with them. They are interested in the works of Armenian composers, and their parents also listen to those works with pleasure.

Karine Avagyan: Dear compatriot, what is the second purpose of your visit to Armenia?

Lena Aydinian, who is from a family of artists, had the idea of organizing the exhibition-sale entitled “4 Generations: The Spirit of Determination” and dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the founding body of Tekeyan Cultural Association. The exhibition showcased the works of Sahag, Arpiné and Sareen Voskians, Tania and Lena Aydinians and Meleen Chaghlasian. The publication of the album entitled “We Will Reject with Brushes”, which features the works of 24 Arab painters and is devoted to the Armenian Genocide, is also one of our achievements. The exhibition of the works of these painters was held at the municipality of Byblos and sponsored by the RA Embassy in Lebanon. Among the painters were non-Christian artists. What was more interesting was when the painters came up with the idea to donate 7 of the exhibited paintings to the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute. Next year, we plan on holding this same exhibition in Armenia. We are also participating in the “What are YOU doing for Artsakh?” pan-Armenian movement launched by the RA Ministry of Diaspora. Last year, before our visit to Armenia, we held the presentation of Gaiane Davtian’s album “My Shushi” and transferred all proceeds from book sales to the restoration of Shushi.

Karine Avagyan: You are entirely devoted to patriotic acts and community service. I hope you haven’t overlooked your profession…

Vicken Assilian: Of course, community service comes first, but I must say that I also managed to work by my profession since it is my way of earning a living. I am ready to do anything for Armenia!

And so, the numerous events and such a conclusion that sounded like an oath, says a lot more than pompous words that are simply words, not actions.

Karine Avagyan

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