On Thursday, 4th of October 2018, in the beautiful garden of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia to Egypt, a formal and intimate book launch ceremony took place.

The occasion was the publication by AGBU Cairo sponsored Arabic translation of the book “Between Two Worlds”.

The people gathered at the garden of the Embassy was a mosaic of different personalities representing different institutions and nationalities living in Cairo:

The Prelate of the Armenian Diocese of Egypt, Bishop Ashot Mnatsakanyan, His Grace, Krikor Augostinos Kusan, the Prelate of the Armenian Catholic community of Egypt, Ambassadors of different countries, some Egyptian intellectuals and Armenian dignitaries and friends of the author.

The author, Mari Shakkar (Mariam Shakarian-Karapetyan), is the spouse of former Ambassador of Armenia to Egypt, HE Dr. Ruben Karapetyan, and the book is the product of the author’s five years of residency in Egypt, her impressions, thoughts and experiences, and in this in a very poetic and subtle way, uncovering this beautiful and mysterious Oriental city’s secrets. The opening ceremony was opened by Mr. Stepan Gevorgyan giving the floor to His Excellency the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Egypt, Dr. Armen Melkonyan, who presented the author and her husband in remarkable words.Dr. Viken Djizmedjian, the chairman of AGBU Cairo; the publisher of the Arabic version of the book, presented the publication and thanked all those who were involved in this project.  It was then the turn of His Excellency, Dr. Ruben Karapetyan, the former Ambassador of Armenia to Egypt, to take the floor, His words were not only the expression of love and appreciation to his spouse, but those of profound love to Egypt. Karapetyan’s words came out like a sincere and intimate confession. “Every writer has the desire to see his work published in Arabic,” he said, “I am so happy that my wife was able to fulfill this wish.” “I could never have dreamed of such a thing, to see my book in Arabic, and my husband has always dreamed of it,” confessed Mrs. Karapetian, in her speech right after the words of the Arabic translator of the book, Mohamed Riyad Ghalwash.

Mrs. Garabedian then thanked AGBU Cairo, the interpreter and Mr. Berdj and his wife Seta Terzian, for his meticulous follow up of the different steps of publication. He also thanked all his friends and the presence for their support.

The author then started the signing of her book, after which the fascinating evening and cocktail reception continued in the magnificent garden of the Embassy.