The Armenian Studies program at AGBU Montreal, operating under the leadership of Mr. Manuel Keusseyan, recently completed its 2^nd year. The lecture series extended from November 2004 to June of 2005. The lectures were offered every Wednesday from 7 to 10 p.m., in the Demirdjian Hall of the Alex Manoogian Center.

The program was created as a result of a shared vision among national benefactor Mr. Jirayr Dervishian, the AGBU Montreal leadership and poet, literary expert and Armenian studies lecturer Mr. Manuel Keusseyan. This year as well, it created an enthusiastic and inspiring atmosphere among the attendees.

This year, the lecture series were dedicated to the 1600^th anniversary of invention of the Armenian alphabet by Sourp Mesrob, and to the 90^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

The lectures were attended by university students, educational professionals, artists, community volunteers and interested individuals within a wide age group. The series included a various range of topics related to the Armenian language and to the culture.

The first lecture, on November 17, 2004, was dedicated to the memory of newly-deceased Levon Miridjanian, and his recently published book, “Our Wonderful Language” (Mer Medzaskantche), published in Yerevan with the financial support of national benefactor Mr. Jirayr Dervishian.

The following is a list of the lecture topics and the lecturers:

• Our national orthography and Levon Miridjanian’s book, “Mer Medzaskantche”; Manuel Keusseyan.
• The art of the Armenian dance and issues related to its revitalization; Rudolph Kharadian.
• The state of the Armenian economy, investment and politics; Hratch Kasbar.
• Sona Zeytlian’s book “The Contribution of Armenians to the Early Medaeval and Modern History of Egypt”. Armineh Keushgerian.
• “The Braves of Sassoon” (Sasnah Dzrer) epic; Chake Minassian.
• Armenian Diasporas – The current status of the Egyptian Armenian community through the video film “Eh” (as in the 7^th letter of the Armenian alphabet); Manuel Keusseyan.
• The legacy of the “Mehyan” group, its contemporary relevance and related issues; Manuel Keusseyan.
• Canada-Armenia political relations. Hratch Kasbar.
• The origins of some specific Armenian words, their interpretations and related issues in the Armenian alphabet; Viken L. Attarian.
• The development of the Diasporan Armenian literature and founding figures; Manuel Keusseyan.
• The art of Armenian violin playing; Lucineh Balikian.
• Armenian Diasporas – The modern Armenian community of Istanbul, with video illustrations; Manuel Keusseyan.
• The right of Mountainous Karabagh to self-determination, the Republic of Mountainous Karabagh and its current status; Manuel Keusseyan.
• Chess, its origins and development, the Armenian chess masters; Sarkis Kavoukdjian.
• Modern Armenia, through the eyes of a psychologist; Khatchadour Kasbarian.
• George Ivanovitch Gurdjieff, his life and work; Manuel Keusseyan..
• Armenian Diasporas – Armenians in India; Dr. Krikor Pederian.
• The specifities of the Armenian language; Nourhan Ouzounian.
• Martyred Armenian poets, within the context of the 90^th Anniversary of the Genocide: Roupen Sevag, Daniel Varoujan, Siamanto; Manuel Keusseyan.
• Thoughts on the 90^th Anniversary of the Genocide; Armineh Keushgerian.
• The Armenian song, as the basis of classical Armenian music. Lucineh Balilkian.
• Misak Meszarents, Madteos Zarifian, Zaven Surmelian: their spirit and their legacy; Manuel Keusseyan.
• Baris Herouni’s book “Armenians and ancient Armenia”; Manuel Keusseyan.
• Readings and interpretations: Gomidas, Saroyan, Simon Simonian; Manuel Keusseyan.
• Armenian music – 12 adolescent violinists; the students of Lucineh Balikian.

During the lecture series, several videos and slide presentations of national and cultural interest to Armenia and the Diaspora alike, were also shown.

Guest lecturers included various national and community figures from Montreal, Toronto, Lebanon, the USA, the United Arab Emirates, Greece, Armenia and France.

Without considering the occasional attendees, regular student attendees counted 25 who received appropriate certificates, these were:

Shahe Tanashian, Hrayr Papazian, George Kalaydjian, Hovig Papazian, Hratch Chitilian, Anna Farra, Nayiri Tankarian, Rosemary Sahagian, Levon Farra, Silva Paboudjian, Alex Melikian, Christine Hovhannessian, Nora Geondjian, Diana Garabedian, George Doramadjian, Sarine Chitilian, Dikran Dikranian, Hagop Aktorossian, Nelly Adjami, Lousayk Varjabedian.

The certificates were designed by the renowned graphic artist Mr. Hamo Abdalian.

The graduation ceremony took place on Wednesday the 8^th of June, 2005 at 7 p.m. in the Demirdjian Hall of the AGBU center, with a large crowd in attendance. Speakers at the ceremony were the Armenian Studies program director Mr. Manuel Keusseyan, and the AGBU Montreal chapter chairman, Mr. Viken L. Attarian. At the end of the evening a reception was prepared for the enthusiastic attending crowd by the program students.

Next year’s program (2005-2006) will also extend from November to June.  Those interested to attend can call the AGBU Montreal Secretariat to register, at 514-748-2428.  The program is offered free of charge and only a nominal registration fee is applicable.

AGBU Montreal Executive Committee