NEWS RELEASE
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SCOUTING
Last February 24th, Montreal’s A.G.B.U. Scouts’ Council celebrated the centennary of the World Scouting Movement with a get-together of all Armenian scouts. The Celebration Subcommittee, chaired by Suzanne Tatarian-Atamian, saw months of work come to a successful conclusion at the Gundjian Gymnasium of the AGBU Alex Manoogian school.
The evening began with a resounding beat of the drum corps, courtesy of the newly formed AGBU marching band, announcing the arrival of the current crop of the AGBU scouting movement. To start off the festivities, the scouts sang the Canadian, Armenian national anthems as well as the A.G.B.U. anthems.
With Viken L. Attarian ably handling the role of M.C., the evening proceeded apace. He first presented the history of Armenian scouting. Subsequent speeches were made by Dr. Rita Kuyumjian (A.B.G.U. Montreal’s Chairperson), Aline Egoyan-Pederian (Scouts’ Council Chairperson), his Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galsdanyan, Primate of the Canadian Diocese and Mr. Alan DeSouza (Mayor of the City of Saint Laurent). Among the other dignitaries present we counted no less than 4 representatives of the S.M.M. – Scouts du Montréal Metropolitain: Commissioners Claude J. Lapointe (District Scout Commissioner and Executive Director), Martin Lapointe (Deputy Scout Commissioner and Coordinater of the 2007 Montreal Jamboree), Gérard Léveillée (Commissioner for the Montreal North region) and Guy Gauthier (Vice President of the Board of Directors), as well as Municipal Opposition Leader Ms. Noushig Eloyan, Mr. Arman Hagopyan, chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia and embassy representative Mr. Mikayel Vardanian. Our community representatives included Dr. Arshavir Gunjian Vice President of global AGBU, Rev. Father Vazken Boyadjyan (Montreal) and Rev. Father Komitas Mirzakhanyan (Laval), as well as former municipal counsellor, Ms. Hasmig Belleli and Mr. Robert Kechayan (principal of the A.G.B.U. Alex Manoogian School in Montreal). Also present was one of the initial founders of scouting at AGBU Montreal 40 years ago, Mr. Kevork Baronian and numerous other former leaders and members of the various sections, many of whom attended the event in uniform.
Throughout the evening, the more than 400 attendees were treated to a continuous showing of old and historical scouting photographs, digitized and presented through the magic of computer technology on a large screen mounted on the stage. The scanning and collating work was a generous donation by DJ Sako Sekerian and AGBU Board member, Mr. Avedis Atamian; they had literally sifted through thousands of loaned photographs to prepare the presentation. Many of the photos dated back to the early decades of last century and brought to mind many souvenirs of the past. A special exhibit of old scouting uniforms, photo albums, badges, certificates and memorabilia extending all the way back to the 1930s in Middle East and North Africa was also put together by the organizing committee. A piece of history that was truly appreciated by the attendees. Special congratulations would also go to the scouts and other volunteers who built the two large structures of the flagpole and the symbolic five-pointed star of the Montreal Jamoboree, showcasing the technical talents of the AGBU scouts.
The guests were also treated to a generous, delicious cold buffet prepared by volunteers under the direction of Hera Mouradian, with most of the food items being donated by local merchants and companies.
A very moving moment came during the collective renewal of the scouting oath, led by Commissioner Claude J. Lapointe and featuring honoree veteran scouting and guiding leaders Genève Gharibian and Mihran Meneshian, both of whom were among the first scouting leaders at AGBU in Montreal some 40 years ago. Another sentimental moment was the commemoration of the service rendered by the veteran group leaders, many of whom were on hand to accept the thanks and a souvenir badge. The whole thing was capped off with a ceremonial cutting of the anniversary cake by the veterans and the current Scouts’ Council.
The Beavers, Cubs and Scouts entertained the guests with a traditional “campfire” presentation showcasing their talents as singers and actors. Their participation added much to the joyful, convivial feelings which abounded throughout the night.
A sure sign of the pleasure the attendees had at the celebration were the generous contributions made to the A.G.B.U. scouting movement that night. The money donated will be used to buy much-needed camping equipment for the ever growing movement.