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Historic day for Armenians in Canada
followed by a historic evening
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Armenian Canadians are proud today to have the first ever stamp
honoring Armenians issued by the Canadian Post Office. The 47 cents stamp commemorates 1700 years of Armenian Christianity .
The Honorable Andre Ouellet, former Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs and MP Sarkis Assadourian officially unveiled the stamp in a very touching historic ceremony in Canada's Parliament,
organized in collaboration with the Armenian Cultural Association of Ottawa.
The participation of numerous Canadian Cabinet Ministers, Senators and Members of Parliament with many clergymen, ambassadors and journalists and a large Armenian group from Canada and the US was memorable. |
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Canada's Prime Minister, the Right
Honorable Jean Chretien gave an impromptu speech acknowledging Canada's multicultural nature and the important contribution of Canada's Armenian Community and that of Sarkis
Assadourian. He said he heard the National Anthem of Armenia for the first time tonight, played by Canadian young composer Kevork
Andonian, and that he was deeply touched by the melody.
The Honourable Sheila Copps, Minister of Canadian Heritage also noted the contributions to Canada of many
brilliant Armenians (such as Soprano Isabel
Bayrakdarian, Director Atom Egoyan, etc) and related her early experiences with Armenian Canadians from her Hamilton area. Dr. Hedy Fry treated the audience to another impromptu speech, Canadian Minister of multiculturalism who acknowledged Assadourian's numerous initiatives in the defence of Human rights and Canada's obligation to adopt an unequivocal policy in this regard. Senator Marcel Prud'homme of Montreal, introduced himself as Marcel
Prudhommian, and expressed his unwavering long-time support to the Armenian cause. |
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The evening was enhanced by the exhibition of Armenia and Armenian related stamp and postcard collections by Toronto's Haroutyoun and Levon Minasyan, Montreal Berc Fenerci's and Detroit's Stepan Karadian (who sent part of his collection because he was detained for health reasons). The exhibits served to highlight famous Armenian events and personalities and were an interesting way to introduce Armenian history to the non-Armenian audience.
The evening culminated with a cultural program: Kevork Andonian performed two of his own compositions, Lara Fesdekjian inerpreted beautiful pieces by Komitas and Babadjanian, and Arpi Meras' Armenia Folkdance Ensemble of Toronto delighted the participants with their vigorous Kotcharee and graceful girl dances. Armenia's Akhtamar brandy, recently available in Canada helped with the digestion. |
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A commemorative booklet for the event with the representation of the stamp, printed by Markham Offset was distributed (some additional copies are available from Mr. Assadourian's office). The unveiled original stamp received the signature of all those present and will be sent to Armenia as historic memento of this event. MC Annie Demirjian, President of the Armenian Cultural Association of Ottawa summed-up the event: This is a proud historic moment for all Armenian Canadians and for Armenians around the world.
This article was gathered
from
the local Ottawa news papers. |
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