Massis Weekly Celebrates 33rd Anniversary of Publication

BURBANK, CA – Hundreds of supporters and distinguished civic and community leaders, friends and guests attended a Gala banquet on November 9 celebrating the 33rd anniversary of Massis Weekly, the organ of the Social Democratic Hunchakian Party of the Western Region of the United States of America.

Among the distinguished guests were; His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, former Primate of the Western Diocese; Rev. Fr. Krikor Chahinian and Rev. Fr. Antoine Noradounguian of the Armenian Catholic Church; Rev. Archpriest Fr. Dr. Zaven Arzoumanian, of the Western Diocese; Consul Eghia Mansuryan and Gayane Sahakyan, Division Head at the Consulate General of Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles; Mr. Antranik Baghdassarian, Armenia Fund President, Social Democrat Hunchakian Party Central Committee members along with their wives; Dr. Harry Sarafian, Mr. Vasken Khodanian, and Mr. Khatchik Keshishian; members of the S.D.H.P Western U.S.A Executive Committee, as well as members of various S.D.H.P. branches and various Armenian American organizations. Representing the Armenian media; Mr. and Mrs. Hagop Mardirossian, editor of Nor Or Weekly; Mr. Harut Sassounian, publisher of The California Courier; and Mr. Oshin Keshishian, editor of the Armenian Observer.

On behalf of the organizing committee Mrs. Garine Depoyan inaugurated the Gala with welcoming remarks towards the attendees.

Massis Weekly Editor in Chief, Dr. Arshag Kazanjian spoke of the trials and tribulations that the Armenian print media has undergone in the Diaspora, especially in the United States, praising the Armenian media’s mission in not only inform and enlighten, but to also preserve the Armenian identity in today’s Diaspora. Dr. Kazanjian also noted his distress on society’s indifference towards readers on a global scale. He also expressed that he is concerned with the lack of intellectual assets on the ground among the new generation of the Diasporan Armenian media. In his closing remarks, Dr. Kazanjian thanked his colleagues, as well as all of Massis Weekly’s friends and supporters.

On this occasion, the S.D.H.P Executive Committee along with the Editorial Board of Massis Weekly posthumously honored Dr. Haroutyoun Sagherian, founding Editor in Chief and longtime member of Massis Weekly Editorial Board for his limitless devotion and prolific social activities. His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian presented the Certificate of Appreciation to the widow of Dr. Sagherian, who in turn, expressed her admiration and gratitude to the Massis Weekly Editorial Board for their show of reverence and respect towards her late husband.

S.D.H.P. Chairman Gabriel Moloyan and Dr. Arshag Kazanjian also honored Massis Weekly Editorial Board member and Nor Serount “New Generation” Cultural Association Chairman Mr. Harut Der-Tavitian, who this past summer took on an extraordinary excavation and climbed the peak of Mount Ararat, taking with him the June 15th issue of Massis Weekly, which covered the unprecedented commemorative events that took place in Istanbul, Turkey on June 13 and 15 of this year commemorating the 98th anniversary of the martyrdom of the “Twenty Gallows.”

Armenia Fund President Mr. Antranik Baghdassarian, conveyed his continued deep interest and admiration of Massis Weekly. After his congratulatory comments and good wishes, Mr. Baghdassarian took the opportunity to remind everyone to participate in the upcoming Armenia Fund Telethon on November 28 this year, from which proceeds will benefit the construction of the strategically important Vardenis-Martakert Highway connecting the Republic of Armenia to the Republic of Artsakh. Feeling the exhilaration of the Gala, Mr. Baghdassarian donated $5,000 towards the future prosperity of Massis Weekly.

Within this enthusiastic and energetic atmosphere, Mr. and Mrs. Tateos and Nora Koroghlian increased their previous commitment to Massis Weekly to $10,000. In addition to these generous donations, there were also large and small scale donations from the numerous attendees.

The night’s entertainment of contemporary and patriotic folk songs was provided by renowned Armenian vocalist Harout Hagopian.