News

Monday 17th November 2003
AGBU LONDON CHARITY GALA RAISES £11,000 FOR THE NORASHEN CENTENNIAL PROJECT

On 8th November 2003 about 120 London AGBU members, friends and their families enjoyed a sparkling evening at the London Marriott Hotel, in aid of the AGBU Norashen Centennial Project for the reconstruction and repopulation of the frontier villages in Karabagh. This is the first of a series of events planned by AGBU London who aim to raise £30,000 to sponsor the building and furnishing of a community centre and medical facilities in Aygestan, in Karabagh.

Among those attending the Gala Dinner Dance were His Grace Bishop Nathan Hovhannisian, Pontifical Legate and Primate of the Armenian Church of Great Britain, from France Mr Levon Kebabdjian, Knight of the Order of the Legion of Honour, Central Board Member, Mr Levon Chilingirian OBE, distinguished and renowned British Armenian musician, Mrs Carol Aslanian Central Board Member representing Mr Berge Setrakian President of AGBU Worldwide and from the United Kingdom, Mr George Kurkjian OBE, former Chairman of the AGBU London Trust and former member of the Central Board.

Distinguished guests, AGBU members, past and present officers, families and friends gathered for a most enjoyable and successful evening. Guests mingled at the Reception to the strains of duduk and dhol playing and were entertained in the Ballroom by Armenian solo dancer Shakeh Avanessian who performed two dances ‘Gharabaghi Yrghnik’ (Gazelle from Karabagh) and ‘Tzaghkatz Baleni’ (The Blossoming Cherry Tree). After dinner guests danced the night away to Armenian and European rhythms performed by French Armenian musicians ‘Guydzag’.

In his opening address, Mr Harout Aghajanian, Chairman of AGBU London and Vice Chairman of the AGBU London Trust, welcomed and thanked all those present for their support and generosity and also expressed gratitude to those who could not attend, but who had sent and were continuing to send donations for the Norashen Centennial Project. Mr Aghajanian expressed the hope that British Armenians would continue to support London AGBU’s fundraising initiatives to help their compatriots, by attending future events and making donations. He also extended a special word of thanks to the young people who had chosen to attend and support the Gala evening.

One of the highlights of the evening was the reading of a message of appreciation and a blessing received from His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians which was conveyed by His Grace Bishop Nathan Hovhannisian.

Mrs Carol Aslanian praised the London AGBU Chapter for taking up the challenge of raising funds for this important AGBU Centennial Project and thanked Mr Aghajanian and his Committee for undertaking the hard work required to realise their objectives.


The London AGBU would like to thank the following for their generosity in supporting the Norashen Project:

Mrs Flora Abadjian
Mr & Mrs Gaspar Aghajanian
Mr & Mrs Harout Aghajanian
Mr Sevan Aghajanian
Lord & Lady Avebury
Dr Babajide Bamkole
Mr & Mrs Hampar Chakardjian
Mr and Mrs Levon Chilingirian
Mr & Mrs Paul Clare
Mr & Mrs Tatto Couligian
Dr Arah Daniellian
Mr Ben Davies
Mrs Rosie Gregory
Miss & Mrs Grigorian
Mr & Mrs Diran Hoonanian
Mr Basil Johhanness
Mr & Mrs Tony Kahve
Mrs Soultanic Kouyoumdjian
Mr & Mrs Garbis Kouyoumdjian
Mrs Zabel Kouyoumdjian
Mr & Mrs George Kurkjian
Mr & Mrs John Kurkjian
Mr & Mrs S. Ovanessoff
Mr & Mrs Vartan Ouzounian
Mr Mac Pachaian
Mr & Mrs Ara Sarafian
Mr & Mrs Sebouh Sarafian
Mrs Chake Seferian
Mrs Noushig Setrakian
Mr Shartouni
Mrs Y. Simolak
Dr. & Mrs A. Zoulikian

AGBU London would welcome your support to improve the living conditions of the people of Karabagh.