Upcoming Events
(click on the language for the flyer)

Film Festival and Competition
(Fri Oct 3, 2008)
(Armenian)
(English)

Lecture
Youth in search of their identiy
(Sat Oct 4, 2008)
(Armenian)
(English)

80th Anniversary Celebration
(Fri Oct 3, 2008)
(Armenia)
(English)


NEWS
FROM
HAMAZKAYIN

The 40th anniversary of New York Chapter of Hamazkayin A ring for the continuance of the Armenian Culture
Any Armenian aware of the Armenian Diaspora’s circumstances surely appreciates the persistence of an Armenian organization that for forty years has worked to maintain the survival of our national identity. This becomes even more important when we talk about the persistence of cultural organizations. It is those organizations, which, having carried upon themselves the conscious role of preserving the culture, have placed the Diaspora's survival at the axis of their activities. The most powerful units working to preserve the Armenian language are undoubtedly the cultural associations. The units of Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Association belong in this cluster.
Armenian organizations in every city, place, or town faces its own difficulties. New York, too, presents immense obstacles. In every way, this city has an immense magnetic power. Armenians do not even form an oasis in here. There is only a handful of Armenians among a population of 8 million. In a cultural sense, our efforts consistently collide with the huge avant-garde cultural movements of the foreign and professional environments. There is the problem of the distance between the homes of our members, which is doubled because of road traffic. There are members who drive three hours to attend rehearsals, sometimes twice a week. In a city like New York driving an hour is something very natural. To carry on in such turmoil for forty years is indeed a proud accomplishment not only for the Armenians in New York, but also for the Armenian nation.