On May 23, at the Copthorne Tara Hotel, an official dinner reception was held to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Tekeyan Trust London and the 40th anniversary of the London Tekeyan Cultural Association.

More than 150 guests, amongst who representatives of the Armenian Church in the UK, representatives of the Armenian Embassy in London, community leaders, Tekeyan devotees from the UK, the USA, France, Switzerland, Lebanon, Cyprus, Armenia and other corners of the world, gathered to share common happiness, to enjoy a memorable evening of Armenian culture and to pay tribute to the great individuals and the founders of the TCA and the TTL.

The Master of Ceremonies Tamar Minassian opened the function with congratulatory remarks and invited Rev. Shenork Baghdassarian to offer the invocation.

Mr Vartan Ouzounian, Honourary Secretary of the Tekeyan Trust London and Chairman of the Tekeyan Centre Fund Armenia, continued the official ceremony. He extended heartfelt congratulations to all present on the two great occasions and underscored the importance of the TTL in the community life and stated its main mission of preserving the national identity, religion, language and culture through various projects and community life activities. Mr Ouzounian recalled vividly just a few major cultural events organized by the TCA and the TTL: in 1985, 5 performances of the Armenian State Folk Song & Dance Ensemble at the world renowned Royal Albert Hall in London, at the Dome in Brighton and at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester; in 1989, on the 1st anniversary of devastating earthquake in Armenia, under the auspices of the UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to help children in Armenia, 21 performances of the Armenian State Dance Company all across the UK and Ireland with more than 45,000 attendants; performances of the Armenian State Choir; staging sundry arts exhibitions, concerts, etc. Mr Ouzounian also stated the achievements of the TTL, mainly the Institute of Armenian Music, “Arax” Folk Dance Group, “Erebouni” biweekly, “Komitas” Choir, the Tekeyan Centre in Armenia and expressed his appreciation to the most voluntary work providers over many years: Dr. Antranig Zoulikian, editor for many years of "Erebouni" weekly, and Mrs Yertchanik Martikian, teacher and supervisor of "Arax" Dance group. He dwelled upon the activity of the Tekeyan Centre Fund that involves and sponsors five Tekeyan Schools in Armenia and Karabagh. Mr Ouzounian finalized his speech with deepest gratitude to all Tekeyan benefactors and supporters who greatly contributed to the establishment and further development of the TCA, TTL and TCF.

Mrs Sylva Krikorian-Aharonian, Chair of the London Tekeyan Trust, was the next speaker at the function. She briefed the history of the two London Tekeyan establishments that were founded to prevent gradual mergence of Armenians into other nations. In 1975, when the London TCA was founded, the first committee members were Davit Messerlian, Manuel Keoshgerian, Norayr Kherlopian, Jirair Kevorkian, Alan Kutchukian and Sylva Krikorian. A bit later Maida Gudenian, Annie Bardakjian, Shake Chakmakdjian, Silva Shamassian, Vartan Ouzounian and Garo Arevian joined the committee. In 1979, the Tekeyan Trust was founded by Garo Krikorian, Vartan Ouzounian, Garabed Arevian, Takvor Barzankian and Davit Messerlian. For four decades the London Tekeyan organizations have been supporting each other and going side by side realizing numerous projects to promote Armenian cultural heritage. As Mrs Krikorian-Aharonian stated the pride of the TTL is the symbol of unity of Armenians all over the world the Tekeyan Centre in Yerevan, the construction of which became a reality due to the efforts of Mr V. Ouzounian. Apart from being a fund, Tekeyan Centre is a venue for exhibitions, conferences, cultural events. At the end of her speech, Mrs Krikorian-Aharonian warmly congratulated on the occasion of the 35th and 40th anniversaries of the Tekeyan Trust and the Tekeyan Cultural Association and highly praised and thanked all the Tekeyan devotees of past and present for their efforts and services to the nation. And commemorating the 1.5 mln massacres of the 1915, she stated that the Trust has to go on with its mission of preserving the Armenian language, church, history and culture to prove that Armenians will never be annihilated.

The celebration continued with a dinner reception and a film show of the TCA and TTL activities including the official opening of the Tekeyan Centre in Yerevan.

On behalf of the TCA London, Chairman Violetta Barzankian-Kaydan presented her congratulatory remarks and wished all the best in future endevours. She stated the role and the importance of the Tekeyan organizations which are among the oldest cultural organizations established within the Armenian community of the UK. All the efforts of the TCA new committee are directed towards one aim, i.e. continuing cultural ideas and traditions of the TCA.

Mr Armen Liloyan, the representative of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia to the UK and Northern Ireland, delivered the congratulatory message of the Ambassador Dr Armen Sarkissian who was unable to be present but passed on his good wishes and appreciation to the TCA and the TTL for longstanding service to the Armenian community. In his speech, Mr Liloyan noted that the anniversaries of the two organizations named after the great Armenian poet, coincided with the Centenary of the Armenian Genocide, the survivor of which was Vahan Tekeyan himself. Despite the national tragedy, Tekeyan managed to go on and, in his poetry, to express belief in bright future, freedom and heroism. And this very ideology was espoused by TCA and the TTL which are faithful to their roots and their culture. The organizations are bridging the UK Armenians and the Motherland.

Then, the congratulatory address issued by the RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan was read. The Minister extended deepest congratulations to the TCA and TTL and highly praised the activities of the Tekeyan organizations that serve to the benefits of the Armenian nation through establishing cultural, educational, arts, publishing centres and in this way create not only the history of the Tekeyan structure but also the one of the whole nation. Thanks to Tekeyan projects the younger generation is educated with strong patriotism, and Armenian national cultural and spiritual heritage is preserved, promoted and spread abroad. Mrs Hakobyan expressed her sincere appreciation to the Tekeyan Trust and the Tekeyan Cultural Association for their long outstanding services and devotion to the Armenian nation as well as for furthering relations between Armenia and the Diaspora.

Thereafter, at Copthorne Tara Hotel, a cultural programme followed which featured impressive performances of the well known Armenian merited actress Ms Jenia Nersessian (“Khorhourt Vartanants” by V. Tekeyan, pieces from “Adamnapoujn Arevelyan” by H. Baronian), “Akhtamar” Armenian Folk Dance Group, soprano Anais Heghoian accompanied by pianist Kristina Arakelyan (“Groung” by Komitas). Next, Ms Anush Geghamian delivered poetic recitation by Baruir Sevag “Menq kitch enq, sagayn mez Hay en asoum”, and Mrs Rozette Ouzounian recited “Hashvehartar” by V. Tekeyan.

The celebration function concluded with a raffle draw announcement.

Special thanks to the Tekeyan Trust, Mrs Rosette Ouzounian, Mrs Anush Geghamyan, Mrs Dalila Heath, the benefactors, organizers, the speakers and the audience, whose efforts and support made the event possible.