Armenian Assembly

Armenian Assembly (Armenian: Հայերի ասամբլեա) is a non-governmental organisation founded in 2017 in Armenia. Its mission is to support and implement social-entrepreneurial projects in the fields of culture, education, tourism, and information technology in Armenia and the Diaspora. The Armenian Assembly brings together representatives of the Armenian Diaspora from the spheres of culture, education, science, politics, and business.

Armenian Assembly

Formation	April 15, 2017 (2017-04-15)
Type	NGO
Headquarters	Yerevan, Armenia
Official language	Armenian, English,Russian
President	Vahe Engibaryan
Website	https://assembly.am/

The structure of the organisation

The main body of the Armenian Assembly is the Public Council, which consists of the following structure:

• Presidium of the Public Council

• Bureau of the Presidium

• Board of Trustees

• Other specialised committees

Composition of the Presidium of the Public Council

Chairman of the Council: V. R. Yengibaryan Members: K. K. Avagumyan A. A. Avdolyan R. V. Yengibaryan E. L. Giner S. S. Karapetyan A. A. Kamalov A. G. Melikyan A. A. Mikoyan Archbishop Yezras N. K. A. Orbelyan R. V. Paranyants D. Y. Pushkar A. M. Sarkisyan N. E. Sarkisov G. Sh. Stepanyan S. Z. Spivakova A. B. Ter-Avanesov G. V. Frangulyan P. S. Chitipakhovyan A. M. Khachatryan A. G. Shahazizyan

Composition of the Bureau of the Presidium of the Public Council

A. A. Avdolyan – Co-Chair A. R. Khachatuyants – Co-Chair R. A. Aghambekyan V. R. Yengibaryan R. O. Yetumyan A. P. Hakobyan S. A. Babayan K. Kostanyan

Board of Trustees

S. Azatyan A. P. Hakobyan R. M. Minasbekyan N. E. Arustamyan S. E. Gortsunyan V. R. Dashtoyan A. O. Karapetyan A. A. Khudoyan A. R. Manukyan A. A. Grishkyan V. Marinosyan

Executive Committee

E. Antonyan A. Badalyan V. Dashtoyan S. Lazaryan V. Manukyan K. Mirzoyan A. Mnatsakanyan G. Dolmazyan

Committee on Information Technology, Science, and Education

S. Aslanyan – Co-Chair R. Yenikolopov – Co-Chair G. Harutyunyan S. Azatyan E. Antonyan K. Mirzoyan K. Karapetyan H. Karapetyan S. Chitipakhovyan

Women’s Initiatives Committee

S. Azizyan O. Balayan A. Gasparyan A. Doletskaya A. Ghazaryan A. Kondoyanidi G. Kocharyan I. Pochitaeva E. Teryan M. Toghanyan E. Tsaturova

Objectives and Activities

• Preservation and development of Armenian national traditions and cultural heritage.

• Support for the national self-identification of Armenians.

• Establishment and strengthening of interethnic relations between Armenians and representatives of other nations and ethnic groups.

• Creation of a platform for integrating the intellectual expertise of Diaspora representatives for the implementation of social programs in Armenia.

• Development and support of social entrepreneurship, formation of a community of social entrepreneurs, and engagement of socially successful Armenians in the implementation of programs and initiatives.

The first duduk masterclass at the Gnessin School of Music featuring Djivan Gasparyan Sr. and Djivan Gasparyan Jr.

Cultural programs

Tapan Museum

Mikhail Khokhlov, director of the Gnesins Music School, presents the award to Artem Ioannissian, winner of the ARMONIA competition.

"Tapan" is a cultural space in the heart of Moscow that unites people regardless of nationality, native language, or religious beliefs. In the fall of 2017, the Armenian Assembly renovated the museum using new technological solutions for exhibitions. The museum hosts interactive exhibitions, thematic film screenings, and other events.

V. Engibarian and S. Sargsyan at the Tretyakov Gallery, where the paintings of Martiros Saryan were exhibited. 2017, Moscow

ARMONIA

In 2019-2020, the ARMONIA competition for young talents was held in two stages for children and teenagers aged 7-17. More than 100 applications were submitted on the competition's official website. The jury selected the best performers in each age category to advance to the finals. The final jury determined the winners in three age groups:

• 7-9 years
• 10-14 years
• 15-17 years

For the Audience Choice Award, voting was conducted online on the competition website among the finalists.

Restoration of the consular section of the Armenian Embassy

On May 30, 2019, a ceremonial unveiling of a memorial plaque dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the Lazarev family took place in the restored Consular Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in the Russian Federation.

The installation and inauguration of the plaque were held in the historic Lazarev family mansion in Moscow as part of the Days of Armenian Culture. The building currently houses the Consular Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Russia. The Armenian Assembly actively participated in the restoration works of the consular premises, emphasizing the importance of preserving Armenian cultural heritage in Russia.

Among those present at the opening ceremony were the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Russia, Vardan Toganyan; Consul Ara Mnatsakanyan; and members of the Armenian Assembly, including Vahe Yengibaryan, Stepan Chitipakhovyan, Ruben Yenikolopov, and Albert Khudoyan.

Monument dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Mekhitarist Order on the island of San Lazzaro in Venice.

Monument to the 300th Anniversary of the Founding of the Mekhitarist Order

In November 2019, with the blessing of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Russia and New Nakhichevan, the Armenian Assembly installed a monument on the island of San Lazzaro in Venice dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Mekhitarist Order.

Performance of the Ballet Gayane at the Bolshoi Theatre

On July 24, 2018, to promote Armenian culture and in celebration of the 2800th anniversary of Yerevan, a performance of Aram Khachaturian’s ballet Gayane was organised on the stage of the State Academic Bolshoi Theatre of Russia. The event was held with the financial support and assistance of the Armenian Assembly in cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in the Russian Federation. The production was staged by the Alexander Spendiaryan National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre.

Armenian Culture Days: Guests before the private screening of the film ‘Dance of Swords’.

Days of Armenian Culture

• From May 27 to June 1, 2019, the public organization Armenian Assembly, with the participation and support of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in the Russian Federation and the Armenian Apostolic Church in Russia and New Nakhichevan, held the Days of Armenian Culture in Moscow.

• On May 27, the official opening ceremony took place at the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall of the Moscow Conservatory and was dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Maestro Tigran Mansurian.

• On May 28, for the first time, under the leadership of two renowned Michelin-starred chefs—Karen Torosyan (Bozar Restaurant, Brussels, Belgium) and Stefano Ciotti (Nostrano Restaurant, Pesaro, Italy)—together with chefs from leading Armenian restaurants (Chinar, The Club, Mayrig, Lavash), a special fusion menu was created. The menu combined traditional Armenian dishes with haute cuisine, drawing on Armenian culinary traditions and European cooking techniques.

• On May 29, a closed screening of the film The Sabre Dance, directed by Yusup Razykov and produced by Ruben Dishdishyan, was held at the State Tretyakov Gallery.

• On May 30, in honor of the 300th anniversary of the Lazarev family, a ceremonial opening of the reconstructed Consular Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in the Russian Federation took place.

• On June 1, at the initiative of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Russia, a screening of animated films by Armenian animators based on the fairy tales of Hovhannes Tumanyan was held at the State Tretyakov Gallery, marking International Children’s Day.

Christmas gathering

In 2018, the musical evening “Christmas gathering” was established by the Armenian Assembly to annually award named grants to outstanding Armenian musicians—Komitas, Aram Khachaturian, Charles Aznavour, and Jivan Gasparyan—for students of the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music who have Armenian heritage, in recognition of their significant achievements in performance art. Young talents received grants (monetary awards) as well as exclusive statuettes by the renowned sculptor Michael Aram, presented by successful members of the Armenian diaspora from various fields and members of the Armenian Assembly.

The event was attended by the President of the Republic of Armenia, Armen Sarkissian. A video message and congratulations were delivered by the world-famous Armenian footballer Henrikh Mkhitaryan and tennis player Karen Khachanov. Recognizing the contribution of teachers to the cultural development of students, the Armenian Assembly also awarded the instructors of the laureates.

Grant recipients were selected based on recommendations from the leadership of the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music and the decision of a jury, which included K. Orbelyan, J. Gasparyan, S. Namin, and S. Smbatyan.

The first laureates of the project for achievements in performance art were:

• Karina Arutyunyan (clarinet) — laureate of the Jivan Gasparyan Grant

• Elen Virabyan (flute) — laureate of the Charles Aznavour Grant

• Karina Ter-Ghazaryan (piano) — laureate of the Aram Khachaturian Grant

• David Avetisyan (piano) — laureate of the Komitas Grant

Support for Asmik Grigorian’s Concert

On November 6, with the support of the Armenian Assembly, the internationally renowned soprano Asmik Grigorian performed in the Grand Hall of the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory.

The concert featured soloists and the symphony orchestra of the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre. The event was conducted by Konstantin Orbelyan, Honored Artist of Russia and Artistic Director of the Alexander Spendiaryan National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre.

Armenian Church

Unified Platform of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church and Automation of Armenian Sunday Schools

At the initiative of Vahe Yengibaryan, Chairman of the Council of the Armenian Assembly, a digital platform was developed for the Russian and New Nakhichevan Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church. This project subsequently served as the foundation for the creation of a unified, comprehensive platform of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church.

In September 2019, a preliminary presentation of the new platform of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Russia and New Nakhichevan was held.

Mobile Application of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church

In November 2017, the organization released the mobile application of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church - Armenian Church - which made church news, sermons, prayers, and the liturgical calendar more accessible to users.

Armenian Jewelry Collection

On June 24, 2016, in connection with the visit of Pope Francis to Armenia, and with the blessing of Archbishop Yezras Nersisyan, head of the Russian and New Nakhichevan Diocese, and at the initiative of Vahe Yengibaryan, the renowned American jewelry house Jacob & Co. designed and released a limited-edition collection of crosses.

The cross is depicted within a circle symbolising the cosmic heavenly sphere and emphasising the universal significance of the Cross of Christ as a microcosm. One side bears a Christian cross, while the other features an Armenian cross; on both sides is inscribed a prayer from the morning service of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the Armenian language. The emblem of the Armenian Apostolic Church appears on the sides of the symbol.

Of the 18 crosses produced, the first two were presented by Archbishop Yezras Nersisyan to His Holiness Garekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, and to His Holiness Pope Francis.

Education

Support for Young Talents

The identification and support of talented children and young people are among the organisation’s priority areas of activity.

In 2018-2019, the organisation provided support to young performers who achieved success in classical music and sports. Among them were:

• Shant Sargsyan — World Chess Champion. In March 2019, with the organisation's support, he participated in the European Chess Championship in North Macedonia.

• Eva Gevorgyan — pianist and student of the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory. In May 2019, with the organization’s support, she traveled to the United States to participate in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, where she was awarded second place and received the special Press Award. She also took part in the award ceremony of the second international concert competition GMP – Global Music Partnership at the State Philharmonic of Uzbekistan (Tashkent).

• Karina Ter-Ghazaryan — pianist and laureate of the “Christmas Meeting” event. In 2019, with the organization’s support, she conducted a concert tour across Armenia, performing at music schools in Yerevan, Ashtarak, Sisian, Goris, Kapan, Khndzoresk, and Abovyan.

• David Avetisyan — pianist and laureate of the “Christmas Meeting” event. In 2019, with the organization’s support, he undertook masterclasses and individual lessons with Professor and pianist Grigory Gruzman, and gave two concerts — at the Robert Schumann House in Zwickau and in the city of Weimar.

Creation of the Website of the Educational Institution Named after Saint Gregory of Narek

At the end of 2019, the Armenian Assembly began work on the development of a general educational website for the institution named after Saint Gregory of Narek.

Tourism

Armenia Guide Tourism Platform

The Armenia Guide platform was established with the aim of bringing together representatives of the tourism industry within a unified space, with the mission of developing tourism in Armenia, expanding both inbound and outbound tourism markets, and diversifying the country’s tourism offerings by providing a full package of travel services. In essence, Armenia Guide serves not only as a guide to Armenia but also to the broader Armenian world.

The official launch of the mobile application took place in June 2019 במסגרת the Armenian Summit of Minds, held under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Armenia, Armen Sarkissian.

In July 2019, the project “Virtual Tourist Map of Armenia,” developed within the Armenia Guide platform, was recognized as the best innovative startup solution, winning first place in a competition held as part of the “VTB–Visa Small Business Innovation Forum 2019.” The competition also featured initiatives focused on the development and digitalization of small businesses from CIS countries and Georgia.

On September 20, 2019, a memorandum was signed between the public organization Armenian Assembly and VTB Armenia for the issuance of a multi-currency virtual tourist card on the Armenia Guide platform.

On October 13, 2020, the Chairman of the Council of the Armenian Assembly, Vahe Yengibaryan, met with the President of the Republic of Armenia, during which he announced his readiness to invest 1 billion drams in the development of high-tech solutions and automation in Armenia and Artsakh, as well as in the implementation of humanitarian, social, and educational projects, with the creation of more than 200 jobs.

Gourmet fest

GOURMET FEST is an eno-gastronomic platform whose mission is to promote Armenian cuisine and position Armenia on the global gastronomic map, as well as to create a unified space for the exchange of experience and new ideas.

The project aims to annually bring together international experts from the restaurant and gastronomy sectors in Armenia to conduct masterclasses, panel discussions, and festivals with the participation of representatives of the country’s restaurant industry and the surrounding region.

The first GOURMET gastronomic evening was held on December 6, 2018, in Moscow.

On May 28, 2019, in Moscow, as part of the “Days of Armenian Culture” initiative, a GOURMET FEST gastronomic evening took place. For the first time, under the leadership of two renowned Michelin-starred chefs and with the participation of chefs from leading Armenian restaurants, a special fusion menu was created. In essence, it represented a combination of traditional Armenian cuisine and haute cuisine. Essentially, it was a combination of traditional Armenian cuisine and haute cuisine.

See also

• Vahe Engibaryan