By the organization of the ABBA technical Committee, Ji-5 & Ji-6 Contest took place on Sunday, 30th of March in the HMEM "Aghpalian" Club, Antelias. Among the four clubs participating in the contest was our Anjar Black Belt Amity, that made a great success.

Six students who won the Ji-6 certificate are: Kazanjian Sose; Kazanjian Heghnar; Adajian Chantal; Geokjian Ardag; Arabian Sako and Arabian Christine.

Whereas nine students succeeded in the exam and received the Ji-5 certificate are: Arabian Sarin; Kahkejian Talar; Atamian Davigh; Keosheyan Varant; Shannakian Arek; Daghlian Vatche; Daghlian Harout; Zakarian Zakar and Andonian Garen.
Congratulations...

The 17th UCLA International conference series on historic Armenian cities and provinces took place in Los Angeles California for two consecutive days, February 29th and March 1st. The conference focused on the Armenian communities of Mousa Dagh, Anjar and Kessab with participants form Armenia, France, Great Britain, Lebanon (From Anjar Mr. Sahag Andekian), Netherlands, Syria and the United States.

                           
The conference was sponsored by the "Armenian Educational Foundation Chair In Modern Armenian History", University of Los Angeles and co-sponsored by "The Mousaler Association of California" & Kessab Educational Association of Los Angeles.

The lectures were presented by a group of lecturers including Dr. Hagop Tcholakian, Dr. Verjine Svazlian, Dr. Richard G. Hovhannisian, Dr. Vahram Shemmasian, Dr. Hagop Panossian and many others.

After the Holy Mass on Monday, 24th of March, the Memorial services for the soul of  Zaven Tashjian, who was assassinated on March, 3, 1986 in his own shop in Anjar, were held in the National cemetery of Anjar, in the presence of the family members, relatives, representatives of associations and organizations in the village and large number of compatriots.

   
After the Memorial services the compatriots gathered around his tomb where a bouquet of flower was replaced and a prayer was made for his soul. The condolences were then received by his family members and the “Garmir Ler” Committee members, in the "S.Zeitlian" center.

The Easter Ball of HMEM took place on Sunday 23rd of March in restaurant "Arev".  The feast was under the auspices of the HMEM Regional Committee and under the patronage of the Lebanese International University.
Among the guests were the Lebanese Parliament members Mr. George Kasarji, Mayor of Anjar Mr. Sebouh Sekayian, Chairman Of the LIU, the representative of ARF “Garmir Ler” Committee and of different associations in Anjar, and more than 350 compatriots.

Mrs. Lena Stamboulian, the conductor of the feast made a warm welcome, then she invited the singer of the day, Sevag Bedourian who created a very special atmosphere with the guest singer, Mrs. Shake Baghdasarian and continued the feast until 3:00 AM.

Large number of compatriots were present in the Easter Mass which took place in the three churches of Anjar.

According to our religious traditions, nearly all the ceremonies of the Holly week of Easter took place in Anjar starting from Thursday afternoon, where the ceremony of “Vodenleva” took place in our churches, which was followed by the “Latsi Kisher” at night.

 
On Friday the ceremonies of the funeral of Jesus Christ took Place with the moving Procession (Tapor) in the streets. Many of our compatriots attended these Holy ceremonies trying to revive their Christian faith and be the one with Christ on that day of His suffering. 

The Scouts of H.M.E.M. Chapter wanted to create a joyful spirit in the village and decorate the cave of Anjar with Easter Decorations. The cave was highly appreciated by our compatriots and many parents armed with the camera gathered around the cave to take pictures of their children in front of the beautiful decoration.

On Friday 14th of March, Dr. Svante Lundgren, a doctor in theology at the Abo Akademi University of Finland visited Anjar. 
He had a meeting with the principal of the KGSS Mr. Armen Tashjian and members of the ARF "Garmir Ler" Committee's Organizational Council.

During the meeting they discussed different topics concerning the Mousdaghians and their heroic history. Then, they visited the Mousdagh Martyr's Monument, the "S.Zetlian" Center and had a launch in one of our restaurant before leaving our village.

On Sunday 16th of March, LOKH "Aghtamar" Chapter organized a children's day in the "K.Guilbenkian Hall. 

The Children's Day provided our children with a special opportunity to spend a wonderful time with the "Happy Birthday" Team, which created a positive and lovely moments in their memories, by dancing, singing and participating in the various fun activities afforded by the team.

The yard of "St. Paul" Church was full of hundreds of compatriots who had come to celebrate the victorious entrance of Jesus to the Jerusalem city, on the Palm Sunday which was celebrated on 16th of March.

 
Children dressed in their new clothes and parents armed with the cameras chasing them around the church.
The Mass began at 9:00 am, followed by the procession (Tapor) at 11:00. Rev. Father Ashod Karakashian & Rev. Father Arsen Keshishian with the choir led the long row of children and parents moving slowly around the church, with candles and olive branches praying for hope and peace to come soon to earth.

           
In the afternoon, the ceremony of "terenpasek" took place to be followed by a series of other ceremonies this week, getting ready for the Easter next Sunday. Palm Sunday was also celebrated in the Evangelical and Catholic churches, which were also full of compatriots belonging to these denominations.

The weekend of Hamazkayin "B.Sevag" Chapter was full of various and colorful activities.

                                    
The first event took place on Friday, 14th of March, when the famous Armenian artist, the monologist Vartan Bedrosian performed his "Ascension" piece on the stage of the "Mousa Ler" Hall.

              
The piece, which presented the Armenian Genocide was highly appreciate by the audience, who counted more than 150.
The second event was a "Musical Contest" between the elementary students of both KGSS and the AESS of Anjar.

Fifteen students participated in the contest performing an obligatory piece and a free piece.

Among the first, second and the third graders:

*** Lilit Aprahamian won the third prize, Maria Apelian the second and the first prize winner was Meghety Topalian.

While among the forth, fifth and the sixth graders: Third prize winner was Nayirie Mesrlian, and first prize winners were Kevork Khedrian and Varak Keohulian. Congratulation to our young singers.

It was on Friday, 7th of March when members of LOKH "Aghtamar" Chapter visited each house and congratulated our ladies by offering them flowers on the International Women's Day.

We congratulate the chapter for this step and wish them further successes in their achievements.

Around 750 compatriots, between parents, students and friends of “K. Gulbenkian” Sec. School, were gathered in restaurant “Arev”, to take part in the school's alumni annual feast on the first of March at 9:00PM.

The feast was under the auspices of Municipality of Anjar, and under the patronage of a group pf alumni. After a special Armenian opening dace performed by the students of the school, the conductors of the day, Mr. Saro Kendirjian and Ms. Lousig Der Kalousdian welcomed the presents, talking about the assisting role of each Armenian to keep the Armenian schools standing upright in both Armenian and Arabic Languages.

The "H ZΩH" Band (the first original Greek band in Lebanon) with the singers Anto (in Armenian and Arabic) and Lisa (in Greek), created a joyful atmosphere extending the feast till 4:00 am. It is worth mentioning that a substantial amount of donations were gathered, partially easing the financial situation of “K. Guilbenkian” Sec. School.
For more details visit the website of the school www.cgulbenkian.com

On Wednesday, 5th of March the Educational Committee of the LOKH "Aghtamar" Chapter has organized a lecture about the history of Armenian needlework, having as a lecturer Mrs. Lisa Tumberian.

For almost an hour Mrs. Tumberian explained the history of the Armenian needle work and Armenian costumes throughout our history by exhibiting a wonderful bouquet of our needleworks and costumes.

Miss Ani Ghougasian got engaged to Mr. Nareg Garabedian, a compatriot from US, on Saturday 16th of February. Congratulations...

We are happy to announce that Mr. & Mrs. Sebouh and Aline Doumanian were blessed with their third child, a baby girl, Lale, sister of Maria and Haig, on Thursday, the 28th of February. Congratulation to Lale's family and relatives.

On Sunday second of March, A story of people in war and peace, a documentary film depicting the "Karabakh" war by Vartan Hovhanissian was presented in the "K.Guilbenkian" Hall.

After welcoming words by Mr. George Apelian on behalf of the organizational council of "Garmir Ler" Committee, Ms. Salpie Kurkjian from the "Artsakh Fund" was invited to speak about the film.

Ms. Kurkjian mentioned that Armenians won the battle by liberating the lands that belonged to our ancestors.  Then more than 300 compatriots were able to watch the film and had the chance to meet with two of the heroes of the film and listen to the producer, who said that Artsakh had been liberated by the immense efforts of the whole Armenians.

We are sorry to announce the death of Mr. Capriel Kurdian (Jabra), who passed away on Friday, 29th of February, after suffering from illness for a long period of time. The funeral services were held on Saturday, first of March at 2:00pm in the "St.Paul" Church.
Mrs. Parantsem Zobian passed away on Saturday, first of March. The funeral services took place on Sunday, second of March, at 2.00pm, in the "St.Paul" church Anjar.

Our deepest condolences to both families and relatives.