With our greatest sorrow we inform you about the death of Garabed Khusdekian, (born 1926 in Haji Hababli), which happened on January, 22, 2011, in USA Sacramento.

Our deepest condolences to his family and friends…

A special prayer was held in the “St. Mary’s” Church of Anjar after the Sunday mass, by Father Mesrob Topalian, for the soul of Catholicos –Patriarch Hovhannes Bedros 17th Kasbarian, who passed away on Sunday, 16th of January, in Beirut.

After the prayer, a reception was held in the “Aghajanian” Hall, where formal guests and representatives of different associations expressed their condolences.

We sadly inform you that, Missak Sekayan passed away suddenly in his home, at the age of 89, on Saturday, 22nd of January, 2011.

Deepest condolences to his family...

The Municipality Building of Anjar is being renovated, to be a 2 floor construction, with traditional Lebanese structural design.

Here are some photos…

On Sunday, 16th of January, a discussion lecture was held in the “S. Zeitlian” Center, organized by the Cultural Council of the “Garmir Ler” Committee.

The present state of Armenians living in Chavakh, was presented by, Ardag Kaprielian, a member of the public organizations’ council in Chavakh and the president of the www.a-info.org news website.

The state of the Armenians living in Armenia, was presented by lecturer Haigaz Alvertsian, president of the Western Armenians’ concerns’ center.

The lecturers, after presenting a brief view about the topics, answered the questions of the attendants who were eager to know about the problems that Armenians face in “Chavakh” in keeping their Armenian Identity, whether they are cultural, security, or linguistic, and about ways to help them overcome those problems. Many questions were asked about the Armenians living in Diaspora, specially who have lost their religious identity and need encouragement and acknowledgement to return to their roots and religion.

On the occasion of Christmas Holiday, the Hmazkayine “Barouyr Sevag” Chapter of Anjar organized a ball on Thursday, January, 6th, in Restaurant “Arev”, under the auspices of the municipality of Anjar and having as president, former MP Nicolas Fattoush.

 Miss Lousig Der Kalousdian, chairman of the chapter, after saying the opening words invited the conductor of the feast, Mr. Hagop Karneshian, who welcomed the attendants and invited the singer of the event, Ararad Aharonian who in his turn created a festive spirit with his songs inviting all the attendants to get on their feet and dance.

The Vakeftseez founded a club in Istanbul as a center for gathering on holidays and on Sundays with families and friends, to keep alive the Mousa Daghian traditions and customs.

The establishment of the club is an evidence of the determination of the Armenians in Istanbul to overcome all obstacles and keep the Armenian language, culture and traditions alive.

An interview with an economist and a specialist in the national fuel market, a writer and a great Anjarian, Vahan Zanoyan, was published in the “Aztag” Newspaper, on Saturday, January, 8th and a bunch of his poems was also published in the November issue of the “Ardziv” Newspaper.

For further information about the interview visit www.aztagdaily.com the 6th page of the January 8th issue, and to get a chance of reading his poems visit www.ardziv.com  the 5th page of the November issue.

On the occasion of the Armenian Christmas, the Lebanese broadcasting “New TV” Channel proposed to the LOKH “Aghtamar” Chapter of Anjar to participate in the TV program “Walla Atyab”, by cooking traditional Armenian food which was later broadcasted from the channel in five days.

The event, which was sponsored by the municipality of Anjar and organized by the Educational Council of the LOKH “Aghtamar” chapter, took place on the 29th of December in restaurant “Razmig”, where five professional cooks from the village prepared different kinds of traditional Armenian food, which was highly appreciated by the viewers.

The Doctors who are serving freely in the “Filhannessian” Clinic of the LOKH “Aghtamar” Chapter were invited to a gathering over dinner in restaurant “Arev”, on December 18th, 2010.

A festive atmosphere was created for the Doctors who were present with their families, especially when they welcomed Santa loaded with presents.

The three pastors of the village and the administrative committees of the associations and organizations of the village, were invited to a gathering in the “S. Zeitlian” Center, to congratulate each other the arrival of the New Year and Christmas, in an event organized by the Educational Council of the ARF “Garmir Ler” Committee.

The opening words were said by George Apelian on behalf of the organizing committee, who invited all of Rev. Father Ashod Karakashian, Rev. Raffi Messerlian, father Mesrob Topalian, the mayor of Anjar and ARF “Garmir ler” Committee representative to say their wishes for the year 2011.

After the announcement of the birth of Jesus Christ to every home in the village by the students of the “Shoushanian” Sunday school of the “St. Boghos” Church and the members of the Evangelical “Chanits” association, on the midnight of January 5 our compatriots were invited to a gathering in the village square, where the Christmas cavern was furnished by the HMEM scouts and Christmas decorations were placed by the Anjar municipality.

The welcoming words were said by Hagop Aintablian on behalf of the Educational Council of the ARF "Garmir Ler" Committee, who wished a prosperous and successful year for all Anjarians and to Anjar as an Armenian, Mousa Daghian community.

 A spiritual atmosphere was created in the square where the attendants sang Christmas carols and recited prayers, whereas the HMEM fanfare joined in by playing Christmas music on their instruments.

After congratulating the arrival of the New Year to family and relatives, the youth of the village gathered in the “K. Gulbenkian” Hall to continue the New Year's celebration with friends, in a gathering organized by the ARF, LEM “Sh. Misakian” Chapter.

Sevan Atamian conducted the gathering and created a festive atmosphere, where the attendants danced on the tunes of contemporary music.