“Today, we Celebrate Garo Hovhannessian’s life and contribution to the Armenian Schools and eductation, to our Culture and People” stated Aram I

Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia – March 2016

2 March 2016. On Tuesday evening at the “Cilicia” Museum Hall, His Holiness Aram I presided over the celebration, which honoured Garo Hovhannessian for his 40 years of service as teacher, man of letters, and editor. The evening was organized jointly by the Seminary of the Catholicosate and the Lebanon Committee of Hamazkayin Cultural Association.

Nora Tashdjian welcomed the guests and introduced Garo Hovhannessian as a leader and mentor who has acted out of his commitment to Armenian culture and ethical values. She spoke of him as a teacher for whom education is a mutual search for truth between teacher and student. She concluded her introduction by saying that he will remain a reference for other teachers and a source of inspiration for the younger generation.

Following an interlude with music and poetry, Mr Christopher Michaelian took the floor. He described Mr Hovhannesian as a symbol of wisdom and enlightenmen: a teacher who joyfully shared his knowledge and experience with his students, an intuitive editor and a skilful and conscientious researcher. In his conclusion, Michaelian described him as a staunch defender of the Western Armenian language and a believer in the role of critical thinking in identity building.

Nazareth Berberian noted that Mr Hovhannessian is a member of the generation that was ideologically formed by the vision arising from the 50^th Anniversary commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. He said that he exemplifies the determination to make the voice of the descendants of the survivors heard. Mr Berberian concluded by saying that Mr Hovhannessian embodies the challenges and dreams of all Armenians wanting to safeguard their identity.

After a performance by the seminary choir “Armash,” His Holiness was invited to speak. He said that Garo Hovhannesian’s service to the Armenian community, his contribution to the intellectual capital of our people, his achievements with our youth are worthy of the respect of all Armenians in Lebanon and the Diaspora. He said, “For forty years, especially during the civil war in Lebanon Garo Hovhannesian has focussed on the revival of the Armenian community through the Armenian school by educating the younger generation. For those forty years, his life has revolved around the school, the theatre, books and his pen.” In recognition of Mr Hovhannesian’s service to the Armenian youth and our cultural life, His Holiness Aram I decorated him with the insignia of St. Mesob Mashdotz.

In response, Garo Hovhannessian thanked the Catholicos for honouring him in the name of the Catholicosate of Cilicia. He talked of the difficult life of the Armenian teacher and said, “I believe in the important role of education in human history and society. I have dedicated my working life to Armenian institutions because I was inspired by the vision of Catholicos Sahak Bartev, who wrote: “I prefer our sick sheep to the healthy lion of the other, because the health of the other is the cause of our illness.” Speaking of character and reputation, he added, “Reputation will be inscribed on a tombstone, as for character, it is timeless and permanent.” At the end, thanked his wife for her inspirational partnership, the leadership of the Seminary and the Hamazkayin Cultural Association for organizing the evening in his honor.

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