500th Anniversary of Armenian Printing (1512 – 2012)

On Saturday, May 5, 2012, Haigazian University launched the first of a series of fine events dedicated to the 500th Anniversary of Armenian Printing (1512 – 2012), which coincides with the 100th Anniversary of Armenian Press in Lebanon (1912 – 2012).

This kick-off event started with a delegation from the university, headed by University President Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian and media editors, at Martyr’s Square in Downtown, Beirut, coinciding with the commemoration of May 6, the Lebanese Press Martyrs’ Day. The delegation adorned the monument to the martyrs with a wreath of flowers and Rev.MegrdichKaragoezian,president of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East, offered a prayer.

The event then continued at Haigazian University, where various media personnel, including editors, columnists, copy-editors, photographers and others, were invited from 25 different published media outlets to honor the workforce of the Armenian print media in Lebanon, including newspapers, magazines and journals.

The program started with the welcoming word of University Librarian, Ms. Sonia Sislian, in the name of the 500th Anniversary Committee. She announced the series of events that will take place throughout the year in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Armenian press in Lebanon, and thanked all the Armenian media outlets for consistently providing the library with their issues, thus enriching the university’s collection of resources for manydecades.

This was followed by the guest speaker, renowned journalist Dr. BarouyrAghbashian, who tackled the importance of Armenian media in the Armenian community here in Lebanon, focusing on the media’s role in preserving the Armenian identity and its raison d’être. In his speech, President Haidostian noted that the success of the Armenian community has depended on the establishment of its well-organized institutions, in the cultural, social, educational, political and religious spheres, as well as, certainly, the media.

The event also included the performance of a string trio, featuring 2 pieces by the famous Armenian composer Komidas. Towards the end of the program,the media personnel were honored with tokens of gratitude. Each Editor-in-Chief received a plaque on behalf of theirinstitution as well as letters of appreciation for their designated staff members.

It is worth noting that Mr. GaroAprahamian, faithful member of the Haigazian University Derian Library Friends, received a special token of appreciation for his wholehearted services in providing issues of magazines and newspapers to the library for decades, thus playing a significant role in enriching its collection.

Public Relations Department