Armenian community celebrated at City Hall

By HERALD STAFF
Posted 4/24/19

By HERALD STAFF Continuing what has become an annual tradition, members of the community gathered at City Hall on April 17 for an observance of Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day. Mayor Allan Fung, General Treasurer Seth Magaziner, former City Council

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Armenian community celebrated at City Hall

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Continuing what has become an annual tradition, members of the community gathered at City Hall on April 17 for an observance of Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day.

Mayor Allan Fung, General Treasurer Seth Magaziner, former City Council president and state lawmaker Aram Garabedian, state Rep. Katherine Kazarian and retired Family Court Chief Justice Haiganush Bedrosian were among the dignitaries in attendance for the event, which began with a ceremony in Council Chambers and concluded with the raising of the Armenian and Cranston flags outside City Hall.

Ara Nalbandian received special honors during the event, as he was presented with the Armenian National Committee of Rhode Island Award and a citation from the city.

Born in Syria, Nalbandian came to Rhode Island in 1962, earning degrees in mechanical engineering and industrial management from the University of Rhode Island before going to work for ITT Grinnell in Providence. In 1986, he joined Cranston-based Thielsch Engineering Inc., and he now serves as the vice president of professional engineering.

Nalbandian is a member of Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church in Providence, where he serves as an archdeacon. He also teaches children about Armenian culture and heritage at Mourad Armenian School. He has been active in various Armenian cultural groups and conferences.

He and his wife, Maggie, and son, Dr. Ari Nalbandian, are residents of Cranston.

Levon Attarian served as the event’s emcee, while Anna-Marie Danayan and Alysha Phillips sang the American and Armenian national anthems. Father Kapriel Nazarian of Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church provided the opening blessing, while Father Shnork Souin of St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Armenian Church provided the closing prayer.

Other clergy members in attendance were Pastor Hagop Manjelikian of Armenian Evangelical Church and Arch Priest Gomidas Baghsarian of Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church.

Sevan Zobian delivered greetings from the Armenian National Committee and presented Fung with a plaque in recognition of his support for the Armenian community.

David Alden Sears provided a youth reading, and members of the Homenetmen Providence Scouts served as the honor guard for the flag-raising.

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