From February 7-9, hundreds of Armenians and friends—from as far as Japan and Uruguay, South Africa and Australia—gathered in Paris on the occasion of the 90th General Assembly of the AGBU. Over three days, a full agenda of diverse events took place at various landmark venues in the heart of the city, starting with a Welcome Reception at the Eiffel Tower. This set the stage for the rest of the weekend, over which the 113-year old organization would reflect on its many accomplishments in the previous two years...

 

 

One of the most consequential figures in modern Armenian life and most collectively admired and respected leaders in AGBU’s century-old history, Louise Manoogian Simone will leave an indelible mark of hope and inspiration through her dedicated service to the Armenian people, the Armenian homeland and the Armenian Church.

Her recent passing has brought deep sorrow to the worldwide AGBU family, which she served with tireless devotion and singular distinction, as the first and only female leader of the organization, first as a Central Board member and as international President for 12 years.

Upon learning of her passing, current AGBU President Berge Setrakian, who served as Vice President under Simone’s leadership, described her as a pioneering spirit and a woman far ahead of her time. “She was called upon to steer the AGBU through many challenges, rising to become a driving force behind many of the successes and benefits that Armenians across the world enjoy today...

 

 

On February 9, Armenians from all over the world gathered in Paris to participate in AGBU’s 90th General Assembly at Les Jardins de Saint Dominique. Convened biennially to discuss the organization’s state of affairs, the event unites AGBU members in considering contemporary realities facing the Armenian world, celebrating AGBU’s accomplishments and establishing the guiding principles of the coming years. An institutional tradition that has carried AGBU through more than a century globally, the General Assembly serves to strengthen the message of the...

 

 

Creative Armenia and the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) are delighted to announce the five recipients of the inaugural Creative Armenia-AGBU Fellowships, a year-long program of funding, mentorship and tailored promotion strategies for talented artists from all fields. The fellows selected for the 2019 term are: theatre and opera director Arthur Makaryan (New York), musician Arik Grigoryan (Gyumri/Yerevan), painter Burçin Başar (Istanbul), writer and comedian Narek Margaryan (Yerevan), and filmmaker Victoria Aleksanyan (Yerevan)...

 

 

For over a decade, the AGBU PAD Sayat Nova Composition Competition has been inviting musicians of all heritages to be inspired by the grand tradition of Armenian arts. Winners have been named from all over the world, from Hong Kong to Mexico, Syria to France, each recognized for their versatility, ingenuity and artistry. As their original compositions have traveled to international audiences for world premieres, our composers have built their network of fans, increasing their exposure globally...