Category Archives: Press Release
FL Armenians Press Release
Koushakjian Talks Armenia, Christian Persecution in the Middle East with Republican Presidential Candidate Marco Rubio
On Tuesday, January 12, Florida Armenians Editor Taniel Koushakjian spoke with Florida Senator and Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio in Washington, D.C. Koushakjian thanked Rubio for his cosponsorship of S. Res. 140, the Armenian Genocide resolution currently pending in the Senate.
[RELATED: How Florida Representatives Voted to on the Bill to Pause the Syrian Refugee Program]
They also discussed the plight of Christians in the Middle East and the need for the U.S. to declare Islamic State (aka ISIS or ISIL) attacks on Christians as genocide. Rubio pointed out that he is also an original cosponsor of S. Res. 340, which would label ISIS attacks on Armenians, Assyrians, Yezidis, and other religious minority groups in Iraq and Syria as genocide. ISIS “is conducting genocide against Christians, Yezidis, and others in region,” Rubio said two days later at the Republican presidential debate on Thursday, January 14.
Armenian Assembly of America Announces New South Florida Regional Council For 2015-2016
PALM BEACH, FL – The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) is pleased to announce a new slate for the Assembly’s South Florida Regional Council (SFRC) for 2015-2016. The mission of the South Florida Regional Council is to advance Armenian American issues at the local and state level, hold events such as the annual board of trustees meeting, and assist in the development and growth of the organization in South Florida. The new Assembly SFRC includes Lu Ann Ohanian (Boca Raton), Board Member; Arsine Kaloustian (Palm Beach), Chair; Carol Norigian (Boynton Beach), Vice Chair; Marta Batmasian (Boca Raton); and Harout Samra (Miami).
Arsine Kaloustian, Public Affairs Director for Florida Armenians and Chairwoman of South Florida’s Armenian Genocide Commemoration, Inc., will serve as the Assembly SFRC Chair effective immediately. Kaloustian brings years of public relations, event planning, and fundraising experience to the council. Batmasian, an Assembly Trustee for over two decades, is a highly respected community leader and philanthropist in South Florida. Samra, a Miami-based attorney, is an active member in the Armenian community in South Florida. Norigian, a life-long activist in several Armenian American organizations, has managed the Assembly SFRC since 2007 and will serve as Vice Chair effective immediately. Assembly Board Member Lu Ann Ohanian will continue to serve on the council in her official capacity.
“Together, Arsine, Carol, Marta, and Harout make a dynamic team and I’m excited to begin working with them to carry out the Assembly’s mission right here in South Florida,” Ohanian said.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
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NR: # 2015-035
Armenian Genocide Centennial Concert in Tallahassee to Feature Classical Armenian Music
TALLAHASSEE, FL – Armenian Americans in Florida’s capital will gather for a classical Armenian music concert in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Produced by Danny Bedrosian, the Armenian Genocide Centennial Concert will feature select pieces of Armenian music covering over 3 millennia of music. The concert will be held at Florida State University, Opperman Music Hall, on Friday, April 17, 2015 at 8:00 PM.
“The Armenian Genocide commemorative concert will be an unforgettable moment for our community,” stated Florida Armenians Tallahassee Chair Margaret Atayants. “We have been planning this commemoration for years, and practicing for months, in an effort to present the Armenian experience and our civilization to the audience,” she said.
The concert will be performed by an orchestra of players that Bedrosian specifically assembled for the daunting task of summarizing 3,000 years of Armenian music. With mini lectures included, this unique concert is intended to capture the heart and soul of Armenian music, sampling through many different eras and regions of Historic Armenia, leading up to and after the Armenian Genocide of 1915. “This performance will capture the burning passion in our hearts,” Atayants said.
Artists performing include: Daniel Bedrosian, music director, grand piano, vocals, lecturer; Professor Michael Bakan, doumbek, assorted percussion; Dr. Silviu Ciulei, classical guitar; David Cobb, bass guitar; Ramin Yazdanpanah, percussion; Stacy Christofakis, bass clarinet, clarinet, douduk; Margaret Atayants, vocals; Sean Gorman, contrabass/upright bass; Katelyn Best, vocals; Nicole Schommer, vocals.
Full musician biographies are available here.
The Armenian Genocide Centennial Concert is produced by Danny Bedrosian and sponsored by the Compatriotic Union of Habousi, Florida Armenians, Side Bar Theatre, and Crepevine Restaurant. The concert is free and open to public.
Florida Armenians 