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Commissioner Mark Samuelian Celebration of Life Service
MIAMI BEACH, FL – Florida Armenians (FLArmenians) deeply mourns the sudden passing of Miami Beach Commissioner Mark Samuelian, who passed away surrounded by family and loved ones on June 22, 2022. He was 58 years old. Samuelian was a beloved member of the South Florida Armenian American community. Originally from Boston, MA, Samuelian moved to Miami Beach in 2003 and was immediately active in his local community.
Samuelian had just been reelected to his seat in 2021 after winning for the first time in 2017 on a “resident first” agenda, NBC News Chanel 6 Miami reported.
“Samuelian was the first Armenian American elected in Miami Dade County,” stated FLArmenians Editor Arsine Kaloustian. We are so grateful for his years of steadfast service and his lasting contributions to Miami Beach and to the South Florida Armenian American community. His loss will be felt not only regionally, but throughout the state,,” Kaloustian said.
Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber said Samuelian was a “superb colleague and dedicated public servant.” Miami Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said his death is a “profound loss for our entire community.”
A Celebration of Life of Mark Samuelian will be held on Monday, July 11 at 4:00pm at the New World Center, 500 17 Street, Miami Beach, FL 33139. Public parking is available in the city garage at 640 17th St, Miami Beach, FL 33139.
You can watch online as the event will be LIVE STREAMED on the City of Miami Beach’s Facebook Page at 4:00pm.
Ara Malikian World Tour Coming to Miami Beach
MIAMI BEACH, FL — World renown Spanish-Armenian violinist Ara Malikian will perform at The Fillmore Miami Beach on Friday, March 18, 2022 at 8:30pm, presenting his new world tour. Below is a description of his upcoming show:
“Here is the When I saw my son walk for the first time after months of falls, failed attempts, bangs and keep on trying, I understood that one day we were all that force that time makes us forget.
“Children are the most authentic beings that you can find, they are wild, they are tenderness in their essence, and they are full of an exorbitant truth, they are not afraid of being wrong, they are free and expressive and everything they do is full of art.
“If you look at a child, you understand almost everything you were and have not allowed yourself to be for a while.
“This tour is the result of watching my son grow, it is the result of my growth by his side, it is all those sounds and melodies that try to shape what I have felt and have inspired me from him and from life through him. It is an encounter with the child that I could not be and would have dreamed of being. It is a tribute to those beings who are as free as a free bird.
“This tour is full of dinosaurs, robotic squid, time machines, flying pianos and bilingual mimes, this tour is what I had forgotten and that is so powerful; The Magic of finding each day and each path fascinating, whatever they bring.”
An excerpt in Wikipedia reads: “Born in Beirut in 1968 to an Armenian family, Malikian started playing the violin at a very young age, encouraged by his violinist father, who has performed with legendary Lebanese singer Fairuz. Malikian gave his first concert at the age of 12 and when he was 14, he was invited to study in Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hannover in Hannover, Germany. At 15, he was the youngest student to be admitted in this school. Later he continued his studies in the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London, at the same time receiving lessons from professors, Ruggiero Ricci, Ivry Gitlis, Herman Krebbers and members of the Alban Berg Quartet.
“He has assimilated the music of other cultures like those of the Middle East (Arab and Jewish), Central Europe (gipsy and Klezmer), Argentina (tango) and Spain (flamenco).”
Florida Armenians Endorse Miami Beach City Commissioner Mark Samuelian, Mayor Gelber for Re-Election
MIAMI BEACH, FL – Florida Armenians (FLArmenians.com) is pleased to endorse Miami Beach City Commissioner Mark Samuelian for re-election.
“I’m thrilled to be endorsed by Florida Armenians and have the support of the South Florida Armenian American community,” Samuelian told FLArmenians.com. “I have the privilege of serving many constituencies that call Miami Beach home and I look forward to continue to fight on their behalf on the City Commission,” Samuelian said.
Florida Armenians is also pleased to endorse Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber for re-election. Both Samuelian and Gelber were previously endorsed by FLArmenians.com in 2017.
The candidate qualifying period runs from September 7-10, 2021.
Samuelian is currently running unopposed while Gelber has one qualified challenger. If no candidate files to challenge Samuelian before the qualifying deadline, then he will be automatically re-elected and will not appear on the November general election ballot.
If you are a resident of the City of Miami Beach, the last day to register to vote in order to participate in the November general election is October 4, 2021.
The City of Miami Beach general election will take place on Tuesday, November 2, 2021.
Florida Armenians 