A.C.C. hosts farewell reception for Armenian Ambassador - Representatives From Numerous Armenian Organizations Attend

TORONTO, ON – The Armenian Community Centre hosted a reception to honour the outgoing ambassador of the Republic of Armenia on Saturday, January 14, 2006.  His Excellency Ara Babian and his wife Mrs Hripsime were greeted by 120 people representing several churches and organizations of Toronto.

Among the present were representatives of The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), ARF Youth Organization of Canada (ARFYOC), Armenian National Committee; Armenian Relief Society (ARS), Armenian Senior Citizens Club, ARS Armenian Private School, Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church Board of Trustees, Armenian Evangelical Church Board of Trustees, Canadian Armenian Business Council (CABC); Homenetmen Sports Association, Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational Association,  Torontohay Agoump,  as well as Very Rev. Father Meghrig Parikian of Saint Mary Armenian Apostolic Church; Very Reverend  Father Yeghia Kirejian of the Armenian Catholic Church and Reverend Yessai Sarmazian. 

Master of Ceremonies Mr. Hagop Janbazian welcomed the guests and acknowledged the five long years of dedicated service of Mr. Ara Babian, while praising the Ambassador for his vision and coordination of Canada-Armenia political and economical relations.  Mr. Janbazian specifically stressed Mr. Babian’s tenacity in working with all the religious denominations, cultural and political organizations of the Armenian Community of Canada as well as his strong commitment towards the Armenian Cause.

ARF “Soghomon Tehlirian” Chapter Chairman Mr. Zohrab Tatikian addressing the guests thanked the Ambassador for his hard work during his five years in Ottawa. He described Mr. Babian as “a fantastic representative of our state” and added that “he was always a pleasure to work with during his tenure in Ottawa.” Mr. Tatikian then presented His Excellency with a medallion on behalf of the Armenian Community Centre.

ARF Central Committee representative Levon Hasserjian was called to the podium to address the audience.  Mr. Hasserjian praised the Ambassador for his long dedicated service and wished him and his family best of luck in all their future endeavours. Following Mr. Hasserjian’s remarks, his colleague Krikor Chitilian was called to present His Excellency with a gift on behalf of the Armenian Community Centre – a miniature of the Armenian Genocide Memorial Monument erected in front of the A.C.C. in Toronto.  The gift was especially fitting due to Mr. Babian’s pursuit of worldwide recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

Mr. Janbazian then asked Mrs.Laura Mavlian, Chairlady of the ARS “Roubina” Chapter to the podium.  Mrs. Mavlian presented the Ambassador’s wife Mrs. Hripsime Babian, with a gift on behalf of the members of the A.R.S. Toronto chapter. Mrs Babian thanked the members of the A.R.S. for their love and cooperation over the years.

The time then arrived for His Excellency to address the audience.  Ara Babian thanked the representatives from all the Armenian organizations present at the reception for attending.  He recapped the highlights during his time as Ambassador of Armenia to Canada – most notably the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by The House of Commons.  Mr. Babian stressed the importance of bilateral relations between Armenia and Canada.  Although the Republic of Armenia has had an embassy in Ottawa for over a decade, Canada has no official representative in Yerevan.  His Excellency concluded his remarks by pledging that no matter where his work shall lead him in the future he will continue to represent the Republic of Armenia and strive for the betterment of the Armenian Nation and their people.

After the end of the evening’s official program, the representatives from the organizations present remained to wish His Excellency and his wife well in the future.

The Armenian Community Centre of Toronto, constructed in 1979, is home to over a thousand volunteers working in several organizations covering all facets of Armenian life in Toronto.

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