| Boston, MA – The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) held its Celebration of Service weekend in Boston, Massachusetts, on June 5 and June 6, 2026, honoring Dr. Rouben Adalian, Bryan Ardouny, Anthony Barsamian, Mary Garabadian, Van Z. Krikorian, and Carolyn Mugar with the Distinguished Service Award in recognition of more than 25 years of service each to the Assembly.
The weekend opened on Friday, June 5, with a program at the Armenian Heritage Park on the Rose Kennedy Greenway. The landmark is dedicated to the memory of the Armenian Genocide, the contributions of Armenian Americans to Boston and the nation, and the diversity and resilience of all immigrant communities that have been welcomed in Massachusetts.
The program was organized by the Armenian Heritage Foundation, of which the Assembly serves as a foundation board member, with remarks delivered by Foundation Chair Jim Kalustian and Celebration of Service Committee Member and Assembly Terjenian-Thomas intern alumni parent Nicole Babikian Hajjar.
|
The evening continued with a Sponsors’ Reception for Assembly Members, supporters, and guests, where Senator Edward Markey (D-MA) made a special appearance and was joined by French National Assembly Deputy, The Hon. Astrid Panosyan-Bouvet. Assembly Co-Chairs Talin Yacoubian and Oscar Tatosian spoke as well.
On Saturday evening, Assembly Members, supporters, and guests filled the Artists for Humanity EpiCenter for the Celebration of Service. The program was co-hosted by Dr. Henry Ben Morgenthau IV, great-grandson of Ambassador Henry Morgenthau, and Kristina Ayanian, Market Site Reporter for NASDAQ.
|
Governor of the Commonwealth Maura Healey, the first woman elected Governor in Massachusetts history, and who was the only sitting governor to have called on then-President Biden to end Azerbaijan’s blockade of Artsakh, opened the evening with reflections on her close relations with the Massachusetts Armenian community. Assembly Board Co-Chair Talin Yacoubian addressed guests, followed by a musical performance by the Secret Trio – Ara Dinkjian, Ismail Lumanovski and Tamer Pınarbaşı.
Assembly Co-Chairs Oscar Tatosian and Talin Yacoubian presented the Distinguished Service Award to Board honorees Anthony J. Barsamian, Immediate Past Co-Chair; Van Z. Krikorian, Chair Emeritus; and Carolyn G. Mugar, President Emerita. Staff honorees Dr. Rouben Adalian, Director of the Armenian National Institute; Bryan Ardouny, Executive Director; and Mary Garabadian, Archivist, were presented by their fellow honorees in turn. The awards ceremony concluded with remarks by Assembly Life Trustees Anna Afeyan and Dr. Noubar Afeyan, in tribute to the honorees and their valued contributions.
Video messages were shared by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Ambassador Edward Djerejian, who served as U.S. Ambassador to Syria and Israel and as Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs under Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton.
The evening festivities continued with traditional Armenian music and dancing with the Mal Barsamian Ensemble — Mal Barsamian, Bruce Gigarjian, and Jason Naroian — joined by Ara Dinkjian. Young Professional attendees joined the Hye House Boston Kickoff Kef, held in partnership with the Armenia Tree Project.
|
|
