WATERTOWN, Mass. (A.W.)—The Boston Armenian community celebrated the independence day of the first Republic of Armenia on May 10.
The event, organized by the ARF “Sardarabad” Gomideh, the Homenetmen Greater Boston Chapter, and AYF-YOARF Greater Boston “Nejdeh” chapter, featured a keynote by ARF Western Region Central Committee chair Viken Hovsepian.
Viken Hovsepian during his speech (Photo: Mikael Garabedian)
In his speech, Hovsepian noted that throughout history, there have been instances where some Armenians, under the guise of pragmatism, have advocated for concessions to the enemy and have refrained from standing up for their rights, claiming that the enemy is too strong, thereby advocating defeatism. And then there are those—from Vartan Mamigonian to the heroes of May 28, 1918 and the liberators of Shushi in May of 1994 who have stood tall against all odds, have challenged the defeatist attitude, and have prevailed.
Hovsepian also stressed that true patriotism is not just opposing territorial concessions to aggressors, but also a commitment to democracy and improving living conditions for the citizens of Armenia.
Vice president of AYF “Nejdeh” chapter Carnie Armenian then briefly described the journey of the AYF Eternal Flame from Armenia to Lowell and now to Watertown. The torch will continue its journey across the U.S. leading up to the centennial of the Armenian genocide. The attendees lighted candles from the torch and stood a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the Genocide.
Harout Bedrosian and his band took to the stage next, performing Armenian folk and patriotic songs through the evening.