The New York Chapter of Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society
The New York chapter was founded in 1967 under the name of Armenian Cultural Association. The Massis Theater Company, Kousan Choir, and the dance troupe were formed in its first days. In 1976, the Association joined the Hamazkayin.
The Hamazkayin chapter of New York succeeded in the Armenian community with its high quality theater productions, choir concerts, literary and commemorative events, debates, seminars, exhibitions, and cooperation with Armenian university students. The founder and director of the theater company is playwright and poet Herand Markarian. Under his direction, the theater company had several performances in the U.S., as well as in various Diasporan communities.
Hamazkayin of New York’s “Dzirani” children’s choir
The New York Chapter of Hamazkayin was the only chapter to publish MENK, the bilingual literary periodical. To encourage students in the Armenian schools, the Association has organized annual recitation, spelling, and national knowledge contests. The chapter has also organized a large number of literary, cultural, and commemorative events.
Together with the New Jersey chapter of Hamazkayin, the chapter has organized the Naregatsi Pan-Armenian Conference.
Again, with the New Jersey chapter, in 2007 the New York chapter renovated schools in the border villages of Jamparag, Kedap, and Ardeni in Armenia. In memory of late Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, the chapter founded a printing house in the Institute of History of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia.
With its small number of active members, the chapter has a respected presence in the community.
In May of 2017 the chapter will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its founding.
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Current Officers
Armine Minasian, Chairperson
Zaven Vartanian, Secretary
Sosie Kazandjian, Treasurer
Toros Tervizian, Advisor