WASHINGTON, DC -The 25th annual Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Leo Sarkisian internship kicked off with a fast paced and remarkable start this week, as interns from across the United States gathered in Washington, DC, to participate in this intensive, eight-week training program. 

“The Leo Sarkisian Internship program is an Armenian American advocacy boot camp – training the next generation of activists to effectively promote our collective Cause,” said Leo Sarkisian Internship Director Garo Manjikian. “Their work will not only directly impact Washington DC Hai Tahd efforts but, more importantly, give them the skills to demonstrate grassroots leadership in their home towns.” 

Each of the interns participated in an intensive application process in their respective ANCA regions and look forward to this hands-on educational experience, dreaming of coming out from their local communities and making a difference on a national scale. The year’s intern class consists of university students from coast-to-coast, including: Nareg Aghjayan, Sosse Beugekian, Hovanes Gasparian, Taleen Mekhdjavakian, Tatev Oganyan, Savada Simounian-Khygani and Tamar Thomassian. :: more::

June 3, 2008     

The City of Alexandria Holds Sixteenth Annual Armenian Festival
Event Highlights the Sights, Sounds, Food and Culture of Armenia

The City of Alexandria will host its Sixteenth Annual Armenian Festival on Saturday, June 7, from noon to 6 p.m., at Market Square, 301 King St. Admission is free and the festival will be held rain or shine.

Entertainment features the renowned Arax Armenian Dance Ensemble, which has performed its unique line and circle dances in beautiful authentic folk costumes throughout the East Coast, with Artistic Director Carolyn Rapkievian; vocalists Vivian Chakarian, Pamela Tossounian and Naira Babayan singing Armenian folk songs; the Birky Family enacting Armenian folk tales; story time for children and Armenian folk tunes. 

The festival will feature displays showcasing Armenian paintings and arts and crafts. Beef, lamb and pork kabobs, lahmajun (a Middle Eastern style gourmet pizza), dolma (stuffed vegetable dishes), pitas, chopped vegetable salad, baklava (a layered pastry made of phyllo dough filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup), and other food and beverages will be available for purchase.

The Armenian Festival is an annual charity event that benefits Alexandria’s Sister City, Gyumri, in Armenia. Proceeds from the festival support the humanitarian and educational needs of Gyumri’s citizens. The City’s Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities and the Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee are co-sponsoring the event.

Visitors to the historic district are encouraged to take the Metro Yellow or Blue lines to the King Street Station in Old Town and ride the free King Street Trolley, take DASH and Metro Buses, or park in one of the convenient parking garages or lots. For DASH schedule information, call 703.370.DASH or visit www.dashbus.com.  For Metrobus schedule information, call 202.637.7000 or visit www.wmata.com.
 
The City of Alexandria is committed to compliance with the City’s Human Rights Code and the Americans with Disabilities Act.  To request a reasonable accommodation or to request materials in an alternative format, call Cheryl Lawrence, Special Events Supervisor, at 703.838.4844 (TTY 703.838.4902) or e-mail cheryl.lawrence@alexandriava.gov. :: more::

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Edward Nalbandyan visited the United States on May 3-5, 2009. Minister Nalbandyan had meetings with the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, US National Security Adviser General James Jones, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the House of Representatives Howard Berman, co-chairs of the Armenian Caucus of the House of Representatives Frank Pallone and Mark Kirk, as well as Representatives Anna Eshoo, Scott Garrett and Steve Rothman, Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried, Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation Rodney Bent, and representatives of Armenian American organizations :: more::

You can gain further insights into Armenian cultural achievements at museums, theaters and concert halls. Theater in Armenia has a tradition dating back more than 2,000 years. You can attend a wide choice of performances ranging from concerts to puppet theater and jazz music.

At the top of Mesrop Mashtots Avenue, the main artery of the capital city Yerevan, you will find the Matenadaran - the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts. Matenadaran boasts the world's largest collection of ancient manuscripts (over 16,000). :: more::