COMMEMORATION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Speech addressed at the
official ceremony on
Fifty years ago, in 1947, the Second
World War was over and the Charter of the United Nations was declared. Two
superpowers, with diverging ideologies had conquered the world and initiated
the long struggle of the Cold War. In newly independent
Fifty years later, the
During fifty years, thousands
of teen-agers attended the
The fiftieth anniversary of
Hovaguimian-Manouguian Secondary School of Boys, is a historic moment, to
clarify the basic national aims of the Diaspora, with bold and realistic
questions and to improve means and tools of their achievements. Indetermination
of national aims of Armenians in the Diaspora, coupled to the degeneration of
the traditional human and ethnic values, influenced by a growing universal
paradigm of technology, are subjects worth analyzing. Ontological questioning
of the human life is further complicated by the necessity to reconcile the
human existential needs and the collective unconscious memory of being
Armenian. The search for a sense to survive as Armenians, becomes more
realistic, if it is accompanied by the satisfaction of basic human needs and desires.
The growing influence of mass
media and the unifying factor of the present world civilization is threatening
the identity of all nations. Means to follow up instantly world events and the
supply of free and raw information affect the human mind and create a new
microcosm where wisdom has no time to mature.
Hence, social, economic and
cultural changing conditions have created the emergency to look for a
comprehensive national vision statement, and the long term planning to achieve
collective aims. For this purpose, reevaluation of Armenian studies, as a means
to imbue the soul of new generations with the sense of belonging to a multi-millennial
nation is one of the most responsible tasks. A difficult lane uphill, edging
the abyss, faith and hope being a necessary initial drive but insufficient
motivation if pragmatic reasoning is not used as an additional guideline.
The revised interior
regulations, of the AGBU Academic Committee, shall include the following goals,
summarizing the responsibility of educators in the formation of the Man and the
Armenian of the future:
To consider the basic goal of
education the synchronic and balanced improvement of the soul the mind and the
body. Together with the transmission of mass of information and knowledge to
encourage the formation of the faculty to love and appreciate the good and the
beautiful, the sense of responsibility, cooperation and creative works, the
capacity of dealing with difficult situations and the virtue of social
communication.
To prepare citizens, believing
in the basic moral principles and human rights, and at the same time applying
and defending them.
With the collaboration of the
Principals, Teaching Staff and Specialists in the field of education, to devise
pragmatic educational programs to fit best the evolving social and economic
conditions, and through efficient administrative tools, to control efficiently
their implementation.
To inculcate the young
generations to believe in the Armenian perennial and eternal existence, and
safeguarding and transmitting the Armenian language, national identity and
cultural values in an effective manner.
Safeguarding our national
values and identity. Words, needing definition. Definition of values and
identity is the first step towards self-knowledge. “Quo Vadis” should follow
“Know Thyself” in order to revise our state of vegetation and dwindling energy.
Only through sensible, practical and plausible vision it is possible to reach
the stage of targeted dynamic vitality.
On the eve of a new age,
Armenian Community in general and the Alumni of Hovaguimian-Manouguian and
Alumni of all Armenian schools in Lebanon have the sacred responsibility
through a collective introspection to engage all their potential possibilities
and start an organized work. In Diaspora, a new renaissance is possible and it
should be initiated. We, in
Dear friends, addressing my
words of respect and appreciation to all past and present educators, allow me
to mention certain names of my own teachers:
Mr. Ara Topdjian, the patriarch
of our school, the Baron Denoren, with his clarity of mind and the exceptional
conscience of an educator and responsible leader, with his administrative
talent and the abundant product of Armenian generations.
Mr. Vahé Vahian, the poet and
the critic with his whispering voice in solitude.
Mr. Simon Simonian, the
tempest of the Armenian spirit whose visiting card with “call me” order is
still on my desk, as a relic.
Mr. Onnig Sarkissian, the
friendly teacher of the Armenian language with his enchanting humor
Mr. Puzant Yeghiayan, the
solemn intellectual and historian, with his encyclopedic knowledge
Mr. Zareh Melkonian, the
grammarian poet, during whose courses it was impossible to dream as a nap.
Mr. Kersam Aharonian, the
historian public worker, with his faith in the “Big Dream”, and his immense
talent for analysis and synthesis.
Mr. Khatcher Donabedian, with
his imposing and kind parental glance
Mr. Jirair Talienian, the
student of the above mentioned names and their worthy follower, as researcher
and principal.
As well, so many other
brilliant educators, I apologize for not mentioning their names, who with the
patience of a potter, shaped and animated several generations. They remain our
modest by glorious national spiritual benefactors.
Respect to the eternal memory
of the absentees. Greetings to the white hair majesty of those present, and to
their trustees, the new generation of educators, who will be the source of
inspiration for those who will celebrate the 100th anniversary, with faith,
hope, love and the baptism a possible national renaissance.
Meguerditch L. Bouldoukian