tESTIMONIALS

The Weekly asked participants of the Armenian Heritage Cruise about their thoughts, impressions, feelings and suggestions. Excerpts from these thoughts are below.

This is the best opportunity for active members of our chapters from around the world to meet and communicate. Such meetings give them motivation and strengthen their spirit. Our public events on the cruise are generating more and more public interest every year.

Yetvart Misserlian

Member of Hamazkayin Central Committee, San Francisco, Calif.

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I am returning to my Armenian roots. I heard Archbishop Oshagan today and I cried. I was at my parents’ gravesite. In the non-Armenian community, I often forget about all these feelings, but in a setting like this, they resurface. These are feelings I never want to lose.

Margaret Ajemian Ahnert

Author, The Knock at the Door

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Gradually, the AHC is becoming not just a place for family reunions and meeting with friends, but also a place of reunions and meetings for different Armenian groups. On this cruise, the Knights of Vartan and the Melkonian Class of ’63 had their meetings and reunion. It gives me great joy to see that the cruise is becoming much more than a place for entertainment and vacation for Armenians from all corners of the world.

Arevig Caprielian

New York
 

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I came to the cruise to participate in the Melkonian class reunion. For four years, I have dreamed about being back to school, seeing my classmates…and when this opportunity presented itself, I completely detached myself from everything to come here and see my classmates and teachers.

Boghos Mikaelian

Sydney, Australia
 

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Last year, I was on the cruise with my entire family and the atmosphere was something money can’t but, which is why not only did I return this year, but I also suggested that we hold the Melkonian class reunion on the AHC.

Vahe Halajian

Qatar
 

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I was a student of Melkonian from 1953-59 and a teacher from 1966-75. This reunion on board the AHC was a return to the past. We prepare ourselves for the future, but the future without the past has no meaning. This gathering is a testament that not just after 40 years, even after 100 years there is no forgetting.

Vartan Tashjian

Cyprus
 

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It is a great source of pride for me to partake in the AHC activities. The performances of the Hamazkayin Ani dance company and the entertainment nights are all a good addition to the program, but I believe more talk shows and panel discussions would enrich the cruise further.

Maro Nercessian

Beirut, Lebanon
 

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I am impressed with the professionalism with which the cruise is organized. To me, the highlights were the Sayat Nova Quartet and ANI Dance Company performances, hearing Ambassador Evans, and listening to the young activists of the ANCA, who energized me and motivated me to get involved in their activities.
 

Sirvart Bedrosian

Central Florida
 

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I was not involved much in Armenian activities. In the summer, I attended a few Armenian functions where I met a guy who mentioned the cruise to me. This is a great opportunity for me: getting in touch with my Armenian culture and receiving a brand new infusion of a millennial culture.

Steve Messerlian

North Jersey
 

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This is the 11th time I am on the AHC and I am looking forward to the 12th. What I have noticed over the years is constant improvement. The organizers are to be credited for taking into consideration the opinions and suggestions of the participants. With their dedication and openness to suggestions, I believe very soon Armenians will book the entire ship. I suggest having several “single-mingle” events instead of one.

My advice to Armenians is three words: Don’t miss it!

Sarkis Krichian

Mahwah, N.J.
 

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I am a citizen of the world with Armenian roots and French education. We are here spending a great time with relatives from France, Belgium and the U.S. We have also discovered many old friends on the cruise. During our encounters with family and friends, we talk about the past and about the ways we can infuse more love of Armenian culture to the new generation that is living in abundance but is often apathetic.

Minas Melkonian

Paris, France

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The cruise is a beautiful opportunity to find old and new friends. I found a classmate of mine—now living in Australia—whom I hadn’t seen for 40 years. I also met with my kindergarten teacher from the Sahagian school in Aleppo, Syria. These were extremely moving experiences.

Maral Harutunian

Flushing, N.Y.

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The organizing committee has done a great job. Last year, me and my wife came alone. This year, we came with 10 friends. I have a suggestion to the organizers: I believe they can expand and improve the section of the program dedicated to Armenian music. Artists like Alla Levonian—who performed on the cruise last year—can give the audience the opportunity to enjoy high-level Armenian music and songs.

Hovanes Anastassian

Antwerpen, Belgium

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Our son got married to a girl from L.A. and this was an opportunity for us to meet with our khnamis [in-laws]. We also made many new friends. When talking with diasporans with similar experiences, an immediate connection is established.

Hovanes Kouyoumjian

Paris, France

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This is the best thing both culturally and politically, for me, my family and my kids. I suggest that the organizers also put together an event introducing our culture to the non-Armenians on board the cruise.

Haig Minassian

New Jersey
 

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This is my fourth time. It’s spectacular1 I mainly do networking: meeting Armenians from all over the world and exchanging ideas. I think next year’s installment will be even better because we will be going to new ports. The organizers of the AHC are really dedicated, they are doing a huge service to the diaspora by bringing Armenians together. The activities are so many and so diverse that there is not enough time to do everything.

Bob Semonian

Watertown, Mass.

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At the AHC I am experiencing life all over again. I participated in many of the excursions, including sea trekking, scuba diving, snorkeling. This is also the best family reunion anyone can have. It’s fantastic!

Ophelia Sahakian

Vancouver, Canada