For Immediate Release
March 26, 2010

ARMENIA FUND REACHES OUT TO WASHINGTON, DC ARMENIAN COMMUNITY

NEW YORK, New York — On March 18, an event called “Our Shushi: Remembering the Past, Longing for the Future,” organized by Armenia Fund USA and the Armenian Embassy in Washington, took place. Guests, who had gathered from around the Washington, DC Metro area, enjoyed the gracious atmosphere, wine and cheese reception, and the company of their community members who came to reminisce about their past and contribute to Armenia’s future.

Participating in the event were representatives from Armenian-American organizations, members of the clergy, numerous Armenian-Americans, as well as Lincy Foundation Vice Chair and United Armenian Fund President Harut Sassounian, and the Executive Director of the Armenian Assembly of America Bryan Ardouny.

Irina Lazarian, Executive Director of Armenia Fund USA, presented the Fund’s activities, which support and invest in humanitarian programs in the educational, health and agricultural sectors.

An inspirational film was screened on the living conditions and needs of residents of Shushi, who despite their years of struggle, show renewed hope, as Armenia Fund, with the support of the Diaspora, dedicates its efforts to restoring the historic land. “The movie was very poignant. It brought back the memories from family albums with pictures of my grandparents. Shushi looked very different prior to WWI; hopefully with the aid of your organization it will recover its historic luster and educational significance,” expressed Dr. Ada Anahit Azaryan, whose grandfather had graduated from the Royal College of Shushi.”

The Ambassador of Armenia to the United States Tatoul Markarian concluded the event, by expressing his gratitude to the guests and the Armenian community, with plans to meet at a similar function in the near future.

ABOUT ARMENIA FUND USA: founded in 1992, was one of the first of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s 18 international affiliates and serves constituents in all states east of the Mississippi. As a non-profit, non-governmental, nonsectarian organization, the Fund represents all Armenian constituents. Armenia Fund USA is the largest contributor among the 18 international affiliates – supporting strategic infrastructure projects in Armenia and Karabakh. The Fund has adopted a policy to go “Beyond Bricks and Mortar” to provide sustainability for projects it sponsors.

To learn more about Armenia Fund USA, please visit our website at
www.ArmeniaFundUSA.org or call us at 212-689-5307.