Krikor Satamian at the AGBU Toronto

July 26, 2011 · Filed Under Past Events, Performing Arts, Press Releases, Social

KRIKOR SATAMIAN REGALES TORONTO AGBU AUDIENCE WITH WIT AND CHARM

By Dr. Isa Basmadjian

On a hot humid July evening, Friday the 15th to be precise, Krikor Satamian, actor, comedian, writer, philosopher and devoted AGBU member, flew in from California and delivered a captivating monologue to a packed audience in the Babayan Hall of the AGBU Alex Manoogian Cultural Centre in Toronto. Before he began to entertain, the crowd was treated to an array of delectable appetizers and a scrumptious meal that added to the convivial surroundings and set the mood for a night of mirth and merriment. And at the night‘s end, the spectators had forgotten the heat and were revelling in the refreshingly joyous atmosphere that Satamian had left behind.

Guffaws, giggles, chortles and hearty laughs resounded in the hall while Satamian was on stage. His inspiration seems to be the foibles and follies of human relationships and interaction with their surroundings, somewhat akin to a modern-day Molière but more appropriately, like a contemporary version of Baronian. Like the latter, Satamian holds up a mirror to his fellow Armenians and transforms his keen observation of their nature and peculiar quirks and idiosyncrasies to a highly specialized comedic art form. It’s a rare ability to metamorphose a serious subject matter into humorous entertainment. However, Satamian has mastered it and his audience loves it.

Satamian’s large body of fans In Toronto appreciate him for being the national treasure that he is and regret the fact that his visits are few and far between .

 

 

Prof. Ardak Movsisyan’s lectures

July 25, 2011 · Filed Under Cultural, Past Events


With the invitation of AGBU Toronto and AGBU Montreal, renowned historian Ardak Movsisyan presented a unique series of lectures in Toronto and Montreal. These lectures were dedicated to the 1650th anniversary of Mesrob Mashdots and the 1050th anniversary of the capital city Ani.
Professor Ardak Movsisyan , born in Abovyan, Armenia is a graduate of Yerevan State University. He is an Assistant Professor of History at Yerevan State University and a scholar at the Institute of Oriental Studies. His expertise is studies in the region of the ancient Armenians, in particular about the State of Aratta in Northern Armenia.
Professor Movsisyan presented two lecture series at A.G.B.U.’s Alex Manoogian Cultural Centre in Toronto.
On June 6th, we heard the Professor talk about “The Problem of those Armenians who had accepted Islam and “Dikran the Great”. He presented his thoughts about Dikran the Great as a defender of Armenians by screening a very interesting film .
On June 8th, the topics of the lectures were “The Lessons of Avarayr” and “The letters used during Pre-Mashdots period”.
Both lectures were greatly appreciated by the audience. Questions and answer periods followed after each lecture.
It was a real treat for the Armenian community in Toronto to hear Dr. Movsisyan talk about such intriguing topics.