President Sarkisian Visits Armenian Museum of America

President Sarkisian Visits Armenian Museum of America

On Mon., March 28, Armenia’s President Serge Sarkisian visited the Armenian Museum of America as part of his working visit to Boston in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Armenia.

President Sarkisian at ALMA

Accompanying the president was a delegation of dignitaries that included Armenian Ambassador to the United States Grigor Hovhannissian; the president’s chief of staff, Vigen Sargsyan; First Secretary Karen Israelyan; Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan; as well as the prelate, primate, and other members of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America.

After an introduction to Berj Chekijian, museum director, and Michele Kolligian, the executive vice president of the museum’s board, Sarkisian received gifts from and was introduced to other organizations that operate in the building, including Project SAVE Armenian Photograph Archives, Armenia Tree Project, and the Armenian International Women’s Association.

Chekijian, with assistance from Gary Lind-Sinanian, museum curator, led the president on a tour of the first floor of the museum, to the “Who Are the Armenians” exhibit, the Karsh Gallery, and the Bedoukian Galleries, which include highlights of the Museum Collections.

At the conclusion of the tour, Sarkisian presented Chekijian and Kolligian artwork by famed French-Armenian artist Jean Jansem, whose works are part of museum collections throughout Armenia, France, Japan, and the United States.

The Armenian Museum of America is located in the heart of Watertown, Mass., at 65 Main St. It has the distinct mission to collect and maintain Armenian artifacts, textiles, and publications in order to preserve the Armenian heritage and serve as a national repository and information center on the Armenian people, history, and culture.
Source: Armenian Weekly Mid-West