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1 January
New Year’s eve party at Goganian Club.
Around 120 HMEM Nubar Cairo & Goganian clubs’ members, fans and guests gathered at the Goganian club in Heliopolis on Monday 31st December 2012 to celebrate the New Year in a lively and festive atmosphere.
The club’s interior was tastefully decorated with lights, Christmas ornaments, balloons and candles in a cosy atmosphere. Guests were treated with a variety of music, good food and raffle prizes. D.J. Garo with his pick of old and new music had the gathering on their feet on the dance floor celebrating the arrival of the 1st day of the New Year.
The joint organization of this event by the two clubs has contributed in its success. The tables’ set up & decoration, the menu, the raffle prizes, the music has guaranteed the joyous celebration of the last night of 2012.
5 January
Khetoum celebrated at HMEM Nubar Cairo.
HMEM Nubar Cairo celebrated Khetoum on Saturday 5th January in style and elegance with around 100 guests gathered at the club house in a festive atmosphere, dancing to the tunes of the live entertainment of singer Armenian singer “Anto”in a shipshape decorated interior and a scrumptious food service..
The Ladies’ Committee did a tremendous job in organizing the event. The decoration, food, presents and organization was all taken care of with utmost commitment.
The night ended at around 1:00 am with the tombola in good spirits and mood after an excellent night out full of enjoyment and delight.
Merry Christmas..
6 January
The “Paradon” of the Armenian Artistic Club
AGBU Cairo’s “Dziadzan” children’s choir participated in the annual “Paradon” of the Armenian Artistic Club (Kegharvestasiradz) which was held at the Belekdanian Hall in Heliopolis on Sunday 6th January 2013. “Dziadzan” performed 4 songs and entertained the spectators thanks to their seasonal cheery songs and their lively pleasant interactive style. The choir was led by Maestro Mihran Ghazelian and his wife Kohar.
The Paradon is being organized since 1959 and presents performances staged by the Egyptian Armenian Community’s different institutions, schools and clubs through their talented youth. This year’s program included solo singers, a short play, musical performances and poetry. In the second part of tonight’s program, Hagop Mazloumian; the talented young Egyptian Armenian pianist who studies at the Gomidas Musical Institute of Yerevan, performed with brilliance, astounding the audience with some of his compositions.
The 2013 Paradon was held under the auspices of HE. Dr. Armen Melkonian, the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Egypt and the chairmanship of Mr. & Mrs. Norayr Deuvletian, honorary chairman of the “RAG” party in Egypt.
21 January
AGBU Cairo’s 2013 wall calendar published
The 2013 wall calendar of AGBU Cairo is now available for sale through the AGBU offices in Cairo and Alexandria. This year’s calendar features 3rd generation Armeno-Egyptian artist Ashod Zoryan’s (1905-1970) famous painting “The dancers”.
26 January
AGBU Cairo contributes with 30000 LE to Cairo University’s Armenian Studies Center
As every year and as an appreciation and support to the efforts of the Armenian Studies Center of Cairo University’s Faculty of Arts in spreading Armenia related culture and history to Arabic speaking researchers and students, AGBU Cairo contributed in the center’s 2012-2013 activities with a sum of 30 000 Egyptian Pounds.
Among the activities organized by the Center in 2012, lectures by Dr. Armen Melkonian, the Ambassador of Armenia to Egypt on Armenian-Egyptian relations, and by Mohamed Abou Senna and Dr. Varoujan Kazandjian on Armenian poetry. The center organized in November 2011 an international conference on Armenia’s image in Eastern and Western sources. The papers discussed are being prepared for publishing.
The Centre which was inaugurated in 2008, offers courses of Armenian language, literature and history to non-Armenian Egyptian students. In 2012, five such students have registered in these bi-weekly courses which are tutored by Dr. Varoujan Kazandjian.
31 January
| AGBU Cairo registers 287 members for its 2013 Medicare program |
AGBU Cairo has registered 287 members for it 2013 Medicare program which is entering its 13th year of existence in servicing and supporting the Egyptian Armenian communitie’s medical needs. This year 238 membership renewals were registered in Cairo in addition to 9 new members. In Alexandria, 40 renewals were issued. The total number of 287 is less than last year’s 299 and 2011’s 317 due to the passing away of several members of the program.
Te limits of AGBU Cairo’s financial contribution were increased last year in several sectors of the program. The program covers expenses up to 8000 LE per person per year for medical expenses related to medicine, doctors’ visits, dental, ophthalmic, laboratory & radiographic tests, physiotherapy, medical replacement appliances as well as hospitalization and surgery.
Through this Medicare program, besides the 50% discount on their medical, surgical, pharmaceutical, dental, and various medical fields’ expenses, members benefit from their own choice of doctors, hospitals and pharmacies without being limited to the contracted institutions which give AGBU Cairo Medicare program members, additional discounts.
The regulations of this medical insurance program were established in 1999 and the program was launched in January 2000 for Cairo`s Armenian community and was extended two years later to the Alexandrian Armenian community. The program is run by a sub-committee formed by AGBU Cairo which meets regularly to approve the refund requests submitted by the members of the program and to discuss any pending matters.
25 February
HMEM Nubar Cairo’s U-13 football team 4th in Paok’s tournament.
HMEM Nubar Cairo’s U-13 football team occupied the fourth position in Paok SC’s football  tournament after three wins, two losses and and one draw. After drawing with St. Therese B 3-3 in its opening match on Sunday 20th January, the team was able to overcome Ard El Golf B 6-0 on 24th January followed by another straight 9-2 win against St. Therese C on Sunday 27th January. The team then defeated Paok 6-5 and lost to Ard El Golf A 3-4 and St. Therese A 4-5. In last year’s tournament, HMEM Nubar Cairo had occupied the third position out of the 8 participating teams.
The tournament was held with the participation of St. Therese A, B, C and D teams, Ard El Golf A & B, HMEM Nubar Cairo and hosts Paok. The team is coached by captain Dorry and managed by Roupen Simonian. |
2 March
HMEM Nubar Cairo on the “health track”
HMEM Nubar Cairo hosted last Friday 1st March 2013 another health related lecture by Dr. Annie 
Ohanessian on healthy living and eating habits. In November, a lecture on Homeopathy was presented by Dr. Herminé Varjabedian and starting from Wednesday 6th March, one-hour weekly fitness courses will start off at the club, coached by an American fitness instructor.
Last Friday’s lecture “What to eat to live healthy and to look good” was mostly attended by the gentler gender, who had come in quest of wellbeing and healthiness, while the opposite “fit” gender, was just happy to come later on to enjoy the scrumptious buffet prepared by the club’s active ladies committee.
10 March
Mike Nabil champion of HMEM Nubar Cairo’s 2013 pool tournament
Mike Nabil was declared champion of HMEM Nubar Cairo’s 2013 pool tournament on Sunday 10th March after defeating Noubar Kouyoumdjian 4-0 in the final of the club’s annual tournament. Mike’s conclusive win came after a relatively stress-free game in which he was able to overcome his experienced opponent.
All through the different stages of the tournament, Mike has not dropped a single game. He played with coherence and unfailing consistency. He had cruised his way consistently to the final by beating Hratch Sevadjibashian, Viken Djizmedjian, Simon Depoyan and Vahe Varjabedian all with the score of 3-0.
In the tournament’s hall of fame, besides Armen’s 5 wins, Kevork Sakayan has won the title 4 times and Hagop Kalishian 3 times. Mike has now registered his name with merit with this first win.
The cup was offered by Mr. and Mrs. Levon Katazian.
The full results of the tournament
The semi final match results: Noubar Kouyoumdjian / Arto Miskdjian 3-2, Vahé Varjabedian / Mike Nabil 0-3
The 3rd round results
Vahé Varjabedian / Armen Varjabedian 3-2, Noubar Kouyoumdjian / Vasken Movsessian 3-0, Arto Miskdjian / Yosri Abdel Messih 3-0, Mike Nabil / Simon Depoyan 3-0.
The second round match results:
Chris Simonian / Simon Depoyan 1-3, Vasken Movsessian / Arek Apkarian 3-0, Viken Djizmedjian / Mike Nabil 0-3, Armen Varjabedian / Garo Varjabedian 3-1, Vahe Varjabedian / Jean Ghazarian 3-0, Arto Miskdjian / Khoren Kalenian 0-3, Noubar Kouyoumdjian / Garen Touloumbadjian 3-0, Roupen Simonian / Yosry Abdel Messih 0-3.
The first round results:
Viken Djizmedjian / Berdj Avedissian 3-2, Hagop Kalishian / Arek Apkarian 0-3, Vahe Varjabedian / Garo Koumorouyan 3-0, Vasken Movsessian / Jirayr Depoyan 3-0, Jean Ghazarian / Garen Touloumbadjian 3-2, Hagop Karagoezian / Garo Varjabedian 0-3, Arto Miskdjian / Berdj Soultanian 3-0, Simon Depoyan / Roupen Simonian 3-2, Raffi Nabil / Khoren Kalinian 0-3, Armen Varjabedian / Garo Apkaria 3-0, Chris Simonian / Vasken Iradian 3-1, Yosri Abdel Messih / Kiki Arakelian 3-2, Mike Nabil / Hratch Sevadjibashian 3-0, Noubar Kouyoumdjian / George Sinonian 3-0.
24 March
HMEM Nubar Cairo’s 2013 Easter Bazaar
Hand-painted Easter eggs, homemade Easter baskets and traditional Armenian bread “Choerek” were among the many Easter delicacies put on sale on Palm Sunday 24th March 2013 at HMEM Nubar Cairo club. Easter bunnies, linens, napkins and serving platters were just few of the many Easter
decorations and utilities which were sisplayed beside the famous traditional Armenian food items such as Lahmadjun, Pastirma , Soudjouk and Mante. The ladies committee had done a wonderful job in preparing this outstanding bazaar.
The bazaar was opened by Mrs Suzy Mesrobian-Solomonidis; the patron of the day, at around 1:00 pm. It went out of stash very soon after due to the flock of fervent shoppers who rushed in to secure their crop of goodies and provisions before the black-out period extending to the next Christmas Bazaar of 2014. ..
The event was attended by around 200 guests and was followed by a delicious lunch service and the traditional tombola.
29 March
HMEM Nubar Cairo’s U-13 football team among the best 4 of St. Therese’s football tournament
The juniors of HMEM Nubar Cairo came out among the best four of St. Therese’s U-13 football tournament losing 3-7 to St. Therese A last Friday 26th April in the semi-final stage. In the group B matches, HMEM Nubar Cairo’s U-13 had qualified by defeating Paok B 6-2 on 4th April, drawing with Azra El Golf A 2-2 on 6th April and losing from St. Therese B 3-7 on Friday 19th April.
The tournament was held from 5 to 27 April 2013 with the participation of 8 teams divided into 2 groups of 4. Paok A won the tournament after defeating St. Therese A in the final. Another tournament was also held for U-11 players with the participation of six teams.
HMEM Nubar Cairo’s U-13 team is coached by captain Dorry and managed by Roupen Simonian. The team’s trainings are on Fridays and Sundays.
1 May
| AGBU Cairo’s General Assembly: 1M 691 014 LE spent in 2012 |
AGBU Cairo held its annual General Assembly at its Chaker Cultural Center in Heliopolis on Tuesday 30th April to present and approve its 2012 expenditures and activities reports and to obtain the General Assembly’s consent for the planned budget of 2013.
After welcoming the presence, the chairman of AGBU Cairo, Dr. Viken Djizmedjian opened the meeting which started with the lecture of the previous General Assembly’s minutes and AGBU Cairo board’s2012activities’ report which was presented by Mr. Mardiros Balayan, the board’s general secretary.
Through this presentation AGBU Cairo announced that in 2012, AGBU Cairo’s Chaker fund has spent 1,691,014LE on the fund’s projects among which the following main expenditures can be mentioned:
371470 LE were spent on cultural projects (such as: Arek Arabic & Deghegadou newsletters, Dziadzan children’s choir, published books, events and film projections at the Chaker Cultural Center, AGBU Egypt website,, etc..). This amount includes also the honoraries and salaries such as the important “Armenia and Armenians in the Egyptian press” ongoing project, editing and article writing for Deghegadou and Arek Arabic newsletters, researching honoraries for specialists and Armenian related studies and researches who are now five in number including Dr. Mohamed Refaat Al Imam .
356429 LE were spent in 2012 for social support and medical care to 63 beneficiaries in need of such aid, 159945 LE were spent on educational support for the tutorial fees of 25students, 13500 LE for retired Armenian teachers, 30000 LE for the Armenian Studies Center of Cairo University and 376299 LE as financial support to different Armenian organizations and institutions. 379 094 LE were spent on the Medicare project’s 299 beneficiaries.
The 2013 budget was then presented by AGBU Cairo’s chairman who also presented the 2012 expenditures account in detail. The General Assembly was followed by a cocktail reception offered in honour of the presence.
12 May
| AGBU Cairo completes a two-year project of indexing Armenian classical singers |
AGBU Cairo has concluded an important two-year project about Armenian classical singers (from 1915 to 2010). The project was realized through Maestros Hayg Avakian and Mihran Ghazelian. It consisted of indexing and creating a bibliography and a discography of the works of Armenian and non-Armenian classical singers and by collecting their recordings (in Armenian);- which account for more than a thousand, from different sources and digitalizing them into MP3 format. Hard and soft copies of this project are now available with the intention of creating and publishing an e-book on DVD or the Internet at a later stage.
The two-year project also included a separate detailed 300 page bibliography and discography of the Armenian famous composer Dikran Tchouhadjian and the collection and subsequent computerized musical notation of the works of famous Armenian composers such as Koharig Ghazarosian, Avedis Mesouments, and Garabed Panosian. A computerized musical notation of the valuable 19th Century “Badarak” composition was also created, including the hand-made corrections of Komidas.
Maestros Hayg Avakian and Mihran Ghazelian, have succeeded, thanks to their profound expertise and great proficiency, in creating a unique and valuable inventory and a rare musical discography.
20 May
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AGBU Cairo screened two short documentaries on Sunday 19th May 2013 at its Chaker Cultural Center in Heliopolis. The first documentary, in Armenian, was about AGBU’s relief efforts in Syria and the second, was a 35 minute presentation, in English, of Prof. Ugur Ungor’s lecture about the eight phases of the Armenian genocide.
The AGBU Syria relief documentary, which was prepared by AGBU Syria’s district committee, displayed the mechanism of distribution and material aid of AGBU’s 1 million US$ aid to the Armenians of Syria.
In the second projection, Professor Ugur Umit Ungor, who is a lecturer at the Department of History at Utrecht University and at the Institute for War, Holocaust, and Genocide Studies in Amsterdam, revealed in his presentation the documented inner workings of Turkish-masterminded and executed government policies of mass deportations, dispossession, and annihilation against the Armenians then living under Ottoman rule.
In the documentary Prof. Ungor outlined the damning details of Turkey’s secret plans to exterminate the Armenians and to expropriate their real and personal properties as well as their ancestral homelands in Western Armenia.
15 June
HMEM Nubar Cairo opens its 2013 summer season
The traditional opening of the summer season at HMEM Nubar Cairo was held on Saturday 15th June at the club’s garden with the presence of more than 170 guests who attended the evening in a pleasant and enjoyable friendly atmosphere.
The event was held under the tunes of the young DJs Alain Karkour and Vartan Terzibashian with the Syrian Armenian singer Anto as the main attraction. After the welcoming words of the chairman of the club, Mr. Jirayr Depoyan, who thanked all those who worked for the success of the event, whether by planning, preparing the buffet or by providing raffle prizes, the guests found their way to the delicious salad buffet which was catered by the ladies’ committee of the club run by the energetic Koko Nabil and Zabel Depoyan. After dinner, the presence got on their feet to party on the dance floor, to let off their verve on the lively music of Vartan and Alain.
The evening ended at around 2:00 am after the raffle prizes handled by Dr. Hermin Varjabedian and the final croons of Anto.
1-5 August
Trip to Forte Arabesque Makadi Bay by HMEM Nubar Cairo
15 August
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Like every year, AGBU Cairo will be contributing; through its “Satenig Chaker fund”, in the tutorial school and university fees of commendable students for the 2013-2014 educational year.
Those who wish to benefit from these grants may apply at the AGBU Cairo offices in Cairo and Alexandria by filling the corresponding form, including 2 personal photographs, birth certificate, and past two years’ results. Those who already benefit from these grants, may continue to do so for the new educational year by presenting their mid-year A & B terms’ or end-year’s results.
The deadline of application is 30th September 2013.
16 August
HMEM Nubar Alexandria cancels its basketball tournament
HMEM Nubar Alexandria canceled its basketball tournament which was scheduled for the coming weekend of 16 to 18 August to a date which is yet to be fixed. The club had declared earlier on Tuesday the organization of the tournament next weekend before the change of the political and security situation and the declaration of curfew hours by the Egyptian authorities.
“The current unstable political and security situation makes it impossible to organize the tournament at the time being or to propose another date” declared Dr. Garbis Tossounian, the chairman of HMEM Nubar Alex, “We all remain hopeful that the situation improves and the country finds its stability as soon as possible.”
22 August
HMEM Nubar Cairo opens its doors next Friday and Sunday
HMEM Nubar Cairo Sports Club will be opening its doors to its members and visitors next Friday after a brief closure as a result of to the country’s unstable political situation. “Now that the precarious safety situation is on its way to gradual recovery, the club’s board has decided to open its doors tomorrow, Friday 23rd August as well as on Sunday 25th from 12:00 to 6:00 pm, in compliance with the curfew hours which start at 7:00 pm” Said Mr. Jirayr Depoyan, the chairman of the club. The club will be serving only drinks on Friday, but on Sunday a lunch service will also be available. Reservations for this service should be made in advance on Friday.” Mr. Depoyan continued: “We are all hopeful that peace and security prevail eventually in our beloved country”.
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22 September
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In a joint effort with AGBU’s Armenian Virtual College (AVC), AGBU Cairo introduced AVC’s Armenian online education into Egypt by hosting an introductory gathering on Saturday, 21 September 2013 at its Chaker Cultural Center in Heliopolis. The presentation was made by Mrs. Anna Dolabjian (Trayan), the AVC-AGBU’s Liaison in Egypt and Arpi Khatcherian, AGBU Cairo’s AVC Representative in Egypt.
The event was held with the presence of His Grace Bishop Krikor Augostinos Kousa, the Primate of the Armenian Catholic church in Egypt and His Excellency Dr. Armen Melkonian, the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Egypt as well as many Armenians and non-Armenians who had crammed the Chaker Hall of AGBU Cairo.
The evening started with the welcome speech of the chairman of AGBU Cairo, Dr. Viken Djizmedjian who greeted the audience and stressed on the significance of this project to AGBU Cairo which, among its many other objectives, aims at all times, to spread the Armenian culture and language among our community members. Mrs. Anna Dolabjian (Trayan), the AVC-AGVU liaison in Egypt then took the floor to present in details, through a Power point presentation, the objectives and the modalities of participation in these courses, Dr. Arpi Khatcherian continued the second part of the presentation to explain the functioning of the avc-agbu.org website and the procedure of registration. The presentation was crowned by the recorded video greetings from Dr. Yervant Zorian, the AVC-AGBU Founding President.
After answering the inquiries and questions of the audience, the evening was concluded by the words of Mr. Berdj Terzian, the honorary chairman of AGBU Cairo and the chairman of AGBU Egypt and the words of Dr. Armen Melkonian, the Ambassador of Armenia to Egypt.
AVC offers courses in Armenian language, history and culture. Chess educational game has been added recently to the portfolio. All courses are available in multiple languages and at multiple levels.
The online classes of the Fall 2013 term start on October 7 and end on December 10, 2013. Apart from the special 25% discount tendered by AGBU for subscriptions from Egypt, AGBU Cairo will offer a further 50% discount for Egyptian Armenians upon submission of such a request to AGBU Cairo.
For more information, you may contact the AVC-AGBU liaison in Egypt, Mrs. Anna Trayan or visit the AVC Website: www.avc-agbu.org and follow us on our Facebook page: The Armenian Virtual College – AGBU.
28 September
A Saroukhan tribute at HMEM Nubar Cairo
On the occasion of the 115th anniversary of the birth of the brilliant Egyptian Armenian caricaturist late Alexander Saroukhan (Born on 1st October 1898), HMEM Nubar Cairo SC organized a presentation and a short movie projection at its clubhouse on Friday 27th September 2013. The presentation was made by Mr. Garo Neredian, who showed some of the genuine works of late Saroukhan shedding light on the perception and insight behind some these drawings.
The short movie which was produced by the Egyptian Ministry of culture in 2012 and which was directed by Moataz Ragheb, was introduced to the public on 11th October 2012 through a joint endeavor between the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and AGBU Cairo.
The movie was followed by a healthy salad bar lunch service prepared by the ladies committee of the club, followed by the calorie-compensating dessert bar ritual service.
6 October
HMEM Nubar Cairo’s 6 October celebrations
On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the 6th of October war victory, HMEM Nubar Cairo organized a one-day gathering of friendly basketball matches featuring some games between teams of different age categories for boys and girls as well as a match for senior men and veteran teams with the participation of Homenetmen Ararat.
The matches of this sports day of Saturday 5th October started with the game of the club’s U-16 girls’ team against Sekka Hadid at 5:00 pm. The young girls of HMEM Nubar Cairo defeated the guests 38/16. After this match, the club’s U-14 boys overcame Al Zehour SC 58/26. The girls’ seniors team then played against Al Ghaba SC giving away the match at its last moments 42/44.
It was then time for the final match between HMEM Nubar Cairo and Homenetmen Ararat. After the welcoming words of Mr. Jiraryr Depoyan, chairman of HMEM Nubar Cairo, the two teams lined up for introductions and team photo shoots and the subsequent start up of the game, which according to the rules of the match, specify that at any moment of the game, each team should be formed of at least 2 veteran players besides its regular players. The game, which was held in a jovial and friendly mood, ended in favour of HMEM Nubar Cairo 57/44.
The matches were held with the presence of Rev. Hagop Hagopian, and the chairmanship of Mr. & Mrs. Nubar Simonian. The medals were offered as usual by Mr. & Mrs. Vart Alexanian.
8 October
HMEM Nubar Cairo’s football field’s complete makeover completed
HMEM Nubar Cairo has finally completed the major fundamental makeover and the complete transformation of of its football pitch. The construction works, which have been carried out by a specialized company, had started in June, ending to this exquisite conclusion in September 2013.
The worn-out grass of the old field was completely dug out and the underlying soil ploughed up. After treating the ground, several levels of compressed pebble were packed over and densely condensed by bulldozers. The sheets of synthetic grass were finally layered over. The football field is encircled by a walking track and enclosed within a metal fence carrying a strong and efficient lighting system. A two-levelled spectators stand was also built alongside the field.
“We can now claim to have a certified football field of proper standards and international specifications” said Jirayr Depoyan, the chairman of HMEM Nubar Cairo. “The renovation works took more time than expected due to several logistical setbacks, such as problems related to the entry of the heavy equipment into the club for which we had to split up an opening (then closing) in the fence and impulsive additional work such as the spectators stands and the associated paintwork, as well as delays in the delivery of the synthetic grass by the selected company. But finally the outcome is superb. We have always dreamt of having a proper mini football field with correct 5-a-side football dimensions and with first-rate synthetic grass. Now this dream is a reality”.
The renovation and restitution of the timeworn football pitch into a proper field of play of international standards had long been on top of the farfetched wish list of the football loving youth of several generations.
The project has been being carried out by the club thanks to the contribution of AGBU Cairo, with the aim of serving all the football loving youth of the Egyptian Armenian community.
A special sub-committee has been formed to prepare the opening event which is foreseen to be held sometime in November.
11 October
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AGBU Cairo organized a trip today Friday 11 October 2013 for its children’s choir members and parents to KidZania at the Festival City in New Cairo. Kidzania, which is an internationally franchised edutainment park for children, is designed to provide an educational environment that allows kids between the ages of four to fourteen to do some role-playing, by mimicking traditionally adult activities and perform grownup’s roles in all professions; doctors, policemen, accountants, media personnel, journalists, bankers in a city that has has its own mini streets, buildings, shops, hospitals, banks, police stations, etc..
Around 21 children and 12 parents participated in this educational outing.
The Dziadzan children’s choir will be resuming its new season rehearsals starting from Thursday 24th October.
11 October
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12 October
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AGBU Cairo has just reprinted its book on Alexander Saroukhan which it had published in 1998 about the great caricaturist’s life, art and works. The 144 page book which is in Arabic language, includes numerous illustrations of the late artist’s works and an account of his life, works and his endeavour. It was prepared and compiled by artist Hrant Keshishian and reprinted at Nubar Digital.
Due to the substantial demand of the book which had run out of stock recently, it was decided to reprint it digitally.
6 November
Fitness workouts at HMEM Nubar Cairo
HMEM Nubar Cairo will start weekly fitness courses from Thursday 14th November 2013 at its club house for the softer gender who wish to drop some inches through simple workouts held in an outgoing ambiance.
The series of workouts which are patented “T-Tapp” are run by an American expert; Mrs. Joyce Neergaard, and consist of sequential movements designed to put the body in proper functional alignment. The five one-hour exercise sessions which are held on Wednesdays from 10:00 to 11:00 am are suitable for all ages, the drills aim to improve muscle movements and help establish better alignment as well as increase the strength and flexibility of muscles and spine.
For more info and reservations you may contact Dr. Hermin Varjabedian or Sossi Hagopian.
The one-hour sessions are followed by coffee snacks to compensate for the lost calories..
9 November
A grandiose opening of HMEM Nubar Cairo’s renovated football pitch
With the presence of more than 250 club members and guests, HMEM Nubar Cairo celebrated today, Saturday 9th of November 2013, the opening of its renovated football field with exquisite grandness, fit for such an important occurrence, which will remain engraved in gold in the annals of this club.
A cocktail service from 7:00 to 8:00 pm in the garden area heralded the official announcement of the honoring ceremony, which started by paying the appropriate reverence to the sponsors who contributed in the realization of this project. The chairman of HMEM Nubar Cairo, Mr. Jirayr Depoyan, called upon the `Genkahayrs` one by one, and with the assistance of His Grace Bishop Ashod Mnatsaganian, the Primate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Egypt, His Grace Bishop Krikor Agostinos Kousa, the Primate of the Armenian Catholic Church of Egypt and H.E. the Ambassador of Armenia to Egypt Dr. Armen Melkonian as well as with the event’s patron Mr. Berdj Terzian, the chairman of AGBU Egypt and the Honorary chairman of AGBU Cairo, he bestowed medals of honor to each and every sponsor one by one.
After the traditional cake cutting and the group photography, the presence was guided to their seats at the football pitch stands in preparation for the second part of the evening and the official ribbon cutting ceremony of the football arena.
Mr. Berdj Terzian, the patron of the event, assisted by His Grace Bishop Ashot Mnatsaganian and His Grace Bishop Kriokor Agostinos Kousa and Jirayr Depoyan, the chairman of the club, cut the ribbon and booted the kick-off ball amidst the impressive light and music show which gave a special glamor and enticement to this culminating high point of the opening ceremony.
The chairman of the club, Mr. Jirayr Depoyan took the floor to thank the presence and the sponsors for their support, pointing out the substantial financial assistance of AGBU Cairo in the realization of this project. He also thanked the board members and the ladies committee for their dedicated work and commitment to make this opening day a success. He thanked the different Armenian institutions and clubs which came to participate in this celebration. He also wished that this football field be of great use at the service of all the football loving youth of our community. Mr. Berdj Terzian also took the floor to congratulate the club’s board members for their efforts. He stressed on the role of major sponsors and benefactors, such as the late Satenig Chaker, AGBU Cairo’s all time major donor, without whom such important projects, support and assistance to our community would have been impossible. He mentioned that the amount of the new young sponsors revealed tonight was an extremely positive point which has to be encouraged and admired.
After the opening speeches, a folkloric Armenian dance was staged by Suzanne Karkour with the participation of the Zankezour folk dance troupe’s senior dancers.
The first match of the evening was among players aged 6 to 15, with the participation of around 20 young footballers. After the end of the match Dr. George Simonian gave a brief historical account of the club’s past with football. This was followed by a solo dance by Perla Avanian, after which the seniors and veterans came into the field to put on the last match of the evening.
Congratulations to HMEM Nubar Cairo’s board members for their excellent work and congratulations to all the football loving youth who now have something which they can truly enjoy: Playing football on a real premium quality pitch.
23 November
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AGBU Cairo has decided to increase the limits of its financial contribution in several sectors of its Medicare healthcare program of 2014. The annual subsidy of medicine will be increased to 1500 LE instead of 1200 LE. Doctors’ visits from 300 LE to 400 LE, radiographs to 400 LE instead of 300 LE and Laboratory tests to 500 LE instead of this year’s 300 LE. The program covers also hospitalization and surgical expenses up to 8000 LE per person per year. The last such increase was made in 2012.
AGBU Cairo`s Medicare program is an insurance system, which provides financial coverage of up to 50% of the medical expenses of its subscribers. The regulations were established in 1999 and the program was launched in January 2000 for Cairo`s Armenian community and was extended two years later to the Alexandrian Armenian community. A specialized subcommittee meets regularly to govern and review the members’ submitted documents and to discuss issues and raises in AGBU Cairo’s financial contribution.
In 2013, 287 memberships were registered including 40 from Alexandria.
For next year’s program, the deadline of application was fixed for 10th December 2013. For new applications, a photocopy of the personal ID, 2 pictures and an Egyptian Armenian community membership document must be presented, while for renewals, a personal picture and a photocopy of the 2013 Medicare ID card will be required. The membership fee is 180 LE. All applications are subject to the approval of AGBU Cairo.
11 December
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AGBU Cairo awarded on Wednesday 11th December 2013, certificates of excellence, presents and cash 
prizes to Cairo’s Armenian students who have accomplished distinguished results in the 2012-2013 school year. The award proceedings were held at AGBU Cairo’s Chaker cultural Center in Heliopolis. The awards, which are distributed since 2001 thanks to the AGBU Cairo’s Satenig Chaker fund, comes as an appreciation and encouragement to our community’s bright students’ educational achievements.
This year 12 students were awarded: 4 primary stage graduates: Rita Simon Chamkertenian 96.31%, Marie Manuel Krikorian 95.65%, Nathalie Kevork Godoloshian 94.85% and Lillit Hagop Sayan 93.32%.
Three Preparatory stage graduates were awarded: Daniel Nagy Kallalian 92,6%, Mané Viken Djizmedjian 91.6% and Julia Kevork Avanian 91.25%.
Four Secondary stage students were awarded: Melissa Nourhan Kurkdjian 98.31%, Aspé Viken Djizmedjian 94%, Hagop Berdj Aslanian 92.7% and Chris Arman Kelloyan 91.9%.
One university student graduate was awarded with a Very Good mark in Architecture: Chirs Herayr Shahrozian.
The awards were handed out to the students through the board members of the AGBU Cairo. Before the award proceedings a word of encouragement and congratulation was made by the chairman of AGBU Cairo Dr. Viken Djizmedjian. A short film about Armenia was also projected.
Besides the certificates, the awarded presents and the cash prizes were as follows: For Primary stage graduates: 100 LE and the book “About Religion and Church”, for Preparatory stage students: 200 LE and the book “Arabic articles and writings about the Armenian Genocide”. For Secondary stage graduates: 500 LE and the book of “Saroukhan”, while for university graduates with Very Good grades: 800 LE and the book “The Armenian Question”.
Alexandria’s Armenian bright students will be awarded at a later date which is yet to be fixed.
28 December
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As every year, AGBU Cairo’s Dziadzan children’s choir members received Santa Claus during their weekly rehearsal on Saturday 28th December, a traditional visit never missed since the creation of the choir.
Maestro Mihran Ghazelian and AGBU Cairo’s co-opted members Mrs. Roubina Aslanian-Norarevian, Dr. Arpi Khatcherian and Dr. Annie Ohanessian who have organized the event, greeted Santa Claus along with the children in a festive and cheerful mood.
Santa Claus then distributed some Christmas gifts to the choir members amid the curious stare of the children who were trying hard to look through the massive white beard of Santa Claus to discover the real identity of this striking Gaghant Baba (or rather Gaghant Mama?).
21 December
HMEM Nubar Cairo’s 2013 Christmas Bazaar
The traditional annual Christmas bazaar of HMEM Nubar Cairo was held on Friday 20th December at the club with the presence of close to 200 guests and children who came to spend the day in a cheerful and festive atmosphere.
The Christmas food & decoration bazaar was opened at 1:00 pm by Mrs. Gassia Djeghalian-Deuvletian, who cut the ribbon giving the green light to the shopping frenzy and the rash entry into the chamber of goodies in the club house. Besides the notorious Armenian food & delicious treats there were many great Christmas decorations and superb knick-knacks. Even if these goodies lagged in interest slightly behind the unbeatable Sudjuk & pastrami, the palate- tempting Kobeba and the ever-winning Dolma & Mante, these decorations and hand-made ornaments were able to squeeze themselves inside the food-packed handbags of the shoppers.
The Kété, the Cannelloni, the Sou-Boeurek, the Topig and the other home-made specialities succumbed very quickly to the craving of the masses. The same for the pastry section of Fishné jam, Christmas cakes, muffin and cookies, which all went out of stock in no time in spite of the abundance of the quantities.
Kudos to the ladies committee of HMEM Nubar Cairo, whose members worked hard during the past few weeks to ensure the success of this event. Well done ladies it was a really rich and sumptuous bazaar.
Soon after the “Mante” lunch, the infamous Gaghant Baba showed up amassing the children around him; and even more their mothers… After the distribution of the gifts, the no longer needed Santa Claus had to leave grudgingly giving way for the traditional tombola.