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ARMENIAN HERITAGE WALK OPENS IN PHILADELPHIA
On Saturday, April 25, more than 1,000 people gathered to celebrate the dedication of the Armenian Heritage Walk, located across from the north entrance of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, a 15,000-square-foot winding walkway of Armenian culture, art, and native gardens, on the occasion of the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and the 250th birthday of America.
The speeches traced the historical contributions of the 1976 Young Meher visionaries and the tireless efforts of the current foundation and committee members, architect, landscape designer, builder, and countless volunteers and donors whose work over the past eight years brought the ambitious project to life. An intercommunal choir, young Armenian dancers and singers, musical interludes, and theatrical performances drew cheers and tears from a grateful community.
Master of ceremonies Yn. Arpy Minasian led the program, which began with blessings from and later uplifting words by His Grace Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese; His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan, Prelate, and His Excellency the Most Revered Mikael Mouradian, Bishop of the Armenian Catholic Eparchy. In his message, Archbishop Anoushavan said:
“‘This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it,” says the Psalmist, for in the city that was the birthplace of the U.S. Constitution we are all witnessing today, on the sacred day of the commemoration of the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the opening of the Armenian Heritage Walk, a long-time cherished dream, which became a reality through the visionary, passionate, and deeply engaged members of the Armenian Heritage Walk Committee with the support of the Armenian community and the highly commendable cooperation of City of Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker and Parks and Recreation Commissioner Susan Slawson.
What we are seeing is not just a Heritage Walk, but rather a school full of symbolism, where each and every element has been meticulously designed, reflecting a glorious event in Armenian history.
As Prophet Isaiah says, “And they will beat their swords into plows, and their spears into knives for cutting vines. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, and they will not learn about war anymore” (Is 2.4). Likewise, the uniqueness of this statue is that, unlike all other statues that usually display a sword, Young Meher carries a cross—the symbol of sacrificial love, peace, and harmony—making all visitors aware of the spirit of Armenia and Armenians, that we, the descendants of the Armenian Genocide survivors, were, are, and we will forever be the children of Light and Life, the children of God shining faith, hope, and love.
May God bless America, the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave, in its 250th anniversary. May God bless all of us.”
Armenian Heritage Foundation member Steve Barsamian offered a history of the Armenian Heritage Walk and paid tribute to the Knights of Vartan and the original visionaries for laying the foundation for the bicentennial project. Mr. Barsamian took on the task of maintaining the statue for decades. In 2017, he saw that it needed restoring and went to City Hall to get the ball rolling. “For as long as I’ve been here, I’ve never seen such unity, capital letters unity,” he said, and thanked the community for the outstanding accomplishment.
City and state officials attending the dedication included Philadelphia City Representative and Director of the Office of Special Events Jazelle Jones, who took to the podium to salute the Armenian community of the Philadelphia area.
Clergy and audience members then sang along with members of the Hamazkayin Meghry Youth Choral Group, a fitting prelude to the presentation by site contractor David Hoplamazian, who worked hand-in-hand with site architect Simon Koumjian III. Armenian Heritage Foundation President Kurk Selverian, keynote speaker, took the stage to express gratitude to the officials from the city, museum, and horticultural society who were instrumental in the success of the undertaking, as well as all those who participated in the design and construction. He took the audience through the Armenian American story and the symbolism of the project. Hooshere Bezdikian elevated the performance with expressive renditions of Armenian and American songs, as Steve Odabashian accompanied on piano. The festivities culminated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a flag processional of Armenian youth who took the first steps on the path, and both a drum and dance performance by students of the Armenian Sisters Academy. Guests then flocked onto the walkway to rejoice in its beauty and lay white carnations on and around the Young Meher statue.
In a grand finale of the memorable weekend, some 450 guests gathered at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia at a black-tie gala to rejoice at the opening of the Armenian Heritage Walk and to present awards of excellence to several highly accomplished Armenian Americans.
