Glendale, CA–The Armenian Bar Association joined numerous Armenian organizations from Los Angeles and throughout the world to remember their fallen hero, Hrant Dink. Over 700 people attended the memorial tribute to Hrant Dink on March 11, 2007 at the Glendale Civic Auditorium on the occasion of the passing of the 40th day of his senseless murder outside of his office in Istanbul, Turkey.
Armen K. Hovannisian, past Chairman of ArmenBar was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening which served as a fitting tribute to the journalist who was a champion of free speech to millions of people throughout the world. Community leaders have vowed to keep his name and ideals alive. The Armenian Bar has established and will award an annual “Hrant Dink Freedom Award” to worthy individuals. The award will be a replica of the Liberty Bell, a copy of which was bestowed on Dink by ArmenBar in Philadelphia, three months prior to his assassination.
Several guest speakers spoke about Dink, their experiences with him and what he stood for. The speakers included Dink’s friends and fellow Istanbul born Armenians Chairman Frank Zerunyan and Treasurer Edvin Minassian. Minassian who facilitated Dink’s participation in the ArmenBar Midyear Meeting in Philadelphia, spoke of the journalist’s principled stand on the freedom of speech, and his desire to educate the people of his native Turkey about their own history.
Zerunyan discussed the impact Dink had on the largest association of Armenian lawyers in the world, his impact on the community and the warmth with which he was accepted by the group. Simon Acilac of the Organization of Istanbul Armenians spoke about the Dink’s funeral, which he attended, and Armen Liloyan, Consul General of Armenia to Los Angeles offered words of comfort and pride for Dink’s deeds.
Hovannisian’s powerful and moving words left those in attendance with inspiration, hope and introspection. The speakers were interspersed with musical interludes by “Winds of Passion” a duduk duo, whose selections where both solemn and thought-provoking. The musicians were joined by renowned singer “Arax” for two selections, “Groong” and “Hayots Aghounag.” The Zvartnots Dance Group flawlessly performed the somber “Khatchkar Dance” in folkloric costumes and musical accompaniment.
The star of the evening, however, was Hrant Dink himself, whose words were presented through a compilation of edited interviews by Stepan Partamian. Readings of Dink’s writings, including his final column in his newspaper, Agos, prior to his murder were narrated for those in attendance. Hovnan Derderian, Archbishop and Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church, lead an ecumenical prayer to conclude the program.
“We feel it is our duty to honor his memory and continue the struggle of Hrant Dink, who died fighting for the right of free speech,” said Lucy Varpetian, former Executive Director ArmenBar, and an organizer of the memorial tribute. “His only crime was that he was an Armenian living in Turkey. The large turnout at this memorial service and the response of hundreds of thousands of people throughout the world is a testament to the support of his ideals,” she said.
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