2021 Annual Update
The Armenian Cultural Association of Maine continues to plan social and cultural events locally to bring our community together and to educate non-Armenians about our culture. Despite not being able to convene in person over this past year, our programming has never been stronger and more culturally diverse. A few recent highlights include:
Nazook baking demonstration with Annie Kiladjian, Renee Boghosian Goodwin, and Kristin Goodwin Sutton;
Conversation with maestro Aram Demirjian (Music Director of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra), hosted by Carolyn Nishon (Executive Director of the Portland Symphony Orchestra);
Armenian Genocide Memorial Service featuring remarks by Rev. Andrew Faust and Deacon Bryan Dench of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Portland City Mayor Kate Merchant Snyder, Council member Pious Ali, Judith Saryan, and Ava Gurekian of the Portland chapter of the Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief; and
A collaborative, community-wide effort that led to the rescission of a city proclamation, which made false and hurtful claims about Armenians.
While we are eager to come together as a community for upcoming events, we respectfully request that you are fully vaccinated (and not showing any symptoms of illness), as the COVID pandemic still poses a threat to some of our members. Therefore, proof of vaccination and masking will be required at all upcoming in-person events until further notice. Upcoming program highlights include:
Annual Armenian Christmas Service & Reception: Saturday, January 8, 2022 at 2:00 pm. Church service at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Portland followed by coffee and dessert in the church banquet hall; and
Traditional Armenian Dance: A Closer Look: Saturday, February 5, 2022 at 10:00 am. Zoom lecture featuring Ani Kasparian of Houshamadyan – a project dedicated to reconstructing Ottoman Armenian town and village life, showcasing a preview of their latest work on traditional Armenian dances – facilitated by Carolyn Rapkievian, Smithsonian Emeritus, of Bar Harbor.
Stay tuned for more program announcements, including plans around hosting our Annual Summer Picnic!
As a small community non-profit organization, we rely on the generosity and financial support of our membership – members like you – to fuel our mission of celebrating and preserving Armenian culture. Donations can be made using this secure donation link, or by mailing a check to:
Armenian Cultural Association of Maine
P.O. Box 127
South Portland, ME 04106
If you have any questions or comments about our initiatives or upcoming events, please do not hesitate to call me directly at (207) 838-7811 or email me at armeniansofmaine@gmail.com.
Sincerely,
Gerard Kiladjian | President
Armenian Cultural Association of Maine
P.S. On behalf of the ACA board of directors, I wish you and all your loved ones a merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year.