On Sunday September 22, 2019, the Prime Minister of Republic of Armenia H.E. Nikol Pashinyan paid his first visit to the Armenian community of Los Angeles. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, attended the day-long meetings and events. By the ordinance of the Prelate, during the Divine Liturgy, Thanksgiving service was conducted on the 28th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Armenia was conducted within all Prelacy churches.
On Sunday morning, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia met with the community representatives at the Intercontinental hotel. The Prelate and the Executive Council Chair Garo Eshgian attended the meeting. The representatives of all the main organizations of the community were invited to the meeting. During the meeting, the attendees had the opportunity to address the Prime Minister on Armenia-Diaspora relations, such as; Armenia’s economy, tourism, the settlement of the Artsakh issue, and structural reforms of the public administration system.
Later, the Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his spouse Anna Hakobyan attended an official reception hosted by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti at the Los Angeles City Hall and initiated by Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Krekorian. The Prelate, the Executive Council Chair and state officials were also present at this gathering.
After the City Hall reception concluded, the Grand Park rally began. The attendees enjoyed traditional dances and musical performances by the professional and popular singers and cultural organizations of the community. Following the national anthems of Unites States of America and Armenia performed by the Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School Choir, the ceremony commenced by the prayers of Thanksgiving for the Republic of Armenia conducted by community church leaders.
Speaking at the rally were Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, congressman Adam Schiff, State Senator Anthony Portantino, State Assembly member Adrin Nazarian and LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger.
Following the speeches, Mr. Pashinyan was invited to convey his message. He welcomed and addressed the attendees and recited Baruyr Sevag’s poem; “We are few, but we are called Armenians”. He thanked the members of the US Senate and Representatives of the California House of Representatives for their sincere support, which contributed to the development of Armenian-American friendly relations. He also thanked the representatives of the State of California for recognizing the Armenian Genocide and proclaiming April 24th as a Armenian Genocide Memorial day. The Prime Minister also expressed gratitude to the Diaspora and main organizations of Diaspora, the Armenian Apostolic, Catholic, and Evangelical churches, and particularly remembered Kirk Kerkorian and Charles Aznavour for their generous contributions.
Talking about the current situation in Armenia, Pashinyan stressed that today New Armenia is entering a new era with its people and state. He urged the attendees, especially businessmen, to participate in the economic revolution and make investments to develop and strengthen the Armenian economy.
In the evening, a banquet was organized in honor of the Prime Minister at the Biltmore Hotel. The opening invocation was delivered by the community church leaders. The Executive Council Chair, members, representatives of the community and parishioners were among the attendees. During the banquet, Mr. Armen Baibourtian, the Consul General of Armenia in Los Angeles, and Mr. Varuzhan Nersesyan, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the RA to the United States of America, greeted the audience and welcomed the Prime Minister. At the end of the program, Nikol Pashinyan, the Prime Minister of RA, delivered his message.
