(Agencia Prensa Armenia).- On June 10 more than 30 researchers, students and specialists in Human Rights, Culture, International Politics, Identity and History gathered in one of the largest Armenian Cause events in São Paulo, Brazil.
The seminar “Armenian Cause 2.1” in in SAMA Clube Armênio addressed the various faces of the theme and the perspectives for the twenty-first century.
According to the information provided by SAMA Clube Armênio, the opening was made by Dr. Vahan Agopyan, Vice-Rector of the University of São Paulo, the largest university in Latin America, who emphasized the importance of scientific research and the insertion of Armenian history, its multiple dimensions and the role of religion in Armenian identity.
The Cultural Director of SAMA Clube Armênio, Prof. Sarkis Ampar Sarkissian recalled that the first edition aimed to bring together those who are devoted to Armenian studies and present the intellectual production on the related themes. Engineer Alberto Kedikian, Cultural Director of SAMA Clube Armênio added that the meeting would be a milestone and a new phase in the efforts for the Armenian Cause in Brazil.
The discussion panels spoke about the role of the Armenian literature in the construction of identity, relations between Armenia and the diaspora, the impact of the genocide of 1915 on international relations, and the function of Armenian language in consolidating the identity of the 21st century.
The participants of the conferences were: Dr. Teresa Malatian, historian of the State University of São Paulo (UNESP), Dr. Beatriz Kilikian of the Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo (USP), Dr. Lusine Yeghiazarian, Chair of Armenian Language and Literature, University of São Paulo (USP), Dr. Rodrigo Medina Zagni, from the International Relations course of the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Dr. Heitor Loureiro of Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Dr. Flavio de Leão Bastos, Mackenzie University, Dr. Helcio de Abreu Dallari from Mackenzie University, Prof. James Onnig Tamdjian of the FACAMP (Faculdades de Campinas), and Lawyer Phillipe Arapian, advisor of the Human Rights Attorney of Justice of São Paulo.
The Secretary General of SAMA Club Armenian Lawyer Archavir Donelian stressed that for the next editions the event should expand its scope and approach to contribute even more to the struggle for human rights and the yearnings of justice of the Armenian nation.
The event ended with a tribute to Dr. Hagop Kechichian, historian and one of the most important collaborators of the Armenian Cause who preserved the history of the Armenian community of Brazil for decades and translated countless works of fundamental importance for future generations. He received from the hands of the President of SAMA Clube Armênio, Nigol Nigoghosian, a plaque in honor of his appointment as the patron of the event.
The representative of the Armenian National Committe of Brazil, Onnig Tamdjian, stressed that the union of all can make the difference and that “Armenian Cause 2.1” came to remind everyone that this is possible and that it should be so if we build a better and more just world.