“HAMAZKAINE” EXPLAINS
Support A1+!Today we received an explaining letter from “Hamazkaine” in connection with a Monday issue on our website. The issue read: “A1” received a letter from the Greek information agency “Hayastan” which on behalf of part of the Armenian community living in Greece complains of the activity of Vahram Kazhoyan, RA Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Greece. According to the agency, “because of him the Armenians in Greece live in a tense atmosphere”. The letter explains that the reason of the tense atmosphere is that Andre who represents Armenia in the music compeititon EUROVISION 2006 is used for agitation for “Hamazkaine” with the support of Ambassador Kazhoyan.”
The letter reads: “The information which appeared on the A1+ Armenian Channel website, on May 15, 2006 relative the activities of the representative of Armenia in the music competition EUROVISION 2006, Andre, carries great inaccuracies and wrong accusations.
Upon the acceptance of an Armenian participation to the EUROVISION 2006 contest in Athens, the Regional Commitee of Hamazkaine Cultural Association in Greece took the initiative to contact the Armenian Participation Commitee to offer its support and assistance for the promotion of the Armenian singer Andre, representing Armenia. In this respect a concert was organised in Athens on the 14th of May 2006. Andre and other performers from Armenia took part to this concert which was organised by "Hamazkaine" under the auspices of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Greece with the coordination of the Armenian Participation Commitee.
More than 3000 spectators, mostly of Armenian descend, were present to this event, coming from Athens and different regions, and from all segments of the Armenian community in Greece, without any distinction.
"Hamazkaine" is a cultural association active in the Armenian diaspora since its foundation in 1928 and has proved during its history that it does not allow itself to limit its activities to members of one segment, or members of one party or another. The accusation from the so called "Hayastan" Information Agency, that Andre participates to the events held for the members of ARF (Dashnaktsutyun) party only, does not correspond absolutely to the truth.
The allegation that Andre is isolated from the local Armenian Community does not correspond to the truth as well, the biggest proof being the unprecedented Armenian participation to the concert on May 14, which would have been impossible without the presence of Armenians from all backgrounds, beliefs and ideological tendencies. Furthermore and contrary to what appeared in the information, Andre visited most of the Armenian educational institutions in Athens, among them the "Galpaqian College" of the AGBU.
Regional Commitee of "Hamazkaine" Cultural Association”