The evening opened with welcoming remarks by MC Grace Bardakjian, who emphasized the evening’s importance for reflection and celebration. She then introduced Antranig Kasbarian, a former director and current Foundation Trustee, to deliver his remarks.
Kasbarian began with a retrospective of the Foundation’s impactful journey over the last 25 years. Highlighting its core mission and many achievements, Kasbarian provided an insightful look into the Foundation’s projects across housing, health, education, cultural preservation, and social justice, underscoring the challenges the Foundation has tackled in both Armenia and Artsakh.
“Colleagues, staff, partners, donors -- you are ALL important to us,” stated Kasbarian. “But if I have to choose among all of these, the difference-maker ultimately is our beneficiaries: Unsung heroes who, often with modest means, make a difference in ways seen and unseen. These include folks who, starting from their apartments, promoted filmmaking and creative writing among underprivileged kids before there was a TUMO; others who embraced their Christianity not as some abstract symbol, but as a tool to serve and uplift Armenia’s poorest; still others who fought for Artsakh’s liberation, and then -- instead of seeking personal enrichment -- went on to live in the most difficult, remote areas of Artsakh -- working in health care, public administration, resettlement, and more – to build a country. Today I humbly bow before all of you,” he concluded.
The program continued with a video presentation, showcasing the Foundation’s breadth of work over the years. From addressing the aftermath of the Artsakh wars to pursuing social justice and environmental protection, to supporting displaced families and fostering rural development, the video captured the essence of the Foundation’s mission and ongoing efforts to support vulnerable communities.
A touching moment followed when Lusine Sargsyan, one of the Foundation’s many beneficiaries, reflected on the impacts that various Tufenkian initiatives had on her personally and on her wider community in Kashatagh.
Greg Bedian, the Foundation’s current director, spoke next, highlighting the impactful work done by his predecessors. Bedian’s remarks recognized the resilience and commitment of the Foundation’s staff in these particularly challenging times for Armenia and Artsakh while continuing to deliver on its mission.
In a special award presentation, Kasbarian honored long-time Tufenkian staff member and current Syunik Programs Director Edvin Grigoryan, who has played a significant role in the Foundation's success for the last 19 years. The evening’s formal program concluded with remarks from the Foundation’s founder, James Tufenkian, who shared his vision for the future and reaffirmed the Foundation’s enduring commitment to Armenia and Artsakh.
