 | ||
Hamazkayin (Armenian: Համազգային), short for Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society, is a major cultural organization of the Armenian Diaspora, with a presence in every significant Armenian community worldwide. In addition to organizing cultural events in local Armenian communities, the Hamazkayin runs three schools, publishes books through its printing press, maintains bookstores, publishes a monthly literary magazine, Pakin (Armenian: Բագին), and organizes the Hamazkayin Forum. Hamazkayin enjoys the support of a wide segment of the Armenian community and encourages active participation to the events sponsored by the community. Hamazkayin sponsors and organizes many cultural events, such as concerts by renowned artists, scientific seminars, film festivals, literary lectures and book reviews. In the United States, the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society was established as a non profit organization in 1970.
Contents
History
The Hamazkayin Publishing and Cultural Society was founded on May 28, 1928, in Cairo, Egypt, by a group of nine Armenian intellectuals, including the writer and educator Levon Shant; historian, critic, and first Education Minister of Armenia, Nigol Aghbalian; former foreign minister of the Republic of Armenia Dr. Hamo Ohanchanian; and stage director and art critic Kaspar Ipekian.
Schools
Publishing
Hamazkayin runs the Vahe Setian Printing Press in the Bourj Hammoud neighborhood of Beirut, Lebanon, along with the Hamazkayin Bookstore below it. It also publishes the monthly literary magazine Pakine (Armenian: Բագին).
The Hamazkayin Forum
Started in 1995, the Hamazkayin Forum is a 2-week cultural and educational trip for Armenian youth (mainly college-age students). From 1995 to 2001, the program was held at the Hamazkayin Nshan Palanjian educational institute in West Beirut, Lebanon. The 2002 forum featured one week in Lebanon and one week in Armenia. After that, the forum has been held entirely in Armenia.