China’s Armenians to have Community Center

HONG KONG—The Armenian Portal of China, known as ”ChinaHay,” gathered in Guangzhou on June 15 to enjoy Arthur Apkarian’s music and welcome the news of the opening of a dedicated Armenian Portal center in Hong Kong.

The musician and his band flew to China from Canada to perform for the Armenian Portal at the invitation of Jack (Hagop) Maxian and Yercho Samuelian, long-term residents of China, who covered all the expenses.

“I would have never imagined that the Armenian Portal of China had such passionate young Armenians who despite being so far from Armenia or their respective countries are full of the Armenian spirit. I mean it with all my heart when I see that I have fallen in love with this community,” said Arthur Apkarian after the concert. Maxian and Samuelian generously welcomed more than 90 people, including China-born Armenian children, who came from different cities of the country, to listen to the Armenian musicians and dance all night.

The event was held at a Middle Eastern restaurant, where they enjoyed numerous delicious dishes, including some Armenian favorites – bastourmah and soujouk. “I have been living in Hong Kong and China for 35 years and this is the most touching Armenian event I have ever attended. I am confident that the community will organize more similar events in the future,” said Maxian.

Sebouh Kazarian, a resident of China for the past eight years and representative of the Armenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China, added: “It is very important to have such Armenian events to bring together the Armenian Portal of China. This is the type of events we need to have to show to our kids what the Armenian spirit is all about.”

During the event, it was announced that the Armenian Portal of China would soon have a dedicated community center in Hong Kong. The center will be the first Armenian Portal center in China’s recent history and is made possible through the generous support of Maxian. It will serve the Armenians living in both Hong Kong and all around China and act as a meeting place for Armenian from all around the world traveling to the region. The community center will also provide a space for Chinese students as well as kids of Armenian origin living in China to learn more about the Armenian history, culture and language.

The Armenian Portal of China frequently gets together in various cities in China, including Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Anyone interested to learn more about the community is encouraged to visit chinahay.com or the ChinaHay Facebook group page.

Source: asbarez.com