12TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIA'S INDEPENDENCE

On September 28, 2003, the Armenian Embassy in Canada hosted a lunch to celebrate the 12th Anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Armenia. The luncheon held at the Ottawa Congres Centre, was attended by over 150 guests, including clergy and leaders of the Armenian-Canadian communities of Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto. Both speakers, Ambassador Ara Papian and the guest speaker, Chahe Arslanian of the Arslanian Cutting Works NWT, the largest Canadian diamong cutting company, focused on the necessity of facilitating greater Diasporan involvement in the shaping of Armenia's economy. (Click on the images to enlarge)

Luncheon MC, Counsellor of the Armenian Embassy in Ottawa, Michael Bagratuni	Reverend Father Ararat blessing the table	Clarinet player Hambik Tjapourian entertaining the guests
Guest Speaker Chahe Arslanian	Ambassador Papian presenting the guest speaker with a plaque	Ambassador Ara Papian with concluding remarks