Washington, DC -  The grand opening of 37 Hanrapetutyan Street, a professional business center which houses the headquarters of the Hirair and Anna Hovnanian Foundation and the new Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) Yerevan Office took place on July 12 announced the Assembly.

President Serzh Sargsyan and Chairman Hirair Hovnanian

  
Armenia's President, Serzh Sargsyan; His Holiness, Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin II; Armenia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Edward Nalbandyan; Constitutional Court Chairman Gagik Harutyunyan; U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, Marie Yovanovitch; Armenia's first Minister of Foreign Affairs after independence, Raffi Hovannisian, as well as Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) Representative Ashot Ghazaryan, among other dignitaries, joined Assembly Board of Trustees Chairman Hirair Hovnanian and his family for the marquee opening.

"It is with great pleasure to welcome so many distinguished and honored guests to the grand opening of our Yerevan Headquarters," stated Hovnanian. "This new facility will serve as a hub and center for excellence for nonprofit and philanthropic activities."

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: Edele Hovnanian and Siran Sahakian 

Armenian Assembly Board of Trustees Treasurer Edele Hovnanian and Life Trustee Member Siran Sahakian presided over the ribbon cutting ceremony.

The event was widely covered by local media. Fielding reporters' questions, Armenian Assembly's Country Director Armina Darbinian explained: "Our new offices will give us an opportunity to expand our ongoing activities and programs for the betterment of the people of Armenia and Artsakh."

Armina Darbinian, Yerevan Office Grand Opening 

"This new professional center would not have been possible without the tireless efforts, dedication and generosity of Hirair Hovnanian," stated Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny in Washington, DC. "We continue to strive for the strengthening of relations between Armenia and the United States. The opening of the new Hovnanian Foundation and Assembly offices in Yerevan is one more expression of our standing commitment to that objective."

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assemblyof America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.   

### 

NR# 2010-50