200 Guests Attend Party Hosted & Sponsored by Megerian Carpet Armenia
Echmiadzin, Armenia – With more than 200 guests in attendance, Mer Doon celebrated its 10th anniversary on October 10th in splendid style at Megerian Carpet Armenia, which was the host and sponsor of the event. The festive ambiance was set by the beautiful, smiling faces of Mer Doon’s young women, who greeted guests, recited poetry, and performed elegant Armenian dances. Megerian Carpet’s showroom was open the entire evening for guests to tour and explore; the walls and floors were adorned with stunning and priceless Armenian carpets.
In a heartfelt speech, Tigranuhi Karapetyan, Mer Doon’s Co-Founder and Executive Director, recognized the many people who, over the years, have been instrumental in making Mer Doon one of the most successful NGOs in Armenia. She gave special tribute to the late Julie Ashekian, Co-Founder of Mer Doon, and there was a moment of silence in her memory. Mrs. Karapetyan received several certificates of commendation in recognition of her long-term management and service to Mer Doon and the community. She also received a medal of honor from “Gesture” Psychological Center for her honest and dedicated leadership.
Stephen Ashekian, Mrs. Ashekian’s son and Chairman of Mer Doon’s U.S. Board, said, “We are here celebrating tonight because we have survived and thrived. Mer Doon has grown beyond my mother’s dreams, and I am very proud to continue in her footsteps. In ten years, thanks to Tigranuhi, my mom, and Mer Doon’s incredibly devoted staff, we continue to change and enrich the lives of young woman who might otherwise find themselves in harm’s way.”
Mer Doon presented an 18-minute video that chronicled the organization’s 10-year history. Produced by Martin Aharonyan, it featured an extensive interview with Mrs. Karapetyan, a retrospective of all the young women who have passed through the doors of Mer Doon, and memorable photos and film footage.
The dignitaries and supporters in attendance included Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary H.E. Erikas Petrikas, Lithuanian Ambassador to Armenia, and his wife, Ilona Petrikiene, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic, H.E. Petr Mikyska, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Romania, H.E. Mr. Sorin Vasile, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus, H.E. Mr. Igor Nazaruk, Anahit Bakhshyan, Member of Parliament, Ruzanna Muradyan, Member of Parliament, Karen Grigoryan, Mayor of Echmiadzin, Arayik Muradyan, Echmiadzin Branch of Armeconobank, Mariam Manukyan, GMG Media Group, Syuzan Margaryan, singer and Mer Doon’s Goodwill Ambassador, Alla Levonyan, Zaruh Babayan, Kamo Seryanyan, Mariam Mehrabyan, Lala Ghazaryan, Martin Aharonyan, Hakob Gharakhanyan, and Karen Fidanyan. Suzanne Abnous, a member of Mer Doon’s U.S. Board, came from San Francisco with her son, Sevan, to attend the event.
The party also featured gourmet buffet stations, specialty wines, and entertainment by singer Marine Hakobyan and her jazz ensemble as well as a performance by composer and musician Martin Aharonyan. A live auction was held for a one of a kind carpet designed by the Megerian’s and woven by Ani Arakelyan, one of Mer Doon’s incredibly talented residents. Respecting the carpet weaving custom, Ani completed the last few knots of the carpet at the event, and then was joined by Megerian Carpet Owner Raffi Megerian and Mr. Ashekian in the ceremonial cutting of the carpet from the loom.
For months leading up to the anniversary, everyone at Mer Doon was hard at work getting ready for the special night. The young women prepared a wide variety of marvelous handcrafts and delicious homemade goods to sell at the event. Among the items available for purchase were hand-painted scarves, decorative pillows, colorful hats, commemorative mugs, needlepoint, fruit preserves, tea gathered by the girls from the local mountains, and much more.
Among the anniversary projects undertaken by the girls was a hand-embroidered table cover and an enameled pin decorated with Echmiadzin’s dove of peace, which were presented as a gifts to Mr. Megerian
The Megerian Family has been involved in selling, restoring, and manufacturing fine Oriental rugs for over four generations. Originally from Armenia, the Megerians established their rug trade business in the United States in 1917. The Megerian Brother’s tradition and integrity in the fine craft of handmade rug making as well as the restoration of rugs and tapestries is world renown. The Megerian Oriental Rug family has been the benchmark producer of New York City’s hand made rugs and tapestries.
The Megerians apply unparalleled skill in the creation of rugs and tapestries of uncompromising artistry and workmanship. Each signed piece represents a rare combination of Old World craftsmanship and the design aesthetics of today’s most discerning clientele. Every Megerian design is copyrighted to ensure its individuality. Each work is a product of the integrity of the Megerian touch, from the discriminating selection of original materials and dyes, to the painstaking attention to knotting technique, to the completely thorough final inspection in the antique making.
Mer Doon’s mission is championed by many corporate, organizational, and individual supporters. Mer Doon’s corporate and organizational partners include U.S. Embassy Women’s Mentoring Program, Embassy of Lithuania, Microsoft Armenia, Megerian Rugs & Carpet, Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief (SOAR), Echmiadzin Municipality, American University of Armenia, Gavar Orphanage, Vanadzor Orphanage, Armenia Tree Project, Armenian Eyecare Project (AECP), SOS Children’s Village, Daughters of Vartan, and St. John Armenian Church – Detroit Women’s Guild.
Mer Doon provides orphaned and disadvantaged young women (ages 18-24) a loving and nurturing place to call “home.” Its mission is to educate and empower girls with skills to live independently in mainstream society. The organization’s Co-Founder and Executive Director, Tigranuhi Karapetyan, manages the daily operations of the program.
Mer Doon is located in Echmiadzin, Armenia. It is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the State of Connecticut and a nongovernmental organization registered in the Republic of Armenia. It has no political or religious affiliations. Tax-deductible donations can be made by going to www.mer-doon.com and clicking on “Donate”. For information, please email merdoonarmenia@gmail.com. Visitors are always welcome!
CONTACT: Beth Broussalian
(858) 248-2656
merdoonarmenia@gmail.com
