Mr. Levon Sarkis, president of the Ani Foundation
By Beata Bruggeman-Sekowska
On March 8 the Armenian Foundation Ani has organized a wonderful celebration of International Women’s Day in Maastricht attended by many female members of the foundation from the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.
The celebration started with the welcome word by Mr. Levon Sarkis, president of the Ani Foundation. During the event the participants enjoyed delicious Armenian food, Armenian music and dance. Our central and Eastern Europe Center would like to thank the Ani Foundation for the invitation to this wonderful event and their amazing hospitality.
During the event the participants enjoyed delicious Armenian food, Armenian music and dance. Our central and Eastern Europe Center would like to thank the Ani Foundation for the invitation to this wonderful event and their amazing hospitality.
Before the celebrations we were shown the Armenian Apostolic Church SURP KARAPET and the Armenian school located at the same location by Ms Anait Ovseptain, a lawyer and member of the Ani Foundation and Mr Levon Sarkis, president of the Ani Foundation.
On 26 January 2013, the Armenian Apostolic Church SURP KARAPET was consecrated by Archbishop Norvan Zakarian of Paris Diocese with the consent of Bishop Frans Wiertz of Roermond Diocese. Surp Karapet is the only Armenian church in the province of Limburg. Surp Karapet literally means Holy Forerunner. Forerunner refers to John the Baptist.
Watch here the video prepared by the Zartonk Media about exceptional Armenian women.
Armenian Foundation Ani and Maatrsicht-Armenian relations
The Armenian Ani Foundation was officially established on November 25, 1999 in Maastricht, in the southern region of the Netherlands, Limburg. The foundation is named after the historic Armenian capital Ani (961AD). Because of the many churches within its walls, Ani was also called the City of 1001 Churches and the current ruined city is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. There are very strong relations between Armenia and Maastricht. Saint Servatius, born in Armenia in the fourth century, brought Christianity to the Netherlands and was the first bishop of Maastricht. He died there around 384. The Basilica of St. Servatius was built on his grave. His feast day is May 13. In honor of Saint Servatius, there is the Saint Servatius procession in Maastricht on the first Sunday after this date. The Armenian community also participates in this.
In 2016, the Armenian community in Maastricht donated a monument to the city of Maastricht in honor of Saint Servatius. The 2.5 meter high monument is a traditional Armenian chathkar, a standing cross stone, and is placed against the Basilica of St. Servatius. On January 26, 2013 the first Armenian church in Limburg was opened and consecrated in Maastricht. The church called ‘Surp Karapet’ (Holy Forerunner) serves as a connecting factor between the Armenian community and the region. Armenians indicate that they feel connected to Limburg and would like to integrate. The services are public and everyone is welcome.
It is interesting to point out that the Dominican Church in Maastricht contains part of the oldest fresco in the Netherlands by Thomas Aquinas presenting 10,000 Armenian martyrs. In addition, a cross from Surb Giragos Church from Diyarbakir and various other objects can be found in the treasury of St. Servatius Basilica.
In 1993, the first small gatherings of the Armenian community were held in the Maris Stella building in the Witte Vrouwenveld in Maastricht. As more Armenians settled in the city and its immediate vicinity, the need for a fixed structure in meetings and activities also increased. That is why the the Armenian Ani Foundation was officially established. The Armenian Ani Foundation is the largest cultural institution in the entire region (Dutch Limburg, Belgian Limburg, Liège and Aachen). Thanks to the efforts of the foundation, the city of Maastricht has become known among Armenians at home and abroad and the grave of Saint Servatius has become a place of pilgrimage.
Our central and Eastern Europe Center would like to thank the Ani Foundation for the invitation to this wonderful event and their amazing hospitality.
Author: Beata Bruggeman-Sękowska is an award-winning international journalist, TV correspondent, author, chief editor of international journalism centre, Central and Eastern Europe Centre, president of the European Institute on Communist Oppression and a sworn translator. In 2024, Beata Bruggeman-Sękowska was awarded the Armenian Medal of 30 years of Armenian-Dutch Diplomatic Relations at the premises of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in the Hague by H.E. Ambassador Viktor Biyagov. She was born in Warsaw, Poland and has also Armenian blood and roots in Lvov, which is part of Ukraine. She has been living in Heerlen, the Netherlands since 2005.
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