Town of Markham Flag Raising May 28, 2009

For Immediate Release

Published on Tuesday, 2 June 2009

Markham, ON – The Town of Markham council has declared May 28, 2009 to be Armenian National Day. In honour of this special occasion, the Armenian tricolour (red, blue and orange) was raised on the flagpole at Markham Civic Centre at 9:00 am on Thursday, May 28, 2009.

The Town of Markham officially recognized the Armenian Genocide two years ago and since that recognition, the Town has celebrated this triumphant move on every May 28th with a flag raising ceremony of the Armenian Tricolour Flag in front of the Markham Civic Centre.

Members of the Armenian community were joined by the Students from the Armenian Relief Society (Armenian Private) School, the Homenetmen Scouts, and the Homenetmen Scout Fanfare Band. Regional Councillors, Jack Heath, Ward 5 Councillor, John Webster and Ward 7 Councillor, Logan Kanapathi and others were on hand to congratulate the Armenian community. A reception was held in the council chamber hall following the Flag Ceremony.

During the reception, two grade 10 students from the ARS Armenian Private School, Shahe Papissian and Lynn Isnar read their short speeches. Varant Daoloutian, also a grade 10 student at the ARS Armenian Private School joined Deputy Mayor Jack Heath in the flag raising ceremony.

Speech by ARS Day School Student Shahe Papissian

Markham Civic Centre is located at 101 Town Centre Blvd. on the north east side of the intersection of Highway 7 and Warden Ave.

For more information please contact:

Mr. Hratch Aynedjian 416-816-2482

About ANCT

The Armenian National Committee of Toronto is a chapter of the Armenian National Committee of Canada, a grassroots organization that was founded in 1965 to address the concerns of the Canadian Armenian community on a broad range of issues.