Official Reception Commemorating the 35th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Armenia

21 September, 2026

The Consulate General of Armenia in Los Angeles organized a reception at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) dedicated to the 35th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Armenia.

The event was attended by members of the US House of Representatives, California State Senate and State Assembly, Consular Corps, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the City Authorities of Los Angeles, as well as the Primates and spiritual leaders of the Western Diocese and Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of the United States and the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America. Representatives of academic and business circles, civil society organizations, various Armenian community institutions and local media outlets were also in attendance.

The inception of the reception was held by blessing and joint prayer delivered by Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of the United States, Archbishop Kegham Khacherian, Primate of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of the United States and Rev. Hendrik Shanazarian, Minister of the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America.

Consul General Anna Avetisyan delivered opening remarks, which was followed by the speeches of the U.S. Representatives Judy Chu and Laura Friedman.

In her remarks, the Consul General noted that in 1991, the people of Armenia made a historic decision to establish an independent and sovereign state anchored in the principles of freedom and democracy. After decades of economic blockade and hardship, Armenia has opened a new chapter in its history, focused on sustainable development based on peaceful coexistence and regional cooperation with the peoples of the region.

The Consul General emphasized that the unprecedented progress in Armenia-U.S. relations in recent years has created new opportunities for Armenia and the people of Armenia. The Consul General underscored the vital role of the Armenian community in fostering and strengthening economic, business and intercultural ties between Armenia and the US, commending the instrumental role played by the Armenian community of California in this regard.

In their remarks, Congressmembers Judy Chu and Laura Friedman highly valued the development of multifaceted Armenia-US cooperation and expressed their readiness to continue contributing to the advancement and expansion of the bilateral agenda.

Remarks were also delivered by California State Assemblymember John Harabedian, Chair of the California-Armenia Select Committee on Trade, Art and Cultural Exchange, and Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger.

The official reception was followed by a cultural program featuring a string quartet and solo singer Armine Vardanyan.

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