InternationalTufenkian reception aids Shushi Museum, Karabagh summer camp
Published: Wednesday August 19, 2009
James Tufenkian answers questions during a reception to support programs in Shushi, Nagorno-Karabakh. Harry Koundakjian
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New York - The history of the Shushi Museum in Karabakh, a repository of Armenian culture, has mirrored the traumas, as well as liberation, of its Armenian population. Only days after Shushi's liberation in 1992, the museum was saved from destruction while the city was still in flames. Holding rare collections of the city's rich heritage, it is today in desperate need of renovation and upgrading.
On Thursday evening, July 23, at the Tufenkian Rug Corp. headquarters in New York, close to 100 people attended a reception to support two Tufenkian Foundation causes in Karabakh – the Shushi Museum renovation efforts, and a summer camp project for children from impoverished families.
During the evening, guests enjoyed cocktails, hors d'oevres, and live music, and participated in a silent auction of Karabakh artifacts. One of the winners walked away with a hand-made Tufenkian rug.
In a slide show, Antranig Kasbarian, executive director of the Tufenkian Foundation, detailed the rich history of Shushi. Surrounded by deep gorges on three sides, centuries-old Shushi is often called the "Fortress City."
Strategicaly situated between Persia and Russia, Shushi was the third largest city in Transcaucasia, and became Karabakh's capital city during the 19th century. However, it fell prey to ethnic clashes at the turn of the 20th century. In 1920, Azerbaijani forces entered this once prosperous city, massacring its Armenian leaders, and burning the city to the ground.
It was from Shushi, during the modern Karabakh struggle, that Azerbaijani forces bombarded Stepanakert and the surrounding lowlands. However, in 1992, Shushi became a crucial battle site that eventually led to the enclave's victory. The Shushi Museum testifies to this unique history, and accordingly, the Tufenkian Foundation has brought nearly $100,000 to the effort to renovate and modernize it.
During his presentation, Mr. Kasbarian described other important projects as well, in particular, the foundation's collaboration with the Armenian Missionary Association of America, whose Shushi summer camp serves as a source of enrichment from nearby Kashatagh (Lachin). These children come mainly from destitute or single-parent families who have resettled in this area amidst difficult conditions.
More than 50 projects
These are two of more than 50 projects in Karabakh and Armenia that James Tufenkian has initiated and put into motion since 1983. Addressing the enthusiastic crowd, Mr. Tufenkian pointed out that the Tufenkian Foundation, which was created in 1999, has a multilayered program that includes combating poverty; promoting education; renewing national, civic, cultural, and spiritual values; supporting health care; and rehabilitating the environment.
He announced that four Tufenkian hotels today are located in different regions of Armenia, and that three more are in the process of being built, always with the utmost consideration given to the needs of the environment, and the beauty of the location.
To the delight of the crowd, three dancers of the Shushi Dance Ensemble, garbed in beautiful Armenian costumes performed several of their well-known numbers. Among the guests attending were Irina Lazarian, executive director of the Armenia Fund USA, and Nareg Haroutunian, who himself has been instrumental in establishing several projects in Armenia and Karabakh, including the Naregatzi Art Institute.
