1 October 1921 – 1 October 2021: The Armenian Democratic Liberal Party turned 100 years old. The party is the descendant of the Armenians founded in 1885, the reformed Hunchakian constitutional Ramgavars, the Populists and the Liberals. These political forces united when they felt the need of our suffering people for an effective political pillar that would deal with their issues. And that pillar was the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party.
The party’s role has always been great in the history of our people. When there was a need for a national non-political popular structure, the Ramgavars assisted in the founding of the A.G.B.U. and laid the first programme of work for that bright organisation. When there was a need for an educational and cultural structure for the service of our people, the party founded the Tekeyan Cultural Association, which became a bright page of education and culture in the book of our people’s life. The Ramgavar press and intellectuals have had and continue to have their unique, high level and voice in the life of our people. The Church, too, with its issues, became part of the A.D.L.’s mission, and many times we see the party’s bright hand in the resolution of church matters.
The foundations of the A.D.L.’s economic and political philosophy are: encouragement of free initiative, free elections, accountability, dialogue and broad-mindedness and respect towards every Armenian. The party has been a true champion of dialogue, and the day we lose that virtue, the party will lose its most important role in the life of our people.
On the occasion of the centenary, the Lebanon Regional Board, under the chairmanship of Dr. Avetis Dakesyan, had the noble idea of visiting the tombs of the party’s benefactors who served our nation and laying wreaths on their graves. Present were Paroyr Aghbashyan and Ohan Poturumyan, intellectuals of our older generation. The chairmen and board members of the clubs of the Lebanon region joined the Board. Board members of the “Shushan-Vardeni”, “Ekaryan”, “Baykar”, “Damadian” and “Hovsepyan” clubs were present.
At the Furn el-Chebbak cemetery, a requiem service was held for the repose of the souls of the party’s benefactors. Der Kevork and Der Simeon performed the service. Then wreaths were laid on the graves of Mikayel Natanyan, Mehtar Hrachya Sedrakyan, Mihran Der Stepanian, Hovsep Emiryan, Hrayr Hovivyan and many other party benefactors. At the Armenian Evangelical cemetery in Furn el-Chebbak, a wreath was laid on the grave of Gersam and Shahe Aharonian. Then we went to the Bourj Hammoud National Cemetery, where a prayer was also offered in memory of all deceased party members. In the same manner, wreaths were laid on the graves of Garabed Pabahakian, Aram Sepetjian, Vazgen Jamkochian, Andranik Pozoyan and many other benefactors.
At the end, Paroyr Aghbashyan delivered a heartfelt speech on this soul-stirring occasion. He stressed that the time has come to resolve the internal issues of this great party and return it to the bright days of the past. The time has come to end the groping and to define the nation-building path. Aghbashyan declared that this party’s ideology is so humane that even comrades and comrades who have been away from party activity for years keep their oath and become useful to the party and our people in every way. He appreciated the Regional Board’s beautiful idea of bringing together comrades and comrades who have been absent for a long time. Aghbashyan considered this visit a renewal of the covenant, hoping that an opportunity would be created to return to the party’s former days of glory. He added that the main purpose of this visit is to remember with reverence the greats of the party, who have given much to it and to the children of our people. They have been beacons of ideas, and they have also been practical people working on the ground. Aghbashyan compared the life of the party to the life of a person. When it ages, it grows old and needs to be renewed. Therefore, a party must necessarily be renewed by the inclusion of young people. The opposite means certain death. We shall renew ourselves or close. Effort must be made to reform the party, and those who pursued a party-destroying policy must be removed in a legal manner, so that it can once again take the path of ascent. For the party’s leadership, Armenia was above any political or party affiliation. It did not matter who was in power. Armenia had to be cherished regardless of its political path. This has always been the path of our party. To bind the diaspora Armenians to Armenia, and we succeeded. Such was our party until alien and dark clouds, elements serving the foreigner, came and began to pursue a party-destroying policy. They succeeded in dividing us, and they do not care.
Avetis Dakesyan expressed gratitude to all for participating in this ceremony. He also stressed that only through unity and mutual respect shall we go forward. This is the most important message of today, which the benefactors who served the party and the nation remind us of.
A thousand respects to the centennial Armenian Democratic Liberal Party. We wish the A.D.L. renewed vigour and bright days. Honour to the noble benefactors who have served and are serving the nation. The realisation of the vision of the future begins with one step. Let us take the first serious step for the glory of our people and our great party.
V. Tosunyan
