SYDNEY: On Sunday, 1st June, a Special Program dedicated to the 96th Anniversary of Armenia's first Independence (Mayis 28, 1918) will be held at Galstaun College's Nalbandian Hall, with Dr. Viken Hovsepian invited from Los Angeles to keynote the event.

On 28th of May, 1918 - only three years after the Armenian Genocide - Armenia regained independence thanks to the heroic efforts of soldiers on the battlefields of Sartarabad, Gharakilise and Pash Abaran. This allowed the formation of the First Republic of Armenia.

To celebrate this achievement, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) of Australia has organised a Special Program, featuring speeches, song and dance. Hovsepian, the current Chairman of the ARF in Western United States, will feature at the event.

Dr. Viken Hovsepian was born in 1960 in Lebanon. He received his primary education at the Nshan Palandjian College (Jemaran), and moved to Los Angeles in 1976. 

He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from UCLA, then his Master of Arts degree in International Relations from the University of Southern California. Hovsepian also received his Ph.D., again in International Relations from USC. 

Hovsepian has been in various position in our national and community life. From 1992 to 1998, for three consecutive terms, he has been elected a member of the ARF 
Western US Central Committee and its Chairman. From 2000 to 2011, for three consecutive terms, he has served on the ARF Bureau.

Professionally, he serves as the Executive Vice President Golden State Bank.

The Special Program will also allude to the 50th Anniversary of the ARF in Australia, which will be celebrated later this year.

The event will take place at 5pm, on 1st of June at Galstaun College's Nalbandian Hall. Entry is free.