AGBU President Sam Simonian Reinforces Community Ties During Visit to Montreal and Toronto

Montreal/Toronto — Sam Simonian, President of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), completed a visit to Montreal and Toronto from May 1 to May 4, marking the second leg of his tour across the AGBU global community, which began in November 2024 with a visit to South America. In Canada, he was accompanied by a delegation that included his wife Sylva Simonian; Council of Trustees Member Elie Akilian; Vice President Yervant Zorian; Treasurer Nazareth Festekjian; Central Board Member Lena Sarkissian; CFO Mark Gitlen; and Director of Chapters and Central Board Administration Natalie Gabrelian.  

Montreal Visit 

The delegation was first welcomed at the École Alex Manoogian de l’UGAB (AGBU Alex Manoogian School) in Montreal by Principal, school alumnus and AGBU Montreal Chair Chahé Tanachian, Vice Principal Nare Vardanyan, and AGBU Montreal Board Member Hagop Arslanian. The group toured the facilities and visited classrooms of the beloved institution.  

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Photo 2: Visit to Canada: Montreal. 5.21. 2025

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President Sam Simonian gets a lesson from the kindergarteners.

Since its humble beginnings as a preschool, École Alex Manoogian–the first Armenian school in Canada–has evolved into a full academic institution, offering trilingual education while integrating Armenian heritage with Quebec’s curriculum. With an enrollment of 465, the school is home to Armenians ages 12 months (garderie) and above (kindergarten to 9th grade).  

Coinciding with the school’s 55th anniversary, the delegation had the opportunity to meet with the leadership of the school and garderie. They then attended a special concert dedicated to the occasion, which featured the students, AGBU Scouts and the chapter’s Garni Dance Ensemble. Among the guests were His Grace Bishop Abgar Hovakimyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Canada, and Dr. Arshavir Gundjian, former AGBU Central Board member who, with the encouragement of the late Life President Alex Manoogian, founded the school in 1970. 

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Photo 3: Visit to Canada: Montreal. 5.21. 2025:

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Sylva Simonian, Nazareth Festekjian, Yervant Zorian, Sam Simonian, and Mark Gitlen listen as 6th graders present their projects.

Reflecting on his own upbringing, Simonian shared that he was a student at AGBU Hovagimian-Manoogian School in Beirut 55 years ago, underscoring the life-shaping impact that AGBU schools—and their devoted educators—have had on generations of Armenians. Addressing the students, Simonian stated: “I wish you perseverance and a bit of luck. Both are needed to become successful entrepreneurs, business leaders, or even—who knows—one day the president of AGBU. Dream big.”  

Simonian also visited Montreal City Hall to sign the Golden Book and meet with Emilie Thuillier, President of the Executive Committee, Montreal City Hall, and Borough Mayor of Ahuntsic-Cartierville. The Golden Book is a civic tradition in Montreal, honoring notable visitors and recognizing their contributions to the city’s cultural and social framework.  

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Photo 1. Visit to Canada: Montreal. 5.21. 2025

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President Sam Simonian, Sylva Simonian, along with AGBU Montreal leadership Hagop Arslanian and Chahé Tanachian are welcomed at Montreal City Hall by Émilie Thuillier.

On the third day, the delegation met with the various committees that help make the AGBU Montreal Center vibrant with creativity and activity: AGBU Montreal Ladies Auxiliary; Golden Age committee; AGBU Montreal Sports; Scouts; Garni Dance Ensemble; Young Professionals of Montreal; Nova Summer School, and Hayortyats Or Saturday Program and the Summer Camp. Hayortyats Or offers a unique twist on traditional Armenian education with classes in language and history as well as photography, animation, coding, arts and crafts, chess, and life skills.  

Central Board Member Lena Sarkissian remarked: “Our Canadian communities are very innovative in their approach to youth development, keeping students actively engaged and offering afterschool programs that go beyond traditional methods to foster leadership. In the case of AGBU Montreal, it has created a second home for children and their families, who enjoy spending their Saturdays immersed in Armenian culture, bonding with fellow Armenians, and strengthening their identity in the process.” 

That evening, AGBU Montreal volunteers, along with donors and supporters, celebrated the school’s 55th anniversary with a cocktail reception, including a performance by AGBU alumna and soprano Sasha Djihanian.  

Reflecting on this milestone occasion, Tanachian shared: “We were honored to have our new AGBU president and board members with us to recognize this proud moment, which speaks to our school’s deep commitment to preserving Armenian identity while providing a high-quality academic education. Our goal is to prepare students to become leaders within our community and in support of a strong Armenia.”   

Toronto Visit 

President Simonian next met with the AGBU community in Toronto starting with a tour of the AGBU Toronto offices and meaningful discussions with local leadership, volunteers, and donors including AGBU Toronto Co-Chairs Knar Basmadjian and Mihran Egavian, the Young Professionals of Toronto, AGBU Armen-Ontario President Berge Papazian, and Armenia’s Ambassador to Canada, HE Anahit Harutyunyan.  

Salpi Der Ghazarian, the executive director of AGBU Toronto, spoke about the wide-ranging programs available to the community—from online cultural programs such as Musical Minds and Armenian language classes to in-person concerts, lectures, sports, and outdoor excursions.  

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Photo 6: Visit to Canada: Toronto. 5.21.2025

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President Sam Simonian (center) with AGBU Toronto volunteers and staff (left to right) Araxie Altounian, Maro Kochinyan, Salpi DerGhazarian, Kareen Proudian and Mike Moubayed.

A newer standout initiative is AGBU Innovation Studios Toronto. Launched in 2023, after the flagship center was established in Pasadena in 2022, it provides STEAM education to middle and high school students. It also provides access to cutting-edge tools to implement hands-on projects related to Armenian themes and subjects. With weekly workshops at full capacity, the program fosters creativity, critical thinking, innovation and deeper appreciation of the Armenian heritage and identity. The delegation took time to observe the works of the young innovators and reflect on the unique offerings of AGBU Toronto which engage community members of all ages. A recently added program is Sunday Funday, aimed at children ages 4–10, offering educational activities like science experiments, crafts, and Armenian cultural experiences.  

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Photo 4: Visit to Canada: Toronto. 5.21. 2025

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President Sam Simonian with AGBU Innovation Studios Program Manager Kareen Proudian and Instructor Mike Moubayed.

Upon his return, Simonian shared his impressions of the AGBU communities in Canada:  

“In Montreal, we were greatly impressed by the creative approach to education at École Alex Manoogian and the dynamic program offerings by AGBU Montreal.  And, of course, the dedicated and talented volunteers across the numerous committees are indispensable to keeping the Montreal Armenian community thriving.” 

As for AGBU Toronto, Simonian highlighted its array of cultural, educational, and community programs from the classical to contemporary. “From ambitious concerts placing Armenians on the world stage to out of the box initiatives like AGBU Innovation Studios, Toronto offers something for everyone,” he pointed out. 

“As a vital part of the AGBU global network, our Canadian communities are a vivid example of how local ingenuity and perspectives can enrich and inspire the rest of us,” he concluded. “It was a truly enlightening trip, and we learned new ideas. We are also very grateful to everyone for the warm and generous reception we received every step of the way.”