The 13th Pan-Homenetmen Jamboree officially opened at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, July 24, at the Karnig Meguerditchian Scout Camp in Byurakan, bringing together 900 scouts from 26 Homenetmen regions and four Homenetmen scout associations from Iran.
The opening ceremony was attended by numerous dignitaries, current and former members of Homenetmen’s Central Executive, and representatives of the host Homenetmen-HASK chapter. Guests included Bishop Zakarian Baghumyan, representative of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians; Syrian Ambassador to Armenia Nora Arissian; Lebanese Ambassador to Armenia Dima Haddad; Stepan Der Petrosian, Co-Chairman of the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s National Administration; Dikran Jinbashian, member of the National Administration; Armenian Revolutionary Federation Supreme Council of Armenia members Gegham Manukyan and Artur Khachatryan; Hamazkayin Central Executive Chairman Zakar Keshishian; Zoya Kocharyan, member of the Armenian Relief Society Central Executive; ARS Armenia Regional Executive Chair Maro Keshishian; and members of the Regional Executive.
The ceremony began with the performance of the anthems of Armenia, Artsakh, and Homenetmen, followed by the raising of the flags of the 30 participating delegations representing 23 countries: Armenia, Artsakh, Argentina, England, Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Georgia, Germany, Iraq, Iran (Tehran, Isfahan, Nairi, and Sipan chapters), Greece, Jerusalem, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, the Netherlands, Sweden, Syria, Uruguay, and the United States.
Welcoming remarks were delivered by Bishop Zakarian Baghumyan; Chief Jamboree Commissioner Ruppen Nalbandian; Homenetmen-HASK Chairman Allen Assatourian; Homenetmen Central Scout Committee representative Fadi Khajag Kazanjian; and Homenetmen Central Executive Chairman Hagop Khacherian.
Baghumyan welcomed participants to Armenia, encouraging them to strengthen their Armenian identity, deepen their connection to the homeland, and embrace the vision of Homenetmen’s founders of raising youth who are both physically and spiritually strong.
Nalbandian said the jamboree is designed to provide national and organizational education while fostering friendships among Armenian scouts from around the world. Centered on the theme “Standing Strong for Ararat,” the program emphasizes Armenian values, unity, and a renewed commitment to protecting Armenian identity and history.
Assatourian described the jamboree as a unique event held every four years that unites Armenian scouts from across the globe around a shared oath, identity, and homeland. He said the gathering offers participants the opportunity to rediscover Armenia while strengthening lifelong friendships and the bonds that unite Armenians worldwide.
Kazanjian thanked everyone whose efforts made the event possible and said Homenetmen serves as a school of life that prepares future generations to think, feel, and live as Armenians while developing leaders dedicated to serving their communities, nation, and homeland.
In the keynote address, Homenetmen Central Executive Chairman Hagop Khacherian welcomed descendants of Armenian Genocide survivors and Armenian youth from across the Diaspora who had returned to the homeland to renew their pledge of service to the Armenian nation, Armenia, and the Armenian Cause.
Khacherian reflected on both the achievements and hardships experienced by the current generation of Armenians, including the challenges facing Armenia, Artsakh, and the Diaspora. Despite those realities, he said Homenetmen remains steadfast in preserving Armenian identity, resisting assimilation, and preparing future generations to remain committed to the Armenian nation while reaffirming the organization’s commitment to justice for the Armenian Genocide and the national aspirations of the Armenian people.
Following the speeches, the prestigious Araratian Scout rank insignia and certificates were presented to 59 senior scout leaders who had successfully completed the final practical phase of the Araratian training seminar held in Aghveran.
The opening ceremony concluded with the official jamboree song, written and composed by Sevak Nazarian, orchestrated by Harout Yeretsian, and performed by Suren Ajemian.
