2008 is shaping up to be a bumper year for AGBU youth programs. A record number of applicants have applied for this summer's Yerevan Summer Intern Program, and already more than 400 people from four continents are expected to attend the World Games in Montevideo, Uruguay this July.

The Young Professionals (YP) network also continues to grow by leaps and bounds as new chapters in the United States (Fresno and Washington, DC), Australia (Sydney and Melbourne) and Germany (Cologne) prepare for their first year of activities. For those interested in learning more, email the YP Liaison.

The YPs are also pleased to announce the winner of their international YP logo design contest, Melina Balassanian, a young designer from Sao Paolo, Brazil. Check out her winning entry here.

Subscribe to the AGBU BLOG via email, via feed or visit the Blog online at agbu.org/blog for the latest news on AGBU and from Armenia. Here are some recent posts:

• Toronto Hosts Bournoutian for "Armenian Silk Merchants" Lecture (4/9)
• YPs Help Green Yerevan (4/8)
• AYA Lebanon Basketball Captures 6th Straight Lebanese Championship (4/7)
• Chicago Armenians Enjoy a Full Winter/Spring Cultural Calendar (4/2)
• Hye Geen Publishes Mireille Kalfayan's "As a Woman Saw It" (3/31)
• Khanjian Explores Turkey’s Hidden Armenian World (3/24)
• Getting to Know YP Paris (3/20) and;
• Photos from San Francisco's Winter Gala Weekend Online (3/19).

This Week in Photos

Members of AGBU Silicon Valley's Kids Club tour the Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, CA. The February 29 event, hosted by Pixar Producer Katherine Sarafian, outlined the extensive process involved in making an animation movie. Pixar is the leading animation studio in the world, known for such Hollywood hits as "The Incredibles" and "Ratatouille." Click Here for the Complete THIS WEEK IN PHOTOS

Banner image: A view of Atomium monument in Brussels, the European capital, where the AGBU Central Board convened its Pan-European conference in February.

AGBU Central Board Launches European Entity,
Meets in Brussels

On February 1-3, 2008, the Central Board of Directors of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) convened its Pan-European conference in Brussels, Belgium. The three-day event, held in the capital of the European Union (EU), was attended by the AGBU Central Board, members of the newly appointed AGBU Europe board, AGBU chapters operating in the EU, as well as members of the organization's Young Professionals (YP) network in Europe.

Over 100 members from 11 European countries, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Macedonia, the Netherlands and Spain, participated in the meetings and deliberations regarding the European activities of ... CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE

XVIII AGBU World Games to Kick Off July 2008 in Montevideo, Uruguay

On July 7-13, Armenian athletes from all over the globe will gather in Montevideo, Uruguay for the XVIII AGBU World Games. Since Beirut first hosted the event in 1955, the AGBU World Games ... >>

YP Northern California "Winter Gala Weekend" Attracts Hundreds, Raises $5,000 for AGBU Hye Geen Women's Centers in Armenia

Over 200 Armenian young professionals from around the globe gathered in San Francisco for the 9th Winter Gala Getaway ... >>

Silicon Valley Kids' Club Goes Behind the Scenes at Pixar Studios

On February 29, 2008, the AGBU Silicon Valley Kids' Club had the unique opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at the popular Pixar animation studio. Well known for its hi-tech computer ... >>

Los Angeles, USA. Thursday, April 17
YP LA Spring Kick-off Mixer
Toronto, Canada. Friday, April 18
Tribute to John Evans Jointly organized by Diocese of the Armenian Church of Canada and AGBU
Beirut, Lebanon. Saturday, April 19
Genocide Commemoration organized by Antranik Sevan and Antelias Executive Committees
San Francisco, USA. Saturday, April 19
Council of Armenian-American Organizations of Northern California 10th Annual Banquet
Sydney, Australia. Saturday, April 20
Commemoration of the 93rd Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
Silistra, Bulgaria. Saturday, April 20
"Erebouni" concert
Orange County, USA. Sunday, April 20
YP Orange County Day at the Beach
Tornto, Canada. Friday, April 25
YP Toronto 'Candle Light Vigil'
New York, USA. Wednesday, April 30
NYSEC presents "A Crash Course in Antique Jewelry and Watches" with Berj Zavian from the Antiques Roadshow
New York, USA. Friday, May 2
YP Greater New York Spring Mixer
Orange County, USA. Saturday, May 3
AGBU Young Professionals of Orange County Wine Tasting Trip to Temecula
Toronto, Canada. Saturday, May 10
AGBU Zaroukian School 2008 Annual Anniversary Gala
Montreal, Canada. Sunday, May 18
AGBU Montreal chapter 50th Anniversary Gala

Complete calendar listings

As a Woman Saw it
Mireille Kalfayan

Armenia: A Historical Atlas
Robert H. Hewsen

Historic Maps of Armenia: The Catographic Heritage
Rouben Galichian