ACCEA

In spring of 1993 ACCEA founder, New York artist and poet Sonia Balassanian had the idea of organizing Armenia’s first ever participation at the most prestigious and longest running international modern art exhibition of Venice Biennale. After long negotiations Armenia was officially invited to take part.

The first pavilion of the Republic of Armenia at Venice Biennale was hosted by the Center for Study and Documentation of Armenian Culture at Loggia del Temanza, in Dorsoduro District of Venice from June 12 through October 15, 1995. Then Vice President of Republic of Armenia Hon. Gagik Harutiunian, and Mrs. Harutiunian, as well as First Deputy Minister of Culture Ms. Anelka Grigorian, along with over 100 Diaspora supporters and donors were honored guests at the opening of the pavilion.

Since then, without interruption, Ministry of Culture, Youth Affairs and Sports of the Republic of Armenia has trusted the organization of the Armenian Pavilion at Venice Biennale to the ACCEA (“NPAK” in Armenian acronym).

In 1999, 2001 and 2003 the pavilion was hosted by the Center for Study and Documentation of Armenian Culture at Loggia del Temanza. In 1997 and 2001 the pavilion was hosted by the Mekhitarist Armenian Congregation at St. Lazzaro Armenian Island of Venice. In 2005 the Armenian Pavilion was again hosted by the Mekhitarist Armenian Congregation, this time at Palazzo Zenobio (a Venetian Renaissance palace) where in the past Congregation’s Moorat Raphael Armenian College was located. In 2007, the pavilion of Armenia one more time will be set up at Palazzo Zenobio, hosted by the Mekhitarian Congregation. ACCEA wishes to thank the leadership and management of these two Venetian Armenian institutions for relentlessly hosting the Armenian pavilions since its inception in 1995.

Since 1995, for every Biennale, a Diaspora Council of Supporters of the Armenian Pavilion was formed in the United States, which conducted international fund-raising to finance the expenses of the pavilion. They were all successful, and made sure that the pavilion will not be any financial burden on the national budget of Armenia.

Councils were chaired by the following dedicated Armenians.

1995: Alice Kirikian, George Garo Beylerian, and Nina Hovnanian
1997: Ani Boyajian
1999, 2001 and 2003: Joan Agajanian Quinn
2005: Sonia Balassanian

2007: Armen Garabedian

The organizers are greatly indebted to these individuals and members of their committees, all of the donors, and last, but not the least the supporting staff of the ACCEA for making the Armenian Pavilions possible.



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1995	1997	1999	2001	2003	2005

2007
In spring of 1993 ACCEA founder, New York artist and poet Sonia Balassanian had the idea of organizing Armenia’s first ever participation at the most prestigious and longest running international modern art exhibition of Venice Biennale. After long negotiations Armenia was officially invited to take part. The first pavilion of the Republic of Armenia at Venice Biennale was hosted by the Center for Study and Documentation of Armenian Culture at Loggia del Temanza, in Dorsoduro District of Venice from June 12 through October 15, 1995. Then Vice President of Republic of Armenia Hon. Gagik Harutiunian, and Mrs. Harutiunian, as well as First Deputy Minister of Culture Ms. Anelka Grigorian, along with over 100 Diaspora supporters and donors were honored guests at the opening of the pavilion. Since then, without interruption, Ministry of Culture, Youth Affairs and Sports of the Republic of Armenia has trusted the organization of the Armenian Pavilion at Venice Biennale to the ACCEA (“NPAK” in Armenian acronym). In 1999, 2001 and 2003 the pavilion was hosted by the Center for Study and Documentation of Armenian Culture at Loggia del Temanza. In 1997 and 2001 the pavilion was hosted by the Mekhitarist Armenian Congregation at St. Lazzaro Armenian Island of Venice. In 2005 the Armenian Pavilion was again hosted by the Mekhitarist Armenian Congregation, this time at Palazzo Zenobio (a Venetian Renaissance palace) where in the past Congregation’s Moorat Raphael Armenian College was located. In 2007, the pavilion of Armenia one more time will be set up at Palazzo Zenobio, hosted by the Mekhitarian Congregation. ACCEA wishes to thank the leadership and management of these two Venetian Armenian institutions for relentlessly hosting the Armenian pavilions since its inception in 1995. Since 1995, for every Biennale, a Diaspora Council of Supporters of the Armenian Pavilion was formed in the United States, which conducted international fund-raising to finance the expenses of the pavilion. They were all successful, and made sure that the pavilion will not be any financial burden on the national budget of Armenia. Councils were chaired by the following dedicated Armenians. 1995: Alice Kirikian, George Garo Beylerian, and Nina Hovnanian 1997: Ani Boyajian 1999, 2001 and 2003: Joan Agajanian Quinn 2005: Sonia Balassanian 2007: Armen Garabedian The organizers are greatly indebted to these individuals and members of their committees, all of the donors, and last, but not the least the supporting staff of the ACCEA for making the Armenian Pavilions possible.