Opening Ceremony of the Senior Nursing Home “Vortik Gulbenkian”

On August 18th, the opening ceremony of the Senior Nursing Home "Vortik Gulbenkyan", founded by German-based benefactor Albert Sevinc, took place in Akhuryan community of Shirak region.

The beautiful event was crowded. The Armenian and foreign guests in the open air and with a marvelous view of Mount Aragats enjoyed the wonderful melodies of Komitas performed by the Tigranian String Quartet, after which the musical part of the event was filled with the unparalleled folk sounds of the Nova Folk Instruments Ensemble of the Naregatsi Art Institute, while the Njdeh Folk Dance Group came out with its powerful dance against the rain and wind, acclaiming, that good work is immortal and nothing can prevent it from happening.

Archbishop Sepuh Chuljyan, leader of the Gugark diocese, blessed the event in his speech.

- Today we have come together here and we thank God for giving Albert Sevinc his blessing. It is praiseworthy that the heirs of the Gulbenkian dynasty show their patriotism in this way, flourishing and strengthening our country. Remember, charity is a divine grace.

Dr. Karen Arakelian, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Albert Sevinc Foundation, also expressed his gratitude and presented the activities and mission of the Albert Sevinc Charity Foundation.

The opening ceremony was full of interesting and memorable moments. Despite unfavorable weather conditions, the outdoor event was great.

The guests, avoiding regular rain drops, gathered in one of the halls of the care center, where the founder of the Nursing Home Albert Sevinc got up on one of the tables, addressing them with gratitude and presenting the music performance of the grandmothers of the Senior Nursing Home “Vortik Gulbenkian”.

- Thank you to all those who are here with us. I want to present you the musical performance of our elderly, competing with the music groups of Naregatsi Art Institute (humor). By the way, I first learned about Naregatsi Art Institute in Shoushi, when I was on a visit there and admired their work done. Thanks to Naregatsi Art Institute founder Nareg Hartounian.

Naregatsi Art Institute founder Nareg Hartounian expressed his gratitude and heartfelt words and handed Albert Sevinc a symbolic memorial stone cross on which was inscribed: "On behalf of the Armenian people with profound gratitude to the great humanitarian Albert Sevinc.”

- Nothing happens in life by accident. We have met due to God's will and providence. It is a great honor for us to be here and to be part of this God-pleasing affair, and in our music competition, Mr. Sevinc, of course, you were the winner.

During the event the beautiful logos of the Senior Nursing Home "Vortik Gulbenkyan" were handed to the guests.

Hovhannes Manukyan, director of the Senior Nursing Home “Vortik Gulbenkian” had a speech as well in the event saturated with warm and sincere atmosphere and also presented the history of the center's creation.

At the end of the event, the founder of the Senior Nursing Home "Vortik Gulbenkyan" Albert Sevinc, made a closing speech, in which he particularly mentioned:

-I express my great gratitude to all those who supported in the creation of the senior nursing home.

The Senior Nursing Home "Vortik Gulbenkyan", built by the Albert Sevinc Charitable Foundation, is for the elderly needy inhabitants of Gyumri.

The complex includes three single-storey, barrier-free homes, in the center of which there is a garden, patio and amphitheater. This complex for elderly people also gives them a chance to relax in the park. The park can also be used for outdoor meetings: concerts, theater, movies and dance evenings.

“The establishment is named after the founder’s grandfather Vortik Gulbenkian, who was a meritorious, well respected, and a good person. Through naming the senior nursing home in Gyumri as “senior citizen nursing home Vortik Gulbenkian”, the memory of Vortik Gulbenkian is honored as an exemplary human being,” as mentioned in the journal about the history of the creation of the senior nursing home.

Vortig Gulbenkian was born in 1883 in Caesarea-Talas. He was the second degree cousin of the well-known Armenian businessman Galust Sargis Gulbenkian, known as "Mr. Five Percent". He was married three times, as his first two wives, unfortunately, died prematurely. Vortik was specialized in furniture manufacturing. His first wife Srbuhi gave birth to three daughters: Shushanik, Haykuhi and Varduhi.

During the Armenian Genocide he moved to Jozkhat, where he married his second wife, Peruz, who granted him a girl, named Alice.

In 1932, he married Sahanik, who gave birth to four children, Sargis, Harutiun, Mary, mother of the founder, and Ipexima.

Vortik Gulbenkyan died in 1962 at the age of 79 after moving to Istanbul. His grandson Albert Sevinc Hadodo was just two years old when his grandfather died. Later, Albert learnt from other members of his family that Vortik Gulbenkian was a good, honest and well respected person. These beautiful lines of nature also passed on to Assyrian descendent Isa Sevinc Hadoda, the founder’s father.

Today, among the generations of Vortik Gulbenkyan, dead or alive, are more than150 people.