Photos: Annual Charity Gala Dinner of the 'My Step' Foundation Held

Anna Hakobyan, the wife of the Prime Minister of Armenia and chair of the board of trustees of the 'My Step' and 'City of Smile' charitable foundations, attended the annual charity gala dinner of the 'My Step' foundation on the evening of December 14. The gala dinner featured Maestro Tigran Mansuryan, world-renowned violinist and double Grammy award winner Maxim Vengerov, artistic director and chief conductor of the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra Edward Topchyan, chief conductor of the Armenian Symphony Orchestra Sergey Smbatyan, artistic director and conductor of the 'Hovhannes' State Chamber Choir Sona Hovhannisyan, president of the 'Yerevan Perspectives' international music festival Stepan Rostomyann, as well as public and political figures and businesspeople.

During the gala dinner, the executive director of the foundation, Hovhannes Ghazaryan, presented the achievements over the past year and outlined new initiatives for 2020. 'We believe that our programs are clear steps aimed at achieving a vision of a happy future. The progress that the foundation has made over the past year has created a serious prerequisite for the continuity, development, and deepening of our activities. All of this would have been impossible without the support of individuals and organizations. Many of you have made significant contributions to our success,' said Hovhannes Ghazaryan, expressing gratitude to both the attendees and everyone who has made both large and small contributions, including benefactors from the diaspora who have stood by the foundation since day one.

'This primarily testifies to the great trust that the foundation could not fail to justify. Alongside this, the growing support from Armenian companies and their readiness to stand by the foundation is of significant importance. Established companies in Armenia care deeply about public life and aim for a cultured and healthy society. There is an awareness that the problems surrounding us are not isolated; they affect all of us directly or indirectly. Armenian organizations are willing to have a much greater impact through targeted and visible results-oriented programs. This is evidence of the great potential for philanthropy present in Armenia,' Hovhannes Ghazaryan added.

During the gala dinner, an auction and fundraising took place. Among the auction items were a guitar signed by American virtuoso guitarist Al Di Meola, a collection of songs by Charles Aznavour signed by Nicola Aznavour, a painting titled 'Komitas the Priest,' a gold ring from the 'First Love' collection of 'Avakyan Geneva,' and a silver brooch from the 'Nour' collection.

During the fundraising dinner, 700,000,000 AMD was raised. Kristine Simon, a friend of the foundation and its biggest supporter, addressed the attendees via video message, promising to double the raised amount, bringing it to approximately 1,400,000,000 AMD. Anna Hakobyan, the Prime Minister's wife, welcomed the attendees, thanking them for the donations made. She characterized this as a sign of trust and appreciation.