Horizon Weekly

Horizon Weekly is an Armenian Canadian newspaper publication and is the official political organ of Canada's Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Central Committee.

History

Canada's Horizon Armenian Weekly was first published in 1979, sharing its birthday with Armenia's first Independence Day, May 28th.

Born as the official political organ of Canada's Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Central Committee, Horizon was first conceived during ARF Canada's first regional meeting held in 1977. During its first two years, until March 1981, Horizon was run by different editorial boards.

In March 1981, a three-member editorial board is established with Vrej-Armen Artinian, Antranik Bedrossian and Levon Benguian. A couple of years later, Vrej-Armen Artinian becomes the first editor-in-chief and holds the title for a decade. Giro Manoyan followed in Artinian's footsteps, becoming Horizon's second editor-in-chief until his move to Armenia in 1999. Vahakn Karakashian, then the editor-in-chief of Boston's Hairenik Weekly, is invited to Montreal, and has since been at the helm of the newspaper.

Supplements

Horizon Weekly publishes several supplements, including the only Armenian monthly literary publication in the Diaspora. Edited by Vrej-Armen Artinian, this supplement brings together the works of talented writers across the Diaspora. The literary supplement has an editorial committee. Other Horizon supplements include a youth page, reborn in May 2000, thanks to the contributions from Canada's regional executive committee of the Armenian Relief Society and its local chapters, who saw the importance of publishing such an educational, yet diverting tool. More than 200 youths actively participate in the monthly brainteasers, whereas more than 800 copies of the youth supplement are freely distributed in Armenian schools in Toronto and Montreal. All winners are awarded prizes from the weekly. The editor of the youth supplement is Zepur Assadourian. Between 2000 and 2006, more than 50 thematic supplements have been published, covering a wide array of topics, such as, Artsakh, Shoushi, Javakhk, The Armenian Genocide, the first Republic of Armenia, the 1700th anniversary of Armenian Christianity, Nakhichevan's Khachkars and so forth. Horizon's assistant to the editor is Sossy Chakmakjian and the manager is Sylva Ehramdjian. The editor of the English and french weekly supplements is Viken Aprahamian.

Volunteers

Horizon Weekly has many volunteers who have contributed their time, even across long distances and include France's former Radio AYP director Hagop Balian, photographers Hawk Khacherian and Kaloust Babian, columnists Soliné Chamlian and Diroug Manjikian, long-time contributors Krikor Hotoyan, Sako Ghazarian, Aris Babikian and Journalist Karin Saghdedjian from Toronto, New York's Associated Press Photo Director of the Middle-Eastern division Harry Koundakjian, political analyst Khachig Der Ghougassian from Argentina, Journalist Nayiri Megerdichian from Yerevan and many free lance contributors from Armenia and Artsakh. The French and English sections include the following contributors, section editor Tina Soulahian, Varant Yessayan, Lalai Manjikian, Mary Nercessian, Taline Abrakian, Raffi Boudjikanian and Lory Hovsepian. Horizon Weekly also has other contributors in different communities and includes the Horizon editorial board of Toronto and all the writers of the literary supplement, as well as the French and English sections of Horizon's yearly special issue.

Yearly Special issues

The publication of Horizon's Special issue 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 editions was quite an experience for its editorial board and contributors. The issues covered the political, social and cultural aspects of Armenia and the diaspora.

Honors

On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Canadian Ethnic Press Council, the Council had organized an Ethnic Press Day in Toronto on September 1, 2002. During this event, the Council honoured eight ethnic newspapers from across Canada, including Horizon Weekly, which was the only Quebec publication to take home the title. The eight newspapers were chosen from more than 800 ethnic publications in 125 languages. The award was presented to Vahakn Karakachian by Canada's former Heritage Minister Sheila Copps. Horizon Weekly is currently a member of the Ethnic Press Council of Canada and participates in Council meetings through its representative in Toronto.

Website and Other Media

Horizon Weekly was the first Armenian publication on the international scene to have its own website during the 90s. However, during the first three years of the 21st century, the weekly could no longer be found on the internet. Than no longer is the case. In 2003, after long deliberations, the Central Committee presented a detailed report regarding Horizon's site. Accordingly, www.horizonweekly.ca was launched in May 2004.

See also

*Armenians in Canada

References

* [http://www.armeniandiaspora.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-4210.html Armenia Diaspora]

* [http://felist.com/archive/media.arminfo/200209/07194317.html ARMINFO:"Horizon weekly" among best ethnic newspapers in Canada]

External links

* "Horizon Weekly" [http://www.horizonweekly.ca official website]

* [http://www.anccanada.org Armenian National Committee of Canada]