I was familiar with Florence Avakian’s name from Armenia’s Azg daily, and from different international newspapers and journals. It was only recently, however, that I had the chance to meet and personally get to know her when she visited Armenia with FAR. It was Florence’s eighth trip to Armenia, and she was here to report on the Toufayan family’s visit to projects they’ve supported in Zangakatun and in Etchmiadzin. Florence was interested in everything about Armenian life – its positive and negative sides, the living conditions of people, etc.

Born in New York, Florence speaks brilliant Armenian. “My mother was to blame for it,” she said with a joking smile. “She always made me and my sister speak Armenian at home.” Later she continued her education at Oxford, Cornell University and the University of Michigan, where she acquired degrees in political science, journalism and history.

“I was a student when I wrote my first article about Cyprus,” she vividly remembered. “After reading my article, the president of Cyprus Archbishop Makarios invited me there for ten days. After getting to know me, he advised me to continue my career in journalism.”

Her path in journalism enabled her meet many famous people, including Indira Gandhi, Bulend Ejevit, Heydar Aliev, Eduard Shevernadze, Bill Clinton and others. She has written six articles about world famous chansonnier Charles Aznavour, too. Florence intends to publish those articles in a separate booklet. She is also the only UN-accredited Armenian journalist in the United Nations Organization. Florence regularly publishes articles about the Armenian Genocide in well-known U.S. journals, ultimately reminding humanity about this great crime and working to prevent its further repetition. Two years ago, Al Jazeera TV even interviewed her on the theme of the Armenian Genocide. Florence is also responsible for the English news on the New Jersey Armenian radio-hour. In addition to all this, the multi-talented Florence is also the organ player at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral in New York City.

Florence Avakian

Credit: Levon Lachikyan