1918-2025

The decade begins with the world-shaking COVID-19 pandemic. Life momentarily comes to a standstill as Homenetmen clubs close and activities shift to online platforms. Homenetmen pays a heavy toll due to the pandemic, losing devoted members, including the longtime former chairman of the Central (Executive) Committee, Yeghpayr Karnig Meguerditchian.

The Central, Regional, and Solitary Committees transition their activities online. Several events are organized in this format, including the Pan-Homenetmen Scout Leaders’ Conference (July 25, 2020), a sports seminar (May 8, 2021), a camp (July 26-27, 2021), sports games (October 4 - December 24, 2021), and a promotional seminar (November 6 and 13, 2021). Scouting, educational, and sports activities take place virtually, replacing in-person events that previously required physical presence at Homenetmen clubs. This virtual mode of operation continues even after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, with online meetings for chairpersons, virtual sessions for scout leaders, and sub-committee gatherings becoming a regular practice.

Before overcoming the shock of COVID-19, the Homenetmen family in Lebanon suffered heavy blows from the Beirut Port explosion (August 4, 2020) and the country’s severe economic collapse. A relief campaign for Lebanese-Armenians is launched, with Homenetmen actively participating through multiple phases of aid distribution.

As if these hardships were not enough, in September 2020, Azerbaijan unleashed a bloody war against Artsakh. Once again, Homenetmen mobilizes, organizing awareness and fundraising campaigns, letter-writing initiatives for Armenian soldiers, and more. During the 44-day war, 10 Homenetmen members serving in the Armenian army and volunteer units sacrifice their lives on the sacred land of Artsakh.

It takes two years before Homenetmen gradually resumes normal operations following the COVID-19 restrictions and the aftermath of the Artsakh war. The Artsakh and Tbilisi chapters regain their former dynamism, the Westeros chapter is revived, and a new chapter is established in Örebro, Sweden (October 15, 2022). New units emerge in Syria and Canada, with openings in Derik (February 27, 2022) and Ontario (September 22, 2024).

At the same time, significant construction projects are completed. Homenetmen HASK’s Armavir chapter acquires a new center (September 26, 2021), the Almelo chapter secures its own club (May 7, 2022), and the Aleppo chapter’s basketball and football fields undergo a complete renovation. In Paris, in collaboration with the Issy-les-Moulineaux municipality, construction begins on Homenetmen’s first Pan-European sports complex.

On a Pan-Homenetmen level, several major events take place, including sports games (Yerevan-Gyumri, July 2022), an inter-steering committee conference (Beirut, November 2022), a youth conference (Nicosia, April 2023), a camp (Puragan, 2023), and "Vgayal” rank courses for scout leaders in Europe and the Middle East (Sweden, Amman 2023). On October 30, 2021, the Puragan camping site in Armenia is officially renamed "Karnig Meguerditchian Scout Camp," in memory of the former Homenetmen Central (Executive) Committee Chairman. On the same day, the "Memorial of the Immortal Heroes" is inaugurated on-site, dedicated to the Homenetmen members who sacrificed their lives in the Artsakh wars.

The 13th Homenetmen General Assembly takes place in September 2023, under the sorrowful circumstances of Artsakh’s occupation and depopulation. Despite the tragedy and loss, the Assembly decided to continue the work of Artsakh’s displaced chapter in Armenia, pay tribute to the Artsakh state flag in all Homenetmen clubs and events, and include the Artsakh emblem on the uniforms of all Homenetmen scouts and athletes. The "Homenetmen Artsakh Fund" is also established to support educational programs for children of displaced families from Artsakh. 

At the same time, the General Assembly accelerates continental initiatives and promotional programs. Within a short period, Homenetmen organizes the European continental scout camp in Sweden (July 2024), the Pan-Homenetmen Scout Leaders' Conference in Cairo (August 2024), and the inter-steering committee conference in Armenia (November 2024). Additionally, an online promotional conference (October 2024) and a senior scout coordinators meeting (January 2025) are held. Meanwhile, preparations begin for the 12th Pan-Homenetmen Sports Games (July 2025) and the first Homenetmen cruise event. (July 2026).

Homenetmen was firmly established in Armenia, expanded in Europe, and thrived in the Middle East.

The second decade of the 21st century was notable for Homenetmen's growing activities in Armenia. Homenetmen - HASK witnessed an increase in membership and development, receiving the "Best Youth Organization in Yerevan" award in 2012. In August of that year, the organization inaugurated a four-story center in Yerevan. Following that, several other centers were opened, including the “Varoujan and Sona Kazanjian” Center in Aboyan (September 12, 2015), and the renovated office “Koko and Armine Balian” office of “Vatche Rostomian” Unit in Etchmiadzin (July 3, 2016).

Scout activities gained momentum after the onset of the war in Syria, which caused many Syrian-Armenians to move to Armenia. As a result, many Homenetmen members joined Homenetmen-HASK. The increase in membership and activity created the need for new campsites. On July 11, 2011 “Haig Hovsepian” campground was officially opened in Yerevan. This site was built with donations from Hovsepian’s relatives in memory of his untimely death in the United States. Initially, this campground became too small for the growing number of scouts, and in 2015, after four years, it was expanded and redecorated. It reopened its doors on September 30, 2015. At the same time, the Homenetmen campsite in Puragan was expanding and its opening ceremony took place on August 22, 2014.  This campsite hosted various events, including the first Homenetmen Chapters’ Jamboree (2011), the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Scout Jamboree (2012), and several scout Ranks (Ararat rank, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd courses in 2010, 2014, 2018), as well as Pan-Homenetmen 9th, 10th, and 11th Jamborees in 2010, 2014, 2018.

Homenetmen-HASK increased its efforts after signing an agreement on February 12, 2013, with the Ministries of Education, Labor, and Social Affairs, aimed at "organizing and involving vulnerable children in Armenia." This program was funded by the World Scout Movement. Homenetmen-HASK also gained international recognition, hosting the 6th Eurasian Scout Conference and the 3rd Youth Forum in 2016. Pakrad Yesayan, a member of the Homenetmen Central Committee, was elected to the World Scout Committee for a three-year term. 

A major event of the decade was the war in Syria, which devastated Homenetmen’s operations in Syria. However, it also had a positive impact in Europe, where Syrian-Armenian Homenetmen members contributed to the creation of new chapters and the expansion of activities. This led to the establishment of three new chapters in Sweden, two in the Netherlands, and one in Germany. The chapters in Europe became very active, hosting events such as the first Vgayal Rank workshop for European chapters in Sweden (2016), the first Pan-European youth gathering in Vienna (2017), and the first three meetings of Board Chairmen for European chapters (Paris 2016, Almelo 2017, Munich 2018.

On the American continent, annual Inter-chapter sports games between Homenetmen chapters in the Western United States, Eastern United States, and Canada continued with great enthusiasm. In Los Angeles, events such as the Armenian Student Sports Games in California, leadership training seminars, and the Saint Mesrob Mashtots Emblem courses were successfully implemented. The establishment of the Unit was another new development. According to a decision from the General Assembly in 2011, numerous Homenetmen Units were created in cities across the United States, including dual Units in the Eastern United States (Charlotte, Meramec Valley) and Western United States (Sacramento, Santa Clarita). Some units were also set up in Armenia, replacing previously established chapters.

In 2010, annual mini-marathons took place in South America. These events were widely embraced by both Armenian and foreign communities and were dedicated to Armenia, the Armenians, and the Armenian Cause.

In the Middle East, sports activities reached a new peak with the success of Homenetmen’s Lebanese boys’ and girls’ basketball teams. For three consecutive years (2016, 2017, 2018),  the girls’ team from the Homenetmen Antelias Chapter won the championship, and the boys' team won in 2018. Both teams achieved historic victories during the 100th-anniversary celebrations by winning two titles in the Arab World Club championships. 

Many construction projects took place during this decade, particularly in Cyprus (the opening of a new stadium) and Lebanon (the opening of the "Boghos Aris" football field and the "Adom and Sella Tenjoukian" basketball and mini-football field). In Aleppo, the Homenetmen garden, which the war had damaged, was renovated and reopened.

The war in Syria also had a profound impact on Homenetmen. Between 2011 and 2018, twenty Homenetmen members were killed while defending the Armenian neighborhoods of Aleppo. One of the victims was Yeghpayr Raffi Bchakjian, head of the self-defense efforts for the Armenians of Aleppo, who died in June 2016. Throughout the war, Homenetmen members provided unwavering support to the people of Aleppo, including cleaning Armenian neighborhoods, preparing and distributing food, supplying water, and ensuring 24-hour security.

The Pan-Armenian structure of Homenetmen flourished, linking different regions with the central committee through numerous initiatives. Notable events during this period included two Inter-steeting committee conferences in 2013 and 2016, in Nicosia, two Pan-Homenetmen Chief Scouts conferences (2012 in Dzaghgatsor and 2016 in Yerevan), two Central (Executive) Committee meetings (2011 in Dzaghgatsor; 2015 in Aghveran), three Pan-Homenetmen Jamborees (2010, 2014, and 2018, in Puragan), and three Pan-Homenetmen Games (2013 and 2017, in Yerevan). These events saw increased participation and success compared to their predecessors. 

Strengthening and expanding the organizational structure led to the need for modernization. After four years of preparation, Homenetmen’s 10th Central (Executive) Committee meeting (2011) adopted a strategic plan. In January 2014, Homenetmen began benefiting from technical services provided by the world-renowned "Google" company. In August 2014, Homenetmen signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Ministry of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia.

The geographical picture of the establishment of chapters and units of this decade is presented as follows:

• Armenia – Mardouni (2012), Yerevan/Gomidas (2014), Vedi (2014).

• Lebanon – Rawda (2011).

• Western United States – North Hollywood (2011), Sacramento (2016), Santa Clarita (2018).

• Eastern United States – Charlotte (2015), Meramec Valley (2017).

• Sweden – Västerås (2014), (later on dissolved), Stockholm (2015), Södertälje (2015).

• Netherlands – Alkmaar (2014), Arnhem (2015)

• Germany- Munich (2015).

To mark the 100th anniversary of Homenetmen Central Committee, on July 19-29, 2018, several events were organized in Armenia, including a conference, an exhibition, the publication of a Homenetmen Museum album, an anniversary parade, a grand celebration at the Opera House, the transfer of torches from Constantinople, Beirut, and Paris to the eternal flame at Tsitsernakaberd, the issuance of a 100th anniversary stamp, and the unveiling of the statue of Vahan Cheraz in Gyumri. 

Following the glorious 100th anniversary celebrations in Armenia, Homenetmen worldwide marked the milestone with special events in their chapters. The Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, Aram I, awarded the "St. Mesrob Mashtots” honor to the organization.

Homenetmen enters the 21st century with an impressive 26,000 members spread across 100 chapters globally.

Its success can be attributed to the expansion of its organizational structure and the strengthening of regional initiatives. However, the organization faced significant challenges brought about by an increasingly globalized society—rampant materialism, rapid development, a detachment from national values, and loss of identity.

Nevertheless, Homenetmen remained resilient, opening new chapters in Javakhk (Georgia), Hungary, and Moscow. The Sweden chapter was revived, and four other chapters in Baghdad, Mosul, Nicosia, and Marseille—rejoined the organization after a period of separation due to unfavorable circumstances. 

During the first decade of the 21st century, Homenetmen opened the following new chapters:

• Javakhk – Akhalkalaki (2001), Akhaltsikhe (2002)

• Armenia – Aramus (2002)

• Western United States – Colorado (2002)

• Hungary – Budapest (2005, later dissolved)

• Russia – Moscow (2008)

Meanwhile, after being inactive for ten years, the Stockholm chapter was reactivated. Chapters in Baghdad, Mosul, Nicosia (all in 2003), and Homenetmen-Ardziv in Marseille (2007) rejoined the organizational structure.

Three Pan-Homenetmen Games were held in 2001 (Lebanon), 2005 (Greece), and 2009 (Armenia). These events were followed by two inter-Steering Committee meetings in Beirut and Athens. The most significant Pan-Homenetmen events began to take place in Armenia: two Pan-Homenetmen jamborees in Puragan (2002 and 2006), and two Chief Scouts’ Conferences in Tsaghkadzor (2004 and 2008). Armenia also hosted the 8th and 9th General Assemblies, attended by representatives from 90 and 99 chapters, respectively.

During this decade, regional initiatives flourished. In Europe, Homenetmen France expanded its annual sports games into inter-chapter competitions at the European level. The London Chapter organized a jamboree for all European chapters. Similar successful initiatives were undertaken by Homenetmen Regional Committees in the Eastern and Western United States and Canada. In the Middle East, the Homenetmen Central Committee organized three key events: A Middle Eastern chapter inter-Steering Committee conference (Amman, September 2006), football and basketball tournaments (Nicosia, April 2007), and the first Chief Scouts’ meeting (Beirut, November 2007).

The opening of new Homenetmen centers also played an important role in strengthening the organization. In Sydney, the Homenetmen “Antranik” Chapter secured a new activity space. The Homenetmen Sweden Chapter opened its second club in Södertälje, and the Homenetmen “Ararat” Chapter in Glendale acquired its second building.

Meanwhile, new camping sites and sports fields were constructed to serve as centers for preserving Armenian national identity.

In the summer of 2000, the Armenian government allocated land in Puragan, where the Pan-Homenetmen Camping Site was built. In 2008, the Western United States region secured its own camping site in Tocaya. In Lebanon, Homenetmen established the “Boghos Aris” football field and the “Adom and Sella Tenjoukian” basketball court in 2000. In 2004, the “Yervant and Nayiri Shahinian” Sports Complex in Toronto and, in 2007, Homenetmen in Syria began constructing a modern sports complex.

In Syria, after a 16-year hiatus, Homenetmen regained official permission to resume its activities. The scouting movement was reorganized and officially recognized, culminating in a parade led by the Homenetmen Women’s Basketball team, which had won the national championship. In 2008, the team placed second in the national championship and third in the West Asia Club Championship.

During that same period, Homenetmen women athletes achieved significant success. The table tennis team of Homenetmen Beirut won the Arab Cup four times in 1999, 2002, 2004, and 2007. Chess champion Knarig Mouradian won the Women’s Chess Championship of the Arab World four times in 2002, 2004, 2006, and 2007.

In Armenia, Homenetmen expanded its scouting activities by forming 13 units in 13 cities. Based on a decision by the 7th General Assembly, a sister chapter program was established between the Homenetmen chapters in Armenia and the diaspora. Scouts in Armenia received their first educational materials, including “Yes kaylig em” (“I’m a Cub Scout”, 2003) and “Yes Scout em” (“I’m a Scout,” 2004).

Publications in Beirut flourished, with several scouting textbooks released, including “Miasdgh” (One Star”), “Yergasdgh” (“Two stars”), “Yergrort gark” (“Second Rank”), “Arachin gark” (“First Rank”). Also the third and fourth volumes of Puzant Torikian’s “History of Homenetmen” were published, along with the “Homenetmeni tasdiaragchagan oughetsouytse” (“Homenetmen’s educational guidebook”), “Homenetmenagan gentsaghakidoutyan yev protocolayin hasgatsoghoutyan oughetsouytse” (“Guidebook for etiquette and protocol of Homenetmen”), and the second editions of the “Marzig” (“Sportsmen”) editorials.

Other notable initiatives from this decade include a scouting pilgrimage to Deir ez-Zor and Markadah for the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the establishment of the Strategy Planning Committee following the 9th General Assembly, and the opening of a lyceum dedicated to Shavarsh Krissian, as well as the organization of a symposium in Yerevan in September 2008.

Homenetmen in the newly independent Republic of Armenia. Homenetmen-HASK became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement.

The last decade of the 20th century was undoubtedly the most decisive in the history of Homenetmen. The dreams of the founders and several generations of dedicated members were realized with the return of the organization to Armenia in the 1990s and its membership in the World Organization of the Scout Movement. Homenetmen celebrated its 80th anniversary with a magnificent event organized in Yerevan.

In Armenia, Homenetmen was already operating with ten chapters. In December 1991, Homenetmen suffered its first loss in the Artsakh war. Homenetmen member Yeghpayr Vartan Pakhshyan, a member of the Central Committee, became a martyr during the battle of Hasanabad.

In 1995, following a decision adopted by the 6th General Assembly, Homenetmen Scouting in Armenia was renamed the Armenian National Scouting Movement (HASK). The following year, the Hai Ariner (Armenian Scouts) Movement in France honored Homenetmen-HASK with the responsibility of representing the Armenian Scouting Movement. On April 17, 1997, Homenetmen-HASK officially became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. Shortly thereafter, in April 1998, the organization became one of the founding members of the World Scout Movement’s Eurasia Region, with the Homenetmen-HASK chairperson serving as president of the department.

Meanwhile, in the Diaspora, this decade saw a series of new initiatives and achievements. Seventeen new chapters were established, seven of which were in the Western United States. Homenetmen Bulgaria resumed its activities with 6 new chapters and over 500 members.

Several Pan-Homenetmen events brought together the ever-growing Homenetmen family. During this decade, two Pan-Homenetmen Games were organized with great enthusiasm: the first in Canada (1993) and the second in the Eastern United States (1997). The 3rd Pan-Homenetmen Scout Conference was held in Sydney in 1996.

There was a significant growth in both the number of Homenetmen chapters and their membership. The best indicator of this is the large number of subsequent General Assemblies and Pan-Homenetmen Jamborees.

At the 5th General Assembly in 1991, representatives from 62 chapters attended. By the 6th General Assembly in 1995, the number of chapters had increased to 83, and only four years later, at the 7th General Assembly, 87 chapters were represented.

Encouraging figures were also seen in the Pan-Homenetmen Jamborees. In 1994, 432 scouts from 14 regions attended the 5th Pan-Homenetmen Jamboree in Puragan. In 1998, 740 scouts from 18 regions participated in the 6th Pan-Homenetmen Jamboree.

Regionally, notable initiatives took place in Egypt and South America.

In 1994, basketball tournaments for the Armenian community in Egypt were organized with the active participation of Homenetmen-Gamk in Alexandria and Homenetmen-Ararat in Cairo. The Navasartian Games resumed in Argentina in 1996 and have since become an annual tradition.

The decade and century ended with a new initiative: the first-ever Pan-Armenian Games. This event marked the beginning of a new era of unity in sports between Armenia and the Diaspora.

After more than two years of full participation in organizing the games, Homenetmen attended with 250 athletes. The Games took place in Yerevan from August 28 to September 5, 1999, with 1,141 athletes from 62 regions participating.

The geographic spread of new Homenetmen chapters during this decade is as follows:

• Armenia – Hrazdan, Etchmiatsin, Vartan Pakhshyan, Ararat-Vedi, Akhtala, and Lori (1991)

• Artsakh – Ararat (1998, later dissolved)

• Sweden – Stockholm (1991)

• Netherlands – Almelo (1996)

• Western United States – Santa Clara and Salt Lake City (1991), South Bay (1992), Crescenta Valley (1993), Burbank (1995), Las Vegas (1996), Phoenix (1998), and Walnut Creek (1999)

• Lebanon – Bauchrieh (1998)

In addition to the newly opened chapters, several others resumed their activities: Kessab, Syria (1994), Plovdiv, Varna, Ruse (1991), Shumen (1997), Burgas and Dobrich (1999) in Bulgaria.

A Homenetmen member at the Moscow Olympics, four Homenetmen chapters in Soviet Armenia. Two significant events mark the beginning and the end of a decade rich with dynamic initiatives.

This remarkable decade began with a Homenetmen member participating in the world’s largest international sporting event. Aysar Salloum, a cyclist and member of Homenetmen, represented Lebanon at the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. From then on, the participation of Homenetmen members in the Olympics became a recurring event. Homenetmen athletes and cyclists Serop Aslanian, Hratch Dzadourian, George Hneyin, Vatche Dzadourian, and Armen Aslanian represented Lebanon at the 1984 Los Angeles, 1988 Seoul, and 1992 Barcelona Olympic games.

Meanwhile, the organization pursued an active agenda worldwide, including two General Assemblies, two Pan-Homenetmen jamborees, three Pan-Homenetmen games, and two Pan-Homenetmen chief scouts’ conferences. Ten new chapters were established, and many more resumed their activities throughout the Americas and Europe.

The increasing number of delegates attending the Homenetmen General Assemblies was a clear sign of the organization’s growth. In 1983, 55 chapter representatives attended the third General Assembly, and 57 chapter representatives participated in the fourth General Assembly in 1987. Both assemblies were held in Athens.

The rise in the number of participants in the Pan-Homenetmen Jamboree also demonstrated the organization’s growth. In 1986, 269 scouts from eleven regions participated in the third Pan-Homentmen Jamboree in England, while 484 scouts from fourteen regions attended the fourth Pan-Homentmen Jamboree in Greece in 1990.

Two important Pan-Homenetmen conferences for scout chiefs were organized: one in Athens in 1982, and the other in California in 1988. These events played a key role in accelerating the scouting activities.

Sports life also saw tremendous activity during this decade. Three Pan-Homenetmen tournaments were organized: in 1981 (Canada), 1985 (Los Angeles), and 1990 (Valence), with top football, basketball, and volleyball teams participating.

Regionally, in 1984, the Homenetmen Western USA Regional Committee initiated the California Armenian Students Sports Tournaments, and the Pan-Armenian Games in 1988. Teams from other Armenian youth and sports organizations, such as AGBU and Homenmen, also participated in the Pan-Armenian Games.

Following the excitement generated in the Western United States, Homenetmen chapters in the Eastern United States began organizing inter-chapter sports tournaments. In subsequent years, the chapters in the region took turns hosting these eagerly anticipated events.

However, the overall excitement was overshadowed in January 1986 by the tragic loss of Yeghpayr Vartkes Der Garabedian, the chairperson of several consecutive Homenetmen Central (Executive) Committees. He, along with Yeghpayr Levon Berberian and Yeghpayr Nerses Khudaverdian, was murdered by the enemies of the Armenian people, in Lebanon.

At the close of the decade, Homenetmen’s global family was affected by the Gharapagh Movement and the Artsakh Liberation War, as well as the devastating earthquake in Armenia in December 1988. Homenetmen chapters around the world quickly organized disaster relief efforts and came to the aid of their fellow affected Armenians.

In Armenia, Homenetmen demonstrated its true character, dedication, and selfless service to the nation. During the final days of the Soviet regime, Armenia embraced Homenetmen. With the Armenian flag held high, Homenetmen entered Armenia and opened its first chapter in Yerevan, on December 2, 1989. Later, three additional chapters were opened in Charentsavan, Abovyan, and Sisian.

The geographic distribution of new chapters established during this decade is as follows:

• Eastern United States - Providence and Florida (1981), Albany (1986)

• Western United States - San Diego (1983)

• Canada - St. Catharines (1986)

• Italy - Milan (1983, later dissolved)

• Austria - Vienna (1985)

• Australia - Eastern Sydney (1981), “Ararat” (1989)        

• Lebanon - Batroun (1987, later dissolved)

• Armenia - Yerevan (1989), Charentsavan, Abovyan, Sisian (1990)

Additionally, the Homenetmen chapters in Valence (1983) and Montevideo (1987) resumed their activities. 

Homenetmen reaches a significant milestone and transforms into a global Armenian organization governed by a Central Committee.

Homenetmen undergoes both an organizational and operational restructuring. Two General Assemblies and two Pan-Homenetmen gatherings were held, regional committees were established, and Homenetmen published the initial issue of its official publication, “Marzig” (“Sportsman”).

In February 1973, the 20th Regional Assembly of Homenetmen in a group of 60 delegates discussed the creation of a central governing body: The Homenetmen Central Committee.

After reviewing the term’s progress, the Assembly accepted the Regional (Executive) Committee’s proposal to form a Central Committee and established a sub-committee to oversee its formation. The last election of a new Regional (Executive) Committee for the Middle East took place, with the primary goal of organizing the first General Assembly to elect the Homenetmen Central (Executive) Committee.

A year later, in December 1974, the first General Assembly was held in Beirut. Attended by representatives from 28 Homenetmen chapters. A new chapter in Hoementmen’s history had begun.

Five years later, the second General Assembly took place in Nicosia, with representatives from 46 chapters in attendance. 

The first two Central Committees organized two Pan-Homenetmen Jamborees: the first in August 1978 in Kalamos, Greece, and the second in 1980, in Clamart, France. A total of 226 and 291 scouts from 12 Homenetmen regions participated.

In 1980, “Marzig” (“Sportsman”), Homenetmen’s official monthly magazine, was published in Beirut.

Homenetmen’s influence in Armenian communities worldwide continued to grow. During this decade, 21 new chapters were established, fourteen of which were in the United States. The rapid growth of chapters led to the restructuring of the regions, with the formation of four new Regional Committees: Australia (1973), Western United States (1974), Canada (1975), and Eastern United States (1977).

Moreover, two significant initiatives took place in the second half of the 1970s: the Navasartian Games in Los Angeles (1975) and the May 28th Festival and Parade in Lebanon (1978). Both events were expressions of Homenetmen’s enduring strength and vitality.

The following is the geographic distribution of new Homenetmen chapters established during this decade:

• Western United States - San Francisco (1970), Fresno (1973), Montebello (1974), Pasadena (1977), Orange County and San Fernando Valley (1979).

• Easter­n United States - Washington DC (1971), Boston (1973), New York, New Jersey, and Chicago (1975), Detroit (1976), and Philadelphia (1978)

• Australia – Western Sydney (1973)

• Canada – Cambridge (1977)

• Argentina – Córdoba (1979)

• England – London (1979)

• Kuwait – Kuwait (1978)

• Lebanon – Antelias (1970), Jdeideh (1974).

The Homenetmen Paris Chapter was revived in 1977, and in 1974, the Homenetmen-Gamk chapter in Alexandria and the Homenetmen-Ararat chapter in Cairo joined Homenetmen’s global structure.

Homenetmen flourished in Australia, the United States, and Canada.

The political events in the Arab countries during the 1960s led many Armenians to emigrate from the Middle East to the United States, Canada, and Australia. New Homenetmen chapters were established in these new regions.

In 1965, 40 Homenetmen members, who had recently moved from the Middle East, founded the Homenetmen Sydney Chapter. A year later, another chapter was established in Melbourne. In 1968, both chapters organized the Navasartian Games in Australia, which have since become an annual event held every December.

Following the examples set by Australia, Homenetmen chapters in the United States that had been inactive since the 1930s were revived through the efforts of the Armenians who had relocated from the Middle East. In 1968, the first new Homenetmen chapter in the United States since the post-war era was founded in Los Angeles.

In Canada, where Homenetmen had been active since 1958, two new chapters were established in Hamilton and Toronto. Meanwhile, the Homenetmen Montreal Chapter merged with the local “Gamk” Sports Organization and was renamed as Homenetmen-Gamk.

In addition to organizational achievements, this decade saw significant growth in the sports life of the Lebanese Armenian community. After three inter-school sports events held in 1958, 1961, and 1962, Homenetmen launched the  LEVAM Games (Students Tournaments for Armenian High Schools in Lebanon) in 1966. LEVAM aimed to bring together high school students from Armenian schools across Lebanon to compete in sports and foster a spirit of healthy competition. Since 1969, the games have been organized by the Regional (Executive) Committee of Homenetmen Lebanon.

Every year, hundreds of high school students from Armenian schools across Lebanon compete in the LEVAM Games. Many of these athletes later represent Homenetmen in national and international tournaments.

The world turns the page on World War II, and Homenetmen opens a new, brighter chapter in its history.

This was an active decade for Homenetmen, focusing on restructuring and rejuvenation across the Middle East, South America, the USA, Canada, and France. In the Middle East, under the leadership of the Regional (Executive) Committee, Homenetmen’s chapters in Syria and Lebanon experienced a particularly productive period. 

The 1950s were the golden decade for Homenetmen’s Beirut Chapter in Lebanese sports. During this period, the chapter’s football team won the National Championship twice (1951 and 1955), and the Championship Cup in 1955. In 1950, the men’s basketball team claimed the National Championship, while the women’s team established an unbeatable streak, winning the national championship every year from 1951 and 1956. The chapter’s cycling and table tennis teams also achieved remarkable success. The Nalchayian and Dzadourian brothers dominated the Lebanese Cycling Championship in 1950, 1955, and 1958. In the same years, Vahakn Mesrobian and Nazig Hovhannessian earned national titles in table tennis.

Meanwhile, in the United States, significant efforts were made to rejuvenate Homenetmen chapters. In 1951, Kerop Arakelian founded the “Armenian Sports Association”
(Hai Marmnagrtasirats mioutyun) with the goal of promoting Homenetmen in Armenian communities across the U.S. In 1955, the Association contributed $2,000 to support the purchase of a building and sports field for Homenetmen’s Beirut Chapter.

The newly formed Armenian community in Canada also showed great enthusiasm for Homenetmen. In 1958, the first Homenetmen chapter in Canada was founded in Montreal.

During this period, efforts were also made to restore the many Homenetmen chapters that had existed in pre-war France. Unfortunately, only a few chapters resumed their activities, with some even changing names and becoming disconnected from the central organization.

This decade also marked the end of Homenetmen chapters in Persia (Tehran, Tabriz, and Rashid) in 1950, due to a decision by the Iranian Ministry of Education not to renew the organization’s permit. Subsequently, the permit was granted to the Armenian Cultural Ararat Organization. For decades, the organization maintained a close relationship with the Regional (Executive) Committee of Homenetmen in the Middle East. The organization’s sports teams participated in the Pan-Homenetmen Games, and their scouts attended Pan-Homenetmen Jamborees and conferences.

A sorrowful and solemn decade for the entire Homenetmen Family.

World War II devastated Homenetmen chapters across Western Europe and the United States. In Eastern Europe, the spread of communism dealt a heavy blow to Homenetmen, while the repatriation movement from the Armenian Diaspora to the homeland reduced the organization’s ranks in the Middle East.

During the war years, the organization celebrated its 25th anniversary. However, the political and economic turmoil severely weakened and paralyzed Homenetmen’s chapters in Western Europe and the United States.

In Eastern Europe, particularly in Romania and Bulgaria, communism unleashed a fierce campaign against all non-communist movements and organizations. Prominent Armenian national figures, including members of Homenetmen, were persecuted and exiled. In these two countries, all Homenetmen chapters were shut down and the organization was banned.

The general atmosphere of struggle and crisis was further compounded by the bleak situation in the Middle East. During the second half of the 1940s, Armenian communities in Syria, Lebanon, and Greece were significantly affected by the repatriation movement. This led to sharp internal political divisions within these communities. As a result, Homenetmen chapters in the Middle East were also shaken. However, they eventually regained their vitality and energy. 

This decade also marks the dominance of Homenetmen Football Clubs in Syria and Lebanon. In both countries, Homenetmen clubs repeatedly won national championships, creating a strong sporting legacy. In 1947, the official opening of the renowned Navasartian Stadium in Aleppo took place, with Tro, the national hero, attending the ceremony.

Meanwhile, new Homenetmen chapters were established, especially in the Middle East.

The geographic expansion of Homenetmen chapters during this decade is as follows:

• Syria - Tell Brak (1945), Ain al-Arous (1947), Kessab (1948), Ar Raqqah (1950)

• Lebanon - Chtaura (1941), Anjar (1948), Hadath (1949), Jounieh (1950)

• Iraq - Baghdad (1949)

• Greece - Nea Smyrni, Athens, and Carea Kaisariani (1950)

Regression throughout the Americas, progression in the Middle East

During the 1930s, the Great Depression in the United States took a heavy toll on Homenetmen Chapters across the U.S. and the American continent, severely weakening them. Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, two Homenetmen Regional Assemblies were held in Syria and Lebanon in 1929 and 1931, respectively. These assemblies sparked a new wave of organizational growth throughout the Middle East.

The enthusiasm generated by Homenetmen chapters in Beirut, Zahle, Aleppo, and Damascus was contagious. Soon, Armenian communities from other cities across Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine were demanding that new chapters be established in their areas as well.

This call, driven by youth displaced from their homeland yet dedicated to preserving their national identity, was met with a strong response. Eleven new Homenetmen chapters were established in Syria alone, and several others followed in Palestine and Jordan.

The geographic expansion of Homenetmen during this decade unfolded as follows:

• Syria - Qamishli (1931), Tell Abyad (1932), Hasiche, Jarabulus, and A’zaz (1934), Arab Bunar (1935), Ad Darbasiyah (1936), Ain Diwar, Deir ez-Zor, and Ras al-Ayn (1937), Derik (1938)

• Lebanon - Bourj Hamoud and Riyak (1935)

• Palestine - Jerusalem (1935), Haifa and Jaffa (1937)

• Jordan - Amman (1937)

• Greece - Amorgos, Tamboura, and Heraklion (1931).

The highlight of the decade was the inter-chapter Easter games and parades organized annually in Aleppo. These events were impressive and unforgettable for anyone who attended. Initially organized in 1927 with only a few hundred spectators, the games soon grew into large-scale sports festivals attended by over forty thousand Armenians, including prominent national figures such as Hagop Oshagan, Shavarsh Missakian, Simon Vratsian, and Tro.

The excitement generated by these grand events spread far beyond Homenetmen chapters in the Middle East, reaching Homenetmen in Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, and Persia. These future events hosted football and basketball teams from these countries’ Homenetmen chapters, further enhancing the glory of the games.

Over the course of 45 years, 35 inter-chapter events were organized during Easter weekends. The games were held in Aleppo 28 times, in Beirut 6 times, and once in both cities simultaneously.

The 35th and final game took place in 1972 in Beirut, under the patronage of President Sleiman Frangieh, with the participation of Lebanon’s political elite.

Meanwhile, in Greece, Homenetmen athlete Yeghpayr Aram Arakelian carried the Olympic torch at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. As the only Armenian ever to carry the Olympic torch, Yeghpayr Arakelian was honored for his dedicated service to Greek sports.

Homenetmen was dissolved in Turkey and reestablished in the Armenian Diaspora.

Between 1918 and 1921, Homenetmen operated from Constantinople and the provinces of the Ottoman Empire. On September 16, 1922, due to the political situation of the time, Homenetmen was officially dissolved in Turkey. However, the organization continued to grow and thrive elsewhere.

The decade from 1920 to 1930 saw the remarkable spread and growth of Homenetmen’s ideology and operations worldwide, from the Middle East to Europe and the Americas.

Homenetmen’s movement spread from one Armenian community to the next, with over fifty new chapters being established within a few years. Some were short-lived, but most continue to thrive to this day.

The chapters established during this decade are listed below, based on their geographic distribution:

• Lebanon - Beirut (1924), Zahle (1927),Tripoli (1929), and Baalback (1930)

• Syria - Aleppo (1925), Damascus (1925), Latakia (1926), Homs (1930)

• Cyprus - Larnaca (1927)

• Greece - Fix-Syngrou, Kokkinia, Liazma (1924), Midili and Dede Agaj (1927), Thessaloniki (1928), Kavala (1929)

• Bulgaria - Plovdiv and Ruscuk (1921), Sofia (1922), Sliven (1923), Tatar Pazarcik, Stara Zagora, and Burgas (1924), Shumen and Haskovo (1925), Aytos (1930)

• Romania - Bucharest, Silistra, Pazardzhik (now Dobrich) and Constanze (1922), Galaz Strunka, Gherla, and Kishinev (1925)

• Central Europe: Paris (1920), Lyon, Marseille and surrounding areas (1924), Valence, Brussels, and Vienna (1925)

• Americas: New York (1921), Philadelphia and Boston (1922), Providence (1923), Mexico city (1925), Buenos Aires and Montevideo (1927)

By this time, spreading the mission and ideology of Homenetmen became just as important. Several scouting magazines and publications were being regularly published, including “Hai Scout” and “Hai Ari” (“Armenian Scout”) in France, “Ari” (“Scout”) in Bucharest, “Marzig” (“Sportsman”) and “Hye Scout” (“Armenian Scout”) in Sofia, “Nor Serount” (“New Generation”) in Greece, and “Gaydzag” (“Lightning”) in Egypt.

Meanwhile, behind the “Iron Curtain,” in 1927, Vahan Cheraz, one of Homenetmen’s first generation pioneers and a dedicated founder, was executed.

A publication is created, a nation is slaughtered, and an organization is created, “rising from the dark tombs”. These are the events that define the second decade of the 20th century as a historically decisive era for Homenetmen.

At the beginning of the decade, in February 1911, Shavarsh Krissian, a well-known athlete and sports trainer, founded the first Armenian sports magazine, “Marmnamarz” (“Sports”). He developed the publication into a platform advocating for the fulfillment of his dream of uniting all Armenian sports clubs and teams under one common flag and organizing the Armenian Olympics Games.

The first Armenian Olympic Games were held in May 1, 1911. They became an annual tradition and were organized again in June 3, 1912 and June 16, 1913. The third games were presided over by Komitas Vartabed, the father of Armenian music, who also conducted the award ceremony. The fourth games, scheduled for June 1, 1914, were halted due to the outbreak of World War I.

With the outbreak of the Armenian Genocide, Shavarsh Krissian was arrested on the night of April 24, 1915. He did not live to see the fulfillment of his dream. He was exiled into the desert and then martyred.

From the horrors of the Genocide, a new organization was born, baptized with the blood of the martyrs and given the name of Homenetmen. Its mission was to serve the Armenian people.

Hai Marmnakertakan Enthanur Miyutyun – Homenetmen was officially founded in November 1918 with the goal of preparing the next generation of Armenians with a solid physical and moral education. This new generation, having survived the Genocide, would be the one to resurrect the nation and make it stronger than ever.

Homenetmen played a pivotal role in supporting the efforts of Armenia’s independence. The organization assisted survivors of the Armenian Genocide – orphans and displaced individuals facing starvation – and contributed to national fundraising efforts. It also supported the Armenian Army. In 1919, Homenetmen became a member of the National Relief Committee founded in Constantinople.

On April 18, 1920, Homenetmen celebrated the first-ever Armenian Scouts Day in the First Republic of Armenia.

In 1919, the Navasartian Games, later known as the Homenetmen Olympics, were revived in Constantinople. They were held on August 31, 1919, under the auspices of Patriarch Zaven Der Yeghiaian, Head of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Turkey. On September 5, 1920, the first Pan-Armenian Olympics were organized, presided over by B. Tahtajian, a representative of the newly independent Republic of Armenia. The second and third Navasartian Games took place on October 2, 1921 and August 27, 1922, respectively. 

Far from Constantinople and Yerevan, on the banks of the Nile, with the encouragement of Shavarsh Krisian, “Gamk” Armenian Sports organization was established in Alexandria, Egypt. After Homenetmen developed into a worldwide Armenian organization, Gamk became an independent unit of Homenetmen. In 1914, the “Ararat Sports Club” was founded in Cairo, now known as “Homenetmen Ararat.”