TEKEYAN CULTURAL ASSOCIATION (TCA) is a cultural-educational organization. 
It was founded in Beirut in 1947. The association was named after Vahan Tekeyan, who is a prominent Western-Armenian poet. The founders of the association are Hrachya Setrakian, Parounag Tovmasian, Kersam Aharonian, Hampartsoum Berberian, Hovsep Yoghlatian, Haigashen Ouzounian, Hagop Kavitian. It functions under the auspices of the Ramkavar Liberal Party. The goal of the association is “to preserve the cultural heritage of the Armenian people”, to establish schools and teach Armenian language, history, literature, religion, art and science, as well as “to prepare national figures and promote students, who will be engaged in Armenian studies”.
The TCA sponsors two Armenian schools (Vahan Tekeyan in Beirut and Arshag Dikranian in Los Angeles), and there are four schools in Armenia, which are named after Vahan Tekeyan (in Yerevan, Gyumri, Stepanavan, village of Karbi in the region.jpg&width=170&height=198)
of Aragatsotn). The wide range of literary and artistic events organized by the association include celebrations dedicated to the 1500th anniversary of the Vardanants War, to the 2750th anniversary of Yerevan, festivals dedicated to the 1000th anniversary of Grigor Narekatsi, Mesropyan and Komitas festivals, artistic contests dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
TCA has branches in Beirut (Lebanon), Aleppo and Damascus (in Syria, it functions under the name of "Tekeyan-Maarri" cultural association), Amman (Jordan), Sydney (Australia), London (England), Buenos Aires (Argentina) and in Toronto, Canada, in a number of US cities. The branches have their local administrations (buildings and centers are located in 12 cities).
Branches functioning in the United States and Canada have their own governing body, called the Central Administration (in Boston). The top management of the TCA is functioning in Beirut and is called the Founders’ Body. There are also educational, literary, art, theatre, publishing, sport, women's groups and committees.
The associations "Armenian art lovers", "Kokanian hall" of Cairo, "Tigran Yerkat " of Alexandria, “Ararat” of Athens and the Armenian Youth Association of Jerusalem also joined TCA.
Since 1956, TCA has been publishing literary journal "Shirak" (Lebanon) and since 1975 — weekly newspapers "Sardarapat" (Argentina) and "Apaga" (Canada). It has radio broadcasting "Tekeyan's voice" and television broadcasting (in Monreal, Toronto, Detroit, Montevideo etc.).
The TCA regularly organizes exhibitions, performances and cultural festivals in Armenian communities of Diaspora. In 1996, the association founded “Haigashen Ouzounian” literary, “Vartkes and Rita Balian” press awards.
On November 3, 1990, the founding congress of the Armenian TCA took place in
Yerevan. The purpose of the ATCA is to support the preservation, development and dissemination of national culture for the survival and progress of the Armenian people. The branches were founded in Gyumri, Goris, Masis and Shushi. Since 1997 Tekeyan Cultural Center has been functioning in Yerevan. The Chairmen of ATCA were composer Vram Grigoryan (1990-93), painter Sukias Torosyan (1993-94), film director Frunze Dovlatyan (1994-97), literary critic Levon Mkrtchyan (1997-99), historian Ruben Mirzakhanyan (since 2003).
ATCA set annual awards to five spheres of culture: literature, music, fine arts, theatre and cinema. TCA’s “Diamond Ararat” medal was awarded to baroness Caroline Cox (England), benefactor Habet Torosyan (US), academician Fadey Sargsyan, duduk player Jivan Gasparyan "for outstanding service in the promotion and development of Armenian culture".
Source — Encyclopedia Armenian Diaspora, Editor-in-Chief Hovhannes Ayvazyan, Armenian Encyclopedia Publishing House, Yerevan, 2003.
Agreement of cooperation was concluded between YSU and RA Ministry of Diaspora.
ARMENIAN PARTICIPATION IN THE LEBANESE LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS DURING THE PRESIDENCY OF EMILE LAHOUD (1998-2007) PART II
