Keghart Contributions Reach One-third of Target

Berge Minassian MD, Toronto, 17 October 2016

A week ago, in a call-to-action article titled 'YOU Can Bring Back Keghart', I appealed to Keghart readers to raise the funds needed to revive the unique website. The much admired website had said farewell principally because its publisher/editor team could no longer continue the work. For many months they had scoured our Diaspora for a suitable successor, but could not find anyone able or willing to take on the tasks essentially without pay.  As such, Keghart, one of the few independent Armenian voices went into dormancy and was heading into the annals of Armenian publishing history, essentially for lack of funding.

The unequaled quality of Keghart, the obvious love for it by everyone I knew who read it, and the effusion of regret and affection following Publisher Dikran Abrahamian's 'Adieu' article led me to believe that Keghart could be saved, and this by its readers alone.  After consultations I had estimated that the cost to publish Keghart just the way it had been were US $60,000 per year, the bulk of which would cover the salary of its publisher/editor person or pair.  I asked the readership to pledge what they can for one year so we could see if the readership could generate the sum.  Forty-three people pledged for a total of $19,050.

Berge Minassian MD, Toronto, 17 October 2016

A week ago, in a call-to-action article titled 'YOU Can Bring Back Keghart', I appealed to Keghart readers to raise the funds needed to revive the unique website. The much admired website had said farewell principally because its publisher/editor team could no longer continue the work. For many months they had scoured our Diaspora for a suitable successor, but could not find anyone able or willing to take on the tasks essentially without pay.  As such, Keghart, one of the few independent Armenian voices went into dormancy and was heading into the annals of Armenian publishing history, essentially for lack of funding.

The unequaled quality of Keghart, the obvious love for it by everyone I knew who read it, and the effusion of regret and affection following Publisher Dikran Abrahamian's 'Adieu' article led me to believe that Keghart could be saved, and this by its readers alone.  After consultations I had estimated that the cost to publish Keghart just the way it had been were US $60,000 per year, the bulk of which would cover the salary of its publisher/editor person or pair.  I asked the readership to pledge what they can for one year so we could see if the readership could generate the sum.  Forty-three people pledged for a total of $19,050.

Almost everyone who pledged also added a heartwarming comment directed to Keghart and its team and how they so want Keghart to continue.  I was tempted to include some of these comments here, but will not do so as not to distract from the practical points.  I urge people to place their comments below this article.

Some contributors raised important points about the future governance of Keghart.  Some of these points are in the comments under my earlier article, others were sent to me privately.  The latter I will bring up to Dr. Abrahamian.  I would like readers to know that the effort on my part was only towards seeing whether we can cover Keghart's expenses.  All those interested in issues pertaining to a future Keghart board, the transition process, selection of the next publisher/editor, and mechanics of how the new Keghart would function should insert a comment and/or contact Dr. Abrahamian or me.  Keghart II will be spawned from Keghart I.  While Dr. Abrahamian indicated he is not able to lead Keghart II, I know that he will play the necessary role in facilitating the transition.  Our purpose now is to see whether we can generate the requisite financial sustenance of Keghart II.

So, dear Keghart fans, we are approximately one-third of the way there.  Please note that only 43 people responded to the appeal.  I am sure we can make it all the way to $60,000.  Let us not accept the misfortune of Keghart's passing.  Let us make our own fortune.  I urge all of you who already pledged to multiply your contribution.  I ask all of you who have not yet pledged to do so, and pledge as high as you can.  I am happy to continue to gather the data at [email protected]