Homenetmen (Armenian: Հ.Մ.Ը.Մ., pronounced [ˈhomɛnetmɛn], short for Armenian: Հայ Մարմնակրթական Ընդհանուր Միութիւն, meaning 'Armenian General Union of Body Culture') is a pan-Armenian diaspora organization devoted to sport and Scouting. The motto of Homenetmen is "Elevate Yourself and Elevate Others with You" (Armenian: Բարձրացի՛ր, Բարձրացո՛ւր, Partsratsir Partsratsour).
Contents |
Homenetmen was founded in 1918 in Constantinople by Shavarsh Krisian, Hovhannes Hintliyan, and Krikor Hagopian.[1] The first Homenetmen Executive Committee was formed on December 16, 1918. Four Homenetmen chapters were soon opened in various Constantinople neighborhoods.
On July 20, 1920, the founding members of Homenetmen were officially invited to the independent Democratic Republic of Armenia to share expertise regarding athleticism and Scouting with the Republic's government. The Homenetmen Executive Committee sent Vahan Cheraz, Dikran Khoyan, and Onig Yazmajian to the meeting. Although initially successful in their efforts to spread Homenetmen’s athletic and Scouting movement within Armenia, Homenetmen later was banned from Armenia after change of regime and the establishment of Armenian SSR in 1921. In 1922, the Homenetmen chapters in Constantinople were forced to close their doors, with the organization's leaders dispersing throughout the world.
Homenetmen has established various chapters in the Armenian diaspora including in many cities in the Middle East, Europe, United States, Canada, South America and Australia.
Almost all chapters established have activities in Scouting and sports. The mission of Homenetmen is to prepare physically strong Armenians and exemplary citizens with the highest intellectual and spiritual virtues:
Homenetmen's objectives are realized by Scouting, general physical education and sports, lectures, seminars and public activities, publications, clubs, gymnasia and sports facilities.
The biggest number of adherents to Homenetmen are the Scouts, male and female. Most of the Homenetmen Scout groups are also integrated in the national Scout or Guide organizations of their host countries. In many chapters, there is also a section for music bands.
Homenetmen chapters throughout the world also have well-developed sports activities and programs, with various levels including professional sportsmen and in certain cases, with an active participation in local official championships (particularly in Middle Eastern countries, most notably Lebanon and Syria).
Main sports included within the various Homenetmen programs include:
Although not officially admitted, Homenetmen is widely considered to be affiliated with the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) and is generally considered the sports and Scouting wing of the party in the Armenian diaspora.
Homenetmen has been a pioneer in developing sports publications in the Armenian diaspora. It has its own monthly magazine Marzig published in Beirut, Lebanon, but covering the pan-Armenian worldwide activities of the organization.
Armenia
Australia
Various chapters: Antranig, Ararat, Arax, Gamk, Navasart
Canada
Europe
Middle East
South America:
USA:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||