Armenian Studies Book Collection

Andrew Kzirian Donates Armenian Studies Book Collection to Our Mesrob G. Boyajian Research Library

Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian shares a few highlights of the nearly 2,000 books on Armenian Studies collected over a lifetime by Andrew Kzirian and generously donated to our Mesrob G. Boyajian Library last year.

A native of Philadelphia, Mr. Kzirian has been a lifelong activist in the Armenian community. He credits his family and community for inspiring him to be an advocate for Armenian issues. In particular, his late mother Sara Yasaian Kzirian helped instill in him a feeling of pride in his heritage.

Mr. Kzirian received his bachelor’s degree in education from Temple University and his master’s degree in near eastern history and Armenian Studies from UCLA.

He started his career as an educator, first as an instructor at Bucks County Community College, as the first principal at Hovnanian Armenian School and director of the Armenian Bilingual Project for the Watertown School Department. He went on to pursue a successful career in sales, including Interstate Lift, the family business.

Mr. Kzirian spent a memorable summer as director of Camp Haiastan and wrote numerous articles. He was invited by the Armenian Committee for Cultural Relations to attend a summer institute for Armenian teachers from the Diaspora. He was also awarded a scholarship by the Armenian Relief Society to study Armenian at the Nishan Palandjian Djemaran in Beirut.

A highlight of his involvement in Armenian activities was being selected as a World Delegate to attend the World Assembly at the Holy See of Cilicia in Antelias. He was given the Vahan Cardashian Award by the Armenian National Committee in 2021.

Mr. Kzirian lives in New Jersey with his wife, Madonna, and is the proud father of Antranig and Jim Kzirian.

The Treasures from Our Collection video series is generously sponsored by Michele M. Kolligian, President of the Museum’s Board of Trustees, and it offers a rare glimpse into our collection with an emphasis on objects and artifacts that are not currently on display.