HONG KONG MAY/JUNE 2005

Following on from my visit to Kolkata I then travelled to Hong Kong as part of the pilgrimage to commemorate Sir Catchick Paul Chater. 

The pilgrimage was organised by the Armenian Church in Kolkata.  It included 90+ people from all around the world.  The co-ordination of such a large gathering of people was a magnificent feat of organisation, and all tributes to Sonia John and her secretary Colleen Blanche for their patience and tenacity in dealing with such a huge project.

On the first day, Friday 27th May, a service was held at St. Andrew's church, Kowloon followed by a blessing of Sir Paul's grave.  These ceremonies were carried out by  His Eminence Archbishop Baliozian  Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia and New Zealand; and accompanied by His Grace Bishop Nersessian Primate of the Diocese of Russia. Sixteen students from the Armenian College & Philanthropic Academy Church Choir in Kolkata were also part of the church service . The congregation later proceeded to the Happy Valley Cemetery on Hong Kong Island for the blessing of Sir Catchick's grave.

The next day, Saturday 28th May, was a seminar and we were very lucky to have so many varied international and local speakers.

On the morning of Sunday 29th May it was the turn of the relatives to formally get together and chat amongst themselves and to also talk about their lives and their own individual stories.  I didn't actually manage to get any photos of this family meeting, but I am sure someone will forward some to me, and I will then include them here.

In the afternoon the majority of the relatives were the guests of the Hong Kong Jockey Club and its Deputy Chairman, Mr. John Chan.  Quite by co-incidence the Jockey Club were running the Hong Kong Champions and Chater Cup that afternoon, so it was doubly special for the Chater relatives to be present at the running of this prestigious event.  Our hosts could not have treated us any better, we were made to feel very special that day and their hospitality was most kind and generous.  The food, wine and atmosphere were all being soaked up and relished by Sir Paul's relatives.  I'm sure that had he been there, he'd have enjoyed the races and the company!

Our next event on Monday 29th was something I had personally been looking forward to very much.  The relatives had been invited by Nick Sallnow-Smith the C.E.O. of Hongkong Land Limited to a presentation and talk in the afternoon.  This was held at the American Club on the 47th floor of No. 2 Exchange Square.  We were met by Shirley Woo the Communications Manager for Hongkong Land and along with a number of her staff, she managed to get the whole group up to the top floor without losing any of us!  No sooner had we walked into the lift than we were walking out on floor 47 and what hit me straight away was the fantastic and far reaching views across the harbour to Kowloon and way beyond.  We all stepped out together and quite by co-incidence but in complete unison we all said "Wow! What a view!".

We mingled for 10 minutes or so, had some tea, did introductions and then took out seats for Nick's presentation.  Each seat had a gift package on it which I thought was a really lovely gesture.  The package contained a CD featuring a time line in the history the Central district of Hong Kong - something Sir Paul was instrumental in its development of - as well as a very stylish leather business card holder and a candle holder.

 I guess being a CEO, Nick Sallnow-Smith is more used to presenting to slick city businessmen who probably aren't interested in the view but a profit of some kind from whatever deal they are there to do. So I would imagine it would have been quite refreshing and very different for Nick to have such a bunch of completely non business orientated people as his audience, but who, at the same time, were extremely interested in what he was saying.  Certainly when I looked around the room, everyone was completely enthralled in his talk.  Afterwards more tea and lots of chat and it was all very informal.

The last night we were all together, there was a fabulous dinner at the Royal Garden Hotel and it gave everyone the final opportunity to talk for the last time to everyone on this special trip.

Sightseeing

I stayed on a couple of extra days at the end of the pilgrimage and was lucky enough to have Peter Stuckey (Vice President Royal Asiatic Society) as my very own guide around Hong Kong and Kowloon.  Towards the end of one of our days, we visited the site of what was Marble Hall and I found some interesting relics.

Below, the press release issued by His Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia and New Zealand
 

PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia & New Zealand
10 Macquarie Street
Chatswood NSW 2067
AUSTRALIA
Contact: Laura Artinian
Tel: (02) 9419-8056
Fax: (02) 9904-8446
Email: armenian@idx.com.au


7 June 2005


ARMENIAN PILGRIMS IN HONG KONG

Sydney, Australia - With the fatherly blessing of His Holiness Karekin
II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, the Armenian Church
Committee of Calcutta, headed by Mrs Sonia John, organised a week of
events from 26 May-1 June to honour the memory of Sir Catchik Paul Chater, an
Indian-born Armenian, considered to be one of the founding fathers of
Hong Kong having made a major contribution to its development in the 19th and
early 20th century. A group of some 100 pilgrims including about 30 of
Chater's descendants from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and
Australia, as well as a number of distinguished guests attended the
pilgrimage that coincided with the centenary anniversary of St Andrew's
Church in Kowloon constructed with a large donation installed by Sir
Catchik.

Among the invited guest list was His Eminence Archbishop Aghan
Baliozian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia and New
Zealand; His Grace Bishop Yesraz Nersessian, Primtate of the Diocese of Russia;
Dr Richard Hovannisian, Dr Kevork Bardakjian and Dr Peter Cowe from the
United States.

The week-long activities commenced with Holy Mass on Friday, 27 May,
2005 presided by His Eminence Archbishop Baliozian and accompanied by His
Grace Bishop Nersessian. Sixteen students from the Armenian College &
Philanthropic Academy Church Choir in Calcutta partook in the church
service that was followed by a memorial luncheon. The congregation later
proceeded to the Happy Valley Cemetery on Hong Kong Island for the blessing of Sir
Catchik's grave.

On the following day, a seminar was held at Kimberley Hotel where
international and local guest speakers including Archbishop Aghan
Baliozian addressed the pilgrims on various topics relating to Sir Catchik Paul
Chater's life and his spirit of philanthropy. Later that same
afternoon, there was an open discussion with the panellists and a presentation of a
film on the life of Sir Catchik Paul Chater produced by Henrik
Terchonian, a former student of the Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy and
Awardee of the Sir Catchik Paul Chater.

On the morning of 29 May, there was opportunity for guests and pilgrims
to meet the descendants of the Chater family. In the afternoon, Mrs Sonia
John addressed the pilgrims on the Armenians of India organised by the Royal
Asiatic Society.

The activities over the week incorporated tours of Hong Kong city to
view places of Sir Chater's interests; a cultural performance by the 'Nane'
dance ensemble from Armenia and students of the Armenian College and
Philanthropic Academy in Calcutta; the launching of Liz Chater's biography on Sir
Catchik Paul Chater entitled "A Prominent Armenian From Calcutta and the Grand
Old Man of Hong Kong" and Henrik Terchonian's book entitled "Life & Times of
Sir Catchik Paul Chater"; and a banquet dinner that concluded the
commemorative event.

Ms Liz Chater who compiled the genealogical history of the Chater family
was instrumental in gathering the descendants from around the globe for this
auspicious occasion. Also actively involved in the local organisation of
the memorial events were long time residents Mr and Mrs Jack and Julie
Maxian.

Also present among the pilgrims were Principals and student
representatives from La Martiniere School in Calcutta, Sir Catchik Chater's alma mater.
When the School was facing financial crisis and the prospect of shutting
down, Sir Chatchik provided financial assistance to keep the School
afloat. To this day, the students remember their benefactor in the daily School
Prayer.

Sir Catchik Paul Chater's legacy in Hong Kong is well documented however
it is his connection with the Armenian Community of Calcutta, India that
initiated this tribute. Sir Catchik bequeathed a considerable sum of
money in his will to the Armenian Church in Calcutta, a legacy that continues
to help maintain the upkeep of numerous Armenian institutions and
facilities in India today.

Sir Catchik Paul Chater (1846-1926) was revered in a manner befitting
his greatness in the pilgrimage that was entitled "Magnificent Man of All
Seasons".