#orchide

Աշխեն Հովակիմյան
Ashkhen Hovakimian

Anglicised toAgnes Joaquim. She was an Armenian woman who bred the world’s first cultivated orchid hybrid, Vanda ‘Miss Joaquim’. This flower was chosen on 15th april 1981 as the national flower of Singapore, for it’s resilence and year-round blooming quality, ment to represent Singapore’s uniqueness and hybrid culture. Joaquim was inducted in the Singapore Women’s Hall of Fame in 2015.

Ashkhen was the eldest daughter to Basil, her father who was an Armenain merchant and commercial agent and her mother Urelia, also an Armenian who was an avid gardener. Ashkhen joined in with her mothers interests as well as being an active member of the Armenian Church. She was also a very skilled embroiderer.

Agnes lived a very short life, dying only at the age of forty five. She managed to achieve very much in her short life. Winning prizes annualy at flower shows and won the prize of the rarest orchid at the 1899 annual flower show. Shortly after she died from cancer. Her flower was used as symbols for various organizations, societys and political parties. In april 1981 came the ultimate honour, from from forty contenders, her flower was selected as the national flower of Singapore.

Her family members were also highly successful. Narcis street in Singapore is named after her brother Nerses. Her Brothers Jonathan and Robert were well known barristers and founders of the legal Company Braddel Brothers. Another brother of hers Arathoon was the Deputy registrar of the Hacnkey Carriges Department. Ashkhens grandniece also cultivated famous flowers. Also Ashkhens maternal grandfather was the first member of the Singapore Chamber of Commerce, They are all a small part of the unique Armenian community of Singapore.