OCTOBER 14, 2017 Mirror-SpeTHE ARMENIAN ctator Volume LXXXVIII, NO. 13, Issue 4507 $ 2.00 NEWS The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 INBRIEF Armenia and Italian Firm Sets Up Pizza Factory in Kapan Germany Celebrate YEREVAN (Armenpress) — An Italian investor is opening a frozen pizza factory in Kapan, which will Quarter Century have 30 to 100 employees, the governor of Syunik Vahe Hakobyan said at a press conference on Of Diplomatic Ties Monday, October 9. Nicola Di Mauro initially wanted to open the fac- tory in Yerevan, but later decided on Kapan, citing By Muriel Mirak-Weissbach the local authorities’ willingness to make smooth Special to the Mirror-Spectator the process. All of the employees will be from Armenia, BERLIN — What a night for a party! according to the governor. Though not of the same magnitude as the “They will start from 200,000 pieces a month hurricanes that recently ravaged several and gradually reach half a million a month, with 12 states and Puerto Rico, the storm winds kinds of pizzas,” he said. and rain that swept across northern Di Mauro arrived Rome and spoke to reporters. CYSCA Media Panel from left, Dr. Rosemarie J. Conforti, Siranoush Galstyan, Armine Germany on October 5 were hefty enough “I’ve worked on a new project in Syunik for the Khloyan, Anahit Khachatryan, Shushanik Ohanyan, Nina Ganjalyan, and Lusine Grigoryan to interrupt all rail transportation into past year and a half. The pizzas will be exported to Berlin and to paralyze subway and streetcar the Eurasian market. The semi-finished pizza will traffic in the nation’s capital. As I was one be prepared in an Italian style, however with exclu- CYSCA Panel Explores Media of the many hundreds of people stranded by sively local products,” he said. the storm, I unfortunately could not reach “We tried to minimize the automation of our pro- Literacy in Armenia at NAASR Berlin and, sadly, missed the festivities at duction in order to create more jobs. Qualified per- the Brandenburg Federal State Agency sonnel will work in the factory,” Di Mauro said. BELMONT, Mass. — On October 5, a panel discussion there to celebrate 25 years of diplomatic His total investment is $300,000. By Aram Arkun titled “Expanding Inclusion of Media Literacy in relations between the Republic of Armenia and Germany. But the storm did not damp- Mirror-Spectator Staff Education in Armenia: Challenges and Opportunities” Ambassador Meets showcased a delegation of Armenian educators and en spirits at the gathering. media specialists at the National Association for By all accounts, it was a wonderful celebra- With Armenian Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) headquarters. The event was hosted by the tion. Ambassador Ashot Smbatyan, who Cambridge-Yerevan Sister City Association (CYSCA) and NAASR/Calouste Gulbenkian together with Brandenburg’s Minister- Community in Aleppo Foundation Lecture Series on Contemporary Armenian Issues. President Dr. Dietmar Woidke, hosted the cer- ALEPPO (Armenpress) — Armenian Ambassador After NAASR Director of Academic Affairs Marc Mamigonian welcomed the audi- emony, welcomed the numerous guests for an to Syria Arshak Poladyan visited Aleppo on ence, and CYSCA Program Director Alisa Stepanian provided general information, evening of celebration, reflection and antici- October 4-7. each speaker introduced herself briefly. The five specialists from Armenia were pation of future developments. Music and art The ambassador met with Aleppo provincial accompanied by a facilitator, Anahit Khachatryan, who currently is also project framed the event, along with a fine cuisine. authorities, the Armenian Foreign Ministry management specialist for the United States Agency for International Development “Twenty-five years ago the Republic of announced. (USAID) in Armenia, and is the initiator of the US trip project. Khachatryan ably Armenia and the Federal Republic of On October 4, Poladyan visited the Armenian and quickly interpreted from Armenian to English for the audience, and the other Germany established diplomatic relations — Consulate General during which Consul General way around for the panelists who were not fluent in English. again,” said Rosa Eisen in her program Armen Sargsyan presented the main aims of the con- see CYSCA, page 10 notes. “Again,” because the two countries sulate’s activity. On October 5, Poladyan met with had in fact had relations in the brief period Aleppo Governor Hussein Diab during which the latter between 1918 and 1920, of the Armenian introduced the material damages caused to the city dur- Republic. The first Armenian ambassador to ing the military operations, as well as the current situa- Germany during those two years, she Prime Minister Karapetyan tion in the spheres of economy, production, urban explained, was James Greenfield. Then, in development, infrastructures and services. the wake of the October Revolution and the Diab also touched upon the implementation of establishment of the Soviet Union, a new Visits Iran for Talks certain reconstruction projects of the city. The era began. In 1992, following independence, sides discussed the prospects of Armenia’s partici- Armenia therefore re-established these, TEHRAN (Combined sources) — had sincere dialogue and productive talks. pation in these projects, as well as boosting bilat- among many other, bilateral relations. Armenian Prime Minister Karen We are convinced there is great potential to eral cooperation. Diab praised the role of the Karapetyan visited Iran on October 9 and develop bilateral economic cooperation. A Quarter Century of Shared Armenian community in the city’s economic, cul- 10, during which he discussed strengthen- Today Iran imports numerous goods from History tural and public life. He praised Armenia’s balanced ing economic ties with Iran. different countries that are produced also stance on the Syrian crisis. Eisen is a most appropriate person to talk Karapetyan noted that productive and in Armenia. We can give new impetus to On the same day Poladyan met with the about this history, because, as she recount- constructive talks were held with the mutually beneficial relations by putting Armenian community representatives in the St. ed, “I am also a former Soviet citizen,” one authorities of Iran that can give new impe- into operation the free trade zone in Mary Church. He told the audience that from the see GERMANY, page 5 tus to bilateral economic cooperation and Meghri,” he said. very start of the Syrian crisis Armenia’s high-rank- boost the volume of trade turnover. “We see IRAN, page 3 ing leadership made a decision to maintain Armenian diplomatic representations in Syria and support Syrian-Armenians as much as possible. ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR 85TH ANNIVERSARY Anaïde Nahikian: Maximizing Help INSIDE On Frontlines around the World CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — We are all too familiar with the sight of brave men and women respond- All Rise, ing in the aftermaths of tragedies, be they the result of wars, genocides or natural disasters. What is seldom thought about is the exact ways these responders use their resources and how these can be maximized. Detroit One person, in fact, does just that. Meet Anaïde Nahikian, leader of the Advanced Training Program on By Alin K. Gregorian Page 7 Humanitarian Action (ATHA) at Harvard University, Mirror-Spectator Staff where she and her research and development group try to provide ways to help the helpers, so to speak. In a recent interview, she detailed the many facets of her work which involves responsive INDEX research, humanitarian negotiation, strategizing to protect civilians, and looking into trends and Arts and Living ...... 13 challenges for specific areas- all of which relief workers can use to improve efficacy. Armenia ...... 2,3 Nahikian leads research missions and global engagement with practitioners across the Middle Community News...... 6 East, North Africa, Asia, and Europe. As a result, on any given week, she will be in Jordan, Ghana, Editorial ...... 18 Korea or Switzerland, conducting field research in “de-escalation zones” to help those aiming to International ...... 4,5 work in hot zones. see NAHIKIAN, page 12 2 S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 1 4 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia

President of Artsakh Meets with Delegation From AMA A STEPANAKERT — On September 19, Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan met with the del- egation of the Armenian Missionary Association of America led by Zaven Khanjian, Executive Director/CEO of the Association at the Artsakh Republic’s Permanent Representation Headquarters in Yerevan, Armenia. At the meeting a number of issues related to the implementation of various projects in Artsakh were discussed. For the services provided to the Republic of Artsakh and on the occasion of the 100th anniver- sary of the Association, President Sahakyan handed Zaven Khanjian the Medal of Gratitude for the Association, expressing hope that the cooperation between the Armenian Missionary Association of Young activists mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in Yerevan, America and Artsakh will maintain its positive dynamics. AMAA Board of Directors President, Dr. Nazareth Darakjian stated: “That is great news that should make all Armenian Evangelicals proud. Artsakh is Armenia Set to Finally Pass Law the fruit of great sacrifice contributed by Armenians all around the world and we are happy that the AMAA has shared in that sacrifice and deserved this Against Domestic Violence honor today.” AMAA Executive Director/CEO, Zaven Khanjian remarked: “The gracious recognition expressed by YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — After years for 20 years. “I was pregnant when Armenian Ministry of Justice. the heroic people of Artsakh through a medal of grat- of foot-dragging and indecision, the he once kicked me and I fell from my The ministry invited non-govern- itude presented to the Armenian Missionary Armenian authorities plan to enact bed,” she said, adding that she now mental organizations supporting and Association of America on its Centennial by soon a special law aimed at combat- suffers from chronic health problems. opposing tougher government action President Bako Sahakyan humbles us and forges our ting domestic violence and helping The woman, who did not want to against domestic violence to publicly collective resolve to continue our Christ centered its predominantly female victims. be identified for fear of further vio- present their arguments. The meet- decades long service in the Artsakh Republic.” Violence against women had for lence, said she has not divorced him ing descended into chaos as the two decades been a taboo subject in the because she cannot support their sides bitterly argued over the wisdom socially conservative and male-domi- three children on her own and does of the proposed legislation. nated Armenian society. It has been not want to upset her parents. “I was Representatives of several mostly Armenian Premier, receiving growing publicity in recent probably not very strong,” she added. obscure groups vehemently objecting Experts from MIT years thanks to the activities of “But the main factor was the honor to the government initiative stood by women’s rights groups backed by of my parents.” their claims that the West and the Discuss Gyumri’s international human rights watch- The Justice Ministry posted the European Union in particular are dogs. proposed law against domestic vio- forcing Armenia to enact the bill in Development According to the Yerevan-based lence on its website over two weeks order to weaken Armenian families. GYUMRI (Armenpress) — Prime Minister of Women’s Resource Center, more ago to receive feedback from civic One of them, Hayk Nahapetian, ques- Armenia Karen Karapetyan received on October 5 than 50 Armenian women have been groups and ordinary citizens. The lat- tioned official statistics showing that Dean of the School of Architecture and Planning of beaten to death and killed otherwise ter were encouraged to vote for or more than 50 Armenian women have Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Hashim by their husbands or other relatives against its passage. More than 560 been beaten to death and killed oth- Sarkis and expert in urban planning Brent Ryan. in the last five years. “This trend website visitors have backed the bill erwise by their husbands or other rel- Cooperation prospects for the development of shows no signs of decline,” said a rep- while 505 others have opposed it atives in the last five years. The scale Gyumri were discussed at the meeting. resentative of the group, Anahit since then. of the problem is grossly exaggerated MIT’s experts noted that they arrived in Armenia Simonian. “I think this is a very seri- The almost evenly split vote high- by pro-Western civic groups, he on a visit at the invitation of Tumo Center for ous number and this process [of lights many Armenians’ enduring claimed. Creative Technologies to get acquainted with the enacting a law] must not drag on fur- conservative views on the subject Ajapahian disagreed. “Even if there capacities of Gyumri and for developing innovative ther.” that are backed by some nationalist is some foreign intervention or a approaches aimed at fostering the development of the Justice Minister Davit Harutiunian groups and pro-government politi- desire to please some foreign forces … city. expressed serious concern over these cians. They say any government inter- why should we see a non-existent Karapetyan presented his vision for the develop- figures on October 5. “Violence is not ference in family affairs would run conspiracy? I personally don’t see ment of the city, stressing that Gyumri has the poten- the foundation of a real and strong counter to Armenian traditions and any conspiracy,” he said. tial to become one of the draws for Armenia. He Armenian family,” he told a news con- undermine the fabric of the society. “If I have a normal family, if I am a saluted the visit of MIT’s experts to Armenia and sug- ference. This explains why similar legisla- loving father, a loving husband or a gested that the future steps should be discussed Harutiunian said that the tions previously put forward by loving son, if I love and am loved, together with the specialists of the Development Armenian government intends to another government ministry and which article of this law on preven- Foundation of Armenia (DFA) and the Center for tackle the problem with a law drafted women’s NGOs did not even reach tion of domestic violence could harm Strategic Initiatives, underlining that the govern- by the Justice Ministry last year. Both the parliament floor. me?” the archbishop went on. “So do ment is ready for a long-term productive cooperation. he and another senior ministry offi- The non-governmental Coalition not create imaginary monsters, do cial, Gohar Hakobian, expressed hope Against Violence has twice submitted not fight against imaginary monsters, that the bill will be debated and a relevant measure to lawmakers and be tolerant towards each other.” passed by the parliament soon. since 2009. Its coordinator, Zaruhi Ajapahian, whose see is Shirak PM Vows Governmental If passed, the bill will introduce Hovannisian, voiced support for the province, at the same time urged the criminal and administrative liability Justice Ministry bill on Friday. But, Ministry of Justice to “take into Support for IT Sector for specific cases defined as domestic she cautioned, it is even more impor- account and allay” concerns YEREVAN (Armenpress) — During the recent violence. It would also obligate the tant to change attitudes of vulnerable expressed by critics. DigiTech Expo 2017, Prime Minister Karen state to protect victims by providing women. Justice Minister Harutiunian, also Karapetyan noted that information technology (IT) them with special shelters or banning “A person must not tolerate vio- present at the discussion, was at startups often need assistance and that there is a their violent spouses from approach- lence against them,” said pains to disprove their claim that the necessity for establishing business ties, entry to new ing them and even their children. Hovannisian. “They must not get bill paves the way for forcible separa- markets, increasing marketing skills and relevant Women’s rights groups say the used to it.” tions of children from their allegedly Armenian police routinely tell violent parents. “You haven’t even training implementation. Support from Archbishop “Taking to account the above-mentioned, I task the assaulted and injured women to with- read the law,” he told a woman who minister of transportation, communication and infor- draw their crime reports on the A high-ranking clergyman of the continued to claim the opposite. mation technologies, as well as the CEOs of the grounds that they lack legal levers to Armenian Apostolic Church has Unable to convince their oppo- Center of Strategic Initiatives and Development prosecute attackers. Hakobian voiced support for government nents, a visibly irritated Harutiunian Foundation of Armenia to jointly design and present stressed that under the draft law the efforts to combat domestic violence and some civic activists campaigning to the government within one month an action plan police will have to launch a criminal even as they were angrily denounced domestic violence walked of the for development of IT export, business skills and investigation even in case of such a by socially conservative groups on meeting hall moments later. The min- capacities,” Karapetyan said. He added he thought withdrawal. Monday. ister made clear that he remains the country has great potential in the IT sector. A 43-year-old woman in Yerevan The Gyumri-based Archbishop determined to send the bill, strongly interviewed claimed to have suffered Mikael Ajapahian spoke this week backed by women’s rights groups, to physical, sexual and psychological during a heated public discussion in the Armenian parliament for abuse at the hands of her husband Yerevan on the law drafted by the approval. S A T U R D A Y , O C T O B E R 1 4 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 ARMENIA Prime Minister Karapetyan Visits Iran for Talks

IRAN, from page 1 tions, as well as to continue making joint efforts Karapetyan highlighted the cooperation and in a bid to pool our capabilities with a view to involvement in various projects by members of achieving good results,” the prime minister the Armenian community of Iran in Armenia. said. Addressing the representatives of the Karapetyan and Iran’s President Hassan Iranian-Armenian community, he said, “I sug- Rouhani met on October 10 in the Iranian gest you become a strong bridge between Presidential Palace, the press service of the Armenia and Iran not only for patriotic motives, Armenian government noted. Karapetyan but also through profitable business projects. I thanked the president for the warm reception am convinced that there are opportunities to and conveyed the greetings and wishes of implement profitable programs in Armenia, and Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan. my government will support any such under- “Armenia attaches great importance to the taking. I suggest you live in two homes, one warm and friendly relations with Iran which here and the other in Armenia.” have serious historical grounds of centuries and Karapetyan presented the reforms initiated are based on mutual interests. I can state with by the Government of Armenia, stressing that satisfaction that these relations are at a high the steps taken in the economic sphere seek to level, and that bilateral cooperation continues provide equal and favorable conditions for busi- developing in the atmosphere of mutual under- ness. standing,” Karapetyan said. “We have started reforms in all directions, Rouhani expressed confidence that this visit taking into account the results of a compre- will contribute to further deepening the hensive diagnosis. Our goal was to diagnose Armenian Iranian ties in different spheres. He what is particularly hindering the development added that he is ready to assist the initiative of of the economy. In that regard, our programs Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan signs agreements with First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri. the governments of the two countries, as well are aimed at improving the efficiency of gover- as the implementation of joint programs. The nance, the economy, simplifying and improving two sides highlighted deepening and expanding high level of cooperation in the energy sector. the further development of Armenian-Iranian tax and customs administration,” he noted. the cooperation in a number fields, in particu- Both sides agreed that Karapetyan’s visit relations. Karapetyan answered a number questions lar, in energy, agriculture, information technol- would hasten implementing mutually-beneficial “Iran and Armenia enjoy deeply-rooted ties of concerning the development of Armenian- ogy, tourism, the Syunik and Aras free eco- program. The Iranian side is said to be interest- friendship, and our goal is to build on the ongo- Iranian economic cooperation, the programs nomic zones, as well as increasing the trade ed in expanding and deepening ties with ing political and economic cooperation. In the implemented in Armenia, the planned steps and turnover volumes between the two countries. Armenia. face of today’s critical situations, there is a need projects in industry, tourism, transport, educa- Karapetyan highlighted the high level of The participants discussed the expansion of for more consultation with each other, and I tion, science, culture, as well as the settlement Armenian-Iranian political dialogue. The sides the Gas for Electricity Program, the agenda of would like to express my satisfaction with the of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. also discussed the Nagorno Karabakh conflict the upcoming sitting of the intergovernmental current level of parliamentary cooperation. I and regional affairs. Karapetyan said Armenia commission, the Meghri hydropower plant pro- am hopeful that your visit will give new impe- appreciates Iran’s balanced stance on the con- gram and Armenia-Iran-Turkmenistan trilateral tus to bilateral relations,” Larijani said. flict which is an important guarantee of ensur- cooperation. Karapetyan said he had had a very substan- ing regional peace and security. Rouhani con- During the visit Karapetyan met with Iranian tive meeting with the First Vice President of veyed his warm greetings to the Armenian Majlis (Parliament) Speaker Ali Larijani. the Islamic Republic of Iran Eshaq Jahangiri, President and the Armenian people and highly Larijani stressed the need for expanding ties noting that the Armenian side is firmly deter- appreciated the role of the Armenian communi- between the parliaments of the two countries. mined to implement the agreements reached, in ty in development of different spheres of Iran. In this regard, the parties underscored develop- particular, in the economic sphere, which will Karapetyan met with Iranian Oil Minister ing relations between parliamentary friendship give new impetus to bilateral relations. Bijan Zangane and Energy Minister Sattar groups, mutual visits, relations between parlia- Ali Larijani, in turn, underscored that there Mahmoodi. mentary committees and noted that the two is no limit or obstacle to the Armenian-Iranian During the meetings, the parties praised the legislatures’ cooperation might contribute to economic cooperation, and the Iranian parlia- ment is enthusiastic about the expansion of relations. While introducing the program of the free economic zone to be launched in Syunik, Karapetyan stressed the importance of Iranian companies’ active involvement. “I am convinced that we have vast opportu- nities to double and even triple our relations in the economic sphere,” Karapetyan said. Coming to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the interlocutors underlined that it should be Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan settled exclusively through peaceful negotia- tions. Karapetyan also met with representatives of In conclusion, the Prime Minister toured the Armenian community at the Ararat Sports Ararat Sports and Cultural Complex getting and Cultural Complex. He first presented the acquainted with its amenities and opportuni- details and results of the talks held during the ties. official visit. Karapetyan underscored that At the conclusion of his official visit to the Armenia has great potential for economic coop- Islamic Republic of Iran, Karapetyan visited St. eration with Iran, and that there are various Sarkis Cathedral in Tehran, where he was met proposals for its implementation. by the Primate of the Armenian Diocese of “I am convinced that the trilateral coopera- Tehran, Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian and the tion will go a long way towards increasing trade representatives of the Armenian community Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan arrives in Iran turnover. In general, we have agreed with our expressed hope the visit would foster stronger Iranian partners to re-launch our bilateral rela- ties between the two nations.

Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan with First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan meets Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. 4 S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 1 4 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA International News Erdogan’s Attack Backfired, Artifacts from Armenia To Be Displayed In Turkish Writer Says Tehran MPs, 85 mayors, and more than 50,000 others who were TEHRAN (Armenpress) — An estimated 103 detained on coup-related charges. ancient artifacts from Armenia will displayed here By Andrew Rettman “One cannot give up on the people in such a country, October 17 to January 17, 2018, Financial Tribune where there is enormous arbitrariness and despotism,” reports. The artifacts were brought to Iran on Akhanli said. October 3 accompanied by representatives of BRUSSELS (EUobserver) — Turkey’s attempt to silence He thanked two artists’ groups, the Goethe Institute Armenia’s History Museum and were taken to the dissident writer Dogan Akhanli has backfired by giving and PEN International, for helping to pay his living costs National Museum in Tehran. The relics date back to him a bigger platform, he said in a recent interview. in Madrid and his legal fees. the 4th millennium BC to the first century BC. They Akhanli spoke amid Turkey’s attempt to extradite him But he said the EU ought to do more to promote will be displayed at the museum under the banner of from Spain on terrorism charges. democracy in Turkey. “Iran & Armenia: Memory of a Realm.” He is currently stuck in Madrid after Spanish police “He [Erdogan] cannot continue to rule Turkey in the The focus of the event is on those artifacts that arrested him while he was on holiday on the basis of a long term with only the support of the rural population. hint at the civilization of Urartu, the first joint chap- Turkish Interpol request. EU countries should side with the secular, democratic ter of history between Iran and Armenia. He said the “Kafkaesque” process was the latest step in forces, not with the despot,” Akhanli said. The event will take place within the frames of a a campaign that began long ago. Akhanli was born in Turkey, but fled to Germany in memorandum signed between Armenia and Iran on Kafkaesque the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the National 1991 after being persecuted for his views on the Akhanli’s lawyer, Gonzalo Boye, told EUobserver it Museum of Iran. Armenian Genocide and on Turkey’s repression of its Kurdish minority. could take “months” before the Spanish government He also spent four months in a Turkish jail in 2010 decided whether to extradite his client. Armenia to Get $80M after visiting the country. In the meantime, the 60-year old writer has been forced “Turkish power cannot forgive me because I ques- to surrender his passport and must report to authorities From EU for Regional tioned the basic problems of Turkey,” he told this web- every Monday to prove that he is in Madrid. site. His wife has been travelling between Germany and Development The writer said his novels had not made him a celebri- Spain since August to keep him company. YEREVAN (Arka) — The government of Armenia ty. “I’m not a best-seller,” he said. Even if Turkey’s request comes to nothing, it has high- will receive an $80 million assistance from the But he said that “Turkish persecution makes me more lighted the way rogue Interpol members use the interna- European Union to finance the development of com- known year by year and makes my words bigger. It is tional police agency to intimidate their enemies, Boye munities outside the capital, the minister of territor- actually a very stupid policy.” said. ial administration and development David Lokyan He said Turkey’s latest attempt to deprive him of his It has also highlighted Spain’s track record on extradi- told journalists on October 10. According to him, freedom had inspired him to write a new book. tions, he added. the assistance is expected to come after Armenia and “I’m trying to write a report about my political-literary “There is systematic abuse of Interpol by certain coun- the EU sign the Agreement on Comprehensive and journey into the Turkish past, which is also my own tries, but also Spain could have done more - they could Enhanced Partnership on November 20 in Brussels. past,” he told this website from Spain. have rejected it [the Interpol notice],” he said. “Institutional reforms and the external vector of “I will take a very subjective view of my unfinished per- He said Spain had a history of extraditing people with- the Armenian policy will allow to secure a serious secution, but I will also reflect on how to deal with the out due consideration of the merits of their case. flow of funding from the EU, which will be channeled history of violence in German, Spanish, and Turkish soci- The lawyer said Interpol abusers were “jurisdiction into the economic development of the communities,” ety,” he said. shopping” in Europe and that Spain had become “heav- Lokyan said. He added that $26 million of that en” for their attacks. amount will be allocated for the implementation of History of violence “If I were Erdogan and I wanted to grab a Turkish cit- economic programs in the communities, and $54 mil- Akhanli said the Turkish regime had embraced violence izen, wherever he may be, I would wait until that person lion will be used on the development of small and as a means of rule. was passing through Spain before I placed my Interpol medium-sized businesses. He said this lay at the root of its denial of the Armenian notice,” Boye said. He noted that EU’s main requirement is to stream- Genocide in 1915 and of its handling of Kurdish sepa- Interpol reform line the system of control over the revenues and ratism. financial expenses of the communities. He also said the regime’s nationalist ideology created a Turkey has also asked Interpol, the international police “Starting from January 1, 2018, the revenues of dangerous environment. agency, to issue Red Notices on two journalists, Hamza all communities will be controlled tightly to ensure He recalled that Turkish generals “publicly threatened” Yalcin and Can Dundar. the financial independence of the regions,” Lokyan Hrant Dink, a journalist, in 2007 prior to Dink’s murder Azerbaijan, China, Kazakhstan, Iran, and Russia are said. by a nationalist fanatic. likewise said to use its systems to harass political exiles. “Under the Erdogan government, the history of vio- Leading NGOs, such as Fair Trials in the UK, the New lence is not just a story. It is not passive. It is killing peo- York-based Human Rights Watch, and Reporters Without Czech Senator Says His ple before our very eyes,” he said, referring to Turkish Borders in Paris, have urged the police agency to weed president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. out abuse. Government Did Not Sell He said Erdogan’s mass arrests of people accused of The European Parliament in Strasbourg is to debate Weapons to Azerbaijan sympathising with last year’s failed coup, such as the problem with EU officials on Wednesday evening. Ahmet Sik, another journalist, were part of the same Interpol did not reply to EUobserver’s questions in YEREVAN (Arka) — The visiting chairman of the pattern. time for publication. Czech Senate, Milan Stech, denied on October 4 Sik is one of 158 journalists in prison, along with 12 The Spanish interior ministry declined to comment. media reports claiming that his country was selling weapons to Azerbaijan as he spoke during a briefing in the Armenian parliament. Earlier reports in the Czech and Armenian media claimed that Azerbaijan has been acquiring Czech- made weapons. The deal was revealed by the Azerbaijani military itself, through an uploaded Transparency International Calls on CoE to YouTube video that clearly shows modernized ver- sions of old Czechoslovak howitzers and rocket Take Tough Measures against Corruption launchers, now produced by the private industrial company, Czechoslovak Group. STRASBOURG, France (Armenpress) and Corruption Reporting Project and in Belgium, Germany, Italy and “I would like to assure that the Czech government — Transparency International is calling its partners revealed that current and Slovenia, while reports of reputation- did not sell weapons to Azerbaijan, because the for tough anti-corruption measures, former members of PACE allegedly al laundering touch Bulgaria, Czech Czech Republic respects the arms embargo that including sanctions on corrupt mem- received payments to launder the Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, applies to warring countries,” said Stech. He added bers, to restore trust in the image of Azerbaijan abroad,” the orga- Hungary, Russia, Switzerland and the that the Czech authorities do not know how Czech Parliamentary Assembly of the Council nization said in a statement, remind- United Kingdom. Rather than wait for weapons ended up in Azerbaijan. “The Czech gov- of Europe (PACE) in the face of a series ing that on October 6, the president of the independent external body ernment never approved that deal,” he added. of corruption allegations and the resig- PACE, Pedro Agramunt resigned appointed by the Council of Europe to According to some reports in the Czech media, the nation of its president, Armenpress before facing a motion to remove him. finish its investigation into the wrong- path of the arms went through Slovakia, where the reports citing the Transparency Patricia Moreira, managing director doing, authorities in these countries Czechoslovak Group also has factories, and then on International official website. of Transparency International, said should launch their own probes into to Israel before ending up in Azerbaijan. Transparency announced that it the new president of PACE must act the reports of political corruption, in Stech then said that the Czech Republic intends to welcomes this week’s scheduled vote fast against wrongdoing, stating that addition to cooperating fully and intensify economic cooperation with Armenia. by PACE to pass a resolution to it dragged its feet in the past when effectively with this Council of Europe According to him, despite the high-level relations strengthen its anti-corruption rules. this issue first surfaced in 2012. investigation and other such future between the two countries, this is the first official But it called on the organization to “Members and former members of investigations,” Moreira said. visit of the head of the Czech Senate to Armenia. move swiftly on current allegations. the parliamentary assembly who are Transparency International also He noted that a delegation of Czech business peo- “The Council of Europe’s mandate proven to have received questionable called upon the Council of Europe to ple has arrived in Armenia to try to establish and is to uphold and strengthen democra- financial benefits from Azerbaijan establish a permanent investigative develop cooperation. cy and human rights across its 47 should be investigated and eventually office as an effective mechanism to member states. On September 4, prosecuted by their national authori- uncover future reputational launder- investigations by the Organized Crime ties. Politicians have been implicated ing and bribery. S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 1 4 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 INTERNATIONAL Armenia and Germany Celebrate Quarter Century of Diplomatic Ties

GERMANY, from page 1 cornerstones: political relations are nurtured musicians, doctors, lawyers, businessmen, his wish “for all Armenians to live in peace and who was raised in that culture but has lived in through high level visits and contacts in all tradesmen and others” who have helped build security.” Germany, he said, supports negotia- Germany for the past quarter century. As an capacities, including political dialogue between Germany and also transmitted knowledge of tions for a durable solution to the Artsakh cri- artist, she has documented that history in pho- the two parliaments, which contributes to fur- Armenian art and culture here. He mentioned sis, and such a solution requires the efforts of tography, and opened an exhibition of her ther democratic development. He expressed the “Armenian Cultural Days” organized in sev- all social forces, not only of governments. Here works there in the halls of the governments of thanks to Germany for bringing Armenia closer eral cities and especially praised the initiative of he pointed to the massive potential for regional Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, to the EU in the context of the Eastern the German-Armenian Society for having built a development through cooperation, and, citing which runs until October 15. Among the his- Partnership (EaP). stone-cross (Khachkar) in commemoration of the example of Sayat Novat as someone at toric photographs on display are those showing Addressing a central problem, the the genocide victims. home in the whole region, he said he “wished a the two foreign ministers who signed the docu- Ambassador raised the issue of Karabakh new Sayat Novat might travel the entire region ments for renewed relations in 1992, Hans- (Artsakh), “which urgently requires a peaceful Five Wishes from Germany and contribute to the rapprochement of all its Dietrich Genscher and Raffi Hovhannisyan. solution,” one that is acceptable to those living Concluding with personal thanks to the peoples and lands.” Other familiar faces caught by her camera were there. Here thanks were due to Germany in its “quiet diplomats” who organized the evening’s His second wish was for Armenians to live in those of Helmut Kohl and the late Catholicos of capacity as co-chair of the Minsk Group of the program, he gave the floor to State Minister for a state committed to democracy and the rule of All Armenians Karekin I, Levon Ter-Petrosian, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Michael Roth, who picked up and law. Germany is the second largest bilateral Joachim Gauck and Serzh Sargsyan, Robert Europe (OSCE). If Germany has been a reliable developed several of his themes, from the donor after the EU (and before the USA), and Kocharian, Edward Nalbandian, Norbert political partner, it has become crucial also in German standpoint. If in a marriage, he said, has participated in cooperative political devel- Lammert and others. One particularly signifi- economic relations as the most important trade after 25 years one celebrates a silver wedding opment; however, he added, there is much cant photo shows Kohl with the Catholicos, partner in the EU, and has provided technical anniversary, then “reflecting back on 1,000 room for further joint activity on the basis of another captures the historic day when the as well as financial support for infrastructure years of history, we can see there was also a the shared principles of justice, democracy, Bundestag adopted a resolution to recognize press freedom and human rights. He highlight- the Armenian Genocide, in June 2016. She has ed the “impressive achievement” by Armenia in documented the histories of the two countries the refugee crisis, as it has welcomed 20,000 in photographs of historic buildings as well as Syrian refugees. typical landscapes with ancient churches and Thirdly, Roth said he hopes that the partner- mountain ranges. ship between Armenia and the EU will further grow, and fourthly, that cooperation in educa- Armenia’s Experience tion will be expanded. Here he noted that the Following greetings by the head of the State DAAD, which supports Armenian students, has Chancellery, Secretary Thomas Kralinski, granted them 64 scholarships this year. In addi- Ambassador Smbatyan spoke. He opened his tion he noted with pride that more than 30,000 remarks with thanks to all for having accepted young Armenians are studying the German lan- the joint invitation issued together with the guage in the current academic year. Brandenburg State representative. Special Roth concluded with a wish for reconciliation greetings went to Kralinski, Bundestag Vice- between Armenia and Turkey. Here he men- president Bulmahn, State Minister for Europe tioned a project for dialogue sponsored by the Michael Roth, representing the German foreign German foreign ministry, known as “Common ministry, and all other diplomats, parliamentar- Remembrance, Future Relations,” a project that ians and government representatives. brings together members of the younger gener- Recalling the day of Armenia’s independence ation from Germany, Israel, France, Turkey and on September 21, 1991, he said that marked Armenia. Roth has in fact assumed the patron- the opening of one new chapter in Armenia’s age for this project. history; “we seized the historic opportunity,” he As no Armenian or German festivity could said, “and began with the construction of a take place without music, the participants were democratic, free and just society and state- treated to a performance by Koryun Asatryan hood.” Ambassador Ashot Smbatyan, Bundestag Vice President Edelgard Bulmahn, minister of State Roth (saxophone) and Enrique Ugarte (accordion), And despite the “economic difficulties and from the AA, head of the state chancellery of Brandenburg Thomas Kralinski who played Golden Khassene, traditional those in almost every branch of civil society life, Klezmer music, Aram Khachaturian’s Sabre one thing is clear: all Armenians, regardless of Dance and Vittorio Monti’s Csárdás. Asatryan, where destiny has sent them, are happy that the development. He called for increasing trade German-Armenian wedding!” This was the mar- who studied in Yerevan and Cologne, and homeland now is a free and independent coun- relations also through direct investment. riage in 972 in Rome between Otto II of Saxony Ugarte, who comes from the Basque region and try.” Scientific cooperation is also growing, with sup- and Theophanu Sklerina, the niece of the has studied in Munich, are both prize-winning That said, he ventured to discuss the difficul- port for young scientists by German founda- Byzantine Emperor Johannes I. Tzimiskes, who musicians with concert experience in Europe ties facing Armenia in its immediate neighbor- tions, for example, the German Academic was Armenian. And referring to the photogra- and a promising career ahead. hood. Regarding security, which is a priority for Exchange Service (DAAD). Among the 25 phy exhibition, he noted that the “good rela- Bilateral relations are not always easy going, every state, he declared that “the notion that examples of collaboration at the level of higher tions between Armenia and Germany are by no especially in our turbulent times. But ties our neighbors Azerbaijan and Turkey might education, Smbatyan singled out the partner- means only the work of politicians and diplo- between Armenians and Germans, govern- force Armenia to its knees through their 26- ship between the Martin-Luther-Universität in mats; above all they are thanks to the many cit- ments and peoples, politically and culturally, year-long blockade is doomed to failure.” Halle-Wittenberg, which houses the Mesrop izens of both lands.” have endured and prospered, developing into a Recollecting the official signing of diplomatic Center and Chair for Armenian Studies, and the “On the occasion of a jubilee,” Roth said, strong partnership and friendship. Whatever relations between then Foreign Ministers Yerevan State University. Smbatyan then “one is allowed to express a wish. Therefore tempests might be on the horizon, like the one Genscher and Hovhannisyan, Smbatyan said, turned his attention to the Armenian diaspora, today we do not want to look into the past but raging through Berlin that night, the German- Armenia places “an extraordinary priority” on which was very well represented at the event, to cast our gaze to the future.” There are five Armenian relationship has shown it can weath- cooperation with Germany, and listed several and praised the contribution of the “artists, wishes that he shared with the guests. First was er the storm. Fifth Kurdish lawmaker ousted from Turkish Parliament

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan four HDP lawmakers: the party’s former by the government, rejecting the legiti- 24) – The Turkish Parliament on co-leader Figen Yuksekdag, Nursel macy of Konca’s ouster. Tuesday, October 10, in its first legisla- Aydogan of Diyarbakir, Tugba Hezer of Turkey’s leadership accuses the HDP, tive session of the new term, stripped Van, and Faysal Sariyildiz of Sirnak the country’s second-largest opposition Kurdish lawmaker Besime Konca of her provinces. block, of being a political front for the membership over a court ruling that sen- While both Yuksekdag and Aydogan PKK. tenced her to two and a half years of are serving prison sentences along with The PKK has been waging a decades- imprisonment in a “terror-related” trial. eight other lawmakers and their co-leader long guerrilla warfare against the state With the ouster of Konca, the number Selahattin Demirtas, Hezer and Sariyildiz over successive governments’ suppres- of pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party have fled to a European country. sion of Kurdish identity, culture, and (HDP) lawmakers at the 550-seat Turkish A day before Konca’s removal from the demands for self-rule. Parliament fell from 59 to 54. Parliament, HDP lawmakers boycotted The ongoing crackdown on the HDP Police have arrested Konca, a represen- the legislative body’s opening ceremony has seen 80 mayors, along with MPs, and tative for the Kurdish Siirt Province, at attended by President Recep Tayyip thousands of its members arrested since least three times since last year over Erdogan and protested the government last year. alleged propaganda in a speech for a “ter- in front of a prison in the Edirne In May 2016, the Turkish Parliament rorist” organization, the Kurdistan Province where authorities are holding passed a bill proposed by the AKP to Workers’ Party (PKK) in her case. Demirtas. strip lawmakers’ immunity. Konca’s sentencing came in mid-July; HDP labeled the decision against The main opposition Republican however, later the same month, a court Konca and the three other female law- People’s Party (CHP) and the minority decided to release her because of an makers “misogyny” by Erdogan’s ruling block of the far-right Nationalist unjust imprisonment she served between Justice and Development Party (AKP). Movement Party (MHP) supported the 2009 and 2014. A statement by the party also said its bill that until now has disproportionately Besime Konca The Parliament previously kicked out female MPs were “specifically targeted” targeted the HDP. 6 S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 1 4 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Community News

An Ownership Luminaries to Battle in Fast- Attend October 21 AMAA Centennial Growing MRI Banquet Business By Florence Avakian By Jaye Greene TEANECK, N.J. — Four distinguished individ- uals will be at the Armenian Missionary DETROIT (Crain’s Detroit) — The Michigan Association of America (AMAA) Centennial Radiological Society case against for-profit Banquet on Saturday, October 21, at Oakland MRI and business owner Susan Swider Glenpointe Marriott. is all about bringing attention to the state of Dr. Nazareth Darakjian and his wife Dr. Ani Michigan’s lack of enforcement of its corporate Darakjian, and Joyce Philibosian Stein and her practice of medicine laws and shutting down an husband Joe Stein have been dedicated to the allegedly improperly incorporated medical busi- AMAA for decades. Both families are major ness, according to the lawsuit filed last year benefactors of the AMAA’s Centennial against the Troy-based imaging center in Oakland Campaign. County Circuit Court. Dr. Nazareth Darakjian who has served for Based on a variety of state statutes, the cor- the past three years as the President of the porate practice of medicine doctrine was con- AMAA, has been a member of its board for ceived to limit ownership of medical facilities A scene at Innovate Armenia almost two decades. His father and grandfather to licensed physicians or legitimate nonprofit were ministers of the Armenian Evangelical entities, according legal experts. There are Church, and he attends the United Armenian exceptions for nonprofit hospitals and both Congregational Church with his wife, Dr. Ani nonprofit and for-profit nursing homes. Darakjian. Last December 15, Judge Daniel O’Brien of At Innovate Armenia Scholars, Born in Aleppo, Syria, he and his family Oakland County Circuit Court ruled in favor moved to Beirut, Lebanon then to Chicago of Oakland MRI. He said the for-profit imag- Artists Rethink and Reimagine where he finished medical school cum laude at ing center is allowed to operate as a limited Loyola University Medical School of Medicine. liability company and offer diagnostic imag- Identity, Education, Culture He finally settled in Los Angeles, specializing in ing while owned and managed by a non-physi- diseases and surgery of the eyes, and has offices cian. He also found that Swider is not in Hollywood and Pasadena. He is also on the required to be a licensed physician to own the LOS ANGELES (LA Weekly) — Saturday was a day to celebrate the Armenian governing board of the Armenian American MRI center. diaspora in all its multicultural splendor — as USC welcomed Innovate Armenia Museum in Glendale. Now, the case is before the Michigan Court 2017. Very active in the Armenian Evangelical commu- of Appeals. A hearing could be held this fall The day-long festival, now in its third year, sprawled across Alumni Park into nity, he has also served as treasurer of the or early next year, said attorneys for Oakland Bovard Auditorium and the Doheny Library, with some 3,000 people in atten- Merdinian Armenian Evangelical School for many MRI and the Michigan Radiological Society. dance and another 2,000 watching live via Internet feeds. years. He relates that there currently are 15 But O’Brien’s ruling flies in the face of the Scientists, musicians, entrepreneurs, humanitarians and public intellectuals Armenian Evangelical churches in California. opinions of many health care legal and med- spoke with many accents from three stages and a dozen special-interest booths. “Our community is built on the church ical experts, many of whom said laws exist to A century after the genocide, the Armenian diaspora — or spyurk — is 7 mil- whose mission, he says during a telephone con- prohibit the practice of lay businesspeople lion strong, with another 3 million living in ancestral lands that gained inde- versation, is “renewing our faith, understanding owning for-profit medical facilities. pendence from the Soviet Union in 1991. the teachings of the Bible, and reenergizing fel- “If you are a lay, for-profit corporation, you These are exciting times to be Armenian, and looking backward isn’t enough lowship with friends and parishioners. The cannot employ physicians to furnish medical to sustain the community, says festival organizer and USC Institute of church is our second family.” services,” said Mark Kopson, chair of the Armenian Studies director Salpi Ghazarian. “The 21st century is about reimag- The AMAA is the “mission arm of the church. health care practice at Plunkett Cooney in ining and reinventing so many things — community, identity, society, work, It allows us to get out of the four walls of the Bloomfield Hills. “The public policy behind leisure, learning, teaching. Innovate Armenia brings together the best of church and reach out to people and communi- the prohibition against the corporate practice Armenia with the best of the diaspora,” she said. ties that are thousands of miles away. The of medicine is to prevent profit motives of for- That includes Hovig Etyemezian, the Lebanese-Armenian UN human rights AMAA mission is to send humanitarian aid to profit corporations from affecting how med- worker responsible for protecting nearly a million displaced Iraqis returning to needy individuals, support Armenian educa- ical care is delivered.” Mosul after its liberation from ISIS control. tional institutions all over the world, and to Kopson said the appeals court could either It includes Brazilian-Armenian photographer Norair Chahinian, who has help spread the good news of the Gospel rule that the corporate practice of medicine chronicled — through his breathtaking images of abandoned spaces and through our churches and fellowships wherever doctrine does not prohibit lay ownership resilient human spirit — a Turkish Armenia that stubbornly refuses to disappear. they may be.” when licensed physicians provide the actual And it includes Washington Post foreign affairs columnist David Ignatius, who per- The AMAA “has come a long way in its 100- medical services, which would be “a de facto sonifies the diaspora’s hybridity via his Armenian-American father, Anglo-American year history in accomplishing its mission,” Dr. acknowledgment of changes in the health mother, Swedish-American wife, and Cuban-American son-in-law. Darakjian continues. “We are carrying a torch care industry over the past 40 years,” or it Ignatius, Etyemezian and Chahinian were among the 58 speakers who that has come to us from our predecessors, and could uphold the doctrine. engaged festival-goers in a non-stop stream of stimulating conversation. it is our duty to run with it and pass it on to But the court also could “effectively side- An Atmosphere of Unity future generations.” step the entire issue by affirming the trial Dr. Ani Darakjian, the daughter of an court’s ruling that the plaintiff lacked stand- Outside, gyro-style fusion tacos sizzled on open grills, and guests feasted on Armenian Evangelical pastor, also born in ing to challenge the defendant’s operations,” wraps and salads, feta-topped pita-chip nachos and fried dough peroshkis. Aleppo, similarly moved to Beirut, and then to he said. “It’s fun,” said Inessa Vardian, a film student from Glendale Community Chicago where she graduated as a James In its January 4 appeal, the Michigan see INNOVATION, page 9 Scholar with a bachelor’s degree from the Radiological Society, through its attorney University of Illinois. Armed with her medical Christine Derdarian, said: “The trial court degree from Rush Medical College, she moved failed to reference the correct statutes and with her husband to Southern California, and is erred in its conclusion, an interpretation that currently a staff radiologist at the Kaiser resulted in a clear abuse of discretion.” Permanente Medical Center in Los Angeles. Even if ultimately unsuccessful on appeal, The Darakjians have two sons, Haig and Ara. the Oakland MRI case opens a window on an Currently the chairperson of Haigazian unevenly applied law and businesspeople who University’s Board of Directors, she speaks with own and manage for-profit medical facilities. pride about the excellent academic standing of Experts say there could be as many as 500 this famed institution located in Beirut. “There such medical businesses in Michigan in oper- are strict admission and retention standards, ation. and it ranks high in academic placings,” with 40 The Michigan State Medical Society in to 45 percent of the student body Armenian, 2016 issued a statement demanding Michigan and the rest of the students from all faiths and enforce the laws for non-physicians who own ethnic groups. Haigazian also gives post gradu- medical clinics and employ physicians or ate degrees in education, business and psychol- advanced practice nurses. A panel at USC with Salpi Ghazarian, left ogy, she adds. A decision in favor of the radiologists could Calling Haigazian “an oasis of peace” in a tur- spur massive regulatory and enforcement bulent Middle East, she points out that it see MRI, page 7 see AMAA, page 12 S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 1 4 , 2 0 1 7 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R 7 COMMUNITY NEWS TCA Mher Megerdchian Theatrical Group Presents ‘All Rise, Court Is in Session’ in Detroit

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — On October 8, 25 members of the Tekeyan Cultural Association (TCA) Mher Megerdchian Theatrical Group came to Laurence Technological University in Southfield from New York to perform Berj Zeytuntsian’s “All Rise, Court Is in Session” upon the invitation of the Detroit chapter of TCA. This was the third premiere of the play, after New York, Yerevan and Gyumri. The play presents the trial of Soghomon Tehlirian in Berlin in 1921. Tehlirian had shot and killed Talat Pasha, one of the chief archi- tects of the Armenian Genocide. The play was directed by Parisian Gerald Papasian. As he was in Yerevan, by special arrangement Harout Chatmajian in his absence supervised the preparations for the play and the technical work. Harout Barsoumian once again proved his talents in the role of Soghomon. The role of Talat previously was performed by Karnig Nercessian, one of the founders of the acting company, but his untimely death led Harout Takvorian, an experienced and talented actor in his own right, to take over the role. The “three spirits” — Arpi Cankar, Talin Bahian and Talar Zokian — connected the his- torical events of the play. Elizabeth Akian as Mrs. Dittmann, Talin Karagolian as Talat’s wife, and the members of the court—Harout Chatmajian, Shemavon Atamian, Missak Boghosian and Ared Spenjian—are worthy of mention, as are Hacik Sariminasyan as the The TCA Mher Megerdchian Theatrical Group of NY in Detroit, with leaders of the Detroit Armenian community priest, 93-year-old Van native Ohannes

Kartalyan as Dr. Nazim Bey, Roy Bahian as Dr. Several members of the clergy were in the Martin Niepage and Hasan Fehmi, Armenag audience, including Fr. Aren Jebejian of St. John Kurusyan as Henry Morgenthau and Fayez El Armenian Church, as well as representatives of Huseyin, Ashod Spendjian as Otto Liman von various Armenian political parties. Sanders, and Hagop Vartivarian as Dr. The previous night, a special dinner was host- Johannes Lepsius. ed in the latter church in honor of the actors. Marie Zokian and Helen Minasyan worked There, TCA Central Board president Edmond Y. behind the scenes as part of the technical crew, Azadian, TCA Detroit Chapter Chair Diana with Hrach Zokian in charge of sound, Hayg Alexanian, and Megerdchian Theatrical Group Gulian for video and lights, and Onelia Chairman Harout Chatmajian spoke, and later Spendjian as English subtitles operator. Diana the visitors visited the Alex and Marie and Hagop Alexanian from the TCA Detroit Manoogian Museum, where Azadian provided chapter executive were responsible for props extensive information about the exhibits. and furniture. — H. V.

An Ownership Battle in Fast-Growing MRI Business

MRI, from page 6 LARRY PEPLIN PHOTO changes in Michigan and possibly the nation, legal experts said. State laws and past attorney general opinions appear clearly to prohibit the state from issuing corporate documents for limited Executive Director Position liability companies operated by businesspeople for the purposes Manoogian Manor, Livonia, MI of providing medical services under the state public health The Manoogian Manor, founded by Alex and Marie Manoogian, a fully licensed non-profit code, several legal experts facility providing assisted living and personal care services for seniors, is currently taking told Crain’s. resumes for the position of its Executive Director. A 90-bed premier community that has just But attorney Chris Cataldo dis- gone through a major multi-million dollar renovation is known for its outstanding resident care agrees. Cataldo, of Jaffe Raitt programs. Potential candidates should have extensive experience in the industry, having run Heuer & Weiss P.C. in Southfield, similar or larger programs in the past. represents Oakland MRI and Richard Chesbrough, M.D., a retired radiologist who is a con- business owner Swider, a gemolo- sultant in the case against Oakland MRI and Christine • Michigan Assisted Living Administrator’s License will be required. gist by training. Derdarian, attorney for Michigan Radiological Society. • A passion for working with seniors Cataldo also said the state of • College degree BA/BS, preferably in Business Administration, Hospital Michigan granted Oakland MRI a MRI to be organized under the wrong state Administration, Hospitality, or health-related field. certificate of need license for its center 10 years ago. He said owner Swider doesn’t practice statute. She said medical facilities are required • Must have a minimum of three years of executive managerial experience medicine. She hires and contracts with radiolo- to be incorporated and organized as profes- in senior living, assisted care, nursing home administration or similiar. gists who read and diagnose the imaging scans. sional corporations. • Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills. But Derdarian said CON applications do not Richard Chesbrough, M.D., a retired radiolo- • Must demonstrate a warm, outgoing, and compassionate personality. make ownership a part of their criteria for gist who is a consultant in the case against Oakland MRI, said lay business ownership of • Must have demonstrated integrity, maturity and leadership skills. granting requests for covered services. “It deter- mines whether there is a market need, do they imaging centers sometimes leads to cases of • Must have knowledge of community agencies and appreciation for have proper equipment and the location for the Medicare and Medicaid fraud. social/life history status of the residents.• service,” said Derdarian. “There has been an explosion of insurance • Knowledge of the Armenian language and or culture is a plus “This is a nationwide problem. The CON fraud — resulting in some of the highest auto Commission and the state bureau of corporations insurance rates in the country,” Chesbrough are aware of the problem,” she said. “There are said. “Because the illegal centers are owned Interested candidates should send resume with cover letter to: Manoogian Manor, Attention cracks in the system in granting CON permits and by the very attorneys, chiropractors and busi- Gregory Jamian at [email protected] corporations. They need to be fixed.” ness associates that make their money via Derdarian said the state allowed Oakland fraudulent claims.” 8 S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 1 4 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR OBITUARY Mamas Michael Kehyaian Korean War Veteran, Promoter of Armenian Culture

NEW YORK — Mamas Michael Kehyaian In 1973, Michael met Lucy Yezdanian at an (Kane), the son of Armenian immigrants who Armenian social and married her in 1975. They survived the 1915 Armenian Genocide, died on had three children; Kristin, was born in 1976, September 8, 2017. He was 86. Michelle in 1979 and Alex in 1981. They settled The family, Serop Kehyaian and Esther in Jackson Heights on 84th Street, where the Shahinian, Serop’s mother Serpouhe, and three children were raised and attended Holy Esther’s mother Mariam, came to the United Martyrs Day School and Sunday School. Lucy, States together from Gesaria (Kayseri), their mother, died in 2002 of cancer. Michael Turkey, in the 1920s. They settled in East New loved his children and taught them things by York, Brooklyn. Serop, an entrepreneur, opened asking questions like “What’s the name of his own tailor shop. Soon, the family grew, with the river are we going over now, kids?” He Michael being the firstborn; his sisters, Susie, made his children aware of life and Mary and Tracy added to the family’s joy. history. He was a curmudgeon loved by all that Michael often spoke of the “most hamov knew him. bread” his grandmother Mariam would bake He also left a strong impression on all who Michael Kehyaian, with his wife Lucy and two of his children, Kristen and Alex, on April 5, 1998 at every week. After a love-filled childhood, in encountered him. Christopher H. Zakian, direc- the 95th anniversary banquet of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church at St. Vartan Cathedral in New 1951, he enlisted in the US Army. As a Private tor of communications at the Armenian York City (Photo credit: Zarmine Boghosian). First Class, he fought in the Korean War on the Diocese, said, “Mike Kane’s personality — full of front lines at Punchbowl Valley, where life and humor; tough and street-wise, but Heartbreak Ridge took place. always eager to lend a helping hand — was truly looked tough and could talk tough – I remem- [Palvetzian, a volunteer who later became Upon his discharge, he became an apprentice unforgettable. To know him was to recognize ber him jockeying around on top of his printing Director of the Diocese] told me the story of in a photo offset shop. Eventually, he started the fighter in him — a pugnacious spirit he car- press — with his righthand man Mateen at his when she was hospitalized in her early years as his own business. Soon his expertise was ried with him from Brooklyn, to the Korea War, side — with rolled up blue jeans, a white shirt a Canadian newcomer in New York and it was requested by the Diocese of the Armenian and back home again.” At the same time, he and a cigarette dangling from his mouth – New Year’s Eve and no visitors were allowed. Church of America (Eastern) on 34th Street in continued, “All of us regarded Michael as a won- Michael was a man of extraordinary taste and Her sister had stayed with her overnight and all Manhattan. Michael printed all the religious derful uncle, who would give advice, take us out elegance. It was so hard to put together this of a sudden at midnight Michael appeared in a education books, Armenian School Language to lunch, and ride to the rescue when an urgent man with the blackened ink-stained fingers, white lab coat and when they asked how he books (Ara and Maral), church bulletins, deadline had to be met. For Michael, no task with a missing pinky tip from a press mishap, managed to get into the ward, he shrugged non- Armenian Badarak books with Armenian-to- was ever too great, no request was ever impos- sitting in his old car for a time, with the muffler chalantly and said he just took the coat off a English translations and much more. Most of it sible to achieve.” belching smoke and loud noises – with the man hook, put it on and made his way through the was pro-bono. He was a staunch Armenian even His dedication to Armenian culture and will- of impeccable taste. Truly, I was so often awed hospital as if he were a doctor.” though in the city of Gesaria, where his father ingness to volunteer for the Armenian Diocese by his sense of quality in in people, in books, in His wake took place at Holy Martyrs Armenian and mother Serop and Esther were raised, the led to many unexpected results. Zakian said, art and even and in food.” Church on September 14 and his funeral ser- Armenian language was discouraged. Michael “Michael awakened many sensitive souls to the His willing to go the last mile for his friends vices the next morning. He was buried in Cedar was very proud to be an Armenian and dis- wonders of Armenian culture and history, and was legendary. Bayizian said, “Syraun Grove Cemetery in Flushing, NY. played this pride with such conviction. as much any other person helped establish the Michael’s dedication to his Armenian identity Diocese as a thriving center of cultural activity: turned his interests toward collecting every- a place of learning, beauty and art.” thing Armenian, including a painting of Furthermore, Zakian added, “His shop and his Gomidas Vartabed, a tapestry of Vartan home were virtual museums of Armenian maps, Nardolillo Funeral Home Mamigonian, and a tapestry of Mesrob posters, and books that he would find in his Est. 1906 Mashtots, which he donated to the wanderings, and reproduce for a new genera- Anthropology/Armenian Museum at Queens tion. Alongside these were works of literature, John K. Najarian, Jr. College. He collected a series of watercolor poetry, and art from budding talents in the Rhode Island’s Only Licensed Armenian Funeral Director prints going back to 1840 depicting the Armenian world, which Mike lovingly brought lifestyles of Armenians. He re-printed at least 30 to publication.” 1278 Park Ave. Cranston, RI 02910 (401) 942-1220 titles of Armenian history books and so much Elise Antreassian Bayizian, coordinator of 1111 Boston Neck Rd. Narragansett, RI 02882 (401) 789-6300 more that cannot be mentioned here. His col- Christian education at the very same diocese, lections are rare and endless. declared at his funeral: “Although Michael www.nardolillo.com

GiragosianF UNERAL H OME James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC Mark J. Giragosian Funeral Counselors 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 www.giragosianfuneralhome.com

Michael Kehyaian receives the Man of the Year Award from Fr. Mardiros Chevian on April 5, Telephone (617) 924-7400 1998 at the 95th anniversary banquet of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church at St. Vartan Cathedral in New York City, with master of ceremonies Zarmine Boghosian at the right (Photo credit: Zarmine Boghosian). Aram Bedrosian Funeral Home, Inc. Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 MARION BEDROSIAN Very Rev. Thomas Garabedian 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN Led St. Mark Armenian WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN Catholic Church

PHILADELPHIA — The Armenian Catholic Eparchy of Our Lady of Nareg and St. Mark Armenian Catholic Church of Wynnewood, For Your Internal News of Armenia Penn. announced that the Very Rev. Thomas Garabedian, pastor of St. Mark since 2015, passed away on Sunday, October 1, 2017. He Log on to www.AZG.am was 38. Garabedian was born in Lebanon on July 26, 1973, and is survived by his parents, and sib- lings. In English, Armenian, Russian and Turkish The Most Rev. Mikael Mouradian will offer on Sunday, October 15, a Mass at 10:30 a.m. S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 1 4 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 COMMUNITY NEWS At Innovate Armenia Scholars, Artists Rethink and Reimagine Identity, Education, Culture

INNOVATION, from page 6 tary school,” he said. “The teacher approached College, nibbling on Nutella-topped pita bread. me and asked, in Armenian, ‘What’s your “I enjoy the atmosphere and the unity, and the name?’ And I started crying.” fact that the school is very supportive of the Historians Lerna Ekmekcioglu and Melissa event.” Recently returned from a three-month Bilal shared their web-based project document- trip to Armenia, Vardian had come with her sis- ing the contributions of 12 pioneering ter, Agnessa, a USC political science major and Armenian feminists, including the towering festival volunteer. author-activist Zabel Yessayan. The Turkish-edu- The sisters ran into a lot of people they knew cated scholars, now both faculty at MIT, see this as Alumni Park churned with activity. work as crucial to providing strong intellectual From the music stage, a line-up of eight bands role-models for today’s Armenian women and entertained the crowd in styles ranging from pop girls. and jazz to edgy remix that breathed new life into Media innovator Arman Jilavian spoke elo- traditional Armenian rhythms and melodies. quently of a collective yearning in the diaspora Over at the Armenia Wine booth, festival for full ownership of Armenian history, lan- goers sipped ancient vintages dating back to guage and culture. 4,200 BCE — made from regional grapes like “We lost the sense, the status, the self-under- the iconic Areni, Haghtanak, Kangun and standing of owners,” he said. “We are renters.” Rkatiteli. The free tastings were paired with In addition to managing several media boutique chocolates from Glendale confection- brands in Russia, Jilavian is CEO of the Aurora er Bitter & Sweet. Humanitarian Initiative, a $1 million interna- At the chess area, U.S. women’s team mem- tional humanitarian prize awarded annually at a ber Tatev Abrahamyan played 10 opponents Students at the Innovate Armenia 2017 festival at USC ceremony in Yerevan. simultaneously, her lavender-magenta-steaked A humanitarian prize based in Armenia sends locks defying conventional wisdom about what a powerful message to the world, Jilavian said. a chess grandmaster looks like. She and inter- experiences teaching world history last year in a years ago, instilling a love of Armenia in the “It reshapes and refines our collective identity… national master Andranik Matikozyan played northern Armenian village of 500 people. The 200 elite students who now study there and It says: ‘We have a global vision. We are not about 100 games during the festival. UCLA grad is one of 70 teachers currently serving may someday be global leaders. only takers, we are givers.’” Chess remains extremely popular in Armenia with the international nonprofit that brings pro- Technology was another prominent theme at — it’s a formal part of the school curriculum — gressive methods to rural Armenian schools. this year’s festival. Beyond Victimhood as demonstrated by young Vartan, 6, who deliv- “A lot of the local teachers are products of At a “makerspace” booth, a 3-D printer A hundred years after the genocide, today’s ered the coup-de-grace to festival volunteer Soviet education,” Choukhajian explained. “It’s whirred away, sculpting a miniature Temple of generation of global Armenians are looking to Andrew Nazarians, an electrical engineering a lot of rote memorization and copying what is Garni, the famous 1st century pre-Christian the future, and asking questions about what student from Glendale Community College. written on the board.” ruin outside Yerevan. Armenian-American stu- they can do to make the world better. “I was playing with Tatev and Andranik, and Not all Armenian education is so backwards. dents from USC’s Viterbi School of “Only when you are able to help others — this Vartan came in and finished me off,” said Festival exhibitor booths showcased mavericks Engineering and Glendale Community College is the moment you stop being a victim or sur- Nazarians, with a laugh. like the Real School, which brings after-school demonstrated various robotic-armed rovers vivor, and you start becoming a winner, a per- computer coding classes to youngsters across they’d built. Nearby, a black, tent-sized solar bal- son who holds his own life,” Jilavian said. Re-Learning and Re-Imaging urban and rural Armenia; and the United World loon fluttered in the breeze, part of the USC David Ignatius, in conversation via videocon- Nearby, at the Teach for Armenia booth, College, a network of 17 international boarding Viterbi astronautics program’s exhibition space. ference with his younger brother Adi Ignatius, Pasadena native Khachig Choukhajian spoke of his schools that opened its Dilijan campus four On the Bovard stage, a panel of Caltech stu- editor-in-chief of the Harvard Business Review, dents described how a humble robotics pro- echoed Jilavian’s message. gram at Glendale Community College had “I think the idea of remembering and honor- opened the door to the nation’s premiere tech ing the suffering of our ancestors is crucial,” institute, where all are now PhD candidates. said the columnist, who is also a best-selling A little later, Sphero CEO Paul Berberian author of spy fiction. “But it’s really only when described how smartphone-controlled toy you take action to help others … that you fully robots created by his Boulder, Colorado-based move beyond this tragedy of the past.” company are making millions of schoolchildren The core of the Armenian identity, he sug- fall in love with math and science. gested, should not be “that we suffer, but that we learned how to help others who suffer.” Cultural Re-Awakening As the festival was winding down, Arthur Other Bovard conversations were darker, but Kokozian of La Crescenta was catching up with no less uplifting. Karine Zakarian, an allergist from Glendale. Istanbul native Ari Sekeryan, a doctoral can- Asked for his assessment of the program, didate in oriental studies at Oxford University, Kokozian, who is president of the American spoke movingly of his own cultural awakening Armenian Rose Float association, had this to against the backdrop of official Turkish sup- say: “Every year, it’s better and better. I love pression of Armenian identity. how the community comes together to see what “When I was born in 1989, no one in my fam- Armenians in the diaspora are accomplishing, ily was able to speak Armenian. I cannot forget and how we’re working together to get the very first day of Armenian public elemen- stronger.”

Historian Kaligian to Talk at NAASR On Pivotal Battle of Bash Abaran BELMONT, Mass. — Historian Dr. Dikran Kaligian will present a lecture entitled “The Battle of Bash Abaran: Winning Independence for the First Republic of Armenia,” on Thursday, October 19, at the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) Center, 395 Concord Ave. The program is co-sponsored by NAASR and the Armenia Tree Project. In the spring of 1918, the Armenian people faced a desperate situation. The Russian Revolution meant that the Russian armies that had liberated much of Western Armenia had gone home and Turkish armies were now attacking Eastern Armenia. Russian Armenian troops and former fedayis were joined by streams of civilian volunteers in three battles on the three roads to Yerevan. At Bash Abaran, Gen. Drastamat Kanayan (Dro) fought Turkish forces more than twice the size of those he led. Despite the odds, Dro and his forces not only stopped the advance on Yerevan, but also drove the attackers back beyond Hamamlu (Spitak). The breakneck changes in diplomatic, political, and military fortunes during these key days will be out- lined as they led to the establishment of the first independent Armenian state in nearly six centuries. As the 100th anniversary of the battle approaches, the Armenia Tree Project has begun to beautify and improve the Abaran site, planting trees and shrubs and developing walk- ing paths. This project will culminate in May 2018 with a ceremonial tree planting at the park. Kaligian is the managing editor of the Armenian Review. He received his PhD in histo- ry from Boston College. His book, Armenian Organization and Ideology under Ottoman Rule, 1908-1914, was published by Transaction Publishing. His articles have been pub- lished in the Journal of Genocide Research, Genocide Studies International, the Armenian Review and in the books Through a Lens Darkly: Films of Genocide and in Genocide in the Ottoman Empire: Armenians, Assyrians, and Greeks. 10 S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 1 4 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS CYSCA Panel Explores Media Literacy in Armenia at NAASR

MARK ANTRANIG ARKUN PHOTO CYSCA, from page 1 time in Armenia. Panelist Siranush Galstyan is a smart room Galstyan said after meeting with Rep. Rogers, coordinator for the Children of Armenia Fund “I really appreciated the involvement of political (COAF). The COAF smart rooms in Armenian figures in media literacy.” She thought that villages are independent places providing chil- national level policy on media literacy was lack- dren access to technology and training free of ing, and when she returned to Armenia, she charge. Later in the program, it was explained said, she would attempt to make media literacy that some include English classes, robotics, issues heard on the governmental level. media training and community advancement Grigoryan spoke about the similarities she programs. There are six smart rooms in Lori witnessed. The American organization Media province, two in Tavush province, and similar Literacy Now was working with little resources rooms hosted in schools in other provinces and volunteers. Schools in the US, she said, called creative rooms. appear more independent from the government Armine Khloyan is a sociology teacher and than in Armenia. the head of a robotics lab at a high school adja- Stepanian asked Conforti about her impres- cent to the Yerevan State Polytechnic Institute. sions and recommendations about Armenia. While this combination might seem unusual, Conforti exclaimed, “I am so impressed by the she explained that both disciplines help stu- work that these women do.” dents put theoretical knowledge to practice. Among the similarities she saw during her She said, “With social studies we try to instill visit to Yerevan are the need for resources, time, critical thinking, and with robotics, creative CYSCA media panel visits the Armenian Mirror-Spectator and the Tekeyan Cultural Association and questioning. She said, “One of my mentors thinking.” offices in Watertown on October 5: from left, Lusine Grigoryan, Nina Ganjalyan, Siranoush while I was in school said that to ask is to break Galstyan, Alisa Stepanian of CYSCA, Aram Arkun of the and Tekeyan, Jack Shushanik (Shushan) Ohanyan is the project Mirror-Spectator the spell.” Young people must learn, she said, to manager for the Goris Press Club non-govern- Medzorian of CYSCA, Armine Khloyan, Shushanik Ohanyan and Anahit Khachatryan ask who made a picture or website, and who mental organization. As part of her duties, she profits. runs the Syunik Infohouse. There are has published a handbook for teachers on CYSCA. Among the differences between the two soci- Infohouses in eight cities in Armenia which give media literacy, which includes lesson plans, the- CYSCA organized visits in the Boston area eties are the emphasis on print culture in general information on media literacy and the oretical articles, links, resources and even a with the Massachusetts Media Literacy Armenia versus visual media in the US. She tools for young people to be better media con- game (on a DVD). The handbook is approved as Consortium, WGBH public radio station, public said, “I was very impressed that while in sumers. She also is a trainer herself in media lit- extracurricular material for public schools, but schools, Emerson College, University of Yerevan, the students are far more interested in eracy. no money is allocated for training to use it. Massachusetts Boston, and the Massachusetts political and activist work than our students Nina Ganjalyan, like Galstyan, is a smart Nonetheless, some 400 teachers, museum spe- Institute of Technology’s Media Lab. They met are. Here they are more interested in getting in room coordinator for COAF, and also gives cialists and informal teachers have been trained classes in media literacy. She works in Koti, a on its use. The Center attempts to get the border community in Tavush Province near Armenian state to understand the importance Azerbaijan. Lusine Grigoryan is a media litera- of media literacy, and require the training of cy specialist for the Media Initiatives Center teachers. At present, a memorandum of under- (mediainitiatives.am), a non-governmental orga- standing has been signed with the Ministry of nization promoting media literacy in Armenia. Education. Grigoryan said that the state is Joining the visiting Armenians was Associate “happy that we are doing this. We hope we will Prof. Dr. Rosemarie J. Conforti of Southern be able to do more things in the future.” Connecticut State University (New Haven), who The Media Initiatives Center website has visited Armenia to study media literacy pro- media.am, Grigoryan said, is the only critical grams there. and analytical media site in Armenia. The media Grigoryan gave a PowerPoint presentation to literacy game it showcases is quite popular, and provide basic information about her and her has been translated into Ukrainian, Romanian colleagues’ work. She pointed out that about and Belorussian for other people to use. A sec- one million Armenians are on Facebook. There ond game, called the “Adventures of Literatus,” are about 20 radio and 30 television stations in hopefully will be completed by the end of this Armenia, and television remains the most influ- year. The Center runs annual “I am the media” ential form of media. She also said that the student contests. The center is funded, Armenian press according to Freedom House Grigoryan said, largely by USAID, though it Alisa Stepanian at NAASR Dr. Rosemarie Conforti at NAASR (https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom- also has other donors. press/2017/armenia) and other surveys, is cat- The center had a Mobile Media Museum egorized as not free, unlike the internet in whose first exhibition was devoted to the earth- with Massachusetts State Rep. David M. Rogers a glamor industry through the media.” In the Armenia. quake of 1988. An excerpt from its video on of Cambridge, who is promoting a bill for media US, she said, we focus more on race, class and Her center, founded in 1995, used to be this was screened for the audience. It examines education, and had an “Armenian day,” visiting gender, while in Armenia, on telling the truth. called Internews Media Support NGO until how the media covered and affected events. It the two Armenian-American newspapers of She said that the US has different states with 2013. She said it works to protect the rights of was one of the first times international media Watertown. They met with Steve Kurkjian of different ideas of what should be on the cur- journalists, improve their professional skills, came to the Soviet Union. A second exhibition the Boston Globe, and learned about the histo- riculum for media literacy, but Armenia, much ry of Armenian Heritage smaller, “maybe has a better shot at forming a Park from Donald more coherent curriculum.” Tellalian. Stepanian closed the formal portion of the When asked by presentation by thanking NAASR and the fam- Stepanian to comment ilies with whom the visitors were staying, name- on their meetings, ly, Berge and Arpine Ayvazian, Gary and Natalia Ganjalyan highlighted Markosyan, Roxanne Etmekjian and Nerses the meeting at Joubanian, and Robert and Helen Kalantari. Swampscott High The audience then had an opportunity to ask School, and said, “There the panelists questions. we witnessed high Among the points brought up were that the school students who are youth in Armenia use online resources more already we can say than older people, who are greatly influenced experts in media litera- by television. Television news is more restricted cy.” They were trained than the variety of online resources available. in this from an early age, Russian media is more influential than Western so, Ganjalyan conclud- in Armenia since the Russian language is more ed, “Now I know that widely known. once I go back to When asked whether the Armenian govern- Armenia the first thing I ment really wants media literacy to spread, am going to do is to Girgoryan replied that there were many reforms adapt my training for in Armenia and the education system was being younger students.” In reformed. She said that relations with the addition, she saw how Ministry of Education were quite good so far, as useful it will be to orga- it understood that media literacy is a “must- Lusine Grigoryan giving her PowerPoint presentation at NAASR nize media training for have” in education in the 21st century. parents. The guests received American media cover- Ohanyan added that age themselves during their trip. Gayla Cawley provide technical support, and offer projects to is being prepared on how media covers corrup- “the relations between in the Lynn Item wrote about their visit to build their capacity. She said that after working tion. Other possible topics include the teachers and students are very enviable.” Swampscott High School (“Swampscott helps with professionals for some 20 years, they real- Karabakh war. Khloyan agreed. Both felt that Armenia lacked Armenian educators expand their curriculum,” ized that more had to be done, and said, “We The group came to the Washington, DC on access to the equipment and resources available October 5, need consumers who understand what is good September 27, and later Boston from to teachers in the US, such as computers and https://www.itemlive.com/2017/10/05/swam and bad and demand what they want from the September 29 to October 7. Their trip was fund- projectors, so various adaptations must be pscott-helps-armenian-educators-expand-cur- journalists.” ed by the Open World Leadership Center of the made to approaches. Khloyan said that while in riculum/), hosted by media literacy teacher The Media Initiatives Center, Grigoryan said, US Library of Congress, and implemented by the US current news is analyzed, there is a lag Thomas Reid. S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 1 4 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 COMMUNITY NEWS 12 S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 1 4 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS

Anaïde Nahikian: Maximizing Help on Frontlines around the World

NAHIKIAN, from page 1 manages projects and relationships between the ICRC and workers and patients. Her mission, she said, is to help aid organizations, such as academic, policy, non-profit, and private organizations in the When asked about safety, not only in general but especial- Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), the Boston area around key themes and priorities of the ICRC, ly as a woman, she said, “there are a lot of women in my field. World Food Program or the International Committee of the in partnership with swissnex Boston. There is a careful security protocol.” Red Cross “strengthen and protect civilian populations.” “It is a further link between policy and think tanks. We syn- Nahikian attended Brandeis University, where she studied In essence, her job is to treat humanitarian aid as a pro- ergize with Harvard for the Red Cross work,” she explained, sociology, philosophy and anthropology. She then earned her fession that can be enhanced and improved through proper which involves “reuniting families” in war zones. master’s degree in sociology from the London School of documenting, strategizing and negotiating. Her frequent travels to areas adjacent to war zones, Economics, specializing in human rights. ATHA is part of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI), where organizations can come together and discuss oper- Nahikian was born in Lebanon, the daughter of a which according to the university website, is a university-wide ations in relative peace and safety, create “regional con- Lebanese-Armenian father and a French mother and thus she academic and research center that brings an interdisciplinary versations.” For example, she said Amman, Jordan, is one speaks French as a native. approach to promoting understanding of humanitarian crisis of the safe hubs for all humanitarian actions in the Middle Nahikian said that her work is directly affected by her as a unique contributor to global health problems and to East. Another such regional hub is Abuja, Nigeria, the cen- Armenian heritage. “Our world is much bigger than the developing evidence-based approaches to humanitarian assis- ter of activities to help the Lake Chad Basin populations world around you. There is a legacy around you, with family tance. in Niger, Chad, Nigeria and Cameroon, which are all suf- education,” she said. “Global issues and interests are a part In addition, the university is home to the Humanitarian fering from terrorism, cholera, dire poverty, and extreme of me.” Academy at Harvard (HAH) dedicated to educating and train- hunger. She is a descendent of survivors of the Armenian Genocide ing current and future generations of humanitarian leaders. “I was always interested in academia and existential soci- and therefore much more attuned to the catastrophes she According to HHI’s website, its “aim is to relieve human ety,” she said, “looking at the world from a structural per- witnesses, including, for example, the famine in Ethiopia, suffering in war and disaster by conducting interdisciplinary, spective.” which, given her background, hits closer to home. practice-based research and education that can be used by Now, she said, she is able to participate in the “practical Nahikian is making time in her busy schedule for the scholars, policymakers, NGOs, and others to foster interdisci- component and help [aid providers] get clarity.” Armenian Mirror-Spectator; she will be the mistress of cere- plinary collaboration in order to: improve the effectiveness of “We apply lessons from one area to another,” she said. monies during the November 3 gala benefit celebrating the humanitarian strategies for relief, protection, and prevention; “It is inspiring,” she added. “The aid organizations are very newspaper’s 85th anniversary, at the Boston Newton instill human rights principles and practices in these strate- entrepreneurial. Both Harvard and the ICRC value start-up Marriott. One reason, she said, is that the “journalist’s per- gies; and educate and train the next generation of humani- mentalities.” spective” is vital to shed light on such difficult situations, tarian leaders.” She noted that she herself does not harbor an ambition to much like those that happened in the last century or this one. However, these are not the only hats that Nahikian wears. do field work; what she does is to create “more unity, more “It is very exciting for us to have such an accomplished An associate instructor at the Harvard School of Public engagement” for those field operations. young woman involved in our celebrations. Anaïde’s impor- Health and the Kennedy School of Government, she is also In addition, her organization helps aid organizations advo- tant work is truly inspiring and deserves to be exposed,” said an adjunct lecturer at Brandeis University’s Heller School for cate for themselves by providing them with adequate docu- 85th Anniversary Gala Chair Nicole Babikian Hajjar. Social Science and Management and the executive producer mentation. She gives the example of the Kunduz Trauma For more information about the 85th anniversary two-day of the Humanitarian Assistance Podcast. Centre operated by Médecins Sans Frontières and leveled celebration, visit www.mirrorspectator.com Anaïde heads the International Committee of the Red after an airstrike by US forces in October 2015. About a For more information about the ATHA program, visit Cross (ICRC) Collaborative Platform, where she initiates and dozen MSF workers were killed, along with some 20 Afghan https://hhi.harvard.edu/ Luminaries to Attend October 21 AMAA Centennial Banquet

AMAA, from page 6 els. “He was a great influence in my life. His trustee of the John and Sirouhie Conte Joe, following graduation from Haverford survived several Lebanese civil wars. Many of dream was of lifting young people up. He Foundation, and Life Trustee of the Armenian College, went on to study at the Union the current Armenian students are refugees underwrote thousands of scholarships.” Assembly of America, among others. Theological Seminary, and after his marriage to from the six-year Syrian war, and most are on Inspired by Stephen Mehagian, whose father- The Stein spirit of philanthropy has followed Joyce in 1954, they lived in Scotland for a year scholarship. in-law was Armenag Haigazian, Philibosian, down the family line with daughter Christina while he was studying theology at St. Mary’s Haigazian does special fundraising for its stu- became “the driving force of the growth and having served as a member of Haigazian’s Love College, Saint Andrews University. He dents, with the AMAA launching a $20-million expansion of Haigazian.” Together with Stephen Board of Trustees, and a Conte Foundation served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957, and campaign, with a portion allotted for the Mehagian they co-founded Haigazian University school, she reveals. “Haigazian and the AMAA in 1955. It was at a fund-raising dinner at that are a family. They overlap. The best way for indi- time at which Stephen Philibosian donated the viduals to advance and be successful is through $50,000 endowment fund to this project. education,” she stressed. “The goal was to provide education for minor- Deeply involved with Haigazian University, ity students with the hope that these students Joyce Philibosian Stein speaks with great pride would stay in the Middle East. It has served its about its founder Dr. Armenag Haigazian, a purpose of serving not only all Armenians, but also other minority students.” She reportedthat Armenia’s Ambassador to the U.S. Grigor Hovhannissian credits Haigazian for his rise to his post as ambassador. “A good percentage of Armenians in Lebanon and Syria are graduates of Haigazian,” she says, adding that the U.S. State Department provid- ed funds for a thousand students from the vil- lages in Lebanon to be attend college, many of whom enrolled at Haigazian. Joyce Stein herself graduated with a BA in education from the University of Pennsylvania, as well as an hon- orary LLD from Haigazian. “My heart is there,” she said, who in addition is the chairperson of the Stephen Philibosian Dr. Nazareth Darakjian and Dr. Ani Darakjian Foundation which was created in 1970 to per- form educational, cultural and humanitarian work among Armenians. She is also the member, and daughter Stephanie and Joyce’s was invited by the elder Philibosian to join his National Chair of the AMAA Orphan and Child sister Louise as active members of the oriental rug business in Philadelphia. In 1979, Care Committee, “a group of energetic women” Philibosian Foundation. The Steins have also the Joe and Joyce Stein moved to California from all Armenian denominations, including been blessed with sons-in-law Michael and where he was involved in several business ven- the Armenian Catholic, Diocesan, Prelacy David, and six grandchildren. tures. churches, as well as ANCA and AGBU. There “The AMAA has had a great impact in all Governor George Deukmejian appointed Joe Joyce Philibosian Stein and Joe Stein isn’t another committee in America that has these projects,” comments Joyce Philibosian Stein to the California State Board of this mosaic of members,” she states with pas- Stein who was awarded the Ellis Island Medal Education where he served from 1985 to 1990, sion.” of Honor for her outstanding contributions to two years as President. He takes pride in being Yale University educated leader and theologian This committee started in 1989 after the this country. “Joe and I will continue our a co-founder of “Armenians by Choice”, and who had returned to Cilicia and became presi- Armenian earthquake for the purpose of edu- AMAA work because of its exceptional integrity pays tribute to his wife for her “influence on me dent of the Apostolic Institute in Konya. cating, mentoring and camping in Armenia and and transparency,” she states. and our daughters for her great service to the Deported by the Turkish forces, he fell ill and Artsakh. During an annual event in Los Joe Stein, Joyce Philibosian’s husband was AMAA Orphan and Child Care Committee, and died on the way to prison in Kharpert, she Angeles, $250,000 was raised and another six- born of parents of German descent. After grad- for her selfless devotion in serving more than reveals, adding that the New York Times report- figure amount in Boston. uation from college, his father was invited to be three decades, faithfully carrying on the legacy ed his death on May 26, 1921. Joyce Stein is involved with a myriad of char- a student professor at AUB, the American of her father.” Joyce Stein’s parents were both born in itable organizations. She has chaired the University of Beirut, from 1921 to 1924. During Stein. currently serves on the AMAA Board, Hadjin. Her father Stephen (Yeprem) Philadelphia Children’s Hospital Auxiliary, that time, he became acquainted with and the Foreign Properties Committee. He and Philibosian, was passionately interested in edu- three Philadelphia Orchestra Galas benefitting Armenians by delivering food to Armenians liv- Joyce have traveled to Armenia more than 20 cation for his people, especially in the Middle the Children’s Hospital, the Philadelphia ing in caves in Syria, following the Genocide times, and frequently to Beirut on behalf of East, from elementary schools to university lev- Academy of Music Museum, and has been a and their deportation from Turkey. Haigazian University. S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 1 4 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 Arts & Living

Kevork Msrlian Presents Kariné Poghosyan New Book on Armenians PHELAN M. EBENHACK PHOTO Of Irbid and Northern To Perform Jordan at TCA ‘Transformations’ at Beshgeturian Center Carnegie Hall

NEW YROK — Described as “extraordinary” By Kevork Keushkerian and “larger than life,” the award-winning Armenian-American pianist Kariné Poghosyan has been praised for her “ability to get to the ALTADENA, Calif. — Kevork Msrlian present- heart of the works she performs.” Poghosyan ed his book, The Armenians of Irbid and will perform a solo piano recital titled Northern Jordan, through an Armenian-lan- “Transformations” on Thursday, October 19, at guage PowerPoint lecture at the Tekeyan 7:30 p.m. at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Cultural Association (TCA) Beshgeturian Hall. Center on Sunday, October 1. The event was The program was inspired by musical and per- organized by the TCA Glendale-Pasadena sonal “transformations,” including her own Chapter. transformation from a music student in Msrlian first explained why he had Armenia to a mature artist playing at Carnegie researched and documented this historical Hall. The program will feature transcriptions for journey of Armenians, which commenced right solo piano by Beethoven, Liszt, Khachaturian after the Armenian Genocide. The author and Stravinsky, and will open with Liszt’s vir- acknowledged and thanked Haigazian tuosic transcription of Beethoven’s Symphony University, and in particular the director of its No. 5. Armenian Diaspora Research Center, Dr. The second half of the program features Antranig Dakessian, for encouraging him to Brahms’s powerhouse Variations on a Theme of further elaborate the research paper he deliv- Paganini. The program will conclude with imagina- ered at Haigazian University in May of last year, tive transcriptions of ballet music, including and publish it in the form of a book. Matthew Cameron’s arrangement of the Adagio Msrlian was born in Irbid, Jordan. He Hayk Balasanyan and Emilia Poghosyan show off their dance moves at their Winter from Aram Khachaturian’s “Spartacus” and Guido received his primary and secondary education Park studio. Agosti’s arrangement of Stravinsky’s “Firebird.” at public schools in Irbid. He travelled to The recital is presented by the Institute of Armenia and studied engineering at the International Social Development Inc. and the National Polytechnic University of Armenia in United Nations Yerevan. During his studies in Armenia, he Women’s Guild. A developed a good command of the Armenian Ballroom Dancing portion of the pro- language. ceeds will be donated For two consecutive years, 1983 and 1984, to girls’ education he was elected chairman of the Union of and empowerment Jordanian-Armenian Students in Yerevan. In Power Couple programs around the 2015, Msrlian was elected coordinator of the world, provided by Jordanian Affiliation of the Pan-Armenian the Institute of Association of Architects and Engineers. ORLANDO, Fla. (Orlando Signature) — Couples who dance together stay togeth- International Social Msrlian has worked in Jordan, Iraq, Yemen and er” is the philosophy of the sprightly pair whose love of dance and each other is Development, Inc. the Sudan with Jordanian and international breathing new life into the Orlando dance scene. Through an energetic and dis- and the United engineering companies as a contract expert in arming approach to ballroom dancing, Nations Women’s water and environmental projects. these two dynamos are shaping their Fred Kariné Poghosyan Guild. As Msrlian’s book documents, Armenians By Audrey St. Clair Astaire Dance Studio into one that respects In Poghosyan’s came to Irbid in 1915, when they were deport- tradition yet embraces change, one that words: “Transformations was inspired by a big shift ed from their homeland of Eastern Turkey. provides a haven from the everyday woes of in my own personal journey, during which I came Some of these immigrants returned to their work and carpool and mortgage payments. to realize an enormous power locked within me. I homes when the government of France took Armenian transplants to the United States Hayk Balasanyan and Emilia feel that a lot of young women go through this over the administration of Syria, Lebanon and Poghosyan began dancing before they turned double digits. Poghosyan always transformative experience and arrive at a tri- Cilicia. At that time, the population of Irbid was wanted to be a dancer, recalling watching shows full of fancifully dressed women in umphant moment of self-actualization. All four of 1,065. ball gowns twirling through the Viennese Waltz from her mother’s workplace as a the works in the program are examples of transfor- The number of Armenian inhabitants grew child. The dream of being a princess grabbed ahold of her as quickly as the flicks mation; they are compositions for piano that were in Irbid in the aftermath of the Palestine-Israeli of the sequined skirts, and she begged her parents for dance lessons. When beg- originally something else — a symphony for a full war in 1948. While living in Irbid, Armenians ging didn’t work, she started crying … and cried for a year until they finally acqui- orchestra, a violin showpiece, and two glorious were engaged in handicrafts like carpentry, esced; she hasn’t stopped dancing since. much-loved ballets. masonry, shoemaking and photography. Balasanyan’s parents, on the other hand, forced him into dancing to keep him off “Beethoven’s beloved C-minor Symphony No. Eventually, many of these Armenians managed the streets. His mom knew that dancing would 5 becomes a pianistic tour de force in Liszt’s to become successful business owners, farmers, bring beauty into his life, but he resisted mightily transcription. Brahms takes Paganini’s beauti- and public servants. Irbid now has a popula- at first, remembering how he just wanted to play ful Violin Caprice No. 24 and transforms it into tion of 1,770,000. soccer. But it wasn’t long until he preferred ball- a contrapuntal and multilayered piece for solo Msrlian’s book is written in two languages: room shoes to cleats and was well on his way to piano. The talented American pianist Matthew English and Arabic. It is composed of nearly meeting the woman who would become his part- Cameron expands the iconic love theme from 200 pages, which includes eyewitness ner in dance and in life. Khachaturian’s ballet ‘Spartacus’ into a lush see MSRLIAN, page 14 Although the two destined lovebirds had com- peted against each other in Armenia as children Lisztian bravura piece. And lastly, the Italian — Balasanyan jokes about how his wife was taller pianist Guido Agosti highlights the rich colors than he was back then — they didn’t get acquaint- of Stravinsky’s Russian ballet ‘Firebird’ in a vivacious arrangement for solo piano. ed until years later after both had moved to the Emilia Poghosyan and Hak States. Poghosyan emigrated in 2008 after Balasanyan “Ultimately, these four works also showcase a accepting an invitation to work as an instructor deeper inner thematic transformation. The at a Fred Astaire Dance Studio in New York City, Beethoven symphony, with the famous opening where she impressed the owners so much that they wanted more Armenians to fol- theme of fate knocking on the door, is a pow- low in her footsteps. In 2010, Balasanyan did just that. erful journey from a dark C minor mood to a tri- The pair partnered up on the dance floor first, winning the famed Rising Star umphant and life-affirming C major conclusion. competition the first year they danced together before becoming US national cham- In the Paganini, a simple tune grows into a pions multiple times and one of the 12 best couples in America. Next came love, grand virtuoso masterpiece. The Adagio from then marriage, and it’s the hope for a baby carriage that brought them to Winter Khachaturian’s ballet ‘Spartacus’ opens with a Park to start a family and open their own Fred Astaire Dance Studio. pure, innocent love duet and expands into a pas- At the corner of Temple Trail and Howell Branch Road sits the recently remod- sionate and fervent climax — that incredible eled studio decked out in modern touches and shimmering chandeliers. As elegant moment when a light infatuation deepens into and full of life as its owners, this space ushers in a fresh take on dance, creating a a true loving commitment. And lastly, in place where both singles and couples can come to explore their creative sides, to Stravinsky’s ‘Firebird,’ the transformation takes reconnect with each other, even to fall in love again. place when the heroic prince kills the mon- “Dancing can change lives,” says Poghosyan, as she glances affectionately at her strous villain and breaks the latter’s spell to free see DANCERS, page 15 his beloved princess. With this program, I hope Kevork Msrlian, left, with Kevork Keushkerian to remind the audience that transformations take on many, diverse and universal forms.” 14 S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 1 4 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING An Iranian Piano Prodigy, A Big Dream, An Arduous Visa Process

viding the piano accompaniment in countless days before his visa interview at the “Coming from the Middle East means you have By Shirin Jaafari and live gigs. When he tried out jazz for the first US Consulate in Yerevan, Armenia, the Trump to go the extra mile to make it to the US, but Siavash Saadlou time, he was hooked right away. administration revealed plans for a revised trav- for me, the harder the task, the more I He trained his ear as best as he could and el ban that was to be implemented on March 16, enjoy the final outcome.” then took classes with Hamzeh Yeganeh, an 2017 — a day after Darabi’s interview appoint- Darabi says the dizzying pace of life was the BOSTON (PRI) — When the Iranian pianist acclaimed jazz musician in Iran. At age 18, and ment. A lot of people had been denied visas, first thing he noticed in the US, especially when and composer, Amir Darabi, was accepted to on his friend’s advice, Darabi decided to apply which worried Darabi. After the interview, he he traveled to New York City to visit a fellow Berklee College of Music this past summer, to Berklee College of Music. He says he wanted was told he would have to go home and wait for musician. The “pinch me” moment for him, everything seemed to be going his way. He had to come to the United States mainly because he the final decision. So, from afar, Darabi kept however, was when he bumped into the already established himself as a piano prodigy craved competition, feeling Iran was no longer abreast of every news development regarding renowned American bass player, Victor Wooten, in his home country, released a full-length a big enough stage for him. the travel ban. at Berklee. “Wooten was someone I used to debut album and performed in For his audition, Darabi had to go to The 35-day wait was nerve-wracking for watch on YouTube all the time, so when he numerous prominent venues, including Chengdu, China, where people barely spoke any Darabi and his family. However, an outpouring walked past me, I was dumbfounded for five

AMIR DARABI PHOTO of support from the people at Berklee College minutes,” says Darabi. of Music made the young artist feel more opti- With the new travel ban set to be enforced as mistic about his situation. Still, he knew his des- of October 18 — and the possibility of it remain- tiny somewhat hinged on the visa decision. ing in effect indefinitely — Darabi’s parents Darabi’s visa was eventually approved — it won’t be able to visit him and attend his com- was a huge relief. mencement ceremonies. It’s hard to remain “Getting the visa felt like an accomplishment upbeat in these trying times, but Darabi says he to me,” says Darabi. For him, coming to the US wants to focus solely on music. He believes wasn’t so much the goal, but rather, attending music can be a panacea for the world’s prob- one of the world’s most prestigious music lems, including prejudice. schools. “When I see someone playing music, I forget “When I got on the plane to come to the US, about their ethnicity, color, race, religion, et I was remembering all the anxiety I had gone cetera,” says Darabi. “I think music is the most through during this past year,” says Darabi. universal language that there’s ever been.”

Kevork Msrlian Presents New Book on Armenians of Irbid And Northern Jordan at TCA Beshgeturian Center

Amir Darabi, 19, is shown at Berklee College of Music in Boston. MSRLIAN, from page 13 accounts, testimonials, certificates and many pictures of Genocide survivors. During the Tehran’s Roudaki Hall. He didn’t then know English. He was traveling on his own and felt fifties and the sixties, many attempts were made to establish an Armenian day school, but to how difficult it would be to get to Boston, to ful- nervous prior to the audition, but the anticipa- no avail. Unfortunately, until now, there are no Armenian churches in Irbid. For weddings and fill his dreams. tion was exciting, too. The audition went well other religious rites, a priest is invited from the Diocese of the Armenian Church in Amman, Darabi started playing the piano at the age and, a week later while on the phone with a who utilizes the Greek Orthodox Church for the ceremony. of 3 — he still has a foggy memory of press- friend, he noticed a new email from Berklee The author presented a portion of this book, Armenians of Irbid, as a research paper at ing the black-and-white keys for the very first College of Music about his admission and schol- Haigazian University in Beirut, in May last year. time. His mother, a piano teacher herself, arship status. The book, written in Arabic and English, was published in Amman, Jordan, in 2017. It will taught him for several years. Darabi then “When I saw the scholarship letter, I was in be presented by the author in Amman later this year at a program sponsored by the Ministry became a protégé of the Armenian Gagik shock,” says Darabi. “I never thought I’d receive of Culture at the National Library of Jordan. An Armenian translation may follow. Babayan, who instructed him in classical a scholarship from Berklee, especially a full A question-and-answer session followed the presentation, which in turn was followed by a music for a decade. Darabi familiarized him- tuition waiver scholarship.” reception. self with other music genres, as well, by pro- Darabi’s joy didn’t last long, though. Just S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 1 4 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 ARTS & LIVING Golden Thread Productions Announces Biennial Short Play Program

SAN FRANCISCO — Golden Thread ReOrient is Palestinian-Irish playwright ation for Golden Thread’s artists and audiences. Productions, the first American theatre compa- Hannah Khalil, whose “Bitterenders” was a LMDA’s Regional Vice President of Metro Bay ny devoted to the Middle East, is presenting its favorite from ReOrient 2015. New to the festi- Area Nakissa Etemad serves as lead dramaturg. biennial signature program: ReOrient 2017 val are emerging Turkish-American play- The team includes Anna Woodruff, who is work- Festival of Short Plays featuring plays and wright Melis Aker and Arab-Armenian-American ing on Manar, and publications dramaturgs artists from Armenia, Iraq, Iran, Japan, Sevan K. Greene, whose full-length “Stuff” was Emily DeDakis and Vidhu Singh. Lebanon, Palestine, Tunisia, Turkey, United presented as part of the New Threads staged The seven-person ensemble, who will inhabit Kingdom, and the U.S. all on one stage. reading series in 2016. Rounding out the line- 20 roles through the evening, include many Think you know the Middle East? Think up is Japanese-American poet Junichi P. Golden Thread favorites like Atosa Babaoff, again. An Arab-American couple must choose a Semitsu, whose beautiful poem “Shelter” will Mohamed Chakmakchi, Naseem Etemad, name for their unborn child. A troupe of actors be adapted to a soundscape by Yeghiazarian Lawrence Radecker, and Bella Warda, alongside rehearse a political play under the watchful eye and sound designer James Ard. newcomers Stephen Kanaski and Jessica Risco. of the government. A leftie Iranian-American ReOrient, now produced every two years, is The production team includes Jenna Apollonia and a Trump supporter find themselves togeth- Golden Thread’s signature program and is a (assistant stage manager), James Ard (sound er at a Thanksgiving dinner. These are just hugely ambitious undertaking for this intrepid design), Kenan Arun (make-up design), Cassie some of the stories of ReOrient 2017 performed theatre company with this year’s festival is Barnes (lighting design), Kate Boyd (scenic November 17-December 10 at Potrero Stage Torange Yeghiazarian, founding artistic director employing 33 artists. The ReOrient 2017 direc- design), Beckett Finn (technical director), Erin (formerly Thick House, 1695 18th Street, San of Golden Thread Productions tors include Golden Thread veterans Erin Gilley, Gilley (projection design), Brooke Jennings (cos- Francisco) Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Evren Odcikin and Sara Razavi, alongside Bay tume design), Karen Runk (stage manager), Sundays at 3 p.m. (No performance on Area favorite Tunisian-American director Benjamin Shiu (assistant stage manager) and Thanksgiving Thursday, November 23). human stories, are essential in shifting the con- Susannah Martin. Grisel Torres (property design). Opening night is Monday, November 20, at 8 versation to our shared vulnerabilities.” This year’s ReOrient Festival marks the first Golden Thread supporters include the San p.m. This year’s festival presents seven eclectic collaboration between Golden Thread and the Francisco Arts Commission, National “Nowhere else in the US, and certainly not world premiere short plays as one evening of Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Endowment for the Arts, Walter & Elise Haas anywhere in the Middle East, will you be able to theatre. The ReOrient 2017 playwrights, who Americas (LMDA). The partnership brings Fund, The Fleishhacker Foundation, University find such a diverse collection of plays from and were selected by a panel of theatre luminaries together two organizations that value challeng- of San Francisco, and The Center for Middle about the Middle East on one stage,” founding from 79 submissions from 14 countries, include ing cultural preconceptions through provoca- Eastern Studies, UC Berkeley. Golden Thread is artistic director Torange Yeghiazarian explains. three local playwrights: Palestinian-American tive programming and dialogue. For ReOrient a resident company at Potrero Stage, operated “As Washington promotes fear and an isola- playwright Betty Shamieh, E.H. Benedict, 2017, LMDA will provide a team of profession- by Playground. tionist superior stance, programs like ReOrient whose “Orhan” was part of ReOrient 2012, and al dramaturgs who bring their expertise in new For tickets ($15-$36) and more information that present nuanced narratives and accessible Torange Yeghiazarian. Also returning to play development, research, and content cre- on the festival, visit goldenthread.org. Florida’s Ballroom Dancing Power Couple

DANCERS, from page 13 husband, who adds that “couples sometimes forget to look each other in the eyes, especially after being married a long time.” The act of moving together and focusing on the subtle shifts of the other person’s body ignites a new kind of intimacy, but the couples often need a loving push to get there. “Dance instructors are also psychologists,” says Emilia, flashing a big smile as she tells the story of a client who told her she’d rather spend money on dance classes than therapy sessions. Being a dance instructor is as much about navigating the nuance in each person as it is about teaching the steps, which Poghosyan says anyone can learn. It’s keeping an open mind, having the heart, possessing the willing- ness to be uncomfortable that leads to success on the dance floor. The couple encourages prospective students to attend events and par- ties at their studio before even trying a class. “Come drink, eat and make friends,” they say, “watch a few dances, try a few steps for fun,” emphasizing the importance of the social com- ponent of dancing. In Europe and throughout the rest of the world, ballroom dancing is either Standard or Latin. In the US, though, between 1910 and 1930, influences of jazz music coupled with the development of danc- ing as a social activity created what came to be known as American Rhythm and American Smooth. After the first few steps, any “Dancing with the Stars” fan worth their salt knows a paso doble from a samba — both rhythm dances — or the smooth styles of foxtrot versus tango. Find these and more on tap at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio, where the newly minted owners don’t play style favorites. Brides and grooms, mothers and sons, fathers and daughters come to the studio to take part in the popular wedding program, where the instructors choreograph a special routine to the chosen reception music. Often, couples enjoy the experience so much that they keep returning long after the wedding bells have rung. Some even participate in national competitions. The spirited twosome love preparing their students to compete; they attended the US Nationals this past September in Orlando for the first time as instructors rather than as competitors. When they’re not cutting a rug, you can find the duo barbecuing at home surrounded by friends, laughing, sharing stories and talking about the future. As Poghosyan expresses excitement about learning to drive, her hubby’s eyes get as big as saucers: “This will just mean more shopping!” There’s no shortage of smiles and love between this modern-day Fred and Ginger, whose humor, hard work and humility will keep their dance cards full for a very long time. 16 S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 1 4 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING Dean Cain and Montel Williams Challenge Armenian Genocide Denial Across Capitol Recipe Hill with ‘Architects of Denial’ WASHINGTON — Activists Dean Cain and With powerful footage from the Armenian Corner Montel Williams — executive producers of the Genocide and ongoing attacks against Armenia powerful anti-genocide documentary “Architects and Artsakh by Azerbaijan, the documentary of Denial” — joined the Armenian National includes testimonials from Wikileak’s Julian by Christine Vartanian Committee of America (ANCA) on Capitol Hill in Assange, historians Dr. Greg Stanton, Dr. Taner late September, calling on US legislators to reject Akçam and Dr. Ugur Ungor, Rep. Adam Schiff (D- Artichoke Lemon Appetizer

INGREDIENTS 3-4 (6 oz.) jars of marinated artichoke hearts 1 small red or white onion, finely chopped 1 bunch green onions, finely chopped 1 small bunch flat-leaf parsley, minced 1 roasted red or green bell pepper, seeded and chopped 3-4 cloves garlic, minced 2-3 tablespoons olive oil Juice of two lemons and 1 teaspoon lemon zest 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup plain white or Greek yogurt (to taste) 1/4 cup pitted Kalamata, green, or black olives, chopped Sea or Kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, and dried oregano to taste Dash of hot sauce Pita bread, pita chips, Armenian lavosh, toasted or sliced baguette or sliced vegetables Lemon wedges

Dean Cain and Montel Williams with Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Dave Trott (D-CA), PREPARATION: Jackie Speier (D-CA) and David Valadao (R-CA) and Rep. Anna Eshoo. Drain and chop artichoke hearts and place in a large bowl. Add the onions, parsley, and all remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly. Check seasonings. Chill for 2-3 hours or overnight for best results. Turkey’s gag-rule and adopt legislation CA), whistleblower Sibel Edmonds, publisher Serve with pita bread, pita chips, Armenian lavosh, toasted or sliced baguette and (H.Res.220 and S.Res.136) applying the lessons Harut Sassounian, and eye-witness accounts by sliced vegetables. Serve with lemon wedges on the side and drizzle with olive oil, if of the Armenian Genocide to the prevention of Aregak Bagirian, Movses Anehyan and Yepraksi desired. future atrocities. Gevorgyan. *Christine's recipes have been published in the Fresno Bee newspaper, Sunset maga- The meetings with over a dozen senior legisla- To view the “Architects of Denial” trailer and zine, Cooking Light magazine, and at http://www.thearmeniankitchen.com/ tors, Republican and Democrat, took place for more information, visit: around the September 26th Washington DC pre- architectsofdenial.com miere of Architects of Denial, held at the US Naval Memorial before a capacity crowd of poli- cy makers, diplomats and DC influencers. “We were honored to be joined on Capitol Hill by Dean Cain and Montel Williams, two of America’s most eloquent and effective human rights advocates, in challenging US legislators to — at long last — reject Turkey’s gag-rule against honest US remembrance of the Armenian Genocide,” said Aram Hamparian, executive director of the ANCA. “As they made so very clear — in their film and across the Hill — no nation — especially as one as hostile as Turkey — deserves a veto over US human rights policy.” Cain and Williams reminded legislators that genocide denial leads to it perpetuation, con- necting the Armenian Genocide with ongoing official Azerbaijani aggression against Armenia and Artsakh. Among the legislators who took the opportunity to discuss the legacy of the Armenian Genocide and Turkey’s denial on the geopolitical realities of today were, House Assistant Democratic Leader Jim Clyburn (D-SC), House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Democrat Eliot Engel (D-NY), and Representatives from throughout the US includ- ing Reps. Kevin Kramer (R-ND), Dan Donovan (R-NY), Trent Franks (R-AZ), Louis Gohmert (R- TX), Jody Hice (R-GA), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Duncan Hunter (R-CA), Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Jim Jordan (R-OH), Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), Brad Schneider (D-IL), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), and Juan Vargas (D-CA), among others. Cain and Williams also discussed efforts to secure passage of the Armenian Genocide legis- lation with Congressional Armenian Caucus Co- Chairs Jackie Speier (D-CA), Dave Trott (R-MI) and David Valadao (R-CA) and Representative Anna Eshoo (D-CA), several of whom recently returned from a trip to Armenia and Artsakh. On September 27, Cain talked to Fox News’ Tucker Carlson regarding ongoing efforts to sup- press broad-based distribution of “Architects of Denial,” including the since-resolved advertise- ment controversy at Glendale’s Americana Shopping center. Earlier, on September 26, Williams was a guest on the CBS program “Great Day Washington,” where he discussed the very real ongoing impact of genocide denial. “The Armenian people have been the subject of persecution now for close to a hundred years and no one wants to recognize it,” stated Williams. “So, this movie is about the Genocide and the Armenian people, but it’s also about the bigger discussion about what’s going on in this world.” S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 1 4 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 17 ARTS & LIVING CC AA LENDARLENDAR

NOVEMBER 2 – Thursday: Symposium on Armenian MASSACHUSETTSCALIFORNIA Issues in the International Press. “Journalism and MICHIGAN “Fake News”: The Armenian Genocide and NOVEMBER 18 — Join the Armenian EyeCare Project DECEMBER 2 — Nor Keghi Kef Time III Pagharch Dinner Karabagh. Journalism is changing at a rapid pace. Join for its 25th Anniversary Gala at 6:30pm at the Balboa and Dance Fundraiser for Nor Keghi School in the Armenian Mirror-Spectator along with Robert Fisk Bay Club in Newport Beach. The organization will honor Armenia, 6.30 p.m. St. John Armenian Church Hall, from Beirut, Lebanon, David Barsamian, Philip Terzian and Founder Dr. Roger Ohanesian for 25 years of dedicated Southfield. Continuous music by an assembly of Detroit’s Amberin Zaman to discuss the issues facing journalism service to Armenia in the field of eye care. The fun-filled All-Star Armenian Musicians will again entertain attendees today and their impact on the Armenian Case. Wellesley evening includes an authentic Armenian dinner, roving to the third “Pagharch” feast that residents of the historic College, Alumnae Hall Ballroom, 106 Central Street, entertainers, a silent & live auction, Tom Bozigian & his Armenian district dined on for centuries at the start of the Wellesley, MA. Doors open at 6:00 pm, Program starts band and Artur’s Armenian Dance Troupe. To RSVP or for winter season in mountainous Keghi district. The govern- 7:00 pm. Reception to follow, free admission. more information, call 949-933-4069, email leslie@eyecare- ment of Armenia on Feb. 1962 renamed the region of NOVEMBER 3 - 85th Anniversary Benefit Gala of the project.com or visit eyecareproject.com/25th-anniversary-gala/ Ashdarag to Nor Keghi to honor the history of Keghizees Armenian Mirror-Spectator, the first English-language of historic Western Armenia. Funds raised will help in Armenian newspaper in the United States. Boston Marriott development of the school’s multi-purpose auditorium. MASSACHUSETTS Hotel, 2345 Commonwealth Ave. Newton, MA. Reception, Meet the Awardees |6:30 PM; Dinner and Program, 7:30 OCTOBER 13-14 - St. James 70th Annual Bazaar 11am- PM. 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award to Robert Fisk, NEW JERSEY 8pm Delicious Armenian Food and Pastries. Silent Journalist, Middle East correspondent for The Independent Auction, Attic Treasures, Booths and Vendors. Super NOVEMBER 18 — Save the date. Gala banquet cele- of London based in Beirut, seven time recipient of British Raffle (Apple Products, Electronics, and Children’s Prizes), brating the 70th anniversary of the Tekeyan Cultural Press Awards’ Reporter of the Year; 2017 Excellence Awards $100 Raffle and Children’s Activities. St. James Armenian Association. At the Terrace at Biagios. 299 Paramus to David Barsamian, founder and director of Alternative Church – 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown. Sponsorship Road, Paramus. Featuring Elie Berberian and his band Radio, and Amberin Zaman, columnist for Diken and Al opportunities available. For more information contact from Montreal. Monitor, former Turkey correspondent for The Economist. 617.923.8860 or at www.stjameswatertown.org/bazaar Mistress of Ceremonies Anaide Nahikian, Leader, OCTOBER 14 — Armenian Friends of America, Inc. NEW YORK Advanced Training Program at Harvard Humanitarian Present HYE KEF 5 Dance Featuring: ONNIK DINKJIAN. Initiative, Entertainment, 12 Musicians of Black Sea Salsa. OCTOBER 19 — Pianist Kariné Poghosyan will perform on 7 p.m. – Midnight, 123 Old River Road • Andover. AFA For Reservations please call Aram Arkun (917) 743-9005 Thursday at 7.30 p.m., at the Weill Recital Hall at room rates until 9/16/17 • Call 978-975-3600• Cash Bar (cell), Email: [email protected]. Carnegie Hall, 154 West 57th St., New York. The program is Only. $65.00, $50 for Students 21 and under. Continuous NOVEMBER 3-4 — 61st annual St. Stephen’s Armenian part of the Institute of International Social Development and Buffet 7:30 – 9:30 pm. Advance tickets only. John Arzigian Apostolic Church Bazaar. Friday and Saturday. Come the United Nations Women’s Guild. Works by Beethoven, - 603-560-3826, Lucy Sirmaian - 978-683-9121, Peter with family and friends for delicious chicken, beef and Brahms, Khachaturian and Stravinsky. Tickets $30, and $15 Gulezian - 978-375-1616, Sharké Der Apkarian - 978-808- losh kebab, kuftah and kheyma dinners, pastries and spe- for students and seniors. For more information, visit 0598, To Benefit: The Armenian Churches of the Merrimack cialty gourmet items. Handmade arts and carts, White www.carnegiehall.org or call 212-247-7800. Valley (St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church of N. Elephant table and ever popular silent and live auction NOVEMBER 16 — Join Armenia Tree Project and Paros Andover, The Armenian Apostolic Church at Hye Pointe, items. Visit the church’s website, Foundation for a fundraiser to support kitchen renova- Haverhill, Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church of www.soorpstepanors.org for menus, pastry and gourmet tions, beautification and environmental education at the Chelmsford, Ararat Armenian Congregational Church of items. Armenian Cultural and Educational Center, 47 school in Rind, Vayots Dzor. Featuring live performance Salem, NH) www.Armenian FriendsofAmerica.org. John Nichols Ave., Watertown. Admission is free. by singer/songwriter Hooshere and silent auction featur- Berberian / Oud, Mal Barsamian / Clarinet, Ara Dinkjian / NOVEMBER 3 and 4 – Annual Autumnfest Bazaar spon- ing fine art and luxury gift items. Almayass Keyboard, Ron Tutunjian / Dumbeg sored by the Armenian Church at Hye Pointe, at our Restaurant, 24 E 21st Street, New York. 7:00 pm to OCTOBER 15 — “Hidden Treasure” Concert: An undis- new location 1280 Boston Road, (Rte 125) Bradford MA , 10:00 pm. Donation: $100 in advance, $125 at door. For covered repertoire of classical music of the Caucasus. Friday 12 – 7 pm and Saturday 12 – 7 pm. Lamb, Losh, more information, [email protected]. With Nuné Melik, violin, and Michel-Alexandre Broekaert, Chicken Kebab and Kheyma. Dinners served all day. piano, Sunday, Armenian Museum of America, 65 Main Pastry table, Armenian cuisine, gift baskets, raffles for NEVADA St., Watertown, Adele and Haig Der Manuelian Galleries, cash and prizes. For more info, visit www.hyepointear- 3rd floor. 2 p.m. Cosponsored by the Composers Union NOVEMBER 10-12 — Association of Armenian Church menianchurch.org or call (978) 372-9227. of Armenia and funded by the Dadourian Foundation. Choirs, 2017 Convention & Assembly, Las Vegas. Saint NOVEMBER 10 — Benefit dinner for Armenia Tree Admission is free. Geragos Armenian Apostolic Church, Contact: website: Project’s 100th anniversary living memorial to OCTOBER 15 — 4th Annual Trinity Tailgate, New www.aaccwd.com • email: [email protected]. The General Dro and the Battle of Bash Aparan, Friday, pre- England Patriots vs. New York Jets, sponsored by the AACCWD is an organization of the Western Diocese of sented by ATP and the Kanayan Family. Armenian Trinity Men’s Union of Holy Trinity Armenian Church of the Armenian Church of North America. American Social Club, Watertown. 7:30 p.m. $75 per per- Greater Boston, 12:15 p.m., Charles and Nevart Talanian son. Call (617) 926-8733 or [email protected] to Cultural Hall, 145 Brattle Street, Cambridge. All are invit- reserve your seat. PENNSYLVANIA ed to a tailgate party to watch the game, 1 p.m. kick-off, NOVEMBER 12 — From Armenia to Boston for the first on a 12-foot high-definition screen. Lots of food, bever- OCTOBER 15 – Armenian Intercommunal Committee of time. Beloved singer RUBEN SASUNCI, live in concert ages and snacks. Silent Auction of 2 tickets to the Philadelphia celebrating Armenian Cultural Month with the Sayat Nova Dance Company of Boston (SNDC). December 31, 2017 Patriots vs Jets Game, 1 p.m. kick-off. presents a musical program by Areni Choir at Holy Trinity Sunday, at 4 p.m. at Shaw Auditorium - Watertown High For further information, call the Holy Trinity Church Office, Armenian Church. Sunday, 2 pm. Admission is free. Light School, 50 Columbia St. Tickets: $45 and $35 to be 617.354.0632. meal will be served. 101 Ashmead Rd, Cheltenham, Holy reserved from front to back, in the order calls are OCTOBER 19 — The Battle of Bash Aparan. Lecture by Dr. Trinity Armenian Church, phone: 215 663-1600. received. For tickets and info, please call Mike Demirchian Dikran Kaligian. Presented by the National Association for (617) 240-8266 or Vrej Ashjian at (339) 222-3429. Armenian Studies and Research and the Armenia Tree RHODE ISLAND NOVEMBER 18 — The Armenian Women’s Welfare Project. At NAASR, 395 Concord Ave., Belmont, Thursday, Association’s 41st Annual Luncheon/Auction will SEPTEMBER 13, 2017-MARCH 14, 2018 — Armenian Film 7:30 p.m. be held at the Oakley Country Club, 410 Belmont Festival “The Nation’s Past & Present” Sponsored by OCTOBER 22 — Annual Banquet Celebrating the 56th Street, Watertown on Saturday, at 11 a.m. Ticket price Cultural Committee of the Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Armenian Anniversary of Holy Trinity Armenian Church of is $75. Proceeds to benefit the mission of the AWWA, Church, in Hanoian Hall, 70 Jefferson Street, Providence. Greater Boston and Honoring Aram Hintlian, as which include the Armenian Nursing & Rehabilitation Wednesday, October 11, , at 7 pm, “Garni, Geghard” Parishioner of the Year, Sunday, 12:15 p.m., Charles and Center in Jamaica Plain and the Hanganak NGO Clinic Wednesday, November 15, 2017, at 7 pm, “Armenia” Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall, 145 Brattle Street, in Stepanakert, N-K, Armenia. For more information (Yerevan, Echmiadzin, Khor Virap, Zvartnots, Sevan, Dilijan, Cambridge. During the Banquet, recognition will also be about this event, please call Stephanie Ciccolo at 617- Lori) Wednesday, January, 24, at 7 pm “Country of given to outgoing Parish Council member Jack Ekchian. 522-2600. Armenian Kings - 2” (Ani, Kars, Edesia, Musaler)Wednesday, Dinner donation is $40; children under 12, $20. Seating is NOVEMBER 19 — The Westin Waltham Boston Hotel, February, 21, at 7 pm, “Country of Armenian Kings - 3” by advance paid reservation only with a RSVP deadline of Project SAVE will celebrate with a Thanks Giving (Cilicia, Kharbert, Adana, Zeytoun) Wednesday, March, 14, October 18. For further information, call the Holy Trinity brunch event to honor Founder Ruth Thomasian’s vision 2018, at 7 pm. All presented in English, donation of $10. Church Office, 617.354.0632, or log onto and 42 years of service and to acknowledge the many vol- OCTOBER 22 — The Cultural Committee of Sts. Sahag http://www.htaac.org/calendar/event/464/ unteers, photo donors and supporters who have con- and Mesrob Armenian Church & The Rhode Island OCTOBER 26 — Annual Fall Dinner and Drawing spon- tributed to Project SAVE. An event for the community to Orthodox Clergy Fellowship presents - Spiritual Music sored by the Friends of Holy Trinity 1000 Club, 6:30 come together and celebrate as we look ahead to the Festival, 6:00 p.m., Sanctuary of Sts. Sahag & Mesrob p.m., Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall, Holy future. For more information call 617-923-4542 or Armenian Church, 70 Jefferson Street, Providence. Trinity Armenian Church, 145 Brattle St., Cambridge. All email: [email protected] . NOVEMBER 4, 5 — Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Armenian are invited, and you don’t have to be a member of the DECEMBER 17 — Candlelit Labyrinth Peace Walk, Church, Annual Food Fair & Bazaar. Saturday, 11:30 1000 Club to join us for a delicious losh kebab and pilaf Armenian Heritage Park on The Greenway, Boston, a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday, noon – 6 p.m. Shish Kebob, Kufta, dinner; $9.99 per person; tickets on sale at the door. 4:30 – 6 pm. Quiet holiday reflection and celebration. Tie Kheyma, Choreg, Yalanchi, Losh Kebab, Armenian Regular monthly raffle drawing at 8 p.m., plus five $25 a ribbon with your wish on the Wishing Tree. Hot Pastries, midia, Vosbov Kheyma, etc.Daily Raffle, Silent door prizes. “One-time” numbers will be sold on the night Chocolate & Cookies, hosted by The Bostonian Hotel Auction Kids activities & Balloon Man, and much more. of dinner; special offer: purchase five “one-time” numbers Boston All are invited. RSVP appreciated, please Cash, Check, Visa & Mastercard accepted. Call 401-272- for $20, save $5. For further info, contact the Holy Trinity email [email protected] 7712 for further info. Church office, 617.354.0632, or email [email protected]. 18 S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 1 4 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

COMMENTARY Mirror Erdogan’s Multiple Political Spectator Challenges

Erdogan does not miss any opportunity to fling caustic By Edmond Y. Azadian remarks at the US administration for providing military sup- port to regional Iraqi Kurdistan and to the Kurds fighting in EstablishedEstablished 1932 1932 Syria to establish autonomy on the Turkish border. An ADLAn Publication ADL Publication Events in the Middle East are moving at a dizzying pace, Adding insult to injury, the Turkish government has and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is in the midst aligned itself with Iran and Iraq to fight the Kurdish referen- of all these movements like a medieval juggler pulling tricks dum for independence, right at the moment when President out of his sleeves to the amazement of his audience. All the Trump is considering scrapping the Iran nuclear deal, which EDITOR observers wonder when his tricks will fail, but in the mean- will result in new sanctions against Tehran. Alin K. Gregorian time, the master magician is still at center state, busy churn- Erdogan is also in the global political focus; while tit-for-tat ing out tricks. diplomatic sanctions are flying between Washington and ASSISTANT EDITOR All along, pundits believed that Erdogan will run out of Moscow, Turkey is not only thumbing its nose at NATO allies Aram Arkun tricks and fall flat on his face. One reason that the anticipat- by buying defense systems from Russia, it has joined forces ART DIRECTOR ed fall is being delayed is that Middle Eastern politics are fuel- with Russia and Iran to wade into the war in Syria. The Marc Mgrditchian ing his game with new developments every day. Astana meeting between the three parties was an attempt to Domestically, he is engaged in a massive purge and witch steer Washington out of the game in Syria. hunt, eliminating suspected army and police officers, jailing When Iraqi Kurdistan held its referendum on September academics and journalists at an alarming rate, accusing them 25, Israel was the only country that supported the move of being the spies of Fetullan Gullen, an Islamic cleric living openly. Frozen relations between Turkey and Israel had only SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: in exile in the US. Many not under arrest are worried about just begun to thaw, when Erdogan threatened to refreeze Edmond Y. Azadian the prospect and are thus leaving their homeland. Allies and them as a response to Israel’s stand. However, Israel issued a enemies in the West believe that Turkey will come to a grind- stern rebuke suggesting that the country is not in the habit CONTRIBUTORS: ing halt with the loss of its intellectual capital. But Erdogan of formulating foreign policy under duress from a third party. Florence Avakian, Dr. Haroutiun is not worried; he knows that he does not need academia, an At this time, Turkey, Russia and Iran are in the process of Arzoumanian, Taleen Babayan, Diana independent judiciary or press, because they will be asking Der Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, implementing the Astana agreement, which calls for creating Kevork Keushkerian, Harut Sassounian, questions, which the Sultan is in no mood to answer. He is safe areas for the civilian population. Hagop Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian solely depending on the 51 percent of the population who As always, Turkey is pursuing its own interests, under the supported his referendum, and who are ready to waive the guise of implementing the agreement. It has moved its forces CORRESPONDENTS: flags and follow the instructions of the mullahs loyal to near Idlib, first and foremost preventing a move from the Armenia - Hagop Avedikian Boston - Nancy Kalajian New York/New Jersey - Marylynda Bozian-Cruickshank Berlin - Muriel Mirak-Weissbach

Contributing Photographers: Jacob Demirdjian and Jirair Hovsepian I‘ve got more tricks!

The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published weekly, except two weeks in July and the first week of the year, by: Baikar Association, Inc. 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 Telephone: 617-924-4420 FAX: 617-924-2887 www.mirrorspectator.com E-Mail: [email protected] For advertising: [email protected]

SUBSCRIPTION RATES :

U.S.A. $80 a year

Canada $125 a year

Other Countries $190 a year

© 2014 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA Erdogan. They are Erdogan’s power base as he persecutes the Kurds. “When we don’t go to Syria, Syria comes to us,” says and additional mailing offices. intellectual elite and slaughters the Kurds. President Erdogan. “We will never allow a terror corridor that He believes that once he has the backing of that fanatical begins in Afrin and goes to the Mediterranean,” continued ISSN 0004-234X constituency, he can deal with foreign threats and interna- Erdogan, referring to the stretch of Turkey’s southern border tional and domestic challenges. that is controlled on the Syrian side by Kurdish fighters and Thus, Turkey last week detained Metin Topuz, a US con- Tahrir al-Sham. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Armenian Mirror-Spectator, 755 Mount Auburn sulate worker on charges of having links to Fetullah Gulen’s Reuters comments that Turkey has been one of the biggest St., Watertown, MA 02472 organization. An American pastor, Andrew Brunson, has been supports of rebels fighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Other than the editorial, views and opinions in a Turkish jail for more than a year, following the massive during the six-and-a-half-year war, but its focus has moved expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily arrests that took place after the botched coup attempt in July. from ousting him to securing its own border against jihadis reflect the policies of the publisher. He has been arrested on trumped up charges and remains a and Kurdish groups. hostage to be exchanged with Fullen if and when the US Turkey is waging a three-pronged war against the Kurds; authorities extradite him. As a reprisal, the US cancelled the slaughtering PKK militants within its borders, opposing the non-immigrant visa regime, to which Turkey reciprocated. formation of a Kurdish enclave in Syria and joining forces Copying for other than personal use or And the tension continues rising. with Baghdad and Tehran to undermine the independence internal reference is prohibited without These arrests have been reckless politically, as they taunt a move in Iraqi Kurdistan. express permission of the copyright longtime ally, and yet they are deliberate, as Turkey wants to Erdogan has global ambitions, which can only be achieved owner. Address requests for reprints or thumb its nose at the US. In addition, Turkey, the NATO through long-lasting and permanent relations with other back issues to: pivot, has struck a deal for military hardware with Russia, giv- nations, while he has been resorting to ephemeral deals keep- ing rise to louder voices to abandon the Incirlik base in ing moving targets on the horizon. Baikar Association, Inc. Turkey. The German fleet did just that, leaving for Jordan, fol- It will take some time for his tricks will fail and his fall will 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472- lowing the restriction of access imposed on them in Incirlik. be spectacular as his rise. 1509 S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 1 4 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 19 COMMENTARY

none of these statements is true. The author’s aim is to start simply showing who his second master is, in addition to a baseless controversy. Here is the first paragraph of Azerbaijan. Korybko’s faulty commentary: Korybko then resorts to an extreme exaggeration by fabri- “One of the most influential weapons that Armenia has in cating the following untrue scenario about Armenian- its foreign policy toolkit is its US-based diaspora lobby in Americans: “In fact, they want to do everything that they can My Turn California, which supports their homeland’s most nationalis- to ruin the historic Russian-Armenian friendship in their tic and firebrand policies. Instead of behaving as a responsi- feverish attempt to tear Yerevan away from Moscow and By Harut Sassounian ble and pragmatic instrument of the Armenian government bring it under Washington’s proxy tutelage.” in what could have been a calculated policy to balance To back up his fake claim, the author mentions that com- between Great Powers, it’s oftentimes the case that the roles plaints by citizens of Armenia last month about a govern- Absurd Propagandist for are reversed and Yerevan is used as an instrument and tool ment official’s announcement to provide more support to Azerbaijan Blames California of the US-based Armenian lobby in working against the coun- Russian language programs “closely aligns with the position try’s national interests in order to promote the US. All states pushed forth by some elements of the US-based diaspora and Armenians aspire for their people to build robust and influential diaspo- their American-linked associates in Armenia.” The fact is that ra communities abroad, but the Armenian one is heavily not a single person in the entire diaspora said one critical Not a week passes without another propagandist for politicized and regularly exerts negative influence on word about the Russian language. Korybko then resorts to Azerbaijan writing anti-Armenian disinformation against Yerevan in order to bring it under further American control.” another unwarranted exaggeration by claiming that the either Armenia or the Diaspora. First of all, California Armenians neither try nor have the Armenian Education Ministry “felt pressured to cave in to The latest such article was written by Andrew Korybko, an power to influence the policies of the Republic of Armenia. their diaspora’s demands and reaffirm that Armenian is the unknown individual described as an “American Moscow-based Secondly, anyone who has the slightest knowledge of only national language in the country…. Whether he intend- political analyst.” We don’t know what education or back- Armenian-Americans knows that they are often quite critical ed or not, [Education Minister Levon] Mkrtchyan fell into the ground qualifies him as an “analyst” on the Armenian of United States relations with Turkey, position on Nagorno- information warfare trap laid out for him by the cunning Diaspora to make false accusations on the basis of the little he Karabagh (Artsakh), and Turkey’s undue influence on U.S. minds organizing the US-based diaspora’s political activi- seems to know. One gets the impression that Korybko’s article government leaders who refuse to use the term ‘Armenian ties.” This is yet another pure invention by the author. is not simply the result of his ignorance, but a deliberate effort Genocide.’ Therefore, it is completely untrue that California Exceeding all logical bounds, Korybko alleges that “the arranged by entities that are not difficult to guess. Armenians blindly serve the interests of the United States. Armenian lobby in the US is very similar to the Gulenists in Korybko’s article, published by the Center for Research on Korybko then blames “the US-based diaspora” for taking a Turkey, in that they represent a shadowy power network Globalization, Canada, is titled: “The US-Based Armenian congressional delegation in mid-September, not only to with a concrete geopolitical agenda advanced through manip- Lobby is on a Mission to Provoke Azerbaijan and Russia.” Armenia, but “whisked off on a highly-publicized visit to the ulative means, and both serve the interests of Washington Even from the title, it is obvious that the author is trying to occupied regions of Western Azerbaijan.” By describing the against their homelands.” Korybko with a completely erro- incite a conflict between Russia and Armenians, whereas in Republic of Artsakh as “the occupied regions of Western neous conclusion claims that “the US-based Armenian lobby reality, there is no such conflict. A note at the end of the arti- Azerbaijan,” Korybko makes amply clear whose interests he is getting dangerously close to seizing full control over their cle indicates that the article was “originally written for the is serving. Strangely, the author goes on to describe the con- homeland’s foreign policy.” ‘Moscow-Baku.ru’ online information portal,” which provides gressional visit, not only as a pro-American move, but “to There are other falsifications in Korybko’s article too a clear evidence of who the author is trying to please. Russia’s overall strategic detriment.” Thus, Korybko is accus- numerous to mention. Whoever commissioned this article In his first paragraph, Korybko attacks the Armenians of ing Armenian-Americans of undermining Russian interests in must realize that such authors, by their ridiculous false- California for their extreme nationalism and working for the Armenia which is totally untrue because they have neither hoods, are causing more damage to the interests of their pay- United States against the interests of Armenia. Of course, the wish nor the ability to undermine Russia. The author is masters than the Armenian community in California.

attractiveness to US investors, and “ensure equal natural reaction in Armenia. A new harsh reac- Europe (OSCE) region in the 21st Century,” Armenia’s rules to all players.” Official Yerevan reacted to tion ensued after the suggestion from Moscow to adopted in Vilnius in 2009, which appeared as a such a proposal with silence. make Russian the second official language in united European stand condemning totalitarian- If one wants to count the Eurasian “blessings” Armenia in order to obtain the necessary driving ism. The resolution states that “in the twentieth of Armenia since the very moment the country licenses for Armenian truck drivers crossing the century European countries experienced two European joined this organization, then it becomes obvious Russian border. major totalitarian regimes, Nazi and Stalinist, that since 2013 Armenia secured and even insti- The Ministry of Education of Armenia was which brought about genocide, violations of tutionalized the status of a “geopolitical hostage” forced to follow this instruction, though Russian human rights and freedoms, war crimes and Checkpoint country while in the Eurasian Economic Union was not made the second official language, in crimes against humanity,” urges all OSCE mem- (EEU). This new club of former Soviet republics adopting a document to improve the teaching of ber countries to take a “united stand against all By Hayk Demoyan is in a friendlier and closer partnership with Russian in the Armenian schools. The aforemen- totalitarian rule from whatever ideological back- Azerbaijan than with its natural ally, Armenia. tioned does not necessarily mean the existence of ground,” and condemns “the glorification of the This is obvious even from the position of Russia, anti-Russian sentiments and hatred in Armenia. totalitarian regimes, including the holding of pub- On November 24 of this which is still supplying modern weaponry to Not at all. We simply conclude that the level of lic demonstrations glorifying the Nazi or Stalinist year, Armenia is going to Azerbaijan. To the protests from Yerevan, pro-Russian sentiments and attitudes in the last past.” sign an accord with the Moscow gives a bizarre excuse: “If we do not sell two years declined unprecedentedly, which for It would be more than appropriate if the European Union during the to them, then they can buy it from other sources.” Moscow is a bad sign, but one with which it must Armenian parliament adopts a resolution on the EU summit in Brussels. Note that last year’s escalation also occurred deal. Any other arrogant policies could lead condemnation of Stalinist and totalitarian crimes Although some may call it a on Armenia’s border with Azerbaijan, when sev- toward a constant and firm position of absolute 80 years after the major Stalinist purges started, moment of truth, one eral Armenian citizens were killed. The new esca- distrust towards Russian policies concerning which resulted in the persecution and destruc- should foresee that any move towards closer lation only led to a muted reaction by the secre- Armenia with further consequences. tion of tens of thousands of Armenians in 1930s European integration is not an easy one for tary of the Collective Defense Agreement It is clear that instead of making Armenia its and 1940s. Such a resolution could be also a sig- Armenia. It definitely will be monitored by Organization (CDAO), while Azerbaijan still con- natural ally and role model for others to show nal of the readiness for an independent move Moscow, which will apply heavy pressure. tinues to receive modern weaponry from Russia what could and should be a strategic partnership towards Europe, but not one based on the princi- It was such pressure earlier which led President and strengthen its military potential. Without a with Russia, Moscow has decided to weaken and ple of “one step forward, two steps backward.” Serzh Sargsyan to decide ad hoc to turn doubt, such supplies played a crucial role in push- marginalize the Armenian state in order to secure After all this, a crucial question remains: who is Armenia’s move towards European integration in ing Azerbaijan to its April 2016 escalation. The effective control over its Caucasian partner and the guarantor of Armenia’s security? No one the opposite direction. This happened on heavy fighting, despite its local nature, occurred not to let her go to European embraces. except Armenia’s citizens, its army, and motivat- September 3, 2013, when it was declared that only 100 miles away from the Russian border Today Russia controls almost everything in ed compatriots in its diaspora. It is perfectly clear Armenia would join the Eurasian Economic with Azerbaijan. Armenia, leaving less space to Armenia to be a that the main threat from the outside is doubled Union. Such a decision saddened many in The question of who pushed Baku into an sole decision maker in major external and inter- by internal disturbances and drastic polarization Armenia and in Europe, since the country, at adventuristic blitzkrieg attempt, and for what rea- nal issues. The critical level of such control of Armenian society and ruling power. This least within the last decade, was declaring that son, can be judged from ongoing developments. brought further marginalization and polarization makes the country more vulnerable. It is high European integration is a dominant paradigm The escalation on the contact zone of of the relations between society and the ruling time to take real steps for real results in fighting among Armenian foreign policy priorities. Azerbaijan and Artsakh in early April 2016 elite in Armenia. Armenia’s membership in CDAO corruption, limiting foreign dependence and elim- What we see now from the EU is a policy was unprecedented since the 1994 ceasefire, and the Eurasian Economic Union so far did not inating the consequences of disastrous elections, of offering added incentives in order to keep causing deaths or injuries to hundreds of prove itself as a security guarantee, considering which shook the very foundation and essence of Armenia motivated for closer relations with Armenian servicemen. It raised the security Russia’s military supplies to Azerbaijan and the Armenian statehood. the EU — no doubt, at the expense of guarantee issue for Armenia once again, and Turkey while both countries continue to block The sooner the further and fatal consequences Armenia’s Eurasian preferences. The recent questioned the status reserved for Armenia Armenia. Secondly, the new integration did not of the existing situation will be understood, the statement of Piotr Switalski, the head of the in CDAO, particularly for Russia. The mas- lead to ending the economic stagnation of the better for the future of Armenia. EU delegation in Armenia, should be under- sacre of the Armenian family in Gyumri by country and a reduction in poverty. stood in this context. He suggested that Russian conscript Valery Permyakov in early Will the EU try to appear as a security guar- Armenian officials be prepared for a visa-free 2015 and the April war of 2016, together antor instead for Armenia sandwiched in-between (Dr. Hayk Demoyan is a US Fulbright visiting agreement between EU countries and with subsequent mentor-like reactions from Turkey and Azerbaijan? Most probably not. At scholar at the Davis Center for Russian and Armenia. The West tries to synchronize its Moscow to Armenian protests, made it obvi- least there are no indications to think otherwise. Eurasian Studies of Harvard University. He is offers to official Yerevan, naturally targeting ous that the image of Russia heavily lost its But the European track for a shattered Armenian researching identity transformation processes the latter’s heavy dependence on Russia. value as security guarantor at various levels statehood is important for crucial counterbalanc- in the South Caucasus. From 2006 to 2017, he Quite recently, Richard Mills, the US ambas- of Armenian society, which traditionally ing. The leaders of Armenia have to show the held the position of director of the Armenian sador to Armenia, stated that Armenia had great praised such a status for the northern power. political will to not to be afraid of it. Genocide potential for developing renewable energy, adding Yes, historically Russia has a special image in Although the main text of the Armenia-EU Museum and Institute in Yerevan. Demoyan that “there were prospects for investing 8 billion the perception of Armenians, primarily in the agreement is not public, one of the good signs of remains the head of the scientific council of the US dollars as part of cooperation in this field.” strictly-defined identity of protector and guaran- real interest towards European integration by the latter. He is also a chief editor of While making such an unprecedented statement, tor of the security of Armenians. But decomposi- Armenian side would be to accept the principles the International Journal of Armenian the American diplomat also stressed that the US tion of that image occurs not because of external of the resolution on “Europe Reunited: Genocide Studies published starting in 2014. Embassy could not guarantee the implementa- involvement in Armenian society, but due to peri- Promoting Human Rights and Civil Liberties in The views and opinions expressed in this article tion of investments if Armenia failed to show its odical official statements from Moscow, causing a the Organization for Security and Cooperation in are solely those of the author.) 20 S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 1 4 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Acting Legend John Malkovich Arrives in Armenia

YEREVAN (Panorama/Panarmenian.am) — Malkovich performed a chapter from Ernesto American actor, producer, director and Sabato’s novel On Heroes and Tombs jointly scriptwriter John Malkovich arrived in Armenia performed with the Concerto for Piano and on Monday, October 9, to attend the opening Orchestra by Alfred Schnittke, one of the most ceremony of the fifth Aram Khachaturian eminent musical figures of the second half of International Festival, which was scheduled to the 20th century. The pianist is Anastasya take place on October 11. Terenkova. The Hollywood star was scheduled to perform at John Malkovich performed the work for the Aram Khachaturian Grand Concert Hall with the first time in Seoul 2015 and later on in Buenos State Youth Orchestra of Armenia under the baton Aires in 2016, he said. of Sergey Smbatyan at the opening of the festival. “I have used an adopted chapter from

John Malkovich in Armenia

Ernesto Sabato’s On Heroes and Tombs novel Speaking about his choices of literary works in the text. The part that I have taken is called and the worldwide interest towards literature, Report on the Blind,” he detailed. he said: “When I listen to a piece, I have to lis- Malkovich said he has already performed ten to it many, many times before I can say, ok, sight pieces with classical musicians and has with that piece of music I think I will try to pair had fantastic experiences, enjoying the collabo- this text. The text cannot really compete with ration with them. music, it kind of has to slide between music and “The music, on its own, has kind of universal complement music. It is a difficult task to pair power, especially live music and classical the text with music. In a piece like this, your John Malkovich meets with President Serzh Sargsyan. music,” the artist said. aim is to make the two forms of art complete each other.” In response to a question which is the quar- antine of eternity for good music, film or a work of art, the actor said: “Those works are eternal that deeply touch human beings.” On Tuesday, he met with President Serzh Sargsyan. The president said it’s a great pleasure to host the talented artist in a country that deeply val- ues the power of art, and whose people have been able to create an incredible cultural her- itage and make a unique contribution to the development of global civilization. “I know the Armenian audience will have the privilege to enjoy your performance which will forever be imprinted on their minds,” Sargsyan said, expressing hope that Malkovich will have the chance to know Armenia and its rich lega- cy better. Malkovich said he was looking forward to his performance for the Armenian audience. Also on Tuesday, Malkovich visited the Armenian Genocide memorial in Yerevan to pay tribute to the memory of 1.5 million victims.

OSCE Representative on Media Freedom Stresses Significance of Reporters’ Work in Armenia YEREVAN (Armenpress) — The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Desir released a statement on his visit to Armenia. During meetings, Désir under- scored the need to continue the cooperation between his office and Armenia to promote the freedom of the media. “Journalists have the right and duty to report freely. This includes reporting on rallies and demonstrations. The police and the judiciary should take all necessary measures to protect journalists and other media actors, and effec- tively prevent crimes against them,” Désir said “Addressing the safety of journalists requires a systematic approach and strong political will. My office stands ready to assist on this very important issue,” he said. Desir met with Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, Justice Minister Davit Harutyunyan, Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) Arman Tatoyan, Head of the Police Headquarters Hovhannes Kocharyan, and members of the executive management of the Public Service Broadcaster Margarita Grigoryan and Mark Grigoryan. He also raised concerns about the planned amendments to the country’s Freedom of Information Law, stressing the need to avoid any risk of limiting citizens’ existing right to access to information.