OCTOBER 26, 2013 MirTHErARoMENr IAN -Spe ctator Volume LXXXIV, NO. 15, Issue 430 9 $ 2.00 NEWS IN BRIEF The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 EU Maintains Interest in SHANT PARSEGHIAN Uttering the Armenian Cooperation YEREVAN (Armenpress) — The decision of Armenia to join the Russia-led Customs Union has brought Unutterable: a new dimension to cooperation negotiations with the European Union (EU), according to the head of the EU delegation in Armenia Traian Hristea. He Prose about made the comments on October 22 at the presen - tation of the European Integration Index 2013 for Eastern Partnership countries. Genocide Hristea noted that in this stage the relations with Armenia are important for the EU. “Certainly the decision of Armenia to join the Customs Union emerged corresponding conse - By Muriel Mirak-Weissbach quences, which are directed to change the circles of Special to the Mirror-Spectator our bilateral relations,” Hristea. He added that the Knights of Vartan Ararat Lodge Donates resources provided by the European Union for the Computers to Armenian Sisters’ Academy BERLIN — How can you express “the cooperation development should be reevaluated. unspeakable” in writing? Is it at all possi - “Today we need to review and study all the planned LEXINGTON, Mass. — It has been a tradition for the Knights of Vartan Ararat ble? The unspeakable or indescribable, in programs for Armenia. Especially those programs, Lodge to organize activities every year to raise funds for Armenian day schools this case, being the atrocities of mass mur - which concern to the creation of the deep and com - here. This year, the lodge organized a Surf and Turf Night and raised funds for both der, in the Armenian genocide of 1915, the prehensive free trade zone,” Hristea said. St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School and the Armenian Sisters’ Academy suffering of the Greek victims of the mas - (ASA). sacres and deportations in 1922-3, the elim - On Sunday, October 20, members of the lodge, with their Commander Jirair ination of European Jews in the Holocaust. Actor Vardan Petrosyan Demirdjian, visited the ASA and welcomed Sister Yevtoksia Keshishian, Mother Those courageous few, whether survivors In Serious Accident Superior of the sisterhood, above, seated in black, who is visiting the US from the of the catastrophic events, or their off - headquarters in Rome. Surrounded by all the sisters of the school, including Sister spring, or contemporary witnesses, who YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow) — Actor Vardan Emma Mousaian, director of the Philadelphia ASA, staff and members of the school put down their recollections and reflec - Petrosyan was taken to the hospital and operated board, Keshishian received from Demirdjian the donation of a dozen computers, tions in writing, have given birth to a vast on after surviving a car accident late last week. which will replace the computers currently at the school. The computers are used literature, the literature of memory, of According to the Ministry of Emergency for a variety of subjects, including learning the Armenian language. genocide. Situations, the accident took place on the second Keshishian thanked the Knights for their donation and promised that as long as Leading protagonists in this literary kilometer of the Yeghvard-Yerevan highway. A the community is behind the school, the school will keep its doors open. process gathered from October 11-13, report said rescuers helped take Petrosyan out of A breakfast reception followed hosted by Najeeb Diarbekerly. under the auspices of the Evangelical his BMW and also rescued the driver from other Academy in Berlin. Co-sponsors of the con - vehicle. Both were first transferred to the Yeghvard ference were the Working Group for hospital and then to the Erebuni medical center in Recognition — Against Genocide, for Yerevan. Pan-Armenian Journalists’ Group Convenes, International Understanding (AGA) and the According to the preliminary report, Petrosyan’s German-Armenian Society, Frankfurt. condition was assessed as serious. Media reports Awards Mirror-Spectator Annual Prize Peter Balakian, who had travelled from the later said that the actor had undergone a surgery US to participate in the conference, noted and was at the Erebuni medical center’s intensive YEREVAN — On October 9, the sixth Pan- Kandaharian, and ADL Press Committee that being there Schwanenwerder so near care unit and is said to have stabilized. Armenian Journalists’ Coordinating co-chairman, Hagop Vartivarian. Both the Wannsee was “heavy;” after all, it was Committee convened here, under the aus - spoke and praised the efforts of the there at the conference bearing its name pices of Diaspora Minister Hranush Hakobyan Diaspora Ministry. that the Nazi leadership met in January Armenia National Team and the Armenian Journalists’ Union. In addition, Vartivarian thanked her for 1942 to map out the “final solution to the Coach Bids Farewell Hakobyan thanked those assembled for awarding the Armenian Mirror-Spectator Jewish problem,” what was to go down in raising the issues that Armenians in the with the newspaper of the year award, history as the Holocaust. YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Armenia’s national soc - diaspora face, and also help shed light on which the ministry hands out annually, in In her opening welcome, Dr. Tessa cer team’s coach and squad manager Vardan solutions to those issues. She also present - conjunction with the Armenian Journalists’ Hofmann, founding member of the AGA Minasyan announced this week he will not coach ed a report on the Diaspora Ministry’s five Union. and one of the first in Germany to spread the national squad in the new qualification stage. years of activities. “Thank you to the ministry and to knowledge of the Armenian Genocide, “Today I met with FFA (Football Federation of The committee congratulated the Astghik Gevorkyan [of the Journalists’ quoted Theodor W. Adorno’s famous 1951 Armenia) President Ruben Hayrapetyan, and we Diaspora Ministry on its fifth anniversary. Union], for recognizing our ADL publica - remark, “To write poetry after Auschwitz is discussed several matters linked to the national She said, in turn, “Without the diaspora, tion in Massachusetts, which strives to barbaric” and noted that long before that, team. I prefer another continuation to my [coach - there would be no Diaspora Ministry. bring news form Armenia to their brothers in 1920, author Zapel Esayan from ing] career. There are several offers, specifically Without a diaspora, our programs would and sisters in the US, and also inform our Constantinople had questioned whether or from abroad, and I want to discuss them,” said not be realized.” fellow Armenians in the Homeland about not one could express the indescribable in Minasyan. The group is co-chaired by the editor of the lives of American-Americans,” literature: “It is definitely possible to relate “It is a great honor for every coach to be the Aztag newspaper in Lebanon, Shahan Vartivarian said. see UNUTTERABLE, page 7 manager of a national squad. I also would like to thank our football fans. I also would like to thank the media representatives. I have always been hon - Koutoujian Looks est with them,” Minasyan added. Back on Campaign, Hopes Community INSI DE Activism Continues Museum By Alin K. Gregorian Mirror-Spectator Staff Donor Page 10 BOSTON — It was a primary campaign that was launched when Sen. John Kerry was named secretary of state by Present Barack Obama and then Rep. Edward INDEX Markey won the special election in June to Sheriff Peter Koutoujian Arts and Living ...... 10 become the state’s junior senator. Armenia ...... 2 On October 15, the intense campaign by Community News...... 4 seven Democrats and three Republicans topped the Democratic side with 32 percent Sheriff Peter Koutoujian with 22 percent of Editorial ...... 14 seeking to win the special primary in their of the votes in the 24 cities and towns mak - the vote. He won Watertown and Waltham International ...... 3 respective parties to replace Markey ended, ing up the Fifth Congressional District. handily. and state Sen. Katherine Clark of Melrose In second place was Middlesex County see KOUTUOUJIAN, page 5 2 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 26, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia Shift:Tech Brings Armenia to

Armenian Justice Forefront of World IT Industry Minister Hosts CoE YEREVAN (Huffington Post) — lion) persons. Corruption is rampant. country’s capital Yerevan, which are Commissioner ONEArmenia and its latest venture, the “Enough looking backwards!” might reminiscent of Silicon Valley’s early Shift:Tech initiative bring tectonic be an apt motto for Sarkissian and his days when people put together giants YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Armenian Minister of change to Armenia, one project at a colleagues at ONEArmenia. In a like Apple inside small crowded Justice Hrayr Tovmasyan hosted Commissioner for time. Ad executive and entrepreneur remarkably short period of time, garages and the like. Armenia’s boom - Human Rights of the Council of Europe (CoE) Nils Patrick Sarkissian founded Sarkissian has brought together like- ing IT sector, considered to be virtual - Muiznieks on October 21. Muiznieks arrived in ONEArmenia in 2012 in order to take minded entrepreneurs and cultural ly corruption-free, accounts for no less Armenia in order to participate in the High Level advantage of that country’s remark - workers including hospitality entrepre - than 20 percent of the country’s annu - Conference on Combating Racism, Xenophobia and able brain-power and cultural strength neur James Tufenkian who produces al GDP. Not surprisingly, start-ups are Intolerance in Europe organized in the framework and to help to save a young generation gorgeous oriental carpets and has popping up all over the country. Said of Armenia’s presidency at the Ministerial of Armenians from the corruption and opened a chain of top-rated hotels David Bequette, OneArmenia’s in-coun - Committee of the Council of Europe on October 21- negativity prevalent in all post-Soviet across the country. The idea behind try director: “Armenia’s potential is not 22. Republics. Armenians, who have been ONEArmenia is to use crowd-sourcing up for debate...it doesn’t need to look Muiznieks asked for a meeting with Tovmasyan to around for some 3,000 years, embrace and crowd-funding — modern fundrais - any farther than the Internet for an get information on the current situation of the their past and the many great entre - ing tools — in order to raise money for environment where the talents of its human rights protection in the country. preneurs and artists that they have much-needed projects in the humani - young engineers, programmers, design - Tovmasyan explained the current situation of the produced over the centuries. But the tarian, environmental and tech fields. ers and software developers can truly human rights in Armenia, as well as the reforms collapse of the USSR, a war with Each project donation is completely take flight.” made in the field, to the guest. “The amendments Azerbaijian, a frightening earthquake vetted to produce zero percent corrup - SHIFT: Tech’s winning entry will be in any field are subject to failure without the imple- and blockade by Turkey have left many tion — a most attractive feature to voted on by a peer review committee mentation of the reforms in the judiciary,” said in Armenia morose. Emigration has potential investors, young and old. that includes some industry power - Tovmasyan. surpassed one million (out of four mil - Of the organization’s many projects, houses, including Alexis Ohanian, co- This was Muiznieks first visit to Armenia. its Shift:Culture has been particularly founder of Reddit and Hipmunk, enticing. The project received submis - Matthew Brimer, co-founder of General Postanjyan Becomes New sions from all over the globe, both Assembly and Yoav Kutner, the Co- Armenia’s PM Sends within Armeniua and from its far-flung Founder of Magento and Oro CRM. Leader of Parliamentary Letter of Condolence diaspora. The winner, the Epsidon “SHIFT: Tech offers enough support Theater Group, took an old Armenian for the winning team of developers to Faction To Dmitry Medvedev story by the great writer Nar-Dos called focus their time and efforts exclusively “He and I” and transformed it into a on an app idea and make it a reality by YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow) — Zaruhi Postanjyan has YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Prime vibrant, contemporary rock opera. The building a functioning, viable product been elected new head of the opposition Heritage Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargisian project was so successful and the for a big global marketplace”, said faction in parliament. The change comes after sent a letter of condolence to the Prime enthusiasm for it so great that Nigel Sharp, founder of LionSharp Ruben Hakobyan announced his decision to resign Minister of Russia Dmitry Medvedev on Sarkissian then launched Solutions — a leading creative technol - as faction leader earlier this week. a terrorist act, which took place in ONEArmenia’s current undertaking ogy start-up: “Awareness of the tech - Talking to media in parliament Hakobyan said Volgograd and claimed the lives of SHIFT: Tech. As the “shift” in both nology possibilities will improve and Heritage Party leader Raffi Hovannisian had been seven people. titles suggest, the idea is to shift tradi - hopefully inspire more people to utilize notified about his move well in advance. He left A copy of the letter was given to the tional ways of thinking both in and Armenia’s impressive engineering and questions about reasons for his step without com- press, in which he expressed his condo - outside Armenia about the Republic mobile development capabilities.” mentary, only saying that he had decided to step lences personally and on behalf of the and the possibilities it affords. The first place winner will be given down as faction leader before the recent scandal government, on the terrorist act which “Armenia is a country with 99% litera - the opportunity to work with Social around Postanjyan in the wake of her controversial resulted in the deaths of several per - cy and 36 percent unemployment,” Objects, a leading mobile app develop - question to President Serge Sargisian about his sons in Volgograd on October 21. Sarkissian explained: “I wanted to ment start-up in Yerevan, in order to gambling habit at the PACE plenary session in “We condemn any expression of ter - bring attention to Armenia’s highly turn their abstract idea into a unique Strasbourg on October 2. rorism and convey our support to the successful IT sector which has already and important contribution to the soft - Unlike a majority of Heritage members Hakobyan Government of the Russian Federation produced hundreds of millions of exits ware sphere and to society as a whole. then was critical of Postanjyan’s behavior. and the Russian people. Please, convey (export dollars).” In addition to having a world-class Representatives of the ruling party in Armenia our words of support and consolation Shift: Tech is an open call to develop development team build their app, part called her statement in Strasbourg slanderous and to the families of the victims and wish a mobile app in Armenia for the world of the $25,000 in-kind grant will go to the parliament speaker threatened to expel her a speedy recovery to all those injured at market. Armenia is already considered marketing and taking the app to mar - from the Armenian delegation to the PACE. that inhuman and violent action,” he a high-tech hub for the former CIS ket. Following official OneArmenia pol - said in the letter. countries and the Caucasus. In fact the icy, a portion of profits from the pro - Marseille Mayor Heads The suicide blast that devastated a world’s premiere, full-featured mobile ject will be reinvested to help fund bus in Volgograd was meant to take photo editor, Picsart, Inc., for example, another key OneArmenia sector — Business Delegation to place in Moscow, according to a source was founded there and already has namely its community projects. It’s a in the Russian Investigative Committee. more than 77 million users. It was win-win proposition, no matter which Yerevan The investigation also revealed that the developed and produced in one of the way you look at it. For more informa - YEREVAN (Hetq) — Mayor of Marseille Jean-Claude bomber had conspirators in the capital. many small offices which now dot the tion, visit www.onearmenia.org Gaudin arrived in the capital this week, heading a According to the source, the investi - business delegation scheduled to meet with the gation shows that Naida Asiyalova — Armenia’s minister of the economy. the 30-year-old native of Dagestan who The delegation had been invited by Yerevan is believed to be the alleged terrorist — Mayor Taron Margaryan. Gaudin was accompanied conspired with her partner, Dmitry by Bernard Hatemian, president of the French- Sokolov, and two others to carry out a Armenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, terrorist attack in the Russian capital. Vice President Didier Parakian, deputy Marseille Two of the conspirators, Ruslan mayor and Garo Hovsepian, mayor of the 7th sector Kazanbiyev and Kurban Omarov, of Marseille. both 25, had already arrived in The French delegation was scheduled to meet Moscow and were waiting for with Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Ara Asiyalova, Russia Times ’ source said. Petrosyan, Minister of Diaspora Hranoush Both men are wanted in Russia for Hakobyan and local business leaders. This is the carrying out a twin terrorist bombing only official visit of Jean Claude Gaudin abroad this in Dagestan in May 2012, in which 14 year. people were killed. Sokolov was also expected by the ter - rorists to arrive in Moscow, the source NKR President Hosts added. However, she reportedly deto - nated her device in Volgograd, killing The Minas mural Armenian Culture herself and six others, and injuring Minister more than 30. Police have reportedly put Government to Spend 22.5 Million Drams YEREVAN (Armenpress) — President of Nagorno Kazanbiyev, Omarov, and Sokolov on a Karabagh Bako Sahakyan met with Armenian federal wanted list, and will distribute To Preserve Minas Mural Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosyan on October the terrorist suspects’ photos among all 22. A number of issues related to the cooperation police stations and checkpoints in YEREVAN (Hetq) — The Armenian government will allocate 22.5 million between the two Armenian states in the sphere of Russia. drams to preserve a Minas Avetisyan mural called “Armenia” that now culture were discussed during the meeting. A three-day mourning period for the graces the vestibule of the cultural center in the village of Vahramaberd in NKR Minister of Culture and Youth Affairs victims of the terrorist attack has been Shirak Province. Narine Aghabalyan attended the meeting. declared in Volgograd province. The funds will be given to the Minas Avetisyan Benevolent Cultural Volgograd authorities have also been Foundation which has carried out preservation work on a number of other put on high terror alert for the next 15 Avetisyan murals. days. S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 26, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 INTERNATIONAL International News Protests in Paris Over Immigrant Expulsions

PARIS (RFE/RL) — Thousands of following her deportation from that most of the 20,000 Roma in Turkish Publisher Calls French students have blockaded France. France have no intention of integrat - For Recognition of entrances to their schools and The Dibranis — ethnic Roma from ing and should be sent back to their marched through Paris and other Kosovo — entered France illegally in countries of origin. Armenian Martyrs cities to protest the expulsions of two 2009 and exhausted their legal Valls enjoys wide popularity among illegal immigrant students. appeals against expulsion. the public. Nevertheless, he came ISTANBUL (Armenpress) — Many Turkish intellec- The protests came following the Kachatrian, 19, had been attending under attack from within his own tuals have finally publically recognized the events deportation to Kosovo of a 15-year- a technical school in northern Paris Socialist Party for what some mem - of the 1915 Genocide carried out against the old girl after she was detained in for two weeks when he was arrested bers see as a right-wing approach to Armenians. The same historians also accuse the front of her classmates during a field last month on charges of theft and immigration that contradicts the val - Ottoman Empire of a crime against humanity. A trip. sent back to Armenia last week alone. ues of the left. well-known Turkish publisher, Ragip Zarakolu, The government said Leonarda He and his family had been living in President Francois Hollande has so recently wrote on the subject in a public forum. Dibrani’s family had been denied asy - France since 2011. far avoided commenting on the con - Zarakolu points out that the genocidal policy of lum and was no longer allowed to Such expulsions occur regularly in troversy. the Republic of Turkey of 1915 was founded in the stay in France. France as the government tries to But Socialist Prime Minister Jean- formative years of Turkey. He expressed hope that The Paris education authority said limit illegal immigration. Marc Ayrault, speaking to parliament one day Turkish academics, steering away from that a total of 20 schools in Paris The students said the expulsions on October 16, promised the Dibrani racism and religious discrimination, will memorial- were “disrupted” as students protest - are unfair to children and want the family could return to France if the ize some of those killed. “We hope that in the ed the eviction of both Dibrani and government to allow the Dilbranis girl’s rights were found to have been future the doctors, typographers, pharmacists, pub- Khatchik Kachatrian, a 19-year-old and Kachatrian to return to France. infringed. lishers, merchants, craftsmen and others will keep Paris student who was deported to Several students clashed with “If a mistake has been made, the bright the memory of their colleagues who died in Armenia on October 13. police, who fired tear gas, but most warrant for expulsion from the coun - 1915. First of all, the responsibility of the Turkish “We feel concerned by what hap - marched peacefully in the capital. try will be canceled,” Ayrault said. Grand National Assembly is to give a place without pened to the young Armenian and Some of them climbed on bus shel - “This family will come back and its sit - discrimination, and to build a monument to the Kosovar, who were expelled this ters, calling for the resignation of uation will be examined and reexam - deputies killed in those years,” said Zarakolu. week,” David, a Paris student, said. Interior Minister Manuel Valls. ined, according to our rights, our “We are really outraged by what hap - Valls was born in Barcelona and principles and our values.” pened. We find it shameful and we only became a French citizen when The protests also spread to other German Clubs Interested support them whole-heartedly.” he was 20. parts of the country. In the southern Dibrani, 15, smiled as she walked in He has taken a tough stance on town of Mende, around 100 youths In Armenian Striker the town of Mitrovica on October 17, Romany migration, saying recently demonstrated. Yura Movsisyan BERLIN (Armenpress) — Various German soccer clubs are interested in the striker of the Armenian National Football Team and Spartak Moscow Yura ‘Color of Pomegrantes’ by Paradjanov to Movsisyan. It was also noted that the clubs are closely following Movsisyan’s matches with Spartak and the Armenian national team. Be Shown at Cannes Film Festival Movsisyan, who was Russia’s best goal-scorer in the last season, scored the winner in the match YEREVAN (Armenpress) — This year Even after his release (he was arrest - 1988, he made another multi-award- with Anzhi in the 13th round of the Russian the World Cinema Fund will restore the ed for the third and last time in 1982) winning film, “Ashik Kerib,” based on a Premier League. film “Color of Pomegranates” by Sergei he was a persona non grata in Soviet story by Mikhail Lermontov. The forward helped the Armenian national team Parajanov (Sayat-Nova) for the purpose cinema. It was not until the mid-1980s, Paradjanov dedicated the film to his play to a draw with Italy and scored the opener in of showing it as a sample of the best of when the political climate started to close friend, Andrei Tarkovsky, and “to the fifth minute of the match. world cinema at the Cannes Film relax, that he could resume directing. all the children of the world.” Movsisyan was born in 1987 in Baku, Azerbaijani Festival 2014. Still, it required the help of influential Paradjanov then immersed himself in SSR to an Armenian parents Sergey Movsisyan and As the director of Armenian National Georgian actor Dodo Abashidze and a project that ultimately proved too Aida Sahakyan. Movsisyan attended and played soc- Cinema Center Gevorg Gevorgyan other friends to have his last feature monumental for his failing health. He cer at Pasadena High School, and played a year of pointed out in an interview, every year films green-lighted. died of cancer in Yerevan, Armenia, on college soccer at Pasadena City College before the Cannes Film Festival takes on a His health was seriously weakened by July 20, 1990, at age 66, leaving this being discovered by Major League Soccer (MLS) theme. four years in labor camps and nine final work, “The Confession,” unfin - scouts prior to the 2006 MLS SuperDraft. The World Cinema Fund has a pur - months in prison in Tbilisi. He died of ished. It survives in its original negative pose to restore and extend the best lung cancer in 1990, at a time when, as “Paradjanov: The Last Spring,” samples of the world cinema. This film after almost 20 years of suppression, assembled by his close friend Mikhail FIDE Presidential by Paradjanov is considered to be one his films were being featured at foreign Vartanov in 1992. Candidates Announced of the pearls of world cinema, and the film festivals. Federico Fellini, Tonino Guerra, film is in the phase of recovery. The In 1984, the slow thaw within the Francesco Rosi, Alberto Moravia, TALINN, Estonia — Two candidates have restored version of the film will be Soviet Union spurred Paradjanov to Giulietta Masina, Marcello Mastroianni announced the candidacy for the International ready in the near future. It is an resume his passion for cinema. With and Bernardo Bertolucci were among Chess Federation (FIDE) presidency — current achievement for any country to display the encouragement of various Georgian those who publicly mourned his death. President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and the 13th world a film in the Cannes Film Festival. intellectuals, he created the multi- The Parajanov-Vartanov Institute was champion, Garry Kasparov. Paradjanov was born on January 9, award-winning film “Legend of Suram established in Hollywood in 2010 to Ilyumzhinov and Kasparov announced their can- 1924. He was an Armenian film direc - Fortress,” based on a novella by Daniel study, preserve and promote the artistic didacies at the FIDE Assembly.The election of the tor and artist who made significant con - Chonkadze, his first return to cinema legacies of Sergei Parajanov and new president of FIDE will be held in August 2014 tributions to the Ukrainian, Armenian since “Sayat Nova” 15 years earlier. In Mikhail Vartanov. during the Chess Olympiad to be held in Norway. and Georgian cinema. He invented his own cinematic style, which was totally out of step with the guiding principles Nalbandian Welcomes of socialist realism (the only sanctioned art style in the USSR). This, combined Armenia Participates in ITB Asia Latvian Parliamentary with his controversial lifestyle and Delegation behavior, led Soviet authorities to 2013 Travel Exhibition repeatedly persecute and imprison him, YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Armenian Foreign and suppress his films. Minister Eduard Nalbandian received the parlia- Although he started making movies SINGAPORE (Armenpress) — The Armenia had an opportunity to meet mentary delegation of Latvia led by the deputy professionally in 1954, Paradjanov National Competitiveness Foundation and get in touch with their counter - speakers of Sejm Andrejs Klementjevs and Inese later disowned all the films he made of Armenia introduced Armenia at the parts in tourism industries around the Libin a-Egnere this week. before 1964 as “garbage.” After direct - ITB Asia 2013 International Travel globe sharing The vice president of the Armenian National ing “Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors” Trade Show which was held from information about Armenia’s rich her - Assembly and the head of Armenia-Latvia Inter- (renamed “Wild Horses of Fire” for October 23-25. This was the first appear - itage and establishing new partnerships. Parliamentary Friendship Group, Eduard most foreign distributions) Paradjanov ance of the National Competitiveness ITB Asia, the annually held three-day Sharmazanov, also attended the meeting. became something of an international Foundation of Armenia at the ITB Asia B2B trade show and convention — now Nalbandian pointed out that a close cooperation celebrity and simultaneously a target Trade Show. The National in its fifth year in Singapore — took has been established between Armenia and Latvia of attacks from the system. Nearly all Competitiveness Foundation of place at Marina Bay Sands. It was orga - in recent years. The minister also added that for of his film projects and plans from Armenia said that more than 9,800 trav - nized by Messe Berlin Pte Ltd and sup - the bilateral cooperation the activity of the friend- 1965 to 1973 were banned, scrapped el companies from about 180 countries ported by the Singapore Exhibition & ship groups in the parliaments of the two countries or closed by the Soviet film adminis - were expected to participate in this Convention Bureau. is important. The two parties discussed the joint trations, both locally (in Kyiv and year’s event. This was where international steps of strengthening and developing the bilateral Yerevan) and federally (Goskino), The location of the Trade Show was exhibitors of all sectors of the travel- cooperation. almost without discussion, until he was of strategic importance, as it provided value chain, Asia Pacific’s leading travel finally arrested in late 1973. He was easy access from all over Asia to help companies and emerging small and imprisoned until 1977, despite a promote inbound tourism from Asia. medium-sized enterprises met with top plethora of pleas for pardon from vari - The delegation of the National international buyers from the MICE, ous artists. Competitiveness Foundation of Leisure and Corporate Travel markets. 4 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 26, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Community Ne ws

ATP Uses Power of Video Telethon And Design to Raise Environmental Awareness Among Young Armenians 2013 WATERTOWN — Can two teenagers living 7,000 miles away from each other create a solu - A New Route to Security tion to one of the world’s environmental prob - lems? American-born Armen never dreamed he and Prosperity for would find what he discovers in Armenia, and he counts on his cousin Nuneh living in a small vil - Northern Armenia and lage to carry out his far-fetched plan. Karabagh This is the premise of Armenia Tree Project’s new film, “Something New,” which was produced as NEW YORK — This year Armenia Fund’s 25 part of the Building Bridges education program. affiliates are launching fundraising efforts in This is the fourth year of ATP’s program to intro - support of building an alternate route between duce its environmental education material in Armenia and Karabagh and thus the effort is Armenian schools across North America. “Building the designated campaign theme of the upcom - Bridges: Connecting Diaspora Armenian Students ing Armenia Fund’s 16th International Thanksgiving Day Telethon. The goal of this massive public works effort is to turn the roads that currently link a string of strategically- important towns in northern Armenia and northern Karabagh into a modern highway sys - tem. The new route is projected to promote Archbishop Khajag Barsamian ordains acolytes at Sts. Vartanantz Church. trade, cooperation and economic development among vulnerable border communities that are vital to national security. For some, this new initiative may beg the question: why another public road works pro - Sts. Vartanantz ject when there is the Goris-Stepanakert Highway? Since its completion back in 1999, that highway has proven to be the lynchpin of the fund’s sustainable economic development and security strategy. Prior to its construction, Celebrates it took several days to travel from Mardakert in Karabagh to Yerevan in Armenia. After the com - pletion of the Goris-Stepanakert Highway as well as the North-South Highway, within Milestone Karabagh alone, it now takes nine hours. With The Building Bridges newsletter was illustrated the addition of the Vardenis-Mardakert by Alik Arzoumanian Highway, there will be a shortcut through the CHELMSFORD, Mass. — Sts. Vartanantz Church marked its 35th anniversary with services and a program last weekend and welcomed Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), with Their Environmental Heritage” is funded by a who joined the community in its celebration. grant from the Thomas A. Kooyumjian Family On Saturday evening, October 12, Barsamian met with the parish pastor, the Foundation. Rev. Khachatur Kesablyan and members of the parish council and parish dele - “The making of ‘Something New’ was a col - gates. He spoke about the historic bishops synod, which convened at Holy laborative effort that involved people from all Echmiadzin last month, and he also highlighted Diocesan programs. Parish lead - over the world. We hope that because it was ers shared with the Primate updates on local programs and a discussion ensued filmed in both the US and in Armenia, students on parish life. will have a more profound understanding about On Sunday, October 13, Barsamian celebrated the Divine Liturgy and gave a ser - the state of the environment in Armenia,” says mon on the importance of the cross as a symbol of victory and hope. “The Sarah Hayes, Building Bridges manager and Armenian nation is a cross-bearing nation—we are a khachagir people,” Barsamian executive producer of the film. said. “We have been the followers of Christ for two millennia, and today our chil - “Something New” was directed by Kennedy dren and grandchildren must carry forward our faith and heritage in the 21st cen - Wheatley, assistant film professor at Loyola tury.” Marymount University in Los Angeles. Tanner Following the Divine Liturgy, Barsamian ordained five altar servers. Jeremy Boyajian served as cinematographer and his north, which will take just a few hours to cross. Oldham was ordained to the sub-diaconate; David Arakelian, Gregory Chekmeyan, brother Hunter Boyajian acted as sound editor. Therefore, trucks can reach markets faster, Benjamin Clark and Dominic Sampson were ordained to the rank of acolyte. The It will be screened at Armenian schools in North helping businesses. Equally important, supplies young men have been working with Fr. Kesablyan to master their new responsi - America and internationally. It is available online can reach military bases and local government bilities. at: http://www.armeniatree.org/somethingnew centers promptly. The Goris-Stepanakert route Archbishop Barsamian then led the congregation in a special service of venera - Armen is played by AGBU Manoogian- connects southeastern Armenia with south-cen - tion of the St. Vartan the Brave Demirdjian student Peter Deirbadrossian, and his tral Karabagh, ending in its capital city. That relic — a piece of stone encrusted onscreen cousin, Nuneh, is played by Tatevik excludes access for both northern Armenia’s with the blood of Armenia’s fifth- Ghumashyan from Margahovit’s Secondary border communities and those border towns in century warrior saint, and encased School in Margahovit, Armenia. Karabagh, which, 22 years ago, were delineated in a silver cross. The Primate had In addition to the film, ATP has published a as part of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist brought the relic to Chelmsford series of colorful newsletters for schoolchildren Republic. Today, these villages are neighbors from St. Vartan Cathedral in New ages 8-12 and has distributed thousands of copies with a hostile Azerbaijan, creating a different York City, where it was first to schools throughout the US. The new fourth edi - security dynamic. An alternative route connect - unveiled on the occasion of the tion of the newsletter is a collaboration among pro - ing the two Armenian republics can make all cathedral’s 45th anniversary in ject manager Sarah Hayes, environmental educa - the difference. The Vardenis-Mardakert September. The relic is a gift of tion consultant Nayiri Haroutunian, and award-win - Highway link 16 village communities and the Karekin II, the Catholicos of All ning illustrator Alik Arzoumanian. three towns: Vardenis in Armenia and Armenians. “The first three editions of the newsletter pri - Kharvachar and Mardakert in Karabagh. All Later that afternoon, some 180 From left, George Simonian, Patricia marily focused on trees. This edition addresses told, more than 76,000 residents stand to bene - people gathered in the church’s Amboian and Rev. Khachatur Kesablyan another issue that you’ve probably noticed if you fit from the new highway. Kazanjian Ballroom to mark the have visited Armenia,” explains Hayes. “Armenia Khoren Bandazian, the chairman of Armenia church’s 35th anniversary. is known for its beautiful landscapes and natural Fund USA, explained, “Security is a high prior - Diocesan Council chair James Kalustian gave a toast congratulating the beauty, but even some of its most popular tourist ity for both Armenia and Karabagh. And the Chelmsford community on its achievements and wishing them continued growth sites are affected by trash and littering. This key to that security lies in demographics. The in the future. newsletter deals with trash and recycling as a stable presence of an Armenian population is Matt Hanson, chair of the Chelmsford Board of Selectmen, presented the parish way of promoting environmental awareness and paramount. But keeping multiple generations with a proclamation honoring the day’s milestone. Richard Juknavorian served as stewardship.” on their ancestral lands is only possible with master of ceremonies. Remarks were made by parish council chair Bruce The fourth edition of the Building Bridges economic growth and sustainability. The see ANNIVERSARY, page 7 newsletter is being distributed to schoolchildren Vardenis-Mardakert Highway project is at the in the US and is available online at: see TELETHON, page 6 http://tinyurl.com/atpkids S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 26, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 COMMUNITY NEWS Holy Translators Church Marks 10 Years

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — The Church of the nourishes us from within.” Holy Translators marked its 10th anniversary The Church of the Holy Translators began as on October 5 and 6. Archbishop Khajag a mission parish in April of 1998. Parishioners Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the purchased the present building in 2001, and Armenian Church of America (Eastern), visited the church was consecrated in October 2003. the parish on this occasion and presided over Guests enjoyed a slideshow highlighting the the celebration. church’s decade of accomplishments and an On Saturday, October 5, the parish hosted a evening of Armenian music by the Richie dinner-dance at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Berberian Ensemble. Natick, Mass. The evening opened with a youth On Sunday, October 6, Sabounjian celebrated performance by the Zangakner Ensemble of the Divine Liturgy, with Archbishop Barsamian Boston. Remarks were made by parish council presiding. The Primate ordained parishioners chair Robin Palombo, parish pastor the Rev. Raffi Barsamian, Lucas Ferraro, Neil Ferraro, Krikor Sabounjian, and Barsamian. Sevan Hacopian, Noah Toumayan-Miller, Cole “I fondly recall consecrating Holy Semonian and Lincoln Zaleski to the rank of Translators, and it is hard to believe that glori - acolyte. Neil Ferraro and Lincoln Zaleski were Archbishop Khajag Barsamian ordains altar servers. ous day took place a decade ago,” Barsamian then elevated to the sub-diaconate. said. “But you can be proud that for the past 10 The congregation then took part in a special ser - years and more, the spirit of living the Gospel vice of veneration of the St. Vartan the Brave relic Catholicos of All Armenians. only 10 years old, but that in these 10 years we has been exemplified by the people of this — a piece of stone encrusted with the blood of Also that afternoon, Barsamian blessed the have been able to accomplish so much,” parish. In the most basic sense, to live the Armenia’s fifth-century warrior saint, and encased parish’s new altar vessel, which was donated by Sabounjian said. “It is thanks to the vision and Gospel is to recognize that there is a role for in a silver cross. The Primate brought the relic to Anoush Balian in memory of her late husband. dedication of a small group of people that we each of us to play in Christ’s mission. We take Framingham from St. Vartan Cathedral in New A fellowship hour followed services. were able to establish a permanent house of up his mission as believers who have accepted York City, where it was first unveiled on the occa - “We often hear about other churches in our worship in Framingham, and we look forward Christ into our hearts, and having done so, we sion of the cathedral’s 45th anniversary in Diocese marking their 50th or 75th anniver - to seeing our community grow in faith in the become aware that Christ strengthens and September. The relic is a gift of Karekin II, saries. How humbling it is that our church is coming decades.” Koutoujian Looks Back on Campaign, Hopes Community Activism Continues

KOUTOUJIAN, from page 1 243 precincts in total that form the district. “Our community needs to engage in that man - ey practice and playing with his daughter. For many in the Armenian-American commu - The Democratic candidates were, in addition to ner,” he said. “We need to continue this momen - “I am very happy being with my family. I am nity, this special primary became a personal mis - Clark and Koutoujian, state Senators Karen tum to maintain the same organization” for embracing these moments with them,” he said. sion. Though the result was not the one he had Spilka of Ashland, Will Brownsberger of Belmont; future races, he said. The special general election will take place on sought, in an interview on Monday, Koutoujian state Rep. Carl Sciortino of Medford; Martin “The Armenian community was very much there. December 10. sounded upbeat and hopeful about the future. Long, an Arlington author, and Stoneham resi - It was wonderful to see my Armenian family and “What was wonderful was that there were so dent Paul John Maisano, who works in the con - non-Armenian family come together,” he said. many people that participated,” he said. “We ran struction industry. Because of the race, he said, many of his tradi - the smartest, most organized, best financed cam - The three Republicans running for their party’s tional, non-Armenian constituents have became paign in the entire field.” nomination were: actuary Tom Tierney of familiar with the special type of frenetic energy Dr. Armen Arslanian Koutoujian raised almost $1 million, more than Framingham, Harvard nanophysics researcher that the community can bring. any other candidate, all on the strength of his Mike Stopa of Holliston and businessman and While he certainly seems to have an appetite To Speak at St. grassroots organization. lawyer Frank J. Addivinola Jr. of Boston, who won for it, he said it was hard spending the bulk of the “It was the best field organization out there. I the primary. day on the go, attending fundraisers and intro - James Men’s Club am very proud,” he said. “When I look back and He said he was thrilled by the number of vol - ducing himself to potential voters, while still speak with others with expertise on politics, I unteers and their activism on his behalf. being sheriff. WATERTOWN — On November 4, Dr. Armen think there was nothing much we could have Koutoujian said during the last weekend before Koutoujian did not specify what his plans are H. Arslanian, MD geriatric specialist (elderly done differently.” the election, his volunteers and field workers had for the future. He noted that right now, he is care) will be the speaker at the dinner meeting “We did phenomenally well and came in a very knocked on 16,000 doors. “I want this to contin - happy to be sheriff, where his staff has welcomed of the St. James Armenian Church Men’s Club. solid second place,” he said. ue. I don’t want this [defeat] to be the end of our him back happily. The topic will be “Geriatric Medicine.” Exact numbers of Armenian-American voters community’s activism,” he said. He said he was He said, “To a person, all the corrections officers Arslanian, is a family practitioner, geriatric are hard to find, but according to Koutoujian, particularly touched to see all ages involved, said they were sorry for my loss but that they were specialist, sports medicine specialist, internist there are about 3,000-4,000 Armenian-American including teens working alongside volunteers in happy for themselves” for having their boss back. and pulmonologist (lungs) with his practice in registered voters in the district. their 70s and 80s in pounding the pavement and He added he was especially happy to spend Stoneham, Massachusetts. Turnout on election day was very low in the making calls. time with his children, attending soccer and hock - He graduated from the fac - ulty of medicine at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon and he completed his internal medicine residency at the Medical College of Georgia and his fellowship in meta - bolic and endocrine disor - Dr. Armen der at the Medical College Arslanian of Georgia. After which, he completed a fellowship in geriatrics at the University Hospitals Case Medical Center of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Arslanian is also principal investigator for internal medicine and geriatrics for Beacon Clinical Research in New Bedford, Mass. Beacon Clinical Research is involved with clini - cal pharmaceutical trials that are significant in contributing to the development of New innov - ative medications which contribute to the advancement of health care in our society. He is an instructor at Harvard Medical School in Boston. Arslanian is fluent in English, French, Arabic and Armenian. Awards received by Arslanian have been Patients’ Choice in 2008-2009, 2011-2013 and Compassionate Doctor Recognition in 2011-2012. He is affiliat - ed with eight hospitals including Winchester Hospital and Mt. Auburn Hospital. Presently, he is the president of the Armenian American Medical Association (AAMA). He and his wife live in Lexington with their two daughters. The social hour starts with mezza at 6:15 p.m. followed by a complete lArmenian dinner at 7 p.m. The dinner meeting will be at the St. James Armenian Church Charles Mosesian Cultural and Youth Center — Keljik Hall 465 Mount Auburn St. Ladies welcome. Contact the church for more information and ticket prices. 6 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 26, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS AWWA Holds Annual Auction

BURLINGTON, Mass. — The 38th Annual ets, a tour of Cooks Illustrated, as well as jew - Luncheon/Auction sponsored by the elry, artwork, and much more. This year’s BOSTON — Daniel J. Armenian Women’s Welfare Association auctioneers are excited to be participating Gurian, CRPC, vice (AWWA) will be held on Saturday, November and helping raise money for the organization. president of Wealth 16, at the Burlington Marriott. This year’s The super raffle is the highlight of the day Management at UBS guest auctioneers are Alan “Al” Kaprielian, with a first prize Financial Services was meteorologist from Chanel 50 in New of $1,500, a sec - honored during Boston Hampshire, and Cindy Fitzgibbon, meteorolo - ond prize of Business Journal’s gist on WCVB-TV. Mistress of Ceremonies $1,000, and a (BBJ) annual “40 under will be Janet Jeghelian. third prize of 40 Celebration” on The silent auction kicks off at 11 a.m. with $500. Seven Thursday, October 10, a bazaar of tables laden with gifts that will other prizes will at One International make early Christmas shopping easy. From be awarded the winners. Place. Gurian serves on Rachel the Board of Directors Jackson, this of AccesSportAmerica year’s auction and is an active friend chair, has been of Armenian Heritage spearheading an Park on the Greenway. Al Kaprielian active committee He lives in Wellesley who has been with his wife, Karen, planning this and young son, Jack. event for the past year, ensuring that every moment is a memorable one. The luncheon/auction is a major fundrais - er of the AWWA, owners and operators of the Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Cindy Fitzgibbon in Jamaica Plain (ANRC). The ANRC is a pre - Nardolillo Funeral Home mier facility that has obtained a deficiency- free rating for the third year in a row. In addi - Est. 1906 treasures from Armenia, to stocking stuffers, tion, the AWWA has been sponsoring a pro - John K. Najarian, Jr. to tempting homemade pastries for the ject in Stepanakert, Nagorno Karabagh, since Rhode Island’s Only Licensed Armenian Funeral Director Thanksgiving table, there is something for 2004. This project provides medical and everyone. Bidders at the silent auction who social support to 200 people who are over 65 1278 Park Ave. Cranston, RI 02910 (401) 942-1220 post their bids before 11:45 will receive a spe - and live alone. 1111 Boston Neck Rd. Narragansett, RI 02882 (401) 789-6300 cial raffle ticket for each bid made. The five For reservation information, contact JoAnn raffle prizes are all gift certificates. Janjigian at [email protected]. www.nardolillo.com The live auction features Red Sox tickets Visit www.awwa-inc.org for more informa - for any game in the 2014 season, Celtics tick - tion on the organization.

Azarian Fund Announces Annual Scholarship Winners

MIDLAND PARK, N.J. — On October 1, the need, academic achievement and Armenian GF UiNrEaRgAoL sHiaOMn E John M. Azarian Memorial Armenian Youth church related activities. Scholarship Fund announced that scholarship According to its founders, the goal of the James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC grants were awarded to: Gregory Boyajian, Azarian Scholarship Fund is to assist deserving Mark J. Giragosian Funeral Counselors Narek Iskahanian, Ani Khachatryan, Inna students with the hope that they will one day Mirzoyan and Rafayel Mkrtchyan for the 2013- return something beneficial to the Armenian 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 2014 academic year. community. www.giragosianfuneralhome.com The John M. Azarian Memorial Armenian This year the panel received more than 30 Youth Scholarship Fund was formed in 1976 applications for scholarships. Anyone interested following the death of John M. Azarian Sr., by in applying for the 2014-2015 academic year his wife, Barbara. The purpose of the fund is to can download an application at Telephone (617) 924-7400 award scholarships to students of Armenian www.azariangroup.com/scholarship.html or con - descent who demonstrate compelling financial tact Alyssa Azarian at [email protected]. Aram Bedrosian A New Route to Security and Prosperity Funeral Home, Inc. Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 For Northern Armenia and Karabagh MARION BEDROSIAN 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN TELETHON, from page 4 WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN intersection of these three goals. It will hasten the transport of goods and supplies so that local business - es can reliably serve customers and Edward D. Jamakordzian, Jr. d/b/a regional trade can increase.” Bandazian also noted Armenia Fund USA’s support of and first- hand experience with building Edward D. Jamie, Jr. the Goris-Stepankert Highway, and later, with the North-South ServiFnguthne eentrireaAlrmCenhianaCpomemlunity Highway that connect Armenia’s communities with Karabagh. Any Hour • Any Distance • Any Location “Given our track record, our Call (718) 224-2390 Toll Free (888) 224-6088 affiliate is uniquely equipped to Bus. Reg. 189-06 Liberty Ave., Hollis, NY 11412 help make this project a suc - Consultation Office: 217-04 Northern Blvd., (Suite 23), Bayside,NY 11361 cess,” he said. The road from Vardenis to The new road is about security, stability and sustainability con - Mardakert totals 96.7 kilometers. nection. The terrain is posing a multitude of construction, engineering and public safety challenges. For example, there is a port of major highway projects has convinced significant stretch of unpaved, dirt-covered road our donors that their generosity will produce that changes dramatically in width at different tangible, lasting benefits once again,” said Irina intervals and involves as many as 339 sharp Lazarian, the executive director of the eastern turns, 17 of which are serpentine configura - US affiliate. “We have led the way through this tions. Other sections have been partially type of ambitious undertaking twice before, blocked due to landslides or river swells. under more trying circumstances. Sure, build - Armenia Fund USA has begun to reach out ing roads is gritty and heavy work and doesn’t to some longtime donors to generate support make for pretty photos, yet the promise for for this initiative. “We believe that our past sup - transformative change is golden.” S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 26, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS Uttering the Unutterable: Prose about Genocide

UNUTTERABLE, from page 1 single episodes from this huge martyrdom, yet no human language can give an account of this dreadful thing in its totality, namely to eliminate a whole race.” What emerged from the intensive, emotional discussion was that although it is impossible to replicate the catastrophe, writers have succeeded in transmitting its essence. Here it is particularly fiction, Hofmann said, that “assumes the task that journalism or scientific literature cannot or will not cover.” The reason lies in the poetical character of fictional literature, which, as the Fethiye Çetin Dr. Magdalena Marszałek German word for poetry — Dichtung — express - es, condenses reality in images which transmit a deeper reality than that contained in the chroni - to become witnesses, an act of speech is required, tives and cherished their names. cle of events. in which the witness speaks for the others and to Balakian, asked to explain how young So, for example, Elias Venezis depicted the others. Without such an act of speech, the eye - Armenian Americans are dealing with their dis - case of the forced transfer of Greeks from witnesses remain imprisoned in the ‘grey zone’ tant past, contrasted the current generation with Smyrna after its occupation by Turkish military of onlookers….” One Polish literature expert con - his own; whereas in the 1950s and 1960s, the in 1922. Dr. Michaela Prinzinger spoke on “Elias trasted the “eloquence” of the victims’ testi - pressure to Americanize was strong, now Venezis: Growing Up under the Risk of Death.” Peter Balakian monies to the “aphasia” (speech disorder) of the American culture has become more open to other As a child he lived through the horrors of the eyewitness literature. The roots of the problem cultures and histories; the Genocide has gained Greek-Turkish war, and recalled how his grand - lie in the complex situation whereby Polish interest also as a part of the human rights issue. father grabbed a handful of earth to taken with Dr. Magdalena Marszałek, a professor from Christians tended to focus on their own suffering As a counterpoint, Dr. Bernhard Malkmus, a him, a symbol of his Potsdam university, spoke on “Concentration under Nazi occupation. The two communities professor of German at Ohio State University, lost homeland. Camp Literature: Early Polish Contributions.” prior to the war had been divided by religion and spoke about the Armenians’ destiny as seen Venezis wrote also of Although this genre includes works on experi - language, anti-Semitism was widespread, and through the eyes of two Jewish authors, Franz his arrest in 1922 ences in the Soviet Gulags, she concentrated on this “not only hindered empathy but led not sel - Werfel and Edgar Hilsenrath. Unlike Werfel’s and his suffering as a those dealing with the Nazi concentration dom to collaboration … and complicity in mur - epic account of The 40 Days of Musa Dagh , the forced laborer in his camps, specifically Tadeus Borowski and Zofia der.” In this context, the work of Borowski and work of Hilsenrath, a Holocaust survivor, is not book, Number Nałkowska, two non-Jewish writers. She cited Nałkowska takes on greater significance. a historical novel, but a fantastic work in the 31328 . Prinzinger Holocaust survivor Henryk Grynberg to the Borowski, who survived Auschwitz but commit - form of a fairy tale. The Story of the Last showed several clips effect that Polish literature had a special respon - ted suicide in 1951, “presented mercilessly how Thought unfolds as the history of the Khatisian from a film based on sibility to treat this, since it was “in the epicenter the perfidious camp system — without exception family told with the help of a story-teller Meddah the book and titled of the crime” — most of the Nazi extermination — dehumanized” its victims. Nałkowska adopted as the last thought of the dying Thovma. It is the 1922 . In it director camps (like Treblinka, Majdanek, Bełzec and a style in which she “let her protagonists speak tale of a foundling taken in by a Turkish family Nikos Koundouros Sobibór) were located in fact on Polish territory, … without her commenting or interpreting,” thus and left with no information about its own rela - Elias Venezis summarized the whether occupied or annexed, and half of the 6 achieving an “aesthetic and intellectual distance” tives. Malkmus interprets the deathbed wish of tragedy of an entire million Jews killed were Poles. Marszałek distin - which “recognizes the obscenity of the claim that Thovma as a metaphor for the Armenian peo - people in the story of three individuals, one the guished between the position of the victims and one can understand what has occurred.” ple’s yearning for recognition and reconciliation, young boy Elias, another, a young woman, one of that of the non-Jewish eyewitnesses, and made Coming to the case of the Armenian Genocide, and the life story as a metaphor for lives which the many who were raped, who goes insane. this important point: “In order for eyewitnesses Hofmann stressed the role of the literature of the might have been, those of the unborn, or per - survivors’ children, among them Vartan haps someone born in 1915. Hartunian and David Kherdian, as well as the It was only fitting that among the three work - grandchildren, two of whom Peter Balakian and shops offered during the conference, one was led parish council, led the church’s building Fethiye Çetin were on hand in Berlin. In his by Dogan Akhanli, whose best known novel, The Sts. Vartanantz memorial committee and launched its Black Dog of Fate , Balakian addresses the trans - Judges of the Last Judgment, was inspired by endowment fund. mission of trauma across generations, relating Hilsenrath’s book and shares its fairytale-like Celebrates “Both Pat and George, through their how his grandmother Nafina, in bits and pieces, quality. Akhanli spoke at length about how his model of love, faith, and devotion, have been shared episodes from the Genocide with him as experience with arbitrary violence, having been Milestone inspirations not only to our parishioners but a young boy. The stories would come out in subjected to torture in Turkey as a youth and also to me personally,” Kesablyan said. coded words, he said, hieroglyphic and highly jailed as an activist, led him as a refuge in ANNIVERSARY, from page 4 Archbishop Barsamian closed the pro - symbolic and constituted one part of the process Germany to research the history of the Holocaust Kayajanian and Sandra Boroyan. The after - gram with a message and benediction. He through which he learned about the past, both and other genocides. His and other workshops, noon also included musical performances by expressed his gratitude to Amboian and his family’s experience and the broader by Kantian and Wilfried Eggers, who wrote on parishioners. Simonian for their dedication, and thanked Armenian tragedy. His book, Balakian explained, the genocide in the form of a thriller, provided the “For the past 35 years, our church has the entire parish for their commitment to is also a development novel, in which he conveys rare opportunity to learn how creative writers attended to the spiritual needs of our the mission of the Armenian Church. what it was like for an Armenian to grow up in a tackle the challenge of composing works whose church family, providing an inspirational “Throughout our history, the Armenian modern American setting in New Jersey. subject is thought to be unspeakable. place of worship, religious education for our people have been building churches wherev - Çetin’s book, My Grandmother, signaled a children, a place to celebrate, nurture, and er they went. They have been raising up breakthrough when it appeared in 2004. (Muriel Mirak-Weissbach is the author of experience our Armenian Christian her - beautiful houses of worship where they have Although she was not the first Turkish author to Through the Wall of Fire: Armenia — Iraq — itage, and a haven to bring hope approach the taboo theme (Hofmann recalled Palestine: From Wrath to Reconciliation and and comfort to parishioners who the works of Ayla Kutlu, for example), Çetin can be reached at seek relief from the many trials struck a deep chord in the Turkish population, [email protected]) and tribulations of everyday life,” particularly members of her generation who Kesablyan said. “I am truly began to raise questions about their own family inspired by and proud of our histories reaching back to 1915. The book parish.” recounts how her grandmother Seher, shortly The original Sts. Vartanantz before her death, reveals to her, bit by bit, what Church was consecrated in 1916, she went through as an Armenian child during in Lowell, Mass. As the community the genocide, how she was adopted by a Turkish grew in the decades following family, and kept her secret for sixty years. Çetin’s World War II, plans were made to slim volume, which has gone through several relocate the parish to a larger reprints and has been translated in many lan - house of worship. Under the lead - guages, weaves the threads of the grandmother’s ership of its former pastor, the late personal story together with the historical docu - Rev. Ghevont Samoorian, the mentation of the genocide. parish purchased a property in Jeremy Oldham is ordained to the sub-diaconate. Both Balakian and Çetin read selections of Chelmsford and in 1978 the pre - their works in the original, and translators fol - sent church was consecrated. lowed with the corresponding passages in Also during Sunday’s banquet, the parish gathered to rejoice, to pray, and to strength - German. Asked by Dr. Raffi Kantian, publisher of honored longtime members Patricia en their faith. And Sts. Vartanantz Church is ADK (Armenian-German Correspondence maga - Amboian and George Simonian with the “St. no exception,” Barsamian said. zine), about reports that the Turkish Cultural Vartan Award.” “The spirit of the living Gospel has been Ministry had supported her book, she explained Amboian has taught the parish Sunday exemplified by the people of this parish, that it had initially been neither supported nor School, chaired the parish council and assist - through your service on the altar, your attacked (as had works by Taner Akçam and ed with other church organizations. She cur - efforts in parish organizations, your out - Hrant Dink, for instance) but that when an rently serves on the Women’s Guild and is a reach to the community, and your ministry Italian publisher planned an edition, it sought Entertainment Fridays member of the church choir. to each other. As you embark on the next assistance and received it. The point she under - and Saturdays Simonian is a veteran of the Korean War chapter of your history, I pray that you con - lined in her remarks was the importance of and a longtime public school educator. At tinue on this journey and inspire others to remembering; although girls who had been Sts. Vartanantz Church, he chaired the join you in your service.” taken from their families were told to observe silence, many did not forget their estranged rela - 8 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 26, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS The Front Line in Preventing Deadly Allergic Reactions

The presenter for the CME lecture was Myron By Lawrence V. Najarian, MD J. Zitt, MD, clinical associate professor of medi - President, AAHPO cine, SUNY, and director of the Adult Allergy Clinic at Nassau University Medical Center. Zitt reviewed the causes and mechanics of With public health estimates suggesting an anaphylactic reactions, types of symptoms, and increase in serious allergic reactions, it’s critical guidelines for rapid treatment with epinephrine that all healthcare professionals learn the most that can save lives. up-to-date information to diagnose, treat, and Currently, there is a nationwide movement to prevent these reactions, called anaphylaxis. ensure the availability of epinephrine in Fortunately for the Armenian community, 30 schools. States have enacted laws which permit members of the Armenian American Health school nurses to store epinephrine, and inject it Care Professionals (AAHPO) and medical col - on an emergency basis using a device called an leagues learned directly from a recognized EpiPen. expert at a presentation on September 18 titled According to the American College of Allergy, “Anaphylaxis: Considerations for Timely and Asthma and Immunology, roughly 8 percent of Safe Treatment.” children under age 18, or about 6 million, have The health care providers included more than at least one food allergy. About a quarter of five nurses, two pharmacists, two dentists, a acute allergy reactions in schools occur among students who are not aware that they have an allergy. “It’s very important for pediatricians to rec - ognize the signs of allergies and properly pre - scribe needed medications. Parents should con - sult with their child’s pediatrician about appro - From left, Louiza Puskulian-Kubikian, DDS, Arlin Telfeian, MD, Tsoline Kojaoghlanian, MD, Hourig Karalian, RN, and her mother, Shoghig Chalian

to stock the EpiPen devices. She believes the available in schools special preference when trend was sparked by last year’s death of a they apply for asthma-related grants. The law From left, Arthur Kubikian, DDS, and Virginia first-grader who had an allergic reac - could give other states further incentive to pass Laszio Osvath,MD tion on a playground after eating a nut. She such laws. went into cardiac arrest and died at a local hos - “AAHPO was very pleased to offer this pro - nutritionist, and physicians representing at least pital. gram and better equip our members in protect - 11 specialties. Many of those in attendance Medical experts have said the little girl, who ing the health and well-being of the Armenian had a peanut allergy, would probably be alive Community,” noted public health expert Kim earned Continuing Medical Education (CME) Garbis Dabagdian, MD and Jack Hajjar, MD. credit for attending. if her elementary school had been able to give Hekimian, PhD, who is a member of the “I was encouraged by the broad base of inter - her an epinephrine injection. Shortly after the AAHPO Board of Directors. est, as nurses and allied health care profession - priate measures to ensure emergency treat - girl’s death, Virginia passed a law requiring all This topic was of such timely importance, a als have more frequent direct contact with ment,” noted pediatrician Garbis Baydar, MD, its schools to stock the medication and 15 similar program, “The Role of Auto- patients of all ages than allergists or asthma who also is treasurer of AAHPO. other states followed suit, mostly with legisla - Injectors For Anaphylaxis,” was offered on specialists have,” noted Karine Shnorhokian , The Allergy and Asthma Foundation (AAF) tion that allows schools to have the epineph - October 9 to AAHPO members and colleagues RN, Clinical Care Coordinator, Cogent HMG at offered the Sept. 18 program. Charlotte Collins, rine. on Long Island. HackensackUMC. “We can act as the ‘front line’ AAF senior vice president of public policy and In July, the US House of Representatives These events were a kick-off for AAHPO’s in the battle against life-threatening anaphylax - advocacy, has been keeping track of which passed legislation that would give states that 20th Anniversary, which is being observed dur - is.” states are enacting laws to encourage schools come up with policies to make epinephrine ing the coming 12 months. S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 26, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 Ne w York M E T R O Camp Nubar Celebrates 50th Anniversary Season

NEW YORK — The summer season may be the Catskill Mountains, where many are contin - old traditions thrive “where kids can be kids.” past summers. Many left camp years ago, over, but the buzz created by AGBU Camp uing to use the grounds and take in the fall This year, in support of the 50th anniversary unsure that they would ever return. They were Nubar’s 50th anniversary celebration is still in foliage through the off-season. fundraising campaign, Nazar and Artemis welcomed back by two special guests: Reverend the air. For this year’s 300 campers or so and Former campers and staff representing every Nazarian, Berge Setrakian and his wife Vera Father Vertanes and Yeretsgin Anahid all those who came before them, it was another Camp Nubar generation were present for the Setrakian, and the Toufayan, Apelian and Kalayjian, who devoted a combined 20 years to summer to remember. July’s milestone weekend three-day weekend. Some had watched the Margossian families made significant contribu - Camp Nubar, acting as director, nurse and spir - brought camp alumni, family and friends to camp first open its doors in 1963 and others tions to Camp Nubar. itual guide, respectively. New York City and to Camp Nubar¹s home in travelled from as far as Holland and Those donations will allow the camp to con - On the great lawn, Vertanes and Kalayjian Switzerland to reunite with tinue to build on decades of capital improve - participated in the blessing ceremony and old friends in the place ments, which more than 500 guests saw for rededication of Lake Arax, presided over by where they all grew up. themselves at the Camp Nubar’s open house on Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of Together with current Sunday, July 28. Alumni musicians played live the Armenian Church of America (Eastern). camp families they helped music, campers performed Armenian dances As the weekend came to a close, alumni par - raise a record around the flagpole, children lined up for face ents were already making plans for their chil - $400,000, which will painting and cotton candy, and many took hik - dren to attend Camp Nubar next year and the help future generations cre - ing tours throughout the 365 acres. years to come. For now, they’ll continue to take ate more, lasting summer The open house brought, for the first time in the trip to Fall Cove Road, making off-season memories. Camp Nubar history, former campers, caretak - visits where guests enjoy the winterized cabins The celebration kicked ers, counselors and directors from each of and take advantage of the beautiful lake and off on July 26, 2013 at a camp¹s five decades together in their second hiking trails. Many have already enjoyed watch - New York City reunion, home. No matter their age or the role they ing the leaves turn before winter settles in and where 400 attendees were played in camp, the participants joined along - brings another summer and anniversary closer welcomed with a replica of side one another as they relived memories from to them. the Camp Nubar Buddy Board that has long occu - Camp Nubar alumni from as far as Holland, Canada and California pied the Lake Arax water - reunite in New York for the 50th anniversary celebration. front. Keeping the crowd nostalgic throughout the night, Masters of Ceremony Armen Mirakian and Greg Yazujian sang favorite camp songs and presented slideshows from early sum - mers. They also introduced the evening’s speakers, who remarked on the camp’s growth over the years: AGBU President Berge Setrakian, along with Camp Nubar alumni Sarah Partin, Dr. Barry Halejian and Christina Lalama. As Camp Nubar Members of the 50th Anniversary Committee welcome alumni in Committee Chair Sarah New York City before the iconic Camp Nubar waterfront buddy Partin expressed, it is a board. From left to right, Jan Herdemian, Christine Chakmakian place where everyone can Badach, Sharis Boghossian, Andrea Halejian and Jane Majian unplug, where television, The overcast weather couldn’t keep campers, counselors and alumni families from dancing around Bowen. computers and cell phones Camp Nubar’s flagpole during this year’s Open House. are cast aside as decades- Dr. Frieze Presents Lecture on Lemkin’s Newly Published Autobiography Touching upon the description of Lemkin’s said Frieze. By Taleen Babayan childhood in the initial chapters of Totally Lemkin’s efforts, however, were continu - Unofficial, Frieze contextualized his early life ously met with opposition and Frieze noted as a Polish Jew who was homeschooled by a that Lemkin was known as naïve, a fanatic NEW YORK — Dr. Donna-Lee Frieze deliv - highly intelligent mother. He describes in and humorless. “But Totally Unofficial shows ered a lecture titled “Raphael Lemkin: The detail a childhood full of poetry, music and lit - an extremely shrewd lawyer, three steps Armenian Genocide and the Autobiography of erature, which exposed him to cultures ahead of his enemies, as he called them.” the Insistent Prophet” at Columbia beyond his own at a young age. “Lemkin was a prophet of sorts,” said University’s Butler Library on Wednesday, “He’s writing about a vanished world, in Frieze. “He knew the Genocide Convention October 2 at an event hosted by the Armenian every sense,” said Frieze, who noted that would not prevent genocide and that it would Center. everyone in his family except his brother was continue. Instead, he saw it as a rallying A Prins Senior Fellow at the Centre for lost to the Holocaust. “Lemkin reignites this point.” Jewish History and a New York City Visiting loss of language, land and culture and this At the age of 59, Lemkin died of a heart Fellow at the Alfred Deakin Research memory of wholeness is perhaps the genocide attack in New York and his autobiography Institute in Melbourne, Australia, Frieze spent survivor’s key to living.” was left unfinished until Frieze tackled the the last four years editing Lemkin’s unfin - His first exposure to genocide, however, challenge of weaving together Lemkin’s man - ished autobiography and papers, which were occurred when he read about the Armenian uscript. housed for decades at the New York Public Genocide and the subsequent trial of “By bringing Raphael Lemkin’s autobiog - Library. Soghoman Tehlirian, who was arrested for raphy to print, Dr. Frieze restores Lemkin to Highlighting the significance of the publi - assassinating Talaat Pasha, the architect of Dr. Donna-Lee Frieze discusses Raphael his rightful place in the pantheon of human cation of Lemkin’s autobiography, Totally the Armenian Genocide, as an act of revenge. Lemkin’s autobiography, rights champions,” said Mark Momjian, Esq., Unofficial, Dr. Peter Balakian, who is the Lemkin was shocked that Tehlirian was even Totally Unofficial chairman of the Armenian Center at Visiting Ordjanian Professor in the on trial and reflected, “Why is a man pun - Columbia University. “The Armenian Center Department of Middle East, South Asian and ished when he kills another man? Why is the an ideal,” writes Lemkin in his autobiography. is acutely aware of Lemkin’s research into the African Studies at Columbia, said Frieze “res - killing of a million a lesser crime than the “I will devote the rest of my life to outlawing Armenian Genocide, as well as the critical cued and recovered one of the most important killing of a single individual?” This event was the destruction of people.” importance it played in his effort to get the books in history on human rights.” a turning point in Lemkin’s life as he changed Arriving in the United States in 1941, United Nations to pass the Genocide “This is a remarkable memoir that gives his course of study from linguistics to law. Lemkin became a faculty member at Duke Convention.” shape and scope to Lemkin’s own lifetime “It was the intended destruction of University and spent the remaining years of “Frieze’s lecture on Lemkin and the efforts to make genocide a crime in interna - Armenians that triggered Lemkin’s interest,” his life to ensuring the passage of the United Armenian Genocide is one of the most impor - tional law,” said Balakian. said Frieze. Nations Convention against Genocide. He tant new perspectives on the Armenian geno - Lemkin, who coined the term “genocide” in As a prominent lawyer and prosecutor in used the Armenian Genocide as an example cide in recent years,” said Balakian. “It offers 1944, used the Armenian Genocide as a case Warsaw, Lemkin became an internationally to appeal to the public’s moral consciousness. scholars and all others, especially, perhaps the study, according to Frieze, who said that the displaced refugee during the Second World “The Armenian Genocide deeply influ - Turkish nationalists, a deeper understanding tragic event left such an impact on him that it War, which further fueled his tireless efforts enced his thoughts on genocide, not as mass of why the Armenian event became a central, led to his future work as a relentless advo - towards the prevention of genocide. murder but as sinister panorama of destruc - if not the central, event in Lemkin’s thinking cate of the prevention of genocide. “I only lived really when I was fighting for tion that was intended, specific and planned,” about what he would come to call genocide.” 10 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 26, 2013

T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Arts & Living

Boston Hamazkayin Armenian Presents Two New Jerusalem Website Films by Nigol Seeks to Chronicle Bezjian Community’s WATERTOWN — The Boston Chapter of the Hamazkayin Armenian History Educational and Cultural Society will pre - sent the local premiere screening of two new films by filmmaker Nigol Bezjian. By Arthur Hagopian The first film, “Milk, Carnation and a Godly Song,” looks into the literary lega - SYDNEY — The creators of the website origi - cy of Daniel Varoujan, one of the pillars of nally aimed at preserving the history, culture Armenian literature. Through close analy - and traditions of a selected segment of the sis of his poetry by renowned experts, Armenians of Jerusalem, the “Kaghakatzis,” are viewers get a glimpse of how Armenian lit - revamping the site. erary thinking has evolved from the Registered under the URL pagan times up to 2010, April 24, to be www.kaghakatzi.org when first launched a few exact, in Istanbul, where for the first time years ago, the site has now been renamed in history a commemoration was held in www.armenian-jerusalem.com. memory of the Armenian Genocide. The change of name reflects the decision of The second film, “I Left My Shoes in the project administrators to expand its scope Istanbul,” closely follows the journey of a and enhance its content, a move designed to Lebanese-Armenian modernist poet who Emma Sogoian attends the opening of the museum. To the left is the Catholicos of All encompass the whole of the Armenians of embarks onto a journey that has been Armenians Karekin II. Jerusalem, and not just the “Kaghakatzi” delayed for a century: the return to his Armenians. ancestral city of Istanbul, where his cul - The “Kaghakatzis” (“native” or “city tural and literary roots are. The journey dwellers”) are the descendants of the first takes viewers to the old streets of Manuscripts Find Home Armenians to settle in the Holy Land, some Istanbul once populated by Armenians, 2,000 years ago. They had come with the con - the ancient cemeteries and the poets quering armies of the Armenian king of kings, buried in them, the old churches and In Echmiadzin Tigranes the Great. more than a century-old high school. He Some were legionnaires, part of the garrisons meets the young and the old, the famed Tigranes left behind, others adventurers, and the humble, Armenians and Turks, DETROIT — Emma Sogoian was in the Mother See of Echmiadzin in September colonists, who had learned about the strange listens to their stories, their opinions. He for the opening of a wing of the museum named for fellow Detroit benefactors, Alex land overflowing with milk and honey from laughs and shares food with them. and Marie Manoogian, dedicated to the some of the 10,000 Jewish captives Tigranes Bezjian was born in Aleppo, Syria in manuscripts that she and her late hus - was to take back to Armenia with him, and were 1955. He completed his high school in band, Karl, had donated to the Mother By Alin K. Gregorian eager to explore it. South Boston, Mass. After completing his See. Mirror-Spectator Staff Created more than five years ago, the raison cinema studies at School of Visual Arts in In a recent interview, Sogoian said d’etre of this unique website initially focused that she and her husband had donated primarily on the preservation of the multi - 23 Armenian manuscripts, including the first Armenian-language translation of the faceted history, culture and traditions of a vital Bible, to the Mother See of Echmiadzin. component of the Jerusalem fabric, one that The value of the collection is hard to calculate, but experts from Sotheby’s, which gave the city its first printing press and photo - evaluated the collection, put in in the six-figure range. In some ways, she said, the graphic studio. collection is invaluable as there are no others like them anywhere else in the world. The site is now being revamped to chronicle Sogoian humbly noted that she herself did not start collecting the manuscripts, the story of the whole Armenian presence in but her husband did. “My husband knew all about them. He would collect them from Jerusalem. across the world, including auctions in London, Belgium, etc.” The “Kaghakatzi” (a derivative of the She said once word got out that he was a collector, he started getting catalogues Armenian word “Kaghak” for “city”) have for auctions internationally. acquired this nickname due to the fact that The process of amassing the impressive collection, she said, took about 40 years. they are the original Armenian residents of The provenance of the manuscripts has been equally diverse, Sogoian said. Often, Jerusalem. Their “Vanketzi” (from “Vank” or she said, they come from sellers in Iran or Armenia. “convent”) cousins, who live mainly within the In Belgium, she recalled, her husband had once found a small bookshop that had perimeters of the Convent of St James, arrived an Armenian manuscript and he bought that one on the spot. much later, in their flight from the Turkish Her husband died in 2006 and did not live to see his collection at its permanent Nigol Bezjian genocide. home. The organizers realize this is a mammoth project. Sogoian said she was tremendously impressed with the Echmiadzin museum as well as “It’s more a labor of love,” one of the orga - the reception she got in Armenia. “I just went and saw it. It is a beautiful building and muse - New York City, he attained a BFA and nizers says. “We are practically restarting from um. I am so happy that these Armenian treasures have found their home.” subsequently completed the postgraduate scratch, streamlining the website, redesigning Sogoian said, “The Vehapar was very kind and attentive. He hosted us very well cinema studies at UCLA, graduating with pages to facilitate indexing by the major search and we can’t thank him enough.” an MFA. He has made several films and engines, introducing new content, sometimes see SOGOIAN, page 12 has been recognized by the international ‘rewiring’ whole pages.” film community for his talents, securing The project relies heavily on contributions many awards and global festival screen - from current and former Armenians of ings notably for his, “Chickpeas,” “Roads Jerusalem. Full of Apricots,” “Muron,” “Verve” and “Since this is a non-profit, cultural enterprise, “Home/Land.” He has won many awards we do not seek any financial support from from prestigious international film festi - Armenian community members. It’s a matter of vals and is a senior TV producer in the principle,” the organizers say. Middle East. The Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, under “Milk, Carnation and a Godly Song” the leadership of the late Patriarch Torkom will be screened Friday, November 1, at 6 Manoogian, has been a staunch supporter, allowing p.m. at Holy Cross Armenian Catholic one of Jerusalem’s leading photographers, Garo Church Hall, 200 Lexington St., Belmont. Nalbandian, to capture over 250 pages of detailed The screening of “I Left My Shoes in records of births, deaths and marriages of Istanbul” will take place on Wednesday, Armenians in Jerusalem. However, those records go November 6, at 8 p.m. at Belmont Studio back only to about 1840. Cinema, 376 Trapelo Road, Belmont. “No doubt we’ll need to delve into the Tickets are $15 for each screening or $25 Patriarchate’s older archives to learn more for both and can be purchased at the door about the saga of the Armenians of Jerusalem. or by calling Tatoul Badalian. Bezjian, will But finding and research the relevant material be present at both screenings to intro - Emma Sogoian in Echmiadzin could take years,” the organizers concede. duce the films and answer questions. The organizers are confident the new Both films have English subtitles. Armenian patriarch, Archbishop Nourhan see WEBSITE, page ? S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 26, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 ARTS & LIVING Composer Boyadjian’s New Composition to Project SAVE Calendar Depicts Pre-Genocide Era Premiere in November for centuries. How could they leave? Can you cation and looked to the wider world of NEW YORK — Grammy Nominee composer By Tom Vartabedian imagine having to make such a monumental Western culture for inspiration and the latest Hayg Boyadjian’s new composition Danzas decision today?” technologies,” said Thomasian. “To those for - Ocultas No. 1 (Hidden Dances) commissioned The pictures selected for calendar repro - ever lost or killed, photographs were indeed by the New York based chamber ensemble WATERTOWN — Light before darkness is duction were taken from thousands of origi - the way their families were able to preserve North/South Consonance will receive its world the theme of the new 2014 calendar released nal photographs on file showing Armenians their sacred memories.” premiere at a concert of the ensemble on by Project SAVE Armenian Photograph living in the pre-1915 era in regions today In a mission that dates back nearly 40 Monday November 11 at 8 p.m. at the Christ Archives showing life just prior to the called Turkey. years, Thomasian has been the catalyst and Stephen’s Church, 120 west 69th street, Armenian Genocide, behind photo preserva - New York, admission is free. giving viewers a tion, documenting The composition is written for 10 musicians, glimpse of more halcy - more than 35,000 a woodwind quintet and a string quintet and it on times in the images dating back to will be conducted by the director of the ensem - Ottoman Empire. 1860. In and out of ble, Max Lifchitz, who has also in the past per - The 27th calendar basements and attics formed, recorded and conducted works of tour takes viewers on a she has meandered in Boyadjian. visual journey through search of forlorn The concert will feature New Chamber Van and Bitlis, images — a veritable Orchestra Music by Composers from the Erzerum, Dikranagert scavenger hunt for lost Americas, in addition to Boyadjian’s composi - and Kharpert, then treasure. tion there will be works by Jose Lezcano onto Central Anatolia “Today, Historic (Concierto Cubanero) , Max Lifchitz (Yellow to Sepastia, Amasia, Armenian lands contin - Ribbons No. 42) and Roger Wesby (diss-FUNK- Caesarea, Konia and ue to pull on us with shun) . finally, on to Bardizag magnetic force, to see The North/South Chamber Orchestra will be near Constantinople. those lands with our conducted by Max Lifchitz and will include the The cover depicts the own eyes, to place our participation of guitarist and composer Jose Endrigian family of feet on the earth where Lezcano on guitar. Malatia in the province our ancestors walked, The new composition is a collection of snip - of Kharpert, who were to hear the sounds of pets of dances from western to eastern styles. known for their work as life they have heard,” “As one would suspect from the word ‘hidden’ coppersmiths and farm - she pointed out. in the title, only portions of the dances are ers. Photos of historic “Project SAVE pho - heard like apparitions, fragments of a whole are further comple - tographs and their sto - entity. To maintain a sense of wholeness to the mented by scenic Cover of Project SAVE 2014 calendar showing Endrigian family of Malatia, Kharpert ries provide a comfort - piece I have chosen to use two common har - glimpses of villages on Province, Ottoman Empire, around 1913. The family worked as coppersmiths and farmers. ing connection to our monies, C minor and G minor, like a tonic and the eve of destruction. Photo courtesy of Daniel Terhanian heritage, preventing it dominant. Thus all this disjointed material, the While pondering the from ever being taken, dance fragments, have a unifying background theme, Executive lost or denied.” in their harmonies,” Boyadjian said. Director Ruth Thomasian felt a connection Viewing these images shows how vital Assisting with the design was Vartus For more information about Boyadjian visit between “light” and “life.” Armenians were to the fabric of life there, Varadian. Others lending a hand were www.haygboyadjian.com “By 1914, many Armenians were aware owning land, building homes, running busi - archivist Suzanne Adams, office manager that evil times were coming,” said nesses and schools and attending their hous - John Kebadjian and senior archival assistant Thomasian. “Some families had already sent es of worship. Aram Sarkisian. their sons and daughters to Europe or “The sophistication of these photographs To order, do so online at armenianven - Jerusalem Website Seeks America to establish a new life and prepare points to a people well established over many dor.com. For further details, email To Chronicle History for others to follow. But this was their home generations in communities that valued edu - [email protected].

WEBSITE, from page 10 Manoogian, will be as supportive of the pro - ject as his predecessor. Conference Dedicated to 1,650th Anniversary of Mesrob Mashtots One of the new features that is being posted in the revamped website is the profiling of prominent BURBANK, Calif. — A new world order is in Identity” •Prof. Robert Hewsen, “Mesrob Mashtots and Jerusalem Armenians, past and present, who have the making and history dictates that those •Rev. Dr. Abel Manoukian, “The Plan to Mekhitar of Sebastia: the Second and Third contributed significantly to the enhancement of the nations, who do not rise to the challenge, will be Create a Spiritual Statehood and Preserve Illuminators of the Armenian People” Armenian presence in the city. sidelined from the world stage. National Identity in the 5th Century and Today” The conference will be live streamed in its Among these is the late composer and con - The spread of Christianity in the •Dr. Yervant Zorian, “The Mission of the entirety at NorSerount.com. ductor, Ohan Dourian, who was born in the fourth century led to the establishment of a new Armenian Virtual College and its Contribution Admission is free, but seating is limited. Seats Armenian Quarter, in a home abutting the Sts. world order. The Armenian nation rose to the to Preserving Armenian Identity” could be reserved by contacting mag - Tarkmachantz parochial school. challenge, thanks to Gregory the Illuminator •Prof. Hagop Gulludjian, “Place, Role, and [email protected] or Nor Serount on The grand piano upon which his fingers ran and specially Mesrob Mashtots. The invention of Prospects of Language Facing Globalization” Facebook. riot in celestial celebration occupied pride of the Armenian alphabet reshaped Armenia’s place in a single room long after he had left national identity and contributed to the creation Jerusalem to further his studies, and gain world - of its Golden Age. wide recognition, in Armenia and France. The invention of printing and the Renaissance Michalczyk Film Bears Witness to Abuse Scandal Haig Khatchadourian, world renowned in the 15th century and onward reshaped the philosopher and man of letters, who is a very world once again. The Armenian nation was able their crimes to protect its reputation. close relative of Dourian and used to live in a to keep pace, thanks to Mekhitar of Sebastia. By Sean Keeley “Who Takes Away the Sins” is all the more “high-rise” a stone’s throw away from him, is His movement became the catalyst for the powerful for letting these stories speak for another prominent face that will be featured on reawakening and rediscovering of the Armenian themselves. It is not a flashy film stylistically, the Jerusalem Armenian website. Identity. BOSTON (Boston College Heights) — “The nor does it need to be. The horrific stories of The story of the inception of the incomparable For the past several decades, the Internet has past is never the past because it’s your past, the survivors and the legacy of pain written on Armenian ceramics industry, inspired and spear - been revolutionizing lives and changing the your present, and your future,” said Alexa their faces need no adornment. headed by the Balian and Karakashian dynasties, is world. Globalization is threatening the MacPherson about halfway through the docu - At the same time, the Michalczyks’ film also being told here, complete with full color graph - sovereignty of small nations. Can the Armenian mentary “Who Takes Away the Sins: Witnesses expands from witness testimonies to explain the ic reproductions of some of their best creations. nation rise to the challenge once again? What to Clergy Abuse.” MacPherson said, “It scandal’s larger context. Walter Robinson, a Manoug Manougian, who has the unequivocal role will our past play in shaping our future? becomes you, it defines who you are.” reporter for the Boston Globe who covered reputation of being the first man in the whole of To explore these issues, an academic confer - Those words echoed through the Museum of everything from contentious political battles to the Middle East to launch a rocket successfully ence will be held at the Fletcher Jones Fine Art’s Remis Auditiorium, as “Who Takes the Gulf War, said that it was the toughest story (albeit an experimental one), will also have a Auditorium of Woodbury University, 7500 N. Away the Sins” screened there on Friday, he ever had to cover. Mitchell Garabedian, the story to tell. Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank, on Saturday, October Saturday and Sunday. The film, co-produced by attorney who filed hundreds of lawsuits against “That is what we need to make this website 26, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. husband and wife team and Boston College pro - the church, explained his ongoing battle to rock, people who will tell us their stories, lend us The conference is jointly organized by the fessors John and Susan Michalczyk, is an change the statue of limitation laws to hold the their records, archives, pictures, recollections,” Armenian General Benevolent Union, Ararat attempt to bear witness to a very ugly and dis - church accountable. Advocates like Paul Kellen the organizers say. Eskijian Museum, Hamazkayin Armenian turbing past indeed: the history of the Catholic and Anne Barrett Doyle described their efforts “We are getting some, but it’s still a trickle,” Educational and Cultural Society, Nor Serount Church’s sex abuse scandal, which drew head - to launch organizations to get information they aver. “There’s so much more out there the Cultural Association and the Organization of lines across the world in 2002. Focusing locally about abuse cases out to churchgoers and hold Armenians of Jerusalem can regale and amaze Istanbul Armenians. around the Archdiocese of Boston, where the bishops accountable. the world with.” The program will consist of the following pre - scandal first broke, “Who Takes Away The Sins” Doyle and Garabedian, meanwhile, stressed Like the tale of the unsung hero who picked sentations: includes a broad assortment of testimonies from the legal barriers to action against the Church. up a huge unexploded bomb that had landed in •Prof. Father Levon Zekyian, “The survivors, advocates, an investigative reporter, a A bill currently in the Massachusetts State a kitchen and that towered over his diminutive Symbolism of Mesrob Mashtots: A Retrospect concerned clergy member and the attorney who House would abolish the statue of limitations size, and carried it bodily down a long flight of into the Past Sixteen Centuries” represented many of the Church’s victims. The on child sex crimes, a key action that would stairs, to dispose of it far away from the huddle •Prof. Abraham Terian, “The Sturcture and result is an impassioned and moving film that allow more victims to file suit. But it has of refugees who had sought sanctuary in the Purpose of Koriwn’s ‘Life of Mashtots’” integrates a diversity of viewpoints into its remained stuck in committee, and the panel’s Convent of St James, during the 1948 Arab- •Dr. Srbuhi Hayrapetian, “The inescapable conclusion: that the Church know - speakers urged the audience to call House Israeli war. Conceptualization and Rooting of National ingly covered for abusive priests and hushed up Speaker Robert DeLeo to pass the bill. 12 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 26, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING Manuscripts Eric Bogosian Returns to His Roots Donated To Echmiadzin By Mark Kennedy

SOGOIAN, from page 10 NEW YORK (AP) — Eric Bogosian has been After the Lord’s Prayer and the perfor - looking back on his old angry work lately and mances of psalms, Sogoian cut the ribbon at laughing. the exhibition hall, allowing the guests to The former monologist who used to speak enter the newly opened exhibition hall. about substance abuse and dangerous sex has At the end of the ceremony, the been sifting through two decades of work for an Catholicos of All Armenians gave his bless - upcoming book — “100 Monologues” — and a ing to Sogoian and said: “We express satis - new one-man show, “100 (Monologues),” at the faction with the fact that the Lord grants us Labyrinth Theater Company. with such noble Armenians who willingly “Man, I talk about drugs, A LOT. I talk about donate to national institutions our spiritual sex, A LOT. That was what my life was about, assets that they have diligently gathered which it isn’t now,” he says. “I don’t think a throughout their lifetime.” monologue show about being a dad is as inter - Included in the collection is a work from esting as being a guy being on the edge of Sargis Pitsak, who was an early 14th-centu - some sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll kind of ry Armenian artist. lifestyle.” In addition to the manuscripts, the exhi - Both the book and the show, which ran bition also showcases some exclusive docu - through October 19, pull pieces from Eric Bogosian ments from the archives of the Mother See, Bogosian’s six solo shows between 1980 and including the secret documents of Armenian 2000 — including “Pounding Nails in the Floor Patriarch of Constantinople, Archbishop With My Forehead” and “Wake up and Smell beat somewhere I didn’t know about. I wrote it and I didn’t real - Zaven Yeghiayan in relation to the the Coffee” — for which he received three Obie ize you could do it. Armenian Genocide, as well as the archbish - Awards. AP: What happened to the monologue as an art form? op’s letter addressed to Gevorg V, “I didn’t know what I was doing. Bogosian: It was at its best when all the monologues worked Catholicos of All Armenians, on setting And there was something good in one big theme. But eventually that started to fall by the way - April 24th as Armenian Genocide about that,” he says of the monologue style side. Monologue shows started to become a showcase for tal - Remembrance Day. that he now calls a “shoot-from-the-hip, intu - ent, or because of Spalding Gray’s influence, people thought Emma Sogoian has long been involved itive, crazy thing.” that the minutia of their personal lives was fascinating, not with helping the Armenian Church, both The new show and collection of his mono - being the artist that Spalding was. Echmiadzin and Antelias, as was her hus - logues correspond with a special project involving many of his actor- AP: Will it ever disappear? band. They first got involved with building friends, including Liev Schreiber, Bobby Cannavale, Vincent D’Onofrio, Bogosian: I don’t think it’s something that will ever die because it’s churches in Armenia through Archbishop Jessica Hecht and Jeremy Sisto. All will help record 100 of Bogosian’s very cheap to produce. When you’re a starving artist, it’s a great way to Mesrob Ashjian, who had headed the monologues for online posting starting this winter. get started. But I think when it’s used as a stepping-stone to other things, Prelacy in New York before moving to He’s written a number of full-length plays — his “subUrbia” was made then it does have a capacity to get lost. Armenia to help Echmiadzin revive church - into a film — and appeared in several movies, including Robert Altman’s AP: How did a counterculture icon end up a police captain on a “Law es in Armenia. Ashjian asked them to build “The Caine Mutiny Court Martial” and “Under Siege 2” opposite Steven & Order” franchise? a church a Vayk, in southern Armenia, St. Seagal. Bogosian also has written several books, as well as the upcoming Bogosian: I totally accept the idea that a person’s ideas can change Drtad Church. “Nemesis,” about a group of Armenian assassins who went after Turkish over their life. But I never said anything against cops, I never said any - They were active supporters of many leaders after World War I. thing against soldiers, in my work. I come from a blue-collar town and Armenian causes, both in the United States and Bogosian, 60, took a break from rehearsal to talk about the show, the grew up with guys who were cops and carpenters and soldiers. So I have in Armenia. Their many projects have also fate of the monologue, how an angry young man became a cop on TV, a great deal of respect for those guys. included the women’s health clinic in Yerevan and an odd fantasy that involves a vampire. AP: What appealed to you about doing the show? founded by Rita Balian of Washington, DC and AP: Why 100 monologues? Bogosian: I wanted to do that kind of show because I felt that those renovating a school in Talish. Bogosian: One day I was just curious as to how many monologues shows are very similar to the style of the old Elia Kazan dramas, where “Karl loved Armenia. He was born in the there were. I counted them up and it was like 99. If I threw in the guy nobody ever smiles and everything’s very intense. I wanted to be able to US and could not read or write Armenian, from ‘Talk Radio,’ then I had 100 monologues. So I called up my pub - do something where I never smiled and was grumpy all the time. but he had a feeling for it,” she said. She lishers and I said, ‘You know, there are a hundred of ‘em. Why don’t we AP: Where do you want your career to go? noted that he was a mechanical engineer, a put out a book?’ Bogosian: Who knows where my little journey’s going to go as an actor solid sort of professional, but that he AP: You left the monologue around 2000. Why? because I’m not out there all the time. Honestly, I’ve got one thing left to “thought outside the box.” She explained Bogosian: It’s all about real shotgun attitude stuff. Monologues put out do: I want to play a vampire in something and then my entire card will that he was a thinker, interested in making one idea really hard and fast. I sort of moved into other realms where I have been filled. I got to play an intense drama. I got to be the villain in a difference and for those reasons, he want - could explore something different, like a novel or a history book. an action movie. I got to be on ‘Law & Order.’ ed ancient manuscripts to find a permanent AP: Is it weird seeing others perform your work? AP: A vampire, really? home in Echmiadzin and also sought the Bogosian: They bring something else. In fact, they do things and I’m Bogosian: Yes. I want to be an old vampire. I want to be the leader of unity of the Armenian church. like, ‘Oh, I didn’t know you could do that with that line.’ Or they find a all the other vampires. Though his background was in Prelacy churches, Sogoian said that she and her husband would attend and support any and all Armenian Churches, from Prelacy and Diocese churches to Protestant or Catholic. In fact, she recalled, she and her husband Sponsor a Teacher in Armenia and Karabagh 2013 would always be invited by a church or another at Thanksgiving; they never turned down the invitation. “He has a respect for religion,” she recalled. Since its inception in 2001, TCA’s ‘Sponsor Karl Sogoian donated several Urartian artifacts to the Manoogian Museum in a Teacher’ program has raised over $563,000 Detroit. He and his wife also donated church organs to both Armenian Apostolic church - and reached out to 4,440 teachers and es in the area, St. John’s and St. Sarkis. A native of Istanbul, Turkey, Emma school workers in Armenia and Karabagh. Sogoian studied at that city’s St. Joseph German School before coming to the United States in 1955. She met her future husband £ in Detroit, and the two married and settled in his native city. K Yes, I want to sponsor teachers in Armenia and Karabagh to continue Sogoian — a longtime member of St. John helping them to educate the children, our future leaders. I would like to have Church of Southfield — was awarded the St. the teacher’s name and address. Gregory Medal and Pontifical Encyclical last year during a banquet at the church in K $160 K $ 320 K $ 480 K other $ ————————— Southfield. Name In typical modest fashion, upon receiving Address the medal, said that it was thanks to her City State Zip code husband that she received the award. Tel:

Make check payable to: Tekeyan Cultural Association – Memo: Sponsor a Teacher 2010 Mail your check with this form to: TCA Sponsor a Teacher Advertise in the 5326 Valverde, Houston, TX 77056 Mirror-Spectator Your donation is Tax Deductible. S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 26, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 ARTS & LIVING CC AA LLEENNDDAARR

DECEMBER 6 AND 7 — Trinity Christmas Bazaar, Friday, MASSACHUSETTS 3-9 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Holy Trinity Armenian Church, 145 Brattle St., Cambridge. OCTOBER 26 — Fall Harvest Bazaar, First Armenian DECEMBER 15 — Erevan Choral Society and Orchestra- Church, 380 Concord Ave., Belmont. Noon – 8 p.m. Christmas Holiday Concer t, 7 p.m., Church Sanctuary, Armenian delicacies - manti, choreg, kufte and Holy Trinity Armenian Church 145 Brattle St., Cambridge. more. Enjoy kebab dinners (lamb, beef or chicken with Save the date, details to follow. pilaf and salad,) losh, boreg, paklava, pastries and more in our festive hall or takeout. 617-484-4779, or www.firstarmenianchurch.org. Handicapped and MBTA NEW HAMPSHIRE accessible. NOVEMBER 3 — Ararat Armenian Congregational OCTOBER 29 — Julia & the Zerounian Ensemble, in an Church Celebrates 100 Years: 1913-2013. Join the his - enchanting cabaret evening of songs from around the toric Armenian American community of Southern NH for world. 7:30 p.m., Regattabar, Cambridge. For information a celebration lunch at Tuscan Kitchen restaurant, 67 Main and reservations, St., Salem; 1 p.m. For tickets and sponsorship opportuni - visit http://www.getshowtix.com/regattabar/moreinfo.c ties, contact [email protected]. gi?id=3031 NOVEMBER 1 and 2 — 57th Annual St. Stephen’s Bazaar, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., 47 Nichols Ave., Watertown. NEW JERSEY Open to the public; lamb, losh and chicken kebab, OCTOBER 26 and 27 — St. Thomas Armenian Church Armenian pastries, gourmet food, harvest store and silent On November 16 at 11 a.m., the Food Festival and Bazaar, Saturday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m & live auctions. Armenian Women’s Welfare NOVEMBER 7 — Avak luncheon, and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Kebabs, sweets, vendors, noon, Jaffarian Hall, St. Association (AWWA) will host its Gregory Church, 158 Main St., North Andover, speaker, raffles, kid’s fun, White Elephant and more. For info, call 38th annual Luncheon Auction at the Dr. Edward Khantzian, clinical professor of psychiatry (201) 567-5446; 174 Essex Drive (corner of Route 9 W & at Harvard Medical School, “Impressions of a Keynote Burlington Marriott, Burlington, MA. E. Clinton Ave.), Tenafly. Visit to Armenia.” There will be silent auction and bid - NOVEMBER 23-24 – TCA Mher Megerdchian Theatrical NOVEMBER 8 and 9 — Annual Autumnfest Bazaar ding with guest auctioneers Al Group celebrates 15th Anniversary with production of sponsored by the Armenian Church at Hye Pointe, Kaprielian and Cindy Fitzgibbon. Hagop Baronian’s “The Perils of Politeness” 110 Main St., Haverhill, Friday 12-8 p.m. and Saturday, 12- Tickets are $60 and Visa and (Kaghakavaroutyan Vnasneruh) directed by Gagik 7 p.m. Lamb, losh and chicken kebab and kheyma. Dinner MasterCard are accepted. For reser - Karapetyan from Armenia; Dwight Englewood High served all day. Pastry table, Armenian cuisine, gift basket vations and information, contact School, 315 E. Palisade Ave., Englewood, NJ. Nov. 23, Saturday at 8 p.m. and Nov. 24, Sunday at 4 p.m. For tick - raffles and raffles for cash and prizes. For more info, visit [email protected]. our new website www.hyepointearmenianchurch.org or ets; $50, $35, $25; call Marie Zokian (201)745-8850 or call 978-372-9227. Missak Boghosian at (212)819-0097 or (347)365-6985. NOVEMBER 10 — St. Stephen’s Ladies Guild presents “The Gamavor Story,” performed by the Way We Were NOVEMBER 16 — Second annual Mer Doon Benefit RHODE ISLAND Ensemble of New York/ New Jersey, 2 p.m., St. Stephen’s Dance, 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., Charles Mosesian Cultural Church Hall, Elton Ave., Watertown. Tickets: $20 and Youth Center, 465 Mount Auburn Street, Watertown. NOVEMBER 9 AND 10 — Sts. Sahag & Mesrob advanced purchase, $25 at the door, $10 children under Featuring John Berberian, Bob Mougamian, Mal Armenian Church’s 83rd Annual Armenian Food Fair 12. For tickets, contact Mary Derderian at Barsamian and Bruce Gigarian. Mezza, dessert table and and Bazaar, Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday [email protected] or 781-762-4253; make checks more. Tickets: $40 adult, $30 student; for tickets and noon to 6 p.m. at the Egavian Cultural Center, 70 payable to St. Stephen’s church. table reservations, please call Mark at 617-256-5358. Jefferson St, Providence. Authentic Armenian food and NOVEMBER 16 — Armenian Women’s Welfare DECEMBER 6 — Anniversary celebration by Lowell pastries, take-out food booth, Armenian market featuring Association (AWWA) 38th Annual Luncheon Auction, “Aharonian” Gomideh, 6:30 p.m., St. Gregory Church, traditional favorites, activities for children of all ages, daily Burlington Marriott, Burlington; 11 a.m. silent auction North Andover; dinner and program honoring 50-year and scratch tickets, silent auction, penny social and tv and bidding; Guest auctioneers Al Kaprielian and Cindy members Steve Dulgarian and Joe Dagdigian; remember - room for football. Cash, check, Visa and MC accepted. Fitzgibbon; $60 per person, Visa and MasterCard accept - ing the 25th anniversary of the earthquake in Armenia; Free admission and free valet parking — everyone wel - ed. For reservations and info, contact: awwaauc - soloist Nina Hovsepian, accompanied by Mary Barooshian; come. For more info, call 401-272-7712 or visit [email protected]. donation, $20 adults, $10 students. www.armenianfoodfairri.com.

Ayda Erbal to Speak on Turkish ‘Apology Campaign’

BELMONT, Mass. — Ayda Erbal of New address while providing a close analysis of York University’s Department of Politics will both the text and the political context in give a lecture titled, “Mea Culpas, which the Turkish apology campaign — and Negotiations, Apologias: Revisiting the counter campaigns — was launched in ‘Apology’ of Turkish Intellectuals,” on December of 2008. She will discuss philo - Thursday, November 7 at 8 p.m. at the sophical, linguistic, and political aspects of National Association for Armenian Studies the Turkish “We apologize” campaign, such and Research (NAASR), 395 Concord Ave. as what kind of meaning does the text of the The “We apologize” or “Ozur diliyoruz” cam - apology convey; what are the limitations of paign initiated by four Turkish intellectuals and the text itself; and what may be the political signed by thousands of others was a remark - implications of the use of a certain language able yet controversial development in modern within the apology (e.g., euphemisms, lack of Turkish-Armenian relations. It also stands as a agency, use of passive tense)? unique occurrence in modern Turkish history Erbal teaches Middle Eastern politics and since no other similar “apologizing act” has democratic theory as adjunct professor of been extended to any other group that has politics at New York University, Department been victimized by state policies. of Politics. She is interested in democratic Although what constitutes a proper apolo - theory, the politics of “post-nationalist” his - gy is well defined in the present cross-disci - toriographies in transitional settings, the plinary literature, it is not so clear what political-economy of mass violence and state exactly acts of apologies are or their func - formation and the politics of apology. A chap - tions in the domestic and international poli - ter of her dissertation, “Mea Culpas, tics of the “sorry nations.” Are apologies new Negotiations, Apologias: Revisiting the ways of “imagining,” hence transforming, the Turkish Intellectuals’ ‘Apology’ Campaign,” Ayda Erbal “nation”? What differentiates a successful was recently published in Reconciliation, apology from a pseudo or a non-apology? Civil Society, and the Politics of Memory What is the difference between apologia and (ed. Birgit Schwelling). An award-winning “Meligone.” She is also a published short-story lingual politics blog primarily dealing with apology? filmmaker on the side, Erbal is in the process writer and one of the founding editors of Azad minority issues in Turkey. These are some of the questions Erbal will of writing her second narrative short Alik (http://azadalik.wordpress.com), a multi - For more information, email [email protected]. 14 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 26, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

THE ARMENIAN COMMENTARY Mirror An Exercise in the Democratic Process

district to raise a powerful voice to not only elect a candidate of Spectator By Edmond Y. Azadian Armenian extraction, but to be a segment of the population to be courted by any candidate seeking public office here. Another problem Armenians have in the US is a lack of long- For months now Peter Koutoujian’s name has been on the term political goals. No plans are in place to groom future can - national stage for Armenian-Americans and the hopes were didates and have them rise through the ranks. The candidates quite realistic to see another Armenian on the Hill come thrust themselves on the community which adopts them by Established 1932 December 15. But those hopes were dashed when the results default. In this case, Koutoujian was a qualified candidate with a of the Democratic primary were announced on October 15. long and deep involvement in many school, church and social An ADL Publication Seven democrats were seeking to replace Edward Markey in organizations in our community, but there have been others in the Massachusetts Fifth Congressional District. State Sen. the past, who have expected the support of the community only Katherine Clark of Melrose won the primary with 32 percent of on the strength of an “ian” in their last names, who have not real - EDITOR the votes in the 24 cities and towns comprising the district, fol - ly been plugged into any Armenian groups. They did not care nor Alin K. Gregorian lowed by the Middlesex County Sheriff Koutoujian with 22 per - participate after their defeats. cent. His hometown Waltham and Watertown with a sizable We have to also reflect on the role of the Armenian political ASSISTANT EDITOR Armenian population did not let him down as they delivered parties which trace their roots in the past with an agenda of lib - Gabriella Gage the votes. erating their homeland from Ottoman tyranny. Over the years ASSOCIATE EDITOR The prospects are very promising for Clark because Democrats their roles have evolved to mean the preservation of the Aram Arkun outnumber Republicans in the district. Armenian heritage, a task that merits accolades. Koutoujian waged a clean and courageous campaign as did But today many people question the role of the Armenian ART DIRECTOR Marc Mgrditchian Ms. Clark. The latter has been a competent candidate who gave political parties. Their logical milieu would have been Armenia, a tough run to Mr. Koutoujian. Armenian voters did not question because the ideology of a political party can be tested in a coun - her competence and qualifications; their preference was based try where the parties are supposed to serve. on the fact that Koutoujian is more sensitive to the issues most In the case of Armenia, an anomaly has been created in its SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: Armenians are concerned with. When Clark heads to political system, because the traditional parties have been mar - Edmond Azadian Washington, all voters would still be well-represented in the ginalized, for a number of reasons. One reason is that they are CONTRIBUTORS: Massachusetts’ Congressional delegation, which has often been considered transplants and most importantly, the weaning Florence Avakian, Dr. Haroutiune very supportive of the community’s issues. process from the authoritarian system has taken its time and toll. Arzoumanian, Taleen Babayan, Prof. Besides being Armenian, Koutoujian enjoys an impeccable rep - In fact, the political parties are formed around the agendas of oli - Vahakn N. Dadrian, Diana Der utation as a public servant that had to motivate Armenians and garchs, warlords or strongmen, rather than any ideology. Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, Kevork non-Armenian voters equally. Returning back to host countries where Armenian communi - Keushkerian, Sonia Kailian-Placido , The outcome of the election should bother the Armenians ties are active, the political parties can justify their relevance by Harut Sassounian, Mary Terzian, Hagop more than Mr. Koutoujian himself who will continue serving as taking an active role in the democratic process. Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian the sheriff or he may set his eyes on Massachusetts Attorney The antiquated framework of political parties has no room for CORRESPONDENTS: General’s position which will be vacated by Martha Coakley. the emerging generations with a globalized vision. The members As the voter turnout was low it was the most appropriate of the new generation either wonder in the wilderness or they Armenia - Hagop Avedikian Boston - Nancy Kalajian opportunity for the Armenian voters to show up in larger num - become a hazard to the community’s collective goals trying to Philadelphia - Lisa Manookian bers at polling stations. Mr. Koutoujian was proud that in one introduce untested practices. Berlin - Muriel Mirak-Weissbach weekend volunteers knocked on 16,000 doors. Even if more Or worse, organizations destined for other roles may be tempt - Contributing Photographers: Armenian doors were open only 3,000-4,000 Armenians are esti - ed to fill the vacuum, perils notwithstanding. Jacob Demirdjian, Harry Koundakjian, Jirair mated to be registered voters in the district. Koutoujian’s campaign is a classic case study in trying to inte - Hovsepian Koutoujian, occupying second place, won 15,290 votes. Even grate into the political system. if all registered Armenian voters showed up at the polls, they still One important case which we need to note and celebrate is would account for one-third of the votes, at best. that there was no political divisions in the Armenian communi - In terms of fundraising Koutoujian outdid his competitor, rais - ty, so that the candidate enjoyed the solid support of the entire The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published weekly, except two weeks in July, by: ing $915,000 for his war chest, versus Clark’s $855,000. The community, especially the ones who came out to knock on doors. fundraising campaign gave the initial indications of a successful They voted and they became a force to be reckoned with. Baikar Association, Inc. ending for Koutoujian as the voting ratio had more in the gen - Although Koutoujian did not win the race, he has shown a 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 eral electorate than among the Armenians. courageous outlook and he has been gratified by the support he Telephone: 617-924-4420 Armenians boast of having a population of one million in the has received. FAX: 617-924-2887 US, but if that one million cannot be mobilized as a political force We Armenians can also consider this campaign a test case to www.mir ror spectator.com it will prove to be a political dead weight. empower the community for the next challenge. E-Mail: editor@mirrorspectator .com No one can give the exact count of Massachusetts Armenians, That may turn an electoral defeat to a prospective victory in For advertising: [email protected] but certainly more than 4,000 could have been registered in the the democratic process.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES : How Long Before Truth Comes out on Syria? U.S.A. $80 a year

Canada $125 a year “kills”. He was shot in the head by a sniper tal, Gaullist regime. Other Countries $190 a year By Robert Fisk in the eastern Syrian oil town. Jamaa was The parallels are, of course, not exact. But also killed, we were informed, by a booby- over the past months, a remarkable phe - trap, and blown up by a suicide bomber. All nomenon has made its appearance in © 2011 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator Major General Jamaa Jamaa was not a pop - that we can be sure of is that his remains, Algeria. Dozens of elderly Algerian maquis - Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA ular man in Beirut. One of Syria’s most such as they were, were taken for burial in ards from the conflict that ended just over and additional mailing offices. senior intelligence officers in Lebanon until the village hills above Lattakia where he was half a century ago, have turned up at small the withdrawal of Bashar al-Assad’s troops born. How long before we know the truth? publishing houses in Algiers and Oran with ISSN 0004-234X in 2005, he was headquartered in the run- I am brought to this question by the secre - private manuscripts, containing frightening POSTMASTER : Send address changes to The down Beau Rivage Hotel in west Beirut and cy which still smothers the 1954-62 accounts of the savage war in which they Armenian Mirror-Spectator, P.O. Box 302, also in the Bekaa town of Anjaar, where Algerian-French war of independence where fought and in which their officers tortured Watertown, MA 02471-0302 Lebanese men would be taken for interroga - a cruel French regime of occupation fought and massacred and assassinated their own Other than the editorial, views and opinions tion and later emerge — or not emerge at all a war against an equally cruel and deter - comrades. Rival Algerian resistance groups expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily — sans teeth or nails. He was a loyal, ruth - mined Algerian resistance, primarily led by — not unlike the “Free Syrian Army” and eflect the policies of the publisher. less apparatchik for Bashar’s father Hafez, the National Liberation Front, the FLN. their Islamist rebel enemies in northern and his mysterious killing last week in the French officers indulged in an orgy of tor - Syria today — also slaughtered each other. Syrian war provoked no tears in Beirut. The ture while their Algerian opposite numbers Take, for example, the death of Abane UN had interviewed Jamaa about the mur - slaughtered each other — as well as the Ramdane. The “architect” of the Algerian der of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq French — in a Stalinist purge of thousands revolution, a friend of the French philoso - Hariri whose 2005 assassination brought of their own followers suspected of collabo - pher and revolutionary Franz Fanon, orga - about the Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon. rating with the French occupation. For nizer of the Soummam congress which cre - Copying for other than personal use or But how did Jamaa die? Syrian state televi - decades, the French refused to discuss this ated the first independent Algerian leader - internal reference is prohibited without express permission of the copyright sion would say only that he was “martyred most dishonourable of wars — censoring ship in 1956, Ramdane — a man almost as owner. Address requests for reprints or while carrying out his national duties to their own television programmes if they keen on his own personality as he was on back issues to: defend Syria and its people and pursuing dared talk of torture — while the subsequent the classless revolution he helped initiate — Baikar Association, Inc. terrorists (sic) in Deir el-Zour”. FLN dictatorship only published infantile was assassinated in Morocco the following 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 All kinds of rebel groups — including, of accounts of the heroism of their “martyr” year, allegedly by the French. For decades, course, the equally ruthless al-Qa’ida affili - cadres. The French, you see, were fighting continued on next page ates — wanted to add his name to their “terrorism”. The FLN were fighting a bru - S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 26, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 COMMENTARY The Question of Church Restoration Projects

hen someone visits Armenia for the first time, the tour itiner - the church are in touch with the concerns and needs of the common people. During a ary invariably includes a multitude of churches and monas - recent private audience with the Catholicos, he was asked what the Church can do to teries. Modern Armenia is the land of churches. Historic keep our youth more interested in the Armenian church and attached closer to their Armenia in Anatolia was also a land of churches, with nearly Armenian roots. His curt response was that ‘this should be done at home and at school’. 4000 churches and monasteries. The Van Lake region alone The much anticipated Bishops Synod, assembled last month for the first time in 600 had more than 300 churches. The ancient city of Ani, dubbed years, did not produce any tangible resolutions to address concerns of the common the “City of 1001 Churches,” contained 40 churches. We are Armenian, be it in Armenia or the Diaspora. Most benefactors do not want or trust to proud of our churches, awed at their architectural beauty invest in Armenia due to the fear that government corruption and bribes will make their W and intricate construction techniques, amazed at their set - investment useless and therefore, will not generate economic benefits for themselves nor tings perched on inaccessible mountaintops. help the Armenian population. Unless the government takes concrete steps to change On the other hand, this obsession with churches, when combined with our tragic histo - the valid perception that investments only end up in the hands of the governing oli - ry, makes me wonder: “I wish we had fewer churches to visit and instead, many more vic - garchs, there will not be much participation in the desperately needed economic growth tory monuments like Sardarabad. I wish our Armenian kings, princes, political leaders of Armenia, which is essential to keep the Armenians from leaving Armenia. In the mean - and wealthy notables in the past had spent less time, talent, resources and money on time, the church leaders just continue preaching the tried and true convincing argument these churches and instead, more on fortifications and defense of our lands and territo - that the most beneficial donation a benefactor can make for himself and his family is giv - ries.” ing to the church. When one delves more into the historic reasons why these churches are built, it Of course, there are truly worthwhile church building and restoration projects, with becomes apparent that they are not necessarily built to meet the religious needs of the strategic and significant benefits for all Armenians. One example is the restoration of the population, but rather to bring glory to the benefactor and perhaps to help him ‘ease Ghazantchetsots Church in Shushi, undertaken immediately after the Karabagh war. into heaven.’ Throughout history, During the war, Azeris controlling Shushi had used this historic church as an arms our religious leaders have condi - depot and military centre, while continuously bombarding Stepanakert down below in By Raffi Bedrosyan tioned the benefactors that there the valley. Their reasoning was that Armenians would never attack and fire on their own is no better way to serve god, church. When Armenian commandos victoriously entered Shushi in May 1992, they Jesus Christ and its Armenian found the church in shambles, burnt, desecrated and full of human excrement. Today, it folk than to build another church. Therefore, regardless of political, economic or social stands as a symbol of victory against all odds. realities and upheavals, Armenians have continued building churches in both historic and The other critical restoration project is the total reconstruction of the modern Armenia, as well as in all corners of the world, often times disregarding other Diyarbakir/Dikranagerd Surp Giragos Church in Turkey in 2011, the first time an needs and priorities. This has been the case in medieval Armenian kingdoms in historic Armenian church was restored as an Armenian church in historic Armenia after being Armenia, continuing in Cilicia and Eastern Anatolia up until 1915, then in Diaspora and destroyed in 1915. This project is strategically significant for a number of reasons: First, now in modern Armenia. the restored church became concrete evidence against the denialist state version of histo - The tradition continues today. When future generations look back into our present his - ry of the government of Turkey, demonstrating that there was a large Armenian presence tory of 22 year-old Armenia and Diaspora Armenians, they will see the challenges of in Anatolia before 1915. Secondly, it immediately became a religious and cultural center establishing a new country from the ruins of the Soviet Empire, at the same time fight - helping the Turkish and Kurdish population of Turkey understand the realities of 1915, ing the deadly Karabagh war, the closed borders and economic blockade by Turkey and through media events, conferences and concerts. Thirdly, the foundation which restored Azerbaijan, simultaneously dealing with the disastrous 1989 earthquake, and most criti - the church started the process to reclaim the properties belonging to the church but cally, the continuing depopulation of Armenia due to lack of employment and investment confiscated after 1915, with several properties already secured through negotiations and opportunities. courts, for the first time since 1915. Fourth, the church became a living genocide memo - And yet, despite these monumental tasks, they will also see examples of vast church rial, attracting tens of thousands of Armenian visitors from Diaspora and Armenia annu - building activities both in Armenia and Diaspora. In 1997, in the midst of urgent needs ally, helping start a dialogue and better relationship with liberated Kurds and Turks who to reconstruct Armenia ravaged by the earthquake and Karabagh destroyed by war, have faced the historical truths of 1915, and now demand their government to do so. Armenians did find the money to build the Saint Gregory Illuminator Cathedral in Last but not least, the most significant outcome of the restoration of this church, has Yerevan. In 2001, Diaspora Armenians in Los Angeles did start the construction of a been the emergence of the hidden Armenians. Islamicized Armenians have started ‘com - huge cathedral, while there was and is scarce money to keep Armenian schools open. In ing out,’ visiting and praying in the Church, getting baptized, participating in Armenian 2011, an oligarch donated all the funds to build the St Hovhannes Cathedral in Abovyan, language courses, helping build an Armenian museum on the church grounds, contribut - while the starving local population had almost emptied the town. ing to the security and administration of the church, demanding acceptance of their real Just last month, wealthy Russian Armenians opened a vast new cathedral in Moscow. identity by the government, and so on. The church acts like a magnet for these people, The Echmiadzin Catholicosate has become a state within a state, a Vatican-like complex with over one hundred people visiting daily on average, coming from all over Anatolia, expanding continuously with new buildings. The combined total expenditure on these not just Diyarbakir, trying to find their Armenian roots. New initiatives underway to large churches, as well as several other smaller church projects, easily exceeds $200 mil - restore and reclaim other destroyed Armenian churches and monasteries in historic lion. These projects are not funded from revenue-generating sources or regular budgets, Armenia will help accelerate all these outcomes. but instead, from one-time significant donations of benefactors, mostly from the In conclusion, it is my sincere hope that future government and church leaders, as well Diaspora. They will not generate any revenues, either, but will create a continuing need as future benefactors, will decide more wisely on what projects to invest in, giving higher for additional donations for upkeep and maintenance. priority to the needs and wants of the Armenian people than their own. One wonders if these donations could be used for more worthwhile projects, such as helping Armenians remain in Armenia, or helping Armenians remain Armenian in the (Raffi Bedrosyan is the director of port lands & civil infrastructure at Waterfront Toronto Diaspora. There seems to be a widely accepted belief that neither the government nor and can be contacted at [email protected].)

How Long Before Truth Daum, has spoken of the “extreme timidity of perished under Algerian torture!” Algerian army, it seems, was discovered to Algerian historians”, and recounted how one The real story of the much more recent have betrayed his comrades to Islamist rebels. Comes out on Syria? Algerian publisher said he lacked the Algerian war — between the Islamists and the His wife and children were summoned from courage to print a book on the infiltration of government in the 1990s (total deaths their village and taken by military helicopter from previous page the FLN. 250,000, a hundred thousand more than in to the barren hillside where the captured sol - he was extolled as a martyr who had “died “In 2005, this guy came to see me,” the Syria today) — still cannot be told by Algerian dier was being held. And there, in front of under French bullets”. But now a former publisher told Daum. “I refused his manu - historians. It has been left to today’s his family, the man was tied to a tree, doused member of the FLN has dared to suggest the script because it was filled with names, ‘X tor - Algerian novelists to cloak facts in fiction in with petrol, and burned alive. names of his real killers: Krim tured Y’, and so on. Imagine the children of order to reveal the truths of this terrible con - (Robert Fisk is a regular columnist for the Belkacem, head of the FLN’s third wilaya a ‘martyr’ — who believe their father died flict. One such tale — a real incident — is Independent . This column originally (district) and later a minister of defence and under French gunfire — discovering that he recalled in a novel. A junior officer in the appeared on October 21 in that newspaper.) foreign affairs in the newly independent gov - ernment of Algeria; Abdelhafid Boussouf, the vicious “father of intelligence” in all the Algerian wilayas, who condemned many of his own comrades to death; and Lakhdar Ben Tobbal, a guerrilla leader who later nego - Notice to Contributors tiated with the French at Evian. Then there’s the sinister figure of Si Salah, The welcomes articles, commen - a daytime telephone number. Armenian Mirror-Spectator head of wilaya 4, who was persuaded — by taries and community news from our readers. In order to assure — Deadline for submission of all articles and advertising is noon on French intelligence, although he did not the accurate and timely publication of articles submitted, please the Monday of the week of publication. know this — that hundreds of his own men note the following policies: — Photos will be published without charge at the discretion of the were collaborators. On Si Salah’s personal instructions, almost 500 of his comrades — All articles submitted should be typed, double (or triple) spaced editors and art director. Photos will be returned only if a self- were tortured to death or executed. But Si and printed in a type size large enough to be clearly legible (10 addressed and stamped envelope is included. Salah, fearful that the FLN’s military wing point or larger). Submissions that do not conform to these specifi - — The will publish only one article about an upcoming orga - M-S might be defeated by the French, secretly cations will be assigned lowest priority. nizational event. For major special events, exceptions may be opened negotiations with De Gaulle — and — Articles sent by fax are acceptable, and e-mail submissions are made only by special arrangement with the editors. was then himself assassinated, supposedly by the French, but almost certainly by the FLN. encouraged. — Telephone numbers, ticket prices and other details (at the dis - The French investigative journalist, Pierre — All submissions should include the name of a contact person and cretion of the editors) will not be included in press releases. 16 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 26, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR