APRIL 30, 2016 Mirror-SpeTHE ARMENIAN ctator Volume LXXXVI, NO. 41, Issue 4435 $ 2.00 NEWS The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 INBRIEF Amal Clooney Takes on Massachusetts State House Hosts Armenian Genocide Case of Azeri Journalist 101st Anniversary Commemoration STRASBOURG, France (Public Radio of Armenia) — Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney is JIRAIR HOVSEPIAN PHOTO Governor Baker, Senator representing award-winning Azerbaijani reporter Khadija Ismayilova at the European Court of Markey, Speaker DeLeo, Human Rights. Ambassador Flynn Speak Ismayilova, an outspoken critic of the govern- ment, was jailed 18 months ago. “I’ve represented many journalists in the court, By Aram Arkun by this case really moved me,” Clooney said, speak- ing to the BBC. Mirror-Spectator Staff “The fact that the government of Azerbaijan, a Council of Europe member country, put her behind BOSTON — The Armenian community of bars, because they didn’t want her to tell the truth, the Boston area and many prominent gov- made me very angry, and I thought I could do ernment representatives from something to help her,” Clooney said. Massachusetts came together for the 101st anniversary commemoration of the Armenian Genocide at the Massachusetts Demirtas: Remember State House on April 22. As many as 275 Victims of 1915 people filled the House Chamber. Massachusetts State Rep. Jonathan Hecht Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker addresses the crowd, with, seated, from the left, ISTANBUL (Armenpress) — Selahattin Demirtas, of Watertown and Cambridge served as the State Rep. James Miceli, State Sen. Will Brownsberger, and Ambassador Raymond Flynn. cochairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party of master of ceremonies for a nearly two-hour Turkey assessed the events of 1915 as genocide in program of music, awards and speeches. his speech delivered in Izmir. The commemoration began with the pro- sick in Philadelphia) led the crowd in the commemoration last year. He said, “seeing “Today we commemorate the 101st anniversary cession of elected officials and clergy led by Pledge of Allegiance, and the children of St. that huge crowd, and that see of American of the Armenian Genocide. The Armenians want to Homenetmen scouts. After an invocation in Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School and Armenian flags, was one of the most prove that they were killed on this soil and that Armenian by Monsignor Andon Atamian of sang America the Beautiful and Mer moving and powerful experiences of my they used to live here. Events of 1915 are a real Holy Cross Armenian Catholic Cross, state hayrenik, the Armenian national anthem. public life. This year we are back in the arena for resistance in this country, and we all must Rep. John Lawn of Watertown (standing in Hecht summed up the goal of the pro- House Chamber with a continued, indeed, stand with the Armenian living on this soil. for Rep. David Rogers whose mother was gram after first recalling the centennial see COMMEMORATION, page 10 Equality must be established here. We remember all the Armenians that fell victim to the 1915 geno- Armenian Heritage Park cide,” according to haber07.com.tr. In 2014 Demirtas had announced that if he were Event Commemorates elected as the President of Turkey in 2014, he Genocide Anniversary would recognize the Armenian Genocide. Uruguayan Calls for By Alin K. Gregorian NKR Recognition Mirror-Spectator Staff MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (Agencia Prensa Armenia) — Uruguayan Deputy Daniel Radio asked BOSTON — On Sunday, April 24, hun- authorities here to recognize the Republic of dreds of members of the local Armenian Nagorno-Karabagh, on April 25. community gathered at the Armenian Radio called for the recognition of Nagorno Heritage Park to pay tribute to the victims Karabagh by Uruguay, since “there are features of the Armenian Genocide and demand jus- that allows our country to make this choice. This is tice at a program organized by the not an utopia: it is time for Uruguay to seriously Massachusetts Armenian Genocide consider this possibility and hopefully undertake Commemoration Committee. that path.” Marguerite Barankitse from Burundi accepts her prize. Under clear skies, speaker after speaker “I would love that in 50 years, the grandson of recited history, combining optimism about any of us could hear a Legislator express their George Clooney Presents $1-Million Aurora the community’s strength with concern pride because Uruguay was the first country to rec- about the situation in Artsakh (Nagorno ognize Nagorno-Karabagh,” added Radio. Prize to Marguerite Barankitse in Yerevan see ANNIVERSARY, page 11 The ceremony, led by the Speaker of the House of Representatives Gerardo Amarilla, was held in YEREVAN — Actor and human rights activist George Clooney arrived in the Legislative Palace of Uruguay and was attend- Armenia to participate in the giving out of the Aurora Prize for Awakening ed by several senator. Humanity, and while there, he also participated in somber ceremonies marking The event was also attended by Foreign the 101st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Minister Rodolfo Nin Novoa and the Ambassadors He and all the Aurora Prize founders, members of the jury, the nominees and of Russia and Israel. guests visited the Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide monument and laid flow- ers at the Eternal Flame with President Serzh Sargsyan and Catholicos of All Armenians. Afterwards George Clooney visited the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute with other Aurora guests. INSIDE see AURORA, page 7 Banners at the Armenian Heritage Park Marking Armenia’s Minister of Diaspora Receives ADL Delegation Genocide YEREVAN – Minister of the Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia Hranoush Hakobyan received a delegation of Armenian Pages 6-11 Democratic Liberal Party (ADL) leaders on April 21 in Yerevan. The guests informed the minister about the ADL assembly taking place in Yerevan at that time, which was discussing the situation in Artsakh, development of Armenia-diaspora relations and issues INDEX concerning the reorganization of the ADL. The minister welcomed Arts and Living ...... 11 the movement for a revitalization of the political party. She Armenia ...... 2,3 expressed the hope that it would aid in the consolidation of the Community News...... 5 party, and its more active participation in steps designed to Editorial ...... 16 International ...... 4 strengthen Armenia, in important pan-Armenian matters, and in Armenia’s Diaspora Minister Hranoush Hakobyan received the programs of the ministry for the preservation of Armenian Armenian Democratic Liberal Party Delegation identity. (See related photos and story on Page 2.) 2 S ATURDAY, A PRIL 3 0 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia

Tensions high on the Frontline, Karabakh says STEPANAKERT (Public Radio of Armenia) — The Azerbaijani side continues the intensive shelling all along the frontline and in the direction of populated areas, using mortars of different caliber, 85, 100, 122 and 152 mm cannons, MM-21 Grad multiple rocket launches and 9M33 M3 missile complex, the NKR Ministry of Defense reported. The front divisions of the NKR Defense Army take retaliatory measures to pressure the amativeness of ADL representatives in Yerevan at the second convocation of the ADL Reconstruction and Unity Movement the rival, inflicting losses in human force and equip- ment. The situation remains tense, the Ministry said. Second Convocation of the ADL Armenian and Russian FMs Discuss Prospects of Reconstruction and Unity Movement Karabakh Settlement YEREVAN — Representatives from Video messages from Montreal ADL of diasporan community life. Relations YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Foreign Ministers of different parts of the world convened in leaders Drs. Arshavir Gundjian and with other organizations, especially Armenia and Russia, Eduard Nalbandian and Sergey Yerevan on April 19 to 21 for the sec- Haroutiun Arzoumanian were viewed. those sympathetic to the ADL, were Lavrov, held a phone conversation on April 26. ond Armenian Democratic Liberal Reports from various regions including examined. Issues of bilateral and international agenda were dis- Party (ADL) Reconstruction and Unity the numbers of their membership and The strengthening of ties between cussed during the conversation. The ministers convocation. The opening session took future plans were presented together ADL structures in Armenia and the exchanged ideas over the prospects of Nagorno place on April 19 in the Tekeyan Center Karabakh conflict settlement and issues of mainte- with 50 such representatives, as well as nance of the ceasefire regime in the conflict zone. the leaders of the ADL of the Republic of Armenia and the Democratic Liberal organization of Artsakh. Czech Parliamentarians The coordinator of the Pay Tribute to Memory Reconstruction and Unity committee, Vartan Nazerian, conducted the official Of Soldiers Killed opening of the convocation. He pre- sented the work conducted by the com- YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Deputy Speaker of the mittee since the first convocation last Senate of the Czech Republic Zdenek Skromach and November. the Deputy Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of Deputy Minister of the Diaspora of the Czech Republic Jan Bartosek visited Yerablur the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Pantheon in Yerevan on April 22. Melikian introduced Minister of the The Czech members of parliament paid tribute to Diaspora Hranoush Hakobyan, who the memory of the Armenian servicemen who died as praised the decades of patriotic work of a result of the military aggression unleashed by the ADL in the diaspora which contin- Azerbaijan’s armed forces in early April and laid ue today, and in particular noted its Meeting with the Catholicos flowers at their tombs. work to strengthen ties between the In answer to a question, Skromach said, “What we diaspora and the homeland. She wished saw on the photos completely reminds me the hand- the party success in achieving full with financial information. diaspora was examined, including the writing of ISIL.” unity. Representatives from the Western and goal of transferring the world head- ADL leaders Edmond Azadian (USA), Eastern districts of the US, Canada, quarters of the party to Armenia, like Armenian Police Hagop Avedikian (Armenia) and Great Britain, France, Greece, Lebanon, the other two traditional Armenian Ardavazt Melkissetian (Lebanon) spoke Syria, Iraq, the Arabian Gulf and political parties have done. Identify Chief Suspect In about the responsibility of the ADL in Austria spoke. Various paths in the forthcoming months toward full ADL unity and Yerevan Bus Blast reconstruction were discussed. All rep- YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Authorities said on April resentatives felt that full unity was an 26 that they have identified the main suspect in a bus imperative. explosion in Yerevan that killed two people. Azadian announced that the Central Armenia’s Investigative Committee said a SIM card Board of the Tekeyan Cultural found at the scene of the April 25 blast belonged to Association of the United States and an Armenian who had served time in prison and that Canada will donate 50,000 dollars to they found explosives and detonators at his home in the families of martyred soldiers. a search. They did not name the suspect and his The meeting issued a communiqué whereabouts are unknown, but officials said it is pos- based on the decisions that had been sible the suspect was one of the two people killed in made there. It reconfirmed Nazerian in the blast. his post as coordinator. Identification of one of the bodies is now under On April 21, a press conference was way using DNA analysis. held in the office of the ADL center in Meanwhile, President Serzh Sargsyan has ordered Yerevan, at which party leaders police to tighten security after the massive Avedikian, Vartivarian and Azadian pre- blast, which wounded seven others. sented the decisions and plans of the National Police Chief Vladimir Gasparian said the Leaders of the ADL Reconstruction and Unity Movement with some members visit the two-day assembly. blast occurred on or under a second-row bus seat. Defense Ministry of the Republic of Armenia and the Vazgen Sargisian Military During the days of the convocation, Meanwhile, investigators have “fully rejected” the School on April 21 to express their support official meetings took place with possibility that the explosion was a terrorist act and Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, said the suspect had a “grudge” against his relatives. Minister of the Diaspora Hranoush An AFP correspondent at the scene reported that forthcoming years in Armenia and The second session took place on Hakobyan, soldiers of the officers’ mili- the bus was gutted by the blast, which blew out the abroad. April 20 at Yerevan’s Congress Hotel. tary academy, staff of the Armenian windows of nearby houses. Hagop Vartivarian spoke about the Dr. Hratch Kouyoumjian of London General Benevolent Union office in In a statement on the incident issued shortly after role of the ADL press in preserving presented the strengths and weak- Armenia, and the leadership of the midnight, Sargsyan’s press secretary, Vladimir Armenian identity and pride in dis- nesses of the ADL, and analyzed its Armenian Assembly of America’s office Hakobian, said the Health Ministry was “taking nec- parate communities throughout the difficulties. Representatives at the in Yerevan. essary measures to provide medical assistance to the world, as well as their faithful link to convocation from different districts The participants of the convocation wounded persons,” it added. “We call on the public the Mother See of Echmiadzin. presented their own concerns and visited the Armenian Genocide memor- to refrain from spreading unverified information.” Bartugh Galstian, representative of the evaluations. Together they came up ial in Tsitsernakaberd, and participated Two of the passengers, boys aged 14 and 15, suf- Democratic Liberal Party of Artsakh, with a resolution summarizing their in a ceremony at St. Hripsime Church fered particularly serious wounds and underwent spoke about the current critical situa- discussions. in memory of recently deceased party surgery in a Yerevan hospital. Doctors there said tion facing the homeland. Ideas were exchanged about uniting member Antranik Kechichian of their lives were not at risk. The convocation elected its executive the ADL around a new ideal with new Valence, France. with Vartan Nazerian and Yervant inspiration and energy. Urgent changes After the formal conclusion of the Azadian as co-chairmen, and Dr. Hratch in the party bylaws were discussed, meetings, participants enjoyed a final Kouyoumjian, Ardavazt Melkissetian based on two different studies of prior encounter with each other at the and Baydzig Kalaydjian as secretaries. periods as well as current imperatives Triumph Restaurant. S A T U R D A Y , A P R I L 3 0 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 ARMENIA Backyard Nurseries Provide Much-Needed Income in Rural Areas

pensating them for growing high quality By Kristine Hovsepyan seedlings for our new forests.” In Aghavnavank, the program has created jobs for five households and continues to be a AGHAVNAVANK, Armenia — In Armenia, the steady source of income for them. Nearly 80 life of a border village farmer comes at a price. percent of residents were relocated from The average farmer working close to the border Azerbaijan in the early 1990s. relies on a soldier guarding the country from Kamo Mirzoyan, a tree grower living in dusk till dawn, as he continues to work and pro- Aghavnavank recounted how he moved there vide for his family. with his family after the Baku pogroms. The In the days just before the recent tragic clash- steady income provided by ATP has helped him es on the eastern border of Nagorno Karabagh renovate his house and begin constructing a and Azerbaijan, Armenia Tree Project (ATP) vis- guesthouse for tourists who pass through this ited Aghavnavank, a village in Tavush 130 kilo- scenic village. meters from Yerevan. This stunning village is “Each family in Aghavnavank is growing adjacent to the Getik River Valley where ATP’s about 800 trees, and our goal is to expand the Backyard Nursery Micro-Enterprise Program program as we train new families on tree grow- was launched in 2004. ing,” concludes Harutyunyan. “As the recent Some of the best tree growers were in four-day Karabagh war proved, while soldiers Aghavnavank, therefore ATP concentrated its Kamo Mirzoyan with some of the new tree seedlings he is growing for ATP’s Backyard Nursery watch the border a nation stands behind him efforts there in recent years. In this program, Micro-Enterprise Program and continues to grow and prosper. We’re families are trained to grow tree seedlings on proud that ATP plays some role in this cooper- plots of land in their backyards, and ATP pur- ation with rural communities.” chases the seedlings when the trees are ready impact on the three aspects of sustainability: much later because of the high altitude of 2,000 Since its inception in 1994, ATP has planted to be planted in the nearby forests. people, profit and planet.” meters above sea level, which allows ATP to more than 4.9 million trees, established three “This model is appealing because it rewards The program also has a presence in the plant the trees later into the season when work nurseries and two environmental education family farmers for good work, when we pay for Shiraz and Gegharkounik regions. Six families in the southern regions is completed. centers, and has greened villages, churches, trees that have been well cared for,” explains in Keti village are growing trees which should “The Backyard Nursery Program serves sev- parks, and open spaces throughout Armenia. In CTP Manager Arthur Harutyunyan who over- produce seedlings in two years, and four fami- eral needs,” adds Harutyunyan, “providing addi- the process, the organization has provided sees this program. “We even received an Energy lies in the mountainous village of Jambarak are tional varieties of seedlings for communities employment for hundreds of people and provid- Globe Award for Sustainability at the European part of the program. The uniqueness of this vil- with different weather conditions, educating ed vital resources to thousands of villagers. For Parliament because of this program’s positive lage is the climate. These seedlings mature people about planting and tree care, and com- more information, visit www.armeniatree.org.

Armenian Assembly of America Participates in Genocide Commemorations in Armenia

Karekin II, and other officials, along with the Catena, from Mother of Mercy Hospital in the orphans and refugees. By Danielle Saroyan Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity Nuba Mountains of Sudan; Syeda Ghulam “Our values are human values. When you founders and delegation, diplomatic missions Fatima, the General Secretary of the Bonded have compassion, dignity and love then nothing accredited in Armenia, and many other guests Labor Liberation Front in Pakistan; and Father can scare you, nothing can stop you – no one YEREVAN — The Armenian Assembly of from all over the world visited the Armenian Bernard Kinvi, a Catholic priest in Bossemptele can stop love. Not armies, not hate, not perse- America partook in the Armenian Genocide Genocide Memorial to pay their respects. Tens in the Central African Republic. cution, not famine, nothing,” Barankitse said, Commemorations this past weekend in Yerevan, of thousands of people paid their respects to Serving as co-chair of the Aurora Prize as she was accepted the award. Armenia. The commemorations began with a the Genocide Victims and visited the Genocide Selection Committee with Elie Wiesel was The theme music for the ceremony was writ- wreath laying ceremony, following by the Global Museum-Institute. Clooney, who had previously commented on ten by Serj Tankian, titled Aurora’s Dream. Forum, a special ceremony at the Armenian During the evening, Assembly Yerevan the opportunity to highlight and reward the Ignatius — whose paternal grandparents were Genocide Memorial, and concluded with the Regional Director Arpi Vartanian attended the relentless work of individuals who have made from Agin, near Kharpet — and Hasmik Papian Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity. Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity’s personal sacrifices to help other less fortunate — one of the most successful lyrical-dramatic On April 22, the Assembly staff laid a wreath Inaugural Award Ceremony. people around the world.” sopranos in the world — were the emcees of the Clooney announced Marguerite Barankitse evening. At the event, the State Youth from Maison Shalom and REMA Hospital in Orchestra performed. “Two Suns Valley,” a bal- Burundi as the inaugural Laureate of the let performance composed by choreographer Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity. She was Roudolf Kharatian, based on St. Gregory of recognized for the extraordinary impact she has Narek’s Book of Lamentations, was also pre- had in saving thousands of lives and caring for sented.

Armenian Genocide Museum Acquires Original Photo of the Heroic Battle of Van

YEREVAN (Public Radio of Armenia) — The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute (AGMI) has acquired an exceptional original photo of the heroic battle of Van, AGMI Director Hayk Demoyan informs in a Facebook post. The photo presents the participants of the battle of April 2015 and the cannons con- fiscated from the Turkish regular army on these days 101 years ago. The photo taken by an American missionary doctor in Van was once published in the American press, but the original photo had long been considered lost.

Armenian Assembly of America Yerevan Regional Director Arpi Vartanian laying a flower at the Armenian Genocide Memorial. at the Armenian Genocide Memorial to pay “This monumental, amazing initiative under- their respects, on behalf of the Assembly, to the taken by founders Noubar Afeyan, Ruben victims of the Armenian Genocide. The memor- Vardanyan, and Vartan Gregorian is an inspira- ial was filled with wreaths and flowers, with tion to all of us,” Vartanian said. “It was an schoolchildren reciting poems and singing incredible, moving ceremony. Throughout the songs. ceremony, you could hear a pin drop. People The next day, on April 23, the Second Global were riveted to their chairs.” Forum, titled “Against the Crime of Genocide,” Clooney, one of the Selection Committee Co- took place. This forum featured The Chairs, gave a speech at the award ceremony. Washington Post Associate Editor and He spoke about the current refugee crisis and Columnist David Ignatius, George Clooney, honored the victims of the Armenian Genocide. International Association of Genocide Scholars “Hitler once famously said, ‘But, who remem- President Dr. Andrew Woolford, 100 Lives Co- bers Armenia?’ The answer is the whole world. Founder Vartan Gregorian, and International That’s who,” Clooney stated in his speech. Court of Justice Ad hoc Judge Dr. Joe The Selection Committee received 113 Verhoeven, among other scholars. unique stories and 186 nominations from 27 On Sunday, April 24, a morning ceremony countries. The four Aurora Prize finalists were was organized at the Armenian Genocide Marguerite Barankitse, from Maison Shalom Memorial. President Sargsyan, His Holiness and REMA Hospital in Burundi; Dr. Tom 4 S ATURDAY, A PRIL 3 0 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR INTERNATIONAL International News 100 Writers Call for Release of Turkish Tigran Hamasyan wins Journalists on Eve of Espionage Trial ECHO Jazz Award 2016 ISTANBUL (Guardian) — More than Gül have been charged with revealing of others who are under investigation HAMBRURG, Germany (Public Radio of Armenia) 100 leading international writers, includ- state secrets over a report alleging that or on trial simply for peacefully exercis- — Tigran Hamasyan has been named a winner ing Monica Ali and Margaret Atwood, Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government ing their right to free expression.” of ECHO Jazz 2016 Awards. have called for espionage charges tried to ship arms to Islamists in Syria. One of the letter’s signatories, Yann Hamasyan was named International against two of Turkey’s leading journal- They were formally charged with Martel, author of Life of Pi, said he had Instrumentalist of the Year, Piano, for his Nonesuch ists to be dropped on the eve of a trial, obtaining and revealing state secrets “grave concerns about the erosion of Records debut album, “Mockroot.” which could see them jailed for life. “for espionage purposes” and seeking civil society in Turkey.” He added: “The The ECHO Jazz awards are conferred by the In a letter to the Turkish prime min- to “violently” overthrow the Turkish country could flower as multicultural Deutsche Phono-Akademie (German Recording ister Ahmet Davutoglu, published in government as well as aiding an “armed democracy. It has such incredible Academy), akin to the Grammy Awards in the United the Guardian, the writers, who also terrorist organisation” potential. Instead it is going down the States. include JM Coetzee, Yann Martel, Elif “The fact that Can Dündar and path of authoritarianism. We must do The organization has handed out the ECHO Music Shafak, Colm Tóibín and Mario Vargas Erdem Gül are facing life in prison sim- everything we can to avoid this awards annually since 1992 and the ECHO Classic Llosa, call for the all charges against ply for fulfilling their responsibilities as tragedy.” awards since 1994. The ECHO Jazz prizes are the Cumhuriyet editors Can Dündar and journalists demonstrates the sorry The English PEN report, Journalism latest addition, having launched in 2010. Erdem Gül to be dropped, and also state of freedom of expression in Under Seige, said press freedom The ECHO Jazz 2016 Awards ceremony will take demanding an end to the crackdown Turkey,” said PEN International presi- in Turkey has suffered an immense and place in Hamburg on Thursday, May 26. against free expression in the country, dent Jennifer Clement. systematic assault under Erdogan, with The campaign, organized by free “Sadly their cases are not unique. journalists and media outlets subjected Swedish Minister ‘Had speech charity PEN International, There are over 20 other writers lan- to imprisonment, intimidation, harass- comes the day after sister organization guishing behind bars as well as scores ment and assault. Dinner with Turkish English PEN published a report warn- ing that Turkey’s independent media Fascists’ now faces “an unprecedented STOCKHOLM, Swedent (The Local) — The Swedish crisis” due to the erosion of their Minister of Housing, Mehmet Kaplan, has sparked rights. Canada, US Issue Statements controversy after a photograph of him emerged hav- The letter states: “In recent years, the ing dinner with members of the far-right Turkish Turkish authorities have made extraor- On Armenian Genocide organization, Grey Wolves, according to Swedish dinary efforts to silence critics and dis- sent. This has had an impact on all daily newspaper, Aftonbladet. Canada: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau In the photographs leaked to the Swedish media, areas of Turkish society. Current legis- Kaplan, a member of the Green Party which forms lation and surveillance practices not On this day, we mark the 101st com- part of the coalition administration with the Social only diminish freedom of speech for the memoration of the tragic loss of life of the Democrats, can be seen sitting at the same table as country’s writers and journalists but Armenian population during the waning notorious extremist Barbaros Leylani and Ilhan seriously threaten the fundamental days of the Ottoman Empire in 1915. Senturk, the president of the Swedish branch of the rights and freedoms of tens of millions Both the Senate of Canada and the House Grey Wolves. of individuals.” of Commons have adopted resolutions refer- According to Aftonbladet, the pictures were taken The writers urge the prime minister ring to these events as genocide. We pre- at a dinner last year. to “release all writers imprisoned serve the memory of those who lost their Leylani caused controversy earlier this month by in Turkey simply for their peaceful exer- lives, and those who suffered during this genocide and pay our deepest making inflammatory remarks when speaking to a cise of free speech, to drop similar respects to their descendants, including those who now call Canada home. small crowd of Turks in Stockholm’s central square. charges against all others ... and to In solemnly acknowledging this event, let us use this moment as an Leylani urged Turks to “awaken” and to kill “the amend or repeal all legislation which opportunity to look forward and strengthen our collective resolve to Armenian dogs.” unduly restricts freedom of expres- ensure such acts are never again repeated. Leylani also said, “Let us show Sweden, sion.” While we must never forget the lessons of history, we must also be Cumhuriyet newspaper edi- Scandinavia and Europe what Turkey stands for. We Dündar, reminded that past injustices do not serve our communities if they divide tor-in-chief, and Ankara bureau chief do not like blood, but we can let the blood flow when us. Canadians of all backgrounds and faiths stand together in reaffirming it is needed,” the Swedish newspaper Dagens our collective commitment to the values of pluralism, human rights, and Nyheter reported. diversity. On this anniversary, please join me in my hope for a peaceful Garo Paylan Reads Parliament of Sicily future based on tolerance, respect, and reconciliation. Names of Genocide Recognizes Armenian US: President Barack Obama Genocide Victims in Parliament Today we solemnly reflect on the first mass atrocity of the 20th century — the PALERMO, Sicily — On April 21, the ISTANBUL — On April 24, Garo Paylan, a parlia- Armenian Meds Yeghern — when one and a Sicilian Regional Assembly unani- mentarian of Armenian origin, had the courage to half million Armenian people were deport- mously recognized the Armenian remind his fellow MPs of the dozen Armenian mem- ed, massacred, and marched to their deaths Genocide, reports the Press Service of bers of the Ottoman parliament whose tragic fate in the final days of the Ottoman empire. As the Armenian Foreign Ministry. Thus, was decided by a similar policy. we honor the memory of those who suf- Sicily has become the 105th regional Paylan, a member of the opposition HDP party, fered during the dark days beginning in structure of Italy to recognize the read the names of Krikor Zohrab, Ohannes Vartkes 1915 — and commit to learn from this tragedy so it may never be repeat- Armenian Genocide at the level of Serengulyan, Garabed Pasayan, Nazaret Dagavaryan, ed—we also pay tribute to those who sought to come to their aid. One such local governments. Onnik Tertsakyan (Arsak Vramyan), Isdepan individual was U.S. Ambassador Henry Morgenthau, Sr., who voiced alarm By the adopted resolution Sicily Cirinciyan and Hampartsum Boyaciyan. both within the U.S. government and with Ottoman leaders in an attempt expresses its support and solidarity According to a translation in Agos newspaper, he to halt the violence. Voices like Morgenthau’s continue to be essential to with the struggle of the Armenian started his address at the parliament with “Barev the mission of atrocity prevention, and his legacy shaped the later work of people for the recognition of the his- Dzez,” and went on to say that the Turkish republic human rights champions such as Raphael Lemkin, who helped bring about torical reality. The document was pre- should come to terms with its past. the first United Nations human rights treaty. sented by deputies Kordaro Salvatore, He said, “After the beginning of the second consti- This is also a moment to acknowledge the remarkable resiliency of the D’Azero Antonino¸ Papale Alfio tutional period in 1908, many Amrenians servedin Armenian people and their tremendous contributions both to the interna- Grasso and Bernadette Felice. the Chamber of Deputies.” tional community as well as to American society. We recall the thousands The agreement on the resolution He then named each as well as where they repre- of Armenian refugees who decades ago began new lives in the United was reached at the end of November sented and when they were killed. States, forming a community that has enormously advanced the vitality of of 2015 at the meeting of “Krikor Zohrab was arrested in Istanbul on May this nation and risen to prominence and distinction across a wide range of Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary 21, 1915 and put on a train along with Erzurum endeavors. At a moment of regional turmoil to Armenia’s south, we also Ambassador of Armenia to Italy Deputy Ohannes Vartkes Serenguylyan for standing thank the people of Armenia for opening their arms to Syrian refugees, wel- Sargis Ghazaryan with Chairman of trail in court in Diyarbakir. First they were sent to coming nearly 17,000 into their country. the Regional Council of Sicily Konya, then to Adana and finally to Aleppo. As we look from the past to the future, we continue to Giovanni Ardizzone. Ultimately exiled to Urfa, Zohrab and Serengulyan underscore the importance of historical remembrance as a tool of preven- The Sicilian Parliament is one of were killed in the Karakopru province of Urfa by par- tion, as we call for a full, frank, and just acknowledgment of the facts, the oldest parliaments of the world tisans,” he noted. which would serve the interests of all concerned. I have consistently stat- (founded in 1097) and compared with He noted another one, Hampartsum Boyaciyan, ed my own view of what occurred in 1915, and my view has not changed. the parliaments of other autonomous was taken from his home in Beyoglu on April 24, I have also seen that peoples and nations grow stronger, and build a foun- regions in Italy it has the most exten- 1915, he said. He was executed in Kayseri. dation for a more just and tolerant future, by acknowledging and reckon- sive powers. “In the period that started with the arrest and ing with painful elements of the past. We continue to welcome the expres- Up to this date, the Armenian killing of Armenian politicians and opinion leaders sion of views by those who have sought to shed new light into the dark- Genocide of 1915 has been recog- and its aftermath, Armenians, Syriacs, Greeks and ness of the past, from Turkish and Armenian historians to Pope Francis. nized by 22 countries. The first coun- Jews were turned into ‘minorities’ by mass killings, Today we stand with the Armenian people throughout the world try to officially recognize it was exiles and pogroms,” he added. in recalling the horror of the Meds Yeghern and reaffirm our Uruguay in 1965. The Parliament of ongoing commitment to a democratic, peaceful, and prosperous Armenia. Italy recognized the Armenian Genocide in 2000. S ATURDAY, A PRIL 3 0 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 Community News

St. Thomas Church EyeCare Project Launches Partnership with Ucom in Celebrates 51st Armenia for Free Eye Exams Anniversary of NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. and YEREVAN — Armenian EyeCare Project’s Armenia Director, Consecration Nune Yeghiazaryan, along with Ucom Director, Hayk Yesayan, announced on March 24 their plans for a partnership as part of the EyeCare Project’s ongoing campaign, “Bringing Sight to By Hagop Vartivarian Armenian Eyes.” This year the EyeCare Project and Ucom will TENAFLY, N.J. — St. Thomas Armenian Apostolic work together to coordinate free eye exams for Church, which may be the most beautiful and modern more than 12,000 Armenians representation of Armenian architecture in New Jersey, throughout Armenia — approximately 8,000 continues to uphold its national and religious tradi- adults and 4,000 children — and will include tions, against the efforts of some who want to these services to residents of the Ararat, Vayots Americanize the church in spite of the warnings and Dzor, Syunik and Armavir regions. recommendations of high-ranking religious leaders. St. Ucom will sponsor these eye exams in an Thomas Armenian Church persistently remains one of effort to continue the cooperation with the the most traditional communities of this vast Eastern EyeCare Project, which was originally started Diocese of the Armenian Church of America. by telecommunications company Orange It has become tradition on Palm Sunday — a day Armenia and its charitable sub-group, Orange which also marks the anniversary of the church’s Foundation, in 2011. Last year, Ucom bought consecration — for the Primate to celebrate the Orange Armenia and has decided to continue Divine Liturgy and preside over the celebratory ban- its charitable contributions. quet. On Sunday, March 20, Archbishop Khajag “The mission of our company is to help our Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, was the compatriots, to assist the formation of a sustain- celebrant. Following church services, close to 400 able and safe community, to create development guests gathered in Mekhjian Atrium for the anniver- opportunities and to educate a new, healthy and sary banquet luncheon, hosted by mistress of cere- well-developed generation,” Yesayan said. “This monies Marylynda Bozian-Cruickshank. Taking the is one of those unique projects that has had only podium, dedicated Parish Council Chairman Dr. a positive impact and that changes the lives of Levon Capan delivered opening remarks, welcoming people fundamentally.” the archbishop and all present to the annual event. Since the Project initiated “Bringing Sight to Armenian Eyes” in 2002, nearly 600,000 Under the direction of Diana Bourghol, the St. Osep Sarafian Thomas Youth Orchestra presented a brief artistic Armenian children and adults have received eye care services at no cost through the EyeCare Project — 500,000 eye examinations, 20,000 surg- eries and laser treatments and 70,000 eyeglasses. Tekeyan Cultural Association and This year, in addition to the more than 12,000 Armenians who will receive eye exams Cultural Association of Armenians at no cost through the AECP-Ucom partner- ship, the EyeCare Project is also planning to From Istanbul Pay Tribute to perform nearly 800 laser eye surgeries and to distribute eyeglasses to more than 400 adults Osep Sarafian and 200 children — all at no cost. “Thanks to the Project’s ‘Bringing Sight to SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — On Sunday, April 10, the St. John Armenian Church Armenian Eyes’ program, which was launched Cultural Hall was filled with family and friends at a tribute luncheon to honor throughout Armenia in 2002, tens of thousands prominent architect and community activist Osep Sarafian for his tireless human- of people have received high-quality eye care at itarian work in Armenia. no cost — including examinations, laser treatment The luncheon was hosted by Tekeyan Cultural Association (TCA) and the and surgery,” Yeghiazaryan said. “Tens of thou- Cultural Society of Armenians from Istanbul. Tekeyan Chair Diana Alexanian sands of eyeglasses have been provided and thou- sands of children have participated in public edu- Very Rev. Papken Anoushian presents the St. opened the program by inviting Father Aren Jebejian of St. John Armenian Thomas Award to Deacon Vicken Demirjian. Church, to offer a welcome prayer and the blessing of the food. Father Jebejian cation programs about eye care. Thanks to the being informed in advance of the talent of the Sarafian grandchildren, invited Project, many people have had their vision them to recite the Hayr Mer, “The Lord’s Prayer.” Their voices in the mother restored, avoiding preventable blindness.” program with musical selections featuring interna- tongue touched the hearts of The project’s mission is to eliminate preventable tional classics and Arno Babajanian’s Azk every attendee. or avoidable blindness in Armenia — 80 percent of Parabandz. A highlight of the celebration all blindness is preventable or treatable — and to In keeping with tradition, Mr. and Mrs. Haig included a musical interlude pro- provide access to quality eye care for all Armenians Ariyan, chairpersons of the annual cake sale, were vided by the renowned, New regardless of their financial circumstances. invited to cut the banquet cake, after which mem- York-based, Armenian- As Ucom, and Orange before them, have bers of the parish’s ACYOA Juniors presented a Argentinian mezzo soprano, “adopted” Armenian villages and marzes donation to the church. Solange Merdinian, accompanied (provinces) and provided eye care at no cost, so Words of gratitude were delivered by the church’s by pianist Doris Hall. The audi- have many of the Project’s donors in America beloved pastor, Very Rev. Papken Anoushian. In his ence was treated to a repertoire through its “Adopt-a-Village” program. remarks, he recognized the deacons and acolytes for of Armenian folk, Baroque and Individual donors have made an extraordinary their devotion and service to the church, as well as contemporary operatic songs. difference in the lives of Armenians in need the unwavering participation of the parish council Edmond Azadian was the through the Project’s Adopt-a-Village and members and parishioners in the life of St. Thomas keynote speaker, who outlined Adopt-a-School programs, which allows groups Armenian Church. the honoree’s biography describ- and individuals to sponsor the screening and This year’s traditional St. Thomas Award was pre- ing him as one of the “descen- treatment of residents of a specific region or vil- sented to Deacon Vicken Demirjian, a dynamic indi- dants” or representative of the lage in Armenia or a school that the Mobile Eye vidual who serves on the Holy Altar. He received his prominent Balian family of archi- Hospital will visit. The cost of adopting ranges Armenian education at the Hovnanian Armenian tects who have designed most of from several hundred to several thousand dol- School and Kirikian Armenian Saturday School. He Diana Alexanian & Vahe Akaraz the palaces, mosques, fortresses lars, depending on the population and the num- is also a member of the Tekeyan Cultural and parks in Istanbul, the capital ber of days the Mobile Eye Hospital stays in the Association, through which he has graced stages in city of the Ottoman Empire. village or at the school. numerous performances of its theater group. Further, Azadian described in detail Sarafian’s charitable mission in Armenia, To be a part of this vital movement to end Vicken’s volunteer participation in the church’s var- achieving many essential projects in the rural areas. He stated that the honoree preventable blindness in Armenia, contact the ious events and activities is exceptional. Delivering has served as a one-person committee conducting fundraising, negotiating pro- AECP and learn more about its Adopt-a-Village his acceptance speech in both Armenian and jects with ASIF (the Armenian Social Investment Fund) and personally supervised and Adopt-a-School programs. By contributing English, he expressed his gratitude to Anoushian, his the execution of those projects. Azadian characterized Sarafian’s mission as “con- to the cause, you will join thousands of other parents Nerses and Sirvart Demirjian, as well as all structive patriotism” which was implemented against all odds and negative cur- humanitarians who have made such a lasting present. rents. That is why Sarafian was awarded with a Medal of Honor by Hovik impact in their ancestral homeland by “bring- In his benediction, Barsamian acknowledged the Abrahamian, the Prime Minister of Armenia. ing sight to Armenian eyes.” national and religious accomplishments of St. see SARAFIAN, page 8 To make a donation, mail a check to P.O. Box Thomas Armenian Church, and extended best wish- 5630, Newport Beach, CA 92662 or visit es for continued success. www.eyecareproject.com . 6 S A T U R D A Y , A P R I L 3 0 , 2 0 1 6 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R COMMUNITY NEWS Tens of Thousands Rally in Los Angeles to Commemorate Armenian Genocide

By Sarah Parvini

LOS ANGELES (LA Times) — Tens of thou- sands of protesters rallied outside the Turkish Consulate on Wilshire Boulevard on Sunday afternoon, waving flags and holding signs to commemorate the 101st anniversary of the Armenian genocide. Dressed in purple and black shirts scrawled with messages calling for justice, the activists demanded reparations. Los Angeles police esti- mated the crowd at 60,000. “Get your hands off our land!” they chanted. “Eastern Turkey is western Armenia!” “Today, we are all Armenian,” said U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) as he addressed the crowd from the stage. “We have one cause and that cause is justice.” The crowd, filled with protesters of all ages, roared in agreement. Some carried their chil- dren on their shoulders, using the day to teach them about their history. Abraham Arakelian, 42, came from the Valley with his son so he could keep the memory of the genocide alive. Armenian protesters, foreground, and a group of Turkish protesters, top, yell back and forth to each other during the rally outside of the Turkish Consulate on Wilshire Boulevard. “We want to show the youth what April 24 is about,” he said as he held a large Armenian flag overhead. “Obviously, we want justice. If we don’t do Southern California is home to the largest Eventually, he emigrated to America. well his desire to protest for recognition. this, it will be forgotten.” Armenian community outside of Armenia, with Matossian said the stories his grandfather told “I spent 15 years of my life with him,” Matossian Eventually, Arakelian said, he will tell his son Los Angeles seen as a kind of Armenian cultur- him influenced his decisions to participate in said. “That is what drives me and a lot of young more about the genocide, when he’s old enough al mecca. More than 200,000 people of the Armenian Student Association at UCLA, as Armenians to protest. It’s very real to us.” to stomach the painful details. For now, it was Armenian descent live in Los Angeles County, enough just to bring him. according to U.S. census data. Armenians gathered for vigils last week in The county remains a point of entry for Glendale and in Montebello at the Armenian Armenian immigrants and each year, as April 24 Genocide Martyrs Monument, and many approaches, locals drape Armenian flags over Armenian churches hold services to recognize the hoods of their cars, wave them from their the fallen. car windows and hang them from their busi- F UNERAL H OME Nora Hovsepian, chair of the western region nesses. Giragosian James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC of the Armenian National Committee of Most stores post signs in both English and Armenian telling customers they will be closed Mark J. Giragosian America, said Armenian people will continue to Funeral Counselors gather each year until the genocide, which in remembrance of the genocide. Last year, officials designated the intersection 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 began in 1915 and resulted in the death of as www.giragosianfuneralhome.com many as 1.5 million Armenians, is recognized by of Hollywood Boulevard and Western Avenue as Turkey and the U.S. Armenian Genocide Memorial Square, an area that is part of Little Armenia. And in March, Glendale Unified became the first school district in ENNIS M. EVENEY & ONS the country to establish a day in remembrance of D D S the genocide. Cemetery Monuments Remembering the genocide is also a part of Specializing in the curriculum at some Armenian Designs and Lettering schools in Glendale, where many of the coun- 701 Moody St. Waltham, MA 02543 ty’s Armenians live. (781) 891-9876 www.NEMonuments.com Schools teach units and hold assemblies on the genocide in the weeks leading up to the Gohar Ghazaryan, left, and Alvina Sayabyan, listen to a speaker dur- Telephone (617) 924-7400 ing a rally Sunday afternoon outside the Turkish Consulate to commemo- anniversary. rate the 101st anniversary of the Armenian genocide. Morris Sarafian, a stu- dent at UCLA, said the Aram Bedrosian 101st anniversary marks “It remains a crime unpunished. It is a crime a pivotal time for the Armenian community. against humanity, and there’s no statute of limi- “There is not a statute of limitations on our Funeral Home, Inc. tations on that,” Hovsepian said. demands. It’s not contingent on a deadline,” the Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 President Obama referred to the deaths as 21-year-old said. “This is our unapologetic way genocide before his election, but he has not of saying you are not going to get away with MARION BEDROSIAN done so since he took office. The move main- this.” 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN tains his predecessors’ reluctance to alienate Sarafian, whose great grandfather was a sur- WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN Turkey, a highly valued ally in the Middle East. vivor of the genocide. said he learned about the Still, more than 40 states — including killings and their consequences when he was a California — have recognized the Genocide, little boy. according to the Armenian National Institute. “At 9, my grandfather had to bury his own “We’re not asking for much,” said Anasheh twin sisters,” he said. “They were his younger Megerdichian, 31, as she stood with a group of sisters.” friends near the Turkish Consulate. “We want Such stories — handed down from generation them to admit what they did.” to generation — leave a lingering sense of trau- Megerdichian said she wasn’t surprised that ma, he said. Obama did not call the deaths a genocide, but “I shouldn’t have to validate my own history,” she was disappointed. She understands the pres- Sarafian said. “This is a lived experience.” ident made the decision for political reasons, she Mikael Matossian, 21, can also trace his fami- added, but wishes he had never promised to call ly back to the Genocide. His grandfather was a the massacre a genocide in the first place. survivor who fled the city Aintab and found “He went back on his word,” she said. refuge in a Turkish farmer’s home. S A T U R D A Y , A P R I L 3 0 , 2 0 1 6 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R 7 COMMUNITY NEWS George Clooney Presents $1 Million Aurora Prize in Yerevan

AURORA, from page 1 Mercy Hospital in the Nuba Mountains of Marguerite Barankitse from Maison Shalom Sudan; Syeda Ghulam Fatima, the General and REMA Hospital in Burundi was named as Secretary of the Bonded Labour Liberation the inaugural Laureate of the $1 million Front in Pakistan; and Father Bernard Kinvi, a Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity. At a cer- Catholic Priest in Bossemptele, Central African emony held in Yerevan, Armenia, Barankitse Republic (CAR). To mark the occasion of the was recognized for the extraordinary impact inaugural Aurora Prize Ceremony, these excep- she has had in saving thousands of lives and tional humanitarians will be presented with a caring for orphans and refugees during the $25,000 award from the Aurora Prize co- years of civil war in Burundi. founders to support the organizations that As she accepted the award from Aurora have inspired their work. Prize Selection Committee Co-Chair George Leading humanitarian figures and Aurora Clooney, Barankitse said: “Our values are Prize Selection Committee members, including human values. When you have compassion, Gareth Evans, Hina Jilani, Leymah Gbowee, dignity and love then nothing can scare you, Shirin Ebadi and Vartan Gregorian, attended nothing can stop you — no one can stop love. and participated in the Aurora Prize Award Not armies, not hate, not persecution, not Ceremony. famine, nothing.” “During the selection process for the Aurora As the first Aurora Prize Laureate, Prize, we came across truly remarkable stories of Barankitse will receive a $100,000 grant and Marguerite Barankitse from Maison Shalom and REMA Hospital in Burundi accepts her prize. the human spirit, and an extraordinary number continue the cycle of giving by donating the of inspiring individuals who are out there mak-

Baranktise emphasized: “I chose them because these people supported me and never abandoned me, even in difficult times. They have the same values as me and as the Maison Shalom — compassion, friendliness, dignity, and a generosity which costs nothing.” “Marguerite Barankitse serves as a reminder of the impact that one person can have even when encountering seemingly insurmountable persecution and injustice,” said Mr. Clooney. “By recognizing Marguerite Barankitse’s courage, commitment and sacri- Noubar Afeyan fice, I am hopeful that she can also inspire each one of us to think about what we can do to stand up on behalf of those whose rights accompanying $1,000,000 award to organiza- are abused and are in most need of our soli- tions that have inspired her work. Barankitse darity or support.” plans to donate the award to three organiza- Barankitse saved thousands of lives and tions in order to advance aid and rehabilitation cared for orphans and refugees during the for child refugees and orphans, and fight years of civil war in Burundi. When war broke against child poverty. These organizations are: out, Barankitse, a Tutsi, tried to hide 72 of her the Fondation du Grand-Duc et de La Grande- closest Hutu neighbors to keep them safe from Duchesse du Luxembourg, Fondation Jean- persecution. They were discovered and execut- François Peterbroeck (JFP Foundation), and ed, whilst Barankitse was forced to watch. the Fondation Bridderlech Deelen Following this gruesome incident, she started Geoge Clooney paid tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide. Luxembourg. her work saving and caring for children and

refugees. She has saved roughly 30,000 chil- ing a significant difference,” said Vartan dren and in 2008, she opened a hospital which Gregorian, member of the Aurora Prize has treated more than 80,000 patients to date. Selection Committee and co-founder of 100 Guests also celebrated the exceptional con- Lives. “We are proud to be able to recognize tributions of the other three finalists for the Marguerite Barankitse and support the impact- Aurora Prize: Dr. Tom Catena, from Mother of ful work she is doing in a concrete way. She proves the tremendous impact one person can have on so many.” The Aurora Prize Selection OPENING FOR PRIVATE ELEMENTARY Committee included Nobel Laureates Elie Wiesel, Oscar SCHOOL PRINCIPAL - QUEENS, Arias, Shirin Ebadi and Leymah Gbowee; former President of Ireland Mary Robinson; human NEW YORK rights activist Hina Jilani; for- mer Australian Foreign Minister Celebrating nearly 50 years as a pillar of the New York Armenian American commu- and President Emeritus of the nity, Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School (HMADS) of Bayside, Queens, has earned International Crisis Group a well-deserved reputation for academic excellence and for inspiring a love of Gareth Evans; President of the Armenian heritage in her students. Combining the best elements of American educa- Carnegie Corporation of New tion with an added emphasis on Armenian Studies, the small classroom settings and York Vartan Gregorian; and focus on individual abilities has allowed the dedicated staff of this private elementary Academy Award-winning actor school to provide a nourishing learning environment for students in grades N-6. Ruben Vardanyan and George Clooney and humanitarian George Clooney. HMADS seeks experienced administrator for position commencing August 2016. Qualified candidate should possess: •Exceptional leadership qualities and effective interpersonal and communication skills •Knowledge of current best practices and the ability to implement and support staff professional development •Interest in supporting the school’s mission to provide an exceptional academic edu- cation for a diverse student body, while promoting knowledge of the Armenian lan- guage, history and culture •Ability to work collaboratively with parents, School Board, auxiliary bodies and the greater community to foster student success •Degree in Education, Educational Leadership and/or Administration, School Counseling or related field •Valid New York State administrative certification or equivalent •Fluency in English with knowledge of written and spoken Armenian strongly pre- ferred Qualified candidates are invited to send a letter of interest, résumé, and copy of admin- istrative certificate to [email protected] by June 1, 2016. George Clooney is showed around at the Ararat Brandy Museum. 8 S ATURDAY, A PRIL 3 0 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Tekeyan Cultural Association and Cultural Association of Armenians from Istanbul Pay Tribute to Osep Sarafian

SARAFIAN, from page 5 than $10 million to benefit projects such as Following Azadian’s remarks, Diana rebuilding Yerevan State University; the Alexanian invited the honoree to the podium, American University of Armenia; AGBU Soup where he thanked Azadian for his kind remarks Kitchens; the Nork Children’s Center; the and acknowledged all who had ventured to Cosmic Ray Division of the Physics Institute; come in spite of the inclement weather. the Philharmonic Orchestra; Echmiadzin and Sarafian stated that he alone could not have the American Armenian Wellness Center. accomplished much had he not been lucky Since 2003, in partnership with ASIF and the enough to have had well-to-do relatives and World Bank, Sarafian has focused on rural area friends who trusted him and shared his dreams projects, particularly in the border regions to about the urgent need to help Armenia. He help keep the villagers on their land and curtail humbly wanted to share the honor with them. depopulation. He said, “If we want to keep He said “Instead of giving a lecture, today I Armenia alive we have to pay attention to the want to tell you about my love story with Villages where you can see and feel the purity of the Armenian nation.” In the last thirteen years working with ASIF and the World Bank he has been able to raise more than $19.9 million for projects completed in 131 villages that includes 59 schools, 35 community centers, 37 water supply projects, road construction and health centers. He ended his remarks by reminding those present that by working hand-in-hand we can overcome all challenges in the homeland and create a bright future for generations to come. To close the event, a benediction was given The Sarafian Family by the Very Rev. Diran Papazian.

Edmond Azadian

Osep Sarafian and Diana Alexanian

Armenia which began in 1986 during a three week Educator’s Conference in Yerevan, while accompanied by my wife, Dr. Nadya Sarafian, as principal of the AGBU School in Southfield.” Since then, the call of the homeland and the urgent need for help has taken him to Armenia more than 40 times over the last 30 years. He was there after the 1988 earthquake; in 1991 he witnessed the independence of Armenia which was followed by incredible hardships due to the lack of electricity and heating and the breakout of war with Azerbaijan and the libera- tion of Artsakh. During this period, Osep Sarafian, who had taken an early retirement in 1994, raised more

Sarafian grandchildren sing Hayr Mer S ATURDAY, A PRIL 3 0 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 COMMUNITY NEWS First-Ever Service Dedicated to Armenian Genocide Martyrs at Holy Cross Cathedral in Boston

“Thanks for coming together to honor those Francis to the island of Lampedusa, off the ing that we have prepared as a sweet fragrance By Alin K. Gregorian who have fallen victim to the Medz Yeghern,” coast of Sicily, where he met and prayed with for your pleasure.” he said. migrants from Syria and Iraq who had barely All those gathered recited a prayer for Mirror-Spectator Staff In his homily, O’Malley said it was his survived the crossing. Many had fled simply “intercession of the Holy Armenian Martyrs,” “immense pleasure” to meet with Catholicos because they were Christian and were targets. in which they asked, “Hear us from your holy BOSTON — About 800 people gathered at of All Armenians Karekin II when the latter “Unity is a gift we need to ask for,” he said and heavenly realm by the intercession of the the Cathedral of the Holy Cross of the Boston had visited Boston. to fight the systematic attacks Christians face holy Mother of God and by the prayers of all Catholic Archdiocese, on Saturday, April 23, O’Malley, who has served as an advisor to in the Middle East, Egypt and India. your saints, especially the holy martyrs who for the first-ever ecumenical service commem- Pope Francis, said that the latter had visited As part of his prayer, Barsamian said, “You gave their lives during the Armenian Genocide orating “the Holy Saints and Martyrs of the San Lazzaro, the Armenian island monastery are the Light to be praised, the holy and first for faith and for the homeland, whom we com- Armenian Genocide.” outside Venice belonging to the Mkhitarist Light. Darkness flees from you. Let your living memorate today.” The head of the Boston Roman Catholic Catholic Brothers. light dawn in our hearts, Lord.” Several hymns were performed by a large Choloyan, in his prayer, said, “O Lord Our chorus composed of members of Armenian God, hear our voices and receive our requests, choirs, led by Artur Veranian. the lifting up of our hands, and the words of A reception followed in the Cathedral High our prayers as you sanctify this evening offer- School Gymnasium.

Houry Boyamian Speaks at Peabody Armenian Genocide Commemoration

PEABODY, Mass. — On the morning of April 25, Armenians of Peabody, Mass. and their friends assembled to commemorate the Armenian Genocide with the participation of many local elected officials. At the start of the program, the Armenian flag was raised out- side of town hall. Approximately 60 people attended the program. By Aram Arkun Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt, Jr. of Peabody was Mirror-Spectator Staff ill, and was represented by State Rep. Tom Walsh of the 12th Essex District. Fr. Antranig Baljian of St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church opened the event with a prayer. His son Fr. Stephan Baljian of St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church of Merrimack Valley was also present. Mary Bellavance of the mayor’s office wel- comed the guests. Houry Boyamian, principal of St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School in All the religious leaders present at the Holy Cross Cathedral Service (Boston Armenian Genocide Watertown, was the keynote speaker. She summarized the events of the Armenian Commemoration Committee picture) Genocide through the story of her father Karnig Panian, a Genocide survivor who man- aged to overcome the extreme trauma and obstacles of his early life to become an edu- cator and vice-principal at an Armenian school in Beirut, Lebanon. His life serves as an Archdiocese, Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley, was He urged that his parishioners and others to example of both the brutality of the Genocide and the resilience of the Armenian people. accompanied by dignitaries from various fight blindness and stop judging people by Boyamian and her sister recently had their father’s Armenian-language memoirs trans- churches and organizations, including appearances. He called apathy “spiritual lated into English and published under the title Goodbye, Antoura. Copies were given to Archbishop Khajag Barsamian of the Diocese Alzheimer’s” and said, “even though at times several of the officials present at the event. of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), we forget about God, God never forgets about Walsh presented the proclamation from Bettencourt which proclaimed April 25 to be Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan of the Prelacy us. Our faces are engraved on the palms of the day to commemorate the 101st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in Peabody of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), God’s hands.” as well as clergy from all local Armenian He added, “Our goal is to pass on the Gospel Churches, and heads of the local Eastern to the next generation. We must never forget Catholic Churches, and others for the service, how much God loves us.” titled “Remembrance, Witness, and The then spoke about the Armenian Resurrection.” Genocide, saying that “the love and power of “It is a special day to welcome so many of God is stronger than death.” our Armenian brothers and sisters and Rev. Similarly, he urged that the events not be Laura Everett,” the executive director of the forgotten “so that the future is safer.” He recited Hitler’s famous quote, in which he said he expected the mass killings that he was about to launch against the Jews should not cause a problem since the Armenians were simi- larly wiped out earlier without causing a global outcry. “If the world had reacted dif- ferently to the From left, Fr. Antranig Baljian, Houry Boyamian holding the proclamation of the Peabody Armenian Genocide, mayor’s office, Rep. Tom Walsh, Jackie Torigian, and Fr. Stephan Baljian would the Holocaust of World War II have been averted,” and to remember “the 1,500,000 people of Armenian ancestry who lost their lives in the From left, Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Cardinal Sean O’Malley and O’Malley asked. Genocide of 1915-1923.” Archbishop Khajag Barsamian He added, “No true Peabody has commemorated the Armenian Genocide annually since 1991. Then-mayor civilization can afford Peter Torigian wanted to provide an opportunity for Armenians living in the North Shore to falsify its historical area to come together locally on the model of the annual commemoration in Boston prop- Massachusetts Council of Churches, as well as record.” er. His successors, Michael J. Bonfanti and Bettencourt, fortunately continued this tradition, the many Armenian pastors, O’Malley said. O’Malley then spoke about the current and the Torigian family has helped support it, along with various Armenian community lead- The service started with mournful music of onslaught of ISIS and other groups and urged ers. In a sense, the event now is also a tribute to the popularity and legacy of Torigian. His the Armenian duduk, setting the mood for a that everyone speak up about the victims. wife Jackie was present at the program, which concluded with a reception with a variety of somber ceremony. Welcoming those assem- O’Malley recited the quote by the late Martin delicious foods provided by Peabody town hall and the Armenian community. bled, Vito Nicastro, the associate director of Niemoller, the Protestant pastor who spent Dignitaries present in the audience included Massachusetts state Sen. Joan Lovely of the Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious seven years in a concentration camp during the 2nd Essex District, State Rep. Theodore C. Speliotus of Danvers, Peabody City Affairs of the Archdiocese, thanked all those World War II because of his activities against Councilors Tom Gould, Dave Gravel and James Moutsoulas, and School Committeeman present and said that the day’s events were the Nazi rule. Jarrod Hochman. There was strong Greek support for the event, as exemplified by the dedicated to those who have suffered genocide “Today we are all Armenian,” he said. “We presence of Fr. Anthony Pantilyan from Saint Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church of Peabody and mass murder, including the Armenians, of must learn to see human suffering with the as well as several of the officials present of Greek origin. course, the Pontic Greeks, as well as the vic- eyes of compassion.” tims of the Holocaust and now ISIS. Similarly, he praised the visit of Pope 10 S ATURDAY, A PRIL 3 0 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Massachusetts State House Hosts Genocide 101st Commemoration

JIRAIR HOVSEPIAN PHOTO COMMEMORATION, from page 1 port to Armenia which they need even today.” a strengthened commitment, to honor the vic- He added, to great applause, that the US should tims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide, immediately condemn the recent upsurge in to demand recognition and justice for the aggression by Azerbaijanis against Armenians Genocidal crimes committed by the Ottoman in Nagorno Karabagh. A robust monitoring pro- Empire, to dedicate ourselves to prevent the gram by a trusted legitimate third party should recurrence of genocide anywhere in the world, be put into place, he said. and to celebrate the remarkable triumph and After mentioning that last year Pope Francis spirit of the Armenian people.” referred to the Armenian Genocide as the first Before handing over the podium, Hecht genocide of the 20th century, he said that all of praised Speaker Robert A. DeLeo for his enor- us should heed the pope’s words, as “it is mous assistance with holding the commemora- always the right time to tell the truth about

JIRAIR HOVSEPIAN PHOTO

Amb. Raymond Flynn speaking with Sen. Edward Markey to the left.

proclamation by Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Ambassador Raymond Leo Flynn. First, howev- Governor Karyn Polito marking April 24, 2016 er, Muradian declared, “We will not ever forget as Armenian Martyrs Day. The proclamation out history, and it is incumbent upon us to stated that the “mass genocide of the Armenian never let the world forget, either. But, it is also population,” with more than half the Armenian incumbent upon us to highlight our successes. population killed in the Ottoman Turkish Try as it might, the Turkish government failed. empire, was “repulsive and abhorrent in civi- We are succeeding, and no one is going to stop lized society,” and “our thoughts offered in us from being proud Armenians.” memory of the Armenian martyrs of 1915 will Muradian pointed out that Flynn had been a serve to remind everyone that persecution, tor- member of the Massachusetts House of ture and killing must cease forever.” Representatives from 1971 to 1979, mayor of Zankagner Performing Arts Ensemble at the State House. Lalig Musserian, chair of the Armenian Boston from 1984 to 1993, and US ambassador Genocide Commemoration Planning to the Vatican from 1993 to 1997. He said, Committee which organized the State House “Ambassador Raymond Flynn has long been a tion in the State House and for personally par- what happened in Armenia.” The senator called program, presented Joint Massachusetts Senate friend of the Armenian community.” Flynn ticipating every single year. for fighting denial, and this process must begin and House Resolutions recognizing three enti- raised millions of dollars for medical aid and DeLeo said that he was introduced to the with President Barack Obama. assistance for victims of the 1988 Armenian Armenian Genocide through leaders like his JIRAIR HOVSEPIAN PHOTO earthquake and helped organize a humanitari- predecessor George Keverian. He referred to an tour to Armenia. Peter Balakian’s book, The Burning Tigris, Flynn reminisced that in his childhood he which informed him about American aid to grew up with a number of Armenian Americans Armenians during World War I, and his in Boston neighborhoods who were family encounter with Armenian Heritage Park archi- friends and became familiar with Armenian cul- tect Donald Tellalian. Like the symbolism of the ture. He said, “This was a culture we came to sculpture there, DeLeo said, he hoped that respect and understand.” He read studies about events such as the State House commemora- Armenia, and learned from George Keverian. tion will allow people throughout the world to Flynn said he was proud that he was able to fully recognize the atrocities which befell the raise money for aid from many non-Armenians Armenians as genocide, as that would allow “a as well as Armenians for the Armenian earth- new phase of healing.” quake victims. DeLeo concluded, “While we remember He stressed the power of one voice, and the those who perished, we must vow to carry on importance of each person in the struggle JIRAIR HOVSEPIAN PHOTO against injustice in the world. He related an anecdote about a retired telephone worker set- ting in motion a movement to rectify an injus- tice in the US. On a different level, Flynn said, “I have never been more proud to be a Catholic than I was when Pope Francis called the atrocities of 1915 Dusty Rhodes of Conventures, second from right, and her team receive Joint Senate/House Genocide — that opened up the door!” This hap- Resolution from Lalig Musserian, speaking at podium. pened, he continued, because of people who refused to forget about the past. He pointed out that genocide continues to Markey said, “This year is his final opportu- ties for their work on behalf of the Armenian nity as president to do the right thing and call community. Dusty Rhodes and her team at the Armenian Genocide what it was.” He Conventures were recognized for their efforts exclaimed, “The United States must be the planning the Armenian Genocide centennial moral leader of the world if we expect the rest events and the recent visit of Armenian of the world to follow our leadership.” President Serzh Sargsyan. Conventures Markey turned very blunt in his opposition to Director of Special Projects David Balfour paid advertising and denial, saying, “We are joined Rhodes on the stage. here today to say that we will never let it hap- The Knights of Vartan Ararat Lodge No. 1 State Rep. Jonathan Hecht serving as master of pen again, because there is one clear truth was recognized for its support for numerous ceremonies. about this issue: The Armenians are right and Armenian events on a local, national and inter- Turkey is wrong.” He said that in particular, he national level when called upon. Among other would never stop working on this subject in the things, it consistently underwrote transporta- their legacy, to ensure that the world never for- Senate until a resolution was passed unam- tion costs for the State House Armenian gets. As humans, as Americans, we must ensure biguously affirming the Genocide. Genocide commemoration and provided volun- that human spirit outshines inhumanity. Markey frequently became lyric in his appar- teers to ensure its success, as well as supported Today’s commemoration will help us renew that ently extemporaneous speech. He said that the the Armenian Heritage Park. Present Ararat commitment.” Armenian people in the US have a particular Lodge Commander Armen Bogossian, and two Sen. Edward Markey, a strong and vocal sup- responsibility to speak out, since “We are the former Grand Commanders, including Haig porter of recognition of the Armenian privileged, who carry on the lives not lived, the Deranian, represented the Knights. Genocide, spoke next. As a US Representative, voices not heard, the dreams not realized, that The Armenian Genocide Education he represented Waltham, Belmont and is what the Armenian people in America repre- Committee of Merrimack Valley, founded in Watertown, the heart of the Armenian- sent, those voices that were never heard.” 2008, was recognized for efforts to educate stu- Governor Charlie Baker on his Facebook account wrote: “Maybe my favorite moment last American community, and, he said, “Thus far, in Markey spoke words of praise about “that great dents in the Merrimack Valley area in public week – meeting Starrie Alemian, a 106-year-old my life, I have never met an unsuccessful man,” George Keverian, who educated so many schools about the Armenian Genocide. Tom survivor of the Armenian Genocide – after my Armenian-American in our country. Our job is about the Armenian experience. Vartabedian, Dro Kanayan and Dr. Ara remarks during the Armenian Genocide to help to insure that there are no unsuccessful State Rep. David K. Muradian, Jr., serving the Jeknavorian were present to receive the com- Commemoration ceremony at the State house. Armenians in Armenia. We are here to continue communities of Grafton, Northbridge and mendation. What a very special person.” this effort, to make sure that we give the sup- Upton in the Ninth Worcester District, read the Muradian introduced the keynote speaker, S ATURDAY, A PRIL 3 0 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 COMMUNITY NEWS

Armenian Heritage Park Event Commemorates Genocide Anniversary

ANNIVERSARY, from page 1 “The park is a testament to our sur- Karabagh) as well as the plight of forced immigrants around vival, to our saints and martyrs,” he the world. Many speakers referred to the symbolic location of said. He added it was a special place the park, in a city that had so many ties to the early promot- visited by President Serzh Sargsyan ers of democracy in the US as well as people who helped (alternately spelled Serge Sargisian) Armenians during their darkest times. and Catholicos of All Armenians Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian paid tribute to Karekin II during their visits to the US. the unity and the strength of the Armenian community He said the ties between Boston and which had led to the taking down of an anti-Armenian bill- Armenia were strengthened by the board right outside the park only days before. work of the Cambridge Yerevan Sister Angrily, he accused various newspapers where just this City group as well as the Fletcher week full-page ads were placed with the same design as the School of Law and Diplomacy where billboard, as having taken “blood money.” about a dozen diplomats from Armenia “It all started with the billboard here,” he said. come to study regularly. Koutoujian stressed that Armenians, along with Assyrians and Greeks, all Christian minorities, were decimated by the Ottoman and later Turkish authorities. He gave special thanks to the North End community and former governor, Deval Patrick, for their support for the Many bunches of flowers were left at the abstract sculpture of Armenian Heritage Park. creation of the park. Adam Strom, director of scholarship and innovation at Facing History and Ourselves in Brookline, but the question is, when does a genocide end?” spoke about the importance of the recognition of the Armenian arts, industry and language, all are vanishing Armenian Genocide, not just for Armenians, but for people from Turkey to this day, she said. Thus, she said, “I would everywhere. suggest that it has not ended.” “I am not Armenian yet this history affects me profoundly,” The final speaker, Shant Mardirossian, Near East he said. “It is an Armenian story and a human story.” Foundation Board Chairman Emeritus, spoke about the his- Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian Strom said that he regards himself as a human being “who tory of the Armenian Genocide, the Near East Foundation lives on this planet with responsibilities.” and New England. He added, “Some acts are so terrible that all of us are injured” Several women from the region, he said, were instrumental as a result, and the Armenian Genocide is one such act. in helping Armenian orphans. In addition, he said it is impor- Strom then recited the story of how attorney Raphael tant to remember the legacy that those Armenian survivors Lemkin, who himself has lost many family members to the conveyed to those who came after them. “They taught us Holocaust, came up with the word “genocide” to describe how to laugh, sing and pray again,” he said. what had happened to the Armenians. The day’s activities had started with several hundred young Dr. Suzanne Moranian, the president of the Armenian people protesting in front of the Turkish Consulate on St. International Women’s Association, combined history, psy- James Avenue at 1.30 p.m., before making their way to the chology and poetic imagery in her comments. She said her Heritage Park, walking all the way with their signs and flags. talk was in memory of her family, many of whose members The protest had been organized by the local Armenian had perished in Aintab. Revolutionary Federation and Armenian Youth Foundation “Armenian ghosts are wandering and haunting Anatolia,” chapters. she noted. While the Armenian Heritage Park program hit many The genocide has left a lingering affect, an “intergenera- somber notes, Armenian music, poetry and dance brought a tional trauma,” as psychologists refer to it, she explained. smile to all and injected a dose of energy into the day. As a result of this trauma, she said Armenians must choose Several young girls next recited a poem by Gevork Emin, From left, Rev. Krikor Sabounjian. Archbishop Khajag to be “upstanders” rather than bystanders. Thus, she titled “Zarmanali Hay,” or wondrous Armenian. In addition, Barsamian and Rev. Arakel Aljalian explained, Armenians must take the paradoxical position of two girls sang patriotic songs about Armenia and Artsakh. keeping the Genocide memory alive within us, so that we can And finally, the Sayat Nova Dance Company performed three hold on to the empathy needed to help other peoples who energetic numbers. The area, Koutoujian said, twins Armenian history with have similarly suffered. Ani Zargarian served as emcee for the program. that of the progressive Bostonians who in nearby Faneuil She quoted Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.: “ Our lives begin Hall, during the days of the Genocide, had advocated for and to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” (All photos courtesy of the Boston Armenian Genocide succeeded in sending help to the victims. She then asked, “We know when it [the Genocide] began, Commemoration Committee and Ken Martin)

JIRAIR HOVSEPIAN PHOTO take place in the world. The killings of community chose to make Armenian Apostolic Church, gave the benedic- Christians in the Middle East is one example. Massachusetts their home.” tion and closing prayers. Armenians must continue to bring their story He described the recent The event officially was hosted by to the public’s attention in a grassroots move- visit of the president of Brownsberger and Representatives Hecht, ment for freedom and justice today, he added. Armenia to the State Rogers, Lawn, Muradian, and Miceli. The pres- Rep. James Miceli introduced the musical pro- House, with a special cere- ence of members of the consular corps, leaders gram presented by the Zankagner Performing monial reception followed of human rights groups, and a number of other Arts Ensemble, with Artistic Director Hasmik by lunch in the State Massachusetts officials gave added gravity and Konjoyan, and a moving performance by Emily House. He said, “It was a community support to the occasion. The fol- Gasparian on violin and her mother Jasmin glorious day, and we were lowing were publicly recognized: State Rep. Atabekyan on piano. Miceli proudly stated that thrilled to have him here.” Kevin Honan of Brighton; State Rep. James he was Armenian on his mother’s side. The governor ended with Kelcourse of Amesbury; State Rep. Joseph W. Dr. Jack Keverian then announced that the the following very touching McGonagle, Jr., of Everett; Massachusetts Keverian family was organizing an annual schol- and heartening words: “I Councilor Marilyn Devaney; Watertown Town arship program in memory of former just want you to know, Council Vice President Vincent Piccirilli and Massachusetts Speaker George Keverian. Jack, speaking on behalf of the Town Councilor Lisa Feltner; Vice Chair of the brother of the late Speaker, said that the fami- Commonwealth of Belmont Board of Selectman Sami Baghdady ly intends to create an award “that will be truly Massachusetts and the peo- and Selectman Jim Williams; Canadian consul Sen. Edward Markey about to shake hands with Sheriff Peter inspiration in a world…that must never forget Koutoujian at left. ple of Massachusetts, that general David Alward; Honorary Consul of that certain basic principles of humanity and we are truly grateful for Poland Marek Leniewski-Laas; Acting Consul justice are critical to the survival of our society everything the Armenian General of Germany Helmut Landen; Consul and civilization.” State Sen. Will Brownsberger introduced community has done for the people here in General of France Valéry Freland; Honorary Keverian said that in his family, the Armenian Gov. Charlie Baker. The governor initially direct- Massachusetts and for the culture and the com- Council of Chile Dr. Philip Charles; Amy Genocide and the Great Depression were “the ed part of his speech to the many children in munity that is Massachusetts, and we will Grunder, representative of the Massachusetts most important events that shaped our lives,” the audience. He said that there are some peo- always, always have your back.” Immigrants and Refugee Advocacy Coalition; though they happened either before or just ple who refuse to acknowledge history, and the Before leaving, he went over to speak with Robert Trestan of the Anti-Defamation League; after the Keverian children were born. Even as terrible things that were done to Armenians the lone Armenian Genocide survivor at the and Eric Cohen from the Massachusetts a high school valedictorian, Keverian said, his 101 years ago. It is important to honor and rec- event, Asdghig “Starrie” Alemian, 106 years Coalition to Save Darfur. brother George had identified his core beliefs. ognize that history, he said. old, and asked what she was thinking of today. After the formal event concluded, a reception As a politician, George became known as “the Turning to the broader audience, Baker said, He then told the audience that she said it was was held at the Grand Staircase at which speaker who believed in democracy,” and one “The Armenian community has been an incred- her parents, and that this shows the personal Kanayan and Deranian offered thanks informal- who “helped countless people in need…without ible asset, culturally, economically, and in nature of genocide. It affects families and indi- ly for the Joint Senate and House Resolutions expecting anything in return.” almost every way that I can think of, to the rich viduals, who lose their loved ones. to their organizations. Filmmaker Roger He also was the one to institute the annual tapestry that is the Commonwealth of Afterwards, Brownsberger thanked the par- Hagopian screened a video, “Armenia: Survival commemoration of the Armenian Genocide at Massachusetts. And we are honored and ticipants and organizers of the event. Fr. Mikael of a Nation,” which he created especially for the State House 31 years ago. pleased that so many people from the Armenian Der Kosrofian of Soorp Asdvadzadzin this event. 12 S ATURDAY, A PRIL 3 0 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Arts & Living

NAASR’s 62nd Prof. Richard Annual Assembly Hovannisian Speaks To Feature Talk At Cleveland By Ambassador Humanities Festival CLEVELAND — Richard Hovannisian, Shougarian Professor Emeritus at UCLA, Chancellor’s Fellow at Chapman University, and BELMONT, Mass. — The National Adjunct Professor of History at the Association for Armenian Studies and University of Southern California as a con- Research (NAASR) will hold its 62nd Annual sultant for the Shoah Foundation, was in Assembly of Members on Saturday, May 14, at Cleveland in April 4-6 for back-to-back its headquarters, 395 Concord Ave. The assem- events relating to remembrance of and bly will be convened at noon and lunch will be learning from the Armenian Genocide. served at 12:15 p.m. At Case Western Reserve University, After the luncheon, the featured speaker at Hovannisian was a key speaker at the inau- the Assembly will be Rouben Shougarian of gural Cleveland Humanities Festival orga- Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and nized by the University’s Baker-Nord Diplomacy, Armenia’s first ambassador to the Center for the Humanities. Prof. Peter E. United States. Ambassador Shougarian will Knox, the new Director for the Center, give a talk entitled “Building a New Generation selected “Remembering War” as this year’s of Armenian Leaders: The Tavitian Scholarship theme for the Festival. Program at the Fletcher School.” Current Hovannisian’s topic was “Under Cover of Tavitian Scholars as well as alumni in the War: The Boston area will be present as NAASR’s guests A r m e n i a n for the luncheon and lecture. Genocide and Its “We’re honored to have Ambassador C o n t i n u i n g Shougarian with us to talk about developing Ramifications.” new leaders for Armenia through the Tavitian The capacity Scholars at Tufts’ Fletcher School,” said audience of more NAASR Executive Director Sarah Ignatius. than 200 people Shougarian served as Armenia’s Deputy was captivated as Foreign Minister (1999-2005), Ambassador to they learned Italy, Spain and Portugal (2005-2008), and Geoffrey Robertson about the rela- Armenia’s first Ambassador to the United tionship of the Richard Hovannisian States (1993-1999). He also served as a senior A r m e n i a n staffer for the Armenian Parliament’s Standing Genocide to Committee on Foreign Affairs (1991), and a Armenian Assembly of America World War I and its relationship to the senior foreign policy aide and spokesperson for Holocaust one generation later and con- Holds Sold-Out Program with tinuing crimes against humanity. The Q & A that followed included brisk discussions Geoffrey Robertson and possible international measures to deal with the scourge. A reception of LOS ANGELES — On Wednesday, April 20, the Armenian Assembly of Armenian pastries ended the event. America hosted a book presentation of An Inconvenient Genocide: Who Now On April 5, Richard Hovannisian was Remembers the Armenians? by United Kingdom’s leading human rights attor- invited to speak at the Federal Building in ney and author Geoffrey Robertson QC in Universal City. The event sold out, Cleveland to connect the Armenian reaching over capacity. Genocide and its lessons with the “The Armenian Assembly of America was proud to feature a giant in the field of Holocaust and massive civil rights viola- international human rights to speak to us about his findings while researching the tions in its annual Holocaust history that led to the indisputable Armenian Genocide,” Assembly Board of Remembrance Observation program. John Trustees Co-Chair Anthony Barsamian said. “The Armenian Assembly is eager to Luckas, chief of staff for Finance and keep this momentum going as the Assembly’s Western Region office continues to Accounting Service, Department of do similar substantive work. Mihran Toumajan and Aline Maksoudian went above Defense, opened the program. Dzaghig and beyond to ensure this event was a success.” Poundardjian, a Department of Defense During the event, Barsamian discussed the Assembly’s work in Washington, the employee and chair of the Holocaust Nagorno Karabagh Republic’s right to self-determination, and Turkey’s irresponsi- Remembrance Committee, introduced the ble actions in the region, with a direct message to Turkish President Recep Tayyip speaker after sharing her own personal Rouben Shougarian Erdogan. family’s past and current impact of the con- “Mr. Erdogan, stop killing your own people. Stop killing your Kurdish popula- tinuing turmoil in Syria today. tion. Stop killing Christians in the region, and stop promoting violence against Hovannisian delivered a powerful message President Levon Ter-Petrosian (1992). He Karabagh Armenians,” Barsamian stated during his speech. on the theme of “Learning through Acts of teaches conflict and area studies at the see ASSEMBLY, page 13 Courage.” Several hundred employees in Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts Cleveland, and remote connections, listened University. as the speaker integrated the experience of Following the luncheon and lecture, those the Armenian Genocide into the daily lives of attending the 62nd Assembly of Members will students and the public today. be informed about NAASR’s ongoing efforts to Cleveland Armenian Genocide further Armenian studies, research, and publi- Centennial Committee’s Ara Bagdasarian cation. Reports will be presented by the Board and Kevan Asadorian initiated conversa- of Directors on organizational, informational, tions with Case Western Reserve academic, and financial matters; and the elec- University to include Hovannisian in this tion of Directors will be held. In addition, there inaugural Cleveland Humanities Festival will be reports by the Assembly’s special com- on April 4. Pounardjian invited mittees on Nominations, Constitution and Hovannisian and organized the April 5 talk Rules, New Business and Resolutions, and at the Federal Building. Auditing. Richard and Vartiter Hovannisian were The assembly will be chaired by NAASR guests of honor at a reception at the Board Chairman Raffi P. Yeghiayan of Armenian Church of St. Gregory of Narek Lexington, and Stepan Piligian of Westford will on the evening of April 5. Ara serve as Secretary of the Assembly. Bagdasarian and Father Hratch Sargsyan The sessions are open to all NAASR mem- Armenian Assembly of America Southern California Regional Council (SCRC) welcomed the couple and reflected on the bers in good standing (with dues paid for the Member Al Cabraloff, Western Region Director Mihran Toumajan, Western Region importance of the recent programs relat- current calendar year), who “have the right to Manager Aline Maksoudian, SCRC Member Jim Melikian, Board of Trustees Co- Chair Anthony Barsamian, Key Note Speaker Geoffrey Robertson, Board of Trustees ing to the Armenian Genocide, before pre- attend, be heard, and vote.” Assistant Secretary Lisa Kalustian, SCRC Member Margaret Mgrublian, Board of senting Hovannisian with a beautiful NAASR welcomes non-members to attend Trustees Member Taline Yacoubian, and SCRC Member Richard Mushegian. commemorative plaque. The church’s the luncheon and subsequent program. chorale group enriched the evening prior However, luncheon reservations should be to enjoyable reception. made by May 9. S ATURDAY, A PRIL 3 0 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 ARTS & LIVING

lusion of some decent, sympathetic Turks, a fact the author does not shy away from acknowledging. The Call of “I would like to thank the Turks who helped the Armenians during the deportations. I would like to thank the Turks who helped my family. Without them, my fam- ily would probably not have survived the genocide.” The Crane The Turkish soldiers had driven her grandparents, their friends, kin and neighbors from their ancestral vil- lage on a predetermined trek towards oblivion and perdi- A Genocide Chronicle by tion. There was no coming back home. In the security and serenity of their adopted home in Haygan Mardikjan the Netherlands, Hayganoush and Zakar wanted to for- get the horrendous inferno in which they had been engulfed. Both victims and eyewitnesses, they did not By Arthur Hagopian want to remember the unspeakable terror and despair that gripped mothers as they tried to save their children from the grasp of butchers and rapists by throwing them “Who remembers the Armenians?,” Hitler once taunted. into the waters of a river, their shrieks of anguish drown- History has made a mockery of his infamous claim, for ing the gurgle of the turbulent waters. who does not remember and mourn the destruction of a As her appalled grandfather looked down upon the million and a half innocent Armenians a century ago? watery grave in the bosom of the Euphrates, “he could Dispossessed, driven out of their homes, cast out into the not see the water in places, there were so many children desert, annihilated for no other reason other than that in the river ...” At the foot of the bridge over the river that they worshipped a different God. they were crossing, three little ones were tangled in the April 24, 1915, a blot on the history of mankind, a rocks: “you could clearly see they were triplets,” Zakar dark, damning episode in the annals of the Turkish told Mardikjan. nation that still has problems admitting culpability for Her grandmother’s aunt Mariam resorted to another des- the genocide. perately drastic bid to save her three children from the While Germany beats its breast and bewails its horrent Turks: she poisoned them, preferring a quick and painless Nazi past, Turkey continues to wallow in denial, despite death for them to the certain torment and suffering that lay the relentless thunderstorm of documentary evidence in store for them at the hands of the soldiers. spoken with love, but also with great sadness.” categorically incriminating it. At one well where the deportees had stopped, two It is a plaintive and painful journey but she comes back The Call of the Crane, by Haygan Mardikjan, a descen- women tried to commit suicide and end their misery by with a semblance of hope for the future. dant of Genocide survivors, is one of the latest to jolt the pushing their heads under the water. In the spirit of magnanimity and nobility that charac- consciousness of man. One morning, the soldiers spread out their handker- terizes Armenians, she can also see beyond the darkness The book, artfully translated into English by Sarah chiefs at everyone’s feet and demanded that the depor- and the evil. Owen, traces the blood-splattered footsteps of tees contribute towards their “upkeep,” preferably in “My grandfather always knew that he would never see Mardikjan’s grandparents, Hayganoush and Zakar, on gold coins. the day on which Turkey admitted to the genocide. their forced, doomed march towards their Calvary. Two of her grandfather’s older cousins tried to dupe However, it has been his hope and wish that his grand- Prodded and pushed by their merciless Turkish the soldiers by swallowing the few coins they had hidden children would live to see this event.. . Only then may the herders along the burning sands of the desert, they were in their clothing. When the soldiers found out, they victims rest in peace and the bereaved be able to give the to endure a harrowing ordeal before their miraculous sal- slashed the women’s throats with their bayonets, intent past a place. Then too, the Turks can finally put behind vation and eventual sanctuary in foreign lands. on getting at the treasure one way or another. them a dark page in their history and focus on a peace- There, they would hear again the call of the crane, the Understandably, the author wanders why the depor- ful future living in harmony with the many ethnic minori- groong as it sang: tees did not offer any resistance, or put up a struggle, ties that have their roots in the land currently known as “The heart of the wanderer (gharib) has turned to against their vastly outnumbered captors. Turkey, going back to a time long before Turkey even blood The answer, she finds out, is that even if they had suc- existed.” “The heart full of longing ceeded in overpowering the soldiers and escaping, there The 164-page book published last year by Uitgeverij “When autumn comes, go to my land, ‘groong,’ and was nowhere they could go to find refuge. Boekscout.nl Soest of the Netherlands, is adorned with give greetings to my love.” In homage to the memory of the Armenian martyrs, 40 pages of pictures and genealogical information. Mardikjan admits it was not easy to coax the story of Mardikjan decides on a courageous and risky undertak- Owen dedicates it to Raffi Hagopian, a classmate of her survival out of her grandparents’ traumatized memories. ing: she ventures into Turkey and retrace her grandpar- brother, whose dreams were nipped in the bud at a ten- They had survived only through the intercession and col- ent’s footsteps, visiting all the ”places of which they had der age.

Armenian Assembly of America Holds Sold-Out Program with Geoffrey Robertson ASSEMBLY, from page 12 Now Remembers the Armenians? was original- developments as a result of the centennial year Armenian Genocide in school education. The Assembly co-cChair introduced ly published in 2014, and then released for a commemorations of the Armenian Genocide. “Unless we learn from the Armenian Robertson, who spoke about the latest edition second printing in 2015 to reflect the He applauded the Armenian American commu- Genocide, we will not understand the Holocaust of his book. An Inconvenient Genocide: Who Armenian community’s achievements and nity’s tireless efforts to incorporate the and genocides that follow,” Robertson explained. Robertson also spoke about the rights of the citizens of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic and believes “independence is possible.” “Armenians, the world over, are grateful for [Mr. Robertson] for bravely speaking the truth in the face of systematic denials and obfusca- tion of historical facts by Turkey and Azerbaijan not only on the veracity of the Armenian Genocide and the Armenian nation’s rightful case for restitutive justice, but also as a champion for the self-determination and invio- lability of the basic human rights of the heroic and proud Armenians of Artsakh,” Assembly Western Region Director Mihran Toumajan said. “It was an honor to host Mr. Robertson and to not only hear his presentation about his book but also his thoughts and feelings regard- ing the current conflict in Nagorno Karabagh, which so many in our community are con- cerned about,” Western Region Manager and Community Relations Coordinator Aline Maksoudian added. Special guests in attendance include design- er Michael Aram, Deputy Consul General of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles Valery Mkrtoumian, Facing History and Ourselves Los Angeles Office Director Liz Vogel and Advisory Board Member Charlene Achki-Repko, and Congressman Adam Schiff’s (D-CA) District Representative Pamela Marcello. 14 S ATURDAY, A PRIL 3 0 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING City of Orphans Tells Story of Largest Orphanage in the World Recipe

BOSTON — In her new book, The City of insisting on its prerogative to transform the Orphans, Nora Nercessian tells the story of Turkish Armenian orphans into citizens of a Corner the largest orphanage in the world, estab- new Armenia. lished in what was known in 1921 as In the aftermath of the 100th anniversary Alexandropol, the largest and once prosper- of the Armenian Genocide, The City of by Christine Vartanian Datian ous city in Russian Armenia. After two six- Orphans may be seen as yet another study of months-long occupations in three years by the youngest remnants of the Armenian Turkish forces, Alexandropol (later Leninakan Genocide. It is that, but much more. It pro- Garbanzo and Red Onion Salad with and now Gumri) had become host to the vides a micro history of the encounters largest orphanage in the world, housing between Western values and practices and Tarragon Dressing around 25,000 orphans, almost all of them societies in the cusp of development. from Western Armenia. This new book looks at life in the orphan- INGREDIENTS This is the first time that the full story is age through many prisms: quotidian details, 2 cans garbanzo beans (chick peas), washed and drained being told. In the 640-page volume, necessary for the operation of such a vast 1/2 medium red onion, sliced thinly Nercessian traces the events that led up to enterprise; the interaction of orphans with 1/2 medium green or yellow bell pepper, sliced thinly the formation of the City of Orphans, its American relief workers and Armenian 1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped expansion in the early 1920s, and eventual employees; the unremitting negotiations 2 stalks celery, chopped (plus top greens) closing in 1931, in dramatic interludes. between Near East Relief and Armenian gov- 2-3 green onions or spring onions, sliced or chopped The book centers on the unique enterprise ernment officials, all recreated through the 1 small jar pimento, drained and chopped Near East Relief initially launched in 1919, use of official archives in Armenia and the Fresh chopped mint collecting Armenian orphans into a group of US, diaries, memoirs and letters by orphans military barracks the Czar had built in and relief workers, most of them hitherto Alexandropol to accommodate thousands unpublished, and the worldwide press. Most Tarragon Dressing upon thousands of imperial soldiers as well as importantly, the author places special empha- INGREDIENTS a significant military arsenal to be used in sis on the feelings, perceptions and world- 1/2 cup olive oil wars against the Ottoman Empire. When the views of the orphans themselves while at The 2-3 tablespoons red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar barracks were abandoned following the City of Orphans. 2 garlic cloves, crushed Russian Revolution in 1917, in agreements The volume names (with photographs if 2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon (or 1 teaspoon dried tarragon leaves) with the government of the First Republic of available) more than 700 American and 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard Armenia and subsequently with the Soviet Armenian personnel who ran the vast orphan- Juice of one lemon age, with short biogra- 1/2 teaspoon sugar or honey phies when possible. In 1/4 teaspoon paprika or cayenne pepper addition, The City of Sea salt and black pepper to taste Orphans lists the names of over 12,000 of the PREPARATION: orphans, including date Make salad dressing in a small bowl or container, chill, or set aside. Place salad ingredi- and place of birth and ents in medium bowl, toss with some of the dressing, add or garnish with some chopped father’s name. The vol- mint, and serve. Serve extra dressing on the side, if desired. ume is also enriched by Serves 4. more than 200 pho- tographs. Christine's recipes have been published in the Fresno Bee, Sunset and Cooking Light The City Of Orphans Magazines, and athttp://www.thearmeniankitchen.com/ is a multifaceted and For Christine's recipes that have been published in Sunset and Cooking Light Magazines, fast-paced history of the go to: http://www.myrecipes.com/search/site/Datian interaction between phi- lanthropy, its potential and limitations, sparing no detail, positive or negative. Among the orphans was such later Soviet Armenian literary FRIENDS OF ARMENIAN CULTURE SOCIETY and artistic luminaries as the writers Khachik Dashtents, Hovhannes Shiraz, Sarmen and the singer Shoghik Mkrtchyan, and many more. The easy to follow nar- rative is more than rele- vant today as it provides, in the words of Prof. Armenian government, the Near East Relief Muge Göcek of the University of Michigan, populated the barracks with orphans collect- Ann Arbor, “deep insights into the potential ed from locations in Armenia and the south- of philanthropy, as well as its limitations and ern Caucasus. the complex interaction of violence, child- The close to 170 military barrack buildings, hood and survival.” if lined back to back, would extend over two Author and actor Eric Bogosian describes miles. These barracks were transformed into Nercessian’s The City of Orphans as “full of dormitories, workshops, classrooms, and hos- intense surprises as some twenty thousand pitals for the orphans. By 1922, the “City of war orphans survive (and thousands of others Orphans” was described in hundreds of news- don’t) under the watchful eye of the American papers and journals in the US, Australia, New Protestant aid workers who themselves are Zealand and elsewhere, as the largest orphan- being watched by the Communists.” age the world had ever seen and the center- Much is known about the orphanages in piece of Near East Relief’s monumental the Middle East, but little about the most pop- Edvard Pogossian humanitarian effort in orphan care in the ulated one in Alexandropol. This is also a Near East in the early 1920s. much more detailed study of the day-to-day The city of orphans expanded and flour- operations of orphanages and the larger poli- CELLO ished just as Armenia became a Soviet state. tics involved in its continuing operations in Boston Pops Orchestra While the US had no diplomatic mission to Soviet Armenia than previously known. Keith Lockhart the Soviet Union during the 1920s, the Nercessian, formerly of Harvard University American Near East Relief and the Soviet and author of a number of works, brings to Armenian Commissars engaged in a unique life the orphans whose often-strong identities collaboration that lasted until the full ascen- have not been fully appreciated. From seem- CONDUCTOR dancy of Stalin. Near East Relief withdrew ingly lifeless and almost nameless bodies, the permanently in 1931, against the background orphans developed their own voices even FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2016 AT 8 PM of the early Moscow show trials, which fore- before they left the orphanage. The volume SYMPHONY HALL, BOSTON told Stalin’s purges a few years later. offers an experience or an encounter of uni- Shrouded in a complex political reality, versal significance on every page and in every these 25,000 orphans grew up in the former story. military barracks of the Czar, under the tute- FOR TICKETS AND INFORMATION, The book may be ordered on line at PLEASE VISIT: WWW.FACSBOSTON.ORG lage of American Near East Relief workers http://cityoforphans.myprintdesk.net/DSF and Soviet Armenian Commissars, each party S ATURDAY, A PRIL 3 0 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 ARTS & LIVING CC AA LENDARLENDAR

Haverhill. Meal Choice of One: Losh/Chicken/Kheyma, with [email protected] MASSACHUSETTS pilaf, salad, and hot/cold garnish Additional children’s meal MAY 21 — Book Tour Schedule for Armenians of the APRIL 29 — United for Artsakh. 7:30 p.m., Armenian of hot dog & chips: also available will be pastry, choereg, Merrimack Valley. Authors E. Philip Brown and Tom Cultural and Educational Center, 47 Nichols Ave., Armenian cheese, and cold drinks. Vartabedian are embarking on a presentation tour and Watertown. The list of performers is growing, as is the MAY 7 — Experience Public Art! during ArtWeek book signing of their new book. Vermette’s Market, 6 list of the event sponsors. As of now, the event is co- Boston. Armenian Heritage Park on the Greenway, Pond St., Amesbury, 10-2, book-signing only sponsored by the Armenian Cultural and Educational Boston. At 1 p.m. - World Labyrinth Day: Walk As One At MAY 22 — Sunday, 2 p.m., the Armenian Museum of Center, ARF Sardarabad Gomideh, Leola Sassouni and 1 Together with people in cities and towns worldwide, America (ALMA) and the Composer’s Union of Armenia Shushi chapters of the ARS, the AYF Greater Boston walk the labyrinth at 1pm joining this annual internation- are proud to present a concert: Anmorats Yerker- Nejdeh Chapter, Hamazkayin-Boston, Boston al initiative of The Labyrinth Society in collaboration with Unforgettable Songs. The concert, dedicated to the Homenetmen, St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church the Labyrinth Guild of New England and Friends of 90th anniversary of composers Alexander Ajemyan and and School and the Tekeyan Cultural Association. The Armenian Heritage Park. For first-time walkers at Khachatur Avetisyan, will feature the voices of Nouné performers’ list includes: Jasmine Atabekyan, Arev 12:45pm, an Introduction to walking a labyrinth with Karapetian, Michael Calmés, Knarik Nerkararian, and Ensemble, John Berberian Ensemble, Hamazkayin Chiara Megighian Zenati, Certified Labyrinth Facilitator. Garo Nichanian, accompanied by Nuné Hakobyan on Erebouni Dance Ensemble, Sevag Khatchadourian, At 1:30 pm - Reception to View The 2016 Configuration piano. Maestro Konstantin Petrossian will serve as Music Maroukhian Trio, Gegham Margarian, Meghri Choir, of the Abstract Sculpture Welcome: Nanore Barsoumian, Director for the concert. Light refreshments will be Shahan Nercessian, Markos Shahbazyan and Zangakner Editor, Armenian Weekly; Public Art: Lucas Cowan, Public served at a reception following the opening. This event is Children’s Choir. All proceeds collected through this ben- Art Curator, Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy; free and open to the public. The concert is made possi- efit concert will go to the NKR Ministry of Finance’s bank Personal Perspective: Alin Gregorian, Editor, Armenian ble by a contribution from the Dadourian Foundation. account to support fellow Armenians in need Mirror Spectator; Tea & Desserts hosted by MEM Tea MAY 27 — 65th Annual Armenian Night at the Pops, APRIL 30 — Zangakner Performing Arts Ensemble will Imports and Eastern Lamejun Bakers. All are invited. Featuring Boston Pops Orchestra, Keith Lockhart, present a vocal concert featuring Armenian children at 5 MAY 12 – Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Greater Conductor; presenting Edvard Poghossian, cello. p.m., Ellsworth Theatre, Pine Manor College, Chestnut Boston Presents the Dr. Michael and Joyce Kolligian Presented by Friends of Armenian Culture Society. Hill. New production to pay tribute to mothers and the Distinguished Speaker Series, with John Prendergast, Symphony Hall, 301 Mass. Ave., Boston. For tickets and Motherland. 400 Heath St., Chestnut Hill. Tickets $25. “Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity: Lessons information, visit facsboston.org APRIL 30 — Armenian / American Dance, Saturday, 7 Learned and Hope for the Future.” 7 p.m., Charles and JUNE 20 — The Gregory Hintlian Memorial Golf p.m. – 12 a.m., 1 Market Street, Lawrence, Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall, 145 Brattle Street, Tournament sponsored by Holy Trinity Armenian Church Complimentary Coffee & Dessert, Cash Bar, 50/50 Raffle, Cambridge. John is founder of “The Enough Project,” an of Greater Boston at the Marlborough Country Club, Armenian music provided by Jason Naroian Ensemble, initiative to end genocide and crimes against humanity Marlborough; Monday, 9:30 a.m., registration; 11 a.m., American music provided by DJ Kory Sirmaian. Tickets: and co-founder of “The Sentry,” a new investigative ini- “Shot Gun.” Join us for a day of golf, as a sponsor or just $20 in advance; $25 at the door. Melanee Naroian:(978) tiative focused on dismantling the networks financial for dinner. Details to follow. For further information, 683-0613, Lucy Sirmaian: (978) 683-9121. Sponsored by conflict and atrocities. Reception and book signing to fol- contact the Church Office, 617.354.0632, or The Armenian Church at Hye Pointe Women’s Guild. low talk. Open and free to the public. For further infor- email [email protected]. MAY 1 — The Armenian Museum of America (ALMA), 2 mation, contact the Church Office, 617.354.0632. SEPTEMBER 10 — Sayat Nova Dance Company of p.m., Direct Help for Armenian People (DHAP) and the MAY 14 — RESCHEDULED — Presentation of a book by Boston 30th anniversary gala. Amaras Art Alliance are hosting a concert: “Tribute to Dr. Hagop Martin Deranian on the life and legacy of SEPTEMBER 18 — Sunday Afternoon at the Park. For Armenia.” Songs will be performed by the finalists of the Armenian American pioneer and philanthropist Hagop families and friends. Armenian Heritage Park on the annual Armenia Youth Talent competition. The concert is Bogigian. Saturday, at 4 p.m. at Armenian Cultural Greenway. Boston. 2-4 p.m. All are invited. dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the independence Foundation, 441 Mystic Street (Rte. 3) Arlington. SEPTEMBER 30 — OCTOBER 2 — 25th Anniversary of the Republic of Armenia. Light refreshments will be MAY 14 — Sayat Nova Dance Company of Boston con- Celebration. Armenian International Women’s served at a reception following the opening. This event is tinues its 30th anniversary celebrations with a night Association. Charles Hotel, Cambridge. free and open to the public. This event is made possible of song and dance with beloved singer Arabo Ispiryan, NOVEMBER 15 — Thank You Reception for All by a contribution from the Dadourian Foundation. direct from Armenia. Don’t miss out on this night of pure Supporters of Armenian Heritage Park. Armenian MAY 2 — St. James Men’s Club meeting, with speakers Armenian entertainment. Come and celebrate with us as Cultural and Educational Center. Watertown. 7:30 p.m. Tom Vartabedian and E. Philip Brown. Vartabedian is we sing and dance all night with Arabo. Generous appe- During the evening, supporters will receive the Armenian a writer and photographer and Brown is a world history tizers (mezze) will be provided. Doors open at7:30 p.m. Heritage Park Commemorative Book, which will acknowl- teacher and historian. They will speak about their new To be held at St. James Armenian Church, Charles edge all supporters in the category of giving that com- book, Armenians of Merrimack Valley. Social Hour and Mosesian Cultural and Youth Center, 465 Mt, Auburn bines all their contributions since the campaign’s incep- mezza at 6.15 p.m., Losh Kebab and Kheyma Dinner, 7 Street, Watertown. Tickets are available by calling Apo at tion. Deadline for first time supporters and for support- p.m. $15 per person. St. James Armenian Church Charles 339-222-2410 or Hagop at 617-780-6295. VIP table seat- ers to increase their contribution is September 22. Mosesian Cultural and Youth Center, Keljik Hall, 465 ing at $100/person (includes 1 free drink/person and a Contributors are tax-deductible as allowed by law. All Mount Auburn St., Watertown, MA. Ladies welcome. bottle of champagne for the table); Premium table seat- supporters are invited. MAY 5 — St. Gregory Armenian Church Avak lun- ing at $75/person (includes a bottle of champagne for NOVEMBER 19 — Armenian Women’s Welfare cheon, noon, Jaffarian Hall, 158 Main St., North the table); General seating: $65. Please reserve your tick- Association will hold its 40th annual luncheon/auc- Andover. Speaker, Lisa Kouchakdjian, originator, “Love on ets early. tion. Oakley Country Club, 410 Belmont St., Watertown. a Plate.” Come share and appreciate some wonderful May 15 — Annual Meeting & Program, Armenian Details to follow. Armenian recipes. Public invited. International Women’s Association. Presentation by DECEMBER 18 — Candlelit Labyrinth Peace Walk, MAY 5 – “Can Feminists Revive a Nation? Afterlife of Anaide Nahikian, Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, “The Armenian Heritage Park on the Greenway, Boston. 5-6:30 Armenians in Post-Genocide Turkey.” Reception and Challenges and Opportunities of Humanitarian Efforts in p.m. All are invited. illustrated talk with MIT Professor Lerna Ekmekcioglu on the Face of International Conflict.” 2 p.m. Business her new book, Recovering Armenia: The Limits of Session; 3:30 p.m. Program; 4:15 p.m. Reception. Open NEW YORK Belonging in Post-Genocide Turkey. 7:30 p.m. Armenian to the public. Armenian Cultural Foundation, Arlington. Museum of America, Watertown. Co-sponsored by the Info: 617-926-0171; [email protected]. JUNE 4-5 — Tekeyan Cultural Association’s Mher Armenian International Women’s Association, National MAY 18 — Chefs Party for Our Park! Benefit for Megerdchian Theatrical Group presents the AGBU Association for Armenian Studies & Research, and Armenian Heritage Park’s Ongoing Care Royal Sonesta Satamian Theater Group from LA, in “Funny Armenian Museum of America. Info: 617-926-0171 or Hotel Boston, Cambridge. Celebrate with Boston’s Top Money,” (in Western Armenian). Written by Ray Cooney. [email protected]; 617-489-1610 or Chefs, presenting signature dishes inspired by parents, Translated and Directed by Krikor Satamian. Saturday, [email protected]. grandparents or mentors for you to taste while you mix, June 4th, at 8pm and Sunday, June 5th at 4pm at Oradell MAY 7 — The Armenian Apostolic Church at Hye Pointe in mingle and support a great cause. Advance Reservations Elementary School, 350 Propect Avenue Oradell, NJ Haverhill will have a one-day food festival on Saturday at only. To be acknowledged in the Evening Thank You, 07649. Tickets: $35 & $50. For tickets please call: Marie the church hall. 12:00 to 7:00 p.m. Armenian Pride Food please respond by May 6. To receive an invitation, please Zokian (201) 745-8850, Talar Sesetyan Sarafian 201-240- Festival. Armenian Church at Hye Pointe Hall, 110 Main St., email your name and email address to 8541, or Missak Boghosian 212-819-0097.

AGBU Nubarian Library Publishes New Issue of Études arméniennes contemporaines

PARIS — In March 2016, the AGBU Nubarian reflect on the way Ottoman history has been tions of complex pasts. Armenian studies. Contributors to this issue Library released the sixth issue of its Études treated by historians. The articles advocate All articles are available for free on the jour- include Helin Anahit, Eray Çaylı, Vazken arméniennes contemporaines, a bilingual, bian- challenging conventional understandings of his- nal’s website: https://eac.revues.org/. As part Khatchig Davidian, Aikaterini Gegisian, David nual and multidisciplinary journal published in tory and critique dominant nationalist dis- of the revues.org database, Études arméniennes Low, Gizem Tongo and Alyson Wharton- Paris. The articles in the latest issue — subtitled courses. They also introduce into the historical contemporaines is part of web-based versions of Durgaryan. “Towards Inclusive Art Histories: Ottoman debate silenced voices that have been deliber- more than 400 humanities and social science For more information on Études arméni- Armenian Voices Speak Back” — focus on ately excluded from history. In so doing, this journals in French and other languages. This ennes contemporaines and to access its current Armenian arts in the Ottoman Empire. volume aims to contribute to the discussion on editorial evolution enables the journal to con- and past issues, please visit The latest issue goes beyond art history to creating inclusive, nuanced and just representa- tribute more substantively to the field of https://eac.revues.org/. 16 S ATURDAY, A PRIL 3 0 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

COMMENTARY Mirror Armenia in the Cauldron of Caucasian Politics

Georgia has made its intensions very clear: it wants to join By Edmond Azadian NATO. But the West has been moving cautiously so as not to Spectator aggravate matters any further with Russia. As a first step, the Georgian government has decided to host (Part II) a Turkish military base on its territory. That plan will benefit Azerbaijan is the cornerstone of Armenia’s relations with Turkey more than the West, promoting its pan-Ottomanist Turkey. designs. EstablishedEstablished 1932 1932 As long as the Karabagh issue is not settled with Azerbaijan, Turkish money has inundated Georgia; especially as the it seems that there will be no improvement in the relations region of Ajaria is under the indirect control of Turkey. An ADLAn Publication ADL Publication between Armenia and Turkey. Recently Javakhk political activist Vahakn Chakhalyan Since 1994 when a tenuous cease fire regime was estab- issued an appeal under the title “No to the Turkification of lished through the efforts of the Organization for Security and Georgia.” Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk group-co-chaired by the Georgia is Armenia’s main viable economic outlet to the EDITOR US, France, and Russia has been handling the issue. On the world, the government in Armenia is forced to put up with all Alin K. Gregorian surface it seems that all co-chairmen are on the same page, but political indignities. Iran is the only country with whom Armenia does not have ASSISTANT EDITOR since no solution has been found yet, it seems clear that the Aram Arkun parties involved have conflicting interests and agendas. any territorial dispute. With the lifting of the sanctions, some Thus far the proposed legal framework is defined under economic plans have been reactivated: a hydroelectric dam ART DIRECTOR and the railway system, the latter to be financed by China. Marc Mgrditchian Madrid principles, which in turn call for self-determination within the concept of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Even During the Elchibey administration, the Baku government friendly countries, like Russia and Iran have been endorsing threatened to conquer and integrate Northern Azerbaijan in the principle of territorial integrity. The position of the Iran with its own territory. It is estimated that 25-30 million Armenian side is that Karabagh attained its independence Azeris live in Iranian Azerbaijan. That plan also was very through the same process that Azerbaijan implemented using handy for the West, which would benefit from the partition of SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: a powerful Iran. Edmond Y. Azadian the provisions of the Soviet constitution extent at the time. Also the historic fact is that Karabagh has never been within Israel and the West have long been planning to use CONTRIBUTORS: the territory of Azerbaijan, even during the Soviet era. It has Azerbaijan’s territory as a launching pad for an attack against Florence Avakian, Dr. Haroutiun been an autonomous oblast, under the administrative jurisdic- Iran. But the recent nuclear deal and Iran’s strategic partner- Arzoumanian, Taleen Babayan, Diana tion of Azerbaijan, very much like the autonomous Republic of ship with Russia have disrupted the implementation of that Der Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, Nakhichivan. plan. Kevork Keushkerian, Harut Sassounian, Based on the principle of territorial integrity, Azerbaijan At this time, Armenia is looking to improve its economic ties Hagop Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian was able to pass four resolutions maligning Armenia at the with Iran. Iran-Azerbaijan relations have always a potential of flare up, especially when Baku keeps harping on the “one CORRESPONDENTS: United Nations Security Council through Ankara’s leadership and with the solidarity of Islamic states. nation two states” political formula with Turkey. Armenia - Hagop Avedikian The Caspian basin is also a bone of contention between Iran Boston - Nancy Kalajian The ceasefire on the contact line is violated on a daily basis Philadelphia - Lisa Manookian and generic reprimands by the OSCE are directed to both par- and Azerbaijan. Russia is also a party to that conflict. An unre- Berlin - Muriel Mirak-Weissbach ties, regardless of the facts on the ground. solved issue is the status of the Caspian Sea; whether it is a Azerbaijan has been threatening to solve the conflict by lake or sea, so that international law can be fashioned accord- Contributing Photographers: ingly. Once Azerbaijan began exploring gas deposits under Jacob Demirdjian and Jirair Hovsepian force, and President Aliyev does not seem to be satisfied by the return of Karabagh and seven adjoining regions to Azerbaijan. uncharted waters of the Caspian Sea, Iran sent its warships to He even claims that the territory of the Armenian Republic halt the explorations. has been historic Azeri land. Armenian-Iranian relations do not have such underlying ten- The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published The recent escalation was indicative of Baku’s aggressive sions. weekly, except two weeks in July and the first intentions. Every time Azerbaijan moves closer to Moscow, week of the year, by: Ankara offers a bait by using the Armenian factor. Armenia’s Future Baikar Association, Inc. When Georgia attained its independence, there were Caught in the Russian sphere, Armenia will face all the dan- 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 400,000 Armenians living in its territory, half of that number gers that threaten Russia’s interests in the region. Although Telephone: 617-924-4420 in the historic Armenian region of Javakhk. The central gov- Armenia suffers for the consequences of it alliance with FAX: 617-924-2887 ernments in Tbilisi have tried to depopulate the Armenian Russia, the economic benefits are not commensurate with the www.mirrorspectator.com enclave through direct and indirect policies. At one point the risks. The major benefit is Armenia’s security in that danger- E-Mail: [email protected] Metzkhet Turks were invited back from Central Asia to settle ous neighborhood. For advertising: [email protected] in Javakhk. Also economic deprivation and political repression At this time, Armenia faces a grave situation of losing the were used to force Armenians to abandon their historic terri- critical mass of its population. The number-one priority is to tory. improve the plight of the common citizens, which in turn will During President Mikhail Saakashvili’s administration, the stir hope for the future. During the first year of independence, same reckless policy resulted in the loss of Abkhazia and despite the darkness, lack of heat and bread, there was fervent South Ossetia. hope for the future. It seems as if hope disappeared when the SUBSCRIPTION RATES : The Tbilisi government has colluded with Turkey and lights were turned on. Azerbaijan to isolate Armenia in all economic development Only the improvement of the lives of people there can stop projects. Energy pipelines and railway systems have been the flow of emigration and rekindle the hope for a better U.S.A. $80 a year designed to bypass Armenia. future.

Canada $125 a year

Other Countries $190 a year LETTERS

© 2014 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA and additional mailing offices. ADL Tries to Sneak Back into Newton

ISSN 0004-234X To the Editor: Recognition” at NoPlaceForDenial.com. Journal, March 17). The recent incidents of anti-Jewish graffi- The national ADL, playing word games, Newton School Superintendent David POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The ti in Newton are deplorable. But for Mayor still hasn’t formally and unambiguously Fleishman condemns “cultural insensitivity” Armenian Mirror-Spectator, 755 Mount Auburn Setti Warren and School Superintendent acknowledged the Armenian Genocide. And (Newton Tab, “Eliminating hate in our St., Watertown, MA 02472 David Fleishman to invite in the Anti- it still opposes US recognition of that geno- schools”, March 23). Yet he himself appears Other than the editorial, views and opinions Defamation League’s so-called “Peer cide. insensitive to the national ADL’s pitiless, expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily Leadership Program” to purportedly edu- Newton students attending ADL pro- unapologetic assault upon Armenians. reflect the policies of the publisher. cate students about bias is equally grams are no doubt unaware of its collusion Jews in Newton and around the world deplorable. with Turkey, a well-known human rights vio- have long rightfully condemned the ADL for In September 2007, the Newton Human lator. repressing Armenian Genocide recognition. Rights Commission and Mayor David Cohen Suppose an Armenian-American organiza- Newton’s Human Rights Commission, how- cut ties with the ADL’s “No Place for Hate” tion worked with Holocaust deniers against ever, seems to have conveniently forgot- Copying for other than personal use or program due to the national ADL’s collud- Holocaust acknowledgment. The mayor and ten its and Mayor Cohen’s 2007 decision. internal reference is prohibited without ing directly with Turkey to defeat an superintendent would never invite it to Moreover, as many fine organizations express permission of the copyright owner. Address requests for reprints or Armenian Genocide resolution in the US Newton. have anti-bias programs, there’s no need for back issues to: Congress. Similarly for over a dozen other Former New England ADL Executive Newton to invite the ADL. A perfect alter- cities and the Massachusetts Municipal Director Andrew Tarsy acknowledges that native: Brookline-based Facing History and Baikar Association, Inc. Association. They all understood that the the ADL “maintains an awkward state of Ourselves, which also teaches about the ADL thereby lacked the moral authority to semi-silence” regarding the Armenian Holocaust and Armenian Genocide. 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472- teach about human rights. Genocide. “Its vast education and inter- 1509 For proof directly from Jewish and Israeli group relations programs continue to David Boyajian media, see “Press Kit: Lobbying against exclude the Armenian experience” (Jewish Belmont, MA S ATURDAY, A PRIL 3 0 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 17 COMMENTARY

long-standing restrictive US policy on Cuba, he would act keep, thus misleading all those who trusted him and voted with similar boldness on the Armenian Genocide issue. This, for him; some twice! If President Obama does not mind leav- of course, proved to be a baseless speculation. ing a legacy of not telling the truth to the American public, Finally, when all else failed, the naive Armenians expected that is his problem and not that of the Armenian-American President Obama to pronounce those two forbidden words community. My Turn on April 24, 2016; his last opportunity to do so. That predic- The second culprit consists of all those who desperately, tion also did not materialize. In his latest statement, year after year, hoped that President Obama would use the By Harut Sassounian President Obama used every euphemism in the dictionary to words Armenian Genocide, even though there was no need describe what happened to the Armenians in 1915, except for for such a statement. The Armenian Genocide has been the word genocide! Here are the results of the latest verbal repeatedly recognized by the United States: in a legal docu- Who Should Be Pitied More: gymnastics practiced by President Obama: “mass atrocity; ment submitted by the US government to the World Court President Obama or Naive deported; massacred; marched to their deaths; suffered; dark in 1951; two resolutions adopted by the House of days; tragedy; violence; and horror.” Why is the leader of the Representatives in 1975 and 1984; and President Reagan’s Armenians? most powerful country on earth torturing himself and his Presidential Proclamation of April 22, 1981. Why do aides to come up with so many words, when a single word — Armenians seek the words Armenian Genocide, when it has For eight years now, President Obama has failed to keep genocide — would suffice? already been stated by a previous president? Does every his campaign promise to call the Armenian Genocide a geno- Incredibly, some Armenians crossed all bounds of naiveté, American president have to use that term before Armenians cide. Yet, for some incomprehensible reason, which can only by claiming that since President Obama used “Meds are satisfied that the Armenian Genocide is indeed recog- be described as naiveté, many Armenians in the United Yeghern” in his annual commemorative statements, that nized by the United States? States and around the world have kept up the vain hope ever term should be viewed as a fulfillment of his campaign Unfortunately, most Armenians confuse the issue of geno- since 2009 — President Obama’s first year in office — that he promise and an acknowledgement of the Armenian cide recognition with US governmental policy on Turkey. will use the term Armenian Genocide in 2010 or 2011 or Genocide. The problem is that Obama, as a presidential can- None of the other countries that are considered to have rec- 2012. didate, did not promise that if elected he would say “Meds ognized the Armenian Genocide have an antagonistic policy When he did not utter those words at the end of his first Yeghern.” On the contrary, he promised to say Armenian vis-à-vis Turkey. Nor does the US. All of these countries bal- term in office, these naive Armenians were convinced that Genocide and even insisted that “America deserves a ance genocide recognition with maintaining normal and even President Obama would pronounce them during his second President who speaks truthfully about the Armenian cordial relations with Turkey. The United States should not and final term, starting in 2013. They wrongly reasoned that Genocide; I will be that President.” Furthermore, “Meds be construed as not having recognized the Armenian President Obama would be more likely to say genocide then, Yeghern” is not a legal term and has no meaning for non- Genocide just because its leaders avoid using that term for as he would not run for reelection, and therefore not worry Armenians. If “Meds Yeghern” is the equivalent of Armenian misperceived political or economic reasons! One can con- about criticism from either Turkey or his domestic political Genocide, why would President Obama for eight years always demn US policy towards Turkey without questioning its opponents. use the former and never the latter? While Armenians may recognition of the Armenian Genocide. In fact, accusing the When President Obama continued his refusal to say be naive, the same cannot be said about President Obama US government of not having recognized the Armenian Armenian Genocide, these same naive Armenians came up and his aides who know what they are saying and why! Genocide, as many Armenians often do, casts doubt on the with a new reason to keep up their wishful thinking. They There are two culprits in this nonsensical situation: The veracity of the Genocide and does a great disservice to the thought that since President Obama had dared to reverse the first is President Obama who gave a promise that he did not Armenian Cause. Why the Martyrs of the Armenain Genocide Unite Us Today

separate us. And the Armenian people has given that witness. ever church who die for the faith live right now with God By Vito Nicastro This was what Pope St. John Paul called “genocide (Common in Heaven together. Armenian Catholic Archbishop Blessed Declaration, September 27, 2001),” and what our Holy Father Ignatius Maloyan was killed in the genocide. Under torture Pope Francis called “genocide (April 11, 2015, quoting Pope he was told to renounce the faith and responded, “I’ve told On April 23, in the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, an his- St. John Paul II’s statement).” It was the event which inspired you I shall live and die for the sake of my faith and my reli- toric event took place. There have been ecumenical services international lawyer Raphael Lemkin to define the crime for gion. I take pride in the cross of my Lord and God.” His commemorating the Armenian Genocide before and that is which he created the word “genocide.” This is the event that infuriated captors shot him on the spot (Golgotha of the good; this one was unique in the way we brought the mes- Hitler thought gave him permission to get away with genocide, Armenian Catholic Church, p.18.). In 2001 the Catholic sage of the Holy Father Pope Francis to the Armenian peo- when he said “Who speaks today ...of the Armenians? (August Church beatified him. Armenian Apostolic priest Father ple to life on the local level here in Boston. It was also a 22, 1939)” The answer is, “We do.” Pope Francis, the Catholic Khoren Hambartzoumian of Bourhan died in 1915 welcoming, an opening of our church, our house, to our Church, the Archdiocese of Boston, and so many around the because, under unthinkable torture, he refused to blas- Armenian brothers and sisters in Christ. world who care about justice and the dignity of every human pheme (The Window, Vol. 1, N. 3). Exactly one year ago at In the service, we acknowledged the vast and fruitful spir- person: We speak today of the Armenians. We welcome all Holy Echmiadzin the Armenian Apostolic Church canon- itual life of the Armenian people, first nation ized him. It is my hope that from this day on to become Christian in 301 A.D: over seven- our children, Apostolic and Catholic, may teen centuries of faithful witness; fidelity in know these heroes of the face of every sort of invasion and perse- the faith and know cution; your saints, martyrs, monks, nuns, We speak today of the Armenians. We welcome they share a full com- clergy, faithful, churches, monasteries, liturgy, munion which is intended for all of us. May hymnody, traditions, devotions, arts, and spir- all who care about human rights and the value we and our children feel already connected ituality; St. Gregory the Illuminator, key to through these two and all the other martyrs converting a nation; the alphabet invented by of each person, each life. We stand together of 1915. We pray for completion of that St. Mesrob to disseminate the Good News; the unity, so we may bring the Gospel more Church’s corporal works of mercy set up by against all those who would act with impunity unanimously to the world which needs to St. Nerses the Great; St Gregory of Narek, hear it. “Discord among Christians is the newest doctor of the Church; their history and against a people or against one precious human greatest obstacle to evangelization,” said influence on other countries throughout the the Holy Father (April 27, 2014). Jesus world; an entire civilization that has grown up life, and we speak today of the Armenians. prayed we might be one, “so the world may in the light of the Gospel. We revered their believe.” beautiful Christian heritage, adorned by God with spiritual treasures for all the Christian Resurrection world: “a treasury from which” we in the Western Church who care about human rights and the value of each person, The martyred witnesses of the Armenian Genocide are have “drawn extensively- in liturgical practice, spiritual tra- each life. We stand together against all those who would act crowned right now in Heaven. And the Armenian civilization dition, and law (Unitatis Redintigratio, 14).” Their tradition with impunity against a people or against one precious human has arisen, resurrected because, as His Eminence Archbishop is given to enrich us all, and the light which St. Gregory the life, and we speak today of the Armenians. Khajag Barsamian has said, “the cross is the light by which we Illuminator sparked- the light of Christ- is the same light we understand suffering.” The presence of over a thousand believ- all gather around. We all desire to gather closer to Him, as Witness ers in the Cathedral on April 23 was a sign that the genocide we gathered around the Easter Candle which symbolized This day also stands for our commitment to all martyrs, ultimately failed, that persecutions fail. There are ten million the Light of Christ. confessors, prisoners of conscience, all who are persecuted, Armenians in the world today, three times what there were Another part of our desire to complete the real though past or present. Sadly, these are not realities only from the before the genocide. There are over 1 billion Christians in the imperfect unity we share already is that Christ in us recog- past. There were some with us in the Cathedral who per- world despite persecutions. Furthermore, every single one of nizes Christ in our Armenian Christian brothers and sisters. sonally know it. Armenian Catholic Msgr. Atamian’s cathe- us must carry on the song of the martyrs, speak the message Light calls to light. Christian unity is a mandate based upon dral was blown up while he was saying Mass in it. It has they testified to, and multiply their “cloud of witnesses.” For the nature of that light, the nature of God, as ontologically been three years since Bishops Mar Gregorios and Boulos their suffering, the least can do for them is to pass on what One. This is why when Pope St. John Paul II wanted to cel- were abducted, and we pray for their release. was most important to them, what they counted more valuable ebrate the Eucharist for the Catholics in Armenia His Pope Francis has said we are in the age of ecumenism of than their lives: the Good News of God’s Love and Sovereignty. Holiness Catholicos Karekin II invited him “with a broth- blood. Christians of all denominations are suffering for the Today we hold up their witness because it glorifies God. We er’s love” to do it on the altar of Holy Echmiadzin (Sept. 27, faith. The theological differences between us are tiny com- hold up their message and multiply it to the Glory of God. 2001). This is why the Holy Father Pope Francis plans to pared to the differences between us and the cultures we live Remembrance, Witness, Resurrection. We take up the suffer- visit Armenia this June. in. This is another reason our progress toward the unity ings of our brothers and sisters persecuted around the world The service had the theme, “Remembrance, Witness, Christ wills for all His followers must continue. because we are all taking up the cross together to follow Jesus Resurrection.” And it does continue. Even right now, our churches are and testify to the message that there is something stronger continuing the dialogue and the relationship to ultimately than the violence of humanity: the Love of God. Remembrance restore full communion. But in the meantime, we have a Last year Pope Francis called the Genocide a true martyr- foretaste in the case of the martyrs of the Armenian (Vito Nicastro, M.Div., Ph.D, is Associate Director of the dom of the Armenian people. “Take up your cross,” said the Genocide. They are already fully united- Protestant, Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, Roman Lord, and witness to the love of God from which nothing can Catholic, and Orthodox- because all the Christians of what- Catholic Archdiocese of Boston.) 18 S ATURDAY, A PRIL 3 0 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

tematically annihilated by their own government: 1.5 mil- But there are links between the Armenian genocide, The Forgotten lion people. The majority of Armenians alive today are the Holocaust, the Cambodian killing fields, Bosnia, descendants of those few who survived. Rwanda, Darfur, and the violence that ISIS has I knew bits and pieces of the Tehlirian story growing unleashed on the Armenians and Yazidis in Syria. Hero Who Killed up, but it wasn’t until last year when Eric Bogosian pub- The last stage in a genocide is often the first stage of lished “Operation Nemesis” that I understood what a the next one. Moreover, Turkey still refuses to acknowl- remarkable and complex tale it really is. edge the crimes of the Ottoman Empire, leveraging its Bogosian, an award-winning actor, playwright and nov- geographic and geopolitical clout to bully its allies - The Armenian elist, did monumental research to piece together how a including the United States - into euphemism or silence. reserved, young Armenian from a village in what is today The fact is, the Armenian nation is statistically a diaspo- northeastern Turkey would become a central figure in ra nation, with seven of every 10 Armenians in this world Genocide’s the plot to exact revenge on the masterminds of the living outside the nation state. slaughter. Consequently, the genocide is, as Pope Francis elo- Bogosian’s story is as riveting as any spy thriller, and quently described it last year, an open wound for Mastermind all the more remarkable because it’s true. (In two photos Armenians. We all know what happened to our ancestors of Tehlirian taken in the 1920s, the nattily dressed assas- — our own parents, grandparents or great-grandparents. sin looks more like a silent film star than a man who had And so while we are now at the centennial plus one, grown politicized in 1915 while rounding up the orphans remembering the Armenian genocide is as important as By Chris Bohjalian of butchered Armenians and trying desperately to get ever. Friday’s wreath-laying and remarks at the Tehlirian them help.) grave were especially meaningful. It may not have marked As the individual chosen to execute Talat Pasha - a man the first time that a U.S. congressional representative had AST FRIDAY morning, Rep. Jim Costa the first postwar Turkish government had sentenced to visited the monument, but it seems to be the first time in placed a wreath in Fresno, California’s death in absentia for his monumental crimes, and was memory. Speaking and standing beside Costa was Raffi Masis Ararat Cemetery at the grave of hiding in Berlin under an assumed name - Tehlirian no Hamparian, chairman of the Armenian National an Armenian who died peacefully in doubt hoped he would be acquitted of the crime, but Committee of America. San Francisco 56 years ago. knew also that he was risking his own life and freedom. Whenever we speak of genocide, we begin first with the Most Americans are more familiar Obviously Talat Pasha’s death could not bring back the numbers. The 6 million. The 1.5 million. But it is not mere- with the Peloponnesian War than they dead or return the Armenian homeland. If you want to ly the souls that are lost; it is the stories. It is the sense of are with the fellow Costa remembered. see the definition of ethnic cleansing, visit the eastern self. It is the dignity that comes with being human. L Even in the San Joaquin Valley, home half of Turkey where the Armenians once lived. Today There was a good crowd on Friday. Tehlirian, after all, to roughly 50,000 Armenian- there are remnants of Armenian churches and monaster- is the closest thing the Armenians have to an avenging Americans, most Californians would be hard-pressed to ies and unmarked mass graves, but you will find no living angel. Tehlirian gave something to the Armenian people pronounce the man’s name correctly. Armenian communities. that was taken from even the survivors: a small taste of And yet for Armenians around the world, Soghomon But Tehlirian took the risk and he succeeded. With a the pride that walks hand in hand with justice. Tehlirian’s name inspires pride and awe in equal measure. single bullet, he had done what the victorious allied On a March morning in 1921, in broad daylight and on a nations had failed to do: punished a war criminal. David main street in Berlin, he shot and killed Mehmed Talat had slain Goliath. Pasha, one of the three rulers of the Ottoman Empire After the trial, Tehlirian would move to Serbia and, during World War I and the architect of the Armenian later, San Francisco, where he would die in 1960. (He is genocide. That year he would be tried for murder and the buried in Fresno because at the time Masis Ararat German jury would find him innocent. The New York Cemetery was the only Armenian cemetery in America.) Times would announce the verdict with the headline, He understood he was viewed as a hero by his people, but “They had to let him go!” he and his wife lived without ostentation. Nevertheless, (This essay orig- Yesterday, April 24, marked the 101st anniversary of his grave in Fresno is magnificent, a monument befitting inally ran in the the start of the Armenian genocide. It was on that night a war hero: a 22-foot-high obelisk with an eagle on top Fresno Bee on in 1915 that the Armenian intellectuals, professionals, and a pair of cypress trees behind it. April 21, 2016. editors and religious leaders in Constantinople were Invariably, the 101st anniversary of any event is a shad- Chris’s most rounded up by the Ottoman authorities, and almost all of ow of the centennial. That’s especially true when it is the recent novel is them were executed. In the years that followed, three out anniversary of an occasion as solemn as the commence- “The Guest of four Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire were sys- ment of a genocide. Room.”)

Why Did Ilham Aliyev Stop the War?

Nuclear Security Summit — yet it was ing that Armenia itself was ancient their power as a result of military defeats, By Vicken Cheterian largely expected. Ilham Aliyev inherited Azerbaijan. and Ilham Aliyev risked the same. the presidency of Azerbaijan from his Yet the business model of Azerbaijan is International reaction: World leaders father in 2003, but he radically shifted poli- in crisis since a little while. Oil production called for immediate stop to the war, with In the early hours of April 2 a sudden cies towards Karabagh. His father, Heidar started prematurely decreasing five years only one exception: Erdogan who declared war erupted in the Caucasus. All-along the Aliyev, had spent the last few years of his ago. Worst, the international oil prices col- that he supported Azerbaijan “to the end”. heavily fortified Karabagh war-front, where life negotiating with his Armenian coun- lapsed in 2014, falling from $110 a barrel But Turkey has no real influence on this Armenian fighters defend their highlands, terpart to find a peaceful solution based in mid-2014 to just $33 in early April. The conflict. Russia is the key player here, and while Azerbaijani soldiers are posted in the on recognizing the self-determination of state income, heavily dependent on oil Moscow made “balanced” declarations. But dry lowlands, heavy artillery fire pounded Karabagh Armenians, in return for the exports, was cut four to five times. This the war also revealed that Azerbaijani the defenses of the opposite side. Next, occupied Azerbaijani provinces, and had forced the central bank to liberalize the army has bought advanced Russian elite troops attacked enemy lines, support- indeed come very close to signing an national currency (manat) exchange rate, weapons, which made Yerevan ask the ed by tanks and helicopters. One would agreement in 2001. But Ilham Aliyev over- which immediately lost a third of its value question: how could Armenia’s military have thought that two brigades of the threw past diplomatic initiatives and hard- in December 2015. The economic difficul- ally sell modern weapons to the enemy? same Soviet army were fighting each other ened his position: he repeated that in case ties caused much social unrest. Many What is the value of being a Russian ally if it was not for the Israeli-made drones Armenians do not surrender Karabagh observers expected a military escalation to anyway? used by Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan would take it by war. divert attention of the public attention Diplomacy: The military escalation, and Under the fog of war and nationalist Ilham Aliyev was lucky; two years after from the real internal problems. Yet the the brutal violence against elderly civilians enthusiasm, information flows largely he came to power the Baku-Ceyhan scale of the attack proves something else: mutilated by Azerbaijani army, poses the mixed with propaganda, it is necessary to pipeline construction was completed. Oil Ilham Aliyev intended to bring significant question: can we continue the past diplo- scrutinize the facts to understand who flew to the west, and petrodollars into his change by occupying land under Karabagh matic initiatives by simply inviting two started the war? Why did it stop after five pockets. Oil financed social stability in control to boost his legitimacy tarnished sides to talk to each other? The last fight- days? And what are the long-term conse- Azerbaijan, as well as high level of corrup- by the collapse of his oil-based economy. ing made it clear: One is fighting for “ter- quences of this short but intense war? tion as the most recent Panama Papers Why did the war stop? In spite of billions ritorial integrity”, the other for “self deter- The fact that in the first 24 hours the reveal. It also made Azerbaijan one of the spent on armament, modern weapons mination.” Azerbaijan is fighting to take Azerbaijani side advanced in eight different major military spenders. In 2003 bought from Russia and Israel, the land, while Armenian side is fighting to positions on the frontline, including the Azerbaijani military budget was 175 mil- Azerbaijani army failed to bring change on defend its people. overrunning the village of Talish in the lion dollars; this was increased to 4.8 bil- the frontline, apart from advancing 200- In spite of the unnecessary losses, there northeastern corner, clearly shows that lion in 2015. The young Aliyev promised to 300 meters over several places. Yet, no is one very positive side to this war: now this war was initiated by Baku. The scale of make his military spending more than locality had been “liberated” by Azeri army Ilham Aliyev is freed from any illusion that the attack, the usage of combined arms — twice the entire state budget of Armenia. at the time of cease-fire. In case Azerbaijan his army is able to take Karabagh in a infantry, artillery and air force — testifies As he bought more and more weapons, his had continued the attack, the conse- short heroic war. May be it is time to get that the attack was carefully planned. threatening discourse became louder and quences would have been heavy, as the serious. Why this war? In case the timing of the louder. While his father had promised “the increasing number of casualties would war was a surprise — both Azerbaijani and highest for of autonomy” to Karabagh have caused political instability in Baku. (This commentary originally appeared Armenian presidents were in the US for Armenians, the young Ilham started claim- Since 1991 three leaders of Azerbaijan lost in the April 13 edition of Agos in Turkey.) S ATURDAY, A PRIL 3 0 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 19 COMMENTARY

President Sargsyan: tions. However, before reaching this conclusion, U.S. Jewish lobbies had already opted out of taking their usual role in Israel Needs to blocking Armenian Genocide recognition, and the Knesset We Will not Allow debated the matter. While both groups denied this was relat- ed to the flotilla, the tone was clearly one of punishment. Another Armenian Even I argued against this, since recognition of genocide as Recognize the a punishment against Turkey equaled no less of a farce than Genocide the previous situation. After Reuven Rivlin, a longtime advocate of recognizing RESIDENT Serzh Sargsyan the Armenian Genocide, became Israel’s president in the sum- issued a statement on April Armenian mer of 2014, it seemed that Israeli recognition would finally 24, 2016 to commemorate the come at the 2015 centennial commemoration of the mass Armenian Genocide. Below killings. However, this too fell through due to pressure from are his comments in full. the Israeli Foreign Ministry. Despite this, Rivlin came close to P Today, we commemorate Genocide — offering official recognition, saying that “the Armenian peo- the sacred memory of the victims of the ple were the first victims of modern mass killing,” and stress- Armenian Genocide. Over one hundred ing that many Jews in Ottoman Palestine witnessed the hor- years passed since the Mets Yeghern. rors of the killings, a known fact. Rivlin’s words reiterated the What has changed? Firstly, we have And the reality that few in the Israeli public doubt it was a genocide: changed. We were reborn as a nation and It is known in Hebrew as the Hashoah Ha’armenit — the as a state. We proved to ourselves and to Armenian Shoah. the world that the genocidal plans of the Perhaps now that Israel and Turkey have made numerous Turks had failed. Our struggle for justice Nakba statements that they are close to renewing full diplomatic still goes on. What has not changed? The ties, Israel should make clear that its relations cannot be held policy of denial of the official Turkey has hostage to Turkey’s intractable stance on this topic, and that not changed, as has not changed its hos- Armenian Genocide recognition is not about being a friend or tile stance toward everything that is enemy of Turkey. Additionally, Turkey needs to realize that in Armenian. This is nothing short of a direct By Louis Fishman Israel the debate is only remotely related to Ankara. Rather, continuation of the crime in our times. it holds a special place in the greater debate of the “unique- The Turkish society has partly changed. ness of the Holocaust” and the question of Jewish victim- Today it knows about its own history a lit- ONCE AGAIN the official day commemorating the 1915 hood, which hits at the heart of Israeliness and the question tle more than it knew yesterday. Armenian Genocide, April 24, has passed without Israel issu- of how to memorialize the Holocaust. Tomorrow, it will learn more than it knows ing a statement of official recognition. As a country that With April 24 falling on Passover this year, it important to today unless the free word and media is inherited the legacy of the European genocide of Jews — the remember that denial is also inherent in the Israeli narrative. not strangled, unless members of the par- Holocaust — its recognition of the systematic killing of Passover, a holiday that celebrates the ancient Israelites’ lib- liament, public figures and editors are not Ottoman Armenians would not only amount to a historically eration from slavery, embeds a sense of freedom within its shot. The truth, though slowly, but opens just move, but would also be an important step in promoting modern meaning, and sets into motion the national observa- the eyes of the people… the study of comparative genocides, and giving a special tion of Holocaust Memorial Day, followed by Memorial Day Nowadays, emotions and worries, discus- meaning to the important motto of “never again.” Further, it for fallen soldiers, and finally culminates in Independence sions and analyses related to the war could lead to the understanding of how Turkish denial has Day. However, for Israel, freedom and independence amount- actions of April 2-5 have not subsided yet. only prevented the country from moving forward, and show ed to the Nakba — the Catastrophe — for the Palestinians. Azerbaijan unleashed another war against Israel the need to end the denial of its own injustices. Even if they are different in scope, it can be argued that Artsakh. And once again after suffering Israel’s decision not to officially recognize the Armenian Israel has adopted Turkey’s stance of denial as a model great losses, was thrown back. The true Genocide is directly connected to its attempts to maintain toward the Palestinian Nakba, the 1948 ethnic cleansing of objective, or rather the true dream of ties with Turkey, in good times and bad. At the height of the Palestinians from the land. By denying not only the exis- Azerbaijan is the occupation of Artsakh Turkish-Israel relations in the 1990s, Israel sustained this tence of the event itself, which led to the forced expulsion or and its cleansing of Armenians which policy in order not to risk jeopardizing its strong ties with flight of 750,000 Palestinians, Israel also subsequently eras- means its population will be partly purged, the Turkish state, not to mention its arms deals. Shamefully, es the memory of a Palestinian past and physically erases partly deported. US Jewish lobbies were coopted as a way to block American their presence in the geographical landscape of the country. Today, on April 24, 2016, I declare for recognition of the Armenians’ tragedy as well. In both countries, legislation and courts have also been used the entire world to hear: there will be no Simply, Turkish tank deals trumped the moral and histori- to block the memory. purging or deportation of the Armenians cal obligation of genocide recognition. Despite this, the inter- It is time that Israel take the moral high ground and rec- of Artsakh. We will not allow another nal debate surrounding the non-recognition emerged in 2000 ognize the Armenian Genocide. No less important is the need Armenian Genocide. We — meaning the when the liberal leftist education minister, the late Yossi to do away with its denial of the Nakba. Otherwise, like Armenian nation, all its segments, we — Sarid (Meretz), attended Jerusalem’s 85th Armenian Turkey, it will remain raveled in conflict. In both cases, the means our Armenian consolidation… Genocide memorial ceremony. There he stated, “The long road to reconciliation starts with the recognition of the “Today, as we bow to the memory of Armenian Memorial Day should be a day of reflection and crimes that paved the way for the founding of these subse- our innocent victims, we witness the introspection for all of us, a day of soul-searching. On this quent nation-states. Only by recognizing this will it allow unprecedented consolidation and resolve day, we as Jews, victims of the Shoah, should examine our Israel — and Turkey — the much-needed opportunity to move of our nation to build a free, peaceful, and relationship to the pain of others.” He mentioned the word forward. modern state, a powerful Fatherland of all genocide no less than 10 times in the speech. Louis Fishman is an assistant professor at Brooklyn Armenians where the generations of the Despite years of strained relations that hit bottom with the College who has lived in Turkey and writes about Turkish victims of the Armenian Genocide and of 2010 Gaza Flotilla affair, Israel still has not recognized the and Israeli-Palestinian affairs. Follow him on Twitter: those who survived miraculously are genocide. Ironically, the new reason was that Israeli policy- @IstanbulTelaviv returning.” makers believed this could lead to a complete break in rela-

Search for Mechanisms to Prevent New Hostilities in Karabagh

cial equipment in the zone separating the almost did not change the boundaries. holds the rotating presidency of the OSCE. By Naira Hayrumyan conflicting sides to monitor incidents, as well Moreover, the Armenian forces were appar- “There are two plans — the Madrid docu- as the expansion of the mandate of the OSCE ently preparing to counter-attack, but Russia ment and the discussions around it, which observers. urgently stopped the war, “leaving” led to the Kazan document that was rejected A serious shift has taken place in the Russia for a long time did not expressly Azerbaijan with a small portion of conquered by Azerbaijan. And the second plan is the Karabagh conflict settlement process after consent to the placement of such equipment. land. proposals which are aimed at compliance last week’s visit to Yerevan by Russian As experts say, Moscow itself does not have It not only failed to essentially changed the with the ceasefire. We are talking about the Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov — proposals such equipment, while the emergence of boundaries, but also failed the Kazan plan. introduction of mechanisms for investigating for a final settlement have been postponed, American or other Western equipment in The Armenian side firmly declared that it is incidents,” Armenia’s deputy foreign minister and now only measures to strengthen the Karabagh would be undesirable for Russia. not going to cede anything. The same was explained. ceasefire are being discussed. Besides, it would strengthen the status quo also stated in Karabagh and in the army and On April 24, Armenian Foreign Minister The message from the Yerevan meetings of and the existing boundaries. it was also said after the visit of President Eduard Nalbandian, answering questions of Lavrov is that while Nagorno-Karabagh is Meanwhile, Russia insisted on a political Serzh Sargsyan to Karabagh earlier last journalists at the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial under fire and there is a threat of use of force settlement of the conflict based on the prin- week. to Armenian Genocide victims, also con- there cannot be a normal negotiating pro- ciples of Kazan (the capital of the Russian After that, in order to change boundaries firmed that the matter concerns the intro- cess. Therefore, efforts should be made to republic of Tatarstan where Armenian- in favor of Azerbaijan Russia would have to duction of the investigation mechanisms and strengthen the ceasefire. Azerbaijani high-level talks were hosted by instigate a new war, but this would put an the search for such mechanisms. Obviously, “Lavrov said that not only at the co-chairs’ the Russian president in 2011), which involve end to the presence of Russia in the region what is now being discussed is which country level, but also turned to Germany as the an Armenian withdrawal from several dis- itself. After the April war a wave of anti- is going to install its equipment in Karabagh. OSCE chairman-in-office to implement these tricts near Karabagh and the deployment of Russian sentiments was raised in Armenia — It is noteworthy that immediately after the mechanisms,” Armenian Deputy Foreign Russian peacekeepers at the new border. three times during a week protests were April war President Sargsyan visited Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan explained. There is an opinion that Moscow has been staged near the embassy of Russia in Germany and called on Chancellor Angela The matter concerns investigation mecha- arming Azerbaijan and not delivering the Yerevan. Merkel to help with the placement of equip- nisms, which the United States has been promised weapons to Armenia for the imple- Apparently, based on this, Russia agreed to ment for investigating border incidents. offering already for more than a year. The mentation of this plan. temporarily waive the Kazan plan and pass (This analysis was originally written for essence of these mechanisms is to install spe- However, the four-day war in early April the initiative to Germany, which currently ArmeniaNow.) 20 S ATURDAY, A PRIL 3 0 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR