FEBRUARY 6, 2016 Mirror-SpeTHE ARMENIAN ctator Volume LXXXVI, NO. 28, Issue 4423 $ 2.00 NEWS INBRIEF The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 New Ambassador to US Ban Ki-moon Appoints Movses Abelian Presents Credentials to President Obama Assistant Secretary-General WASHINGTON — Career diplomat Grigor Hovhannisyan, Armenia’s newly appointed NEW YORK — United Nations Secretary- Affairs Division since April 2011, Abelian Service in 1992, Abelian worked in acade- ambassador to the United States, presented his General Ban Ki-moon this week announced served as the Secretary of the Security mia as associate professor at Yerevan State credentials to President Barack Obama on the appointment of Movses Abelian, born Council and provided substantive advice to University from 1989. Thursday, January 28. in Armenia and a national of Georgia, as the President and members of the Council He was educated in Armenia, the Prior to his Washington appointment, Assistant Secretary-General of the and its subsidiary bodies on matters relat- Russian Federation and the United States. Hovhannisyan had served as Armenia’s ambas- Department of General Assembly and ed to the Council’s work, practices and pro- He is married and has two children. sador to Mexico, Costa Rica and as the country’s Conference Management. He will succeed cedures. Abelian also has several years’ consul general in Los Angeles. experience in manage- Hovhannisyan was born in Yerevan in 1971. ment, including pro- After completing his studies at the Yerevan State gram planning and University, Department of Oriental Studies spe- budget, having previ- Hollande Working on cializing in Arab Studies in 1992, he moved on ously worked as New Bill Criminalizing to study Middle East Politics at the Haigazian Secretary of the University in Lebanon in 1992-1993 and received Administrative and Denial of Armenian his MA from The Fletcher School of Law and Budgetary Committee Diplomacy, Tufts University, Boston, MA in of the General Genocide 2001. Assembly (Fifth He officially assumed his post on February 1. Committee) and the PARIS (Armenpress) — The annual din- Committee on ner of the Coordination Council of Assembly Opposes US Programme and Armenian Organizations in France was Coordination at the held on January 28 in Paris’s l’Hôtel du Bailout of Azerbaijan United Nations. Collectionneur. The event was attended by Ambassador Movses Abelian, right, with US Ambassador to the Prior to joining the After Bonds Downgrade UN Samantha Power UN, Abelian was the WASHINGTON — In a letter sent this week to ambassador of the Secretary of State John Kerry and Treasury Catherine Pollard of Guyana, whom the Republic of Armenia to the United Nations Secretary Jack Lew, the Armenian Assembly of Secretary-General has appointed as the (1998-2003) and deputy permanent repre- America urged the US to oppose any bailout for Under-Secretary-General of the sentative from 1996 to 1998. During his Azerbaijan, especially with US taxpayer dollars. Department of General Assembly and diplomatic career, Abelian served in various According to recent media reports, the US-backed Conference Management. capacities including as the chairman of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Abelian brings with him more than 25 Fifth Committee (1998); Vice-Chairman of Bank are contemplating a $4-billion bailout for years of experience in peace and security the United Nations Disarmament Azerbaijan, while at the same time Standard and issues and conflict resolution as well as Commission and Special Negotiator for the Poor’s downgraded Azerbaijan’s bond rating send- extensive expertise leading, supporting and United Nations Peacekeeping Scale ing a warning to investors that they are consid- managing complex portfolios and intergov- Financing Reform (2000); President of the ered speculative junk. ernmental processes, including the General United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF); “Rather than reward one of the most corrupt Assembly, the Security Council and the and Facilitator for United Nations Reform President François Hollande with Paris train dictatorships in the world, whose president, Ilham attack hero Mark Moogalian Executive Boards of United Nations Funds during the fifty-seventh session of the Aliyev, received the first ever Organized Crime and Programmes. General Assembly (2002) and Corruption Person of the Year award, As Director of the Security Council Prior to joining Armenia’s Foreign French President Francois Hollande, the bestowed by the Organized Crime and Corruption Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo, singer Reporting Project, Azerbaijan should be urged to Charles Aznavour, as well as French- make much needed reforms and use its oil Armenian public and political figures. resources for the betterment of its people and not Philanthropist Vardanyan Believes Armenia In his speech, Hollande said that France at the expense of Christian Armenians,” the resumed discussions on the preparation of Assembly letter stated. Further, the letter high- Can Become New ‘Hong Kong’ for Iran a law criminalizing denial of the Armenian lighted that “Azerbaijan’s president continues his see HOLLANDE, page 3 policy of trying to resolve the dispute over YEREVAN (Mediamax) — Businessman and philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan Nagorno Karabagh by threatening to wipe believes that Armenia can become a new “Hong Kong” for Iran. Armenia off of the map.” Vardanyan is the co-founder of IDeA Charitable Foundation that implements “The notion of bailing out a corrupt, foreign large-scale projects in Armenia. In an interview with Mediamax, he remarked regime that continues to blockade and attack its that lifting of sanctions against Iran would undoubtedly open new opportunities Christian neighbor is out of step with America’s for Armenia. values,” stated Assembly Board Co-Chairmen “I’ve said time and again that Armenia should become a regional hub take into Anthony Barsamian and Van Krikorian. “We urge account its geographical position and centuries-old entrepreneurship traditions the United States to use its considerable influence at the crossroads of different cultures and civilizations. Iran will be gradually as a leading member of the IMF and World Bank “opening” to the world, and that situation jus- to oppose any such bailout,” they continued. tifies Armenia becoming such hub even further,” said the businessman. Vardanyan praised the member- ship of Armenian in the Eurasian Economic Union and advanced INSIDE trade relations with European Union as additional competing Nazar and Artemis advantages for the country. Nazarian Donate see VARDANYAN, page 16 Samsonian Ruben Vardanyan $10,000 to Mirror- Spectator Art In appreciation of its professional Page 10 content, news coverage and its sup- port of vital Armenian institutions, Nazar and Artemis Nazarian of New Jersey have donated $10,000 to the INDEX Armenian Mirror-Spectator. Arts and Living ...... 10 We acknowledge the donation Armenia ...... 2 with gratitude, especially since it is Community News...... 4 not the first one of its kind from this Editorial ...... 14 generous family. International ...... 3 –ADL Press Committee 2 S ATURDAY, F EBRUARY 6 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia Levon Aronian: How the ‘David Beckham of Chess’ Became an Armenian National Hero Armenian Foreign YEREVAN (CNN) — When Levon explained Hajian. until 1969), has been likened JFK’s Minister Meets with Aronian walks down the street in his “There’s also integration into the assassination in America — everyone in street in his native Armenia he’s met by national school curriculum, and over- Armenia remembers where they were at OSCE Ambassadors cheering crowds; restaurants insist he coming logistical challenges of equip- the time. YEREVAN (Public Radio of Armenia) — On eats for free; new parents name their ment and materials.” “The collective euphoria that the February 1, Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard babies after him. For the Armenian government, the nation experienced was a real water- Nalbandian had a meeting with the ambassadors of Aronian isn’t an actor, activist, or benefits of nurturing a nation of chess shed moment for the Armenian peo- the Organization for Security and Cooperation in astronaut. He’s a chess player —the players far outweighed the logistical ple,” explained Hajian of the games Europe (OSCE) member states accredited in fourth best in the world, to be precise. nightmare. which were projected onto giant Armenia and Andrey Sorokin, head of the OSCE And in this tiny, ex-Soviet, chess- And it’s an approach being watched screens and watched by thousands in Office in Yerevan, on the latter’s initiative. obsessed country, the capital Yerevan’s At the meetings the results of the OSCE that means he’s also Opera Square. Ministerial Council held in Belgrade in December a national hero. “At the time, Armenia 2014, issues concerning the German chairmanship “The first time my was one of the smallest of the OSCE in 2016, as well as a number of other fiancé arrived in constituent republics of issues on the OSCE agenda were discussed. Armenia we stopped the Soviet Union. While Nalbandian presented the process of peaceful set- at one petrol station national expression was tlement of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict and out- and they said, ‘OK, discouraged by the lined the importance of the active role of the OSCE we’re not going to Soviet authorities, the Minsk Group Co-Chair countries. The sides touched charge you,’” says rise of Tigran Petrosian upon the results of the meeting between the presi- the 33-year-old galvanized the spirit of dents of Armenia and Azerbaijan held in Bern, dubbed “The David the Armenian nation.” Switzerland, at the end of last year. Beckham of For a country with Nalbandian praised the activity of the OSCE office in Armenia” by the for- such a tumultuous histo- Yerevan and thanked Sorokin for his productive work. eign press. ry — including one of the “So for her this is most horrific massacres pretty shocking — of the 20th century — 26,000 Have Visited but that happens all chess has now also the time,” he adds, become an important Komitas Institute within referring to his Grandmaster Levon Aronian source of Armenian One Year Australian girlfriend national pride. Arianne Caoili, an “We’re not just a YEREVAN (Armenpress) — On January 29 international chess champion in her closely by educators around the world. nation of people who struggle and Komitas Museum-Institute director Nikolay own right whose good looks have “Children playing chess are exposed to fight. We’re also a nation of people who Kostandyan said at a press conference that during spurred the nickname “The Anna such topics as strategy, planning, sacrifice, can come back to the days of our glory the past year, the museum’s first, the museum was Kournikova of Chess.” creativity, logic, and learning how to be a when we were a big country, a country visited by 26,000 people. The red carpet treatment of players gracious winner and loser,” says Hajian. who set new rules,” explained Aronian. “During one year we received different visitors, isn’t so far-fetched in a country where “Kids love games, and if you can iden- “When you travel to Armenia you see diplomats, public figures, students and pupils. World chess is compulsory in all schools. tify a way to teach all these topics in the all those monasteries, all those univer- famous Charles Aznavour, Krzysztof Penderecki and Here, even the nation’s President Serge context of a game, I think you have sities that are 1,500 years old and you other prominent people visited the museum,” Sargisian is also President of the struck upon a scholastic goldmine.” always feel ‘this is what we are.’ We Kostandyan said. Armenia Chess Federation. Armenia’s modern-day love affair have been a nation that had a lot of On the international “Night of Museums” in 2015, For a nation of just three million, with chess owes a lot to one man — intellectual capability. 3,000 visitors alone visited that day. Armenia has one of the highest num- 1960s world champion Tigran “So I think what drove people to By a 2014 decision of the government of Armenia, bers of grandmasters per capita in the Petrosian. chess, is to bring back the feeling that the Komitas Museum-Institute was founded as a non- world. Of the past five Chess The moment Petrosian beat Soviet we were once a scientific nation.” commercial institution. It was built in the Komitas Olympiads, the national team has won Mikhail Botvinnik to become 1963 And if Aronian is any indication — it’s Park, replacing the old house of culture. three times — led by none other than World Chess Champion (a title he held a winning move. The museum officially opened on January 29. The idol Aronian. museum consists of a large concert hall, permanent “I won’t be humble about that,” he and temporary exhibition halls and sections, adds with a cheeky laugh. And while research center, music studio, library and publishing Aronian may not have the swagger of a Armenia, Georgia Sign house. Komitas Vardapet’s personal belongings are footballer like Beckham, his playful and grouped in the museum. sincere charm has only endeared him to The life and work of Komitas, activities related to a country of chess-fanatics. Defense Cooperation Pact his musical and religious careers along with his rich Home-schooled by his scientist par- heritage of researches in Armenian folkloric music, ents in what was then the Soviet Union, YEREVAN (Public Radio of Armenia) and stability. I’m here to speak about are permanently exhibited in eight sections of the Aronian was taught to play chess by his — A Georgian delegation led by Defense issues that unite us. Peace in the museum. sister as a 9-year-old — and turned pro Minister Tinatin Khidasheli arrived in Caucasus is the first thing that unites the same year. Armenia for an official visit on us, and we cooperate in that direction,” These days the chess prodigy spends February 1. Following an official wel- the Georgian Defense Minister said. Armenia to Be Guest of around four hours a day training. He come ceremony, the Defense Ministers Referring to issues of Armenian- Honor at Minsk Book usually travels seven months a year — of the two countries signed the 2016 Georgian cooperation in the context of playing at international tournaments Military Cooperation Plan. Georgian-Turkish and Georgian- Festival offering anywhere between a few thou- “Although Armenia and Georgia have Azerbaijani relations, Khidasheli said sand and over a million dollars in prize chosen different security systems, it will “the question is about strategic partner- MINSK, Belarus (Betta) — Armenia will be the money. not hamper the cooperation on a com- ship. Georgia has a NATO-member neigh- guest of honor of the Minsk International Book Fair Armenian grandmasters are also paid mon bilateral agenda aimed at the rein- boring country in the face of Turkey, to be held in the Belarusian capital on 10 to 14 around $120 per month from the gov- forcement of security and stability in which is of great importance to us.” February, BelTA learned from the Belarusian ernment — a symbolic sum which the region,” Armenian Defense Minister The Georgian defense minister Information Ministry. nonetheless sets it apart from the rest Seyran Ohanyan told reporters follow- refrained from commenting on the vote In other years, the honorary title was given to of the world. ing the meeting. of the Georgian delegation on the two Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Kazakhstan, France, But to really understand the coun- “I think we can see the best example anti-Armenian reports at the Germany, Venezuela, and China. try’s love of chess, you must head to the in Afghanistan, where Armenian and Parliamentary Assembly of the Council This year’s edition of the forum is expected to streets. Georgian peacekeepers are serving of Europe, but advised to look at the bring together book publishers from Russia, “You see people playing chess in together for the sake of common peace issue from the perspective of security. Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Germany, France, the United cafes, in parks, at family gatherings, Kingdom, the United States, and other countries. among young and old alike,” says The Information Ministry said that the book fair Professor Aram Hajian, Dean at the will showcase best products of the national and for- College of Science and Engineering at eign book publishing industries. The program of the the American University of Armenia, forum features many cultural and business events. and co-founder of the Chess Academy The Year of Culture in Belarus will be one of the of Armenia. key themes of the upcoming event along with the “It’s generational — most of the peo- preparations for the 500th anniversary of Belarusian ple I have met who play chess, when book printing. Other themes include the 25th asked, mention a parent or grandfather anniversary of the founding of the Commonwealth of who introduced them to the game.” Independent States, the 30th anniversary of the Even for a small and chess-loving Chernobyl nuclear disaster, the 70th anniversary of nation like Armenia, rolling out the the United Nations, the 400th anniversary of William sport to every single school in 2011 Shakespeare’s death, and other anniversaries. was no easy task. “The single biggest challenge has Defense Minister Tinatin Khidasheli, right, and Armenian Defense Minister Seyran been the training of chess teachers,” Ohanyan S A T U R D A Y , F E B R U A R Y 6 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 INTERNATIONAL Russia Asks for Inclusion of Kurds International News In Syria Peace Negotiations Al-Nusra Destroys Churches, Desecrates tries like Russia and Turkey about By Vladimir Isachenkov who should be invited. Cemeteries in Latakia Russia, a key ally of Assad, has called LATAKIA, Syria (PanArmenian.net) — Al-Nusra for the inclusion of Kurdish representa- Front has destroyed the churches of Syrian village of MOSCOW (AP) — Russia last week tives, and the US and others have sup- Ghnemye in Latakia’s north, according to a local res- argued strongly against Turkey’s ported the Kurds in the fight against IS. ident cited in the website Arevelk.com. Upon return- demand to keep a leading Kurdish Russia’s relations with Turkey are at a ing to the town, the resident found his home demol- group out of Syrian peace talks, and freezing point after a Turkish fighter jet ished. said it expects the UN envoy to resist downed a Russian warplane at the bor- “The Armenian and Evangelical churches of the “blackmail” by Turkey and others, der with Syria in November. village have been completely destroyed, with ceme- reflecting sharp differences that remain In Ankara, Turkish Prime Minister teries desecrated,” Arevelk reported. ahead of the talks. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Ahmet Davutoglu on Tuesday reiterated Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Turkey’s opposition to including Syrian Lavrov also denied allegations that Kurdish forces at the Geneva talks. Yerevan Among Top 10 Moscow had urged Syrian President “grave mistake” not to invite the PYD. “A table without the Kurds would be Bashar Assad to step down and could “How can you talk about political incomplete. We do not oppose the Affordable Destinations offer him political asylum. reforms in Syria if you ignore a leading Kurds but we oppose the PYD and YPG He specifically shrugged off reports Kurdish party?” he said, adding that the who oppress the Kurds,” Davutoglu said For Russians last week claiming that Russia’s military Kurds account for 15 percent of the in his weekly address to his party’s leg- ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (Panorama.am) — intelligence chief had traveled to population. islators. “It is not acceptable for us for a Russian online hotel booking service provider and Damascus to try to persuade Assad to Lavrov also warned against Saudi terror organization to be included with- travel agency Oktogo.ru has released a list of the go. Lavrov said there was no point in Arabia’s proposal to invite only opposi- in the opposition.” most affordable travel destinations in 2015. The list such a trip as Assad visited Moscow in tion groups that it hosted at a meeting Foreign minister Mevlut Çavusoglu, is based on data of hotel bookings from February 1 the fall and had extensive talks with last month, saying the Syrian peace in an interview with NTV television, to December 31, 2015. Yerevan was among the top President Vladimir Putin. process should also include other oppo- said Turkey would boycott the talks if ten most affordable foreign cities selected by Russian “No one has asked for or offered any sition representatives, like those that the PYD were invited. tourists in 2015. Visitors spent an average of 3.5 political asylum,” he said, adding that met for talks in Moscow last year. Lavrov has dismissed the demand by days in Yerevan, the press service of the Yerevan Assad had promised Putin he would sit The current opposition negotiating some opposition groups that the municipality reported, citing Oktogo.ru. down for peace talks with opposition, team announced in Saudi Arabia last Syrian military must lift the siege of “In 2015 Yerevan was in the top ten most popular including armed groups, and engage week includes Saudi-backed Islamic some areas before the talks begin, say- tourists destinations where visitors traveled on holi- the “patriotic” opposition in the fight rebel factions like Jaish al-Islam, or the ing that unblocking the besieged areas days,” director of Oktogoru, Yakob Sadchikov, said. against the Islamic State group along- Army of Islam, which Russia considers and delivering humanitarian aid side the Syrian army. terrorists. should be an important part of the Lavrov emphasized that the Kurdish The nearly five-year Syrian conflict negotiations. CoE Urges Armenia to group, the Democratic Union Party, or that began in 2011 with protests “There must be no preconditions for PYD, plays an important role in fighting against Assad’s rule, has morphed into starting the talks, and the humanitari- Boost Battle against the Islamic State group and is an essen- an all-out war that has killed a quarter- an issues must be among the central Money Laundering tial part of political settlement in Syria. million and displaced millions. issues on their agenda,” he said, Turkey sees the PYD and its YPG Lavrov’s statement at a news con- adding that while the plight of the city STRASBOURG, France (PanArmenian.net) — militia group as branches of the ference reflects the tough posturing of Madaya blockaded by Syrian gov- Council of Europe experts have identified significant Kurdistan Workers’ Party, a Kurdish ahead of Syria peace talks set to start ernment forces has been widely publi- weaknesses in the investigation and prosecution of resistance group it has long fought and Friday. UN special envoy Staffan de cized, a similar situation in govern- money laundering in Armenia and have urged the considers a terrorist group. Mistura will be sending invitations ment-controlled Deir el-Zor has been authorities to take immediate action to ensure that Lavrov warned that it would be a amid intense jockeying between coun- largely out of the public eye. law enforcement efforts are fully commensurate with the money laundering risks faced by the country. Overall, however, Armenia has made adequate progress in establishing a sound legal framework, Agos Armenian Editor Laments Needs and the financial sector was found to be effective in Oldest Armenian the application of preventive measures. The mecha- of Turkish-Armenian Community nisms for detecting and preventing financing of ter- Resident of rorism and proliferation are to a large extent effec- ISTANBUL (Armenpress) — The main and disappointment among the mem- Diyarbakir Dies tive. problem for the Armenian community bers. This can lead to bad conse- Fraud, tax evasion, contraband and embezzlement in Turkey in 2016 remains the election quences,” Estukian said. ISTANBUL (Hurriyet Daily pose the highest threats in terms of money launder- of a patriarch and the departments of Along with the issues concerning the News) — Sarkis Eken, an 86-year- ing. Within the Armenian economy, the banking and the community institutions, said the edi- elections, there are serious economic old known as one of the oldest real estate sectors are the most vulnerable to money tor of the Armenian section of Agos problems for the Armenian community Armenians born and residing in laundering. Financial intelligence is gathered very Armenian periodical this week. in Turkey. According to Estukian, there the southeastern province of effectively, but law enforcement does not often make Bagrat Estukian, in an interview with are financial difficulties in schools, as Diyarbakir, passed away at Dicle effective use of it to develop evidence, trace, seize Armenpress, said there is no statute reg- the costs have been increased. University’s hospital, where he and confiscate criminal proceeds from money laun- ulating elections; therefore in the last “It is impossible to balance the money was receiving treatment, the dering. few years, we were not able to hold elec- that comes in and goes out of the funds. Hurriyet Daily News reports. Armenia is to report back to MONEYVAL in April tions. There are some obstacles con- Usually every year at this time we have to Eken was born in 1930 in the 2018 on the follow-up measures. nected with the election of a patriarch face financial problems, but we try to bal- Babuk village of Diyarbakir’s either. “We have to select a new patri- ance the entrances and exits with the help Silvan district and was living in Azerbaijan Revises State arch, but the orders are not profitable. of charity funds and donations. There are the Meryem Ana Assyrian Church These are the main issues,” Estukian some difficulties this year. We hope to in its central Sur district for 55 Budget said. improve the situations by the means of years. “Armenians of Istanbul were very Armenian community,” Estukian added. He lived out his final years BAKU (Armenpress) — The Azerbaijani govern- organized 10 years ago. The uncertain- He added that security was not a con- alone after losing his wife of 65 ment has corrected the state budget for the current ties of the past few years hinder the cern for the Armenian population in years, Baydzar Eken, in 2014, year based on a basic oil price of $25 per barrel, the community system and lead to despair Istanbul. only two months after their offi- Azeri Turan news agency reported. cial civil marriage. According to the report, Finance Minister Samir His funeral was initially planned Sharifov said the revenues will amount to 16.5 bil- in Surp Giragos Armenian Church lion manat. Hollande Working on New Bill Criminalizing in Sur’s Fatihpasa neighborhood, “The expected size of the deficit is 1.7 billion but the venue was changed due to manats. To cover it the treasury balance for January Denial of Armenian Genocide the curfew in Fatihpasa. 1, 2016 will be allocated, an amount of 1.4 billion The one-hour ceremony, which manat,” he said. HOLLANDE, from page 1 constitutionality of the new law as if it was orchestrated by priest Yusuf The privatization of state assets is expected to gain Genocide mentioning that he entrusted is appealed in the European Court of Akbulut of Meryem Ana Assyrian 100 million manats. These funds will be used to its preparation to the former president Human Rights (ECHR), “It will be a ter- Church, was attended repay the state budget deficit. of the European Court of Human rible defeat for France and disclaimer by Diyarbakir Church spiritual It is predicted that this year the Ministry of Taxes Rights Jean-Paul Costa. for Hay Dat.” leader Ahmet Güvener, Sur will drop revenues by 200 million manat. “I have called on Jean-Paul Costa, The French President also assured deputy mayor Azize Deger Kutlu Azerbaijan lost more than $10 billion in 2015 due who is one of our best lawyers, to that the bill criminalizing the denial of from the Democratic Regions to drop of oil prices. Since August 2014, Azerbaijan make our legislation to find any sub- the Armenian Genocide has nothing to Party (DBP), local authorities, spent $10,176 billion (67 percent) of the currency stantial way which undoubtedly will do with elections. artists and Eken’s relatives and reserves to keep the manat stable. defend the memory of Armenian “The problem is to reconcile. Armenia friends. Genocide,” Hollande announced fol- and Turkey should always know that Eken was laid to rest in the lowed by applauses, the official web- France will always be there to help them Christian church in Diyarbakır’s site of Élysée Palace reported. find a dialogue,” said the president. Urfakapi district. Hollande stressed the unconditional (See related editorial, page 14) S ATURDAY, F EBRUARY 6 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Community News

SARF Telethon Heroes Commemorated On 95th Anniversary Helping Syrian of Defense of Marash WATERTOWN — On Sunday, January 31, Refugees after attending a memorial service at St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church in PARAMUS, N.J. — Nerses is a Syrian- Watertown, commemorating the victims of the Armenian professional. A graduate of Syrian Armenian Genocide from Marash (1915 universities, Nerses had a prosperous dental to1920), the Boston Marashtsi community held practice in Aleppo before the Syrian crisis its annual reception in the St. Stephen’s erupted in 2011. Set in the devastated and Armenian Church Hall, once again remember- hard-hit Armenian neighborhood of Nor Kiugh, ing their ancestors who heroically defended his practice has been severely curtailed. Nerses Marash. This was a defense that ended with the is also an activist. An avid member of the com- departure of the French in the middle of the munity dedicated to the service of his people, night, their horses’ hooves covered with burlap he is faithful to his identity and roots and loyal to deaden the sound of their departure, the to our national aspiration of truth and justice. departure assuring the demise of most of the Nerses is set to perpetuate the heroic and his- Armenians in Marash. toric presence of the Armenian community in (This information is from eyewitness Stephen Syria, contribute to its rich and resourceful Baliozian. His oral history was conducted by legacy and live in peace and harmony with the Bethel Bilezikian Charkoudian. The tape is now indigenous Syrian Arab neighbors whose on file at the Armenian Library and Museum of fathers graciously embraced the survivors of America in Watertown. Stephen Baliozian was the Genocide; instilled hope to live, opportunity 8 at the time of his departure from Marash dur- to prosper and freedom to worship. ing a fierce snowstorm). Nerses and the Syrian Armenian Community This year’s commemorative event began with the continue to suffer as the Syrian conflict contin- serving of the traditional Marash “Keshkek ues to spill blood, sow destruction, harvest lives Ghabakhli,” a hulled wheat based pilaf with a and destroy communities. squash “sulu” (squash cooked with onions) and chi Hagop too is a professional dentist and a kufte (a traditional dish of raw lamb meat kneaded graduate of Syrian universities. At the outset of with bulghour), and Armenian salata (fresh toma- the Syrian bloody conflict, he took refuge in a toes with onions and parsley); the meal was blessed place Diaspora Armenians have always aspired by Rev. Antranig Baljian, who later addressed the and dreamt to move to and settle in; the home- audience on the Beatification of the Martyrs of land of Armenia. Hagop and his young family Performing a slit-lamp eye examination the Armenian Genocide including Marashtsi are eager to anchor in the homeland, settle Martyrs, a beatification that occurred on the there and extend roots in the land of their fore- 100th anniversary of the Genocide, April 15, 2015. fathers. Hagop practices his profession in a Rev. Baljian drew attention to the fact that for cen- medical facility owned funded and operated by Seeing and Restoring turies, concerned with survival, the Armenian the Armenian Missionary Association of Apostolic Church had beatified no saints but for the America – AMAA, that serves the hygienic past decade has undertaken the task of research Sight in Armenia and re-discovery of the process of beatification, keeping those lost in the genocide in mind. Baljian emphasized that Armenian Martyrs YEREVAN and LOS ANGELES — This is something I have always believed: dis- were proclaimed saints for the sacrifices they covering the beauty and vulnerabilities of different cultures gifts us with connec- made for God throughout their life and daily tion, humility, and an open heart. work. He added that the church recognizes that Through my work receiving a master’s in global medicine, I first discovered inter- fact through the process of beatification, not nal fulfillment from getting involved in global health — learning about the for us to pray for them as we did over the past strengths and challenges of different care settings, and responding to community century, but rather for them to pray for us as health needs in culturally sensitive ways. As a medical student, this creative intercessors with God. impulse for new perspectives was still alive and pulsing, deep within me. Peter Koutoujian Jr., Sheriff of Middlesex My birthplace was California, but I never forgot that my heart belonged in BETHEL BILEZIKIAN CHARKOUDIAN PHOTO By Anna Ter-Zakarian the Armenian highlands. And so, with Syrian refugees the support of Dr. Roger Ohanesian and Dr. Nune Yeghiazaryan, I came to needs of the impoverished and fellow Syrian Yerevan this December as part of the Armenian EyeCare Project Observership Armenian refugees in the homeland. Program to participate as a medical observer. Hagop is set to anchor in Armenia, despite its Founded by Ohanesian in 1992, the EyeCare Project focuses on direct patient economic woes and scarcity of opportunities. care, medical education and capacity building of Armenia’s ophthalmologic infra- He is industrious, creative, spirited and produc- structure. My hope was that through the program, I could bear witness to the tive. Hagop needs and deserves all the help pos- miraculous alchemy of sight being restored and hope being reborn at the Malayan sible to own a bird’s nest that he can call home Eye Center — the largest eye institute in the country. in the homeland. My journey to Armenia was in pursuit of myriad goals: to study, to learn and to In the absence of a national strategy to invest reconnect with the marrow of my heritage, which had long been lost to time, geog- the immense potential of the Syrian Armenian raphy and translation. I thought my observations would serve to highlight the dif- refugees in the homeland, we are joyfully bur- ferences in patient experiences between the American and Armenian healthcare sys- dened to take charge and do our very best to tems. And yet, despite variations in cultural paradigms, what impressed me most was the commonality in the longings and fears of the patients. Across oceans, from many Sheriff Peter Koutoujian with his daughter at this sustain Nerses and Hagop in Syria proper year’s commemoration of the Defense of Marash and/or Armenia and diminish the national colorful traditions, their songs resonated of pain, wonder, and an extraordinary hope bleeding caused by the dismemberment of the for renewal — paralleling my experiences with patients at the Los Angeles County suffering Syrian masses in the melting pots of Hospital. My journey helped me realize that longings for strength and regeneration County, followed. He recounted his Marashtsi the West or the dark and unknown wilderness of that precious light which saturates our lives are universal; discovering this thread heritage by briefly reflecting on the memory of of the world. of commonality was the keystone to my global health experience. his elders. Following Koutoujian’s remarks, The mission of the Syrian Armenian Relief Along the way, I had the privilege of sharing my observations with astonishing Harout Sajounian accompanied by Helena Fund (SARF) is to provide financial assistance doctors and nurses who work diligently to provide light for those suffering in dark- Hagopian performed a rendition of to Syrian Armenians who are victims of the rav- ness. Some of my favorite memories were with Dr. Anna Hovakimyan. I remember Kedashen and Adana Voghp, two patriotic songs aging Syrian civil war. The Armenian watching her during surgery a few days after my arrival; for a few eternal in remembrance of the Armenian Martyrs. Missionary Association of America is one of the moments, it seemed as though time stood still. I watched her fluid fingers moving Ani Chekijian recited poetry reflecting on the founding member organizations of SARF on swiftly, neatly, and with the grace of an artist in the breathtaking act of creation. sufferings of Armenians then, a century ago, and the West Coast. In her uveitis clinic, I stood beside her each day to learn from her prose and now in the present day in Syria. Sevan This February 21, the Syrian Armenian Relief motions as she inspired countless patients. Though with the passing of time, I may Soukiassian and Shant Der Torossian followed Fund – SARF, is set to have a fund raising forget the details of Bechet’s disease, sarcoidosis, and the many disorders she with two short piano pieces, culminating in Telethon to “Save a Life”. Visit www.amaa.org, taught me about, I won’t forget how she made me feel hopeful about the power to Sajounian and Hagopian once again in the per- or thru the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund – heal the spirit, not just the body. formance of Giligia, a hallmark song performed at SARF’s February 21st Telethon (Tel. see EYE CARE, page 5 the closing of many observation ceremonies at 866.888.SARF – website Saint Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church. www.SARFtelethon.org to help. — Ara Demirjian S ATURDAY, F EBRUARY 6 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 COMMUNITY NEWS AGBU Young Professionals Northern California to Hold 16th Annual Winter Gala

SAN FRANCISCO — AGBU Young Wine Trip. This year’s trip features an all-inclu- Professionals of Northern California (AGBU- sive experience at the famed Coppola Winery in YPNC) will host the 16th AGBU San Francisco Sonoma Valley wine country. The trip will Winter Gala, the Key to the City, on February include tours, tastings, bocce ball, appetizers 12-14. YPNC will donate a portion of the week- and a stroll through the favorite attraction at end’s proceeds to the AGBU Humanitarian the winery: the Movie Gallery. This stunning Emergency Relief Fund for Syrian Armenians. gallery displays a vast collection of authentic “We are proud to continue the tradition of movie memorabilia from Francis Ford Winter Galas in our hometown, bringing Coppola’s filmmaking career spanning five together hundreds of young professionals from decades. Sunday night features the return of around the globe,” said Steven Cherezian, last year’s instant weekend classic: the Kef YPNC gala co-chair. “Additionally, we realize Night. Complete with Armenian food, music, the need to support our brothers and sisters in and hands-on culinary lessons in making a tra- Syria is ever present and our goal remains to ditional Armenian dessert, Kef Night offers a provide as much aid as possible to benefit the fun and relaxing opportunity to wrap up the AGBU Humanitarian Emergency Relief Fund weekend. Back by popular demand, this final for the Syrian Armenian community. We hope event will feature local craft beer and wine tast- to raise as much as possible for the charity.” ing for all attendees. Gala 2016 weekend kicks off Friday, “We are thrilled to welcome the entire young February 12, with a welcome reception at the professional network to San Francisco for an host hotel, the Sir Francis Drake in Union unforgettable weekend getaway. As always, lots Square. Following the reception, guests will of planning has gone into the Winter Gala head to Hue nightclub where DJ Mikey Tan will YPs dancing the night away at the 15th anniversary AGBU San Francisco Winter Gala weekend, with this year featuring an even more be playing some of the finest tunes that will be Dinner/Dance. exclusive experience for the wine trip, a new sure to fill up the dance floor at this a hip new FridayClub Night venue, and the return of some venue in SF’s North Beach district. weekend favorites,” expressed Albert Saturday, February 13 brings the return of ture event: the Key to the City Gala the evening will feature a four-course dinner, Arustamov, AGBU-YPNC gala co-chair. “The another Gala weekend favorite: the SF city dinner/dance in the newly renovated Green premium open bar, and dancing to Armenian weekend will be one to remember.” walking tour. The tour will include stops at Room at the San Francisco War Memorial and other international music, courtesy of DJ For event information, tickets, weekend pack- many different landmarks around the city. Performing Arts Center in downtown. Raffy. age specials and to donate, visit www.agbus- Saturday night features the weekend’s signa- Complete with breathtaking views of city hall, Sunday, February 14, starts off with the fwintergala.org.

Armenian Studies Program at Fresno Seeing and Restoring Sight in Armenia EYE CARE, from page 4 and the unearthing and shaping of the spirit State to Hold 28th Annual Banquet I remember spending time in the clinics learn- that is the miracle of providing the gift of sight. ing the foundations of ophthalmology from Dr. I have been fascinated and grateful for it all. FRESNO — The Armenian Studies Program will be recognized at the banquet. Students Tatev Hakobyan. With her guidance, I learned Most of all, the observership has helped me to of California State University, Fresno, will who are graduating with a minor in Armenian about refraction, astigmatism, measuring visual know my own heart, and has now become a hold its 28th Annual Banquet on Sunday, Studies will also be recognized. acuity and other clinical pearls of general prac- part of my emerging visual story. March 6, at the Fort Washington Golf and The Armenian Studies Banquet brings tice. There was honesty and elegance in her (Anna Ter-Zakarian is a medical student at Country Club. together Fresno State students, faculty, admin- daily patient interactions, and I loved partici- the Keck School of Medicine at the University This year’s banquet will feature Dr. Saúl istrators, and the community, to celebrate the pating in her clinic. I also learned about retinal Jiménez-Sandoval, the newly appointed dean of achievements of the Program and its students. diseases with Dr. Armen Vardanyan, where I felt the College of Arts and Humanities, and Dr. The reception will begin at 5 p.m. followed by continuously challenged to learn and relearn Honora Chapman, newly-appointed associate the banquet at 6 p.m. different conditions of the retina and vitreous dean of the college. The Armenian Studies Tickets are available at $50 per person, with body, as well as techniques to evaluate them. Program is academically based within the a special price of $25 for Fresno State students I feel deeply grateful for many others, includ- College of Arts & Humanities. and Fresno State faculty. ing all of the wonderful nurses whose warmth More than 45 student recipients of Armenian For more information about the banquet, and hospitality define the heart of the hospital. Studies scholarships and grants for 2015-2016 visit fresnostate.edu/armenianstudies. I especially feel grateful for Dr. Aleksandr Malayan, a great man whose acute intelligence, generosity of spirit and profoundly gentle man- ners made me feel more at home. I know their collective influences have shaped me in real and enduring ways. Standing at the edge of the city on my last day in Yerevan, I tasted the ancient air and felt a sudden deep kinship to this place of moun- tains and rivers, of rooted trees and snowy vine- yards, of churches and cobblestone streets. In the stillness of the night, I felt something mean- From left, Dr. Anna Hovakimyan, Dr. Aleksandr ingful had passed as a result of the program Malayan (director of the Malayan that had awakened a small part of my potential. Ophthalmologic Center) and Anna Ter-Zakarian The kind support of my mentors in the institu- tion and the quiet connections I had made with the patients made me feel gentle and raw and of Southern California. She went to Armenia eager to continue towards a life of service. this year during her winter break as a volunteer My experiences at the Malayan Eye Center with the Armenian EyeCare Project at the EVENT INFORMATION are a testament to the healing grace of doctors, Malayan Eye Center in Yerevan.)

Thursday, February 18, 2016 - 6:00pm Knafel Center, formerly Radcliffe Gym, 10 Garden Street

Hrant Dink Memorial Peace and Justice Lecture Complex Truths in Trials of Conflicts Introductions:

RakelHrant Dink Dink Foundation - Istanbul

CemalVehbi Koç Kafadar Professor of Turkish Studies, Harvard University

Speaker

Gresham College Professor of Law

BiographySir Geoffrey Nice

Sir Geoffrey Nice worked at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia between 1998 and 2006 and led the prosecution of Slobodan Milo"evi#, former President of Serbia. Much of his work since has been connected to cases before the permanent International Criminal Court – Sudan, Kenya, Libya – or pro bono for victims groups – Iran, Burma, North Armenian EyeCare Project headquarters in Yerevan Korea – whose cases cannot get to any international court.

This event will be live streamed. Free and open to the public. Seating is limited. 6 S ATURDAY, F EBRUARY 6 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Berj and Annie Chekijian Tehlirian on Trial in Minnesota Host AMAA Reception ST. PAUL, Minn. — This past August, students from 26 high schools and colleges attend- ed World Without Genocide’s Summer Institute held at William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota. The Institute focused on the topic of Religions and Genocide, high- BELMONT, Mass. — On Saturday, January 16, Director Jeanmarie Papelian highlighted lighting the Armenian Genocide, the Holocaust, and the violence being perpetrated today the Armenian Missionary Association of numerous ways the school benefits Armenia in the Middle East by ISIS. America (AMAA) held a reception at the home beyond offering a fine education. The school Students participated in a of Berj and Annie Chekijian of Belmont. More serves as a major extracurricular, social and mock trial of the prosecution than 50 guests gathered in fellowship and good community center for the impoverished of Soghomon Tehlirian for the spirits to view a video presentation and hear Malatia-Sepastia district of Yerevan, in addition murder of Talaat Pasha. updates on the happenings and operations of to working with numerous partner organiza- Tehlirian’s trial tested the stu- the Khoren and Shooshanig Avedisian School tions such as the ATP. dents’ perception of justice The original Avedisian School was founded in and culminated in a jury ver- 1999 as a tuition-free kindergarten. In September dict of ‘not guilty.’ Students 2014, the doors of the new Khoren and filled the roles of judge, jury, Shooshanig Avedisian School and Community prosecutor, defense attorneys, Center complex opened, in the presence of the defendant, witnesses, and Republic of Armenia President Serge Sargisian and the press. Following the jury’s various leaders of the AMAA. It is the first LEED- verdict, students and commu- certified school building in Armenia and the nity members who attended Caucasus. The complex includes: a primary school the mock trial learned — many in the Krikor and Beatrice Bilezikian Building; for the first time — about kindergarten, middle and high schools; athletic Operation Nemesis and facilities including a soccer field; and a community enjoyed a robust discussion Dr. Robert Mirak and Edward Avedisian center. about the case and Tehlirian’s The AMAA held this reception to highlight actions. the importance of upholding the passionate The mock trial was prepared in Yerevan, Armenia. AMAA Executive spirit which resonates throughout the and coached by University of Director/CEO Zaven Khanjian began his pre- administration, faculty and students of this Minnesota law student Ceena sentation by placing the success of the School fine institution. The AMAA thanks the Idicula and William Mitchell in context with the AMAA’s long history of mov- Chekijians for graciously opening their home School of Law graduate ing education forward as one of its primary mis- and their hearts to host this reception in sup- Elizabeth Meske. At the con- sions throughout the world. port of the Avedisian School. clusion of the mock trial, stu- The school’s benefactor Edward Avedisian For more information about the school, visit dents received a copy of and Armenia Tree Project (ATP) Executive www.amaa.org. Special Mission Nemesis, translated by Dr. Lou Ann Matossian, who both assisted with and attended the mock trial. The books were a generous gift from Leroy Erickson, President of the Armenian Cultural Organization of Minnesota.

Telephone (617) 924-7400 Aram Bedrosian Funeral Home, Inc. Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 MARION BEDROSIAN 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN Berj Chekijian welcomes the guests. WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN

Bay Area Friends of Armenia Leaving Legacy at AUA Establishing a Scholarship Endowment Fund F UNERAL H OME SAN FRANCISCO — The Bay Area Friends of symposium, which was carried out in collabora- Giragosian Armenia (BAFA), a San Francisco-based non- tion with the School of Public Health at AUA in James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC profit, presented AUA with a generous gift of November 2015 and featured internationally Mark J. Giragosian $65,000 to establish an endowed scholarship known experts in the field, was a phenomenal Funeral Counselors fund. The Bay Area Friends of Armenia (BAFA) success. The 160 attendees, health profession- 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 Scholarship endowment will support students als from various fields and organizations, www.giragosianfuneralhome.com at AUA in financial need. earned continuing professional development BAFA was founded as a humanitarian response credit provided by the Ministry of Health of the to the aftermath of Armenia’s earthquake and the Republic of Armenia. liberation struggle in Artsakh. BAFA took a hands- “On behalf of its hundreds of supporters, on approach in helping mitigate the blockade of the The Bay Area Friends of Armenia is proud to ENNIS M. EVENEY & ONS third Armenian Republic by developing and imple- have established this scholarship endowment to menting health, education and welfare initiatives benefit new generations of students who repre- D D S primarily to benefit the rural regions of Armenia. sent the future of Armenia. We are gratified in Cemetery Monuments Since then, BAFA, for more than 22 years, has doing our part, especially during a time when addressed various and evolving needs of the coun- the country has been so welcoming of Specializing in try through the support of its many donors. Armenian refugees from such countries as Armenian Designs and Lettering Execution of high-impact programs in health Syria and Iraq striving to rebuild their lives,” education and welfare has been the hallmark of said BAFA President Sylvia Melikian. 701 Moody St. Waltham, MA 02543 BAFA’s work. The organization has provided Scholarship support is one of the most impor- (781) 891-9876 www.NEMonuments.com vital sustenance to the most vulnerable in tant ways to give to AUA. Since its establish- Armenia through its Soup Kitchens. It has ment, the University has remained committed spearheaded various medical endeavors such as to its need-blind admissions policy, meaning surgical training and surgical procedures per- that every student who has earned admission is formed by its board members, and shipment of able to attend, regardless of financial limita- medical equipment and supplies. BAFA has tions. This approach opens AUA to an econom- also contributed to a myriad of educational pro- ically diverse group of students. It emphasizes jects such as financial aid to teachers; supply of our core belief that education is not for the computers and books; breakfast for school chil- elite; whoever is qualified and wishes to learn dren; a school nurse’s station; renovation and can do so at AUA. Nearly half of our students construction of schools in partnership with receive some sort of financial assistance, and other entities; and much more. thanks to the generosity of donors like BAFA, Most recently, BAFA has delivered a visionary we will be able to continue offering this sup- public health initiative to promote oral health port. For information about scholarships and literacy among children and their parents with- other giving opportunities, please in schools and communities. The dental health visit: http://aua.am/giving/. S ATURDAY, F EBRUARY 6 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS What to Expect from Russian Foreign Policy?

Four Scenarios and help formulate the participatory strategies of public opinion. From 2003 to 2008, such as the Ukrainian and Syrian crises, the the Armenian nation, and its greatest resource, Martirosyan managed the Israeli Palestinian launch of the Eurasian Economic Union, and Implications for Armenia the Diaspora. Negotiation Partners program engaging the Russian-Turkish geopolitical standoff Martirosyan is a senior consultant with senior technical advisors to the top decision- clearly illustrate that Russia is repositioning WATERTOWN — The Armenian National CMPartners, a Cambridge-based consulting makers of the sides in a joint negotiation itself in the international arena by forcefully Committee (ANC) of Eastern Massachusetts company, founded by Prof. Roger Fisher and skills development process. For ten years now demonstrating the post-Soviet space as a will present a lecture by Arthur Martirosyan at his students. In 1994 he joined the Harvard he has been involved with efforts at building focus of its foreign policy. This post-Soviet the Watertown Savings Bank Meeting Room, Negotiation Project (HNP) and has since a network of professional negotiators in Iraq. resurgence has already had a significant Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St., worked with Fisher on several ethno-political By providing a platform of experts in the impact on developments in the region and on on Thursday, February 18, at 7 p.m. and corporate negotiation projects. From fields of political science, economics and inter- Armenia and Artsakh in particular. Most The lecture series, named after, Michael 2001 through 2008, he was the director of national law and diplomacy to share their International Relations and former Soviet Varantian, one of the luminaries and intellectu- the Momentum Program: Negotiation knowledge and experience, the ANC strives to studies scholars of the Russian foreign policy als of the Armenian independence and renais- Culture Change in the Former Soviet Union provide the community with a deeper under- under Putin’s rule have been drawing linear sance movement of the late 19th century, will (FSU). In his 22-year career as a negotiation standing of the current state of affairs and their predictions of his next moves with rare suc- feature informative talks and panel discussions specialist, Martirosyan has been involved in overt and covert driving forces. It hopes that cess stories. To get post-Soviet Russia right to help inform, discuss, and articulate current the design and implementation of a series of well informed citizens will engage more effec- requires thinking in scenarios, i.e. Putin’s geopolitical events in Armenia and its neigh- successful strategic assistance projects in the tively in political discourse and will affect posi- preferred method. In order to explain boring region. In light of the ever-changing complex ethno-political conflicts of tive change towards A better future for their Russian foreign policy choices and decisions, developments in the political landscape of the Chechnya, South Ossetia and Abkhazia, adopted as well as ancestral homelands. This, Martirosyan will explore four core possible region, and cognizant of the upcoming 25th Israel-Palestine, Iraq and Kosovo. we believe, is at the core of the democratic prin- scenarios and their current probabilities. It is anniversary of the rebirth of the Republic of Martirosyan designed innovative approaches ciples of the free society we live in, and which imperative that Armenian policy-makers be Armenia, better understanding of the dynamics to studying the impact of stereotyping on we collectively pledge to reinforce, nurture and prepared to exploit to the full extent every of the dominant powers and shifting alignments negotiations and the role of media in trans- sustain in our 25-year-young republic. opportunity, neutralize threats and meet of the interested parties will shed light onto and forming cognitive and attitudinal aspects of Recent prominent events involving Russia challenges contained in these scenarios.

Panel at Northeastern to Consider Nagorno-Karabagh’s Past, Present and Future

BOSTON — Dr. Anna Ohanyan, Richard B. maneuverings of regional powers and in Finnegan Distinguished Professor of Political actions taken at both the birth and the death Science and International Relations at of the Soviet Union. Today, more than two Stonehill College, will moderate a panel dis- decades after the war with Azerbaijan that cussion titled “Nagorno-Karabagh (Artsakh): resulted in Karabagh’s precarious state of Past, Present, and Future,” on Friday, February autonomy, its future remains uncertain. 12, at 7 p.m., at Northeastern University, How should Nagorno-Karabagh deal with McLeod Suites, Curry Student Center Azeri border aggression? Should it attempt to (4rd floor), 346 Huntington Ave. trade territories for peace and recognition from Dr. Simon Payaslian, Charles K. and Azerbaijan? What are the most important ways Elisabeth M. Kenosian Chair in Modern for diasporan Armenians to support Karabagh? Armenian History and Literature at Boston What does Karabagh’s long-term future look University, will provide an historical introduc- like? Our panelists will explore these and other tion to the discussion. timely issues at this forum. The program is organized by the National The program is free and open to the public. Association for Armenian Studies and There will be a reception and refreshments Research (NAASR) and is co-sponsored by the immediately following the program and ques- Northeastern Armenian Students Association. tion-and-answer session. Parking is available at The challenges faced by Nagorno-Karabagh Gainsborough Garage and other campus park- Prof. Anna Ohanyan Prof. Simon Payaslian (Artsakh) have their roots in the historical ing facilities.

Ümit Kurt to Speak on St. Nersess Summer Conferences ARMONK, N.Y. — St. Nersess Armenian pares in its teachings to other denomina- Seminary will continue its long history of tions. Students are enriched and fulfilled Turkish Genocide Denial hosting summer conferences for high school with a deeper understanding of their faith. and post-high school students. For the first For the Deacons’ Training Program, young FRESNO — Clark University doctoral candidate Ümit Kurt will attempt to answer the time, each conference will be held on the new men gain a deeper understanding of the question “Why Does Turkey Deny the Armenian Genocide?” in a talk at 7:30 p.m. on St. Nersess campus in Armonk. Applications church’s worship services through practical Wednesday, February 10, in the University Business Center, Alice Peters Auditorium, Room are now being accepted for all four sessions: workshops and interactive classes. Students 191, on the Fresno State campus. Deacons’ Training Program in Jerusalem: are placed in classes according to experience. The lecture is the third in the Armenian Studies Program Spring 2016 Lecture Series, June 25–July 3, directed by V. Rev. Fr. Daniel In Level I, students are introduced to the with the support of the Leon S. Peters Foundation. Findikyan duties of an acolyte. In Levels II and III, stu- One of the most important — and possibly the most High School Summer Conference A: July dents are introduced to liturgical practicum. sensitive — landmarks of modern Turkish history and 15 – 24, directed by Rev. Ghevond Ajamian All students take Armenian classes and voice the formation of Turkey’s political and socio-cultural High School Summer Conference B: July lessons. Upon completion of the program, climate is the Armenian Genocide. By the same 29 - August 7, directed by Rev. Fr. Shnork students return to their home parishes with token, this issue is a taboo in Turkish political histo- Souin polished liturgical skills and a stronger faith. ry. The question widely asked is “Why does Turkey Post High School Summer Conference: In addition to the timely topics presented deny the Armenian Genocide?” This question should August 9 – 13, directed by Rev. Fr. Samuel to the participants during their conference, be examined at two levels: state and society. It is cor- Rith-Najarian the attendees also experience a special trip to rect to say that there has been strong state denial of This summer, St. Nersess will unveil a new the local assisted living Armenian homes. the Armenian Genocide in Turkey. Yet, one should curriculum for the Summer Conferences These outings allow participants the oppor- also bear in mind that this strong state denialism has which will include topics such as Armenian tunity to visit, learn from, and pray with our also been supported and reinforced by different sec- Church History and Doctrine, Sacraments, wise and valued elder community members. tions of society. In this lecture, Kurt will analyze the Armenian Religious Art, Contemporary And for the past 10 years, two students societal dimensions of Turkish denial of Armenian Issues, Modern and Classical Armenian, the from the Sts. Tarkmanchatz School of Genocide and also explore the reasons behind Life of Christ, The Creed, Saints & Martyrs, Jerusalem’s Armenian Patriarchate have Turkey’s inability to come to terms with its past. and more. attended a high school session. Thanks to the Kurt is a PhD candidate at Holocaust and Since its inception in 1963, the summer coordinated efforts between the Very Rev. Fr. Genocide Studies Program in the History Ümit Kurt conferences have offered young people Bible Norayr Kazarian, principal of the school, and Department of Clark University and completing his study sessions, daily worship, lectures from Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Nersess, as dissertation. He has written extensively on confis- clergy and lay leaders, Armenian language well as generous benefactors and supporters cation of Armenian properties, Armenian Genocide, early modern Turkish nationalism and instruction, as well as sports and outings. who financially support their visit, these high Aintab Armenians. He is the author of the Great, Hopeless Turkish Race: Fundamentals of Last summer, St. Nersess welcomed over 75 school students from Jerusalem are provided Turkish Nationalism in the Turkish Homeland 1911-1916 (Istanbul: Iletisim Publishing high school and college aged students to a special opportunity to interact with their House, 2012) and editor of the Revolt and Destruction: Construction of the State from learn more about their Christian faith and American counterparts and enhance their Ottoman Empire to Turkish Republic and Collective Violence (Istanbul: Tarih Vakfi heritage. Each day, a new topic of instruction spiritual life and knowledge. Publishing House, 2015). He teaches history at Sabanci University in Istanbul and is the is offered including classical Armenian, in- Registration for the St. Nersess Summer author, with Taner Akçam, of The Spirit of the Laws: The Plunder of Wealth in the depth historical teachings of the Armenian Conferences is available online and by mail. A Armenian Genocide (New York and Oxford: Berghahn Books, 2015). The lecture is free and Church, teachings from the Gospel, Bible maximum of 25 participants will be accepted to open to the public. meditations, explanations of the Divine each session. To download a brochure and reg- Liturgy, and how the Armenian Church com- ister, go to www.stnersess.edu. 8 S ATURDAY, F EBRUARY 6 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS California State Coastal Commission Approves New Church Campus

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — In a vote of 11-0, the habitat and promotes the biological and scenic center for all to gather. The church facilities will the Western Diocese, stated, “This is a historic California State Coastal Commission approved corridors of its coastal location. The property be open to the general public for events, recre- day for us as we present this proposal, and it St. John Garabed Armenian Church’s applica- lies 1.8 miles from the ocean and encompasses ation, and open space. It will be a destination comes in the context of a very important time tion to build a new church campus near Del a total of 13.4 acres. This project will be devel- for the Armenian diaspora, international histo- in our church history. Just recently we com- Mar. The vote was taken on Thursday, January oping 4.23 acres of land while preserving 9.18 rians, tourists and many others.” memorated the 100th anniversary of the 14, in the San Diego County Board of acres. I understand the issue about precedent in San Diego native Lisa Kirazian Kradjian stat- Armenian Genocide, and very soon we will be Supervisors Chambers. The new campus, which approving the church’s 85 ft. dome, but this ed, “We ask that you please do your utmost to celebrating the 90th anniversary of the will be built in stages over a period of several area is zoned for agricultural use that includes approve the original proposal, with its beautiful Western Diocese. This church campus will not years, will include a sanctuary, social hall, edu- only be a symbol of our Christian faith, but also cation center, library, gymnasium, youth center, a stronghold to unite communities around the Armenian heritage park, picnic and meditation world. On behalf of the Diocesan clergy, the space, and abundant parking. Diocesan Council, and all Armenians, I respect- For more than one year, the church’s applica- fully ask you to accept the proposal as it has tion has been under review by Coastal been presented.” Commission staff. The church made numerous Joe Kellejian, former long-time mayor of revisions and adjustments to be in compliance Solana Beach, concluded the church’s presen- with coastal regulations. In fall 2015, Coastal staff tation by reminding the commissioners that the sent a report to the commissioners stating that grandstand at the Del Mar racetrack is over 85 the church had met all necessary requirements ft. tall and over a block long, and west of the I- with the exception of two staff-recommended con- 5 freeway, well within the jurisdiction of the ditions. Condition 1A proposed that the height of Coastal Commission. the church be lowered from 85 feet to 50 feet. Commissioner Greg Cox stated, “This proper- Condition 1B proposed that the location of the ty is barely in the coastal zone. It preserves the church be moved to the back of the property (on wildlife corridors and the integrity of the envi- the south side) so it would be less visible, essen- ronmental area. This is a beautiful structure tially screening it from view. that will enhance our community. In my opin- In his remarks to the Coastal commissioners, ion, I think it would be iconic. I also think that Harry Krikorian, chairman of the church’s Trust staff has overreached on these two conditions.” Fund Committee, stated, “Our proposed plans are Cox made a motion to approve the applica- for a place of worship, a place to socialize, a place tion, with an amending motion to delete for remembrance, and a place to preserve our cul- Conditions 1A and 1B; the motion was second- ture, traditions and heritage. We are not a com- ed by Commissioner Mark Vargas. The Coastal mercial enterprise but a non-profit Christian Commission approved both the amendment Church with a rich and proud history. The supporters of the new Armenian church outside San Diego and main motion with a unanimous vote. “Therefore, we disagree with staff that building The history of this project dates back to 2008 a 50 foot church without the dome as they sug- when the Trust Fund Committee of St. John gest is equally good and as functional as our the development of a church.” design, careful environmental stewardship and Garabed Armenian Church purchased close to design. We respect Coastal staff who reviewed Maria Mehranian, an urban planner and man- honestly the most seamlessly integrated layout 14 acres of premium property near Del Mar, and analyzed our project, however we find that aging partner at the Cordoba Corporation, said, that is safest for our youth and families. California. On October 30, 2014, the project conditions 1A & 1B do not meet the needs of our “Since its inception, $1.2 million has been Armenians have been contributing to the pros- received unanimous approval by the City church nor satisfy our religious requirements.” raised in support of the project. These funds perity and innovation of California for well over Planning Commission. The new property is Marcela Escobar-Eck, principal at the Atlantis have been raised because of the potential the one hundred years. Allow us to keep thriving, to located at 13860 El Camino Real in the City of Group and professional consultant for the pro- church holds for being more than just a build- keep serving our state and our people.” San Diego between Del Mar Heights Rd. and ject, stated, “This plan preserves the sensitive ing, but rather a symbol of the community and Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of Via de la Valle. S ATURDAY, F EBRUARY 6 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 COMMUNITY NEWS AGBU Awarded Scholarships to Students in Nearly 30 Countries, Including Many Women in STEM Fields

NEW YORK — In the 2015-2016 academic cine runs in her family: “My mother, a practic- engineering at the Dresden University of year, the Armenian General Benevolent Union ing pediatrician, was a tremendous influence on Technology in Germany. Arpine grew up in the up- (AGBU) awarded nearly $1 million in scholar- me growing up. From a young age, she would and-coming Armenian town of Dilijan, home to the ships to 435 students in nearly 30 countries. teach me about science and medicine, which prestigious United World College Dilijan. “During For almost a century, the AGBU Scholarship really piqued my interest in the field. My love of my childhood, I saw many important schools and Program has helped further the educational science and inclination to help others made factories in my hometown built by my grandparents pursuits of tens of thousands of promising medicine a natural fit for me.” At Georgetown, and parents. It is an indescribable filling when one young Armenian university students enrolled at Claire has encountered a supportive learning can see that the results of his work help people over some of the world’s top-ranked universities. environment with stellar classmates and so many years.” This feeling led Arpine to study Each year, AGBU accepts applications for five patients who often share their personal stories bridge and tunnel design to help her country devel- categories of scholarships: Heritage Scholar with her. But she is not just acquainted with op with modern technologies and creative designs. Grants for high-achieving high school seniors at patients in the American healthcare system. In Germany, she has seen herself grow as a profes- the three AGBU high schools in the United Claire spent July 2015 in Armenia with the sional and gain international experience, including States; US Graduate Fellowships for students in Armenian American Health Professional language skills which Arpine has used her AGBU professional, master’s and doctoral programs in Organization (AAHPO) to provide medical treat- scholarship to improve: “Thanks to my scholarship, the United States; International Scholarships ment for villages, where there is a lack of access I could afford German language courses, which will for students studying outside the United States and affordability. “As my first exposure to be a great help for increasing my career opportuni- with special funds for the United Kingdom, healthcare in Armenia, I became better ties in Germany.” Claire Alexanian, a medical student at the France and Syria; Performing Arts Fellowships acquainted with their healthcare system and The AGBU Scholarship Program is now Georgetown University School of Medicine in for undergraduate and graduate students in have a clear understanding of their medical accepting applications for its 2016-2017 season. Washington D.C., with her mother pediatrician music, drama and film; and Religious Studies needs.” She hopes to come back in the future Visit http://www.agbu-scholarship.org/ to Dr. Herminee Alexanian. Fellowships for graduate students pursuing the- and continue to improve the health in the vil- apply. ology and youth ministry. lages of Armenia, but in the meantime, she will This year, the AGBU Scholarship Committee continue to study on an AGBU scholarship, was particularly proud to support young which has helped her with her medical school women in science, technology, engineering and essentials: books, tuition and her very first Southern Connecticut State University mathematics (STEM). The STEM fields are one stethoscope. of the fastest growing employment sectors and Outside the United States, the AGBU considering its historically large gender imbal- Scholarship Program has also helped young President Papazian to Lead San Jose ance, the committee was honored to help pre- women to excel in the STEM fields. In Istanbul, pare Armenian women for successful careers in Turkey, Sila Temizel is not only a master’s stu- State University these areas. Susie Sargsyan, a doctoral SAN JOSE, Calif. — Mark Ojakian, president of the Connecticut State Colleges and candidate in applied mathe- Universities (CSCU) system, has announced that Mary A. Papazian will resign as president matics at the University of of Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) effective July 1, 2016, and will become Washington, began her acad- the 29th president of San José State University. emic interest in math at In announcing her resignation, Ojakian noted that while Papazian has only served as Yerevan State University: SCSU president since 2011, she has nevertheless produced a distinguished record of stu- “Education in Armenia still dent success and accomplishment. “From major construction projects that have changed carries the remnants of the the face of SCSU, to urban initiatives and the growth of STEM programs to meet work- Soviet Union methodology force development needs, President Papazian has served the SCSU community with excep- and pays too much attention tional vision and integrity,” said Ojakian. “We are indeed fortunate to have had the bene- to theory and less to practice. fit of her extraordinary leadership.” This fact made me want to “The Board of Regents greatly appre- continue my studies abroad.” ciates President Papazian’s service and But Susie is not planning on commitment to Southern Connecticut staying in the United States State University and its students,” said after she graduates. She Board of Regents Chairman Nicholas intends to return to Armenia Susie Sargsyan is a doctoral candidate in applied mathematics at Donofrio. “We wish her well in her and develop the field of the University of Washington. future endeavors and we thank her for applied mathematics in her her service to the state, CSCU commu- native country with a focus nity and Southern Connecticut State on real world application. “It was great to final- dent in environmental engineering at Bogaziçi University.” ly see how mathematics can be applied for mod- University, but also a researcher at the Bogaziçi Since 2011, Papazian — the 11th pres- eling and better understanding diseases, the University Sustainable Development and ident of SCSU — led a period of institu- behavior of neurons, predicting weather, ana- Cleaner Production Center, which focuses on tional advancement. During her tenure, lyzing data and more. All these facets keep me eco-efficiency, sustainable consumption and she established a Student Success amazed and excited about the future and what green entrepreneurship in Turkey. Taskforce that enhanced student ser- “Environmental issues together with chemistry vices and support, and the first captured my interest as an undergraduate. I felt Presidents Commission on Campus I should gain some practical experience work- Climate and Inclusion. Major construc- ing in a research environment to gain first-hand tion projects included the new School knowledge of what the life of a research scien- of Business, renovation of Buley tist entails. I have enjoyed every moment of my Library, and the Academic Laboratory Dr. Mary Papazian work: especially the opportunity to participate Science Building and changed the face in important projects and discuss ideas with of the SCSU campus. senior engineers and chemists.” After Sila grad- While president, she also established uates, she hopes to pursue engineering as a the Office for STEM innovation and Leadership, where SCSU’s new science, technology, doctoral student in the United States. “The engineering and math (STEM) programs were created in alignment with the needs of a AGBU scholarship has enabled me to buy 21st century economy. In spring 2015, Papazian and New Haven Mayor Toni Harp important books related to engineering and announced a new bioscience partnership linking SCSU and the City of New Haven. In addi- even the laptop I needed to present at confer- tion, the university is now developing an initiative with the city of Bridgeport, focusing on ences in Italy and Spain as well as prepare my education, business and environmental science. PhD applications.” During her time at SCSU, Papazian also led the university through the final phase of a In Linz, Austria, Armig Kabrelian is pursuing successful academic accreditation process, expanded SCSU’s community engagement by her bachelor’s degree in biological chemistry at cultivating stronger ties to SCSU’s feeder K-12 school districts, and began the planning Armig Kabrelian is an undergraduate in biologi- Johannes Kepler University. Armig, born and phase in partnership with New Haven Public Schools to place a K-4 magnet school on cam- cal chemistry at Johannes Kepler University in raised in Aleppo, fled to Austria with her fami- pus. Her efforts enabled SCSU to earn a place on the coveted President’s Higher Linz, Austria. ly when the conflict began in Syria. “As a non- Education Community Service Honor Roll. European Union student, tuition fees are very Before joining SCSU, Papazian was provost and senior vice president for Academic expensive at my university. I want to thank Affairs at Lehman College at the City University of New York. She also served as dean of I can do using mathematics.” During the school AGBU for awarding me this scholarship and eas- the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Montclair State University in New Jersey, year, Susie works as a research and teaching ing the financial burden on me and my family.” and associate dean of the College of Arts and Science at Oakland University in Rochester, assistant, but during the summers her budget is As a child, Armig was raised on stories of Michigan. At Oakland University where she also was an assistant, associate and tenured tight: “It’s very stressful to think about saving Armenians with great talents, including scien- professor of English. She holds a bachelor’s, master’s and PhD in English literature from money when I’m not working. The AGBU schol- tists, and she was determined to become one of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). arship helped me feel less pressure, so that I these great talents herself. “My motivation to Papazian is active in many community organizations, and is chair of the Connecticut could concentrate on my research and for that continue my education in the sciences was to Campus Compact governance sub-committee, president of the Greater New Haven Heart I am grateful!” strengthen Armenian society and keep the Walk and director of New Haven Promise, a scholarship and support program to promote The AGBU Fellowship has also helped med- Armenian voice strong in this challenging college education for New Haven Public school students. In 2014, she received the Athena ical students like Claire Alexanian, a first-year world. Every time I hear about achievements of Leadership Award from the Greater New Haven and Quinnipiac Chambers of Commerce, student at the Georgetown University School of fellow Armenians, I feel a great sense of pride.” and a state delegation member for Complete College America. Medicine in Washington DC. For Claire, medi- Also in Europe, Arpine Martirosyan studies civil 10 S ATURDAY, F EBRUARY 6 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Arts & Living NAASR Los Angeles Event to Feature REDISCOVEREDMASTERS.OM IMAGE Ayline Chris Bohjalian, Amirayan Eric Nazarian Sings Forget

LOS ANGELES — The National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) Me Not will hold a special event featuring best-selling author Chris Bohjalian and acclaimed filmmak- er Eric Nazarian on Saturday, February 27, at 6 By Kay Mouradian p.m. at the UCLA Faculty Center, California Room, 480 Charles Young Drive East. The event, which is an expression of thanks PASADENA, Calif. — I first heard about to the members of NAASR’s Leadership Circle, Ayline Amirayan’s talent from her voice will include a dinner reception followed by coach Charles Gevoian, whose tenor voice Bohjalian and Nazarian in a dialogue on the is well known here in Southern screen adaptation of Bohjalian’s novel The California. When Gevoian told me Ayline Sandcastle Girls, as well as the introduction of would perform her first original song newly appointed NAASR Executive Director Forget Me Not for the 100th commemo- Sarah B. Ignatius to give an update on NAASR ration of the Armenian Genocide at initiatives. Montebello’s Armenian Genocide In addition to members of NAASR’s Board of Memorial last April, I made a special Directors and Leadership Circle and invited effort to be there. When Gevoian opened guests, the event is also the program with the finest rendition I open to the public at a have ever heard of the Star-Spangled cost of $100 per person, Banner, I knew the entire program would which includes dinner be filled with quality. I was not disap- and one year of member- pointed. ship in NAASR. To make The Montebello Genocide Memorial a reservation, email opened in April 1968 and is the oldest NAASR Board Member memorial in the United States dedicated Dr. Gregory Ketabgian at to Armenian Genocide victims. A yearly [email protected]. outdoor memorial service held every Bohjalian is the author April attracts members of the Armenian “Young Man,” Conté crayon by Simon Samsonian, 1936 community from all over the California Chris Bohjalian of 18 books, including his new novel, The Guest southland and a capacity crowd of more Room. His work has been than 500 attended the 1915 Centennial translated into more than event on April 23. 30 languages and been Painter Samsonian’s Two well-known Armenian bands, the adapted for three movies. Element Band and the Greg Hosharian His books have been cho- Band, along with solo vocalist Amirayan, sen as Best Books of the Family Promotes His Year by the Washington Post, the St. Louis Post- Dispatch, the Hartford Artistic Legacy Courant, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Eric Nazarian Publishers Weekly, NEW YORK — Cubist-Impressionist Simon Samsonian (1912-2003) painted for Library Journal, Kirkus six decades in Egypt and in the United States. Orphaned as a toddler by the mur- Reviews, Bookpage and der of his parents and separated from his sister for decades, he was a survivor of Salon. His awards include the ANCA Freedom the Armenian Genocide whose work became well known in Egypt. After moving to Award for his work educating Americans about the United States, he continued painting, but, over the years, fell out of the spot- the Armenian Genocide; the ANCA Arts and light. Now, his family, primarily his daughter Letters Award for The Sandcastle Girls, as well Hilda Semerdjian and her son Alan, is trying to as the Saint Mesrob Mashdots Medal; the New By Aram Arkun restore his place in the pantheon of significant England Society Book Award for The Night Mirror-Spectator Staff internationally known painters. Strangers; the New England Book Award; Alan Semerdjian is a writer, artist, musician Singer Ayline Amirayan Russia’s Soglasie (Concord) Award for The and teacher. His first full-length book of poems Sandcastle Girls; a Boston Public Library reflects growing up in Samsonian’s presence. In a recent interview he spoke about helped elevate the somber energy. As I lis- Literary Light; a finalist for the Lambda how the family is attempting to promote interest in Samsonian’s legacy. tened to Amirayan, accompanied by pianist Literary Award for Trans-Sister Radio and the Samsonian was moved from orphanage to orphanage in the Ottoman Empire Greg Hosharian, violinist Garik Terzian Anahid Literary Award. His novel, Midwives, and Greece, and eventually transferred to Egypt. He did not even learn of his true and percussionist George Bilezikjian, I was a number one New York Times bestseller, a surname (Klujian) until relatively late in life in 1960, when he was reunited with wondered why I previously had not heard selection of Oprah’s Book Club, and a New his sister in Alexandria, Egypt. He attended the Kalousdian Armenian School of of her. She opened with three Armenian England Booksellers Association Discovery Cairo, and then won a scholarship to go to the Leonardo da Vinci Art School in songs, and her obvious love for Armenian pick. the same city. He later returned to the Kalousdian school to become its art teach- music resonated throughout the audience Nazarian is an acclaimed screenwriter, direc- er, and began to exhibit his paintings widely. In the 1950s, he visited the great art and affected me deeply. tor and producer. Born in Armenia and raised museums of Europe. Afterwards, when I interviewed in Los Angeles, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in In 1961, he had a solo exhibition at le Salon de Caire, and an Egyptian Minister Amirayan, she told me why she chose Film Production from the USC School of of Culture for the first time ever personally inaugurated the exhibit of an these three specific songs. The first one, Cinematic Arts. “The Blue Hour,” his first fea- Armenian’s works. During the 1960s, President of the Egyptian National Assembly Kani Vur Djan by Sayat Nova, was meant ture film, premiered at the 55th San Sebastian Anwar Sadat, later to become Egypt’s president, acquired one of Samsonian’s paint- to remind the audience that Sayat Nova’s International Film Festival, receiving several ings and wrote him a letter of praise. Several of Samsonian’s pieces are held by the music lives on and still influences the awards on the international film festival circuit. Museum of Modern Egyptian Art in Cairo. poetic artistry of the Armenian people. In 2008 Nazarian received the Academy of He painted in a very cosmopolitan environment, and he had other active Her second song, Yeraz Im Yergir Motion Picture Arts and Science Nicholl Armenian peers, such as Puzant Godjamamian, Ashot Zorayan and Hagop Hayrenik, written by Yerevan songwriter Fellowship in Screenwriting for his screenplay, Hagopian. He was influenced by them and non-Armenian Egyptian painters such and musician Robert Amirkhanyan is “Giants.” In 2010 Nazarian made “Bolis,” a as Mahmoud Said and the symbolic work of Ahmed Morsi and Effat Nagy, accord- about love for Armenia. Through the short film about a descendent of a Genocide ing to Semerdjian, who categorizes him as “at heart, a Cubist-Impressionist with work of the talented musicians of the pre- survivor in Istanbul, as part of the European leanings towards Abstract Expressionism.” sent, such as Amirkhanyan, Amirayan Union’s Capital of Culture program. Nazarian is Samsonian was working in styles that had already been pioneered in Europe and understands how the preservation of the currently working on the film adaptation of The elsewhere. “Samsonsian’s originality,” according to Semerdjian, “is in the manner authenticity and beauty of Sayat Nova Sandcastle Girls. He has lectured on the origins in which he brings together mid-20th-century aesthetics to create a narrative kind affects Armenian music over two hundred of cinema and on the Armenian Genocide on of abstraction that was not duplicated by any other artist in the Armenian years after the latter’s death. campuses across the US and Europe. He is a Diaspora, to my knowledge, with the exception of [Arshile] Gorky…and most of the Her next song was Hye Herosneri member of the Writer’s Guild of America West world understands Gorky through his nonfigurative work, so that might make Yerke. “I wanted to thank the heroes of and a Fellow of the USC Institute of Armenian see LEGACY, page 12 see AMIRYAN, page 13 Studies. see NAASR, page 13 S ATURDAY, F EBRUARY 6 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 ARTS & LIVING

‘Artist at War’ Website Gives Voice to Artists From War-Torn Regions

KITTERY, Maine — Artists at War – offer- allow visitors to connect and engage direct- ing testimonies of creative minds affected by ly with the artists. Additional interviews will brutalities of our times – today announced be posted on ongoing basis. a new multi-media platform dedicated to The project is inspired by two major bringing first-hand interviews with artists events that took place in 2015: The world- living in war zones, or displaced due to polit- wide commemoration of the 100th anniver- ical conflicts, waging their own wars with sary of the Armenian Genocide — last cen- their art. To learn more about Artists at tury’s first ethnic cleansing when 1.5 War visit: http://www.artistsatwar.net/ join Armenians were annihilated and hundreds the conversation on Facebook or contact of thousands of Armenian refugees were the site’s founder and creator, Jackie forced to flee to neighboring countries; The Abramian [email protected] . onset of the worst migration crisis since The site currently offers interviews with WWII, with the exodus of 60 million four artists: Berj Kailian (Painter, Armenian refugees and displaced individuals world- wide. In its “It all Started Here” page, Abramian pays tribute to artists Kailian and Bak, sur- vivors of the Armenian Genocide and the Jewish Holocaust respectively. Abramian considers Kailian and Bak as pioneers of Artists at War, as their art focus on giv- ing voice to the unspeakable crimes of humanity. “The stark, painful dichotomy in today’s war-torn regions of the world brings to light the obvious unlearned lessons of our histo- ry,” Abramian said. “As a descendent of the Armenian Genocide survivors, I’ve heard too many times the “never again” slogans uttered by world leaders, only to witness orders of new wars signed into action. Artists at War makes audible the unheard voices of artists living in war zones — and at war armed with their art. It offers stark details of altered lives of millions of ordinary citizens who never participated in A work by Berj Kailian declaring wars but inadvertently became front line victims.” Artists at War is a multi-media site A work by Nada Abu Taleb Genocide survivor), Sam Bak (Painter, of interviews with and views of artists living Jewish Holocaust survivor), Rania in war zones, or as war refugees from con- Kinge (Social Entrepreneur, jewelry design- flict zones, exiled into adopted countries, ated by author Jackie Abramian, whose pre- information visit: http://www.artistsat- er - Damascus, Syria) and Nada Abu Taleb waging global art wars to make audible the viously published books include interviews war.net/home.html (Painter - Sana’a, Yemen). Each artist’s page fears, horrors, and plights of oppression, with contemporary Armenian artists, and Contact Jackie Abramian at Jackie@artist- includes links to social media sites that ethnic cleansing and tyranny. The site is cre- exiled artists living in the US. For more satwar.net

AIWA-SF and Hearts of Armenia Launch First Book Signing in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO — Armenian International as heartfelt and beautiful as the book itself. It Women’s Association-San Francisco (AIWA-SF) was a gathering of Armenian women who want- members mixed and mingled with friends and ed to support both the author and the family of Meghedi Melody Nazarian at a private Women’s Support Center in Armenia. It was residence in the Bay Area in December for the lovely to hear from Meghedi about her emo- official launch of Hearts of Armenia, a picture book filled with 87 hearts captured by Meghedi during her stay in Armenia from April through October 2015. The book also includes inspira- tional quotes within its 48 pages. Half the pro- ceeds are donated to AIWA-SF to support the Women’s Support Center of Yerevan dedicated to helping women and families follow their heart. It was not only an event to debut the book; it was also a celebration of love and friendship. “The Hearts of Armenia launch party was just

Signing copies of Hearts of Armenia

tional journey and how the book came to life in with Nazarian and the partnership with Hearts our Motherland. It made my heart smile,” said of Armenia came about. “Meghedi was telling one guest, Lori Aintablian. me about her vision, and whether it was Meleeneh DerHartunian shared her serendipity, everything happened quickly and thoughts, too: “The highlight of the Hearts of naturally. I’m really happy you’re seeing your Armenia launch event was when Meghedi read vision through and that of all the organizations the foreword from her book aloud to the entire you can partner with, you picked AIWA-SF,” she group. Meghedi’s emotional, spiritual and phys- said. ical journey in Armenia are not only manifested Before heading home with a copy of the in those words, but also in the unique images book, guests enjoyed appetizers, including she has captured in her book, allowing readers Yeragooyn heart-shaped cookies made by to travel side-by-side with her with the turn of Nanor Darakjian, and sipped on wine, donated each page.” by Soussa. More book signings are in the works AIWA-SF President Christine Soussa also for Los Angeles, Yerevan, Boston and New Guests at the signing spoke, telling the crowd about her first trip to York, but can also be purchases online at heart- Armenia over the summer and how the meeting sofarmenia.com. 12 S ATURDAY, F EBRUARY 6 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING Painter Samsonian’s Family Promotes His Artistic Legacy

LEGACY, from page 10 Samsonian has not been forgotten in tion through exhibitions, etc., and was beloved copies than it had agreed to originally with Samsonian even more unique.” There is at pre- Armenia. His works are still occasionally exhib- by so many, sells privately for $15-20,000 has Samsonian. sent one monographic work on Samsonian: M. ited there. Semerdjian visited Yerevan’s much to do with the kind of machine that is cre- Another way the heirs promote his art is Haigentz’s Simon Samsonian: His World National Gallery of Art six years ago and saw its ating the story/allure. And to do that requires through the website rediscoveredmasters.com, Through Paintings. (New York: Armenian collection of 25 Samsonian oils. He also visited capital and time and business savvy.” which presents biographical information and General Benevolent Union, 1978. painter Hagop Hagopian, who told him “You Now the family has initiated an effort to images of 26 of his works. This website “proac- Moving to New York had a direct impact on know, your grandfather was the one we all change this situation. It has begun to have his tively” promotes artists it feels are worthwhile Samsonian’s art. Semerdjian said, “The skyline looked up to in Cairo.” private collection of works professionally cata- to museums, galleries and collectors through of NYC was a paradise for his Cubist inclina- Armenians in various parts of the diaspora logued and photographed, and is trying to get curated exhibitions and essays. A second tions and he created a small but gorgeous set of also still remember Samsonian. Semerdjian said scholars interested in placing Samsonian in the Armenian artist Rediscovered Masters promotes pieces in response to it. NYC’s great paradox — that often they contact him via email to “discuss broader context of mid-twentieth century paint- is Arthur Pinajian. that despite its hustle and bustle and the jaded the impact of a piece of art they bought or he ing and Armenian diaspora painting in particu- Samsonian’s works are for sale privately and disaffected stereotypes, there are tremen- gave them…He made indelible impressions, and lar. It is approaching museums, according to through the family and through the dous moments of intimacy — was also a source I think he made them because of the quality of Semerdjian, in order to get shows covering his Rediscovered Masters website. Gallery Z in of inspiration and fascinated him. See ‘In the his work and vision, which lives on in private seven decades of work. The first one recently Providence, according to Semerdjian, has a few Subway,’ which was one of the first large pieces collections, museums, and family homes across took place at the Armenian Museum of America pieces too. Samsonian does have a dedicated he made when he got here. It’s a painting of a the globe.” last September through November, and plans group of followers outside of the art auction couple caught in a beautiful moment of intima- Still, Samsonian is not remembered at the are afoot to have a version of this exhibition in house world. His smaller pieces sell for around cy on the subway...a head resting on a shoulder. same level as other notable Armenian painters Los Angeles by late spring of this year. $1,000, while the larger oils are between Another example of how we need each other.” such as Gorky. Semerdjian said that part of the Samsonian’s work sometimes pops up in $15,000 and $20,000 at present. On the other hand, despite the powerful reason was that Samsonian was “not much of a unexpected places. A publishing company Semerdjian is optimistic about the future of effect of the Armenian Genocide on business man. He didn’t promote very well.” His called McDougal Little used some of his images Samsonian’s works. He concluded, “But what’s Samsonian’s life, he only created a few pieces wife tried to fill in the void, but she died at an in a ninth grade textbook featuring contempo- remarkable is how his work affected people and

REDISCOVEREDMASTERS.OM IMAGE rary artwork paired with contemporary litera- continues to affect. One look at those bold col- ture. However, the family had to remain vigilant ors and gorgeous strokes and...I don’t know...it and ended up pursuing a class action lawsuit just seems to continue to resonate and vibrate because the company published many more at a high frequency for those in the know.” Recipe Corner by Christine Vartanian Datian Avocado Crab Salad with Dijon-Mint Vinaigrette Dressing

INGREDIENTS 4 large ripe avocados, halved and peeled “The Memory of the Valley,” watercolor and ink by Simon Samsonian, 1962 1 1/2 pounds fresh cooked crab meat, cut up 1/4 cup each red onions, red bell pepper, celery and/or celery tops, and green onions (finely chopped) and sweet gherkin pickles (minced) directly on that theme. One was for a show on early age. Afterwards, Samsonian stopped try- 3/4 cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt the fiftieth anniversary of the Genocide. There ing to show and sell his works. He never tried 2 tablespoons fresh lemon or lime juice is however an indirect effect. Semerdjian said to use a publicist, as far as Semerdjian knows. 2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley, minced that “his work captures these glances into what The move to the US also changed his exposure 4 hard-boiled eggs, roughly chopped I like to refer to as interpersonal or sometimes to the outside world. Semerdjian speculates 4-6 slices well-cooked bacon, drained, broken into small pieces intrapersonal moments of reflections in our that if he had stayed in Egypt his works might Sea salt, white pepper, Aleppo pepper or paprika to taste lives. One critic said that what the genocide have appeared in big auctions of Middle Bibb lettuce, sliced Roma tomatoes, black olives, celery tops (garnish) Lemon wedges (garnish) took away for Samsonian he built back up in his Eastern art and received high valuations. paintings. That’s why you see so many images Furthermore, Semerdjian pointed out that PREPARATION: of parenthood, protection, dark musings, and “Money, or rather investment in the form of Combine the crab meat and the remaining salad ingredients in a large glass bowl, toss a simple exchanges between lovers in the figura- money –thinking of one’s art as a business cre- few times, and check seasonings. Chill until ready to serve.greens. Add dressing and salt tive works. The nonfigurative stuff is purely ates value. Why one painter who really never to taste to individual portions evocative.” Semerdjian further explained that won any recognition – whether it be through this means “evocative of emotional states of community groups or state agencies – sells being that became motifs for him: protection, works posthumously at $100,000 [each] and Dijon-Mint Vinaigrette Dressing family, love, hopelessness, partnership, etc.” another who did win awards and garner atten- INGREDIENTS 2-3 tablespoons Dijon mustard 3-4 tablespoons dry white wine St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School 2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley, minced Juice of one large lemon To Celebrate 30th Anniversary in March 1/2 cup olive oil 1/4 cup fresh orange juice WATERTOWN — On Saturday, March 12, St. fifth grade class has taken a school-organized 2 cloves garlic, mashed Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School trip to Armenia. 1/2 teaspoon each fresh chopped fresh mint, dill and thyme (SSAES) will celebrate its 30th anniversary at A large group volunteers consisting of pre- Sea salt and white pepper to taste the Sorensen Center for the sent and past parents is work- Arts on the campus of Babson ing to coordinate this event PREPARATION: College in Wellesley, Mass. which is also a major fundrais- Mix all dressing ingredients together in a blender or medium bowl. Adjust seasonings, This event is designed to er for the school. “We have a adding more lemon juice or olive oil, if desired; chill before serving. bring together the Armenian supportive community and we Spoon chilled salad into the prepared avocado halves (one avocado per person); drizzle community to celebrate the are expecting a great turnout,” with dressing or serve dressing on the side; garnish with lettuce, tomatoes, olives, lemon school’s achievements. committee chair Sarkis wedges, and celery tops. Serve with warmed rolls, lavosh or toasted pita bread. “Celebrating our school’s Ourfalian noted. Serves 4. 30th anniversary is a testa- The evening will start off ment to the resilience of our with cocktails and hors d’oeu- Christine's recipes have been published in the Fresno Bee, Sunset and Cooking Light mag- Armenian community and its vres, followed by a program in azines, and at http://www.thearmeniankitchen.com/. unshakable belief in the value the theater-style auditorium, of a solid Armenian educa- including a concert perfor- For Christine's recipes that have been published in Sunset and Cooking Light Magazines, tion,” said Principal Houry Alla Levonyan mance by singer Alla go to: Boyamian. Levonyan from Armenia, and http://www.myrecipes.com/search/site/ Located in Watertown, pianist Jasmin Atabekyan. The Datian. SSAES consists of a pre-school and an elemen- event will conclude with a dessert reception. tary school with a bilingual curriculum steeped Tickets are $125 per person and may be pur- in Armenian culture, including daily Armenian chased online: www.mkt.com/ssaes or by e-mail language lessons. Since 2004, every graduating at: [email protected]. S ATURDAY, F EBRUARY 6 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 ARTS & LIVING CC AA LENDARLENDAR

France will speak and present a screening of his produc- CALIFORNIA tion of the musical “Garine” at the AGBU Center, 247 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown. Proceeds will support the Dikran MARCH 6 — Author Dawn Anahid Mackeen to sign Tchouhadjian International Institute. The event is cospon- copies of her book The Hundred-Year-Walk: An sored by the AGBU New England District Chapter, Armenian Odyssey. St. Vartan Armenian Church, Amaras Art Alliance, and the Tekeyan Cultural Sunday, Lecture/Book Presentation at St. Vartan Assocation. More details to come shortly. Armenian Church. Sponsored by the AGBU, UC Berkeley MAY 12 – Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Greater Armenian Studies Department, and St. Vartan. 650 Boston Presents the Dr. Michael and Joyce Kolligian Spruce St, Oakland, CA. Distinguished Speaker Series, with John Prendergast, MARCH 16 — Abril Books, Wednesday, Book reading founder of “The Enough Project,” an initiative to end and signing, Author Dawn Anahid Mackeen The genocide and crimes against humanity, co-founder “The Hundred-Year-Walk: An Armenian Odyssey. 415 E. Sentry,” a new investigative initiative focused on disman- Broadway, Suite 102, Glendale, CA tling the networks financing conflict and atrocities. 7 p.m. Thursday at Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural MASSACHUSETTS Hall, Holy Trinity, 145 Brattle Street, Cambridge MA Info: 617.354.0632 FEBRUARY 6 – Tsapik, Tsapik Children’s program fea- MAY 27 — 65th Annual Armenian Night at the Pops, turing Noune Karapetian and Zangakner Performing Featuring Boston Pops Orchestra, Keith Lockhart, Arts Ensemble. Sponsored by St. James Erebuni Conductor; presenting Edvard Poghossian, cello. Armenian School. 4 p.m. at St. James Armenian Church The National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) and the Presented by Friends of Armenian Culture Society. Charles Mosesian Cultural & Youth Center - Keljik Hall, Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Ave., Boston. For tick- Northeastern University Armenian Watertown. Admission $25; For tickets call Armine at ets and information, visit facsboston.org 508-494-6008. Students Association will host a panel SEPTEMBER 30 — OCTOBER 2 — 25th Anniversary FEBRUARY 12 – Panel Discussion, “Nagorno-Karabagh: discussion, “Nagorno Karabagh: Celebration, Armenian International Women’s Where Is It Headed and How Did It Get There?” 7 Where is it headed and How did It Get Association. Charles Hotel, Cambridge. p.m., Friday. Moderated by Dr. Anna Ohanyan, Stonehill There?” on Friday, February 12, on the College. Introduction to history by Dr. Simon Payaslian, campus of Northeastern University, at Boston University. At Northeastern University McLeod NEW HAMPSHIRE the McLeod Suites, Curry Student Suites, Curry Student Center, 3rd floor, 346 Huntington Center, 346 Huntington Ave., Boston. MARCH 19 — Book-signing and presentation, 1-4 p.m., Ave., Boston. Organized by NAASR and the Northeastern Barnes and Noble, Salem, NH by authors E. Philip Brown Speakers will be Prof. Simon Armenian Students Association. and Tom Vartabedian will speak about their book, FEBRUARY 13 – May 21 — Multiple dates, authors E. Payaslian of Boston University and Armenians of the Merrimack Valley. Philip Brown and Tom Vartabedian will speak about Prof. Anna Ohanyan of Stonehill their book, Armenians of the Merrimack Valley. College. The program will start at 7 NEW JERSEY February13, Book launch and presentation, 10 a.m. to p.m. noon, Haverhill Public Library, 99 Summer St.; MARCH 18 – Cultural Committee of St. Thomas February18, Book-signing and presentation, 7 pm, Armenian Church presents A Night at the Opera, Tewksbury Public Library, 300 Chandler St.; March 31, Anoush by Tigranian, HD Opera with K. Kasbarian, D. book-signing and presentation, 7 p.m., Buttonwoods Levonian, A. Garabedian, M. Andonian. Friday, 7:30 Museum, 240 Water St., Haverhill and May 21, book-sign- Cambridge, MA. Meet prominent mentors from many p.m., Atrium, 174 Essex Drive, Tenafly, NJ 07670. Wine ing, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Vermette’s Market, 6 Pond St., professions. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity! and cheese reception. Donation $10 adults & children. Amesbury. Registration required, Feb. 1 deadline. No charge. For For reservations, please contact: Talar Sesetyan FEBRUARY 18 — Thursday, 6 p.m., Hrant Dink details: www.armenianbusinessnetwork.com. Sarafian: (201) 240 – 8541 or Church Office: (201) 567 Memorial Peace and Justice Lecture, “Complex Truths FEBRUARY 24 — Resilient Women Series: Armenian – 5446. in Trials of Conflicts,” Knafel Center, formerly Radcliffe Women in Iran, Wednesday, 7 p.m. reception, 8 p.m. Gym, 10 Garden St., Rakel Dink, Hrant Dink Foundation presentation. Speaker: Ani Babaian-Khachikian. Co-spon- NEW YORK – Istanbul and Cemal Kafadar, Vehbi Koç Professor of sored by AIWA New England Affiliate and NAASR at Turkish Studies, Harvard University. Main speaker, Sir Armenian Cultural Foundation, 441 Mystic Street, APRIL 5 – Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) presents Geoffrey Nice, Gresham College Professor of Law. This Arlington, MA. RSVP at [email protected] or Sahan Arzruni in Benefit Concert “Together for event will be live streamed. Free and open to the public. 617.501.1215 Armenia,” Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. An evening of solo piano Seating is limited. MAHINDRA HUMANITIES CENTER / MARCH 6 — Book Launch, commemorating International music to benefit the Vanadzor Old Age Home adminis- HARVARD - mahindra.fas.harvard.edu Women’s Day: In the Ruins by Zabel Yessayan. Sponsored by tered by FAR. Merkin Concert Hall - Kaufman Music FEBRUARY 20 – Armenian Business Network Career the Armenian International Women’s Association. 2 p.m., Center, 129 West 67th Street, New York. Tickets $35, will Day for Armenian high school seniors and college stu- Watertown Free Public Library. go on sale in February 2016. Please contact FAR for more dents, Saturday, 1-6 p.m., Microsoft N.E.R.D. Center in MARCH 6 — Actor and director Jirair Papasian of Paris, info: [email protected] or 212.889.5150.

Ayline Amirayan Sings Forget Me Not NAASR Los Angeles Event to Feature

AMIRYAN, from page 10 flower’s black circle with the dark older brothers. We are the voices of Chris Bohjalian, Eric Nazarian Armenia and honor those brave sol- aftermath, the purple colors stretch those children who survived because NAASR, from page 10 diers who have fought for the toward unity and the yellow heart of of their strength. Had my grandfather Ignatius is NAASR’s first executive director. She earned a JD from Armenian cause,” she said. the flower speaks to my vision of hope been killed I wouldn’t be here today.” Georgetown University and BA from Stanford University. She has served on Amirayan prepared the audience for and my love for creativity.” The story of how Amirayan’s grand- NAASR’s Board of Directors since 2014 and on its Executive Committee as her closing song, Forget Me Not. “It The day after the Montebello event father survived is every Armenian’s treasurer. Her interest in Armenian Studies deepened after she went on the was extremely important for me to Amirayan joined 160,000 Armenians story. It has taken 100 years for the 2006 NAASR tour to Armenia and Historic Armenia, and upon returning write Forget Me Not in English,” she in the April 24th six-mile Marching to world to recognize the depth of our drafted a young adult manuscript, ªThe Devil’s Kaleidoscope,” about a 14- said. “As Armenians, we know our Justice walk in Los Angeles from Little Armenian loss in 1915 and Amirayan’s year-old Armenian boy caught up in the Genocide. Her manuscript has story. For 100 years we've heard hor- Armenia in Hollywood to the Turkish first songwriting experience gives our received recognition from the New England Society of Children’s Books rific stories through the eyes of our consulate in Westward. “We have a community a musical rendition of our Writers and Illustrators, the National League of American Pen Women, and parents and grand parents. But I want- beautiful culture,” she told me and tragedy. Forget Me Not needs to be in the Somerville Arts Council. She has worked for more than 25 years as a ed the lyrics to be in English so non- added, “the strength and determina- every Armenian home to acknowledge lawyer and executive director, primarily with the Political Asylum Armenians would understand and feel tion of the march says we are all here. those who never returned. Immigration Representation Project in Boston, defending people fleeing why the title is Forget Me Not!” We hear the voices of our ancestors Who knows how many beyond our from persecution worldwide. She taught immigration and asylum law at When I listened to her latest rendi- and as I walked uphill and looked community will be affected listening Boston College Law School for ten years, co-authored Immigration Law and tion of Forget Me Not, the melody and back it was as if I saw thousands of to the haunting melody and even just the Family, and authored a National Asylum Study for Harvard Law School. lyrics kept playing over and over in my our ancestors marching out of Turkey the first verse? “My black eye weeps a The NAASR Leadership Circle was established to develop an elevat- head, which suggests to me that this is toward Deyr ez-Zor. But, we were not suffering tear, Painful dark memories ed level of membership to join the association in facing the new chal- a song that will be remembered. I marching to death. We were marching of 100 years. My heart wilts, my soul lenges and demands of the 21st century. NAASR, established in 1955 asked her about her creative process. toward life. is denied, I cry out for truth for those and to mark its 60th anniversary during 2016, has led the movement “The melancholy melody came to “We are still here and free,” she con- who died.” to create, maintain, strengthen and perpetuate Armenian Studies in me easily as I pictured my ancestors,” tinued. “How could an Armenian not If you want to hear the melody and the United States, including pioneering initiatives to establish the first Amirayan said. “The lyrics spoke to be proud? We are unique. Hearing sto- more of the lyrics of Forget Me Not, it two chairs in Armenian Studies in the U.S. at Harvard University and me through the forget-me-not flower, ries like how my grandfather, at age is listed on iTunes for 99 cents. A bar- UCLA. and I sang the song as if I were the six, while hidden in a barn, witnessed gain for the voice of the Armenian flower itself. My voice reflects the Turkish soldiers decapitate his three people and to never forget! 14 S ATURDAY, F EBRUARY 6 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR

COMMENTARY Mirror The Second Coming of President Hollande

The French president painfully remembered the Perinçek case By Edmond Y. Azadian and he qualified another defeat at a further point not only a loss Spectator for the Armenian Genocide, but also a loss for France. France has already a law on the books (Loi Gayssot) criminal- After the setback of the Switzerland vs. Perinçek verdict at the izing the denial of the Jewish Holocaust. But legal experts can European Court of Human Rights this past October, it was most perform any manner of hair splitting to demonstrate that there refreshing and reassuring to hear a major leader in Europe stand exists a “difference” between the two cases. up for the Armenians. Indeed, the president of France, François The audience received the president’s announcement that he EstablishedEstablished 1932 1932 Hollande, delivered a powerful speech in Paris on January 29 at has commissioned the former president of the European Court of An ADLAn Publication ADL Publication the annual banquet organized by the Coordinating Council of Human Rights Jean-Paul Costa, who incidentally was in atten- Armenian Organizations in France (CCAF) and solemnly pledged dance, to draft a law “within a short time” to criminalize the to introduce a law in the French Parliament criminalizing the denial of the Armenian Genocide in such a way as to stand up to denial of the Armenian Genocide. (See related story on page 1.) any challenge, with a standing ovation.

EDITOR Incidentally, unlike the US, Armenian lobbying groups in In his concluding remarks, Hollande indicated that Armenia was Alin K. Gregorian France cooperate under one umbrella, despite the traditional dif- ready to join Europe like its neighbor, Georgia. Perhaps the French ferences and animosities plaguing their political parties. The ARF president should have remembered that Armenia deserved to be ASSISTANT EDITOR (Dashnagtsoutiun) has strong ties with the ruling Socialist party part of Europe since World War I, when it stood by France and its Aram Arkun and the ADL (Ramgavar) and other groupings and individuals are allies, and by means of the Armenian Legion and soldiers in the

ART DIRECTOR affiliated with RMP, the right-leaning party. Russian army, contributed to the Allied victory. Marc Mgrditchian The CCAF annual banquet has become a tradition where However, Mr. Hollande’s predecessors reneged on their pledges movers and shakers in the community congregate. Therefore, any to provide home rule to the Armenians in Cilicia under French president or politician may miss the opportunity at his or her own protection. Had the Cilician plan survived, Europe would have peril. This time around, among the participants were legendary extended all the way to Asia Minor, and today the West would not singer Charles Aznavour, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and be obliged to beg Turkey to use Incirlik Airbase, which is at the SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: Armenian-American Sorbonne Professor Mark Moogalian, who heart of Cilicia, in Adana. Edmond Y. Azadian wrestled a terrorist on a Perhaps Mr. Paris-bound train from Hollande’s pledge to CONTRIBUTORS: Brussels. The last two, pass the new law repre- Florence Avakian, Dr. Haroutiun incidentally, received sents the revenge of Arzoumanian, Taleen Babayan, Diana awards at the banquet. history. Great powers Der Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, The highlight of the do not let remorse play Kevork Keushkerian, Harut Sassounian, Hagop Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian evening was the a role in decision mak- appearance of the ing, no matter what the CORRESPONDENTS: French president, who cost is for another play- Armenia - Hagop Avedikian delivered a well-crafted er. Boston - Nancy Kalajian speech outlining the Now that Armenia Philadelphia - Lisa Manookian cause of justice pre- does not have too many Berlin - Muriel Mirak-Weissbach sented by the recogni- friends which can stand Contributing Photographers: tion of the Armenian by her on the interna- Jacob Demirdjian and Jirair Hovsepian Genocide within the tional political stage, framework of French we have no choice but values and policies. He to be grateful to France proudly said that he for this new initiative. The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published had visited Yerevan to But at the same time, weekly, except two weeks in July and the first week of the year, by: participate in the cen- we need to remind tennial commemora- them that this Baikar Association, Inc. tion of the Genocide, afterthought consti- 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 representing not only tutes the minimum Telephone: 617-924-4420 the audience gathered reprieve for their his- FAX: 617-924-2887 at the banquet and his toric treachery in www.mirrorspectator.com country France, but Cilicia, when the E-Mail: [email protected] also in order to support the international struggle for justice. French troops, after reassuring Armenians of their protection, For advertising: [email protected] While delving into the current crises in the world, especially evacuated Cilicia stealthily, leaving the unarmed Armenian popu- the refugee problem, he indicated that today’s refugees come lation at the mercy of the Kemalist forces. from the same locations where the Armenian Genocide took Although Hollande reassured his audience that his pledge is place, Der Zor and Aleppo. not tied to any elections, politics in Europe have witnessed many The French president discussed both phases of Armenian trials and tribulations, especially when it comes to issues related Genocide recognition at the French legislature: In 2001, the to the Armenians. SUBSCRIPTION RATES: French parliament adopted a resolution recognizing the The French-Armenian activists deserve our appreciation. This Armenian Genocide. However, in 2012, the French constitutional is not the first time that they have been able to bring the presi- court struck down another law criminalizing the denial of the dent of the country to an Armenian function. In the US, with all U.S.A. $80 a year Armenian Genocide. He was dignified enough not to put the fanfare possible, Armenians were able to oblige Vice President Joe blame on his predecessor — and opponent — President Nicholas Biden to attend a benign prayer service in Washington in May, Canada $125 a year Sarkozy, who was the actual culprit. Indeed, following the adop- during the centennial commemorations. That participation does Other Countries $190 a year tion of the law at the parliament, there was a time window when not add up to a political endorsement. Perhaps, working togeth- the president could sign and finalize the process, but Sarkozy, er in the US we may be able to mobilize and politicize larger num- who had pledged to the Armenian community, with tearful eyes, bers of citizens, to have more visibility on the political radar. that he would ratify the law, through deliberate procrastination At this point, let us welcome the second coming of Mr. © 2014 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator allowed its opponents to gather enough votes at the Hollande and wait with anticipation for him to make good on his Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA Constitutional Court to annul the parliament’s vote. pledge. and additional mailing offices. ISSN 0004-234X

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Armenian Mirror-Spectator, 755 Mount Auburn Undoing Years of Progress in Turkey St., Watertown, MA 02472 Other than the editorial, views and opinions expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily conflict that restarted here after the break- streets, spacious courtyards and elegant stone reflect the policies of the publisher. By Abdullah Demirbas down of talks between the Turkish state and structures are reminders of a rich multicultur- the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, last al legacy — a legacy that has survived, albeit in summer has turned into a devastating war in an impoverished state, a century of conflict. Entire towns and districts are under siege. Kurdish towns and cities. Small but increasingly visible communities of Tanks ram through narrow alleys closed off by One of the most affected places is the city of Armenians, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Yazidis and Copying for other than personal use or barricades and trenches. Residents are Diyarbakir’s historic Sur district, where I was other minorities live alongside adherents of internal reference is prohibited without trapped indoors for weeks because of curfews. mayor from 2004 to 2014. Sur has been under diverse interpretations of Islam in what is now express permission of the copyright Those who venture outside risk sniper fire. owner. Address requests for reprints or 24-hour curfew since the beginning of a predominantly Sunni Kurdish town. back issues to: Their bodies lie on the streets for days before December. Many of its neighborhoods lie in Over the past decade, our municipality they can be collected. Bullets fly in through ruins. Its historic buildings are damaged, once worked hard to revive and preserve this her- windows and buildings collapse under busy shops are shut, hospitals lack staff, and itage. We oversaw the restoration of many his- Baikar Association, Inc. shelling, killing those seeking shelter at home. schools are closed. Tens of thousands of peo- toric buildings, including mosques and church- 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472- This is not Syria. This is Turkey, the ple have fled. es. The reopening of the Surp Giragos 1509 European Union candidate country once Sur’s walls surround an ancient city that has Armenian Church, which is now the largest hailed as a champion of the Arab Spring. The been inhabited for millenniums. Its narrow see PROGRESS, page 15 S ATURDAY, F EBRUARY 6 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 COMMENTARY

massacres, that he could prove it, and that he was anxious to Germany, where they continued their discreet conversation do so.” Herbert turned down Talaat’s request telling him: “I for two more days. Herbert reported Talaat’s paradoxical was very glad to hear that it was not he who was responsible attempt to cover up his role in the Armenian Genocide, while for the Armenian massacres, but that I did not think any use- justifying this heinous crime. Talaat stated that “he had writ- ful purpose could be served by our meeting at that time.” ten a memorandum on the Armenian massacres which he My Turn However, Herbert reversed his decision in February 1921, was very anxious that British statesmen should read. Early after Sir Basil Thomson, Director of British Intelligence, in the war, in 1915, the Armenians had organized an army, By Harut Sassounian ordered him to leave immediately for Germany and meet and had attacked the Turks, who were then fighting the Talaat. The secret rendezvous took place on February 26, in Russians. Three Armenian deputies had taken an active part; the small German town of Hamm. the alleged massacres of Moslems had taken place, accompa- Genocidaire Talaat’s Last Talaat told Herbert again that “he himself had always been nied by atrocities on women and children. He had twice Interview Shortly Before his against the attempted extermination of the Armenians.” opposed enforced migration, and he had been the author of More incredibly, Talaat claimed that “he had twice protested an inquiry which resulted in the execution of a number of Assassination against this policy, but had been overruled, he said, by the guilty Kurds and Turks.” Germans.” Ironically, Talaat boldly told Herbert that he was not afraid Aubrey Herbert, British diplomat, adventurer, intelligence Forgetting his own claims of innocence in the massacres, of being assassinated. “He said that he never thought of it. officer and Member of Parliament, conducted a rare inter- Talaat justified the mass killings by accusing Armenians of stab- Why should anyone dislike him? I said that Armenians might view with Talaat Pasha, in February 1921, just days before bing his country in the back during the war. Contradicting him- very well desire vengeance, after all that had been written his assassination in Berlin by Soghomon Tehlirian. self again, Talaat declared his support for Armenians by claim- about him in the papers. He brushed this aside.” Two weeks As all-powerful Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire, its ing that “he was in favor of granting autonomy to minorities in later, Talaat was assassinated in Berlin by Soghomon despotic ruler and mastermind of the Armenian Genocide, the most extended form, and would gladly consider any propo- Tehlirian. Talaat had fled Turkey in November 1918 to avoid prosecu- sition that was made to him.” Concluding his interview of Talaat, Herbert observed: “He tion by the new regime. The 23-page interview with Talaat Talaat then switched the blame to the British for the died hated, indeed execrated, as few men have been in their was published in 1924 (London) and 1925 (New York) in Armenian killings: “You English cannot divest yourselves of generation. He may have been all that he was painted — I can- Herbert’s memoirs titled, Ben Kendim: A Record of Eastern responsibility in this matter. We Young Turks practically not say. I know that he had rare power and attraction. I do Travel. offered Turkey to you, and you refused us. One undoubted not know whether he was responsible or not for the Herbert first met Talaat in 1908 while stationed at the consequence has been the ruin of Christian minorities, Armenian massacres.” British Embassy in Constantinople (Istanbul). Eleven years whom your Prime Minister has insisted on treating as your Only experts of that time period can verify the authentici- later, Herbert received an unexpected letter from Talaat seek- allies. If the Greeks and Armenians are your allies when we ty and accuracy of this lengthy interview. If true, what exact- ing a meeting with him “in any neutral country.” Desperately are at war with you, you cannot expect our Turkish ly were Talaat’s aims in proposing “an Anglo-Turkish seeking to rehabilitate his diabolical image in the West, Government to treat them as friends.” alliance” and why was the British government so anxious to Talaat claimed that “he was not responsible for the Armenian Herbert and Talaat then decided to move to Dusseldorf, talk to him?

Undoing Years of Progress in Turkey Sacred Justice: Mesrobian-MacCurdy’s Book Describes PROGRESS, from page 14 Tehlirian’s Mission to Gun Down Talaat Armenian church in the Middle East, after nearly a century in ruins has encouraged “hidden” survivors in Turkey of the 1915 genocide to redis- ed for the police as the fallen former Ottoman Turkish cover and embrace their heritage. Efforts to restore the old synagogue By Mitch Kehetian prime minister gasped his last breath of life in a street gut- in memory of Sur’s once vibrant Jewish community were underway ter near his Berlin hideout. before the eruption of violence last summer. The letters reprinted in Mesrobian-MacCurdy’s must- In 2012, Sur’s community leaders established an interfaith dialogue In my 52 years as a newspaper reporter and editor read book are so addictive that they draw one’s soul into group bringing together representatives of the region’s different reli- I’ve interviewed some of the highest-ranking political voic- the course of the clandestine mission. The Syracuse gions, cultures and civil society groups. Known as the Council of Forty, es at the state and national levels in America. On the Armenian’s 375-page book fuels the desire for the Hadug it has played a crucial role in keeping sectarian violence from reaching Armenian scene were such giants as Simon Vratzian, Gen. Kordz to be resurrected in order to motivate uncaring our city. Thanks to its efforts, Sur came to symbolize the vision of peace- Dro, and Reuben Darbinian. But there’s one special per- bystanders and apologetic types, from the US State ful coexistence in a region plagued by intolerance. son who to this day still stands out as my hero represent- Department to the White House, to rightfully term the It causes me immense grief to see that pluralism fall apart along with ing justice: Soghomon Tehlirian. 1915 carnage a “government conspired genocide.” Sur’s buildings. Sectarianism is destroying Syria before our very eyes. To He was the one chosen to silence the infamous Talaat Mesrobian-MacCurdy now teaches creative nonfiction at avoid the same fate in Turkey, the Council of Forty has called on the gov- Pasha, who had mapped out the extermination of Hampshire College in Amherst, Mass. Previously she ernment to lift the curfews, and asked all sides to end hostilities and Armenians in Turkish-occupied Western Armenia. I met served as professor and chair of the department of writing return to peace talks within the framework of parliamentary democracy. Tehlirian while attending an Armenian Revolutionary at Ithaca College. But Marian’s history-revealing book only President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said recently that military operations Federation (ARF) convention in Boston. I still treasure our became possible when dozens of the secret letters her late in the besieged Kurdish towns would continue until they were handshake to this day. Tehlirian died in 1960. grandfather Aaron Sachaklian had hidden in his attic “cleansed” of ”terrorists.” “You will be annihilated in those houses, In 1961 as a reporter at the Columbus Citizen-Journal study came to light. They were found in 1990 by her moth- those buildings, those ditches which you have dug,” he threatened. But of Ohio, I was assigned to compile a feature on how Israeli er — 25 years after Sachaklian’s death. what peace can be built through destruction? Decades of military poli- agents had tracked Adolf Eichmann to his hideout com- Sensing the historic value of the letters, Marian’s moth- cies against the Kurds have shown only that violence begets more vio- pound in Argentina to be tried for his role in mapping the er tagged them for safe keeping at her home. Sachaklian lence. Nazi plan to exterminate Europe’s Jewish population. My was the logistical leader of the covert operation known as Many residents of these towns are poor families who were forced to editors agreed I should also include how Tehlirian in 1921 Operation Nemesis, and keeper of all correspondence. flee the countryside when the conflict between the Kurds and the served as judge and jury in tracking down the Eichmann The letters date back to the 1919 World Congress of the Turkish state was at its peak in the 1990s. Those who are digging of the Armenian Genocide. The feature was also published ARF when a secret resolution (Hadug Kordz) was adopt- trenches and declaring “self-rule” in Sur and other cities and towns of by the Fresno Bee. ed. Marian and members of the family knew little about southeastern Turkey today are mostly Kurdish youths in their teens and Tehlirian’s mission continues as a reminder, to be read Operation Nemesis. 20s who were born into that earlier era of violence, poverty and dis- and viewed for generations until political justice is recog- The secrecy of the letters derailed any attempt by placement, and grew up in radicalized ghettos. nized. Three books and a movie about Tehlirian address German prosecutors to uncover a list of conspirators dur- Now a new generation will grow up with the trauma of killing, the execution that sent Talaat into the mode of a whirling ing Tehlirian’s trial, giving strength to the defense that destruction and forced migration. Where will they go? What will become dervish spinning into Satan’s domain. Actor Eric Bogosian, Tehlirian carried out the mission as a “lone cell avenger.” of them? And how will an angrier generation of Kurds and Turks find author of a published book on Operation Nemesis said it It worked. Tehlirian was found not guilty by the German common ground? The truth is that my generation may be the last to best about Mesrobian-MacCurdy’s achievement: “There are jury — on a justifiable homicide ruling. reach a peaceful settlement through dialogue. revelations in this book (Sacred Justice) that cannot be Tehlirian lived up to his sacred oath to remain silent at Dialogue is possible when those in power want it. Last spring, the two found anywhere else.” While the silver screen docudrama his trial, and to only repeat that Talaat was the murderer sides were on the verge of a breakthrough after two and a half years of “Assignment Berlin” was filmed in Detroit by producer of his entire family, and that he carried out the assassina- negotiations. The Kurds, when given a real and fair choice, have repeat- Hrayr Toukhanian. Now we have Mesrobian-Macurdy’s new tion with no outside help. At the same time all correspon- edly picked politics over violence and opted for coexistence in a demo- take on Tehlirian’s mission that needs to be brought before dence relating to the mission was kept with Marian’s cratic Turkey, where their rights and identities are recognized, over sep- cinema and television audiences. grandfather under the seal of secrecy to blunt any prying aration. But as the destruction goes on, their faith in a political solution Mesrobian MacCurdy’s enlightening masterpiece Sacred into the ARF archives. withers. Justice is a chilling account of how undercover Armenian When the film industry initially focused on the Jewish In 2007, Sur became the first municipality in Turkey to offer services agents tracked Talaat to Berlin, where he was hiding out Holocaust, it did by dramatizing the scripts detailing in local languages, including Kurdish, Armenian and Assyrian, besides with a new identity. But professor-author MacCurdy’s pub- the historic episodes that sparked the Diary of Anne Frank the official Turkish — a move that infuriated the authorities in Ankara, lished research is more than an account of the Genocide and “Schindler’s List.” the capital, and led to my removal as mayor. In 2009, months after being and Tehlirian’s life. It includes top-secret letters, some stud- Sacred Justice presents the very tenets of what re-elected with two-thirds of the vote, I was arrested on charges of sep- ded with coded words by ARF agents. Operation Nemesis achieved in silencing the architect of aratism. (I was released five months later on health grounds and kept The letters reveal how Tehlirian was selected to carry the Armenian genocide, and shares the previously my role as mayor throughout my arrest.) out the mission set by the committee that operated unknown, secret letters. These letters draw the reader into As I was rounded up along with hundreds of Kurdish activists and under the name Hadug Kordz — “special mission.” the effort to execute the monster who boasted to elected politicians, my teenage son left our house to join the PKK. “You Tehlirian met all the requirements. Family members American Ambassador Robert Morgenthau that he would are wasting time with your politics and dialogue,” he told me. I dedi- were victims of the genocide. He had military training, eradicate the Armenian people. cated my life to trying to prove him wrong and bring him home in peace. including knowledge of how to operate weapons and Abris Professor Marian Mesrobian-MacCurdy! We I have been discouraged before, but never lost hope. Today, I struggle explosives, and was single. Furthermore, the letters reveal thank you for sharing your grandfather’s hidden letters. to keep that hope alive. that the committee trusted Tehlirian to surrender after They rightfully embrace the naming of Operation killing Talaat so that the cause would gain global attention Nemesis. Yes. It was Sacred Justice. (Abdullah Demirbas is the former mayor of Diyarbakir’s Sur district through a court trial afterwards. Secrecy was ensured by (Mitch Kehetian is a retired editor of the Macomb Daily and a founding member of the Council of Forty. This commentary a sacred oath. and former board trustee at Central Michigan originally appeared in the New York Times on January 26.) After gunning down Talaat, the Armenian fedayee wait- University.) 16 S ATURDAY, F EBRUARY 6 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING David Kherdian, Nonny Hogrogian Move to Marblehead

Hogrogian’s illustrations. Some are large paint- Newbery Honor Book Award, a Jane Addams Hogrogian called Gurdjieff’s teachings eso- By Mary Reines ings of people, reminiscent of the Great Masters Children’s Book Award, a Friends of American teric Christianity, and said he brought spiritual — her favorite artist is Leonardo da Vinci. Writers Chicago Young People’s Literature ideas from the East to the West. They compared Others are free-flowing graphite or ink draw- Award, The Armenian Star Award and a nomi- his methods to Sufism and Buddhism. He is MARBLEHEAD, Mass. (Wicked Local) — ings of people, originals from children’s books nation for the National Book Award. currently editing a book on Gurdjieff by Ocke Now that Newbery Award-winning David that she’s illustrated. There are watercolor ani- When he finished his next book of poetry, de Boer. Kherdian and his wife, two-time Caldecott mals too. Homage to Adana (1971), Kherdian called “We study Gurdjieff for our own spiritual evo- Medalist Nonny Hogrogian, are in their 80s, “I love drawing animals,” Hogrogian said. Hogrogian to do the cover. They were married lution,” Kherdian said. they’ve decided to stay put for once. Hogrogian is an award-winning artist and the same year. After moving to San Francisco in 1960, Marblehead is their final destination. illustrator. She was an art director at Henry “For the last eight years, we haven’t been Kherdian ran with the Beat poets — Allen Holt and later apart for more than five minutes,” Kherdian Ginsberg, Lawrence Ferlinghetti — before break- (MARY REINES PHOTO) Charles Scribner’s said. ing away to focus on his own style and distin- before leaving to Hogrogian went on to illustrate many more guish himself. pursue full-time book covers for Kherdian, including his “I didn’t want to be identified with the Beat work as a book Newbery Honor winner, The Road From Home: poets,” he said. “Those people were associated illustrator. A True Story of Courage, Survival and Hope, by a group label ... I’ve been a very stubborn “I broke in that which is a biography of his mother, a survivor individual all my life, a rebel actually.” way,” she said. of the Armenian Genocide. It has been in print Through their travels, Kherdian has taught “The first couple of for 35 years and translated into 16 languages writing classes as a method of self-study. books I did were for In Racine, Wis., Kherdian was surrounded by “It’s proven to be very effective,” he said. other people … I Armenian immigrants. “Grow up and tell my “People’s patterns start early in life and it’s wasn’t expressing story,” they told him. invisible to the person ... We get fixed into a lot myself.” Kherdian and Hogrogian are the children of of patterns that are harmful to us.” Hogrogian was Armenian immigrants who survived the geno- He recently released a 25th anniversary edi- awarded the cide. Their heritage not only brought them tion of his book, The Dividing River, the R a n d o l p h together, but also influenced their work. Once Meeting Shore, a collection of poetry about the Caldecott Medal for There Was and Was Not: Armenian Tales Retold loss of his closest childhood friend. The new illustration in 1966 was one of the first books that Hogrogian edition comes with a companion booklet that and 1972 and has authored and illustrated. contains an interview and seven additional illustrated and “In the beginning, I was telling all Armenian sto- poems. authored more ries that my grandmother had told me,” Hogrogian These days, the couple likes to read, take than 60 books for said. “That was pretty simple for me.” walks and go out for lunch. Hogrogian is work- Nonny Hogrogian and David Kherdian children. One of One painting in their living room depicts ing on a painting, but her sight is deteriorating her first books, Hogrogian’s ancestors herded together, with a so she doesn’t drive. Still, they enjoy keeping Once There Was girl dancing in the foreground. It’s a tribute to busy. They gave advice on breaking into cre- “We’re not moving again,” said Hogrogian. and Was Not: Armenian Tales Retold (1966), those who survived and those who were lost. ative fields. Since November, the couple have been living was given to Kherdian at a dinner party in “My family and his family escaped,” she said. “Do it. You just have to push your way in,” in an apartment on Prospect Street, just min- 1970. That was his first knowledge of his future Hogrogian and Kherdian aren’t religious, but Hogrogian said. “There’s always going to be utes from downtown Marblehead. They appreci- wife. they are spiritual. They have studied and prac- people who tell you that you have no talent.” ate the town’s antique buildings and narrow “I got three copies; one for me, one for my ticed the teachings of Georges Ivanovich “I don’t think it can be taught,” Kherdian streets. mother, and one for my sister,” he said. Gurdjieff, an influential early 20th century said. “But it can be learned. It has to come from “We both loved Europe and this place Kherdian is a widely published author of 72 Russian mystic, philosopher, spiritual teacher you.” reminds me of Europe,” Kherdian said. books, 23 of them poetry. His awards include and composer of Armenian and Greek descent. Sometimes, it takes a while to realize success. Their small apartment is decorated with The Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, a He taught that most humans do not possess a “It’s very hard,” Kherdian said. “A writer cre- unified mind-body consciousness and live their ates his own world. It takes a lifetime to have lives in a state of hypnotic “waking sleep,” but that kind of definition.” that it is possible to transcend to a higher state To schedule a reading or talk, Kherdian and of consciousness and achieve full human poten- Hogrogian can be contacted Human Rights Organizations See tial. at [email protected]. No Progress in Armenia Artsakh President Congratulates President on Army Day in Armenia in 2015 remained uneven. By Gohar Abrahamyan In a report released on Wednesday, the HRW YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Artsakh Republic of their ancestors, devotedly carry out the raised serious concerns about the government’s President Bako Sahakyan sent a congratulatory sacred duty of defending the Homeland, per- interference with freedom of assembly in message on January 28, the Day of the Army to forming and displaying unique feats and YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow) — This week three Armenia. Besides, the watchdog also presented the Republic of Armenia, to the country’s pres- courage. You have had a great personal contri- human rights watchdogs, including two inter- concerns regarding media freedom, poor prison ident, Serge Sargisian. bution in the establishment and formation of national organizations, have released their conditions, including overcrowding and mis- The address message is as follows: the Army, its ongoing enhancement and devel- annual reports, showing lack of progress in treatment, as well as discrimination against “Honorable President Sargisian, On behalf of opment. You are doing your best for consoli- terms of human rights protection in Armenia. LGBT people. the Artsakh people, the authorities and on dating defense capability of the two Armenian United States-based international human Human rights activists also express their con- myself personally I would like to convey sincere states, solving issues and reaching goals of rights organization Freedom House on cerns over the legality of the referendum on congratulations on the Day of the Army, a hol- nationwide nature. I once again congratulate Wednesday released its annual “Freedom in the constitutional amendments, citing allegations iday that is considered very important for all you and the whole personnel of the Republic of World 2016” survey, which assesses the level of of widespread vote buying, ballot stuffing, as the Armenians. The glorious Armenian army is Armenia’s armed forces on this cherished holi- human rights and freedoms in 195 countries well as intimidation and violence against the offspring of independence, the pride of all day and wish peace, good health and great suc- and 14 territories around the world, classifying observers. Armenian people, who love and cherish it like cess for the glory of Mother Armenia and the them as “free,” “partly free” and “not free.” The annual report of the Helsinki Committee their child. Its brave soldiers, following the lead native people.” Armenia retained its “partly free” ranking, of Armenia published on January 26 also raises scoring 5 for “political rights” and 4 for “civil the issue of violence, political persecution, liberties” on a 7-point scale, with 1 representing repression of freedom of speech and freedom of the most free and 7 the least free. assembly as well as torture. Nagorno-Karabagh, presented as a “disputed In 2015, according to the report, instances of Philanthropist Vardanyan Believes Armenia Can territory” in the report, was also ranked as pressure against media representatives “partly free” unlike Azerbaijan that is included increased by 24 as compared to the previous Become New ‘Hong Kong’ for Iran in the category of “not free” countries. year, and violence continued against a number VARDANYAN, from page 1 Armenia’s neighbors Turkey and Georgia are of civic activists. “Within the next few years, lots of foreign businessmen and specialists will be working “partly free,” while Russia and Iran are “not Both the Human Rights Watch and the in Iran; with characteristics of life in Iran in mind, many will not take their families with free.” Helsinki Committee of Armenia singled out in them. Armenia’s geographical proximity to Iran and the possibility to fly there and back Arch Puddington, Vice President for their reports the police break-up of a peaceful on weekend should make us think of creating comfortable conditions for wives and chil- Research at Freedom House, told VOA that protest against the rise in electricity violence on dren of foreign businessmen to live in Armenia while the head of family is working in Iran,” Armenia’s unchanging “partly free” status in June 23, 2015. More than 200 demonstrators he said. recent years is primarily due to the Russian were detained then, a number of journalists One of Vardanyan’s biggest projects in Armenia is UWC Dilijan College, attended by pressure and its negative impact, which also has also suffered police brutality during the events. about 200 students from 60 countries. made Armenia prefer the Eurasian — and not Ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) According to Vardanyan, new opportunities will arise in tourism as well. the European — Union. representatives, however, dismiss the criti- “In the last few years, we’ve seen the sustained increase in number of tourists visiting “Armenia is in a very difficult region in terms cism. Senior RPA lawmaker Hovhannes particularly southern regions of Armenia. Development of new touristic routes and prod- of human rights,” said the Freedom House rep- Sahakyan describes the latest reports of ucts will allow foreigners to continue traveling from Armenia to Iran,” noted the philan- resentative. He specified that Armenia is sur- international human rights organizations as thropist. rounded by countries such as Azerbaijan and “not objective”. In particular, regarding the Vardanyan’s another important project is the reconstruction of Tatev monastery in the Russia, which have a very rigid authoritarian Freedom House assessments, he told south of Armenia. Five years ago world’s largest “Wings of Tatev” reversible aerial rope- system, adding that “it is very difficult for RFE/RL’s Armenian Service that he didn’t way was launched within “Tatev Revival” project. It is included in the Guinness book of democrats to function in such surroundings.” think that “connecting a country’s freedom records. Meanwhile, according to the Human Rights and democracy to one geopolitical entity or Watch organization, the human rights situation another is right and fair.”