FEBRUARY 27, 2016 Mirror-SpeTHE ARMENIAN ctator Volume LXXXVI, NO. 32, Issue 4426 $ 2.00 NEWS INBRIEF The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 Tatoyan Elected Human Rights Defender The Armenian Democratic Liberal Party YEREVAN (Public Radio of Armenia) — With a vote of 96 to 7 the National Assembly elected Deputy ACTING UPON its main resolution Justice Minister Arman Tatoyan as Human Rights It is a painful reality to note that the Armenian to nominate a committee of 6 formed Defender. Democratic Liberal Party (Ramgavar) has been split by Engerner Edmond Azadian, Dr. In compliance with the new constitutional for the last ten years. All endeavors to heal the rift Hratch Kouyoumjian, Hagop changes, his candidacy was proposed by the during that period unfortunately have failed. Finally a Vartivarian, Ardavazt Melkissetian, Dr. National Assembly’s Standing Committee on State reconstruction movement evolved through the initia- Kevork Erzingatsian and to be coordi- and Legal Affairs. tive of well-meaning elements of the party. The world- nated by Vartan Nazirian in order to According to the Constitution, the Human wide movement engaged almost all regions of the implement its resolutions (First Party); Rights Defender is elected by 3/5th of the total party leading to a gathering in Yerevan in October of TAKING NOTE of the various actions and number of MPs. 2015. The convocation developed a platform and a the timeline proposed by this Committee in order to initiate a road map towards a general reconciliation. dialogue with the other camps represented by the current To finalize the action plan a second convocation Central Committee (Second Party) whose term had already Ambassador Meets will be held in Yerevan, Armenia on April 19-22, expired by November 2015; 2016. RECALLING the fact that the Second Party has declined all Canadian Cabinet recent efforts to meet the First Party in order to work out a Member genuine reconciliation program; The following statement is a call for participation to the CONDEMNING the recent suspensions and expulsions from OTTAWA (Public Radio of Armenia) — On February above convocation. the Party ranks, without due democratic process, of party 22, Armen Yeganian, Ambassador of the Republic activists who were demanding reform and dialogue and were of Armenia to Canada, met with John McCallum, A Call for Unity and Reform critical of the actions of the Second Party, as being incom- Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship patible with the spirit of dialogue and reconciliation; of Canada. FOLLOWING the resolutions of the Yerevan International DETERMINED to continue our mission in order to reorga- Highlighting the necessity of opening Embassy Consultation (October 31, 2015) that was held in conjunction nize the Party along modern concepts, while at the same time of Canada in Armenia, Yeganian informed Minister with the ADLP Armenia Convention, and whose primary aim keeping open all venues for a dialogue and unity, we have that every year several thousands Canadian citi- was to try and bridge the gap between the various factions of taken the following decisions: zens visit Armenia and sometimes they experience ADL that has plagued the Party for over 20 years; by explor- To pursue the reorganization of ADLP leaving the door the need of consular and immigration services of ing the possibilities of a dialogue and compromise instead of open to the Second Party and all other willing partners to join the Embassy. engaging in futile exercises that time has shown to produce no efforts in a spirit of reconciliation for a constructive dialogue; The two also discussed a number of issues con- tangible results. see ADL, page 16 cerning the recent flow of refugees to Canada. McCallum noted that he is well informed about the problems Syrian-Armenians are facing while arriv- ing in Canada. He stressed that the Canadian Government is implementing numerous assistance German Bundestag Holding Debate programs, which in particular are aimed at the Tribute improvement of refugees’ social conditions. Yeganian expressed his gratitude to Canadian gov- On Armenian Genocide Actor and Director ernment for its support. During the meeting the two also discussed cur- BERLIN (Public Radio of Armenia) — The bill was later prevented by the coalition. Fazlian Played rent visa policies between the two countries. German Bundestag is set to hold a debate on “Obviously, the political motives are more Yeganian briefed McCallum on the commemora- the Armenian Genocide on February 25 important for the coalition than joint recog- Important Role in tive events of the centennial of the Armenian (after MS press deadline). The Alliance nition,” Ozdemir said. Genocide, organized throughout 2015. 90/The Greens faction will make mention of “We want the debate to be followed by Armenian and the Armenian Genocide 100 years ago. Forty- voting. However, this is still uncertain, as Lebanese Theater five minutes are allocated for the report. we don’t know what the disposition of the NKR President Meets “There will be a statement followed by a ruling coalition is. If no voting follows, the With Hovhanissyan debate,” Cem Özdemir, president of the bill will again be sent back to the By Hagop Vartivarian Greens Party said in an exclusive interview Commission, where it is doomed to share STEPANAKERT — On February 15, President Bako with Public Radio of Armenia. the fate of an earlier motion submitted on Sahakyan of Nagorno Karabagh Republic According to him, the Greens will present a April 24, 2015. It will remain pending, as I am happy that in those distant (Artsakh) received Armenia’s newly-appointed statement, which has the same emphasis as the ruling coalition is not interested in rais- places with large Armenian popula- ambassador to the United States, Grigor the draft bill debated with the ruling coalition ing the issue again,” President of the tions, the foundation of the Hovhanissyan. back in November 2015. Although the par- Greens Party said. Armenian dramatic arts exists, one Sahakyan congratulated Hovhanissyan on ties had reached some common ground, the see BUNDESTAG, page 16 of the initiators of which is a youth assuming the responsible position. educated from the same source as I. The meeting touched upon a range of issues – Vahram Papazian related to providing truthful information about Artsakh in various US platforms and deepening the Reception Held in Honor of NY Tekeyan Benefactors inter-Armenian ties. ENGLEWOOD, N.J. – A reception was held Among the benefactors present were NKR Foreign Minister Karen Mirzoyan was pre- on February 6 at the home of Hagop and Maria Nazar and Artemis Nazarian, Edward and sent at the meeting. Vartivarian to thank benefactors who helped Carmen Gulbenkian, and Henri Dimidjian. the Tekeyan Cultural Association (TCA) of Dr. Raffy and Shoghag Hovanessian, Saro Greater New York in 2015. and Hilda Haroutunian, Dr. Hagop Plans for TCA activities in 2016, includ- Gulekjian, Helen Misk and Charles and INSIDE ing theatrical performances in Yerevan and Diana Mkhitarian were also in attendance. Gumri this April, were presented. see RECEPTION, page 16 Northeastern Panel Page 4 BEIRUT — Berj Fazlian, who died last week at age 90, was born on December 4, 1926 in Istanbul. He obtained his education at a local INDEX drama institute, and by 1944 was par- Arts and Living ...... 10 ticipating in local plays. He directed Armenia ...... 2 some 10 plays in Istanbul, among Community News...... 4 which were Ben Johnson’s “Volpone” Editorial ...... 14 and Moliere’s “The Miser.” International ...... 3 Tekeyan Cultural Association benefactors at the Vartivarian residence in NJ see FAZLIAN, page 7 2 S ATURDAY, F EBRUARY 2 7 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia Syrian-Armenian Refugee Thrives at AUA YEREVAN — It is tragic to lose one’s showed excellent results there. By then, home and to have one’s dreams and aspi- her father, who had stayed behind in rations cut short. This is what fate had in Aleppo, had finally given up hope that Armenia and Czech store for 20-year-old Syrian Armenian peace might be restored in Syria and Republic to Organize Gasia Atashian, an undergraduate stu- joined his family in Armenia. dent at the American University of And things kept getting better and Joint Production of Armenia (AUA). But this was her fate better. “AUA surpassed my expectations only up to December 2013, when of the level of education that it offers. It’s Military Equipment Atashian and most of her family escaped the best university in Armenia. The pro- their war-torn hometown of Aleppo, fessors are very good. They make you YEREVAN (Armenpress) — An agreement on mili- Syria, for a safe haven in Armenia. work hard and help you further your tary cooperation is being signed between Armenian When the Syrian war reached Aleppo interest in the field you’re studying. They and Czech governments this week. in 2011, Atashian was in class with other force you to do your best. That’s what I The agreement provides the supply of military 11th graders. “There was a rumble. like the most,” Atashian says. products, repair, modernization, operation and tech- Later, we learned that it was a bomb,” Gasia Atashian, who escaped the war Studying at AUA has allowed Atashian nical support, organization of production allowed for Atashian recounts. Since that day, the sit- in Syria in 2013, excels academically as to have a new kind of life. “I don’t just military products, ensuring control of the military uation in Aleppo has grown progressive- a sophomore in AUA’s Department of come to study at AUA. We have extracur- product’s quality and preparation of professionals Computational Sciences. She is shown ly worse. “Bombs were falling. There was ricular activities; we are offered general and technical staff in educational institutions. here posing with President of the no water, no Internet, and no electricity. education courses; there are volunteer- According to the agreement, cooperation between Republic of Armenia Serge Sargisian Going to school was dangerous because ing opportunities. In this way, we get the Armenian and Czech companies, signing separate who awarded her with a highly competi- there were snipers. In 12th grade, I decid- exposed to other fields. Our education is agreements in the field of military-technical coopera- tive prize for her educational accom- ed to study information technologies (IT) not limited to just our specialization. It’s tion between organizations and institutions are plishments in IT. and worked hard to get into university. I very cool. I like that very much,” expected. studied by candlelight,” Atashian contin- Atashian says. ues. Despite the dangers and challenges, the Sphere of IT (Category II), which ”I feel I belong at AUA. I feel we are Karabagh President she was accepted into a selective techni- Atashian won in 2015. For the 2015-16 one family,” Atashian continues. “It was cal university in Aleppo, which was no academic year, she was also awarded different in Syria. I was the only Syrian Awards Renowned easy feat for a young Syrian Armenian AUA’s Kablanian scholarship, which is a Armenian girl in my university and need- woman living in an Arab Muslim, male- full, merit-based scholarship given to a ed time to adapt to the new environment, Russian Writer dominated society. Her dream had come Syrian Armenian student to cover his or after having graduated from an STEPANAKERT — President of the Nagorno- true, but she could not fully savor her her tuition fees. Atashian has also Armenian private school in Aleppo.” Karabagh Republic (NKR/Artsakh), Bako Sahakyan, accomplishment. She attended university received the Munushian scholarship for As Atashian looks forward to even this week signed a decree on awarding the Medal for just one week, before she had to stop Syrian Armenian students during the greater accomplishments in the IT field, Gratitude to renowned Russian writer and Armenian going. “My family decided that we would 2014-2015 academic year. she feels pride and contentment in her Studies specialist Kim Bakshi. leave Aleppo. Staying might have cost us As Atashian studied hard and excelled current situation. “I’m so happy and The said medal is awarded to Bakshi in recognition our lives,” she says. Atashian had been in at AUA, normalcy slowly returned to her proud to be on this incredible path of his substantial contribution to the popularization Armenia only once before, as part of a family as her sister, too, who was set on towards success. The war in Syria dis- of the Artsakh cultural heritage, and in connection ten-day trip with her scouts troop in going to medical school, was admitted to rupted my life; but AUA is giving me a with his 85th birth anniversary. 2010. She was feeling uneasy and sad Yerevan State Medical University and better and brighter future.” Armenian News-NEWS.am has learned the above- about the move. “I was sad because I had said from the Central Information Department of the gotten accepted into my desired universi- Office of the NKR President. ty, but had to abandon my studies; I was worried, as I didn’t know what I would do in Armenia; I might not be able to con- Photojournalists Changing Image Armenia, World Bank tinue my education. I didn’t know any- thing about Armenia’s universities and Of Women in Armenia Sign $55 Million Loan didn’t understand how I could get accept- Agreement ed,” she says. The family made their way YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — In Yerevan’s RFE/RL, the Institute for War and to the homeland by way of Beirut, Victory Park, an enormous copper stat- Peace Reporting and Eurasianet, co- YEREVAN (PanARMENIAN.Net) — Armenia’s Lebanon; the airport in Aleppo was ue of a woman brandishing a sword founded 4Plus in 2013. Her partners are Minister of Finance Gagik Khachatryan and World closed due to the threat of bombard- stands sentinel over the city. “Mother Nazik Armenakyan, a former freelance Bank’s Regional Director for the South Caucasus ments. Once she reached Yerevan, she Armenia” is a symbol of national photographer with Agence France- Mercy Tembon signed an agreement on February 23 found out that AUA has an IT depart- strength and reverence for women, but Presse and Reuters, who now works for for a $55-million loan with a 25-year maturity period ment and immediately threw herself into photographer Anahit Hayrapetyan says the website ArmeniaNow; and Anush and a 14.5-year grace period. preparing for the University’s admission women in her country often don’t Babajanyan, who has worked as a pho- The Local Economy and Infrastructure exams: she studied hard for the TOEFL enjoy the freedom and respect the stat- tographer for several NGOs, and in 2013 Development Programme loan agreement signed exam for English language competency — ue evokes. received a production grant from the with the International Bank for Reconstruction and an especially challenging proposition “mOther Armenia,” an Development (IBRD) is set to improve infrastructure since her schooling in Syria had been in exhibition of the work of and institutional capacities to further boost tourism Arabic. She passed the test and was 10 women photogra- development in Armenia’s Ararat, Vayots Dzor and accepted into AUA, leaving the admis- phers held in 2013, was Lori provinces. sions committee in awe of her accom- one of the first projects plishment. of 4Plus, an Armenian Atashian aspired for more than just organization co-founded ‘The Last Inhabitant’ to this achievement and pushed herself by Hayrapetyan that Debut at Golden Apricot towards making even greater strides seeks to empower towards a better future. Her already women through photog- Festival impressive academic and extracurricular raphy. The title is a play accomplishments, including high grades, on the name of the stat- The founders of 4Plus from left to right: Nazik YEREVAN (Public Radio of Armenia) — “The Last ue, and refers to the exhi- Armenakyan, Anahit Hayrapetyan, and Anush basketball training for almost ten years, Babajanyan. Armenia, undated. Inhabitant,” a film directed by Jivan Avetisyan, is participation in scouts activities, and bition’s ten photo collec- slated for release later this year. The film tracks the even a certificate for the video-archiving tions, each of which high- events of 1988-1989 and shows how the Sumgait of Genocide-related photos, contributed lighted a different prob- massacres affected destinies. towards other important developments. lem facing women in Armenia, such as Open Society Foundation’s The shooting of the film was completed last year. Among them, remarkably, was the transgender issues, violence against Documentary Photography Project to The soundtrack is currently being recorded in highly competitive Best Diasporan women, and treatment of Yazidi girls photograph Armenian women’s labor Armenia. Student Educational Award of the and refugee women. migration to Turkey, a project she con- The score, by System Of A Down’s Serj Tankian, President of the Republic of Armenia in . tinues to work on. will be performed by the Armenian National One subsequent exhibition organized In addition to organizing exhibitions Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hover State by 4Plus has sought to illustrate taboos of photography by and about women, Chambr Choir. associated with the types of professions 4Plus holds training sessions with “The Last Inhabitant” is about an Armenian village women can have, defiantly featuring internationally renowned photogra- that has been forcibly emptied of its residents. The Correction photographs of women taxi drivers, phers, arranges workshops and feed- film’s main character, Abgar, lives with his mentally boxers, and war veterans. Another exhi- back for women photographers who ill daughter. After Azerbaijanis enter the village and The article “Papasian Is Trying bition showcased non-thematic docu- would otherwise be working in isola- attempt to rape his daughter, Abgar has no choice to Put Armenian Opera on mentary photography done by women. tion, and publishes collections of other than fighting to ensure her safety. International Stage” in the women’s photography. The film stars world-renowned Iranian actor Mirror-Spectator issue of “We noticed that there are many Hayrapetyan says this year 4Plus Homayoun Ershadi, Sandra Dauksaite, Armenian February 20 stated, “Internship women working in the field in Armenia, aims to expand beyond the capital city actors Sos Janibekyan, Aleksander Khachatryan, during his studies included assis- our friends and colleagues,” said and bring training and exhibitions to Naira Muradyan, Anne Bedian and Babken tant directing at the National Hayrapetyan. “But women have fewer regional cities in Armenia. Chobanyan. Opera of Armenia and later in opportunities and more limitations in “I believe that visual art and photog- The film will be presented to the public during the Leningrad…” This should be their work, so we decided to come raphy can change society,” said 2016 Golden Apricot Film Festival. replaced by: “Internship at that together and help each other.” Hayrapetyan. “They can show the many period included studying at the Hayrapetyan, whose photographs things we can do other than having National Opera…” have been published widely in local and babies and taking care of kids.” international media, including by — Emily Thompson S A T U R D A Y , F E B R U A R Y 2 7 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 INTERNATIONAL Paruyr Sevak, Patriot and World Citizen International News

By Muriel Mirak-Weissbach Armenia to Switch to Special to the Mirror-Spectator Karabagh ‘Deterrence’

BERLIN — “Can poetry open the Strategy hearts of people, even at a distance?“ YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Armenia plans to abandon This is a question that Azad its “static defense” strategy and switch to a more Ordukanyan, President of the active deterrence in its standoff with Azerbaijani Armenian Academic Society in troops in the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict zone, an Bochum, Germany, had included in a Armenian official said. letter written to Armenian Ambassador Speaking at a seminar organized by the Ashot Smbatyan, inviting him to open Organization for Security and Cooperation In an event in Berlin featuring the poetry Europe (OSCE) in Vienna on February 18, Armenian of Paruyr Sevak. In his greetings to the Deputy Defense Minister David Tonoian said that in attendants of the musical reading at order “to alleviate” the confrontation, Yerevan is the Literaturhaus in the German capi- “gradually” turning to the “deterrence system.” tal on February 20, Smbatyan respond- ed with an unhesitating “Yes.” And the event bore testimony to this fact; the Stepan Gantralyan, Tim Mücke, Publisher, Ambassador Ashot Smbatyan (left to right) Iran Supports Political lively recitations of poems by Paruyr Sevak, both in the original and in a Solutions, Tells Aliyev faithfully, yet without sacrificing any of currently teaches at a comprehensive new German translation, embedded in TEHRAN (Public Radio of Armenia) — Iran hopes the poetical power in German. school in Wiesbaden. She, too, has pub- musical offerings, opened the hearts of for a political solution to regional problems, Iranian lished poetry and short stories, both in those attending, even in Germany, far President Hassan Rouhani said last week, the Iranian Poems in Dialogue with Music German and Armenian, many of which away from the poet’s homeland, IRNA news agency reported. The musical reading at the have also appeared in anthologies. A Armenia. He made the remarks at a joint press conference Literaturhaus offered a program that volume of her poetry and another of For those who were not familiar with with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Ilham Aliyev, in had been presented the evening before, prose works have appeared in Armenia. the poet, a brief introduction was pro- Tehran. in nearby Potsdam at the Lepsiushaus. In addition her poems and stories have vided. Born in 1924 in the village of Iran’s president also said that they had construc- The authors had prepared the program appeared in Armenian language period- Chanatsshi (today Sangakatun), he tive talks on energy, oil and gas, division and joint as a dialogue between poetry and icals in Lebanon, the Czech Republic acquainted himself early with literature use of Caspian resources, and also Islamic issues and music, whereby a musical offering and the United States. She is a member and began to compose poems. An inde- the Syria crisis. pendent spirit, he dared to read the would be followed by a poem, or a block of the Literature Club of Women from works of poets who were banned under of several poems, then again music, and Around the World and the Armenian the Soviet dictatorship of the 1930s, poems, alternating. The evening opened Writers Union, which late last year hon- Georgia, Azerbaijan and including Yegishe Charents. Sevak stud- with the patriotic Armenian song “Kele ored her in Yerevan with the ied at the Philological Faculty of the Lao,” then, following greetings by the Vasdakovor Order, as an author of out- Turkey FMs Visit Railway ambassador and a standing merit. Although Armenian is BAKU (AzerNews) — The Foreign Ministers of short introduction, her mother tongue, Mkrtchian feels Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey visited the Georgian the famous completely at home in German, and her section of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway main line, as Hayastan. After a delivery in that language was described part of the trilateral meeting in Tbilisi on February song, Crane, came by attendants as strong and powerful. 19, Georgian Foreign Ministry’s press service report- seven shorter Stepan Gantralyan is a man of many ed. poems, each recit- trades, actor, director, singer and com- According to the Foreign Ministers of the three ed in Armenian poser. Born in Yerevan, between 1988 countries, it is a project of historic importance which and German. The and 1991 he held leading positions as will connect Asia with Europe. next two musical director and/or actor at the Peoples The Georgian Foreign Minister believes the Baku- pieces were cello Theater at the Armenian Adult Tbilisi-Kars railway will considerably increase the solos, a Catalan Education Center, as well as the competitiveness of the transport corridor, will folk song, Song of Gissane and the Kumairy Theater attract greater volumes of cargoes and will con- the Birds, and a Studios, all in Yerevan. Following a year tribute to the realization of the Silk Road project. piece by György as director at the State Experimental “The three countries continue to contribute huge Kurtág, concluding Theater there, he travelled to Germany amount of resources towards this project. Over 700 with Soufflez une with two Goethe Scholarships and from million has already been spent on the Georgian sec- brise and My Past 1999 to 2005 was engaged as an actor tion alone. This project will create additional job Days. Just as at the Theater in the Ruhr with Roberto places. Once completed, over 1400 people will be Ambassador Ashot Smbatyan delivering greetings, with Hayastan, recited Ciulli. Since then he has been active in employed here. This is going to be a watershed pro- Stepan Gantralyan at his side (left to right) first in German, his various capacities in Berlin. ject. We will soon have the first shipment of cargo had opened the Gantralyan made an impact on his audi- freighted via this road,” Mikheil Janelidze said. evening, it conclud- ences, with his extremely dramatic and Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway is being constructed on Yerevan State University from 1940 to ed with “We are few, but we are called forceful delivery of Sevak in Armenian. the basis of a Georgian-Azerbaijani-Turkish intergov- 1945 and in that period began to pub- Armenians” in the original. As a vocalist he presented several songs, ernmental agreement. lish his own works. At the end of the Most fortunately, it was the two either accompanying himself on the gui- 1950s he wrote what was considered a author-translators themselves who tar or with cello accompaniment. revolutionary work, The Never Muted delivered recitations of the poems in Cellist Christiane Conradt grew up in Belarus, Armenia Sign Bell-Tower, which literature professor German, while Stepan Gantralyan recit- Thuringia, studied with Konrad Samuel Muradyan has called “the liter- ed in Armenian. Gantralyan and cellist Lechner, Hans Adomeit and Leo Cooperation Agreement ary chronicle of the 100-year-long histo- Christiane Conradt provided the music Koscielny. Following an engagement YEREVAN (BelTA) — Belarus and Armenia signed ry of the Armenians.” Armenia, as well. Both translators are accom- with the Nuremberg Symphonic she an agreement on cooperation in the nuclear power Hayastan, the homeland, the Armenians plished authors and teachers. Heide joined the Bochum Symphonic. Her industry, the Economy Ministry of Armenia and their sad past are the leading Rieck, born in Szczecin, has composed special interest lies in contemporary announced this week. themes treated by Sevak, but his work poetry since her youth in Krefeld. She composers, both in chamber music and Armenia’s Economy Minister Karen Chshmaritian is not limited to national themes. studied pedagogy and acting in Cologne cello solo works. She is a member of the told the press that Armenia and Belarus have devel- Universal are his poetical and philo- and taught for 35 years both in France kwr5 - Collective for Improvised Music, oped a robust foundation for the development of sophical thoughts on Nature, Man and, and the Ruhr region of Germany. Since and in Bochum she developed a Center bilateral relations in every sphere and area. “Further above all, Love. If today he is the most 1999 she has published works of poet- for New Music and Performances. strengthening of economic cooperation as well as the beloved Armenian poet, it is due to his ry, drama, essays, short stories and nov- The combination of contemporary EEU potential will help expand the cooperation ability to lend intense expression to the els as well as poetical translations. compositions for cello solo which she range in the future,” he stressed. feelings of an entire people, whether Twelve of her books, and contributions performed, together with the vocal Armenia invited Belarus to invest in mechanical young or old. And his universality has to over 20 anthologies have appeared in offerings by Gantralyan from the engineering, processing and food industry, agribusi- made him known in other cultural cir- Germany and abroad. She has won two Armenian repertoire, — musical inter- ness, alternative energy and tourism. cles outside his homeland. prizes for poetry, is a member of the ludes which framed the German and Other areas that will be beneficial for both, accord- Sevak was not only a poet, but also a Union of German Writers, the European Armenian renditions of the works — ing to the terms, are free economic zones in Armenia prose writer, literary historian and crit- writers group Die Kogge and is speaker functioned as a metaphor for the many where companies working in the area of high tech- ic, and translator. Among the Russian of the Bochum Writers. Her recitation faces of poet Sevak: he is both the fer- nology, engineering, jewelry are fully exempted from authors he translated are Pushkin, brought out the pathos as well as the vent patriot of his beloved Armenia and taxes. Lermontov und Mayakovsky. His own humor in some of Sevak’s works, and the voice of universal values for all Galstyan said other topics under agreement are works have been translated into numer- highlighted the lyrical aspects. mankind, just as he is the reflection of policies to promote the expansion of the transit ous eastern and western European lan- Agapi Mkrtchian, born in Armenia, a cultural heritage stretching back mil- potential of Armenia, improve the conditions for guages. And now with their new studied German as a foreign language in lennia and a spirit comprehensible to investment and strengthen Armenia’s importance as German translation of a selection of his Yerevan, then continued her higher edu- the contemporary world. an significant link between Europe, Middle East and poems, Heide Rieck and Agapi cation with a scholarship for study Asia. Mkrtchian have produced a very coura- abroad, majoring in German Language Muriel Mirak-Weissbach can be geous version, which reproduces con- and Literature in Jena, and German and reached at mirak.weissbach@google- tent and rhythm of the original very Russian for Teachers, in Frankfurt. She mail.com 4 S ATURDAY, F EBRUARY 2 7 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Community News

First-Ever Genealogy Armenian Assembly of America Recalls Boutros Conference in Boutros-Ghali’s Efforts for Watertown Karabagh Peace WATERTOWN — On April 9, the first-ever Armenian genealogy conference will be held at the Armenian Museum of America. By Danielle Saroyan Throughout the day, featured speakers will detail the tools and methods specific to tracing WASHINGTON — This week, the Armenian Armenian family roots. In addition, there will Assembly of America mourned the loss of for- be a workshop in the afternoon where volun- mer Secretary-General of the United Nations teers will help answer questions from those (UN) Boutros Boutros-Ghali and recalled his wishing to learn more about their families. efforts towards a lasting peace in Nagorno Tracy Keeney, one of the conference orga- Karabagh. Boutros-Ghali died on Tuesday, nizers and a scheduled speaker, noted “At February 16, at age 93. some point in our lives, most people feel a tug “The Assembly was saddened to hear of the at the heart to reach into the past and con- passing of former UN Secretary-General nect with those who came before us. For Boutros Boutros-Ghali,” stated Assembly those of Armenian descent, that was a seem- Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. “Armenians ingly hopeless quest for decades. But that is will always be grateful for his work and remem- simply no longer the case. That’s the signifi- ber how he took diplomatic measures to cance of this conference. Armenians around counter Azerbaijan’s violence against the free- the world are longing to find traces of their dom-loving people of Nagorno Karabagh,” he ancestors, to learn their stories, the name of Professor Simon Payaslian shows slides said. their ancestral village, etc. They feel a pull— “As Secretary-General, he presided over a like the voices of their ancestors are calling dramatic rise in UN peacekeeping. He also from dust. This conference will help them presided over a time when the world increas- answer that call.” Keeney is the person Panel Presents Personal ingly turned to the United Nations for solutions behind the Armenian genealogy facebook to its problems, in the immediate aftermath of page which has more than 2,500 members Perspectives on Karabagh the cold war,” current Secretary-General Ban from around the world. Ki-Moon said in a statement about Boutros- The conference grew out of a phone conver- Ghali’s death. sation between two of the other organizers, At Northeastern University In March 1992, Boutros-Ghali sent then-UN Mark Arslan and George Aghjayan. Arslan is Special Envoy of the Secretary-General Cyrus the creator of the Armenian Immigration BOSTON – The National Association for Armenian Studies and Research Vance to Karabagh in order to mediate and Project (http://arslanmb.org/Armenian (NAASR), with the cosponsorship of the Northeastern University Armenian moderate the hostilities. This was the first offi- Immigrants/shiplists.html). Aghjayan main- Students Association, presented a panel discus- cial move by the UN in the Nagorno Karabagh tains a website devoted to Western Armenia sion on Karabagh on February 12 moderated War, two weeks after Armenia became a mem- (http://westernarmenia.weebly.com/). By Aram Arkun by Professor Anna Ohanyan at Northeastern’s ber state of the UN. Arslan noted, “The recent proliferation and In a cable to the then-President of the Mirror-Spectator Staff student center. Different personal perspectives acceptance of social media has allowed a level of Armenian discussants with varying connec- Conference on Security and Cooperation in of collaboration on genealogical and historical tions to the region made for an accessible and Europe (CSCE) Jiri Dienstbier (former research never before possible. Tracy Keeney’s informative event. The sizable audience of approximately 110 included both a good Czechoslovakia), Boutros-Ghali explained he Armenian Genealogy group on Facebook has number of students as well as older individuals from the Boston area Armenian brought together people from the Armenian community. diaspora worldwide, as well as the Republic of After a welcome from the vice president of the Northeastern student club, Ani Armenia, who share a passionate interest in Semerdjian, and master of ceremonies Marc Mamigonian, Director of Academic learning more about their Armenian families Affairs of NAASR, a video from Northeastern University president Joseph Aoun, and heritage. The collective knowledge of our was screened. Aoun declared that he had Armenian friends while growing up as a online community is amazing, everyone bring- youth in Lebanon, and so learned all about the Armenian soccer teams there. He ing their own special talents to uncover encouraged the students to simultaneously celebrate their Armenian roots and genealogical treasures from the primary American identities, and said they were sending the world a message — that no records online and in archives, as well as shar- matter where the students lived now, they continued to care about Armenians and ing their own family anecdotes, memories, and Armenian issues. experiences.” Dr. Simon Payaslian, holder of the Charles K. and Elizabeth M. Kenosian Chair Beside Arslan and Keeney, other speakers in Modern Armenian History and Literature at Boston University, provided a short include Vahe Tachjian (houshamadyan.org), historical overview of Nagorno-Karabagh or Artsakh from ancient times to the pre- Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali Janet Achoukian Andreopoulos and Stephen sent, accompanied by PowerPoint slides. Kurkjian. Tachjian will speak about the Ohanyan concisely described the recent shift of the situation in Karabagh from Houshamadyan project to reconstruct what many observers called a frozen or low-intensity conflict to a more active one, was sending Vance to gather information about Armenian village life prior to the genocide. with a greater number of frontline deaths last year and heavy military buildup. It the problems in the region, not trying to over- Andreopoulos and Kurkjian will be speaking has become a frontline for the new conflict between Russia and the West. For the step CSCE efforts in any way. “Please be about how DNA testing was able to reconnect rest of the program, she directed a series of questions on Karabagh to four pan- assured . . . that my purpose in sending Mr. one family to their Armenian roots. There will elists. Vance on this fact-finding mission is to comple- be DNA kits available at the conference for pur- Ohanyan is Richard B. Finnegan Distinguished Professor of Political Science ment regional efforts in search of peace,” chase and testing. and International Relations and Chair of the Department of Political Science and Boutros-Ghali clarified. “The grave situation in “Armenian genealogy has grown by leaps see NORTHEASTERN, page 4 that region calls for a concerted effort to pre- and bounds over the last 10 years. Advances in vent further violence and to create conditions technology have allowed access to information for a peaceful solution,” he said. previously thought unattainable,” Aghjayan Reflecting on Boutros-Ghali’s role in said. “It is a natural progression to hold annual Karabagh, the Assembly hopes his dedication conferences for those desiring to advance will inspire a renewed effort to resolve the stale- knowledge of their Armenian roots. For so mate. Increased ceasefire violations by long, Armenians were told no records exist, Azerbaijan has led to more Armenian casualties everyone has passed away and other messages along the Line of Contact in 2014-2015 than in of futility. I think many Armenians will be sur- the previous 20 years combined. Azerbaijan’s prised by just how much is possible to repair obsession with reigniting a war with Armenia the rupture in our family histories caused by prompted U.S. Director of National Intelligence the genocide.” James R. Clapper, Jr. to include Nagorno Sponsors of the conference include the Karabagh in his 2016 conflict risk assessment Armenian Museum of America (AMA), Project which he provided to the Senate Armed Save Armenian Photographic Archives, Services Committee last week. Houshamadyan.org, the National Association Boutros-Ghali was an Egyptian diplomat and for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) From left, moderator Dr. Anna Ohanyan with panelists Armine Mosiyan, the sixth Secretary-General of the UN from and the Boston chapter of Hamazkayin. Constantine Grigoryan, Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte and Olya Yordanyan, with 1992 to 1996, and the first from Africa. While Conference registration can be done on-line Northeastern University President Joseph Aoun on the screen above them. he was Secretary-General, he wrote “An Agenda (https://www.armeniangenealogyconference.c for Peace,” an analysis on ways to strengthen om/). The registration is free, but there is a UN capacity for preventive diplomacy, peace- small cost for lunch, if chosen. making, and peacekeeping. S A T U R D A Y , F E B R U A R Y 2 7 , 2 0 1 6 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R 5 COMMUNITY NEWS Panel Presents Perspectives on Karabagh at Northeastern University

NORTHEASTERN, from page 5 roots in Karabagh, but lived in Armenia during Armenia, thanks to foreign investment, and Budapest was a disturbing aspect of the situa- International Studies at Stonehill College in the war. She is a freelance journalist pursuing a despite areas reminding visitors of the war, the tion. Easton, Mass. She is the author of Networked master’s degree at Boston University who has capital of Stepanakert is beautiful and Shushi, Turcotte said that up to several months ago Regionalism as Conflict Management (Stanford undergraduate and master’s degrees in an artistic center, is progressing. Mining, food she would have said that Armenia would have University Press, 2015) and NGOs, IGOs, and International Relations from Yerevan State processing, telecommunications, construction successfully continued its balancing act Network Mechanism of Post-Conflict Global University (as well as a bachelor’s degree in and tourism produce income, but educational between the various powers in the region, but Governance in Microfinance (Palgrave Musical Arts from the Komitas Yerevan State opportunities and health care are limited. now, with the fall of the Azerbaijani currency Macmillan, 2008), and is organizing a global Conservatory). She holds a graduate certificate She declared that the borders are constantly along with oil prices, ordinary citizens are com- security studies internship program which in Public Policy and Administration from the being attacked, and demining is necessary. The mitting suicide because of their debt. includes choices of placement in Armenia, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts US is the only country in the world that sends Azerbaijani criticism of the Aliyev regime has Georgia and Serbia. University. increased, which may lead Aliyev to irrational The panelists included Konstantin Grigoryan, Ohanyan’s first question was how the lack of actions. He already has begun the use of tanks Armine Mosiyan, Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte, international recognition and the blockade of at the borders. In sum, she said, she no longer and Olya Yordanyan. Each first presented his or the Republic of Mountainous Karabagh (NKR) knows what may happen next. her personal background. Grigoryan’s family, affects daily life. Mosiyan responded that NKR Yordanyan said that changes for the worse in originally from Karabagh, settled in Baku until enjoys all the attributes of a country, and said Russian-Western relations will affect the the events of the late 1980s forced them to flee. that in daily life, “I don’t feel any kind of differ- Karabagh negotiation process negatively and After brief stays in Armenia and Russia, they ence with other countries.” However, slow it down. The Middle Eastern situation is settled in Kentucky, where Grigoryan grew up. Azerbaijani threats to shoot down civilian important. As the US wants to cooperate with After studying engineering, he switched fields, planes do not allow the use of an airport, while Iran to achieve a solution to the Syrian conflict, and now is doing his residency in medical diplomas from Artsakh State University are not an increased role of Iran in the region may also school. He remains in contact with relatives in recognized in places like the US. The blockade help Armenia directly, and indirectly in the Karabagh. prevents many international investments, and negotiation process. On the other hand, a rise Armine Mosiyan, a native of Artsakh who loans from the World Bank or International in Islamic fundamentalism in the region may went to Yerevan State University, has come to Monetary Fund are not possible. Tourism is spread to Azerbaijan and pose a threat in the the US to study at the Fletcher School of Law affected, and this impacts the economy. future to Armenia. and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Grigoryan said that there is a fear that war Ohanyan’s third set of questions included Turcotte was born in Baku in 1978, but her may break out again. The youth have to serve what NKR might gain through a demilitariza- grandfather was from Khndzoresk village of in the military, and even now shootings takes tion of the line of contact with Azerbaijan and Syunik province in present-day southeastern place, leading to sporadic deaths. He said, “It is how important international recognition is for Armenia. He fled the Armenian Genocide to a fear that we don’t experience here in the the people of NKR. Baku where Azerbaijani violence against United States. … Having been there, it is also Yordanyan responded, saying “I do not think Armenians in 1918 forced him to flee to eerie, going through some of the regions where that the demilitarization of contact line borders Turkmenistan, but eventually he ended up in you see empty villages. …You are always remind- Northeastern University Armenian Students is possible considering the extent of anti- Yerevan. However, the family moved back to ed of the atrocities that had happened. The city Association Vice President Ani Semerdjian Armenian hatred now in Azerbaijan.” Baku, now part of the Soviet Union, for work of Shushi, yes, is being rebuilt, but there are International recognition is important as the reasons. As hostility in Azerbaijan towards parts of it where you go and you are reminded final step or end. Without it, Karabagh does not Armenians escalated, Turcotte and her family of the war. There is always the unease that peo- aid officially, and that is only two million dollars exist, and it will provide many more opportuni- left Baku in the fall of 1989, just before the ple have.” for demining, which is insufficient. There is no ties. However, a lot of other steps are necessary January 1990 attacks and killings of Turcotte pointed out that there is stable eco- UN presence because of the conflict. before this, she said. Armenians. After a period of time in Armenia, nomic growth, and said that this “is unusual for She concluded, “All the things that we hold Finally, Ohanyan asked what is the signifi- they received American refugee status and a country that is not considered to be a coun- dear here, they hold dear there. They don’t care cance of NKR for Armenians outside Armenia moved to North Dakota. In 2012, Turcotte pub- try, that is blockaded and whose only trade is that they are not recognized. …They are still liv- who grew up with the legacy of the Armenian lished her memoirs, Nowhere: A Story of Exile, with Armenia.” She said the people of ing [there] and their kids are going to school. Genocide. based on the diary she kept. Karabagh want good government, peace, and We need to support them.” Turcotte said that she just received a ques- Yordanyan, raised in Yerevan, has no direct construction. The roads are better than in Yordanyan said, “There is a psychological ele- tion after an event in Boston which led her to ment of permanent pressure and fear that there write an article afterwards. An Armenian com- might be a war, but it has been 25 years so munity leader asked why can we not empty when it happens every day you get used to it Karabagh of its Armenian population and give even if it is extreme. … People living there are it to Azerbaijan in order to end this conflict. Commemorate the 101st Anniversary really, really strong. They are like the Scots of She said that this cynicism is shocking. “For Armenia.” She found that many of the problems the first time in our history, we have won back of the Armenian Genocide of daily life were the same as those facing land…yet millions of Armenians do not know Armenians living in the Republic of Armenia. about Karabagh. They don’t support its fight Maintaining a self-sustainable economic is a for independence. That is why these kinds of at the Massachusetts State House great collective challenge, but, she said, there events are important.” Turcotte said it is impor- are many positive achievements in Artsakh, tant to send the message to Azerbaijan that such as low unemployment at around two to while Armenia may not have oil, it has its dias- three percent and real competition in the par- pora. liamentary elections. Yordanyan thought that Grigoryan said, “I haven’t been part of the “the people of Artsakh should concentrate on greater Armenian diaspora. I grew up in building civil society…which will make the Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio, where there Republic of Artsakh a stronger country. This is were not many Armenians around, but I always the only resource Karabagh can rely on.” felt connected with Artsakh growing up…it Another opportunity is to increase energy pro- should be important for the whole Armenian duction to begin exporting to Armenia. diaspora. We are all Armenians and should be Ohanyan’s second question concerned the united as much as we can.” He added that with recent increased intensity and breadth of vio- Armenians from Syria settling in Karabagh, lence on the 160-mile line of contact despite a that may create further bonds with diaspora formal ceasefire. How does the rapidly shifting Armenians. geopolitical environment of the south Caucasus Yordanyan eagerly said, “I was waiting for starts at 10:30 am affect the peace process? this moment. This is the best part, where a lot Mosiyan said that Azerbaijan has to choose can be done.” She said there is a lot of poten- 12 noon reception in the Great Hall between Turkey and Russia because of recent tial for developing information technologies in conflicts, and if Russian-Turkish relations turn Karabagh which would overcome its isolation, sour, as part of the relations of Russia with the and diasporan Armenians can be of great help. With a proclamation from the Governor of Massachusetts West, they affect the Karabagh issue too. Furthermore, a lot of people in NKR are self- Meanwhile, Iran is reemerging in the region employed, so comparatively small sums of Prominent keynote speaker after its nuclear deal. Finally, the economic col- money can allow their projects to continue. Massachusetts officials lapse in Azerbaijan due to falling oil prices Finally, she said, diasporan Armenians need to increases domestic dissatisfaction with the gov- discover Karabagh for themselves in a new way, Joint Senate/House Resolution recipients ernment, so President Ilham Aliyev may turn to such as through summer internships. Karabagh as his trump card. Yordanyan said, “You do not need formal recog- And musical program Grigoryan said that Armenians have always nition — just the will and a project.” been the pawn of the powers in the region, and Mosiyan said “I myself feel that Karabagh lately Armenia has been aligning more with plays a huge part in diasporan life. When some- April 22, 2016 Russia. For him, the most likely scenario is the one asks where you are from and I say Armenia, indefinite continuation of the status quo. Iran and when someone is Armenian and I say Details forthcoming. does not want a strong Azerbaijan since it has Artsakh, I can feel the warmth. … We can see a large domestic Azerbaijani population, while the diaspora caring about Karabagh when we Turkey generally aligns with Azerbaijan and is look at the roads. It is not only financial sup- Organized by the State House Armenian Genocide at odds with Iran. Aliyev cannot sign a ceasefire port — it is caring about the state.” Diasporan since he would lose face domestically. For Armenians come to live in the villages with fam- Commemoration Committee, Boston Grigoryan, however, the Azerbaijani celebration ilies for several days to get to know them better. of Ramil Safarov as a national hero after his At the conclusion of the program, audience brutal murder of an Armenian in 2004 in questions were fielded by the panelists. 6 S ATURDAY, F EBRUARY 2 7 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR OBITUARY Assembly Issues Statement Mourning Death of Supreme Court Justice Scalia Scalia was the First Supreme USAID-funded conference of judges, lawyers, and er culture [and] get the members of legal experts, sponsored by the Technical the government who are not in the Court Justice to Visit Armenia Assistance for the Republic of Armenia (TARA), judiciary to think more about that WASHINGTON — US Supreme Court Justice a non-profit group focused on promoting an inde- branch of government,” he com- Antonin Scalia died on Sunday, February 14, at pendent judiciary in Armenia following that mented. age 79. Scalia was appointed to the high bench country’s independence from the Soviet Union. On October 5, 1995, the by President Ronald Reagan in 1986. He was Accompanying Scalia on his trip to Armenia Armenian Assembly of America born in Trenton, NJ and received his LLB from were five other American judges: Armand held a reception in Scalia’s honor at Harvard University. Arabian and Marvin Baxter of the California the Grand Hotel in Washington, While Scalia is known generally to Americans Supreme Court, Paul Michel of the U.S. Court of D.C. At the reception, Scalia pre- Appeals for the Federal Circuit, Dickran sented his observations on the legal Tevrizian of the US District Court in transformation underway in Southern California, and Eric (L-R): Nancy Najarian, Dan Maljanian, and Justice Antonin Armenia to over 60 officials from Bruggink of the US Court of Federal Scalia the White House, various govern- Claims. American attorney’s partici- ment agencies, think tanks, organi- pating in the Yerevan conference zations administering democracy- include TARA Board of Directors noted the difficulty of moving beyond the building and rule-of-law programs in Armenia, Chair Nancy Najarian, TARA rhetoric of change to implementation, and and the press, as well as Assembly Life, Full and Executive Director Dan Maljanian, stressed the importance of legal training and Associate Trustees. Notable attendees include Sam Ericsson, Van Krikorian, Peter education. “I think people are very much aware former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Harry Kezirian, Tom Samuelian, Karen of…the enormous difficulty for all of the emerg- Gilmore, Armenian Ambassador to the U.S. Lord, Carmen Bullard, Professor ing democracies to jump-start a new democracy Rouben Shugarian, and USAID Administrator Mark Movsesian of Hofstra University without a corps of [newly trained] judges,” he Tom Dine. Law School, and Professors Bob remarked. During the Assembly’s reception, Board of Sharlet and Herman Schwartz of the Scalia also emphasized the value of becoming Trustees President Carolyn Mugar presented (L-R): Aram Kaloosdian, Justice Antonin Scalia, Carolyn Rule of Law Consortium. personally acquainted with members of the judi- Justice Antonin Scalia with a wood carving from Mugar The Armenian Assembly of America ciary in different countries. He expressed enthu- Armenia symbolizing man’s faith in justice. reported in 1995 that, “Scalia empha- siasm about the meeting with Armenia’s Mugar also presented him with a framed certifi- sized the importance of establishing Supreme Court justices, including Chief Justice cate signifying the 50 trees planted in Armenia as a high-profile figure, he is also well known in an independent judiciary in Armenia and the Tariel Parseghian, as well as the lower court in Scalia’s name by the Assembly’s sister organi- the Armenian-American community. In July means by which the country has begun to do judges. “I think we can support one another and zation, the Armenia Tree Project. 1995, Scalia became the first sitting US Supreme so.” Armenia held a referendum on the adoption learn from one another,” Scalia said. “He does Armenian Assembly Board of Trustees Court Justice to visit Armenia. of the country’s first constitution days before the believe enormously in the new system, in the Counsel Aram Kaloosdian, who served as master “In our world of law, he was a giant. His heart US delegation arrived. rule of law, in human rights,” Scalia said of of ceremonies at the 1995 reception in Justice had no boundaries; his mind had no limits,” for- “I made a point of reading it from top to bot- Parseghian. Scalia’s honor, told the Assembly that Scalia mer California Supreme Court Justice Armand tom. I thought it was quite good,” Scalia said of According to Scalia, one of the many benefits “was elated at having gone to Armenia and he Arabian told the Assembly upon learning of Armenia’s constitution. “I don’t think it’s as good of the 1995 TARA conference was the increased was very much impressed with the work being Scalia’s passing. “There was nobody like him. He as ours. Maybe it’s better than ours, for the attention given to the judicial branch of done out there. Many people came to the recep- was my judicial brother,” Arabian said. Armenians,” he said. Armenia’s government. “[American judges] can tion to hear his views, and he was very positive Scalia traveled to Yerevan to participate in a During the conference in Yerevan, Scalia buttress the self-respect of the judiciary in anoth- and enthusiastic about Armenia.”

Marilyn Altoon Arshagouni Telephone (617) 924-7400 NORTHRIDGE, Calif. — Marilyn Altoon Theirs was a marriage of love and shared com- Arshagouni, wife of Hagop Arshagouni and mitment to their family and community. Aram Bedrosian mother of Robert, Mary (Papazian), Michael, While in graduate school at UCLA, Marilyn and Paul Arshagouni, passed away peacefully met the then young graduate student of Funeral Home, Inc. on February 14, surrounded by her loved ones. Armenian history, Richard Hovannisian, who Born in Los Angeles in 1935 to one of the asked her to edit his dissertation. This work Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 earliest Armenian families to settle in the Los became the classic Armenia on the Road to Angeles area, Marilyn lived a fulfilling life of Independence. She then went on to edit the MARION BEDROSIAN dedication to the Armenian community. A bril- first volumes of his History of the Republic of 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN liant student from her earliest years, Marilyn Armenia. This led to a lifetime of contributions WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN graduated from Marshall High School in Los to the Armenian community. Angeles with highest honors and attended Together with her husband, Hagop, Marilyn UCLA, where she became the first student at was an active participant on the Armenian the university to be elected to the Phi Beta Monument Council that spearheaded the estab- lishment of the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Montebello. She was involved in the first con- ferences in Airlie, Va., that established the Armenian Assembly of America, contributed a GiragosianF UNERAL H OME year-long feature page for the California Courier James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC titled “Whispers of Armenia” to introduce Mark J. Giragosian Armenian literature, history, and culture to the Funeral Counselors growing California Armenian community, and 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 was a driving force behind the creation of the www.giragosianfuneralhome.com Armenian timeline project at the Ararat Armenian Home. In addition, Marilyn and Hagop dedicated their lives to bringing together their extended families who were dispersed across the globe as a result of the Armenian Genocide, traveling Nardolillo Funeral Home around the world to be sure they recorded as Est. 1906 many of the names of family members and their stories as they could find. These efforts led to John K. Najarian, Jr. emotional family reunions and the establish- Rhode Island’s Only Licensed Armenian Funeral Director ment of relationships that would have been lost, if not for their efforts. 1278 Park Ave. Cranston, RI 02910 (401) 942-1220 Marilyn leaves behind her husband, Hagop; 1111 Boston Neck Rd. Narragansett, RI 02882 (401) 789-6300 her children Robert (Manya), Mary (Dennis), Michael, and Paul (Long), her five granddaugh- www.nardolillo.com Kappa honor society as a junior. She graduated ters Nina and Liana Arshagouni, Ani and Marie with a BA in English in 1956 with highest hon- Papazian, and Beth Arshagouni; her sister ors and went on to receive her teaching cre- Joyce, brother Ron, and countless nieces and dential and complete her graduate studies, also nephews, cousins, students, and friends whose at UCLA. lives she touched. A dedicated educator and lover of the arts, She was laid to rest on Friday, February 19, she became a teacher of English literature and at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in history at the Holy Martyrs Ferrahian Hollywood Hills. The family requests in lieu of Armenian High School in Encino, which she flowers donations to be made to the Marilyn served for over 25 years, touching and trans- Arshagouni Memorial Scholarship Fund, which forming the lives of generations of students. will be established in her honor. Marilyn met her husband, Hagop Arshagouni, In lieu of flowers donations can be sent to the while both were students at UCLA. They mar- Marilyn Arshagouni Memorial Scholarship ried in 1956 and would have celebrated their Fund, c/o Jackson and Arshagouni, 9176 60th wedding anniversary this September. Independence Avenue, Chatsworth, CA 91311. S ATURDAY, F EBRUARY 2 7 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 OBITUARY

Actor and Director Fazlian Tribute: Remembering Jean Gazarian, Played Important Role in Witness to UN History

NEW YORK (UN News Centre/New York Times) — Jean Gazarian died on January 18, Armenian, Lebanese Theater 2016. He was an international civil servant who, working under every Secretary-General of the United Nations, spent more than six decades dedicated to world peace. FAZLIAN, from page 1 tually returning to Beirut. In Canada he contin- A mentor to so many, a true humanitarian, a gentle and kind man, he was highly respect- He conducted his initial experiments in ued his artistic work, joining the Tekeyan ed for his integrity and generosity, and inspired love and affection to all those who met him. Armenian theater through Armenian plays, but Cultural Association (TCA). In 1976, he found- From 1946, when the French national joined the UN Secretariat as a translator, to his he also attempted to give new ascendance to his ed Montreal’s TCA Hay Pem and directed “Le tenure as director of the Division of General Assembly Affairs, Gazarian devoted his life to art. Istanbul no longer had anything to impart Pendu,”a work of the famous Canadian author international public service. to him. A Turkish lecturer who was friendly Robert Gurik in Armenian translation as Jean Gazarian joined the United Nations in 1946, when he was 24. He served first as a toward Fazlian said to him: “Swear to me that “Baran ge dzakhem.” He participated in the translator, then as an editor and, in 1959, was called to work in the Executive Office of the you will never leave the theater…This place is local Theater Festival of Minorities and won Secretary-General to deal with General Assembly affairs. In 1966, he became Director of the not suitable for you. Do not forget that you are first prize. In 1989, he founded Montreal’s Division of the General Assembly Affairs, a position he held for 18 years. A witness to many Armenian. Why would a leading role be given Armenian Democratic Liberal Party (ADL) world events, he met kings and queens, and to an Armenian [here]?” This lesson was suffi- “Armenorama” television show. presidents, but always remained humble. cient for Fazlian, who left Istanbul in 1951. The Hay Pem theater group held perfor- Ambassador Ahmad Kamal, Senior Fellow He settled in Beirut and formed a family mances abroad, in London, Paris, and various at the United Nations Institute for Training while continuing his theatrical activities. He cities of Syria, Egypt and the United States, and Research (UNITAR), told the UN News married the painter Sirvart Krikorian in 1959, including New York, Boston and Philadelphia. Centre: “He was absolutely unique as a per- and soon they had two children. His son Harout During the London performance, Fazlian son. His knowledge, his devotion to the UN joined the ADL with Vartan Ouzounian as his and the manner in which he inspired love godfather, and thus formalized his adherence to and affection among thousands of UN diplo- the political and patriotic views that he had mats and staff members made him a prince supported for so many years in the past. among men.” He had established friendly relations with “He was absolutely unique as a person,” Lebanese ADL leaders like Kersam Aharonian Ahmad Kamal, ambassador and senior fel- and Hrachyea Setrakian in the past. low at UNITAR, told the UN News Centre. Furthermore, many of the members of Beirut’s “His knowledge, his devotion to the UN and Vahram Papazian theater group were ADL the manner in which he inspired love and members like Zaven Kalousdian, Haroutiun Jean Gazarian at the commemoration of affection among thousands of UN diplomats Kntouni, Khachig Tashjian, Haroutiun UNITAR’s 50th anniversary with Ban Ki- and staff members made him a prince Toumayan, Vartkes Eurneshlian, Asdghig Moon. UN Photo/Amanda Voisard among men.” Basmajian, Toros Sarkisian, Hampartzoum In 2013, during the commemoration of Dadourian, Krikor Degirmenjian, Berj Der the 50th anniversary of UNITAR, Secretary- Sahagian, Sarkis Minasian, Levon Torosian, Ani General Ban Ki-moon paid tribute to Gazarian, tipping his hat to the wealth of accumulat- Yaghjian and Hagop Vartivarian. ed knowledge accrued by the veteran staff member. The creation of the Vahram Papazian theater “You had a unique perch, working with the General Assembly for many years. You have group was significant because until then there truly seen it all… And, I am sure, enough behind-the-scenes intrigue to fill a movie or a mem- was only one permanent drama group in Beirut, oir. But of course, as a consummate international civil servant, you will never betray your Hamazkayin’s Kasbar Ipegian group. oath of confidentiality,” said Ban. “You served several Secretaries-General. Most of all, you Consequently, Armenian Revolutionary earned the respect of colleagues around the world.” Federation members and sympathizers would Gazarian was never stingy with his vast pool of knowledge, always ready to share his become its actors and only presented partisan insight and experience of historic moments. plays. The Vahram Papazian group brought Drawing from his vast experience over the decades, he was also able to offer a personal new life and quality to Lebanese-Armenian the- Berj Fazlian perspective on a number of issues as well as Secretaries-General, as he did in a 2007 arti- atrical life by presenting multifaceted Western cle for the UN Chronicle. Armenian, Eastern Armenian and non- “In the early days of the United Nations, an atmosphere of extreme enthusiasm pre- Armenian plays. became a famous conductor and artistic direc- vailed. Delegates were convinced they had adopted a system of collective security that As an actor, he participated in some ten plays tor of various symphonic orchestras in a num- would ban all wars forever, a feeling shared by Trygve Lie of Norway, who served as the whose directors included Yusuf Shahin, Henri ber of Middle Eastern countries. first Secretary-General,” recounted Gazarian. Antoine Barakat, Antoine Rémy and Niazi In Beirut, he founded the Nor Pem (“New By 1953, when Dag Hammarskjöld of Sweden took over the post, Gazarian indicated that Mustafa. He also played the chief role in an Stage”) theater group in 1956, Vahram “the international situation had begun to deteriorate and the earlier euphoria was replaced English-language film made in Canada called Papazian (for the Armenian Youth Association) by an atmosphere of extreme tension between the East and the West.” “Next of Kin,” directed by Atom Egoyan. in 1959, and Azad Pem (“Free Stage”) in 1971. Diplomats were not Gazarian’s only pupils. He had also shared his lessons with UN sup- He directed more than 100 plays in English, They were widely covered in Armenian, Arabic port staff preparing for promotion examinations. In the 1990s he was a regular figure at Arabic, French and Turkish. Of these the most and French-language newspapers. Fazlian was workshops where he would present to aspiring professionals first-hand accounts of UN unforgettable remain Shakespeare’s invited to direct the plays of the Rahbani broth- events, such as when Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev pounded his shoe on his desk dur- “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Molière’s “Les ers, with the participation of the world-famous ing a meeting in October 1960 to protest remarks by a Philippine diplomat about Soviet fourberies de Scapin,” “George Dandin ou le Lebanese singer Fayrouz, in the Baalbek festi- aggression. Mari confondu,” and “The Miser,” Goldoni’s val, as well as in Beirut and Damascus. For 16 As a former director at Drew University expressed: “When he talked, everyone listened.” “The Liar,” Nikolai Gogol’s “Marriage,” and years he directed the musical dramas of the While working for the General Assembly, he traveled extensively as secretary and coor- most especially, Georges Schehadé’s “Histoire Rahbani brothers. dinator of conferences, held in Geneva, Oslo, Vienna, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Managua, de Vasco,” which was produced in Lebanon for In 1975, he immigrated to Canada and set- Jakarta, Guatemala, etc. see THEATER, page 9 tled in Montreal for several decades before even- He also assisted Secretary- General U Thant during his official visit in 1970 to eleven Francophone African countries, where he served as his interpreter. From 1983 to 1985, Jean was Principal Advisor to the Under-Secretary-General for General Assembly Affairs and to the President of the General Assembly. From 1985 to 1986, he was Director of the Office Anouch N. Manoukian for the Commemoration of the Fortieth Anniversary of the United Nations. In 1986, he was Secretary of the High Level Intergovernmental Group of Experts regarding the adminis- NASHUA, N.H. — Anouch N. Manoukian, 90, Mass. and served as the chairman of Women’s trative and financial functioning of the United Nations. In 1987, of Nashua, widow of Nazareth M. Manoukian, Guild. She was honored as “Woman of the He was one of the pioneers of Model UN, spoke to large assemblies of students from all died on February 2, 2016 at St. Joseph Year” for her tireless work on behalf of others a over the world, and was an instrumental figure of the “UN Semester” co-organized by Drew Hospital. few years ago. University. She was born in Beirut, Lebanon on She will be remembered as a devoted wife, Gazarian was recognized by governments and universities for his outstanding contribu- December 28, 1925, a daughter of the late mother and grandmother, who dedicated her tion to the United Nations and world peace: Officier de l’Ordre de La Pleiade, Organisation Manoog and Nellie Haytayan. A well-educated entire life to her family, to God and to helping internationale de la Francophonie (1977). Chevalier de l’Ordre de la Legion d’honneur, woman, she earned a others. France (1984). Grand Officier de l’Ordre de Vasco Nunez de Balboa, Panama (1984). Doctor Bachelor’s degree and In addition to her parents, she was prede- of Letters, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia (1986). Doctor of Laws, Bentley spoke five languages ceased by her husband of 53 years, Nazareth M. College, Waltham, Massachusetts (1996). Doctor en Administration de la Paix, Cercle de fluently and played Manoukian, who died in August 2002; and a Reflexion des Nations (2004). Doctor of Humane Letters, Drew University, Madison, New both the piano and the grandson, Michael Manoukian. Jersey (2007). violin. Members of her family include two sons, Gazarian was “a walking encyclopaedia of the UN,” according to Maritina Paniagua, a She began her Vatche Manoukian of Hollis and Vahrij retired UN librarian who worked closely with him, who hailed his amazing institutional career as a French Manoukian, R.PH. ScD and Hollis Selectman; knowledge about the Organization. teacher in Lebanon two daughters, Vani of Nashua, and Vera of “He was a true teacher,” she added. “When he taught the UNITAR courses to delegates, and was an accom- Manhattan, NY; and five grandchildren, it was not only the subject matter, but also what to do and what not to do as a delegate. plished theater costume designer. She and her Christine, Jessica, Annie, L.V. and Bella. For him, good, solid diplomacy was important. One of his best teaching tools to achieve this family immigrated to the United States in 1977 Her funeral service was held in St. goal was through his stories of his experiences at the GA. and she had resided in Nashua for the past 39 Vartanantz Armenian Church, Monday, Gazarian is survived by his brother, Pierre Gazarian, columnist for The Suffolk Times, years. February 8. Interment was in East Cemetery in and his sister, Marie-Lise Gazarian, Director of the Graduate Program in Spanish, St. John’s Manoukian was a volunteer at St. Joseph Hollis. University, and the Mirimanoff family, from Geneva, Switzerland. Hospital for more than 25 years and also vol- The family has requested that in lieu of flow- A prayer service, at the Church of the Holy Family, United Nations Parish, was held on unteered with the American Red Cross. ers, donations may be made to St. Vartanantz Friday, January 29, where friends, colleagues and family paid tribute to Jean Gazarian. She was a parishioner and volunteer of St. Armenian Church, 180 Old Westford Road, Vartanantz Armenian Church in Chelmsford, Chelmsford, MA 01824. 8 S ATURDAY, F EBRUARY 2 7 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Khatchig Mouradian to Speak at NAASR on Armenian Communities in China George and Amal BELMONT, Mass. — Dr. Khatchig Mouradian Armenians coupled their personal success with a Mouradian submitted a research report, and is will present a lecture titled “‘Don’t Fall Off the dedication to community life, helping build small currently working on an edited book on the Clooney Are Earth’: The Armenian Communities of China but vibrant communities (even a church and subject. In this illustrated lecture, Mouradian from the 1880s to the 1950s,” on Thursday, community centers) in Harbin, Shanghai, presents the rich, yet understudied, history of Traveling to March 10, at 7:30 p.m., at the National Tientsin and other cities, despite conflicts, war, the Armenian communities in China. Association for Armenian Studies and Research and foreign occupation that beset the history of Mouradian is a visiting assistant professor at Armenia in April (NAASR) Center, 395 Concord Ave. China in the first half of the 20th century. After Rutgers University and the coordinator of the Hundreds of Armenians journeyed eastward to the Chinese Communist Revolution, Armenians Armenian Genocide Program at the university’s China in the late 19th century, anchoring them- fled the country mainly in two directions: Soviet Center for the Study of Genocide and Human selves in major cities, as well as in Harbin, a town Armenia and the Americas. Rights (CGHR). Mouradian is also adjunct pro- By Danielle Saroyan that rose to prominence with the construction of In 2014, Mouradian received the Calouste fessor at the Philosophy and Urban Studies the Chinese Eastern Railway. A few thousand Gulbenkian Armenian Studies research fellow- departments at Worcester State University. He WASHINGTON — George and Amal others arrived in the region escaping the ship to study the Armenian community in holds a PhD in history from the Strassler Clooney are scheduled to arrive in Armenia Armenian Genocide and turmoil in the Caucasus China. After conducting archival research and Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at on April 22-24 to participate in Armenian in the years that followed. Many of these interviews in China, Armenia, and the US, Clark University. Genocide commemoration ceremonies, Novosti Armenia reports. George Clooney, co-founder of the Not On Our Watch charity foundation, will be pre- senting the 100 Lives’ Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity alongside Holocaust survivor and Nobel Laureate Eli Wiesel. As co-chairs of the Aurora Prize, George Clooney and Wiesel worked together as part of the Prize Selection Committee. The Aurora Prize will be awarded on April 24 in Yerevan, Armenia. On behalf of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide, the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity will be granted annu- ally to “an individual whose actions have had an exceptional impact on preserving human life and advancing humanitarian The Armenian community in Manzhouli (circa 1920). Source: Meltickian Collection, Armenian Studies Program, CSU Fresno. causes.” The Aurora Prize Laureate will be honored with a $100,000 award. In addition, that individual will select an organization that inspired their work to receive a $1,000,000 grant. “We are humbled by the stories of self- lessness, courage, strength and generosity,” said Aurora Prize co-founder Ruben

George and Amal Clooney

Vardanyan. “What we have received is proof that the world is full of inspiring and worthy individuals.” Amal Clooney is also working with 100 Lives on a different project, called the Amal Clooney Scholarship. This program selects one female student from Lebanon with an interest in promoting human rights and international issues, and enrolls her at the United World College in Dilijan, Armenia. The first Amal Clooney Scholarship was awarded to Pamela Tebchrany, a dedicated Lebanese student who graduated top of her class and is fluent in Arabic, French, and English. She will be using the scholarship to pursue her interests in human rights and women’s equality.

Armenian Assembly of America Board of Trustees Co-Chairman Anthony Barsamian and Board President Carolyn Mugar with George Clooney in New York City at the launch of the 100 Lives initiative for human rights. S ATURDAY, F EBRUARY 2 7 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 COMMUNITY NEWS Actor and Director Fazlian Played Important Role in Armenian, Lebanese Theater THEATER, from page 7 Berj Araz, Missak Boghosian and Hagop the first time in the presence of the author. His Vartivarian were the New York area speakers. production of Aysam Mahfuz’s play Fazlian received the Armenian General “Zanzalakht” (“The Chinaberry”) was consid- Benevolent Union’s Certificate of Honor from ered a turning point in the annals of Lebanese its president Berge Setrakian, while Archbishop theater history. Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of Fazlian taught drama for many years at the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) pre- Lebanon’s state, Saint Joseph and Al-Kafaat sented to him an encyclical from Catholicos of universities. All Armenians Karekin II accompanied by the In 1986, Fazlian was invited by the Soviet St. Sahak and St. Mesrop Medal. Armenia state to direct various productions. On the invitation of Armenian State Television, he On Fazlian directed Yerukhan’s “Tzgnorsi sere” (“The Levon Torosian wrote in the daily Zartonk in Love of the Fisherman”), a short story. Fazlian 1960 in Beirut that “Fazlian is a madman of the theater in the good sense of the word. He is dedicated in an incor- ruptible way to the sacred cause of the Armenian theater.” Armen Tarian wrote in the French-Armenian newspaper Haratch from Beirut in 1960 the fol- lowing: “Fazlian has understood well that the director is not a tool copying and repeating the play- wright, but is in his own right a cre- ative artist.” Dr. Bakhdiar Hovagimian wrote WASHINGTON — Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian (left) visited in 1987 in Yerevan as follows: “Has with New Jersey Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (right) following a In Yerevan in 1987, from left, Mher Mkrtichian, Sos meeting February 10, in Washington, D.C . Koutoujian thanked Pallone, Sargisian, Sirvart Fazlian, Berge Fazlian such a thing ever been seen, that a theatrical figure of Armenian back- the Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, for his ground represents Lebanon’s Arab continued support of the Armenian- American community. in 1985 received an award from Vardges theater in international circles?” Hamazaspian, president of the Committee for Shake Varsian wrote in Yerevan’s Hayreniki Cultural Relations with Diasporan Armenians, dzayn in 1987, “Berj Fazlian is a master of and in 2000, received the St. Mesrob Mashdots energetic, effective, and bold concepts, and a Hilton Worldwide Opens First Hotel in Armenia Medal from Catholicos Aram I in Beirut. theatrical figure who implements them.” The TCA Greater New York chapter orga- I visited Fazlian for the last time this year on MCLEAN, Va. — Hilton Worldwide has a spa and gym facilities with a treatment room, nized Fazlian’s 80th birthday celebration on January 5 in a hospital in one of Beirut’s sub- opened the DoubleTree by Hilton Yerevan City Hamam, Finnish sauna and cardio and weight April 30, 2006 in New Jersey. This was the first urbs. I saw him as constantly alert. Only his Centre in the business district of Yerevan, the training equipment. large expression of respect toward this great unique eyes remained from the Berj that I brand’s first hotel in the country. “Armenia’s economy is experiencing continuous artist in the US. Krikor Satamian came from knew. I firmly squeezed the hand of the master, The 176-room hotel is located near a number of growth, making it an exciting destination for busi- Los Angeles to speak – he first appeared on the kissed him and slowly left the room. international embassies, and its multifunctional ness and leisure travelers alike. We look forward to stage in a Fazlian production, as did Tamar He died in Beirut on February 15, 2016, at meeting facilities can host up to 700 delegates. delivering our globally-recognized service culture to Hovhannisyan, the widow of Mher Mgrdichyan. the age of 90. His funeral took place in the Inside the hotel is a new restaurant, Gold, fea- guests arriving from both inside and outside of Gerald Papasian came from Paris. Garine cathedral at Antelias on February 18. turing European and Italian specialties made Armenia,” said Dianna Vaughan, SVP and global Kocharyan, Dr. Hrant Markarian, Nora Armani, (Translated from the Armenian) from seasonal produce. Other amenities include head, DoubleTree by Hilton. 10 S ATURDAY, F EBRUARY 2 7 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Arts & Living Pianist Sergei ‘Armenia: Open Babayan in Concert Wound’ Exhibition At Fresno State At Brand Library FRESNO — Award winning pianist Sergei Art Galleries Babayan will perform in recital as part of the Philip Lorenz Memorial Keyboard Concert GLENDALE — The City of Glendale and the Series at Fresno State. The performance will Library, Arts & Culture Department announce take place at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9, their partnership with the Armenian American in the Concert Hall on the Fresno State cam- Museum to present the exhibition “Armenia: pus. An Open Wound.” The exhibit will be on view The concert is co-sponsored by the at the Brand Library Art Galleries between Armenian Studies Program of Fresno State. April 9 and June 11, during the library’s regu- Babayan will perform works by Schumann, lar hours: Tuesday and Thursday 12-8 p.m., Liszt, Rachmaninoff and Brahms. Wednesday 12-6 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, Acclaimed for the immediacy, sensitivity, 10 a.m-5 p.m. A series of weekly programs will and depth of his interpretations, Sergei accompany the exhibition. Brand Library & Babayan’s performances reveal an emotional Art Center is located at 1601 West Mountain intensity and bold energy, equipping him to St. excel in repertoire ranging from Rameau to “Armenia: An Open Wound” debuted in Ligeti. Winner of the 1989 Robert Casadesus Mexico City at the Museo Memoria Y International Piano Competition in Tolerancia [Museum of Memory and Tolerance] Cleveland, this Armenian pianist returns to in April 2015 in honor of the Armenian Fresno for another display of his “unequaled Genocide centenary. The exhibition explores the intricate history of the Armenian people and creates an interactive experience by illus- trating early Armenian culture; it shares the story of Armenian livelihoods on their ances- tral lands, and prepares viewers to gain a deep- er insight into the events which lead to the Zabel Yessayan 1915 Armenian Genocide. “[The exhibition] seeks to raise awareness about the Armenian Genocide by inspiring reflection, respect for ethnic and cultural diver- sity, and upholding human dignity” stated Book Launch for Yessayan’s Museo Memoria Y Tolerancia temporary exhi- bitions director Linda Atach Zaga. “The In the Ruins Set for Armenian Cause is rooted in the universal theme of preserving memory as the first step in mobilizing toward global human rights and Watertown Public Library this exhibition is uniquely designed to encour- age critical reasoning among diverse audiences WATERTOWN — In June 1909, Istanbul author Zabel Yessayan journeyed to the as they relate the Armenian context to broader scene of the massacres of Armenians in the providence of Adana in March and social justice themes.” April as a member of the commission appointed by the Armenian Patriarch to sur- The mission of the Museo Memoria Y vey conditions and provide relief to the victims. Tolerancia is to preserve, teach, and promote After spending three months in Adana province, Yessayan returned to Istanbul within Mexican society the history and mean- and wrote a series of articles summarizing her findings. These articles, which ing of genocides and crimes against humanity, Sergei Babayan include extensive interviews with survivors chronicling the violence, death, and as well as the importance of diversity and tol- destruction that marked the massacres, were collected in her book, In the Ruins, erance. Designed on the basis of a detailed, didactic touch, perfectly harmonious phrasing and published in 1911. route, “Armenia: An Open Wound,” sheds light breathtaking virtuosity” (Le Figaro, Paris). The Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA) has now released the on both the historical and current ramifica- One of the most charismatic personalities first complete English-language tions of the 1915 Armenian Genocide through on today’s concert stage, Babayan’s vibrantly translation of this important survivor testimony, modern-day pursuits for expressive performances have spirited audi- work, which is considered a mas- justice, and aims to empower visitors to take ence acclaim worldwide. Ever since his arrival terpiece of literary testimony as responsibility on behalf of all those who have in the United States, on his first trip outside well as an original source of cru- been, and continue to be affected by genocide. of the Soviet Union in 1989, his breathtaking cial details about the Adana In addition to honoring victims and commem- virtuosity and a wide- ranging tonal palette Massacres, which are often con- orating the Armenian Genocide, this exhibition have brought him critical praise and acco- sidered a prelude to the 1915 presents the unique contributions of Armenian lades. Armenian Genocide. Included in Genocide survivors who settled in Mexico dur- Babayan was born in Armenia to a musical the publication are photographs ing the early 20th century, and the interna- family and started to play the piano at the as well as an appendix with select- tional Armenian diaspora community which age of three. He began his musical studies at ed articles and letters by Yessayan have collectively grown to embody the concept the age of six under Luisa Markaryan and that provide additional insight of global citizenship. later with George Saradjev. He continued his into the events of the period. “It is our honor to announce our partner- studies at 19 with Mikhail Pletnev at the In the Ruins, which has been ship with the Museo Memoria Y Tolerancia and Moscow Conservatory and completed post- translated by G. M. Goshgarian, we equally commend the City of Glendale graduate work there in 1989 as a student of will be officially launched on Library, Arts & Culture Department for their Professor Vera Gornostaeva. He also studied Sunday, March 6, at 2 p.m. at the commitment to engaging diverse collaborative privately with Lev Naumov in Moscow. Watertown Public Library at an opportunities” stated Armenian American After making his New York recital debut in event celebrating International Museum executive development committee 1990 at Alice Tully Hall to great critical Women’s Day as well as Women’s chairman Berdj Karapetian. “‘Armenia: An acclaim, Babayan embarked on a busy sched- History Month. Participating in Open Wound’ tells the story of Armenians ule that has included solo appearances with the program, which is open to through a multicultural approach, and exem- the Cleveland Orchestra, the Calgary the public, will be the book’s pro- plifies the eclectic programs and exhibitions Philharmonic Orchestra and the Osaka ject director, Judy Saryan, her co-editors Danila Jebejian Terpanjian and Joy the Armenian American Museum aspires to Symphony, among others. Renjilian-Burgy, and AIWA Archives Director Barbara Merguerian. bring to the City of Glendale and the broader General tickets for the concert are available The publication of In the Ruins follows the success of two earlier translations of Los Angeles community.” for $25 per person, for seniors tickets are books by Yessayan issued by AIWA Press: The Gardens of Silihdar, a memoir of the The mission of the Armenian American $18, and tickets for students are $5. author’s early years in her native Istanbul, and My Soul in Exile and Other Museum is to promote understanding and For more information please contact the Writings, a collection that highlights a novel and other selected works. These three appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural Armenian Studies Program or visit fresnos- volumes contain some of the author’s best and most influential works and provide diversity by sharing the Armenian American tate.edu/armenianstudies. a picture of the scope, breath, and historical significance of her work. experience. The Concert is supported by the Thomas A. Yessayan (1878-1943) is remembered today as a brilliant writer of novels, short City of Glendale Library Arts, & Culture Kooyumjian Family Foundation, the Ararat stories, and essays, a champion of women’s rights and an active participant in the director Cindy Cleary shared her enthusiasm Foundation of Alexandria, Virginia, Grace defining events in the Western Armenian community of the late 19th and early about the opportunity to partner with the Jelalian Shahinian Armenian Concerts Fund, see LAUNCH, page 12 Armenian American Museum by noting, “this and the Leon S. Peters Foundation. see MUSEUM, page 11 S ATURDAY, F EBRUARY 2 7 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 ARTS & LIVING

Joan Agajanian Quinn Honored by California Arts Council 100 Years of Genocide: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Arts Lessons from Armenia activist Joan Agajanian Quinn was honored as the longest sitting mem- SALEM, Mass. — The Center for ber of the California Arts Council in Holocaust and Genocide Studies wel- Sacramento last month. The Council, comes Dr. Peter Balakian for a special day marking its 40th year as a State arts of education and commemoration of the agency, was established by Governor Armenian Genocide on Wednesday, Edmund G. Brown, Jr., in January March 2 at 7 p.m. The day’s events will 1976. culminate in a public lecture by Dr. The CAC celebration took place at Balakian as part of the Sonia Schreiber the Crest Theater on K Street where Weitz Series. former actor, former CAC Chair Peter An award-winning scholar, poet and Coyote introduced Governor Brown, author, Balakian is one of the world’s who spoke about the precise forma- most eloquent voices on the Armenian tion of the Commission. Coyote Genocide. agreed “Jerry and I made sure we had Balakian is the recipient of many an artist from every discipline repre- awards, prizes and civic citations, includ- sented.” ing a Movses Khorenatsi Medal from the Award winning actress and former Republic of Armenia, a Guggenheim fel- CAC member Annette Bening intro- lowship, a National Endowment for the duced the US Poet Laureate Juan Arts fellowship, the Spendlove Prize for Felipe Herrera with California Poet Social Justice, Tolerance, and Diplomacy; Laureate Dana Gioia and an array of and the Emily Clark Balch Prize. He has politicians and performers. Arts appeared widely on national television Council Director, Craig Watson, and radio, including 60 Minutes, ABC thanked the sold-out audience, which World News Tonight, PBS, and Charlie included leaders from local art insti- From left, Annette Bening, Joan Agajanian Quinn and Peter Coyote at Sacramento’s Crest Theater celebrating Rose, and his work has been translated tutions, for attending the special 40 years of the California Arts Council. into a dozen languages. He currently event. serves as Donald M. and Constance H. Rebar Professor of the Humanities, pro- fessor of English and director of creative writing at Colgate University. Balakian will read excerpts from his memoir, Black Dog of Fate: An American Son Uncovers His Armenian Past, and

Peter Balakian

discuss his experience growing up in a suburban family haunted by memories of the Armenian Genocide. The memoir won the 1998 PEN/Martha Albrand Prize for the Art of the Memoir, and was selected a best book of the year by The New York Times, Los Angeles Times and Publisher’s Weekly. The talk will take place at the Peabody Essex Museum, Morse Auditorium, 161 Essex Street, Salem, Mass. The program is sponsored by the Cummings Foundation and the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Salem State University. Tickets are free, but must be reserved in advance at salemstate.edu/peter-bal- akian/

‘Armenia: Open Wound’ Exhibition At Brand Library Art Galleries

MUSEUM, from page 10 exhibition supports the Library’s mission to offer our community a diversity of ideas that will inspire curiosity and enrich our daily lives.” Cleary further expressed that she “hopes all members of the public will share in this unique experience that celebrates the history and the resilience of the Armenian people and com- memorates the horrific consequences of the Genocide.” A slate of programs that will complement “Armenia: An Open Wound” is being planned by the Brand Library & Art Center and the Armenian American Museum in collaboration with local and regional community partners. All events at Brand Library & Art Center are free and open to the public. For more information visit ArmenianAmericanMuseum.org. 12 S ATURDAY, F EBRUARY 2 7 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING Book Launch for Yessayan’s In the Ruins Set for Watertown Public Library Recipe LAUNCH, from page 10 were dashed by the 1909 Adana Massacres. 20th centuries. Rarely has the life of an individ- Continuing her literary career, Yessayan ual writer so encapsulated that of her nation. became the only woman on the “black list” of Born in Istanbul, Yessayan graduated from Armenian intellectuals to be arrested on the Corner Surp Khach secondary school and at age 17 night of April 24, 1915. She managed to elude went to Paris to study at the Sorbonne. In Paris the police for three months, finally escaping to she began publishing fiction and non-fiction Bulgaria and on to the Caucasus. After engaging by Christine Vartanian Datian works in both French and Armenian. In 1908, in relief work and publishing interviews with now an established writer, she returned to Genocide survivors, she returned to Paris. In Istanbul, where her hopes for a new liberal era 1933 she moved to Yerevan, Armenia, where, five Banana Orange Bread with Nutmeg Glaze years later, she became a victim of Josef Stalin’s purges. She was arrested in 1937 and died in INGREDIENTS unknown circumstances, probably in 1943. 2 cups all-purpose flour The translation and publication of In the 1 cup light or dark brown sugar Ruins was made possible by a grant to AIWA 1/2 cup canola oil from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. It is 1/2 cup apple sauce the latest in the AIWA Press “Treasury of 2 large eggs, beaten Armenian Women’s Literature” series of books. 2 ripe bananas, mashed In the Ruins is available from AIWA 2-3 tablespoons fresh orange juice through mail, telephone or website 1 tablespoon honey orders (list price $20), as well as from 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda Amazon and bookstores specializing in publi- 1 teaspoon baking powder cations of Armenian interest. 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract In addition to the March 6 launch of In the 1 cup chopped walnuts, pecans, or slivered almonds Ruins, book receptions with Judy Saryan are 2 tablespoons fresh grated orange rind scheduled in other areas, including Racine, PREPARATION: Wisc. (Public Library, February 27); Chicago Heat oven to 350 degrees. (AGBU Center, February 28); California 1. In a large bowl, beat the brown sugar, oil and applesauce together until smooth. (Glendale, Abril Bookstore, April 28, and 2. Add the eggs and bananas and mix well. Add the flour, orange juice, honey, baking Mission Hills, Ararat-Eskijian Museum, May 1); soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and vanilla, and mix completely. Add the nuts and orange and Cambridge, Mass. (Porter Square Books, rind, if desired. May 24). 3. Pour into a well-greased 9x5 inch loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for about one hour. This year AIWA is marking 25 years of pro- Remove from oven and let cool on iron rack. Top with Nutmeg Glaze, slice, and serve. moting and enriching the social, economic and personal advancement of Armenian women Nutmeg Glaze worldwide. The celebration will be held Author Zabel Yessayan (seated, center) with INGREDIENTS other members of the delegation sent from September 30- October 2 at the Charles Hotel 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar Istanbul to survey conditions in Adana immedi- in Cambridge, Mass. Further information about ately following the 1909 massacres. the celebration or about AIWA activities is avail- 1/4 cup orange juice concentrate In the consists of Yessayan’s description of the able by contacting AIWA at 65 Main St., 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg Ruins suffering and devastation she witnessed. Watertown, MA 02472; Website (www.aiwain- 2 tablespoons toasted coconut (optional) ternational.org). PREPARATION: In small bowl, combine the powdered sugar, orange juice concentrate, and nutmeg togeth- er until smooth. Add the toasted coconut, if desired. Pour or spread over bread as glaze. BOOK REVIEW

Apples in Square Boxes Grin at Me Christine's recipes have been published in the Fresno Bee, Sunset and Cooking Light mag- azines, and at http://www.thearmeniankitchen.com/ Here is Prof. myself from St. For Christine's recipes that have been published in Sunset and Cooking Light magazines, Rubina Peroomian G r e g o r y ’ s go to:

community. CALIFORNIA APRIL 22 — Save the date. The annual commemora- tion of the Armenian Genocide at the Massachusetts MARCH 6 — Author Dawn Anahid Mackeen to sign State House. Friday, 10.30 a.m., State House Chamber, copies of her book The Hundred-Year-Walk: An Catered Reception at 12 noon in the Great Hall. Keynote Armenian Odyssey. St. Vartan Armenian Church, speaker will be announced at a later date. Sunday, Lecture/Book Presentation at St. Vartan MAY 12 – Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Greater Armenian Church. Sponsored by the AGBU, UC Berkeley Boston Presents the Dr. Michael and Joyce Kolligian Armenian Studies Department, and St. Vartan. 650 Distinguished Speaker Series, with John Prendergast, Spruce St, Oakland, CA. founder of “The Enough Project,” an initiative to end MARCH 16 — Abril Books, Wednesday, Book reading genocide and crimes against humanity, co-founder “The and signing, Author Dawn Anahid Mackeen The Sentry,” a new investigative initiative focused on disman- Hundred-Year-Walk: An Armenian Odyssey. 415 E. tling the networks financing conflict and atrocities. 7 Broadway, Suite 102, Glendale, CA p.m. Thursday at Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural APRIL 15 - DEADLINE. If you are looking to embark on the Hall, Holy Trinity, 145 Brattle Street, Cambridge MA Info: educational adventure of a lifetime, then consider the 617.354.0632 American University of Armenia’s Summer Program MAY 14 — Sayat Nova Dance Company of Boston con- 2016. The program combines unique academic offerings tinues its 30th anniversary celebrations with a night with the benefits of a safe, welcoming, and exciting envi- of song and dance with beloved singer Arabo Ispiryan, ronment. Participants will also experience the authentic direct from Armenia. Don’t miss out on this night of pure sights, sounds, and flavors of Armenia through the The Tekeyan Cultural Association, the Armenian entertainment. Come and celebrate with us as Discover Armenia Educational Tours. Apply Amaras Art Aliance and the Armenian we sing and dance all night with Arabo. Generous appe- at im.aua.am by April 15. General Benevolent Union of New tizers (mezze) will be provided. Doors open at7:30 p.m. England on Sunday, March 6, will To be held at St. James Armenian Church, Charles MASSACHUSETTS sponsor a program featuring actor Mosesian Cultural and Youth Center, 465 Mt, Auburn and director Gerald Papasian. During Street, Watertown. Tickets are available by calling Apo at MARCH 3 — A Town Hall Meeting with Richard M. 339-222-2410 or Hagop at 617-780-6295. VIP table seat- the program, he will screen a produc- Mills, Jr., US Ambassador to the Republic of ing at $100/person (includes 1 free drink/person and a Armenia, who would like to meet with the Greater tion of the opera “Garine,” a work bottle of champagne for the table); Premium table seat- Boston Armenian community to discuss US priorities in based on “Leblebeji Hor-Hor Agha” ing at $75/person (includes a bottle of champagne for Armenia and opportunities for partnership; 7 p.m.-8:30 by Dikran Tchouhadjian, at the AGBU the table); General seating: $65. Please reserve your tick- p.m., hosted by Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Greater Center, 247 Mount Auburn St., ets early. Boston, Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall, Watertown. Proceeds will support MAY 27 — 65th Annual Armenian Night at the Pops, Cambridge. Thursday. The ambassador is visiting the the Dikran Tchouadjian International Featuring Boston Pops Orchestra, Keith Lockhart, area as part of a general effort to get to know, and be Institute. The program will include a Conductor; presenting Edvard Poghossian, cello. known by the Armenian-American community. Open to talk by Papasian on the production, Presented by Friends of Armenian Culture Society. all. For further information, contact the Holy Trinity Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Ave., Boston. For tick- Church Office, 617.354.0632 or log the filmed version of the production and dinner. See ad on page 11 with ets and information, visit facsboston.org onto http://www.htaac.org/calendar/event/233/. SEPTEMBER 10 — Sayat Nova Dance Company of further details. MARCH 6 — Book Launch, commemorating International Boston 30th Anniversary Gala. Details to follow. Women’s Day: In the Ruins by Zabel Yessayan. Sponsored SEPTEMBER 30 — OCTOBER 2 — 25th Anniversary by the Armenian International Women’s Association. 2 Celebration, Armenian International Women’s p.m., Watertown Free Public Library. Association. Charles Hotel, Cambridge. MARCH 6 — Actor and director Gerald Papasian of Paris, France will speak and present a screening of his 240-3686). NEW HAMPSHIRE production of the musical “Garine” at the AGBU Center, APRIL 2 — Back by popular demand — Sayat Nova 247 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown. Proceeds will support Dance Company of Boston (SNDC) proudly presents MARCH 19 — Book-signing and presentation, 1-4 p.m., the Dikran Tchouhadjian International Institute. The event the return of renowned entertainer/comedian/ Barnes and Noble, Salem, NH by authors E. Philip Brown is cosponsored by the AGBU New England District pianist Kev Orkian to Boston, with his brand new show and Tom Vartabedian will speak about their book, Chapter, Amaras Art Alliance, and the Tekeyan Cultural “Little Fingers.” Saturday, 8 p.m. (doors open at 7:30) in Armenians of the Merrimack Valley. Assocation. Shaw Auditorium, Watertown High School, 50 Columbia MARCH 6 — St. Stephen’s Armenian Church in St., Watertown. Reserved seating only. Tickets are avail- MICHIGAN Watertown will host a Lenten Dinner, sponsored by able by 617-852-1816. VIP tickets (limited amount avail- the St. Stephen’s Ladies’ Guild. Begins at 1 p.m. in the able) are $65 and include reserved priority seating and MARCH 18 – Cultural Committee of St. Thomas church hall, 38 Elton Ave. Board Member Raffi Manjikian pre-show private reception with Kev. General show tick- Armenian Church presents A Night at the Opera, will speak on the “Cultural Traditions of Armenian ets are $50, includes reserved seating. Visit www.sayat- Anoush by Tigranian, HD Opera with K. Kasbarian, D. Carpets.” Donation: $25. For more information, call nova.com for the seating chart and see attached flyer for Levonian, A. Garabedian, M. Andonian. Friday, 7:30 Deanne Nahabedian, (781) 891-7249 or the church office more details. p.m., Atrium, 174 Essex Drive, Tenafly, NJ 07670. Wine at (617) 924-7562. APRIL 9 — Sayat Nova Dance Company 30th anniver- and cheese reception. Donation $10 adults & children. MARCH 7 — St. James Armenian Church’s Men’s Club sary Alumni Reunion. Saturday, 7:30 p.m. in For reservations, please contact: Talar Sesetyan will host Houry Panian Boyamian, principal of St. Cambridge. Calling all SNDC Alumni and members for an Sarafian: (201) 240 – 8541 or Church Office: (201) 567 Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School, who will speak evening of fun and surprises. Come eat, socialize, remi- – 5446. about her father, Karnig Panian’s memoir, Goodbye nisce.... Please RSVP by March 20, at sndc_info@sayat- Antoura: A Memoir of the Armenian Genocide. Complete nova.com or call 617-923-4455. NEW YORK Lenten dinner. Social hour and mezza at 6.15 p.m., din- APRIL 9-10 — Two days of workshops, presentations, ner at 7 p.m. $15 per person. St. James Armenian community and discovering your Armenian roots. March 14 – “Development of Programs and Evaluation Church, Charles Mosesian Cultural and Youth Center, This conference grew out of the Armenian Genealogy Methodologies Designed to Achieve Gender Keljik Hall, 465 Mount Auburn St., Watertown. group (Haygagan Dzakumnapanutyun) on Facebook. Equality,” NGO Panel at the Commission on the Status MARCH 12 — “Untold Story of an Armenian-American Watertown. Cosponsored by National Association for of Women, sponsored by the Armenian International Artist” The Work of Yenovk der Hagopian — exhibi- Armenian Studies and Research; Project SAVE Armenian Women’s Association. Moderated by Susan Raymond, tion opening and reception, Adele & Haig Der Manuelian Photograph Archives, Houshamadyan, Armenian PhD, Executive Vice President, Changing Our World, with Galleries (3rd Floor), Armenian Museum of America, Museum of America and Hamazkayin-Boston. Various Shakeh Kaftarian, Ph.D., President, Kaftarian & Watertown. The event is free and open to the public and times, Watertown area. To register, visit Associates; Maro Matosian, Director, Women’s Support light refreshments will be served at the http://www.armeniangenealogyconference.com/regis- Center, Yerevan; Judy Norsigian, Co-Founder/Editor, Our reception.Saturday, 2-4 p.m. tration/ Bodies Ourselves; Alexandra Pittman, Founder, AVP APRIL 2 — Swing into Spring Dinner-Dance. Sts. APRIL 17 — Erevan Choral Society Spring Concert, “In Global Consulting. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., CUNY Vartanantz Armenian Church, Chelmsford, Kazanjian Commemoration of Our Sainted Martyrs of 1915.” Graduate Center, Rm. 1, 365 Fifth Ave. Open to the pub- Ballroom, 180 Old Westford Rd. Chelmsford. Dinner at 6 Sponsored by Holy Trinity Armenian Church, 2:30 p.m., lic free of charge. [email protected]. p.m. followed by non-stop Armenian and Middle East Church Sanctuary, 145 Brattle Street, Cambridge. The APRIL 5 – Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) presents music by the Jason Naroian Ensemble featuring Jason concert is under the direction of Composer Konstantin Sahan Arzruni in Benefit Concert “Together for Naroian, dumbeg and vocals; Brian Anisbigian, oud; Ara Petrossian, Music Director and Conductor. Guest Soloists Armenia,” Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. An evening of solo piano Jeknavorian, clarinet; and Dave Anisbigian, guitar. Paid in are David Ayriyan (Kamancha) and Gohar Manjelikian music to benefit the Vanadzor Old Age Home adminis- advance tickets (received by March 27) are $25 for (Mezzo Soprano), with Nune Hakobyan on the organ and tered by FAR. Merkin Concert Hall - Kaufman Music adults, $10 for children (6-12), and 5 & under, free. At- piano. The Armenian and non-Armenian community is Center, 129 West 67th Street, New York. Tickets $35, will the-door, $35 for adults and $15 for children. For reser- invited to commemorate through music the Holy Martyrs go on sale in February 2016. Please contact FAR for more vations, please contact Maria at [email protected] (617- of the Armenian Genocide. The concert is a gift to the info: [email protected] or 212.889.5150. 14 S ATURDAY, F EBRUARY 2 7 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR

COMMENTARY Mirror Beware of the Georgian ‘Friend’

is unacceptable; the entire Caucasus will explode.” Spectator By Edmond Y. Azadian Against this political background, the Tbilisi government fur- ther develops its political and economic relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan, tightening the noose around Armenia. This is not the first time Georgia is living up to its title of On February 19, Georgia hosted the foreign ministers of “friendly foe” with Armenia. Although the cross is prominently Turkey and Azerbaijan, who visited the railway station in featured on the Georgian national flag, Christian brotherhood Kartzakhi, near the Turkish border. The foreign ministers of EstablishedEstablished 1932 1932 does not mean much to the Georgian government. Otherwise, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, Elmar Mammadyarov, Mikheil An ADLAn Publication ADL Publication some consideration and solidarity would have been warranted Janelidze and Mevlut Çavusoglu, respectively, praised the Baku- between the only two Christian nations amidst an ocean of Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway project as a “historic” one and they Islamic countries. noted its importance within the context of the new Silk Road con- During the Soviet period, all ethnic tensions were subdued by necting Asia to Europe. The railway is scheduled to be complet- the central government although there was no love lost between ed by 2017 and one segment of it will run through the Armenian- EDITOR Alin K. Gregorian Armenia and Georgia, since the two had fought a war before populated Akhalkalaki, after bypassing Armenia itself. being integrated into the Soviet empire. As a result of that war, The Azeri Foreign Minister said, “I believe that we are on the ASSISTANT EDITOR the historic Armenian region of Javakhk was integrated into right track. It is a joint understanding that we must continue this Aram Arkun Georgia. cooperation because it’s a win-win-win for all three countries and After the collapse of the Soviet empire, the two emerging the region.” ART DIRECTOR Marc Mgrditchian republics politically developed in opposing directions, pushing He stopped short of saying “it’s a lose-lose-lose project for their simmering mutual antagonism into political dimensions. Armenia.” By historic necessity, Armenia aligned itself with Russia, But what is more worrisome is that in addition to making state- becoming a strategic ally of its northern neighbor and hosting ments on economic cooperation, the trio have signed a political Moscow’s military base on its territory. Georgia, meanwhile, declaration where they state they place “the utmost importance SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: veered towards the West, entertaining its dream of becoming a on the earliest peaceful settlement of the conflict in and around Edmond Y. Azadian NATO member. Although the Tbilisi government suffered for its the Nagorno Karabagh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Western orientation as a result of President Mikhail Saakashvili’s the conflict in the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali CONTRIBUTORS: reckless politics, the succeeding government of the Georgian region/South Ossetia on the basis of principles and norms of Florence Avakian, Dr. Haroutiun Dream Party did not alter the nation’s foreign policy. international law, particularly, sovereignty, territorial integrity Arzoumanian, Taleen Babayan, Diana During a speech delivered on February 12, President Serge and inviolability of the internationally-recognized borders.” Der Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, Sargisian, commenting on the implementation of recent consti- The last eight words are euphemistically intended to express Kevork Keushkerian, Harut Sassounian, tutional changes, also delved into the political background of the the territorial ambitions of the Aliyev dynasty. By contrast, the Hagop Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian region stating, “with our two neighbors, Georgia and Iran, our Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) co- CORRESPONDENTS: relations are developing in good neighborly spirits.” chairs have been working on the principles of the final part of the Armenia - Hagop Avedikian However, that was a politically-correct statement rather than an Helsinki declaration, which intends to reconcile territorial integri- Boston - Nancy Kalajian accurate one, made in order not to exacerbate tense relations ty with the right to self-determination of the local population. Philadelphia - Lisa Manookian with Tbilisi. Georgia recklessly Berlin - Muriel Mirak-Weissbach In fact, relations endorses Azerbaijan’s Contributing Photographers: with Iran and Georgia position on the settle- Jacob Demirdjian and Jirair Hovsepian are on totally different ment of Karabagh con- footings. At times, Iran flict while Armenia has may ignore some cautiously refrained Armenian interests out from recognizing The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published of political expediency, Abkhazia’s indepen- weekly, except two weeks in July and the first but on principle, it week of the year, by: dence to avoid a con- does not go out of its frontation with Tbilisi. Baikar Association, Inc. way to antagonize With the lifting of 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 Armenia. sanctions on Iran, the Telephone: 617-924-4420 Both internally and gas market became a FAX: 617-924-2887 externally, Georgian hot battleground in www.mirrorspectator.com policies hurt the Caucasus, where E-Mail: [email protected] Armenians. Since Russia, Azerbaijan and For advertising: [email protected] Georgia’s indepen- Iran are competing. At dence, all succeeding one point, there was administrations have talk that Armenia may exercised an extremely become a transit route xenophobic domestic for Iranian gas to policy, trying to assim- Georgia. It seems that SUBSCRIPTION RATES: ilate or alienate the Georgian govern- minorities. The brunt ment has been having of that policy has been second thoughts for U.S.A. $80 a year mostly directed fear of angering the towards the government of Baku. Canada $125 a year Armenians in Javakhk. Azerbaijan’s territory Other Countries $190 a year Although the policy is being considered as cost Georgia territorial a conduit for Iranian losses —Abkhazia and gas and Georgia’s South Ossetia — little has changed in the behavior of the central Minister of Energy Kakha Kaladze has said that “Tbilisi could © 2014 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator government. consider this option, too.” Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA Georgia’s foreign policy treats Armenia as a virtual enemy. At The Turkish-Georgian cooperation has opened the floodgates and additional mailing offices. the UN and other world bodies, the Tbilisi government has for the invasion of Turkish capital in Georgia. ISSN 0004-234X brazenly sided with Azerbaijan and Turkey, to Armenia’s detri- Vahakn Chakhalian, the Armenian political activist in Javakhk ment, trampling the “neighborly spirit” which Armenia tries to who was jailed by President Saakashvili, has issued an appeal to observe jealously and hopelessly. all Armenians, saying, “no to the Turkification of Georgia.” POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Armenia is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Armenian Mirror-Spectator, 755 Mount Auburn He added: “The seeds that Saakashvili had sown are blossom- St., Watertown, MA 02472 Organization (CSTO) and relies heavily on that organization for ing in Georgia and the Turkification of the country is developing Other than the editorial, views and opinions its security. But escalating tensions with Azerbaijan have raised at an alarming rate and it has almost reached the point of no expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily legitimate concerns, especially after Azeri encroachment on return.” reflect the policies of the publisher. Armenia proper’s sovereign territory, in the face of Russia’s enig- The statement specially informs that the Turkish investors dis- matic silence. Adding to Armenia’s worries is the alarming rate of criminate even against Christian Georgians by denying them transfer of Russia’s modern weaponry to the Baku government. employment and preferring Azeris and Turks instead. Those concerns were raised by Armenian journalists at a press Adding insult to injury, the Georgian government has agreed conference with CSTO Secretary Gen. Nikolay Bordyuzha, who to host a Turkish military base on its territory, to complete the Copying for other than personal use or gave an indirect and terse answer: “Read the final documents of Turkification of the country. internal reference is prohibited without the annual CSTO ministers’ statements, which necessarily refer to It is understandable that the US and NATO have welcomed the express permission of the copyright the situation in Caucasus.” move “as a contribution to stability.” That base would substitute owner. Address requests for reprints or The same press conference substantiated the fears of the a NATO base, which would irritate Russia to no end. In light of back issues to: Armenian journalists when he stated, “We are greatly concerned the current escalating tension between Russia and Turkey, sta- about the situation in the Caucasus, especially in connection with bility may become the first casualty. Baikar Association, Inc. Nagorno Karabagh conflict, where heavy weaponry and tanks are With a friend like Georgia in the region, Armenia does not need 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472- used and there are casualties. Further escalation of the conflict any enemies. 1509 S ATURDAY, F EBRUARY 2 7 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 COMMENTARY

Iran, now residing in Glendale, California, has filled that void “No one ever saw any loyalty from a Turk; with her book, The Interpretation of the Name and Word From Iranians they have seen nothing but loyalty.” Turk in Iranian Literature. Ohanian has meticulously Khawaja Abdullah Ansari (1006 - 1088 AD): researched and translated from Farsi into Armenian dozens “It would be surprising that a Turk would understand love, of lines from several notable Persian poets from the Middle As it would be surprising that a Turk does not rob and My Turn Ages who had penned their highly negative impressions of steal.” Turks, revealing that Iranian antipathy toward Turks has Nizami (1140 - 1203 AD): By Harut Sassounian long roots. “Even the King did not know, The Persian references regarding Turks come from such No such thing as a loyal Turk.” well-known poets as Ferdowsi in the 10th Century and Hafez Anvari (12th Century): Iranian Hatred of Turks Goes in the 14th Century. Turkic tribes first invaded Persia in the “As you have not started your journey with your gentle Back a Thousand Years 11th Century, followed by the Seljuks. In the 13th Century, horse, Iran was conquered by the Mongols and then by Turkmen Don’t leave, the road is full of bloodthirsty Turks.” During the past one thousand years, the relationship tribes who were finally defeated in 1592 AD. Many wars Khaghani (1120 - 1190 AD): between the two neighboring Islamic states of Persia and the ensued between Persia and the Ottoman Empire in subse- “Drinking blood with a friend is an old tradition, Ottoman Empire vacillated between peaceful coexistence and quent centuries. Turks are blood drinkers and don’t recognize their outright war. The populations of these two states were not Ohanian has presented in her book quotations from 13 friends.” only of different ethnic and linguistic backgrounds, but were Persian poets and writers. While Armenians have their own Saad1i (1184 - 1283 AD): also divided in their Islamic faith — the Persians were Shia, tragic memories of oppressive Turkish rule, it is interesting “At that time you sent me a student, while the Turks were Sunni. The divisions between Iran and to learn of the similarly negative experiences of other nations A Turk; there was no one worse than him.” Turkey continue to this day. that came in contact with Turks. Many readers are familiar with the anti-Turkish references Here are several lines from Persian Middle Age poets trans- Many of these Persian descriptions of Turks would be in the works of Western writers, particularly after successive lated by Ohanian from Farsi to Armenian which I have trans- viewed today as racist as they unfairly label all Turks with the episodes of Armenian massacres leading to the 1915 lated to English: same stereotype. All nationalities have some good and bad Genocide, such as the damning words of French writer Victor among them. The real problem, however, is the violent poli- Hugo, “The Turks have passed by here, all is in ruins and Ferdowsi (925 - 1020 AD): cies of the Turkish state that brutally oppressed minorities mourning.” “No one has learned wisdom from Turks, and conquered nations, resulting in mass crimes and geno- Yet, little is known about references in Persian literature No one will obey a Turk.” cide against Arabs, Armenians, Assyrians, Cypriots, Greeks regarding Turks. Roubina Ohanian, an Armenian native of Asadi Tusi (11th Century): and Iranians!

What You Need to Know about Syria’s Strategic Position Keeps Armenia’s New Startup Laws YEREVAN — We are accustomed to complaining about anything that has to do Russia Bombing with the Armenian government. So it is only natural that the Armenian govern- ment wasn’t listening to the country’s tech community and laws were not being — Kremlin propagandists’ code for economic crisis. updated to accommodate new business structures and labor environments. By Isabel Gorst Instead of distressing images from eastern Nonetheless, it is finally happen- Ukraine, state television has footage to show of ing: legislation is being drafted the Russian air force’s upgraded SU-40 war planes By Raffi Elliott which will help propel the small, When Vladimir Putin went to the rescue of the tearing through the skies and even, in one partic- landlocked Caucasian nation into Special to the Mirror-Spectator and Abaka embattled Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and ularly spectacular mission, of cruise missiles the technology startup big ordered Russian air strikes on Syria last autumn, launched from 1,300 kilometers away from Syria leagues. defense officials in Moscow said the bombing cam- in the Caspian Sea. In November 2015, the paign was time limited, but were vague about how Western powers are still putting pressure on the National Assembly released the details about a new law on technology startups long it might last. Kremlin to halt attacks on moderate opposition which would make founding, operating, and growing a tech startup in Armenia Five months later the war in Syria has become forces they want to see at peace talks and focus much easier and simpler. The new legislation was adopted on December 14, 2014. more vicious and complicated and is threatening the bombing on Islamic State. The government finally understood that supporting the tech sector, which to escalate into a broader regional conflict drawing But a cessation of hostilities brokered by the US accounts for $450 million a year, or five percent of the entire country’s GDP, can in NATO-member Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. in Munich last week has reinforced the sense that be immensely beneficial for a country with no ports, and two out of four borders Western powers are pushing for implementation Russia has stolen the lead in Syria. Under the deal closed to trade. In no small part, this was thanks to the constant lobbying efforts of a selective cessation of hostilities agreed in all parties in the conflict were supposed to stop of the Union of Information Technology Enterprises (UITE), which closely cooper- Munich last week, and on Monday the United fighting from February 19 to allow humanitarian ated with legislators. The government, UITE, and international partners have iden- States and Russia agreed on the terms of such a aid in. The deal was selective, with Russia contin- tified four main objectives in enacting this legislation: 1) increasing competitive- truce to take effect from this weekend. uing its ferocious bombardment of Aleppo. ness in the industry; 2) empowering and training a well-paid skilled workforce; 3) But a full ceasefire can’t happen without It has become clear over the past few months providing capital for research and development; and 4) attracting direct foreign Kremlin co-operation and Putin is not in a hurry that Russia has a bigger game to play in Syria than investment. to ground his war planes. just propping up a client dictator. The new legislation applies to startups, technoparks, technology centers, incuba- As Russia continued the bombardment of Aleppo Syria, battered by a war that has claimed more tors and accelerators, as well as educational and research organizations. Falling in in northern Syria, Britain’s Foreign Secretary Philip than 250,000 lives and ravaged its infrastructure, one of these categories does not automatically lead to qualification for tax privi- Hammond was wondering what Putin was about. is now center stage in Putin’s drive to overturn the leges, as the government requires applying for an additional special license. “The point about dealing with Russia is that they are US-dominated post-Cold War world order and Companies have to be established and operating under the law on state support of not transparent,” he told CNN. restore Russia as an major international power. the internet technology (IT) sphere, and their activities are limited through the “We don’t have good visibility about their inten- It helps that the US, discouraged by other third article of the same law. tions or whether they have the appetite for a Middle East policy failures, has dithered over Thus, in order to be eligible for this new program, a company would need to be longer engagement [in Syria]. Syria. But it’s a mark of how far Russia has stolen involved in the technology sphere in one way or another. This could mean soft- “As the Kremlin’s strongest ally in the Arab the lead in Syria that western officials now openly ware and internet companies; consulting, computing systems, data mining, or host- world, the Syrian regime is an anchor for Russian admit that they need Putin onside to bring peace ing services; network administration or online media companies; and those that power in the Middle East. Syria holds the key to to the region. work in education and research in IT. Furthermore, the company must be newly Tartusport, Russia’s only naval base on the As Mark Galeotti, an expert on Russian defence established and independent. It also means that companies which are established Mediterranean and a vital outlet for Russia’s grow- matters, wrote in Foreign Affairs magazine last branches of foreign entities also do not qualify. ing arms sales. week, “Russia has bombed its way to a seat at the Companies with more than thirty employees are excluded. Companies eligible And its location bordering Turkey, Jordan, table.” for this new tax break cannot sell or otherwise transfer the results of their opera- Lebanon, Israel and Iraq provides a foothold in the Major competitor tions under the certificate to other residents or business entities of the Republic Middle East that is too important for the Kremlin Putin may find this gratifying, but the risk of of Armenia that work in the IT sphere, except for educational purposes. The new to lose. the conflict spinning out of control is greater than law requires eligible companies to provide quarterly reports ensuring that the Putin’s intervention in Syria, like his invasion of ever before. startup continues to meet the requirements. Georgia in 2008 and the annexation of Ukraine’s Russia’s bombing campaign has already put the Though Armenia is notorious for its bureaucratic antics, this procedure seems Crimea in 2014, was a reckless gamble. Kremlin on a collision course with NATO member poised to be breaking that trend. All you need is the following: the application doc- But from a military perspective it has so far Turkey, the ruler of Syria in Ottoman times and a ument (Arlis 312, 2015); delivered success. While US air attacks launched a major competitor with other regional powers for proof that your startup is a newly-established legal entity (your company should year earlier have brought some setbacks for influence in the country. have been chartered no sooner than 3 months before the law passed to be eligi- Islamic State, they have failed to change the strate- One of the complications of the Syrian conflict ble); a written description of the main directors; a written statement containing the gic reality on the ground. is that in addition to the jihadis of Islamic State names, office positions and contact information of your employees; a list of share- In contrast Russia, with a single air squadron and the al-Qaeda linked Jabhat al-Nursa, there are holders; and proof that the company is not a local branch of a foreign company. flying hundreds of sorties a day, has shifted the many often rival rebel groups involved, each with As a side note, the law insists that board members must have a “clean” history. conflict decisively in Assad’s favor, allowing gov- support from different international players. For Applications will be accepted until the first of January 2017, and the tax benefits ernment troops to drive opposition rebels out of Assad any group that challenges the Syrian gov- will last until 2020. In the last four months, almost 40 new companies, which had the Syrian president’s strongholds in the east and ernment is a terrorist and Russia, for the most previously been working unofficially, have been registered, and the numbers con- press north towards the Turkish frontier and the part, has been prepared to go along with that. tinue to grow. strategic city of Aleppo. Turkey, furious that Russia had been bombing For ordinary Russians the air strikes have been ethnic Turkish Turkoman rebels in Syria, shot (Raffi Elliott is a Montreal-born entrepreneur and founder of the medical travel a remarkable show of power, distracting from the down a Russian war plane in November allegedly startup www.gettreated.com currently based in Yerevan. He frequently comments unfinished conflict in eastern Ukraine and the for violating its air space. on socioeconomic and tech-related issues in Armenia.) grinding dreariness of life under the “new reality” see SYRIA, page 16 16 S ATURDAY, F EBRUARY 2 7 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR

Syria’s Strategic Position Keeps Russia Bombing SYRIA, from page 15 University, wrote on the Carnegie blog. The Armenian Democratic Liberal Party Tensions between the two nations are now Putin was “pretty happy with the massive focused on Russia’s new alliance with Syrian refugee influx into Europe as this is destabilis- ADL, from page 1 Kurdish rebel groups — also supported by the ing the region,” he added. To hold a much wider second international consultation on April 19-20, 2016 with the US — who have put up a strong fight against While western governments puzzle over participation of members from chapters that are supportive in order to formalize the efforts Islamic State in north east Syria. Ankara is con- Putin’s endgame in Syria, most analysts agree to reconstruct, reform and rehabilitate the Party. vinced that the Syrian Kurds have links with its that the Kremlin doesn’t want to get bogged In order to direct the above efforts, to form a Committee for the Reconstruction of the long-time enemy, the Kurdish Workers Party or down in a protracted war in Syria or risk plac- ADLP. PKK which has been driving a renewed insur- ing Russian troops on the ground. This Committee For The Reconstruction of The ADLP ( RAG Veraganknoumi gency in southern Turkey. Memories of the disastrous war waged by Vartchoutyoun) will remain active until such time that unity is restored and the Party After Turkey began shelling Syrian Kurdish Moscow against an Islamist rebellion in reformed along our core values which are: the promotion of democratic and liberal values, positions across the border this month, Russia Afghanistan that cost hundreds of thousands of occupation of the center ground in diasporan politics, promotion of good governance, inde- accused Ankara of planning a ground attack in lives and spurred the fall of the Soviet Union pendence of judiciary, transparency and accountability and fighting corruption wherever it Syria. A cross-border move by Turkey could pro- are still raw in Russia. And, while most Russians may be, and championing the cause and universal right of nations subjected to Genocide. voke a Russian air attack that would then chal- support Putin’s Syrian adventure, public opin- To this end the following program is proposed: lenge NATO to honor Article 5 of its constitu- ion could change if Russian troops began com- To formulate a new vision for our Party based on our core principles and incorporating tion and come to the defense of its member ing home in coffins. the demands of a new world and independent Armenia; state. Emboldened by gains on the battlefield, To set into motion a process of critical self-evaluation to identify our weaknesses, Saudi Arabia and other Sunni Gulf States, Assad is determined to press on to the end and strengths, opportunities and the threats we face; alarmed from the start about their regional regain control over the whole of Syria. “There To revise our generic by-laws to reflect our new vision, and formulate closer affiliation Shia rival Iran’s support for Assad, are also con- is no choice for Syria except victory in the war with ADLP in Armenia and our sister organizations such as the Tekeyan Cultural sidering deploying ground troops in Syria. for which it will have to pay a high price,” he Association, Ararat Association, Chobanian Institute, Goganian and Dikran Yergat At a time when a wider is war is threatening said on February 16th. Association and others; and the west needs to present a united front, Assad is likely to try to pressurize the To develop a strategic action plan with defined time lines for the coming 3 years through rifts are emerging in the European Union over Kremlin to stymie peace talks, warning that a a cohesive central committee and its affiliated ad hoc professional teams. the refugee crisis. new ruler in Syria would not protect Russian The next ADLP General Assembly that should be convened properly, with the participa- Russia’s relentless bombing has unleashed a interests. “It’s an example of the tail beginning tion of all and with the purpose of finalizing the unification of the ADLP, will be request- fresh wave of refugees fleeing Syria, placing an to wag the dog,” said Alexei Malashenko, an ed to have as its main agenda item, the results obtained above. ever-greater burden on neighboring Turkey and expert at the Carnegie Moscow Centre. Armenians worldwide currently face a multitude of challenges in the wake of the com- the EU. Xenophobia is on the rise in Europe, Cracks were beginning to surface in memoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Genocide. Our Unity & Reform movement strengthening the hand of a growing band of Moscow’s relationship with Assad this week aims at reclaiming our traditional role in the diaspora by mobilizing our ranks and the dias- far-right politicians supportive of Putin’s after Vitaly Churkin, Russia’s envoy to the poran silent majority in promoting our core values, and in service of Armenia in collabo- nationalistic policies. United Nations, said that the Syrian leader’s ration with organizations with similar aims and aspirations. One of these is Hungary’s Prime Minister position did not “chime” with that of its main Time is flying and we are losing precious time and failing in our mission. This is our bat- Viktor Orban, who has overseen the installation ally. tle cry inviting all to join us in order to rejuvenate and revitalize our Party. Let us break of razor-wire fences on his country’s Croatian Russia was working towards a peaceful reso- together this vicious cycle we have been trapped in and collectively move ahead to a vir- and Serbian borders to keep refugees out, a lution of the conflict in Syria and any attempt tuous one. move that rights activists say contravenes inter- to take back full control of the country would COMMITTEE FOR UNITY & REFORM national law. Yet speaking after a meeting with be a futile effort, Churkin told the Russian Edmond Azadian Orban in Moscow last week, Putin was full of newspaper Kommersant. Dr. Kevork Erzengatzian praise for Hungary’s policies. “If the Syrian authorities . . . follow Russia’s Dr. Hratch Kouyoumjian “Hungary’s position and that of its prime lead in the resolution of this crisis, then they Ardavazt Melkissetian minister is to defend European identity, the ide- have a chance to get out of it with their dignity Hagop Vartivarian als of one’s country and its people,” Putin said intact.” Coordinator/ Vartan Nazirian following the talks. While western powers see no future for a last- The refugee crisis is weakening the European ing peace in Syria as long as Assad is in power, February 16th, 2016 Union and diminishing its attractiveness to for- they may struggle to find a moderate opposi- mer Soviet countries that Putin considers part tion leader even remotely acceptable to all the of Russia’s sphere of influence, Koert Debeuf, warring parties. visiting research fellow at the Centre for the Russia, which trained many Syrian military ter placed to identify rebels willing and capable (This analysis originally appeared in the Irish Resolution of Intractable Conflict at Oxford officers in Moscow during the Cold War, is bet- of cutting a deal with Assad. Times on February 23.) Stapanian Hopes to Change Minds with Historical Novel on Genocide

Author Stephen Stapanian of Tampa sets the academics, doctors, businessmen, and religious and But given that the novel is predicated on By Mike Jeknavorian story in the dying days of the Ottoman Empire community leaders in Constantinople. something as gruesome as genocide, should the during World War I. One is reminded that a The lack of accountability or prosecution of public only expect to experience a limited story can allow a direct communion with anoth- the perpetrators makes recollection of the amount of entertainment from it? FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The novel is er era, and ultimately, with the era’s deceased. genocide sting that much more, for many, as it Hopefully, readers will truly connect with the called They Fell, and the title is appropriate. In a response to questions submitted via does Stapanian. characters, and in so doing learn something Drawing on Charles Aznavour’s Ils Sont email from FLArmenians.com, Stapanian says The majority of published works about the from those who fell and perished in one of Tombes, the author uses graphic imagery to that the novel “represents a gift to the Armenian Genocide have been memoirs or his- man’s darkest chapters, Stapanain said. convey the historically based horrors and is Armenian people globally, and to send a mes- torical texts, whereas They Fell is a work of fic- (Mike Jeknavorian is FLArmenians Lifestyle stretched over 35 character-experiences in the sage to all of those who suffered . . . that they tion based on a historical event. Contributor.) midst of the Armenian Genocide. were not alone as victims of genocide.” Stapanian says that he was original- ly inspired to write the novel after watching genocide-themed TV minis- German Bundestag Holding Debate On Armenian Genocide eries in the 1980s, such as “Roots,” “Holocaust” and “Shogun.” Over time BUNDESTAG, from page 1 also hard to predict when the Bundestag will Stapanian worked on his approach The German Bundestag held heated debated hold a final voting on the bill. and finally published They Fell on on the Armenian Genocide on April 24, 2015, a Ozdemir hopes the ruling coalition and the August 1, 2015. day after German President Joachim Gauck opposition will manage to give a common The novel uses a love-story conceit, used the word “genocide” to describe the assessment to the Armenian Genocide. “This along with excerpts of song lyrics events of 1915. would be an important message on the 100th and poems, to draw the reading into While the Greens and the Left Party sup- anniversary of the Genocide. First, it’s neces- the larger context of Ottoman ported the term “genocide,” the federal govern- sary to call it ‘genocide,’ second, it’s neces- Armenian life in 1915. It was written ment and the coalition parties had certain sary to accept the German share of guilt. to evoke a strong emotional response reservations. A single joint resolution is still Third, we should do our utmost to reach the about the genocide, and, fundamen- being worked out. It’s unclear whether the final opening of the Armenian-Turkish border,” he tally, to elicit change, he says. text will include the word “genocide” or not. It’s said. But what change could he bring? The Armenian Genocide is officially recognized by over 20 nations, such as Reception Held in Honor of NY Tekeyan Benefactors Canada, France, Russia, Germany, Austria, Argentina, the Vatican, and RECEPTION, from page 1 Mirror-Spectator in Boston, Azg in Yerevan, and, others. At the same time, the Ottoman Also attending the reception was the in general, with the Armenian Democratic Empire’s successor, Turkey, refuses to Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the Liberal Party (ADL). When Artemis Nazarian’s accept it’s own history and continues United Nations Zohrab Mnatsakanyan. birthday was noted, she pointed out that having a decades-long campaign of genocide All these guests wholeheartedly supported grown up with the ADL ideology through her denial. the extensive, innovative and, consequently, uncle Charlie Sulahian, she continues her ser- Historians mark the beginning of the expensive activities TCA organized in 2015. vice to her people in the same spirit. Armenian Genocide on April 24, 1915, In his remarks, host Hagop Vartivarian dwelled The ambassador provided information on when the Ottoman Turkish government in particular on the philanthropy of the United Nations programs and answered ques- rounded up more than 200 Armenian Nazarians. He recalled their ties to the Armenian tions from the guests.