SEPTEMBER 14, 2013 MirTHErARoMENr IAN -Spe ctator Volume LXXXIV, NO. 9, Issue 4303 $ 2.00 NEWS IN BRIEF The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 Human Rights Group Condemns Police Armenia Stuns Czechs with Last-Minute Win Corruption PRAGUE (Reuters) — Armenia scored in YEREVAN (Hetq) — Levon Nersisyan, who heads injury time to beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in the Andrei Sakharov Human Rights Center in their World Cup Group B qualifier on Friday, Armenia, has written an open letter to Armenian severely denting the home side’s chances of Police Chief Valery Gasparyan, calling on him to making the finals. either discipline individual police officers found The Czechs looked like they had salvaged guilty of using inappropriate force against peaceful a draw when Tomas Rosicky’s long-range protesters, or else to resign. shot deflected into the net off a defender to The letter comes on the heels of recent incidents level at 1-1 in the 70th minute. in which police officers have been accused of But Gevorg Ghazaryan latched onto a pass employing heavy-handed tactics, including outright deep in Czech territory in injury time and intimidation and beating, against activists. found the net with a shot that bounced off Nersisyan wrote that in Armenia the police con - keeper Petr Cech and past a sprawling tinue to be used as a “club” by authorities to intim - Michal Kadlec who was unable to clear his idate citizens engaged in peaceful protest. lines. The human rights defender also accuses “We had a good start and a bad end,” Gasparyan of failing to deliver on his promise to Czech coach Michal Bilek told reporters. make qualitative changes within the ranks of the The Czechs dominated possession but police, adding that recent events give the impres - paid the price for squandering a clutch of Czech Republic’s Libor Kozak (L) fights for the ball with Armenia’s Varazdat sion that police officers are being trained to be quality chances in a match that highlighted Haroyan during their 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Prague more aggressive and hostile when it comes to deal - the home side’s inability to finish. September 6, 2013. (REUTERS/David W Cerny) ing with the public. see SOCCER, page 4 Nersisyan asked how Gasparyan intends to create more public confidence towards the police given the behavior of police over the course of the past few weeks. Geneva Exhibition Raises Awareness Pasadena Council Armenia to Continue Of Armenian Genocide Unanimously Cooperation with Approves Armenian European Union GENEVA (Public Radio of Armenia) — “Knowing the history of the Armenian The World Council of Churches (WCC) and Genocide is one way to make sure that such Genocide Memorial YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Armenia’s decision to the Armenian Apostolic Church are hosting atrocities never happen again. There is still join Customs Union was made for the benefit of the a one-month exhibition on the Armenian a need for churches, communities and gov - In Memorial Park country, according to the president of the Genocide. ernments to recognize the Armenian Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs of It displays information on the history of Genocide, and condemn these events in Armenian National Assembly Artak Zakaryan. “Of genocidal events in the Ottoman Empire, order to pave the way for reconciliation and By Lauren Gold course, there will be some political scopes which which killed more than a million Armenians healing of the scars from the past,” said will express their surprise but nothing extraordi - nary happened,” said Zakaryan. He spoke about between 1915 and 1923. Parsamyan. PASADENA, Calif. (Pasadena Star- Open to the public until September 30, Parsamyan went on to say that the “exhi - the longtime cooperation between Armenia and News) — In front of dozens of supporters Russia in many spheres. the exhibition is being held at the bition on Armenian Genocide is timely” from the local Armenian community, the Ecumenical Centre, addressing the theme, given the theme of the WCC 10th Zakaryan said that by joining the Customs City Council on Monday, September 9, Union, Armenia does not suspend relations with “Because I live, you too shall live” (St John Assembly, “God of life, lead us to justice and unanimously approved a proposal for a 14.19, New Testament). peace.” The WCC assembly is set to take European Union. “Armenia will develop relations memorial dedicated to the 1915 with European Union in all directions as much as it The exhibition is organized by the place from October 30 to November 8 in Armenian Genocide, which will be erect - Armenia Inter-Church Round Table Busan, Republic of Korea. will be “possible” by European Union and will not ed in Memorial Park. be contrary to Armenia’s decision to join Customs Foundation. “The God of life has let Armenians carry Thirty-six people submitted comment At the opening of the exhibition, Fr. on their journeys for justice and peace,” he Union,” said Zakaryan highlighting that Armenia cards to speak before the council can not forget those achievements which were Mesrop Parsamyan, vicar general of the said. The WCC assembly theme is impor - Monday night, the majority of whom South from the Armenian Diocese of tant for the Armenians who are demanding made during cooperation with European Union. spoke in favor of the project, which On September 3 in Moscow President of the France, declared, “People need to know condemnation of the Armenian Genocide would be completed by April 24, 2015 to what happened.” see GENEVA, page 4 Republic of Armenia Serge Sargisian announced mark the 100th anniversary of the slay - Armenia’s decision to join the Customs Union head - ing of 1.5 million Armenians by the ed by Russia and the implementation of steps toward Ottoman Turks. In addition, 93 others in that goal. At the same time Sargisian said that the attendance signed a petition of support decision to join Customs Union does not mean that Argentina Armenians Protested Istanbul submitted to the council. dialogue with European organizations. The presi - More than 1,000 other community dent’s chief of staff, Vigen Sargisian, on September 4 Candidacy for Summer 2020 Games members had signed an earlier petition announced that a pre-signing of the Association in support of the project submitted to Agreement remains in Armenia’s agenda. Tokyo Named Winner of Bid Tayyip Erdogan, who had traveled to the city. Buenos Aires to bid for the 2020 Summer Former Pasadena Police Chief Barney BUENOS AIRES (PanARMENIAN.Net) — Olympic Games. Melekian, who is also on the Pasadena The Armenian community of Argentina ral - Razmig Nalpatian, president of Armenian Armenian Genocide Memorial lied on Saturday, September 7, against the Youth Federation of South America, said Committee, said the monument is an visit of Prime Minister of Turkey Recep see PROTEST, page 3 important commemoration of an event INSI DE in Armenian history that many, includ - ing the US government, do not recog - nize as a genocide. “Most people have no idea of the sig - Planting nificance of April 24, part of this is because the Turkish government contin - Success ues to deny that this event ever hap - pened,” Melekian said. “This memorial Page 5 should not only be a memorial to the past but it should serve as a beacon for future generations to ensure they do not forget not just the Armenians but all vic - tims of injustice.“ INDEX Much of the discussion among the pub - Arts and Living ...... 10 lic and council members Monday night Armenia ...... 2 Community News...... 5 centered on the memorial’s location. Editorial ...... 14 A handful of military veterans and International ...... 3,4 other speakers said staff’s recommenda - Protestors in Argentina held up signs honoring Hrant Dink. tion of Memorial Park was inappropriate, see MEMORIAL, page 16 2 S ATURDAY , S EPTEMBER 14, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia Opening of the Ruben Sevak Parliament Discusses Museum at Echmiadzin Customs Union YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Armenia’s parliament is ECHMIADZIN — On September 10, of Armenians. become a perpetually ringing bell currently discussing President Serge Sargisian’s under the auspices of Karekin II, Chilingarian, benefactor of the muse - tower, which will be heard all over the announcement last week that Armenia intends to Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of um, and nephew of Sevak, also spoke. world and fulfill the efforts in achieving join the Russia-led Customs Union. All Armenians, the opening ceremony “Today we witness a miracle, as the worldwide recognition of the Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian has been of the Ruben Sevak Museum was con - memory of the martyr of the Great Genocide,” he said. invited to explain why the decision to join the vened in the Mother See. Armenian Genocide of 1915, renowned Karekin II went on to add, “This Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan In the museum, located in the 18th- poet Ruben Sevak was resurrected and museum becomes the immortal voice of was made without any consultation with parlia- century building called Ghazarapat and immortalized on this sacred land,” he the past, present and future, reborn ment. renovated by the sponsorship of stated in part, expressing his gratitude from the dead, rising once again and The session on September 10, which will be held Hovhannes Chilingaryan, around 200 to Karekin II for implementing the pro - attaining a path through life. Today in behind closed doors, was initiated by opposition unique and valuable paintings lawmakers. will be displayed, donated by On September 6, the European Union’s (EU) com- Chilingaryan himself. There missioner for enlargement and neighborhood poli- were also charcoal drawings, cy, Stefan Fuele, said Armenia’s obligations to the belonging to the renowned Customs Union would not be compatible with an intellectual, the late Ruben EU Association Agreement that had been scheduled Sevak, personal effects and doc - to be discussed and initiated in November at a sum- uments, sacred historical items, mit in Vilnius. valuable Armenian art works Opposition activists are planning a march. and pieces by Western artists. Present at the opening cere - mony were the members of the Son of Former Syunik brotherhood of the Mother See; Archbishop Rafael Minsayan, Governor Released spiritual leader of the Armenian KAPAN, Armenia (Hetq) — The Investigative Unit of Catholic Church in Armenia, the Ministry of Defense has dropped all criminal Georgia, Russia and Eastern proceedings against the son of the former Syunik Europe; Haskim Poghosyan, Governor Surik Khachatryan and his bodyguard minister of culture; Hranush Karekin II presides over the opening of the museum. regarding their involvement in a shoot-out that Hakobyan, minister of diaspora occurred near the house of Khachatryan on the and education and cultural night of June 1. workers. ject of the museum. Chilingaryan rebuttal to the crimes committed, we The Investigative Unit announced that based on After the Catholicos of All Armenians extended to the Catholicos the appreci - answer with immortalization of the a comprehensive examination of the evidence, and Chilingaryan cut the ribbon, the ation and warm greetings from Sevak’s memory of the honest son and martyr Tigran Khachatryan and the governor’s bodyguard, guests entered the newly-renovated daughter, Shamiram Sevak. of our nation; for the demolition — repa - Zarzand Nikoghosyan, had acted in self-defense and building. A blessing service was then At the conclusion of the ceremony, ration; for the destruction — recon - within the bounds of the law. performed. Karekin II offered his blessings and struction and for death — life.” A former candidate for Goris mayor, Avetik At the conclusion of the blessing ser - message to those present. “The estab - He then expressed his appreciation to Budaghyan, was killed in the shoot-out and his vice, Rev. Asoghik Karapetyan, director lishment of this museum offers respect the Chilingaryan for his sincere com - brother Artak Budaghyan, an Artsakh military base of the Museums and Archives of the and admiration to Ruben Sevak, as well mitment, ardent spirit and honest phil - commander, was injured. Mother See, gave the opening remarks. as Grikor Zohrab, Siamanto, Varujan, anthropy. “Honorable Mr. Chilingaryan, Karapetyan presented the valuable col - Komitas and all the other great people, your dream of many years came true in lection displayed at the museum. Ruben the 1.5 million innocent victims, who the Spiritual Centre of All Armenians, President Meets New Mirzakhanyan, dean of the Armenian remained true to their faith and home - Holy Echmiadzin. The Ruben Sevak State Khachatur Abovyan Pedagogical land and accepted the crown of death. Museum, founded in the historical Montenegrin University, expressed his appreciation, They died with a hopeful vision in their Ghazarapat building, together with the Ambassador thanking the Catholicos of All hearts, that the Armenian people would Armenian Genocide Memorial founded Armenians and Chilingaryan for their live and survive. This museum holds a by Catholicos Vazgen I, will eternally YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Newly appointed efforts in opening the museum. special meaning as it is devoted to the keep the memory of the Genocide vic - Montenegrin Ambassador to Armenia Lubomir Mirzakhanyan also noted that the commemoration of the 100th anniver - tims shining and embolden the spirit to Mishurovich delivered his credentials to President museum would become one of the most sary of the Armenian Genocide. protect our fair trial and the message of Serge Sargisian last week. important cultural centers in the lives Through its visitors, the museum will immortality of our nation,” he said. According to the president’s press secretary, Sargisian congratulated the ambassador and said that he hopes that during Mishurovich’s mission in Armenia cooperation will be strengthened and new Nazani Teaches Art to Artsakh Schoolchildren achievements will be recorded. Both diplomats said that there is great potential more on families than individuals. for strengthening the friendship between the By Kristine Aghalaryan She eventually took up resi - nations as well as improved cooperation in politi- dence in an unoccupied house cal, economic, humanitarian and other fields. there. The school gave her a wood MIJNAVAN, Artsakh (Hetq) — stove and some firewood to get Danish Parliamentarians Herkinaz Avetisyan, 27-year-old student through the winter. at Yerevan’s Art Institute, recently made Even though Avetisyan hadn’t Visit Artsakh a life-changing decision. She decided to graduated from the State interrupt her studies and move a town Academy of Fine Arts, she had YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Chairman of Nagorno- in the extreme southwest of Artsakh on completed her studies at the Karabagh Republic National Assembly Ashot the banks of the Arax River. Terlemezian Fine Arts School and Ghulyan on September 9 hosted deputies of Danish The reason was simple. Herkinaz Herkinaz Avetisyan was confident that she possessed Parliament Eva Kier Hansen and Moller Mary wanted to teach fine arts to the pupils the skills and knowledge to teach Crarup and a delegation accompanying them, at the local branch of the Berdzor Art the children of the resettled fami - including Danish public figures for a one-day intro- School. family of traditionalists. Her father was lies. ductory visit. The young woman made her decision so upset that he did not speak to her for The young woman has been teaching During the conversation issues relating to to move in February, after meeting with a long time. Her mother, naturally con - for the past seven months and says her Nagorno-Karabagh conflict settlement, structure of the director of the school. Nazani, as cerned about her daughter moving to a desire to stay grows stronger by the day. the National Assembly, legislative activities, etc. she is called by the locals, toured the place where she knew no one, tried to And she has started to pick up the were discussed. area, liked what she saw and decided to talk her out of it. But their efforts were painter’s brush once again. Later, representatives of the Danish delegation stay. to no avail. “The natural beauty of the place gets took part in a wide-ranging meeting. They were “Now, all the war ruins are covered The authorities in Artsakh are by creative juices flowing. It has been interested the similarities and diversities of ideolo- with greenery. In February, when I first attempting to resettle Minjnavan with quite a while since I’ve painted,” gies of parties represented in the National visited, they stood out in stark contrast. Armenians. Avetisyan thus contacted Avetisyan. Assembly, their positions in various issues and The impression they left was terrible. I Robert Matevosyan, who heads the gov - For the moment, Avetisyan is focused spheres from foreign policy to human rights and had visited the museum in Stepanakert ernment’s resettlement program for the on her work and hardly thinks about liberties, social and economic policy, etc. and saw the photos of the Armenians Kashatagh administrative province. She her personal life. She and the director On the same day the delegation left Stepanakert who gave their lives. Artsakh needs did not receive much in the way of assis - of the art school have been exploring and held a meeting in Shushi with the leader of many things. I simply decided to do my tance. ways to combine her artistic work and Artsakh Diocese of Armenian Apostolic Church share,” Avetisyan said. “He said he had no transportation or teaching. Pargev Archbishop Martirosyan. The young woman comes from the fuel. So he asked the director of the “If I had to decide between teaching town of Ashtarak in Armenia. Her deci - arts school to help. The director came and working, I would remain and con - sion to move and live by herself in and picked me up,” said Avetisyan, tinue with my artistic work,” said Artsakh did not go over well with her adding that the local authorities focus Avetisyan. S ATURDAY , S EPTEMBER 14, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 INTERNATIONAL Argentina Armenians Protested Istanbul International News Candidacy for Summer 2020 Games French Armenians Protest

PROTEST, from page 1 will be discharging this responsibility.” huge bid would have been needed to Turkish Airlines/ Soccer that -Erdogan, who still denies the Abe said Tokyo would try to stage fund infrastructure improvements, Armenian Genocide and recently successful Games to thank the world for including modernization of its trans - Team Partnership repressed his people in Taksim Square its support after the 2011 earthquake portation system. MARSEILLE (Public Radio of Armenia) — French- and has jailed dozens of journalists, and tsunami that devastated parts of Turkey’s border with Syria also might Armenians of Marseille protest against a sponsor- should recognize the rights of the Japan. have troubled some committee mem - ship deal between Olympique de Marseille (OM) Kurdish people and end its aggressive “Sport has the power to unite peo - bers, he said. and the Turkish Airlines, journalist Jean Eckian foreign policy that destabilizes the ple,” he said. “We experienced that after And this summer, the image of reported from France. region if he wants to nominate Turkey the earthquake and tsunami in 2011, Turkish sport took a hit when about The prestigious French soccer club Olympique de again as the Olympic Games host.” when athletes came to our country and three dozen athletes tested positive for Marseille (OM), signed on August 30 a partnership In voting Saturday in Buenos Aires, helped us. Japan needs the power of drugs, he said. agreement with Turkish Airlines. the International Olympic Committee sport, we need hopes and dreams.” June’s rioting in Istanbul’s Taksim In a statement issued by Coordination Council of picked Tokyo over the two other final - Tokyo’s bid came in at $5 billion to $6 Square may also have tainted the city’s Armenian Organizations in France (CCAF-South), ists, Madrid and Istanbul. billion, compared to $19 billion pledged hopes, though Turkish Prime Minister representatives of the Armenian community of The Japanese capital previously had by Istanbul, said Ed Hula, editor and Recep Erdogan tried to persuade IOC France noted that this partnership “between the hosted the Summer Games in 1964. founder of aroundtherings.com, which members ahead of Saturday’s vote. Turkish national carrier Turkish Airlines and Japan’s bid for 2020 billed the city as covers the business and politics of the “We live at a time when our region Olympique de Marseille raised the anger of the the safe choice — despite radiation leak - Olympic movement. and the world crave for peace,” Erdogan French-Armenians, all supporters of the good ing from the Fukushima nuclear plant. But Tokyo’s government has already said as part of Istanbul’s final presenta - image of Marseille.” Prime Minister Shinzo Abe personally amassed a $4.9-billion Olympic fund to tion. “And at this critical moment, we “They don’t understand that this alliance represent- made a presentation to the committee pay to prepare for the Games, Hula said. would like to send a strong message of ing the denialist Turkish state, the successor of the and promised an effective cleanup. And a $1 billion national stadium that peace to the whole world from Istanbul, perpetrator of the Armenian Genocide, is unbearable. “I am so happy, I am overjoyed,” Abe will be used for the athletic events and the city of friendship and brotherhood.” We all love Olympique de Marseille, and therefore we told reporters at the post-announce - the Opening Ceremonies will already Tokyo led after a first round of voting feel like it’s a betrayal. It is an affront to the memory ment press conference, according to have been built for the rugby World Saturday but fell short of a majority, of the genocide victims and the dignity of the descen- CNN “I would like to share this joy with Cup in 2017 and is not considered an with 42. Istanbul and Madrid tied for dants of genocide survivors on the eve of the cente- the people back home. We’ve received Olympic expense. second on 26 votes each, and a 49-45 nary of the genocide,” the statement reads. so much support from the people of the Turkey would have been the first tiebreaker vote put the Turkish city in In addition, many supporters of the OM Club IOC and I would also like to express my Muslim country to host the games, and the final runoff with Tokyo, which won have announced boycott to the 2013-2014 season. support to them. And to the people with a median age of less than 30, one the deciding vote, 60 to Istanbul’s 36. This deal signed for the 2013/2014 season will around the world. A safe and secure of the youngest. However, it missed out The 2016 Summer Olympics will be in promote the arrival of the Turkish company on the Olympic Games will be staged by us — I for the fifth time. Brazil. The Winter Olympics will be held Marseille airport. Recall that Turkish Airlines has think that was another hope for their Istanbul would have been “a more in Russia in 2014 and South Korea in inaugurated on June 4 a new direct service support. I would like to pledge that we emotional choice,” Hula said. But its 2018. between Istanbul and Marseille. The CEO of Marseille Turkish Airlines, Ehran Ipeck, said he was satisfied with the agreement Amsterdam Names Passageway ‘Armenian Bridge’ reached with OM. AMSTERDAM (Public Radio of Azerbaijani Deputy Armenia) — An ancient bridge, which Foreign Minister to Visit was a frequent passageway for Armenian merchants in the 17th centu - Yerevan ry, has been named the “Armenian Bridge,” thanks to the efforts of one YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Deputy foreign affairs man, 60-year-old Nikolai Romashuk. minister of Azerbaijan Mahmud Mamedkuliev and Jerusalem-born Romashuk, whose head of Azerbaijani representation in European mother was Armenian, emigrated to Union Fuad Iskenderov was scheduled to arrive in Holland in 1976 and settled in the Yerevan this past week. northern city of Assen. Since then he According to the press service of Azerbaijani has been an active member of the Foreign Ministry, the aim of the meeting is partici- Dutch-Armenian community. pation in the third non-formal meeting of Eastern Partnership countries’ foreign ministers, which will He said that he spent years research - “Armenian Bridge” in Amsterdam ing the history of the Julfa Armenian be held in Yerevan on September 12-13. merchants at the Dutch National It is the last preparation event before the Archives at the University of Romashuk — founder and chairman of ly from Armenia, Iraq, Iran and Turkey. “Eastern Partnership” summit, which will take Amsterdam. And after that several more the Armenian Social and Cultural Romashuk has also helped establish place in November in Vilnius. years to convince the Amsterdam Foundation — helped bring to Assen a an Armenian cemetery in his town — the municipality that naming the old bridge huge khachkar from Armenia. Now only one in Holland. It is named after New OSCE US Co-chair after the Armenian merchants was a every year, on April 24, Assen Hrant Dink. Time and funds permitting, worthwhile idea. Armenians commemorate, in front of he also publishes Parev Tsez , the only Determined to Settle To help get the green light from city the khachkar , the Genocide of the Armenian journal in Holland. Married hall, Romashuk also pointed out that he Armenians by Turkey in 1915. There are to a Dutch woman, Romashuk has three Karabagh Conf lict had discovered the graves of a number 300 to 400 Armenians in the city, most - children and two grandchildren. BAKU (PanARMENIAN.Net) — The new US co-chair of Armenian priests and merchants in of the Organization for Security and Cooperation the Old Church in the heart of in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group James Warlick Amsterdam. One such grave bears the seems to be determined to settle the Karabagh con- number 444. To further buttress his Argentinian VP Hosts Ambassador Melikian flict, indenting to “pursue his activities in line with case of the long-time and Armenian- principles of realism and pragmatism.” Dutch relations, he added that Soviet BUENOS AIRES (Prensa) — Vice audiovisual content to be broadcasted At a Baku-hosted briefing, Warlick urged to find a Armenian soldiers, veterans of the President of Argentina Amado Boudou in Argentina and Armenia. way to achieve piece and prosperity in the region on Second World War, are buried in the welcomed Armenian Ambassador to During that trip, Boudou highlighted the threshold of the 20th anniversary of ceasefire. Dutch city of Leusden. Argentina Vahagn Melikyan during an the “important relationships between “It’s time for the Minsk Group, Azerbaijan, Armenia This is not the first time Romashuk August 27 visit to discuss cooperation Argentina and the Armenian communi - and other countries in the region to take necessary has raised the Armenian profile in his agreements between parliaments of ty,” stressing that the “Armenian com - steps to achieve a lasting peace in Karabagh,” Azeri adopted country. Some years ago, both countries. munity in our country is very important media quoted the co-chair as saying. “We are aware of the importance of and is deeply involved in the issues of “I’m here to better understand the situation. I’m parliamentary diplomacy, so we want to Argentina.” not here for the past, I’m here to help build a con- strengthen our relationship with flict-free future,” the co-chair said, expressing hope Correction Argentina,” said Melikyan after the for the conflicting parties to realize that the set- meeting that took place in the Grey Hall tlement will be to everyone’s benefit. The editorial titled “Anarchy in the of the Senate. “We attach special impor - Upon completion of his Baku visit, Warlick will fur- Hierarchy,” which started on the tance to direct relationship between ther travel to Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh. This is front page of the August 29 issue members of the legislative bodies of the first visit of Warlick, who assumed the post last of the Mirror-Spectator , incorrectly both countries,” he added. month, in the capacity of the OSCE MG co-chair. stated that Patriarch Mesrob Boudou was accompanied by General Earlier, Warlick passed President Barack Obama’s Moutafian has passed away. Director of International Relations of message to his Azeri counterpart Ilham Aliyev. Indeed, he is incapacitated but the Senate Sabino Vaca Narvaja and In the statement, the US leader urges for new alive and the day-to-day operation General Director of Corporate Image effort to achieve compromise in the Nagorno of the Patriarchate is being han - and Information Technology Sergio Ambassador Vahagn Melikian, left, with Karabagh conflict settlement. dled by Archbishop Aram Ateshian Poggi. The diplomats began preparation Vice President Amado Boudou of . We sincerely regret the error. on a partnership agreement and techni - Argentina cal cooperation for co-production of 4 S ATURDAY , S EPTEMBER 14, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR INTERNATIONAL Kashatagh Receives Influx of Syrian Armenian Families

for family reasons. KA: Has the government found work for for jobs here. If someone drives a tractor or is a By Kristine Aghalaryan KA: Where do you resettle the newcomers; in these Syrian Armenians? mechanic, we tell that person to go south and get the towns or villages, or in Berdzor, the district SK: We have done our best to find them jobs involved in the agricultural sector. We tell others capital? in the public sector and with various organiza - that animal husbandry and bee-keeping are jobs KASHATAGH, Artsakh (Hetq) — The follow - SK: We’re focusing on resettling people in tions. Our goal is to have each family earning at up north. Berdzor only offers public sector jobs ing is an interview with the governor of the the south. The government allocates building least 40-50,000 dram to cover the basics. and there are long waiting lists for those. Kashatagh (Lachin) Administrative District, materials donated by various benefactors. We Indeed, a few of the locals have complained that Because of this, we want to get people resettled Souren Khachatryan, about the resettlement want the newcomers to settle down and work, these newcomers are getting preferential treat - out in the countryside, working the land. efforts there. and we are doing what we can to facilitate this. ment, but the majority understand that they are We need teachers and medical professionals Kristine Aghalaryan (KA): Mr. KA: How many Syrian Armenian families our brothers and sisters and need our help. in the villages. There is a surplus in the towns. Khachatryan, how is the resettlement project reside in Kashatagh? KA: Will most Syrian Armenians stay perma - But life in a village isn’t easy, especially for going in Kashatagh? SK: Currently, there are 29 families living nently or are they just temporary residents? someone from town. They want hot and cold Souren Khachatryan (SK): I can only speak here and another 40 families are on our waiting SK: I really can’t say for sure. Some will defi - running water round the clock. That’s not the about the last three years since I became admin - list, as we have no place to put them right now. nitely stay, but what the rest will do if peace reality. istrator of the district. Prior to my coming on Five of the families stay in our guest houses. returns to Syria is something I can’t predict. We KA: What is the total yearly budget of board the district had a population of some The Assist Your Brother organization has fund - can’t keep them here against their will but, as Kashatagh? 8,000. Today, we have 10,000. So far this year, ed the construction of a 12-unit apartment I’ve said, we are doing what we can to make the SK: It is five billion dram. This includes vari - 43 families have moved here. That translates to building in Kovsakan. It will be finished next move easier. ous assistance packages for large families and 144 individuals. Seven families, 22 individuals, month. We are also finishing a nine unit build - K.A.: What’s the job situation like in relatives of those who died in the war. Some have left, which is only natural. People leave ing in Ishkhanadzor with funds from the Kashatagh? What skills are in demand here? 150 million goes towards the distribution of because they get a better job somewhere else or Kashatagh Benevolent Fund. SK: We’re forthcoming with people looking building materials. KA: How much of the land is currently being cultivated? SK: Today, around 20,000 hectares is farmed. Most of the crop — wheat, barley and corn — is As Syria’s War Rages, Region’s Christians Hold their Breath sold over the border in Syunik. There are vast expanses of good land on the banks of the Arax not being farmed. ages is [now] aced with so many challenges that no matter who is in power. But they are clearly By Christa Case Bryant shake the pillars and the foundation of Arab concerned by the examples of other countries, culture and the Christian component within it where Islamist forces gained power after the — especially with the rise in emigration, which secular regime was toppled. Geneva Exhibition DAMASCUS (Christian Science Monitor) — negatively affects Arab Christians,” said “We see the countries in front of us — Iraq, Syrian rebels linked with Al Qaeda have report - Armenian Patriarch Nurhan Mannougian of Libya, Egypt — the Brotherhood took charge Raises Awareness of edly taken over the historic Christian town of Jerusalem. and look what happened in one year,” said Maaloula, deepening concerns that without the Jordan’s King Abdullah, who invited the con - Ridda. Egypt’s Copts, which comprise roughly Armenian Genocide protection of President Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s ference participants to lunch in the Royal 10 percent of Egypt’s 90 million citizens, have Christians, roughly 10 percent of the popula - Court, said in a short address beforehand that faced escalated kidnappings, killings, and GENEVA, from page 1 tion, could be left vulnerable to mass emigra - Jordan stands as a model of coexistence and fra - church burnings since the 2011 uprising that from the international community, added tion or persecution. ternity between Muslims and Christians — not ousted President Hosni Mubarak. Parsamyan. “I want [Assad] to stay in power because he out of benevolence, but necessity. “If the Brotherhood took over in Syria, it Dr. Isabel Apawo Phiri of the WCC was very good to Christians,” said Athraa, a “We also believe that the protection of the would not be the same,” adds Ridda. “We would voiced appreciation for the exhibition pro - young Syrian mother who recently fled from rights of Christians is a duty rather than a be like Lebanon, living in cantons — every sect ject and affirmed the WCC’s support of her village on the Syria-Iraq border toJordan favor,” said the king. “Christians have always with its own area.” the initiative. with her husband and two sons. played a key role in building our societies and Indeed, one of the most pressing questions is “We acknowledge and recognize the “There was religious freedom for Christians defending our nations.” where Christians would fit in a state that draws injustice faced by Armenian Christians with Bashar. We were not missing anything,” In a hilly neighborhood of Amman, a final more heavily on Islamic law. Arab Christian during the genocide,” said Phiri. “It is a she said, speaking several days before Maaloula hymn wafts out of the softly lit windows of the leaders at last week’s conference repeatedly pity that after so many years the fell in her simple Amman apartment, with suit - Jesuit Fathers church as the evening breeze emphasized the need for equal citizenship Armenian Genocide is still not acknowl - cases teetering atop a rundown armoire. “We picks up. After the service, dozens of Iraqi rights and fear some Islamist interpretations of edged. This is why initiatives like this are expecting what has happened in Iraq to hap - refugees file out between the simple blue the concept of the ummah — a global nation of exhibition are important,” she added. pen in Syria as well.” chairs, touching or kissing the cross on their Muslims across political borders – would pre - Phiri also mentioned the WCC’s efforts Indeed, from Egypt to Lebanon to Syria, way out. clude that. “Ummah would cancel the concept in the past toward recognition and con - many Christians are worried that the rise of Among them is Mofed, who owned a photo of a home country and the pluralistic nature of demnation of the Armenian genocide. political Islam and heightened militancy could shop in Baghdad. One day, he said, some men a country,” said Gregorios III Laham, Melkite The WCC sixth Assembly at Vancouver, have a disproportionate impact on already came to his shop and gave him three options: Greek Patriarch of Antioch, in a panel on Syria. Canada in 1983 issued a report focusing beleaguered Christian minorities — just as in become Muslim; pay $70,000 as a tax levied on Bishop Munib Younan of the evangelical on the historic realities of the Armenian Iraq over the past decade. Roughly half of Iraq’s non-Muslims, known asjizya; or be killed along Lutheran church in Jordan and the Holy Land massacre and its aftermath, while the one million Christians left the country, consti - with his family. encouraged his fellow Christians to “battle with WCC member churches have commemo - tuting at times 20 percent of Iraqi refugees So nine months ago he and his wife fled to political Islam and not to be afraid of it,” empha - rated an annual remembrance day of the though they made up only 5 percent of the Jordan, and have found refugee in this church, sizing the need for engagement with all Armenian Genocide for several years. overall population. run by Father Raymound MoussAlli of the Muslims not just for religious understanding The exhibition displays banners in At a conference on challenges facing Arab Chaldean Catholic church. but to discuss the “proper relation of religion English and French, attracting the local Christians hosted by Jordan last week, more Androus from Mosul, Iraq, and another mem - and state.” and international community in Geneva, than 50 prominent Christian leaders as well as ber of MoussAlli’s congregation, said he As both Muslims and Christians grapple with and will travel to other countries. a handful of top Islamic scholars pushed for received a similar demand via telephone. the tremendous upheaval in the region, Sheikh Simon Barrow, co-director of the reli - interfaith dialog to help quell rising sectarian - “Because you are infidels, you have to pay Ali Gomma, grand mufti emeritus of Egypt and gion and society think-tank Ekklesia, ism. They emphasized the key role Christians jizya,” he recalled being told over the phone. one of four senior Muslim scholars who attend - which has been helping to raise aware - have played in Arab societies for 2,000 years, “Either you pay jizya , or we will kill you or your ed last week’s conference, condemned the ness of the Armenian Genocide since including well before the advent of Islam, and son.” attacks, church burnings and humiliation of 2007, has welcomed the initiative. the danger not only to Christian individuals but Mofed and Androus, together with their fam - Christians in Egypt. “Facing up to crimes of the history with to the societies as a whole if Christians were to ilies, are awaiting visas, hoping to start a new “This is a huge violation not only on the honesty and addressing the pain of the be pushed out altogether. life in the West. humanitarian level but on the Islamic level as past with hope is essential to negotiating “This [Christian] presence throughout these In the nearby neighborhood of Germana, well,” he said, contrasting the heightened bit - a better future for us all in a still-divided Ridda and Shafiqa are also waiting — to go terness with the calmer days of his youth, when world,” he said. home to Syria. They sit on a few thin mattress - he would play soccer with Christian boys and “This ecumenically supported exhibi - es and plastic chairs. A small calendar on the share food with their families. “It is incumbent tion will help in the task of recovering a Armenia Stuns Czechs bare walls proclaims, “I the Lord do not upon us to eliminate this bitterness and tension proper memory of what the Armenian change.” which is victimizing our brethren in Egypt.” people endured during the first genocide With Injury-Time Win Anas, their son, said he got threatening mes - He said Friday sermons pose a key challenge of the twentieth century, in addition to sages back in Syria: “Your money is for us to for Islamic leaders espousing better relations developing an understanding of how and SOCCER, from page 1 take, your wife is for us to sleep with, and your between Muslims and Christians. “Sometimes why it has resonated down the ensuing Armenia took an early lead when a defensive children are for killing. This is all halal,” or per - our Islamic colleagues would curse Christians decades. It will also assist with the healing error gave the visitors possession in front of the missible under Islamic law. He escaped with his and that would be transmitted to Christian of memories and the encouragement of a goal and Karlen Mkrtchyan’s fierce drive into wife and children to Jordan, but not before his neighbors,” he said. “Muslims need to change common quest for justice.” the top corner gave a diving Cech no chance. liquor store had been burned down. their Islamic discourse.” Ekklesia associate Dr. Harry Hagopian, The home side started the game brightly with Ridda, the husband, was kidnapped by rebels Amid all the upheaval, the same faith that has an ecumenical, legal and political consul - midfielder Petr Jiracek firing over the bar with for a week until the Syrian Army got close, made Christians something of a target has also tant and commentator on Middle East and only the keeper to beat. prompting the rebels to flee. He went home to provided comfort for some. interfaith issues, is also an adviser to the Armenia goalkeeper Roman Berezovski, who Damascus to pack his bags and discovered that “I believe in Christ. The peace of Jesus is in Primate of the Armenian Church in UK & was forced off through injury in the second half, during his captivity, his house had been hit in a my heart,” said Athraa, the young mother of Ireland, and author of The Armenian also had to punch away a Tomas Sivok header rocket attack. He packed his bags for Amman, two, wearing pink Crocs and hot-pink nail pol - Church in the Holy Land. He has worked later in the first half. where his family was already waiting. ish. “Always the Bible is open. What else will closely with the Campaign for Recognition Armenia has moved level with the Czechs in They have been here for a year now, but are give me power? The Word of God gives me of the Armenian Genocide (UK). third on nine points after seven games. hoping to return as soon as there is security – power.” S ATURDAY , S EPTEMBER 14, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 Community Ne ws

Evening Under the Managing JESSICA ASSATOURIAN PHOTO Stars at St. Nersess Director Tom Seminary Garabedian NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — St. Nersess Armenian Seminary will host its final Evening Under the Stars Benefit Reception and Silent Continues Auction on its current New Rochelle campus, before moving to its new Armonk campus in mid-2014. Guests will gather on Saturday, ATP’s Mission September 28, under an elegant candlelit tent, enjoy hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, live music and warm camaraderie, all while supporting the By Gabriella Gage mission and operation of the seminary, includ - ing youth programming. Mirror-Spectator Staff Now in its sixth year, the event will be the biggest one yet. According to Anoush WATERTOWN — In early 2012, Tom Givelekian, this year’s Stars chairperson, who Garabedian was named the new manag - assumed the role from Yeretzgin Paulette ing director of the Armenian Tree Project Doudoukjian, the event founder, “Guests will re- (ATP), a non-profit organization founded connect with old friends, meet new ones and to promote Armenia’s reforestation and celebrate the successes of the seminary.” There subsequent socioeconomic developments. will also be an extensive silent auction which For Garabedian, a former actuary con - will be available to all on the seminary website, sultant, the decision to get involved was and to those in attendance. “We have amazing an easy one. “There is no question that AGBU Vice President and Chair of the AGBU Schools of Southern California Sinan supporters of the seminary who have donated more emphasis needs to be focused on Sinanian congratulates AGBU Eagle Scout Arek Shirvanian, who oversaw the con - sports tickets, camp sessions, incredible food, Armenia’s environment. The Tree Project struction of the AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School’s new locker room. From is one of the key organizations whose sole right, Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, MDS Board of Trustees focus is on Armenia’s environment, and member Dr. Silva Karayan, Principal Hagop Hagopian and Father Shnork Demirjian look on at the athletic room’s ribbon cutting ceremony. that is personally motivating,” he said. Prior to joining the ATP team, Garabedian had worked at Aon Hewitt, retiring in early 2011. He first joined ATP as a management consultant for its AGBU Scout Unveils New Athletic Room for Manoogian-Demirdjian St. Nersess Board Members conversing

travel and entertainment items, home furnish - School ings, gifts, and services, and more,” says Alyssa Keleshian Bonomo, this year’s silent auction chairperson. Bidding will open online at LOS ANGELES — “I left MDS after the eighth grade, but my heart has been www.stnersess.edu starting September 20 and there ever since. I’m really proud I was able to realize my goal as an AGBU Scout will remain open for both reception attendees while supporting my alma mater.” These are the words of Arek Shirvanian, a long - and those from afar on home computers until time AGBU Scout, attended the AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School (MDS) bidding closes promptly at 10 p.m. the evening through middle school. of September 28. The highest bidders for each Last year, when the 17-year-old decided to earn his Eagle Scout badge by devel - item will be announced near the conclusion of ATP Managing Director Tom Garabedian oping a community service project, he knew it was the perfect opportunity to the reception. return to his old campus. “This reception has become a highly-antici - As Shirvanian recalls, “I wanted not only to achieve my Eagle Scout title, but at pated and important fundraiser for the Executive Committee. “I had an opportu - the same time to give back to my AGBU school.” Because of him, when MDS stu - Seminary,” said board member, Suzanne Akian, nity to interview management and staff dents headed back to their classrooms last month, something special awaited adding, “It is an outstanding way for anyone both in Watertown and Yerevan and was them: a brand-new locker room, which Shirvanian made possible. whose life has been positively impacted by St. able to develop a sense of ATP’s strengths For Shirvanian, turning his goal into reality meant managing every phase of the Nersess, to give back to this most valuable insti - and to identify areas needing improve - project from start to finish. He began by making door-to-door solicitations and peti - tution to the Armenian Church here in America.” ment,” said Garabedian. From there, he tioning local vendors to donate materials. Soon, support was secured, plans were The reception will begin at 7:30 p.m., after an took his skills managing both people and in place, and he had assembled a team of adults and students who shared his pas - evening vesper service in the chapel starting at projects and his newly acquired intimate sion. Shirvanian’s friends from MDS, the AGBU Scouts group, as well as his cur - 7 p.m. Past St. Nersess Summer Conference knowledge of the organization into his rent high school joined forces to overhaul the space. Together, they worked on the volunteers will greet and serve guests, adding new role as managing director of ATP in demolitions, woodwork, painting and varnishing, all under Shirvanian’s supervi to the long standing connection everyone early 2012, taking over for Jeff Masarjian. see SCOUT, page 7 shares with the seminary. Those enjoying the Garabedian is responsible for all of the JESSICA ASSATOURIAN PHOTO evening can hear from these young adults as operations of ATP both here and in they, as well as the seminary dean, Rev. Armenia. He oversees the finances of the Mardiros Chevian, and board members, speak organization including fundraising and about the past achievements, ongoing success - expense perspectives, the programs es, and exciting future of the seminary. underway in Armenia and staff assess - Reservations may be made online at stners - ment and development. While he has far- ess.edu or by calling the seminary. reaching responsibilities, Garabedian is quick to credit his fellow ATP staffers with aiding him in these endeavors. “We have very competent managers both in Watertown and in Armenia, so that relieves some of the pressure on the Managing Director,” said Garabedian. While he does help to oversee opera - tions in Armenia, his managerial focus is in the US and Director of ATP Armenia Operations Areg Maghakian has day-to- day control of activities there. “I usually AGBU Eagle Scout Arek Shirvanian presents the AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian plan three trips to Armenia each year to School’s new locker room, which he built with support from the community. meet with our managers, review our Rev. Mardiros Chevian reminiscing with former see ATP, page 16 summer conference attendees. 6 S ATURDAY , S EPTEMBER 14, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS AGBU Pasadena Day Camp Doubles Enrollment in Second Year

PASADENA, Calif. — The AGBU Pasadena and theatrical performances, all of which is sur - Summer Day Camp is celebrating the end of rounded by vast outdoor space. When they another successful season, one that was marked weren’t at the center, the campers, who ranged by record-breaking enrollment. More than 140 in age from 3 to 13, were exploring some of campers participated in this summer’s program, Southern California’s most popular attractions. more than twice the number that registered in Camp Director Garine Seuylemezian credits 2012, its pilot year. For six fun-filled weeks, this summer’s soar in attendance to the open from June 24 to August 2, they enjoyed meet - communication between parents and staff, which ing new friends, playing sports, making crafts, allowed the camp to cater to each child’s inter - cooking kid-friendly recipes and mastering com - ests. As Seuylemezian commented, “We made a puter skills. point of asking for feedback from last year’s fam - The AGBU Vatche and Tamar Manoukian ilies and we listened. By popular demand, we Center offered the perfect venue for campers to added chess and martial arts as new activities create and learn with a team of experienced this year, and we opened the camp up to kids counselors. The participants took full advan - younger than six years old with a specialized pro - tage of the building’s gymnasium, customized gram for toddlers.” If anyone could successfully dance and music rooms, commercially equipped integrate parents’ suggestions into a new cur - kitchen, computer classroom outfitted with the riculum, it is Seuylemezian. She has been at the latest digital technology, and a stage for musical helm of the AGBU Pasadena Summer Day Camp

Campers and counselors at the Pasadena camp

since its inception and brings to the position a of the staffers knew well, having participated in strong background in Education and Child AGBU programs themselves from a young age. Development along with years of involvement “We pride ourselves in the fact that most of our with AGBU. counselors and activity leaders are alumni of Drawing from that experience, this year AGBU schools and programs who have chosen Seuylemezian oversaw a staff of 27 activity lead - to dedicate part of their summer to give back,” ers and counselors as well as more than 15 vol - stated AGBU Western District Chair Krekor unteers. Together, they created a safe and nur - Karageuzian. “The dedication and attention to turing environment where youth could develop detail that they offer campers is unparalleled.” an appreciation for their cultural heritage and It is that level of commitment that is sure to form lasting friendships with their Armenian bring many more campers back to the AGBU peers. It was a sense of community that many Pasadena Summer Day Camp for years to come.

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NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — Following the Labor Day weekend, on September 3, St. Nersess welcomed three new seminarians to its student body, bringing its total to nine seminarians. “It is exciting to begin our new school year with nine students,” remarked Rev. Mardiros Chevian, seminary dean. “To help them get better acquainted with each other and with St. Nardolillo Funeral Home Nersess, all the students enjoyed an orientation retreat at the Ararat Center led by the Rev. Est. 1906 Yeprem Kelegian,” he added. One of the new seminarians, Deacon Narek Garabedian, was born in Canada and is a grad - John K. Najarian, Jr. uate of the Armenian Seminary of Jerusalem. He recently married his wife, Nune, in Armenia Rhode Island’s Only Licensed Armenian Funeral Director and joined the student body at St. Nersess to pursue his Master of Divinity degree. Also join - ing the student body are two women, Kathryn Ashbahian of New Jersey and Arpi Nakashian 1278 Park Ave. Cranston, RI 02910 (401) 942-1220 of Jerusalem. They will be pursuing Master of Arts degrees, with concentrations in youth min - 1111 Boston Neck Rd. Narragansett, RI 02882 (401) 789-6300 istry and Christian education. The remaining seminarians who are continuing their studies from last year, are: Deacon Vahe Bagdasarian, Deacon Aram Kaberjian, Saro Kalayjian, Edgar www.nardolillo.com Gevorgyan, Eric Vozzy and Levon Asdourian. As the only Armenian seminary in the western world, St. Nersess is committed to prepar - ing priests and lay leaders for the Armenian Church in North America, whose education, com - petence and leadership ability bring honor and vigor to the Armenian Church. The seminar - Telephone (617) 924-7400 ians and staff look forward to relocating to the seminary’s new campus in Armonk, NY, in mid-2014. Aram Bedrosian DIRAN JEBEJIAN PHOTO Funeral Home, Inc. Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 MARION BEDROSIAN 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN

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ServiFnguthne eentrireaAlrmCenhianaCpomemlunity Any Hour • Any Distance • Any Location Call (718) 224-2390 Toll Free (888) 224-6088 Rev. Mardiros Chevian, dean, with nine St. Nersess seminarians Bus. Reg. 189-06 Liberty Ave., Hollis, NY 11412 Consultation Office: 217-04 Northern Blvd., (Suite 23), Bayside,NY 11361 S ATURDAY , S EPTEMBER 14, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS AGBU Scout Unveils New Athletic Room for Manoogian-Demirdjian School

JESSICA ASSATOURIAN PHOTO SCOUT, from page 5 Hovnan Derderian, who delivered his own sion. The result, after close to 1,000 hours of encouraging remarks. work: a new and welcomed addition to the MDS Students wasted no time rushing out of the gymnasium. locker room and onto the new MDS soccer As the school year kicks off, the MDS students field, which was the product of fundraising by have a new opportunity to show the same dedi - the Alumni Association, Booster Club, Parent cation that Shirvanian has, to both their school Teacher Organization and Soccer Field Task and their community. Keeping with the annual Force. Those groups brought in a total of MDS tradition, at the opening ceremony, AGBU $120,000 to revamp the grounds. They were Vice President and Chairman of AGBU Schools among the 1,000 students, faculty members, in Southern California Sinan Sinanian formally family and friends to attend the annual MDS announced the opening of the school year. MDS opening ceremony. As they watched the stu - Principal Hagop Hagopian also addressed the dents score the first of many goals on their new student body, stating, “Our expectations are not arena, they knew it marked the start of another confined to your academic outcomes only, but successful year to come. also to the character traits you should be devel - oping under the caring and nurturing guidance of your teachers in order to become honorable, well-rounded and truly successful future citi - George Arut Interns at zens.” The students and the faculty are already up to the challenge; Vice Principal of the AGBU Florida Supreme Court Manoogian-Demirdjian High School Anahid Members of the AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School’s Booster Club and Parent Teacher Nalbandian shared that MDS has been accredit - Organization gather on the school’s new soccer field, made possible with over $120,000 they ed, for a six-year term, with the Western fundraised. Association of Schools and Colleges. The speak - By John Brooks ers were joined by Diocesan Primate Archbishop

JESSICA ASSATOURIAN PHOTO TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — George Arut, a young Armenian student, served as an intern for Chief Justice Ricky Polston this past summer. His family moved to the US in January 1991 and Arut was born later that year. After spend - ing most of his childhood in Cleveland, Ohio, Arut moved with his family to Florida in 2001. After going to public school from kinder - garten through the fifth grade, Arut was home- schooled from middle school onwards, teaching himself via computer, since his parents were working hard to achieve their own version of the American Dream. A straight “A” student, he skipped grades and finishing high school at the age of 16. Arut was then accepted to the University of North Florida (UNF) with a Bright Futures Scholarship. Within three years he graduated Summa Cum Laude at the age of 19, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. From an early age Arut had told his parents that he would someday be an attorney. He applied to several law schools in his final year of college. Arut chose Florida Coastal School of Law and was offered a school scholarship. Currently, he is entering his final year of law school and will be graduating next year. At this Following the AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School’s opening ceremony, students play on their brand-new soccer field, the product of support from rate, Arut will have a Juris Doctorate at age 22. school committees, families and friends. Because he was ranked the top student out of more than 500 students at his school, Arut was chosen to do a summer internship at the Florida Supreme Court in Tallahassee under Chief Justice Ricky Polston. Of this honor, Arut said, “Being at the Court has been a truly awe - some, and certainly humbling, experience. Getting to see how the highest appellate court in the state operates is something that many people do not get to see, and I feel honored that I had the chance to do just that. Not to mention the fact that I got to meet some of the Justices, staff attorneys, and other employees of the Court in person, and see a few oral argument sessions live, too.” He added, “I even had the chance to help out high school students from Girls State in their mock oral arguments at the Court when they were in town, and to educate them on what law school is like. Then, to top it off, I met and inter - acted with several law students from across the state who were also interning at the Court. Overall, it was an experience that I will defi - nitely take with me going forward.” 8 S ATURDAY , S EPTEMBER 14, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Ne w York M E T R O Tekeyan Cultural Association Presents ‘Perils of Politeness’

By Yeghishe Hajakian

ENGLEWOOD, N.J. — The Greater New York Armenians have a rendezvous once again on November 23 and 24 this year with the Mher Megerdchian Theatrical Group of the Tekeyan Cultural Association (TCA) at the Dwight Englewood School. A lot of laughs by Hagop Baronian again. Gagik Garabedian has been invited from Armenia as the director of this comedy “Perils of Politeness” (Kaghakavaroutian Venasneruh) is starring many veteran actors, including Harout Chatmajian, Missak Boghossian, Meline Khekoyan, Talar Zokian, Harout Takvorian and other talented actors. The piece was not written for the stage by Baronian. Krikor Satamian trans - formed it into a

Harout Chatmajian Missak Boghosian

comedic play. He added his own clever wordplay to the 15 years. It has been one of the few groups that have play. lasted so long on the shores of this country presenting instrumental in converting it to a comedic script the Armenian theater in the Armenian language. on stage. A Master’s touch by Satamian should It has to be mentioned that the formation of this leave no doubt as to how well this script is dealt group was the brainchild of Hagop Vartivarian who has with. also been the chairman of the Mher Megerdchian Group This theatrical piece has music and since its inception. Vartivarian has invested much time Armenian dance accompanying it. and energy along with financial support. His greatest On the occasion of the founding of the desire has been to see the group flourish. Mher Megerdchian Theatrical Group’s Among the plays performed have been “Once again 15th anniversary this year, the Baronian” by Baronian, “My Heart’s in the Highlands” Organizing Committee has been by William Saroyan, “Servant of two Masters” by Carlo preparing this affair as meticulously Goldoni, “The Eastern Dentist” by Baronian, “The as possible without sacrificing any Trap” by Robert Thomas, “Comedy of Errors” by efforts towards its successful Shakespeare, “Love and Laughter” by Yervant Odian achievement. and many more. The Mher Megerdchian Call Marie Zokian at 201-745-8850 or Missak company has presented Boghossian at 212-819-0097 for tickets, which are Gagig 18 works on stage with priced at $50, $35 and $25. Garabedian much acclaim in the last •

St. Thomas Food Festival and Bazaar on October 26-27

TENAFLY, N.J. — The St. Thomas Armenian Sunday afternoon during the bazaar. Church announces that its annual food festival For more information or directions, call the and bazaar will take place this year on church office or visit the church website at Saturday, October 26, from noon to 9 p.m., and www.stthomasarmenianchurch.com. Sunday, October 27, from noon to 6 p.m. The — Madlen Setian Food Festival and Bazaar will take place on the church premises. The Bazaar is held indoors and admission and parking are free. Authentic Armenian and Middle Eastern foods will be available continuously. In addition, the gourmet booth will offer homemade delica - Free Review cies and pastries. All foods may be enjoyed on Annuities • Bonds • CD’s • Stocks the premises or packaged for take-out. Those interested can dine in the church halls while lis - Retirement Rollovers / Consolidation tening or dancing to music provided by the DJ. A variety of vendor booths, including jewelry, Business Retirement Plans toys, books, handcrafts and boutique gift items 401K • IRA • Roth Retirement Plans for pre-Christmas shopping will present a selec - tion of exciting merchandise. For interested Educations Savings • Life Insurance vendors, some booths are still available by call - ing the church office. Long Term Care Insurance Children’s Fun activities will include the per - formance by a children’s entertainer, as well as a clown with face painting, bouncer, cotton candy, games and more. Greg Panjian, AAMS® There is also a “White Elephant” booth for Financial Advisor those who like exploring vintage and non-vin - tage treasures and value-priced merchandise. 68 Bridge St., Suite 100, Suffield CT 06078 A variety of valuable raffle prizes such as Entertainment Fridays Toll Free (855) 668-5983 hand-made Oriental rug, 32” TV’s, Notebook and Saturdays Computer, Apple iPod, etc., will add to the [email protected] excitement of the two-day event. The winners www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC will be announced at the raffle drawing on S ATURDAY , S EPTEMBER 14, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 Ne w York M E T R O Family-Style Gathering Launches TCA Center Events

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — The Tekeyan A total of 70 guests enjoyed the homemade Cultural Association (TCA) of Greater New York food, Armenian music and family atmosphere. held its first “Agoumpi Or” gathering at its This was the first event of many such planned brand-new, renovated center, on Friday, gatherings to come. The guests from New York September 6. and New Jersey were enjoying their social inter - actions and engaged in many interesting sub - jects of interest. The ladies’ committee was instrumental in the success of the evening. They provided the homemade dishes, decorated the hall and planned the program. The current chairman, Hagop Vartivarian, welcomed the guests and spoke of the upcom - ing events that would take place at the TCA hall. He had special remarks, about the effort and work that were displayed by the ladies’ committee members Helen Misk, Hilda Hartounian, Diana Mekhitarian, Marie Zokian and Shoghig Chalian. Overall, this event was reminiscent of the tradi - tional Tekeyan Cultural Association of yesteryear. Other anticipated programs at the center will include musical performances, poetry nights, From left, Irma Der Stepanian, Shoghig Chalian book readings, art shows and other enriching and Nver Gulekjian events. From left, Shoghig Ilanjian, Vartan Ilanjian, Garo Minassian, Melik Markarian and Talar Zokian — Shoghig Chalian Eighth Consecutive Year of Sts. Tarkmanchatz Students Attending St. Nersess Summer Conferences

mathematics, physical and social sciences, his - By Florence Avakian tory, and languages – Armenian, Arabic, English and Hebrew. “Religion is also very important,” explained Najarian. “We always NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — In the bucolic sur - have prayers in the morning before going to our roundings of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, classes.” two outstanding students from the Sts. Both are graduating next year, and will leave Tarkmanchatz Armenian Secondary School in with memories that will last a lifetime. “Sts. Jerusalem’s Armenian Patriarchate enjoyed the Tarkmanchatz is like a huge family of about 140 Armenian Christian spirit with fellow students students, including about a dozen Christian in the summer conference there. This is the Arab students. It’s a wonderful place with great eighth consecutive year that students from education, and a peaceful atmosphere with Jerusalem have participated. strong discipline, no bullying, and no enemies,” “We’re here for one purpose — for our noted Najarian. Hagopian added, “It’s like a From left, Norair Megerditchian, Harout Chatmajian, Hagop Vartivarian, Dr. Vaghenag Tarpinian, Armenian heritage,” said 17-year-old Layan warm and inviting home, but on the other Yeghishe Hajakian, Rose Tanashian and Sarkis Pasklaian Najarian. “We pray in the same language, sing hand, there’s no privacy. Everyone knows songs and dance together, and have a special communication.” For 16-year-old Talar Hagopian, “It’s like finding our lost broth - ers and sisters. We had heard of St. Nersess, but living the experi - ence is 10 times better.” Najarian and Hagopian were selected by the Sts. Tarkmanchatz school faculty for their academic achievements. The program was initiated eight years ago by Rev. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, who enthu - siastically directs the project. It has been in effect through the From left, Layan Najarian, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and support of several benefactors. Talar Hagopian This year’s main benefactors were Russell and Susan Kashian of Wisconsin, and Neil and Renee Ferraro of everyone’s business, but at the same time,” she Massachusetts. Also supporting the program added that the Armenian convent is a safe were Glen and Kristin Dabaghian of New Jersey, haven for all who live there. Keith and Karyn Bilezerian of Massachusetts, They point out that the Armenian Greg and Meline Toufayan of New Jersey, Patriarchate and the Armenian Quarter in the Stepan and Kristi Findikyan of New York and Holy Land, which has existed for more than Gabriel and Sophia Ovanessian of New York. 1,400 years, is where about 1,000 Armenians The two students’ stay at St. Nersess was not currently live out of approximately 3,000 only a learning experience, where they took Armenians still in Israel and the West Bank part in Bible studies, lectures, group discus - today. sions, and daily worship in the St. Nersess Hagopian, whose father is an electrical engi - chapel, it also included singing, dancing and a neer, is interested in pursuing her studies in day at the New Jersey shore Najarian said, “We biology and psychology at Hebrew University or will share many memories of St. Nersess and in Armenia. Najarian, whose family owns a take them with us to the grave.” bridal shop in Jerusalem, was born in the The two students also had the opportunity to Armenian Quarter. She hopes to study psychol - meet with the Primate of the Diocese of the ogy, politics or interior design at the American Armenian Church of America (Eastern) University of Beirut or in Armenia Archbishop Khajag Barsamian during his visit At the end of the conversation, Najarian com - to the high school summer session in which mented, “Our experiences at St. Nersess were they both participated. not only a learning experience with wonderful Through the 84 years of its existence, Sts. instructors, but a strengthening of our faith Tarkmanchatz Armenian School has been through the daily prayers in the chapel every known for its academic excellence. Its diverse day.” Her friend added, “We will continue our curriculum includes Armenian history, lan - unforgettable connections we made with our guage, culture, as well as a full list of studies in American-Armenian friends.” 10 S A T U R D A Y , S E P T E M B E R 1 4 , 2 0 1 3 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Arts & Living Photographer Armenian Pop ‘Hawk’ Khatcherian Singer Emmy Wows ALMA Crowd Performs in By Tom Vartabedian Providence

WATERTOWN — Two qualities become evi - PROVIDENCE, R.I. — In an exclusive one- dent whenever photographer Hrair “Hawk” time only performance in New England, Khatcherian puts on a demonstration. Armenian pop star Emmy wowed the crowd at His pictures are indelible — and he travels the the Egavian Cultural Center on Wednesday, extra mile to capture them. September 4. A book launching on September 4 at the Sponsored by Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Armenian Library and Museum of America Armenian Church Cultural Committee, under (ALMA) of his 10th work brought out the very the direction of Konstantin Petrossian, the con - best his work has to offer. The museum has cert attracted all ages, especially local been a familiar stomping ground for the pho - Armenian youth. Emmy’s concert subcommit - tographer. tee members took turns introducing her during “The door is always open for me here,” he the evening’s festivities. acknowledged. Emmy (born Emma Bejanyan) is considered Titled, One Church, One Nation , the latest to be one of Armenia’s most popular and influ - volume is a compilation of Armenian churches ential singers, being labeled as a “pop princess” around the globe, a mission that was as and “Armenian pop icon.” With her amazing exhausting as it was rewarding. It has been a vocal range, Emmy sang popular Armenian work in progress ever since the outset in 1993. songs, ballads and American tunes against a What you may know about the 52-year-old backdrop of flickering colored lights and bal - artist is that doctors gave him 10 days to live as Mezzo-soprano “container” concert loons. Especially moving was her rendition of he lay in a hospital bed, suffering from ter - Komitas’ Loosnag Keesher . minable lung cancer. Emmy engaged her audience to start moving What may not be so obvious was the fact his and clapping to the song Boom-Boom , which mother-in-law Araxie was diagnosed with breast she performed at the Eurovision Song Contest cancer at the same time. It is to her that this in Dusseldorf, Germany in 2011. book is dedicated. A Blüthner Grand A mini-flash mob took place on the dance “She died holding my hand and passed along floor in front of the stage when she belted out the rest of her life to me,” Khatcherian revealed. one of her recent Armenian pop hits which led “I had 10 days to live, not 10 days to die. That to lively Armenian dancing. was 20 years ago and I’m still around.” Piano for Gumri During a brief intermission, the audience was So are his cameras and books, along with an entertained by Mher Saribekian on dhol and insatiable desire to put his unbridled energy to David Gevorkian playing the duduk . work preserving Armenian culture and history. POTSDAM, Germany — On September 20, the Gumri music school (“Octet”) will In a change of pace, she sang the American He had made an extraordinary vow in 1993 on officially celebrate its reopening. And, if all goes as planned, a brand new grand what appeared to be his deathbed. piano will arrive from Germany for its new concert hall, a gift from the Mirak- He promised God that if He allowed to him to Weissbach-Stiftung, a recently established foundation. live, he would photograph every Armenian As co-founder with my husband, I had the opportunity to present the foundation church in every country of the world. Twenty and its project on September 7 at the Lepsiushaus in Potsdam, outside Berlin. The years later, that vow has been maintained, living question I addressed was: why only for and by Armenia, Artsakh and all the should a new foundation choose fundamental references, values and benchmarks this as its first big project? Why a of the Armenian world. By Muriel Mirak-Weissbach grand piano? Why Gumri? And Born in Lebanon, Khatcherian moved to Special to the Mirror-Spectator why a Blüthner grand piano? Canada in 1984, working out of the Armenian The idea to set up a new foun - community center in Montreal. He has partici - dation has a family background: both my parents were orphans who survived the pated in activities related to the movement of Genocide and made it to America. Although economic conditions in the Depression Artsakh, becoming profoundly aware of his prevented them from attending college, they understood the importance of educa - roots, origins and Armenian national identity. tion and urged us to study hard. As a successful businessman, John Mirak sponsored “Hawk represents the Indiana Jones of the youth education both in the Boston area and abroad. He supported the Armenian camera world,” said museum curator Gary Lind- Cultural Foundation in Arlington and set up the John Mirak Foundation, which is Sinanian, in his introduction. “He looked death active in Armenia sponsoring kindergarten playgrounds or school projects, as well in the face and walked away from it.” as reforestation efforts. Khatcherian was working all cylinders at When my husband and I first visited Armenia in 2008 with my brother Bob (who ALMA in his approach to cover every church he Singer Emmy on stage has taken over direction of both foundations), we visited several of the projects. We documented. Many of the images on the screen also went to Gumri, which along with nearby Spitak, had been almost obliterated in were shown in multiple sequences with short the 1988 earthquake. We had the chance to visit the music school and to meet commentaries, just enough to whet the appetite ballad from the 1930s, written by Gus Kahn, see GUMRI, page 11 and give viewers an international glimpse. Dream a Little Dream of Me , which prompted Pictures taken in rain and under a scorching couples to get up and dance. sun, dangling from cliffs and cupolas or thread - When asked why she chose this number ing his way into uncharted and prohibited areas Emmy said this was a piece her father used to to get the desired shot. A picture of a worship - play on the piano when she was a young girl per passing through a ray of sunlight at and she learned the lyrics and now uses it in Gandzasar and another of children lighting a her repertoire. candle, glowing with incandescence. Churches The concert ended with more Armenian pop in ruins and intact, silhouetted by the moon music and dancing. Emmy expressed her deep and basking in the sun. appreciation to the organizers of the event and “Photography is about planning and expressed her delight in meeting so many new patience,” he says. “Sometimes it’s luck. You “friends” in the Greater Providence area and wait for the right moment.” hopes to return again. From Armenia to Karabagh, Jerusalem and The crowd was invited to line up on the red Lebanon, he traveled, as well as North and carpet for pictures with Emmy in a specially- South America and the Far East in his mission. designed VIP space. It took him two years to secure a visa for Kuwait. Emmy left for a brief trip to Los Angeles and Dressed like he would be on Mount Aragats, will return to Armenia for a concert on Khatcherian spoke with no notes and without September 21 in Republic Square. hesitation. He begged some indulgence at elab - Emmy grew up in a family where music and orating a bit on such favorite places as Ani, Director Asatryan, staff and guests in front of container, Gumri, including author and art has always played a key role. She was Aghtamar and Noravank. benefactor Muriel Mirak-Weissbach (center) famous at a very young age and became an idol The photographer is also a man of deep-root - for many children. She studied music profes - ed conviction who speaks his mind. sionally at the Sayat-Nova Musical School, see “HAWK,” page 12 see PROVIDENCE, page 13 S ATURDAY , S EPTEMBER 14, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 ARTS & LIVING

through ideal and financial backing; especially sum raised, and work began on the new con - have raised the question, whether such a pro - A Blüthner Grand individuals in and from Armenia as well as indi - struction. The Gumri optimism was well-found - ject is appropriate. Isn’t it a luxury item? And if viduals of Armenian descent who have lost their ed. What was missing were instruments. they need a piano, why a Blüthner grand? Why Piano for Gumri parents or who have been abandoned by their Provided with a list by Asatryan, we began col - not a less expensive model from China? The parents (orphans, street children) should be lecting both donations and instruments. answer lies in the role music has always played GUMRI, from page 10 supported.” This includes sponsoring material Shortly before leaving for Armenia last May, I in Armenian culture. The saying goes that there Director Harytyun Asatryan und his staff. The aid, such as equipment for kindergartens, learned from the FAR office in New York that are more pianos in Yerevan than TV sets and structure they had been using for classes was a orphanages and schools; educational opportu - they were just organizing the shipment of a anyone strolling through the city can hear metal shack, a domik. The teachers told us nities, through scholarships, or providing living large gift of new instruments from Canada; in music from open windows. Even a small hotel proudly that classes had been suspended only expenses for students; enhancing educational short, Gumri did not need our violins and my husband discovered had a piano in the din - for two weeks after the catastrophe, and that, facilities, for example, by contributing instru - flutes. On arrival in Yerevan we contacted ing room and employees would go to play it first in private homes, then in this “temporary” ments to music schools, and the like. FAR’s Deputy Country Director Margarit whenever they had time. In the Diaspora too: building, they continued to graduate students In late 2012 we learned that a group of rock Piliposyan, who arranged for us to take our gift even my parents, who had no musical educa - to the new music school in Oshagan, which tion, took it for granted that the children FAR had helped finance. Naturally, we were should learn to play an instrument. Without treated to a concert by the students, featuring knowledge of the theories by Friedrich Schiller piano music and a kanon ensemble. or Wilhelm von Humboldt, they knew that We arrived in Gumri empty-handed but musical education was an important element in shared the excitement of Asatryan and his staff the aesthetic and moral development of charac - with the progress on the building. Not yet com - ter. pleted, the structure appeared very sturdy with For Armenians, music, language and religion thick, earthquake-proof walls, numerous single rooms for private instruction and small ensembles, as well as a large hall for recitals and concerts. Here too we enjoyed a wonderful concert, performed in very tight quarters — a container being used for classes during the construction phase. Then, seated around a table with chocolates, cof - fee and Armenian cognac, we began to discuss future plans. Asatryan was delighted with the large contri - bution coming from Canada, but added that the school also needed a grand piano, suitable for concerts. Gumri students playing and drum He put it this way: Gumri, though duduks not the political capital of Armenia, Musikschule : Gumri music school in 2008 is its cultural capital. Then he and his colleagues began to tick off the names of famous poets, composers, every year. The young musicians treated us to a musicians, among others Ian Gillan (Deep musicians, artists and so forth from concert, performed with seriousness and pas - Purple), David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) and the Gumri. “We want to educate world- sion. We were struck by the warm hospitality former Australian tennis champion Pat Cash class musicians,” he said, “and we shown us, and the optimism the teachers exud - had launched a Rock Aid Armenia campaign to would like the best instruments.” ed. Somehow, sometime — they were confident raise funds for a new school in Gumri, through The piano he hoped for was a — the school would be rebuilt. benefit concerts and special CD’s. Mediamax, German brand, Blüthner. Last year my husband and I started a small the Australian organization “Do Something” In Yerevan, at the Aram private foundation to help Armenian youth and and the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) con - Khatchaturian museum, there is a deliberately formulated the statute to allow flex - tributed significantly to the effort. The concert grand with the Blüthner- ibility: its purpose is to provide “support and Mardigian family, which has sponsored music Leipzig logo on it — Khatchaturian promotion of children, youth and adults education programs in Armenia, tripled the was one of many great modern musi - cians who composed on this piano. Oshagan ensemble, May 2013 Back in Germany, my husband kanon contacted the firm and Dr. Christian Blüthner, the descendant of founder Julius Blüthner, who runs the firm, immediate - have always played a central role in society and ly grasped the importance of the initiative and in shaping the national character — a theme dis - proceeded swiftly to cooperate. Part of the cussed at the Lepsiushaus event. Scientific costs were covered by donations, including a Director Dr. Rolf Hosfeld had invited two special contribution from the John Mirak Foundation, guests to participate: Prof. Ashot Hayruni, from and many small and large gifts; the rest has the Yerevan State University, currently on a lec - been financed through a loan to be repaid ture tour in Berlin, and Anna Maria Pammer, a through donations over two years. renowned Austrian soprano living and working Blüthner is one of the oldest piano manufac - in Berlin. Hayruni spoke of the “magical power” turers in the world. It was founded in Leipzig in of music for Armenians, with reference to the 1853 and can look back over a successful, mov - impact of Armenian songs on orphans in Aleppo after the Genocide. Pammer, who has performed in the leading con - cert halls and opera houses of

Europe, as well as in music festivals, is the co-founder and artistic direc - tor of the Austro-Armenian Music Festival. On the basis of her experi - ence in Yerevan, Gumri and

Vanadzor (in 2009-2010), she could confirm the importance of quality instruments for students. Only the biggest concert halls or opera house had excellent grand pianos, and some in need of repair had

been sent to Germany. A piano donated from Japan was so highly

Michael Weissbach presenting violin to Director of Oshagan appreciated, it was kept under lock music school, with Margarit Piliposyan (FAR), May 2013 and key, “treated like a sacred object.” She also stressed the importance of new buildings for

 ing history. By 1903 the company had earned music schools, to ensure control over air quality several awards and received prizes at 12 world and temperature, crucial to preserving instru - exhibits, gaining international renown. In 1943 ments. Pammer, who has a repertoire stretching a bombing raid destroyed all but the foundation from Medieval works to contemporary pieces, walls. In the post-war period, as part of East underlined the wide variety of genres in Germany, the firm was expropriated and Armenian compositions (including contempo - expanded especially into countries of the Soviet rary), generated by an extremely old continuous bloc. Contact with China remained intact even musical tradition and Hayruni explained the spe - after German reunification in 1990 when the cial role of Komitas. family was able to repossess it. For more information, visit http://www.m-w- Now the piano is on its way to Gumri. Some stiftung.org 12 S ATURDAY , S EPTEMBER 14, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING ALMA to Hold Exhibit of Armenian Art from the Post-Soviet Period

WATERTOWN, Mass. — Last year the od spanning the last years of the Soviet Union paintings, many of Armenian Library and Museum of America and the early years of the Armenian Republic, them very large in (ALMA) acquired eight paintings from the from 1988 to 2005. These critical years began size, and ship them to Norton T. Dodge Collection. with the 1988 earthquake, continued with the the United States, These works will go on display at ALMA for exciting time of the establishment of Armenia’s makes a fascinating the first time in an exhibit titled “Armenian Art independence in 1991, and on to the bleak days story. It has been from the Post-Soviet Period (1988-2005),” with of hardship during the Karabagh war and described in publica - an opening reception scheduled for Sunday, blockade of Armenia. tions such as John September 22, 5 to 7 p.m. The Norton Dodge Collection of Soviet McPhee’s New The eight paintings were donated to ALMA Nonconformist Art is one of the largest collec - Yorker article, subse - by the Homer Dodge Foundation, through the tions of its kind, consisting of some 20,000 quently expanded efforts of Nancy Ruyle Dodge, Prof. Norton works, the bulk of them now housed at the into the book, titled Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutger’s, the State The Ransom of University of New Jersey. Russian Art (1994). The Norton T. Dodge Collection of Soviet Though generally Nonconformist Art is remarkable not only categorized as “non- because of its immense size and scope, but also conformist,” the art because it resulted from the almost single-hand - work produced during ed efforts of its founder. this period was rich and Dodge began to visit the Soviet Union in eclectic, encompassing 1955, soon after Nikita Khrushchev’s rise to different historical, power, to conduct scholarly research in his aca - philosophical, religious, demic field, Soviet economics. Contact with one and national roots and A painting from the collection by Vartan Gabrielian or two of the nonconformist artists there exhibiting aspects of Collector Norton Dodge with Philip Ketchian at aroused his interest and led him to explore the Surrealism, Abstract the opening of The Arts of Subversion at the movement more comprehensively and to pur - Expressionism, Pop “Light in Darkness: The Spirit of Armenian Davis Center, Harvard University, 2008 chase paintings. Art, and other avant-garde movements. Nonconformist Art.” This was not easy in the Soviet Union of the The collection eventually grew to over 20,000 Although the heart of the collection lies in time, when Socialist Realism was the only works representing more than 2,000 artists. the Soviet period, Dodge could not stop col - Dodge’s widow. The artists represented are accepted form of art, and nonconformist artists Over 1,000 works by more than 100 artists lecting and many works were acquired in the Armen Adikhanian, Felix Eghiazarian, Vartan had to work clandestinely, making it difficult for from Armenia are included. post-Soviet period. Gabrielian, Sarkis Hamalbashian, Ashot them to earn a living. The collection is described in the book From The public is invited to attend the opening Kazarian and Samuel Khachikian. Dodge’s crusade to contact these artists Gulag to Glasnost: Nonconformist Art from the reception of “Armenian Art from the Post- Dodge will be the guest of honor at the open - without the knowledge of the authorities and Soviet Union , edited by Alla Rosenfeld and Soviet Period on September 22,” free of charge. ing eeception. without endangering the artists themselves, as Norton T. Dodge, and includes a section on the The exhibit continues on the second- floor The paintings date from the momentous peri - well as his ingenious means devised to purchase Armenian artists by Vartoug Basjmajian titled Simourian Gallery through January 14, 2014.

a series of events unfold and our responses are The Devil’s Knot that Bound the West Memphis Three bound as if by endless bits of rope of who we are. We make predictable choices with terrible con - an unimaginable act of evil, yet the process that actors who looked like the real figures, much as I sequences, as if the devil held the strings and By Atom Egoyan followed was determined by the human need to was not interested in finding the actual locations. knew exactly where to pull. But as the film make the “unimaginable” into something tangi - My concern was to amplify and present the story in shows us, there is no Satanic conspiracy, there is ble and explicit. a way that allows the viewer to ask the deeper ques - no devil at the root of it, just people doing what TORONTO (Huffington Post Canada) — When If the evil force that killed three young boys in tion of how we construct realities to fulfill commu - they do, making assumptions, being lazy, des - I was sent the script for “Devil’s Knot,” I was an Arkansas forest could not be found, then a nal agendas, often at tremendous costs to personal perately trying to understand the brutal deaths immediately struck by the complexity of this true comprehensible solution needed to be conjured. liberties. of three children, judges and lawyers showing story. Twenty years ago, three young boys were For all the talk of Satanic ritual and blood sacri - My editor Susan Shipton and I worked on off. It is us in all our weak and fallible glory.” found murdered in a forest. The crime scene was fices discussed in the case, it is my firm belief shaping this film for many months. At the end of This film has provoked many such discussions. appalling and — most mysteriously — there was that the only real act of magic was performed by the process, she wrote me a note, which said that From the writers who worked on the scenario, to no hard evidence. Who could have committed the prosecution team as they convinced a jury to the film is ultimately about how and why people the producers who were so committed to putting these horrors? find three young men guilty in the complete adhere to their own versions of an event, to the together this challenging project, to the brilliant In posing this unanswered question, the film absence of any physical proof. actions they take when confronted with tragedy cast I got to work with, to my entire creative hopefully gets at something much deeper. It As a filmmaker, I was of course aware of the four even when faced with their own flawed response team. All of us have tried to reveal this knot, and becomes an exploration of how we live with evil, documentaries that had been made about the case, to it. I’ve worked with Shipton for more than 20 are now excited to bring it to the world. how we deal with issues of revenge, how we cope each determining the innocence of the West years, and her words seem to sum up the feeling (Director Atom Egoyan’s film “Devil’s Knot” with the moral injury of a community and — Memphis Three and each pointing to another pos - of the film. premiered at the Toronto International Film most hauntingly — how we deal with unimagin - sible culprit. In making the first dramatic treatment She said, “It is the knot we are all tied up in Festival 2013, and was screened on Sunday, able loss. “Devil’s Knot” shows how legal systems of the subject, I was not concerned with finding and mostly it is just life, until tragedy strikes and September 8 and Monday, September 9.) in a town were deployed to simulate retribution, as two characters — a grieving mother and an idealistic private investigator — begin to sense that something is deeply wrong. In following these two characters, the film does not point to a culprit. The answer to the Sponsor a Teacher in Armenia and Karabagh 2013 crime may never be found. Mistakes were made, “evidence” was constructed and important threads were lost. What remains is the infinitely more complex question of how we deal with the Since its inception in 2001, TCA’s ‘Sponsor unknown. What happened in West Memphis was a Teacher’ program has raised over $563,000 and reached out to 4,440 teachers and Photographer ‘Hawk’ Khatcherian Wows ALMA school workers in Armenia and Karabagh. Crowd £ ”HAWK,” from page 10 “Our jeweled churches are being left to decay K Yes, I want to sponsor teachers in Armenia and Karabagh to continue while we build new places of spiritual worship,” helping them to educate the children, our future leaders. I would like to have he pointed out. “Many of them are not being the teacher’s name and address. attended. We must make every attempt to pre - K $160 K $ 320 K $ 480 K other $ serve the old.” ————————— Of the 50 Armenian churches he encoun - Name tered in Turkey, 30 of them were active, he said. Address Khatcherian photographed them all in his City State Zip code litany. He’s been to Ani 25 times. Tel: “I’ve seen every rock imaginable,” he notes. “Every time I visit there, I find something dif - Make check payable to: Tekeyan Cultural Association – Memo: Sponsor a Teacher 2010 ferent to shoot. I want the new generation to Mail your check with this form to: continue my journey. We cannot do it alone.” TCA Sponsor a Teacher The next day, Khatcherian was off to Chicago, 5326 Valverde, Houston, TX 77056 then back to Armenia and Turkey by mid- September. His itinerary may be filled with Your donation is Tax Deductible. detours but knows no end. S ATURDAY , S EPTEMBER 14, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 ARTS & LIVING CC AA LLEENNDDAARR

Church, 380 Concord Ave., Belmont. Noon – 8 p.m. FLORIDA Armenian delicacies - manti, choreg, kufte and more. Enjoy kebab dinners (lamb, beef or chicken with OCTOBER 26-27 — St. Mary Armenian Church Armenian pilaf and salad,) losh, boreg, paklava, pastries and more in Food & Music Fest 2013, Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and our festive hall or takeout. 617-484-4779, or Sunday, 12 noon- 7 p.m. Armenian food and pastries www.firstarmenianchurch.org. Handicapped and MBTA including Mediterranean specialties, arts & crafts vendors, accessible. live music and children’s area; 4050 NW 100 Ave., Cooper NOVEMBER 16 — Armenian Women’s Welfare City. For info, call (954)-450-5578 or email: Association (AWWA) 38th Annual Luncheon/ [email protected] Auction, 11 a.m. at the Burlington Marriot, 1 Burlington Mall Road. Event kicks off with a silent auction and bid - MASSACHUSETTS ding; Visa and MasterCard accepted, tickets $60. For reservations, contact [email protected]. SEPTEMBER 15 — Talk by Tom Vartabedian titled, “A 50-year Retrospective into Journalism;” 7 p.m., ALMA, NEW HAMPSHIRE 65 Main St., Watertown. Vartabedian, award-winning writer and photographer, will kick off the fall season at SEPTEMBER 28 — Shish Kebab Supper at the Ararat ALMA with a talk about his 50-year career with The Armenian Congregational Church, 4:30-7:30 p.m; tick - Haverhill Gazette and his work as a correspondent with ets at the door; 2 Salem St., Salem. the Armenian Press since the early 1960s. NOVEMBER 3 — Ararat Armenian Congregational SEPTEMBER 15 — Trinity Family Festival, 12-5 p.m., Holy On October 5, ALMA will present Church Celebrates 100 Years: 1913-2013. Join the his - Trinity Armenian Church, 145 Brattle St., Cambridge. “Inheriting the Light:” In toric Armenian American community of Southern NH for Delicious food, Armenian music, Children’s games, Conversation with Diana Der a celebration lunch at Tuscan Kitchen restaurant, 67 Main Blessing of Madagh at 4 p.m., raffle drawing and more. Hovanessian and Nancy Kricorian, 5- St., Salem; 1 p.m. For tickets and sponsorship opportuni - SEPTEMBER 16 — Armenian Church of Our Saviour hosts 20th 7 p.m. Poet Der Hovanessian and ties, contact [email protected]. Annual Golf Tournament at the Sterling Country Club, Sterling, novelist Kricorian will engage in a 8:30 a.m. registration, 10 a.m. start; sponsorships and golf regis - dialogue about how family and com - NEW JERSEY trations still available; contact the church office at 508-756-2931. SEPTEMBER 21 — Armenian Independent Broadcasting munal history have inspired and SEPTEMBER 14 — Richard Kalinoski’s Play “Beast on the of Boston presents Avik Deirmenjian’s newly pub- shaped their writings. A $5 donation Moon,” presented by the Tekeyan Cultural Association of lished book of poems, Khachardzan , 5 p.m. MC Dr. Ara appreciated. ALMA is located at 65 Greater New York, adapted by Nancy Issa Torosian. Ghazarian, book presentation by Khajag Mkrtichian, cul - Main St. Watertown, MA. Tickets: $50, $35, $25; English subtitles. For info and tick - tural program and reception to follow; free admission; ets call Marie Zokian (201) 745-8850, Helen Misk (347) Armenian Cultural Foundation, 441 Mystic St., Arlington. 368-6993 or Shemavon Atamian (718) 344-7489; Oradell SEPTEMBER 22 — Norton Dodge Collection Exhibit Elementary School, 350 Prospect Ave., Oradell Opening: Armenian Art from the Post-Soviet Period, OCTOBER 5 — “Inheriting the Light:” In Conversation SEPTEMBER 22 — The Armenian Relief Society of including art by Vartan Gabrielian and Ashot Kazarian; 5 with Diana Der Hovanessian and Nancy Kricorian, Eastern United States, Agnouni, Pergen, Shake and p.m., Guest Nancy Dodge; reception to follow; ALMA’s 5-7 p.m., ALMA, 65 Main St., Watertown. Poet Der Spitak Chapters, presents Poet and author Vahan second floor, 65 Main St., Watertown. Hovanessian and novelist Kricorian will engage in a dia - Zanoyan, as he launches a tour of the US and Canada for SEPTEMBER 26 – Annual Fall Dinner and Drawing spon- logue about how family and communal history have his new book, A Place Far Away , 2 p.m., Sts. Vartanatz sored by the Friends of Holy Trinity 1000 Club, 6:30 inspired and shaped their writings. $5 donation appreci - Church, 461 Bergen Blvd., Ridgefield. Refreshments will p.m., Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall, Holy ated. be served. Trinity Armenian Church, 145 Brattle St., Cambridge. Join OCTOBER 18 and 19 — St. James Annual Bazaar! us for a delicious losh kebab and kheyma dinner, $7.99 Delicious shish, losh, kheyma and more! Fabulous pas - NEW YORK per person; tickets on sale at the door. Regular monthly tries, manti, kufte and toorshi! Children’s activities, ven - raffle drawing at 8 p.m. “One-time” numbers will be sold dors galore, farmer’s market - Fun! Friends! Family! 11 SEPTEMBER 26 — Vahan Zanoyan will speak and sign on the night of dinner; special offer: purchase five “one- a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. copies of his new book, A Place Far Away , his new time” numbers for $20, saving $5. First time ever – OCTOBER 19 — Hye Kef 5 featuring Leon Janikian, Joe novel on human trafficking in Armenia, 7 p.m., at the chance to win a One-Year Club Membership for those Kouyoumjian, Greg Takvorian, Ken Kalajian, Bob Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium, 630 Second Ave. attending the dinner. For further info, contact the church Raphalian and Jay Baronian, Haverhill, MA, 7:30 p.m., Jointly sponsored by the Armenian Studies program of the office, 617.354.0632. Michael’s Function Hall- 12 Alpha Street, Tickets: $40.00 Department of Youth and Education, the Krikor and SEPTEMBER 28 — Story SLAM workshop with Nora Each Students $30, includes individually-served mezza Clara Zohrab Information Center of the Diocese of the Dooley of Massmouth. 4-6 p.m. at ALMA, 65 Main St., platters. Proceeds to benefit all Armenian churches in Armenian Church of America (Eastern) and the Fund Watertown. Learn to tell a story! Topic will be objects that Merrimack Valley and New Hampshire. Call either John for Armenian Relief. All Proceeds from the book are being have special meaning in our lives, so bring an object or Arzigian, 603-560-3826; Sandy Boroyan, 978-251-8687; donated to organizations devoted to protecting heirloom to discuss. $5 donation appreciated. Scott Sahagian, 617-699-3581, or Peter Gulezian, 978- children. SEPTEMBER 28 — Smithsonian Magazine’s Annual 375-1616. Organized by Armenian Friends of America. NOVEMBER 23-24 – TCA Mher Megerdchian Theatrical Museum Day: Free Admission to ALMA. Admission tick - OCTOBER 24 — K. George and Carolann S. Najarian, Group celebrates 15th Anniversary with production of ets available for download on the Museum Day Live! MD Lecture on Human Rights: In Our Midst: Slavery Hagop Baronian’s “The Perils of Politeness” Website. One ticket admits one person, plus a guest; 65 Unmasked; 7 p.m., Faneuil Hall, Boston, with keynote (Kaghakavaroutyan Vnasneruh) directed by Gagik Main St., Watertown. speaker Siddharth Kara, fellow at the Carr Center Program Karapetyan from Armenia; Dwight Englewood High SEPTEMBER 28 — Annual “Walk of Life” Walk-a-thon, on Human Trafficking & Modern Slavery, Harvard Kennedy School, 315 E. Palisade Ave., Englewood, NJ. Nov. 23, New England Chapter of the Armenian Bone Marrow School of Government. Contact Barbara Tellalian for more Saturday at 8 p.m. and Nov. 24, Sunday at 4 p.m. For tick - Donor Registry (ABMDR), in Watertown. To register or info: 617-332-1880. ets; $50, $35, $25; call Marie Zokian (201)745-8850 or donate, visit http://www.abmdr.am. OCTOBER 26 — Fall Harvest Bazaar, First Armenian Missak Boghosian at (212)819-0097 or (347)365-6985.

Armenian Pop Singer Emmy Performs in Providence

PROVIDENCE, from page 10 discovering new talents in Armenia. American-Armenian youth with the culture and “Emmy B” Producer Center’s Vocal Studio and She has released three albums, 20 music talent of Armenia within the safe and whole - Yerevan State Conservatory in Jazz-Vocal videos, more than 60 songs and hosted several some confines of the church community. Department. popular TV shows. Recently Emmy had a solo Souin says that he was “impressed by the As a solo singer, and as a past member of the concert in Yerevan and released her new humility and sweet charm that Emmy showed, group Hayer, Emmy has toured the world and album. as well as the warmth and grace with which she won many, many awards. At the age of 10 she Fr. Shnork Souin, the pastor of Sts. Sahag interacted with the young organizing commit - won the Best Singer Award for the song Funny and Mesrob Armenian Church, desiring to tee and the young people of the community.” Rain in the Asup Song Competition. Emmy is make the church a friendly and appealing place The concert subcommittee members were a record breaker with her collection of first- of assembly for young people, saw this concert David Gevorkian, Mher Saribekian, Narine place prizes in international music contests as a wonderful opportunity to bring youth Amroyan, Hasmik Gevorkian, Mariam and festivals in Armenia, Cyprus, Russia, Syria, together, not only to enjoy the talents of the Saribekian and Shahane Manukian. Daniel Germany, Ukraine, Latvia, Estonia, Georgia young Armenian pop star, but to organize the Ayriyan and Osheen Emdjian assisted with the and the Czech Republic. Emmy also runs the event with Konstantin Petrossian. He saw this sound system and stage setup. Emmy with a young fan Emmy-B Production Center, which is aimed at as another great opportunity to connect — Marilyn J. Woloohojian 14 S ATURDAY , S EPTEMBER 14, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

THE ARMENIAN COMMENTARY Mirror Armenia’s U-turn — for Better or Worse

Customs Union because Belarus economically depends on Spectator By Edmond Y. Azadian Russia. As for Kazakhstan, its demographic balance tilts it towards Russia since the country’s population is composed of 63 percent Kazakhs and 24 percent Russians. Moscow can eas - For the last three and a half years, Armenia had been negoti - ily manipulate that population to influence the country’s orien - ating with the European Union (EU) to sign the Association tation. Agreement, yet on September 3, at the conclusion of the meet - Ukraine has joined the Customs Union as an observer mem - Established 1932 ing between Presidents Serge Sargisian and Vladimir Putin in ber, after President Putin closed Russia’s borders for a while An ADL Publication Moscow, Armenia’s president announced that his country had against the Ukrainian imports. decided to join the Customs Union with Russia. Polls in Georgia is sending mixed signs, after Moscow began import - Armenia were indicating that 72 percent of the population pre - ing Georgian wines and holding the carrot for more economic ferred joining the EU, in anticipation of internal reforms bring - benefits. Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili announced that EDITOR Georgia will study the terms of the agreement and may join the Alin K. Gregorian ing the country up to European norms, in terms of economic development, democratic processes and rule of law. But the Customs Union if it finds the terms beneficial. That remark was president’s announcement caught everyone by surprise, since rebuked publicly by the lame-duck President Mikheil ASSISTANT EDITOR Gabriella Gage there had been no debate in parliament, nor was a public refer - Saakashvili. endum held. Thus Armenia is firmly in Moscow’s quarter because the EU ASSOCIATE EDITOR The negotiations of the EU Association Agreement (including officials believe Russia has exerted irresistible pressure on Aram Arkun a deep and comprehensive free-trade area) with Armenia were President Sargisian.

ART DIRECTOR finalized in July. Upon learning about Armenia’s U-turn, the It was very apparent at the outset, when President Putin vis - Marc Mgrditchian European Commission issued a memo, stating, “This agreement ited Baku and Russia’s $4-billion arms shipment to Azerbaijan would allow Armenia EU support, to drive forward a program of coincided with that trip. comprehensive modernization and reform based upon shared Friendship with powerful countries does not yield much ben - efits, but absence of that friendship may cost them dearly. SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: values, political association and economic integration.” Edmond Azadian Although the European Union has not expressed forcefully its It is believed that Putin may have used two pressure points disappointment with Yerevan’s decision, Western media has. against Armenia: the Karabagh issue and the delivery of energy. CONTRIBUTORS: The Wall Street Journal normally does not dwell much on what No one believes that Russia will side with Armenia in resolving Florence Avakian, Elizabeth Aprahamian, goes on in Armenia, but it published an article in its September the Karabagh problem. But it can use it as leverage to extract Daphne Abeel, Dr. Haroutiune 5 issue with the following headline: “Armenia Jilts Europe, Ties concessions, like in the case of the Customs Union. Arzoumanian, Taleen Babayan, Prof. Trade Knot with Moscow.” No one knows yet what is in that agreement, except its polit - Vahakn N. Dadrian, Diana Der Commenting further, the Journal writes, “European diplo - ical implications. One analyst has used the metaphor of a man Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, Kevork mats were stunned this week by word that Armenia, which had stepping out of a window into the fog. Keushkerian, Sonia Kailian-Placido , The current administration and its supporters have been Harut Sassounian, Mary Terzian, Hagop been heading toward strengthening ties with the European Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian Union, will instead join a Customs Union led by Russia — hand - defending the president’s decision, while others criticize it ing the Kremlin a victory in its tug of war with Brussels for harshly. When Russia itself is in dire need of economic reform, CORRESPONDENTS: influence in the region.” how will that impact its partners? Armenia - Hagop Avedikian The EU commission had limited its remarks to a wait-and-see Former President Levon Ter-Petrosian, who refrains from Boston - Nancy Kalajian position, announcing that it will wait for clarifications from making public commentaries since the last presidential election, Philadelphia - Lisa Manookian Yerevan. One thing was clear — the two sides’ agreements were has lambasted President Sargisian’s handling of the issue, Berlin - Muriel Mirak-Weissbach mutually exclusive. A few apologists with the current adminis - always mindful that Armenia should never antagonize Russia. Contributing Photographers: tration had announced that Armenia’s shift towards Russia Former Prime Minister Hrant Bagratian has called for a ref - Jacob Demirdjian, Harry Koundakjian, Jirair would not take place at the expense of severing its ties with the erendum on the agreement. The ARF has issue an unusually- Hovsepian EU. But the latter does not see the situation that way. European mild statement, saying that the initiative was not wrong but was officials say that countries in the Moscow-led Customs Union not handled properly. cannot be integrated into the EU because they have effectively There is lively public debate in Armenia. One burning ques - The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published ceded their sovereignty over trade issues to Russia. tion is: How does Armenia join the Customs Union, with or weekly, except two weeks in July, by: In terms of its economic clout, Armenia does not weigh sig - without Karabagh? The answer to that question makes a whole Baikar Association, Inc. nificantly on either side of the fence given the size of its gross world of difference. In the case of military treaty it has not been domestic product — $10 billion. The issue hinges more on poli - properly defined whether Russia will defend Armenia if 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 attacked. But does the defense also cover Karabagh? Telephone: 617-924-4420 tics — the West has been trying to increase its influence in the region by luring Azerbaijan and Georgia, while Russia has been There are many unanswered questions regarding Armenia’s FAX: 617-924-2887 trying to develop a counter-weight through its economic asso - adherence to the Customs Union and Armenian-Russian rela - www.mir ror spectator.com ciations, Therefore, Armenia’s shift is symbolized as a political tions in general. E-Mail: editor@mirrorspectator .com victory in this tug of war. When the dust settles, people in Armenia will find out if the For advertising: [email protected] Thus far, only Belarus and Kazakhstan have joined Russia’s U-turn was for better or worse.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES : September 6-7, 1955: A Commonplace Story of Nationalism U.S.A. $80 a year paper, in the afternoon of September 6, was Greek, began to break his shop window. He Canada $125 a year By Varoujan Sirapian Göksin Sipahioglu. went to complain to police captain. The Other Countries $190 a year The “spontaneous” demonstrations quick - answer of the officer was, “Sorry but I can ly took the appearance of a pogrom, a do nothing. Today I am not a policeman. I am I was almost 10-years-old when what we Turkish version of “crystal night.” a Turk!” call chastely “the events of September 6-7,” Sixteen citizens of Greek origin, among Many citizens belonging to minorities who © 2011 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator in reality a pogrom, took place in Istanbul. whom two priests and an Armenian were had experienced these attacks preferred to Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA During a period of nine hours, wild troops, killed. Thirty-two citizens of Greek origin leave Turkey in the following months and and additional mailing offices. farmers, workers and jobless men transport - were seriously hurt. About 4348 stores years. Probably because this unexpected sav - ISSN 0004-234X ed by cars from the distant villages situated belonging to citizens of Greek, Armenian agery showed that, 40 years after the POSTMASTER : Send address changes to The around Istanbul, all equipped with identical and Jewish origins were looted or wrecked. Armenian Genocide, the mentalities had not Armenian Mirror-Spectator, P.O. Box 302, sticks which we would have said were pro - At least 110 hotels, 27 pharmacies, 23 changed in supposedly modern and republi - Watertown, MA 02471-0302 duced in a factory, crossed the streets of schools, 21 factories, 70 churches, three can Turkey. Other than the editorial, views and opinions Istanbul. At the beginning they were super - cemeteries and very numerous houses The later inquiries confirmed the implica - expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily vised by ultranationalist students, fervent belonging to the non-Muslim minorities were tion of the agent belonging to the Turkish eflect the policies of the publisher. activists of kemalism. But quickly they seriously damaged. The rapes, numerous, secret services in “the attack” against became uncontrollable. Law enforcement could not officially be recorded, because fam - Atatürk’s house. But instead of being con - remained passive, even sometimes they were ilies did not want to add the shame to the victed, he obtained a promotion as an expres - collusive, as shown in several photos. offense. But little by little, mouths opened sion of gratitude. Everything had begun with a misinforma - and we learned that a woman of a very As for Sipahioglu, whose newspaper had tion, or a half-truth, published in Istanbul known Jewish jeweler was among the vic - sparked everything, he settled down, not Copying for other than personal use or Ekspres with an incendiary title: “A bomb tims. long after, in Paris and founded (with internal reference is prohibited without was thrown at Atatürk’s home.” In fact it was There was a bakery in my district, Sisli, unknown funds) the SIPA news agency. He express permission of the copyright home-made machine launched by an agent of held by an Albanian (Arnavut). The baker, a even received the Legion of Honor towards owner. Address requests for reprints or back issues to: the Turkish secret services who caused in nice guy, offered some çörek (brioche) to the the end of his life on behalf of President reality very little damages to the house in policemen at the Police station every after - Chirac. Baikar Association, Inc. Thessalonica where Mustafa Kemal had lived noon, which was just on the other side of the 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 in its youth. The associate editor who took street. In the evening of September 6, a (Varoujan Sirapian is the director of the the decision of an extra edition of the news - group of aggressors, thinking that he was a Europe and Orient publication.) S ATURDAY , S EPTEMBER 14, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 COMMENTARY

on Lilian Daoud’s highly popular talk show, “Al-Soura al- representation was finally exposed when the Arab world Kamila” (“The Complete Picture”) on ONtv, watched by mil - realized that he was simply trying to dominate the region, lions in Egypt and throughout the Arab world. pursuing Turkey’s self-interest rather than that of Arabs Participating in the show by phone were Resul Tosun, for - and Muslims. mer Turkish Parliament member from Erdogan’s Islamist Former Turkish parliament member Resul Tosun, joining My Turn AK Party, and Harut Sassounian, Publisher of The the show by phone, quickly antagonized the viewers by California Courier . The 36-minute TV program was con - claiming that “the current Egyptian government that came By Harut Sassounian ducted in Arabic, a language I have rarely used since child - to power after the military coup is not legitimate, therefore, hood. the filed lawsuit cannot be considered legitimate.” Tosun Millions Watch Popular Egyptian Salama informed the audience that the Turkish Military then went on to parrot his Turkish bosses’ baseless denials Tribunal in 1919 indicted the criminals responsible for the of the Armenian Genocide. Talk Show on the Armenian Armenian Genocide. Seventeen Turkish officials were Salama, incensed by Tosun’s remarks, called Erdogan found guilty, and three were hanged. Salama indicated that “the successor of the Ottoman butchers who committed Genocide France, Great Britain and Russia had issued a joint the Armenian Genocide.” Declaration in 1915, warning that they would hold Turkish The TV hostess then asked for my reaction to Tosun’s Ever since Egypt’s President Mohamed Morsi was leaders responsible for massacring Armenians and commit - perverted views on the Armenian Genocide. I reminded the removed from office, Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ting “crimes against humanity and civilization.” viewers that Kemal Ataturk, in an interview published in Erdogan has been harshly critical of the new government, Attorney Khairallah insisted that raising the Armenian the Los Angeles Examiner on August 1, 1926, had demand - strongly advocating his fellow Islamist Morsi’s return to Genocide issue in Egypt is long overdue and does not ed that the Young Turks be “made to account for the lives power. have any political undertones. He hoped that his lawsuit of millions of our Christian subjects who were ruthlessly Given Erdogan’s unwelcome meddling in Egypt’s inter - will force Egypt, “the largest Sunni country in the Middle driven en masse and massacred.” I also recalled that the nal affairs, millions of Egyptians have expressed anger and East,” to serve as an example for other Arab countries to Sheikh of Al-Azhar, leader of the globally preeminent cen - resentment against Turkey and its prime minister. Egyptian acknowledge the Armenian Genocide. Khairallah ter of Islamic studies in Cairo, had issued a Fatwa (religious newspapers have been replete with anti-Turkish reports announced that his lawsuit will be considered by the decree) in 1909 chastising Turkish officials for massacring and commentaries. Dozens of articles have been published Egyptian Court on November 5. He hoped that the Court 30,000 Armenians in Adana, Cilicia. condemning Turkish denials of the Armenian Genocide would make a historic decision regarding this critical At the end of the show, Khairallah announced that ral - and urging Egypt’s new leaders to recognize it. There have “human rights issue.” lies will be held shortly to demonstrate that his group’s law - also been calls for erecting a monument for the Armenian When the hostess of the TV show asked for my opinion suit emanates from a popular demand — Egyptians asking Genocide in Cairo and demands that Turkey pay restitution on the Egyptian lawsuit, I expressed my great satisfaction, their government “to recognize that Armenians were mas - for the Armenian victims. In an unprecedented move, attor - hoping for a positive verdict on the eve of the Centennial sacred at the hands of Turkish criminals.” ney Muhammad Saad Khairallah, head of the Institute of of the Armenian Genocide, and looking forward to its So far, Lebanon is the only Arab country to have recog - the Popular Front in Egypt, filed a lawsuit accusing Turkey recognition by the Egyptian government. nized the Armenian Genocide. If Egypt follows suit, can of committing genocide against Armenians. I also commented that Erdogan had anointed himself as Syria and the rest of the Arab world be far behind? On September 4, Khairallah and Dr. Ayman Salama, pro - the new Sultan of the Middle East, and sole defender of all The link to the show: fessor of International Law at Cairo University, appeared Muslims, Arabs and Palestinians. However, Erdogan’s mis - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teAKr6Psyl0&sns=em

Opposite Extremes Advance Armenian Heritage President: Students Are Future of Armenia

I introduced him to a nice Armenian girl in There are no simple answers or quick reme - YEREVAN (Hetq) — President Serge By Tom Vartabedian the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF.) They dies. I’ve also seen American born siblings who Sargisian in August received at the dated once or twice then broke up. He claimed speak the Armenian language fluently and are Presidential Palace medal winners who were she was too conceited. Same with music. While more ethnically fertile than their parents who graduates of the republic’s secondary educa - How is it possible, you may ask, for two sib - I cherished Armenian, he favored American planted the seed. tion establishments for the academic year lings from the same family to become such rock. The children I have taught in Armenian 2012-2013. They included medal winners of polar opposites? I look at the Bulgers. You have William school for the most part have no knowledge the international scientific Olympiads for Time and again, I see such an extreme, Bulger holding an honorable position as a about the language. They get very little ethnic schoolchildren conducted this year both in whether it is two brothers, two sisters or one of Democratic Party guru, lawyer and educator upbringing at home and have isolated them - Armenia and abroad. each. The reference I wish to make is regarding while brother James Bulger reigns as America’s selves over time. They come from good Sargisian congratulated all the students, their Armenian heritage. most notorious crime boss. Armenian homes where the culture remains wished them success and answered their How one can become so active and the other You would never think they were cut from quite evident. questions. so inert is well beyond me. Same parents. Same the same family cloth. They could make a movie But there are exceptions. In the case of two He said, “After being elected President of home. Similar upbringing. Yet, varied personal - out of this to complement the books that have cousins, the one who was totally immersed in the Republic of Armenia in 2008, I promised ities and interests. been written on the subject. It could be a sub - the Armenian mainstream wound up drifting to hold meetings with the medal winner I know two brothers who are such exact plot to a sitcom called “Brawl in the Family.” away. The other, who was segregated from his graduates of the schools and medals winners opposites, I often marvel at their dissimilarities. Much as I tried, I was unsuccessful in getting nationality, became the one who returned to his of the international science Olympiads. While one attends and is involved with the my brother involved internally. We did attend roots. Please be assured that no matter how busy I Armenian church, the other attends an the same Armenian church and served as altar He went off to college, joined an Armenian am and regardless of the number of small American house of worship. boys. But that is where the similarities ended. I club, met an Armenian girl, and wound up mar - and large problems to be addressed, I will The Armenian activist married amongst his trust he gained something from that experi - rying her. Together, they brought three chil - keep my word and every year I will be meet - race; his brother did not. The same could be ence, though it never showed on the outside. dren into the world who remain emissaries for ing with the young people.” said about the organizational level. One Consequently, his children never became their kind. He continued, “In this hall, we hold meet - belongs to multiple associations and con - involved in Armenian affairs while mine went You never would have guessed that someone ings with foreign dignitaries. We hold recep - tributes heavily to the welfare of his people, through the AYF ranks and attended Armenian so ignoble would have become that immersed. I tions for them right here but trust me, traveling to Armenia regularly and taking a School through their teenage years. happened to ask him about that one day. today’s meeting is no less important. You are deep-rooted interest in the population while his My cousins were the same way. While one He gave the credit to the woman he wed. It the future of our country, you are the heroes brother has only sporadic involvement in any was distinct, the other became extinct. We were was a revelation for him, attending lectures and of our times, and our country needs such such endeavor. all raised by Genocide survivors with strong concerts he never patronized, learning the lan - heroes.” They appear as distinct as oil and vinegar. ethnic origins. Sad as it seems, I see none of my guage of his ancestors he once rebuked, and vis - He praised the number of medals the stu - I could very well reiterate my own family relations in church and community circles. iting the country he never dreamed about. dents have won, compared to other nations. experience with regard to discord. We were The thing most needed in the Armenian The trip turned into a Utopia for the man, “You have already won 11 medals at the sci - raised in part by the same grandmother who home today is the family which remains homo - introducing him to a side he never could iden - ence Olympiads — one silver and 10 bronze, spoke the language fluently in our home. I geneous, particularly when it comes to the wel - tify with. Maybe it comes down to being fortu - which is exactly as many as your peers from picked it up. My brother did not. fare of our people. itous in a world that offers so much spontane - Georgia and Azerbaijan combined. I am con - While I attended Armenian School, my broth - As parents, we do our best to involve our chil - ity. fident that we are yet to register success in er balked, despite my mother’s insistence. I dren. We may introduce them to certain stabili - I have heard it said that being part of a fami - the area of astronomy, and I want us togeth - enhanced my Armenian at the Mekhitarist ties in their lives, hoping it may make a differ - ly tree is like riding a train backwards. It shows er to wish success to our young people. School in Vienna. My brother bade me farewell ence. Some turn out all the wiser by their expe - you where you came from but not where you “Well done! Thank you, trust me you’ve and took over my room. rience. Others tend to rebel. are going. made a great job; last year as well as this year, we have registered outstanding results.” encouraged. He thanked the students that had partici - pated in the Kazan Student Games, winning Notice to Contributors — All submissions should include the name of a contact person and a daytime telephone number. 10 medals. “Never before in our modern his - The Armenian Mirror-Spectator welcomes articles, commentaries and tory have we been able to win so many community news from our readers. In order to assure the accurate and — Deadline for submission of all articles and advertising is noon on the medals at the Student Games,” he said. timely publication of articles submitted, please note the following poli - Monday of the week of publication. He praised the education standard in cies: — Photos will be published without charge at the discretion of the editors Armenia. “It is gratifying that secondary edu - — All articles submitted should be typed, double (or triple) spaced and and art director. Photos will be returned only if a self-addressed and cation in Armenia is developing not only in printed in a type size large enough to be clearly legible (10 point or stamped envelope is included. Yerevan, as many would say, but also in our larger). Submissions that do not conform to these specifications will be — The M-S will publish only one article about an upcoming organiza - assigned lowest priority. provinces. It is testified to by the increased tional event. For major special events, exceptions may be made only by number of the medal recipients not only in — Articles sent by fax are acceptable, and e-mail submissions are special arrangement with the editors. Yerevan but also in Goris, Sisian, Hrazdan, Gumri.” 16 S ATURDAY , S EPTEMBER 14, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR

is being handled properly.” As far as large-scale stantly need money in order to support our Tom Garabedian Continues ATP’s Mission reforestation efforts, ATP hires seasonal work - reforestation activities,” explained Garabedian. ers for a similar period to cut grass around the Their education efforts are primarily directed ATP, from page 5 we established the Mirak Family Reforestation planting sites to improve the likelihood that to children through the environment al cur - projects both in the office and out in the field, Nursery in Margahovit to develop seedlings for seedlings will survive. “In community planting, riculum that we’ve prepared for Armenia’s pub - discuss strategy and manager development and large scale reforestation efforts and two we expect a three-year survival rate of 85 per - lic schools and through classes taught at the handle any people issues that arise,” Environmental Education Centers sponsored cent or better; in forestry, the threshold is some - Ohanian Environmental Education Centers. Garabedian said. by Michael and Virginia Ohanian.” what lower because we’re at the mercy of the “We have conducted a few agricultural classes A knack for producing results and a passion There are now 60 full-time staffers in Armenia weather to produce an adequate amount of at our new Ohanian Center in Margahovit for ATP’s cause made the position an ideal one and hundreds of seasonal and part-time work - water. These are expensive commitments but specifically for the region’s farmers. These class - for Garabedian.“My involvement stemmed from ers engaged in forestry work. “As far as new you must undertake the maintenance. es are extended without cost to the partici - a desire to be engaged in a pursuit that was projects, we are evaluating the need for a Otherwise you’re just wasting your nursery pants,” he noted. both challenging and interesting mentally and fourth nursery in the southern part of the stock,” he explained. With Garabedian at the helm, ATP is cur - that was producing meaningful results in country and considering ways that tree planti - In addition to proper planning and mainte - rently in the midst of a sustainable forest man - Armenia, he said. ng could become an integral part of an expand - nance, there are many challenges that ATP agement project in Margahovit. “Working with ATP was founded by Carolyn Mugar in 1994, ed environmental curriculum in every public faces in its pursuit of reforestation. Garabedian Hayantar, the Armenian forestry agency and and its primary mission at the outset was to school,” said Garabedian. explained, “The first challenge is recognition by the village, we are developing a pilot plan to plant trees in urban and rural sites as a way of The actual planning and continued upkeep of the Armenian government that deforestation manage a 200 hectare forest in a sustainable overcoming the tree cutting that had occurred trees after planting are both essential to the and illegal logging will threaten the country’s way,” he said, adding, “ If the pilot is successful, during the energy blockade that Armenia expe - process. One of the primary responsibilities of long-term survival. Trees deliver an abundance we hope that the model can be spread to other rienced. According to Garabedian, that mission planting managers is site selection. According of benefits to a country; they serve as a food communities throughout Armenia.” led to the development of two nurseries within to Garabedian, planting managers “review supply, they protect against erosion, they clean ATP has worked with several other organiza - a short distance of Yerevan and employment of potential planting sites to ensure that there is the air and protect the water supply. They are a tions, most recently partnering with the a full-time staff in Armenia of nearly 40 people. proper soil and water and that the community renewable resource and should be used, but Norwegian government which provided a four- Since its founding, ATP has broadened its mis - is committed to maintain trees once they’ve only in a sustainable way. He added, “We would year, $1.2 million grant to support reforestation sion to include environmental education which been planted.” He added, “We need to ensure like the government to devote more resources activities and with the Acopian Center for the it accomplished by developing a curriculum that our sites are protected from livestock who to restore Armenia’s historic forest cover and to Environment at the American University of which is now in use throughout Armenia’s pub - view our seedlings as a tasty addition to their enforce existing laws against illegal logging.” Armenia on “Regardening of Eden” activities in lic schools. diets, and that often means that we need to Another daunting challenge that ATP faces is Margahovit. New developments are always on the horizon fence areas that are planted. Generally, we will that it is one the few organizations undertaking For more information on ATP, to donate or to for the organization, which continues to evolve. return to communities for a three-year period large scale reforestation in Armenia. “We con - get involved, visit www.armeniatree.org. Garabedian noted, “Within the past 10 years, following planting to ensure that maintenance Pasadena Council Approves Armenian Genocide Memorial

MEMORIAL, from page 1 as the park should be reserved for American military casualties. “If this memorial is as successful as I think we hope it is I fear it will come at the cost of changing the meaning of Memorial Park,” vet - eran David Alexander said. “The memorial is fantastic, I think it merits its own park.” Many veterans spoke in support of building the monument at the centrally located park. Councilman Victor Gordo agreed, arguing that the Armenian community’s strong integration within the Pasadena community should merit the memorial’s inclusion in Memorial Park. “I think it’s important as people go to Memorial Park to honor the men and women who have served in the armed forces it’s an important reminder to young people and our community why it’s important to have an armed force ... to in many ways prevent atrocities such as this,” Gordo said. The city has officially recognizedthe anniver - sary of the Armenian Genocide for 30 years. In May 2012, a group of local Armenian leaders came together to form the Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial Committee (PASAGMC) and submitted an application for the memorial in May 2012. The final design, by Pasadena Art Center Environmental Design student Catherine Menard, was chosen from 17 propos - als submitted. The design consists of a sculp - tural tripod from which a drop of water would fall every 21 seconds into a basin beneath it. Approximately 1.5 million drops will fall over the course of a year. The proposed memorial became a controver - sy earlier this year within the local Armenian community after two different groups said they planned to submit competing designs. However, members of the Pasadena-based Armenian Community Coalition, did not attend the coun - cil meeting to express opposition. Kevork Keushkerian, of the Armenian Community Coalition, said though his group would still like to see its design incorporated into the one submitted to the council, its mem - bers decided to step back so the monument can move forward. “We decided not to go and object to the pro - posal because we thought the monument would represent all Armenians,” Keushkerian said. “It doesn’t matter as to who is behind it as long as it is done.” Board member Bill Paparian said the PASAGMC has already raised $40,000 to build the memorial, which will be funded and main - tained entirely by donations and after council approval, he said, there is still a ways to go to reach the monument’s “high-six figure” price tag.