THE ARMENIAN Mirrorc SPECTATOR Since 1932

Volume LXXXXII, NO. 1, Issue 4693 JULY 24, 2021 $2.00 Jivan Gasparyan, Armenian Musician Farewell to Ambassador Varuzhan Nersesyan WASHINGTON — The Armenian Embassy here hosted a farewell reception on Monday, Beloved By Rock July 19, for Ambassador Varuzhan Nersesyan and his family, who after two and half years of ser- vice has been reposted to Great Britain, Stars And Hollywood, starting August 1. Participants at the event included US Has Died State Department officials, members By Anastasia Tsioulcas of the US Congress, other ambassadors in NEW YORK (NPR) — Legendary the US and Armenian player Jivan Gasparyan died on July 6, ac- Community religious cording to a Facebook post by his grandson and organizations rep- and protégé, Jivan Gasparyan Jr. He was 92. resentatives in the US. He was a prolific performer, playing on the Primate Bishop soundtracks of many movies, from “The Last Daniel Findikyan Temptation of Christ” to “Gladiator.” He was opened the program, also a collaborator of musicians Peter Ga- followed by Acting briel, , the , Deputy Assistant Sec- Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Lionel Ritchie and retary Bureau of Eu- Queen’s , among many others. ropean and Eurasian No other details were provided. affairs of State Depart- Gasparyan (whose names are sometimes ment John Armstrong, transliterated as “Djivan” and “Gasparian”) John Armstrong speaks during the ceremony Rep. Jackie Speier, (D, was born October 12, 1928 in Solak, Arme- for outgoing Ambassador Nersesyan. (Photo by CA) and Ambassador nia, in a village near . At age six, he Haykaram Nahapetyan) Nersesyan. began learning the duduk — a double-reed

Foreign Diplomats Visiting Shushi Become Armenian Democratic Liberal Party Eastern District Part of Propaganda Campaign Committee Praises Amb. BRUSSELS, Belgium — The Euro- terrorist fighters, the Azerbaijani armed Nersesyan’s Tenure in US pean Armenian Federation for Justice forces deliberately destroyed Shushi’s and democracy (EAFJD) issued a state- civilian infrastructure and bombed the The following letter ment deploring the visit of foreign am- town’s main cathedral twice during the was sent by the Armenian bassadors and diplomats in Azerbaijan 44-day war in the autumn 2020. As a Democratic Liberal Par- to occupied Shushi in Nagorno Kara- result of this disastrous war unleashed ty Eastern District Com- bakh (Artsakh). by the Turkish-Azerbaijani tandem, mittee to Amb. Varuzhan The diplomats’ unfortunate decision the centuries-old Armenian town of Nersesyan, the now-former ambassa- to join this propaganda tour organized Shushi is now completely ethnically dor of to the US. by the Azerbaijani government is a cleansed of its Armenian population for regrettable act of approval and legiti- the first time in history. The Azerbaija- July 12, 2021 mization of the war crimes committed ni President later publicly and proudly by the same authoritarian and criminal announced that they “chased the Arme- Your Excellency Varuzhan Nersesyan Azerbaijani regime against the native nian population like dogs”. Ambassador, Republic of Armenia Armenian population of Shushi and It goes without saying that the refusal Washington, D.C. Nagorno Karabakh in general only few of the ambassadors the three co-chair months ago. countries of the Organization for Secu- Dear Mr. Ambassador, instrument close to the Western oboe — from In fact, with a massive support of Tur- rity and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) At the conclusion of your term as his father, who was also a musician. Years lat- key and the deployment of paid Syrian see PROPAGANDA, page 5 Armenia’s diplomatic representative to er, though, he said in interview with English the United States, music journalist Simon Broughton that his we salute you and biggest inspiration was going as a boy to the wish you well in cinema, and hearing duduk players accompa- your future mis- ny the films with their own improvisations. sion for Armenia. Within his own country, Gasparyan’s tal- During your ent was recognized early. He coaxed a whole tenure we wit- world of emotional expression out of his sim- nessed extensive ple instrument — one made of apricot wood, and productive diplomatic activity with only a one-octave range. By the time promoting and developing meaningful he was 20, Gasparyan was soloing with the relations between Armenia and United Yerevan Philharmonic Orchestra. He had a States, during which momentous events notable career in Armenia and the then-Sovi- took place in the Caucasus and around et Union; in 1973, he was the first musician the world, posing challenges for the ex- to be given the title of the People’s Artist of ecution of your mission. We are proud Armenia. to state that you met those challenges see GASPARYAN, page 9 Foreign diplomats visiting Shushi earlier in July see PRAISE, page 20

ARMENIA GERMANY KARABAKH Armen Grigoryan A Harp for Artsakh’s Economy: Tapped to Become The Post-war Armenia’s New FM Syndrome and Recovery Efforts Page 2 Page 15 Page 3 2 SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2021 ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR

ARMENIA NEWS from ARMENIA Reconstruction Works Continue at Amaras Armen Grigoryan Tapped to Supported by YEREVAN (Panorama.am) Become Armenia’s New FM — ”Reconstruction works contin- ue at complex YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Former secre- er Pashinyan has made an appointment in in Artsakh,” Deputy Chairman of tary of Armenia’s Security Council Armen the Foreign Ministry, bypassing the diplo- the Republican Party of Armenia Grigoryan has been appointed first deputy matic corps. Acting Deputy Prime Minis- (RPA) Armen Ashotyan wrote on minister of foreign affairs in a move that ter Tigran Avinyan said that “the political Facebook, adding the initiative is ruling party representatives see as a pre- appointment is needed for establishing a supported by Luys Foundation and lude to his appointment to the currently certain connection between the diplomatic the continuous support of former vacant ministerial position. corps and the political leadership in order President Serzh Sargsyan. “This Grigoryan, 38, is a member of the ruling to remove the differences that have existed is Amaras - the ancient Armenian Civil Contract party. He graduated from to some extent.” “I think that on the whole spiritual and education center the Department of International Relations this is a positive appointment,” Avinyan standing alone in the face of the en- of and later from said. emy forces. This the place, where the American University of Armenia, but Grigoryan was one of the few officials Mesrop Mashtots established the has no experience of diplomatic work. who criticized the decision of the Rus- first Armenian school. The old Grigoryan coordinated electoral pro- sian-led Collective Security Treaty Organi- mulberry tress at the monastery grams for the anti-corruption organization, zation (CSTO) not to support Armenia in yard know more about the history Transparency International, before becom- Armen Grigoryan its current border standoff with Azerbaijan, of our people than thousands of ing one of the key figures of Armenia’s advising that the CSTO’s secretary-general our compatriots. Visit Artsakh!” 2018 “Velvet Revolution.” He was ap- tional interests,” he said. show restraint in his public remarks. Ashotyan wrote, sharing photos pointed secretary of the Security Council Later it was Grigoryan who accused Political analyst Armen Baghdasaryan from the scene. after the revolution. Ayvazyan of torpedoing the government believes that if Grigoryan is appointed for- Chief of Pashinyan’s staff Arayik Haruti- work on the repatriation of Armenian pris- eign minister, there will be drastic changes unyan introduced Grigoryan to the staff of oners of war from Azerbaijan by lying as Armenia will start pursuing a pro-West- Makunts Gives up the Foreign Ministry on Wednesday, July that Yerevan had no minefield maps that it ern foreign policy. Parliament Seat for 14. In his remarks he expressed confidence could pass on to the Azerbaijani side. “Considering his track record, his nu- Reported U.S. Envoy that Grigoryan will encompass the tasks set Ayvazyan’s resignation was followed by merous statements, I think it will be very to him by the government. the resignations of all four of his deputies. difficult for him to pursue a pro-Russian Job Grigoryan, for his part, said that he was The resignation of one deputy minister, Ar- foreign policy. In case of a sharp change in YEREVAN (PanARMENIAN. convinced that “we will jointly implement men Ghevondyan, was not accepted by the Armenia’s foreign policy, will try to Net) — Lawmaker from the ruling all the tasks outlined in the electoral pro- government and he continued to serve not react as harshly as possible,” Baghdasarian Civil Contract party Lilit Makunts gram of the Civil Contract party that will to leave the ministry without the leadership said. has relinquished her seat in the Ar- also be reflected in the government’s pro- altogether. Baghdasarian believes that career diplo- menian parliament. This was con- gram.” Lawmaker Artur Hovannisian, a mem- mats would not agree to cardinal changes firmed by Armen Smbatyan, the Armenia has had no foreign minister ber of the Civil Contract party, confirmed in Armenia’s foreign policy, so Pashinyan Secretary of the country’s Central since May 31. In his farewell speech to that Grigoryan is also their candidate for has been looking for a candidate for the top Electoral Commission on July 20, the ministry staff former Foreign Minister the post of foreign minister. He said that post outside the Foreign Ministry. Sputnik Armenia reports. Ara Ayvazyan made it clear that he had there was a discussion within the party on “It is searching for and finding allies that According to earlier reports and resigned because of policy disagreements this issue. “There are difficult processes is the main task of diplomacy. But Arme- comments from Makunts herself, with Pashinyan. that we must go through, and, yes, we need nia’s dependence on Russia today in all re- the former lawmaker is expected to “The reason for my decision to resign people who can make decisions in difficult spects, and primarily in the security sphere, be appointed Armenia’s ambassa- was to make sure that there are never any situations based on the interests of the Re- is so great that I think it would not be a dor to the United States. Makunts suspicions that this ministry could take public of Armenia and implement these de- reasonable decision to appoint someone was named the Minister of Culture some steps or agree to some ideas, initia- cisions,” he said. whom Russia absolutely does not trust,” in Armenia back in 2018, and was tives going against our statehood and na- For the first time since coming to pow- he said. elected a member of parliament later in the year. She confirmed in January that her appointment as the Armenian Ambassador to the Unit- ed States was on the table. While critics said the lawmaker does not Arrests of Armenian Opposition Mayors Continue have sufficient experience in dip- YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Law-enforce- claims that Arushanyan ordered the head of of power and forgery of official documents. lomatic work for such an appoint- ment authorities arrested on Friday, July a village close to to provide financial One of the two other arrested Syunik ment, Makunts claimed back then 16, the elected heads of two more commu- aid to local residents who will promise to mayors, Manvel Paramazyan, ran the town that “in some cases” such experi- nities of Armenia’s southeastern Syunik vote for Hayastan. It says that the village of Kajaran, while the other, Mkhitar Za- ence does not play a “priority role.” province affiliated with the main opposi- chief, Lusine Avetyan, refused to do that. karyan, headed a larger community com- (See related story on Page 1.) tion Hayastan bloc. Avetyan herself was arrested about two prising the towns of Meghri and Agarak Four other local government officials weeks ago for allocating such aid from the and nearby villages. Like Arushanyan and Russian Peacekeepers were arrested earlier this month on differ- community budget to several villagers in Sargsyan, they are senior members of Ha- ent charges condemned by the bloc as po- May. The says that the cash handouts yastan. Use UAVs to Monitor litically motivated. ranging from 100,000 drams to 220,000 The bloc, led by former President Rob- Karabakh Ceasefire The latest detainees run the Syunik com- drams ($200-$440) per person were vote ert Kocharyan, finished second in the snap munities comprising the towns of Goris bribes. elections won by Prime Minister Nikol YEREVAN (Panorama.am) — and Sisian and surrounding villages. Arushanyan strongly denied the accusa- Pashinyan’s party. It has condemned the ar- The military personnel of the Joint Goris’s Arush Arushanyan, was remand- tions when he spoke to journalists before rests, saying that the Armenian authorities Russian-Turkish Center continue a Yerevan court allowed investigators to are trying to suppress the country’s leading to carry out tasks to monitor com- arrest him. He said the poverty benefits ap- opposition force. pliance with the ceasefire regime proved by the local council were allocated The arrested mayors were already in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on a regular basis and had nothing to do charged with other crimes this winter. zone. Monitoring of the situation with the elections. They were among the heads of more than is carried out around the clock “The law stipulates that every year sums a dozen Syunik communities who issued with the help of unmanned aerial equivalent to 5 percent of our budget … in December statements condemning Pash- vehicles (UAVs) Forpost and Or- must be provided to socially vulnerable inyan’s handling of the autumn war with lan-10, the Russian Defense Minis- families,” said Arushanyan. Azerbaijan and demanding his resignation. try said in a July 20 statement. “The According to Arushanyan’s lawyer, Some of them encouraged supporters UAV crews carry out measures to Armen Melkonyan, the charges brought to disrupt Pashinyan’s December visit to control the situation in the zone of against his client are based on Avetyan’s Syunik. The prime minister faced angry the Russian peacekeeping contin- “contradictory testimony.” Melkonyan said protests when he finally toured Goris, Aga- gent according to the tasks of the Mayor Arush Arushanyan of Goris he will challenge the Goris mayor’s pre-tri- rak, Meghri and the provincial capital Ka- Joint Russian-Turkish Center. The al detention in Armenia’s Court of Appeals. pan in May. crew of the UAV Forpost conducts ed in pre-trial custody after being charged The head of the Sisian community, Artur During the election campaign Pashin- aerial surveillance 24 hours a day, with trying to buy votes ahead of the June Sargsyan, was detained overnight by an- yan vowed to wage “political vendettas” 7 days a week,” said crew leader of 20 parliamentary elections. other law-enforcement agency. The Inves- against local government officials support- unmanned aviation, Igor Petreev. The Special Investigative Service (SIS) tigative Committee charged him with abuse ing the opposition. SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2021 ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR 3 ARMENIA Artsakh’s Economy The Post-war Syndrome And Recovery Efforts

By Haykaram Nahapetyan Mirror-Spectator Video Correspondent STEPANAKERT/WASHINGTON — Every day Zor- ik Balayan sells souvenirs near Stepanakert’s iconic We Are Our Mountains (aka Grandmother and Grandfather) monument. When I approached him last month, there was only a small group of tourists, although the site was more crowded during my previous visits. Tourists from the US, Europe, or even China were not uncommon in Artsakh before 2020. “First coronavirus hit us. The borders were basically locked for months. Then the war started. We have had al- most no tourists here last year. Now we have some visi- tors – a tiny number compared to what used to be before,” said Balayan. Perhaps another reason why there are fewer visitors is Donara Ghazaryan baking authentic flat bread (zhengyalov hatz) in Stepanakert’s market that the number of accessible tourist sites has been re- duced due to the most recent aggression. More precisely, However, Artsakh has had a vibrant history, and there- of this year. Although by May the curve began to improve, Shushi is under occupation, Tigranakert’s millennia-old fore, despite losses, Karabakh still has many ancient mon- the total number of visitors before COVID and before war archeological site and museum are lost, and uments scattered throughout this millennia-old land, from was notably different, nearing 50 thousand tourists annu- is accessible to only a limited number of pilgrims who to Amaras, where Mesrop Mash- ally. tots had set up a school 16 centuries Those who carry Armenian passports can still enter ago. “Visit Artsakh, so that 100,000 Artsakh easily; the Russian peacekeepers and Artsakh’s Armenian compatriots of this land will patrols conduct routine checking only. However, “for- not feel they are abandoned,” wrote eigners” might need to apply for visas in advance. Artsakh’s Human Rights Defender “The economic situation in Artsakh before and after Gegham Stepanyan on his Facebook the war is significantly different,” said Aram Verdyan. page on June 29. Together with his fiancée, Aram became known as part In Stepanakert’s market, I met of the first, and so far the only, couple who married in Donara Ghazaryan, whom I inter- Dadivank after the territory came under Azerbaijan’s con- viewed during my previous trip to trol. The images of their marriage flashed in Armenian Artsakh in 2019. As before, she bakes media last December. Now Aram works as an adviser to and sells the delicious zhengyalov hatz Artsakh’s state minister (prime minister). - Artsakh’s authentic flat-bread rolls “The diaspora’s role in post-war recovery efforts can stuffed with herbs - right at the market be huge. I don’t mean just donating to Artsakh, but rather center. connecting the business people of our diaspora with Art- “During the combats, I was not sell- sakh’s business community in an attempt to advance the ing zhengyalov hatz, she said. “I was economy here,” added Aram while we were sitting in one collecting the herbs and baking rolls of Stepanakert’s main cafeterias. for the soldiers, not for sale. One day Whether through its IT industry, which can develop I was not here, and the missile struck working remotely, business consultation, or sending man- Zorik Babayan and Vrezh Babayan the market. The explosion broke my ufacturing technologies — any form of cooperation can fridge. Luckily we were not here; how- be helpful for the people of Artsakh, who love to work ever, I had to buy a new fridge,” said and learn, added Aram. Those who have a permanent job must await quite a process of negotiations that the Rus- Donara, pointing to the new refrigerator next to her. will more likely stay here. Those who merely get dona- sian peacekeepers have to conduct with the Azerbaijanis According to Nagorno-Karabakh’s government, Art- tions are more likely to go, summarized Aram as his pro- each time. sakh has had only 997 visitors during the first five months fessional opinion. Later, after returning to the United States, I connect- ed with Levon Gulyan, a young professional from Art- sakh who aims to develop a website that will connect any potential investor from the diaspora with a likely coun- terpart in Artsakh. His organization, called the “High Technologies and Strategic Planning Center” of the Na- gorno-Karabakh Republic, is setting up online resource that, as Levon worded it, “will serve as a platform, where investors will see various fields of opportunities: from IT to agriculture and the hotel industry.” “We will retain only monitoring functions: if the inves- tor is interested in how a business functions here, our orga- nization will conduct the investigation and provide the re- sults. We will supervise but not charge for it. Our sole goal is to create conditions for Artsakh’s progress,” said Levon during our Zoom dis- cussion. His ahim- nadram.com website is nearly ready and an addi- tional media presentation for diasporan media outlets is planned The author, at right, with Aram Hotel Europe in Stepanakert soon. Verdyan 4 SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2021 ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR

INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL NEWS Yury Dokhoian, Chess Coach Who Guided Armenian Shot Putter Competing for at Tokyo 2020 Garry Kasparov, Dies at 56 TOKYO (PanARMENIAN.Net) By Dylan Loeb McClain tired as a chess professional, Mr. Dokhoian metrics, a widely followed ranking system. — An Armenian athlete competing went on to have a successful career coach- He was awarded the title grandmaster, the for Georgia is participating in To- Athletes are not the only ones who need ing other elite players and Russian national highest in the game, by the International kyo Olympics, which open on July coaches. All top chess players have them teams. Chess Federation in 1988. 23 in Tokyo, Japan, Armenpress re- too. They are often experts at particular The International Chess Federation, the He stopped playing professionally when ports. Benik Abrahamyan is a shot elements of the game, or openings, that a game’s governing body, announced Dok- he began working with Kasparov. putter who also competed at the player feels he or she needs to work on. hoian’s death on Twitter. His daughter, After Kasparov retired, Dokhoian started 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de But they can fill many other roles. They Anastasia Dokhoian, said the cause was coaching Nadezhda and Tatiana Kosint- Janeiro, Brazil. He is a multiple can be confidants, friends, providers of Covid-19. seva, Russian sisters who became grand- champion and record holder, a consolation, psychologists and even, on In an appreciation on his website, Mr. masters under his tutelage. The sisters are participant of five Pan-Armenian Kasparov, whose among only 38 women out of more than Games and winner of the last four mother, Klara 1,700 grandmasters worldwide. and. He lives in . Kasparova, died Dokhoian was also the coach of the Rus- Georgia will compete in 11 sports of Covid-19 on sian national women’s team from 2006 to events at the Olympic Games in Christmas, ex- 2011. In 2010, with the Kosintseva sisters Tokyo: wrestling, judo, weightlift- plained how im- leading the way, the team won the gold ing, athletics, fencing, swimming, portant Dokhoian medal at the Chess Olympiad. tennis, boxing, karate, rhythmic had become to him After that, Dokhoian switched to coach- gymnastics and shooting. A total of as a coach. Dok- ing the men’s team, which had struggled 35 athletes will represent the coun- hoian took on that since winning the gold medal at the 2002 try in the Japanese capital. role in 1994, when Olympiad. In 2012, his first Olympiad as Kasparov was the its coach, the men’s team tied for first with Putin, Aliyev Meet in world champion. Armenia, taking silver when it narrowly “Working, walk- lost out on tiebreakers. ing, eating, talking, Dokhoian began working with Sergey YEREVAN (Armenpress) — it was a true rela- Karjakin in 2009. Seven years earlier, Mr. Russian President tionship. I spent Karjakin had become the youngest grand- and Azerbaijani President Ilham more time with master in history — he was 12 years, sev- Aliyev met in Moscow on July 20. him than anyone en months old at the time — but he was The official Kremlin website in- else before my re- struggling to live up to his early promise. forms that Putin thanked Aliyev for tirement in 2005,” With Dokhoian as his coach, Mr. Karjakin “finding compromise solutions” in Kasparov wrote. rose steadily up the ranks, finally qualify- normalization of the regional situa- “He gave me more ing to play a match for the world champi- tion, emphasizing that “if we want than chess prepa- onship in 2016 against Magnus Carlsen of settlement, we must pursue the The chess champion Garry Kasparov, left, with his coach, ration; he gave me Norway, the reigning titleholder. Though path of finding compromises.” Yury Dokhoian, “Working, walking, eating, talking, it was stability and confi- Karjakin ultimately lost, he led the match “Definitely, the solution of the a true relationship,” Mr. Kasparov said. “I spent more dence.” three-quarters of the way through. regional situation remains one of time with him than anyone else before my retirement in Yury Rafa- In his own tribute to Dokhoian, Karjakin the key issues. I know that you, 2005.”Credit...Mig Greengard elovich Dokhoian called him kind but demanding. “He was naturally, attach great importance was born on Oc- ready to work 24/7,” he wrote, “if he be- to that and I want to thank you rare occasions, guardians if there is an ac- tober 26, 1964, in a small village in Altai lieved in his protégé and saw a desire to for finding compromise solutions, tual physical altercation during or after a Krai, a southern region of Siberia, to Rafa- improve.” which are always very hard, but match. el and Raya Dokhoian. He learned to play In addition to his daughter, Dokhoian is if we want settlement, and we all From the job description, it is clear that chess from his father and soon demonstrat- survived by his wife, Elena, and his sister, want that, we must pursue that not every chess player is suited to be a ed so much aptitude for the game that his Irina. path. So far we have been able to coach; an unusual skill set is required. By family relocated near Moscow so that Yury Dokhoian’s most recent charge was An- do that for which I want to thank many accounts, Yury Dokhoian, a Russian could study at one of the chess schools drey Esipenko, a 19-year-old grandmaster you,” the Russian president said. grandmaster who died on July 1 in Mos- there. currently ranked No. 27 in the world. Earli- Earlier Dmitry Peskov, spokesper- cow at 56, had the necessary tools. The genial Dokhoian became a strong er this year, Esipenko became the youngest son of Putin, had said that no docu- He became one of the most successful player. From 1986 to 1993, he won or player to defeat Carlsen in a tournament ment was to be signed. coaches in the world and, for a decade, was shared first place in eight international tour- game. the coach of Garry Kasparov, the longtime naments; for a time, he was ranked among (This story was originally published in Destabilizes world champion. After Mr. Kasparov re- the top 35 in the world, according to Chess- the New York Times.) Other Countries through Mercenaries – Greek Foreign Ministry ATHENS (Panorama.am) — Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexandros Papaioannou on July 19 accused Turkey of destabiliz- Church in Turkey Vandalized ing other countries by keeping its forces and mercenaries in their ter- (PanARMENIAN.Net) — Two men in Turkey were filmed dancing on the roof of the Armenian Church of ritory. “Turkey is trying to distort Surp Takavor in Kadıköy, Istanbul on July 12. reality and create a smokescreen According to a video posted by HDP member Murad Mıhçı on Twitter, the men climbed onto the building near a cross, in order to hide its own constant while a group of others were seen dancing to loud violations of international law,” music and drinking nearby. he said in a statement, continuing: The church was vandalized in 2018 when the in- “As is well known, Turkey has is- scription “From Erzurum resident, this homeland is sued a threat of war against Greece ours” was spray-painted on it’s walls and garbage if Greece exercises its lawful rights was dumped at the front door. (casus belli); it violates national Earlier in the year, a man in Turkey organized a sovereignty and contests Greece’s barbeque party in the historic Armenian Sourp As- sovereign rights; it illegally occu- dvadzadzin Church (19th century) in the village of pies territories of other states and destabilizes other countries by Germuş, 10km northeast of the city of Urfa. Accord- maintaining troops and mercenar- ing to local media reports, the kebab seller cooked ies in their territory. the local liver kebab for a while and served it to peo- “At a time when it has one of the ple attending the “event”. The barbecue party, held largest landing forces facing the in the church and shared on social media, created a Greek islands, Turkey is shame- wave of reaction among users. lessly asking Greece, a country Many Armenian churches and historic heritage which is fully committed to the ob- sites in Turkey have been neglected or destroyed servance of international legality, over the decades. Others have been converted into to renounce its fundamental right mosques, cattle sheds and warehouses. The two men vandalizing the church of self-defense.” SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2021 ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR 5

INTERNATIONAL AGBU Europe Hosts Lectures on International Impact of By Harry Kezelian Importance of Armenian Genocide to Germans accepted racist, pseudo-scientific, and anti-Se- Mirror-Spectator Staff World History mitic narratives as not only a way to blame the Jews for After listening to Ihrig’s talk, Hosfeld’s, while informa- their problems - or the for the problems of the — An academic initiative sponsored this tive, seemed like an introduction. Ihrig spoke on many of Turks – but as a justification for mass murder. The victims summer by AGBU Europe, “Ideas & their Consequences: the same issues that Hosfeld brought up, but in a more ex- were the Armenians, in the past tense, but once the door Genocide and International Justice after 1919,” took place pansive way. His main purpose was to show that the Ar- was opened, the same arguments would be used to justi- on June 3 and 4. Co-sponsored by the Lepsius House in menian Genocide was an extremely consequential event fy Hitler’s reign of terror. The same far-right streams of Potsdam, the European Union of Jewish Students (EUJS) not only for Armenian and Turkish history, but for World thought that existed in Germany in the early 1920s were, and the Roma organization Phiren Amenca, the series of History, and to explain the vast consequences of this event of course, the same streams of thought that would create talks is leading up to an academic conference to be held that Armenians sometimes see as their own issue. and feed into the Nazi movement in the same decade. in late August in Berlin. Armenians are often heard stating that the Armenian Ihrig also points out the importance of the Armenian The academic conference began on the 100th anniversa- Genocide was the first of the 20th century and was the pre- Genocide in other aspects of human rights issues. It was ry of the Tehlirian trial, which followed the assassination cursor to the Holocaust, but aside from Hitler’s alleged the Talat Pasha assassination, he noted, and the Armenian of Ottoman Turkish wartime dictator and architect of the phrase “who today remembers the Armenians?” the actual case in general, that inspired Raphael Lemkin to formu- Armenian Genocide, Talat Pasha, by Ottoman-born Ar- historical connection has been little studied and is little late the legal definition of genocide and fight for its rec- menian revolutionary Soghomon Tehlirian. Tehlirian was known to Armenians — no matter how educated — alone ognition in international law after World War II and in acquitted of the charges of murder, though it was admitted to the rest of the world. response to the Holocaust. Franz Werfel’s well known that he had killed Talat, an outcome which, as the first two Ihrig showed decisively that the Armenian Genocide novel, The Forty Days of Musa Dagh, was written as me- speakers reminded us, had vast implications for interna- did in fact pave the way for the Holocaust and explained morialization of the Armenian Genocide, but its imme- tional human rights law. exactly how that happened. Trivia facts like Hitler’s quote diate context was the rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party to The first two speakers were Dr. Rolf Hosfeld of the and the phrase “first Genocide of the 20th century” are a power in Germany. Werfel, touring the country just before Lepsius House and Dr. Stefan Ihrig of the University of bit irrelevant as far as Ihrig is concerned. Hitler’s quote, Hitler became chancellor, read to audiences excerpts of Haifa. Both are authorities on the relations between Ger- while shown to be legitimate by Kevork Bardakjian, is the book depicting Enver Pasha’s rise to power as a warn- many and Turkey during the First World War, including still debated, and the first Genocide of theth 20 century ing to the public against the danger of Nazi rule. Ihrig the history of the Armenian Genocide. Both talks were was actually committed by German colonialists against notes that the novel was extremely popular in the Warsaw conducted via Zoom and introduced by members of the the Hereros of South-West Africa. But after listening to Ghetto and elsewhere among Jews under the Third Reich. AGBU Europe team in France. They are available to view Ihrig’s discourse, one will realize the massive impact the While reading the book gave some Jews courage and in- on YouTube. Armenian Genocide really did have and these question- spired resistance to the regime, others were disillusioned, ably true trivia facts become just that. thinking that if the Western world hadn’t even come to Tehlirian and International Law Ihrig showed that while atrocities against the Hereros the aid of the Christian Armenians, there was little hope Hosfeld’s lecture focused in on the Soghomon Tehlirian and other peoples deemed less than equal by European for the Jews. trial and examined its implications for international law. colonizers were a matter of intense debate, it was the Ihrig’s takeaway, though he actually mentions it at Tehlirian’s trial, though little known today in the Western Armenian Genocide that really turned mass murder into the beginning of his talk, is that the Armenian Genocide world, is a key reference in Hannah Arendt’s well-known a philosophical and moral quandary for Europeans. Ex- needs to be integrated into the general history narrative book, “Eichmann in ,” where the question is ex- plaining the European outlook of the time in a non-offen- because of its importance and stressing the above points, plored of how crimes against humanity can be punished sive way, Ihrig noted that it is unfortunate that Germans in order to tie it in with general European and World His- when the customary rules of legal jurisdiction have to be did not consider tribal Africans as equal human beings, tory. The conclusion can be made in an American context, foregone in order to do so. f but that is indeed how they were viewed. On the other that the World History curriculum in high schools needs Tehlirian’s trial, pointed out Hosfeld, was a politically hand, Ihrig argues, Germans essentially did view Arme- to be adapted not just to give a day or so on the Arme- engineered event on the part of the Armenian Revolution- nians as their equals. After all, they were Christian and nian Genocide as an extra and extraneous topic, but to ary Federation and the group under highly Westernized. This meant that the slaughter of the incorporate it into the historical narrative as the important the leadership of Shahan Natalie. Tehlirian was sent to kill Armenians in 1894-1896 and 1915-1918 had to be made and highly relevant topic that it is, having causes that are Talat and specifically to surrender to the police in order sense of, as opposed to the African peoples who could be major world events and consequences that are other major to be put on trial for murder. The trial was seen by the ignored. Because Germany was pro-Turkish in the 1890s world events (like the Holocaust). Armenian conspirators as an opportunity for the facts of and early 20th century, and because the two countries were Ihrig’s argument is that the Armenian Genocide has the Armenian Genocide to be proven in a Western court allies in the First World War, a public debate erupted in not attained the status it deserves in the Western world’s of law. The defense attorneys essentially argued that Te- the German press after the end of the war as to how to historical self-image because of a sort of chilling affect hlirian had been driven to temporary insanity by the ex- view and respond to the Armenian massacres. Just as Ger- caused by the continued activity of the denialists. Like perience of witnessing the massacre of his family, which many reacted to the imputation of war guilt and the Allied some kind of worldwide gaslighting campaign, Turkey necessitated testimony regarding the atrocities committed demands for reparations, they also reacted to the Allied and its army of denialists have sown doubt into the heart against the Armenians by the Ottoman government and condemnation of their wartime ally Turkey, though this is of the average historical generalist, and even the average the fact that Talat was ultimately responsible for those little known today. historian of the First World War, and caused writers to shy atrocities. Despite the fact that Tehlirian had actually been Ultimately, in the German public discourse, extreme away from including the Armenian case in their historical fighting on the Russian side when the massacres started, right-wing voices tried to justify the extermination of analysis on the chance that it might not have really hap- he was highly familiar with what had happened to fami- the Armenians by depicting them as a war-profiteering, pened and that if it did, it probably wasn’t that important lies like his, and his invented testimony was corroborated fifth-columnist, shrewd traitor race within the Ottoman anyway. According to Ihrig, that could not be further from as an accurate description of the massacres by German Empire who didn’t contribute to Turkish society. These the truth — not only for Armenians, but for all world cit- eyewitnesses who commented on the trial. were the same tropes that had been used since the 19th izens. German, American, and British papers at the time car- century to denigrate the Jews, and would be used again Both lectures were followed by question and answer ried the news of the trial and commentators inside and under the Nazis to justify Hitler’s “Final Solution.” Ihrig sessions moderated by the AGBU-affiliated organizers. outside the courtroom observed that the trial had become presents the postwar debate about the Armenian Geno- They can be watched at https://www.genocideandjus- more about the actions of Talat, the ostensible victim, cide as a turning point for European modernity where the ticeafter1919.com/videos. rather than the defendant, Tehlirian. In telling the sto- ry, Hosfeld also graces us with many little known facts, such as the Germano-British political games that led up to the assassination (both countries were well aware that Talat was hiding in Berlin) and the fact that one Mehmet Foreign Diplomats Visiting Shushi Become Zeki Bey along with his comrades of the Turkish Club in Berlin actually opposed the actions of the Committee of Part of Azerbaijan Propaganda Campaign Union and Progress and published an extensive document PROPAGANDA, from page 1 listing and denouncing Talat’s crimes. Minsk group – France, Russia and the USA, to join this trip, is a clear message that the Karabakh conflict is not In regard to international law, Hosfeld also noted the resolved yet. As a matter of fact, two of the three OSCE basic principles – non-use of violence and equal right to fact that prior to the coinage of the word “Genocide,” the self-determination of peoples- were blatantly violated during the war by the Azerbaijan authorities. phrase “Crimes Against Humanity” was already being It is a pity that the diplomats who visited Shushi did not choose to follow the example of the co-chair countries used, and that the Tehlirian trial was one of the first times of the OSCE Minsk group. By accepting the invitation, they became part of the propaganda campaign of Azer- it was used in a judicial setting. A young Raphael Lemkin baijan’s authoritarian regime. Moreover, they have undermined the efforts of the OSCE Minsk group co-chairs was following the trial and was troubled by the fact that of finding a lasting, peaceful and just resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Besides, these diplomats have it appeared typical legal rules had to be flouted in order completely ignored the fact that Azerbaijan continues to illegally keep and torture more than 200 Armenian pris- to punish the perpetrator of the most heinous atrocities oners of war and captives, using them as a political bargaining chip, in violation of the tripartite ceasefire statement imaginable. This became the impetus for Lemkin, when of November 2020 which also the Azerbaijani President signed and which stipulates the return of he saw the same thing happening to his own people, to all the captives and prisoners of war. push for a new category of crime: Genocide, a word he Furthermore, Azerbaijan continues to refuse international organizations such as UNESCO to access the Ar- coined. The ratification of the Genocide Convention was menian architectural and religious monuments in Nagorno Karabakh. In the meanwhile, documentation of des- Lemkin’s brainchild and the punishment of the Nazi com- ecration and even complete destruction of some of these religious monuments has emerged. Besides, since May manders at the Nuremburg Trials was ultimately based on 2021 the Azerbaijani army has encroached on the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia in its Syunik and an international law theory he had begun to develop after Gheghargunik regions while kidnapping Armenian servicemen. being upset with the unsatisfactory way that Tehlirian’s attorneys and the pro-Armenian side had to proceed in the Tehlirian trial. 6 SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2021 ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR Community News

Onanian Family AAF Delivers $7.4 Million Of Medicines to Armenia Honors Patriarch And Artsakh in the last Through Church Three months GLENDALE — The Armenia Fund Artsakh Fund (AAF) delivered $7.4 By Stephan S. Nigohosian million of humanitarian assistance to When the family of Edward Ona- Armenia and Artsakh during April to nian was searching for a way to June 2021. Of this amount, the AAF honor his legacy in perpetuity, they collected $7 million of medicines and had many options. But only one of other supplies donated by Direct R them would reflect the respect and Relief ($4.7 million); MAP Interna- appreciation he had for the staff of tional ($2.2 million) and Americares the Eastern Diocese, providing them ($140,071). with peace of mind in their retirement Other organizations which contrib- years. So, it comes as no surprise uted valuable goods during this pe- that his family recently established a riod were the Armenian Missionary $500,000 Armenian Church Endow- Association of America ($222,000) ment Fund (ACEF) endowment in and the Howard Karagheusian Com- his memory to benefit the lay staff of memorative Corp. ($76,000). the Eastern Diocese. The high esteem The medicines, medical supplies and appreciation for their outstanding donated during this period were service to the church was something sent to the AGBU Claudia Nazarian Edward had witnessed countless Medical Center for Syrian Armenian times through his involvement in Di- Refugees in Yerevan, Arabkir United ocesan initiatives and activities. “My Children’s Foundation, ARDA Hu- father was a strong advocate for every Diocesan Primate Bishop Daniel Findikyan on one of his visits to St. Greg- manitarian Fund, Kanaker Zeytoun member of the Diocesan staff,” said ory the Illuminator Church of Binghamton, NY, which will celebrate its 90th Medical Center, Muratsan Children’s Laurie Onanian. “He greatly valued anniversary in October 2021. Endocrinology Center, St. Grigor their hard work and dedication, and Lusavorich Medical Center, and the his background in labor relations fu- health ministries of Armenia and Art- eled his lifelong efforts to ensure a se- A ‘Renaissance’ Comes to sakh. cure future for the non-clergy work- During the first six months of 2021 ers, just as he had previously done for AAF delivered much-needed medi- the clergy.” Binghamton’s St. Gregory the cines and medical supplies for treat- The Onanian family’s background ment of COVID-19 patients, as well in financial and business sectors as medicines and medical supplies for proved to be one of the guiding fac- Illuminator Armenian Church oncology, cardio vascular and gastro- tors they used in choosing ACEF for By Florence Avakian intestinal patients plus a full container their generous gift, ultimately solid- of hygiene products. BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Michael Findikyan was only 14 years old when he first ifying their decision to establish the In the past 32 years, including the stepped into an Armenian Church. That church was the St. Gregory the Illuminator endowment. The ACEF portfolio’s shipments under its predecessor, the Armenian Church in Binghamton, NY. consistent track record of growth United Armenian Fund, the AAF Now as Bishop Daniel Findikyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian and positive returns, coupled with its delivered to Armenia and Artsakh a Church of America, he emotionally recalls how on Christmas Eve of January 1976, mission of maximizing the financial grand total of $931 million worth of he followed his father into the church, and sat in the last pew. “The church was not strength of individual parishes by en- relief supplies on board 158 airlifts my home. It was a strange place. I had not grown up in the Armenian Church. I don’t and 2,502 sea containers. remember my feelings at that time.” “The Armenia Artsakh Fund is reg- It was shortly after that first encounter that the church priest, Fr. Kevork Arake- ularly offered free of charge millions lian was invited to the Findikyan home for dinner. The priest’s “warm, friendly and of dollars of life-saving medicines loving” demeanor made a deep impression on young Michael. “I felt embraced and and medical supplies. All we have to loved. That day was the beginning of my association with St. Gregory Church, “ he do is pay for the shipping expenses. states with great feeling. We welcome your generous dona- Following that “life-changing meeting, the St. Gregory Church became my home,” tions to be able to continue delivering says the Primate, his eyes glowing. He became immersed in the church, attending the this valuable assistance to all medi- Armenian School, Sunday School, and becoming the organist at age14. “Fr. Kevork cal centers in Armenia and Artsakh,” brought stacks of organ books to my home, and my mother, Ursula of German back- stated Harut Sassounian, the Presi- ground, befriended the Armenian women and became Women’s Guild chairperson in dent of AAF. the 1980s.” “I would like to thank ARDA (Ar- For the first time, he felt that he belonged to a church. “The people welcomed me Ed Onanian with Archbishop Tor- menian Relief Development Asso- like their own. The kids my age embraced me.” American-born Fr. Kevork (George) kom Manoogian ciation) for contributing to the AAF was the catalyst for Michael Findikyan to become a priest. $11,500 for the shipping and handling abling them to invest as a community, Celebrating 90 Years in October expenses of $2.2 million of much was the stable foundation the fami- On October 17, 2021, the 90th anniversary of the St. Gregory the Illuminator needed medicines in Armenia, ac- ly sought to build Edward’s legacy Church in Binghamton, NY will be celebrated in grand style. quired by the AAF. I hope the ARDA upon. And attending will be the Primate, Bishop Daniel Findikyan, along with many oth- donation will serve as an example to “My entire family felt comfortable ers. Among the most faithful will be 92-year-old Grace (nee Sarkisian) Baradet. The other donors so AAF can continue its establishing this endowment, since church has mirrored her life since childhood as she has witnessed and been a major life-saving humanitarian mission in we trust the people in ACEF,” Laurie part of its evolution. Armenia,” stated Harut Sassounian. said. “We knew that the money would “I remember the purchase of the church in 1927, its renovation, and especially Fr. For more information, email: sas- be in good hands and would help Kevork who first came as a deacon. He then became the designated priest with his [email protected]. those who most certainly deserve it.” Yeretzgin Sandra for the next five years. He was young and warm and related to the The Onanian family’s connection to youth. The church was like a family, and still is today,” she enthuses. the Armenian church began decades “When the church was first bought, there was a pot-bellied stove in a tiny kitch- ago, and has played an integral part of en. The edifice expanded in the late 1940s. There were constant renovations, includ- their spiritual and social lives to this ing the sanctuary, the hallways, and the kitchen. Our permanent priest became the day. At an early age, Edward became Very Rev. Fr. Sooren Chinchinian in the 1980s. And before the 1970s and 1980s, a member of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob the ‘Southside Binghamton Ecumenical Council,’ which included clergy and faithful Church of Providence, RI, and was from a number of protestant denominations and two Catholic churches on the south active in its ACYOA chapter, later side of Binghamton, joined us for services and discussions.” becoming Central Council Chairman. She remembers that when the weather was sunny, “we had picnics on a nearby Later in life when his family moved farm after church service, like a close-knit family get-together. There were picnic to Washington, D.C., they became pa- tables and a close-by river for swimming. Sr. Gregory was not only our church, but rishioners at St. Mary Church. our family community.” see OHANIAN, page 7 continued on next page AAF delivering aid in , SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2021 ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS ‘Renaissance’ Comes to Binghamton’s St. Gregory the Illuminator Church from previous page Then Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsami- St. Gregory Church two long weekends a with voiced pride. The church had a Sunday School, Ar- an appointed a number of visiting priests, month, complete with home blessings and Findikyan fully agrees. “This Renais- menian language school, youth activities, including Rev. Frs. Michael Devejian, visitations, and a series of meetings the rest sance is a new burst of life. Fr. Kapriel will and dinners prepared by the Ladies Guild. Daniel Karadjian, Garen Gdanian, Arsh- of the week. “The people are so warm, in- be the shepherd of the community. He will Grace Baradet was immersed in church ac- en Aivazian, Garabed Kochakian, and the cluding the youngsters. There were ten or teach the faith, prayer, Armenian Church tivities, including 60 years in the Ladies’ Very Rev. Frs. Daniel Findikyan, and Sim- eleven young kids in the choir on Easter. life and language to the children. Also, he Guild, a member of the parish council, as eon Odabashian.” These youngsters are very much a part of will train altar servers and deacons. The well as co-director of the youth group, and Currently, Bishop Daniel has appoint- this growing parish. I am fortunate to be church and people are the same. Five, ten a singer in the choir. She also organized an ed Rev. Fr. Kapriel Mouradjian as the with all the parishioners.” years ago, Binghamton was on the verge Armenian heritage cooking class, collect- permanent visiting priest in March 2021. Fr. Kapriel “loves church life,” and loves of death. Now the future will be bright for ing recipes from the older women. She relates: “He will teach Her busy life included working in the religious education and Ar- U.S. State Department as an administrator menian language classes to for six years. Her husband of French-Ar- children, reinvigorate our menian background was a top IBM official, choir, and incorporate new and their two sons also “loved the Arme- ideas. At present there are nian Church.” She remembers the young 40 families in the parish, Michael Findikyan and regards him “like a with seven families from son. I watched him grow up.” She has high Armenia, and one from Bei- praise for “his humility, and devotion to his rut. And we have 20 chil- faith.” dren who love to come to But with the economic decline of Bing- church and see each other, hamton in the 1980s, there followed a including Nina Findikyan, great exodus of the younger people. The niece of the Primate.” main businesses being IBM, the Endicott Dedication and Service Johnson Shoe business and AGFA camera Ordained a priest on July were huge losses. Also, SUNY University 17, 2003, after a successful of Binghamton had a student population of life as a mortgage banker, 85,000 then. Rev. Fr. Kapriel Mouradjian “Every year since 2002, the Armenian “had always wanted to be Genocide was and has been commemorat- a priest since childhood.” ed at a stone memorial plaque we installed, Now the priest appointed and trees we have planted nearby.” by the Primate at St. Greg- Fr. Kapriel Mouradjian, permanent visiting priest of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in Bing- However, the church “always remained ory the Illuminator Church hamton, NY, teaches children in the parish school. The parish will celebrate its 90th anniversa- open and active. We were and are one big in Binghamton, he calls his ry in October 2021. happy family. It is our way of bonding,” current position as a “great Grace Baradet repeated with obvious pride. experience in the study of people, and a going to work as a priest, but acknowledg- fifteen years and beyond.” On an Upswing trust in the future.” es that there are “people who don’t take Bishop Daniel calls the church and the Now the church and community are on Married to Diane (nee Mahtesian), Fr. priesthood seriously, who don’t make it community “my family. This is where I an upswing, she says happily. “New fam- Kapriel and Yeretzgin have two children, easy to make a church vibrant.” He has grew up and was nurtured. I am the first ilies have come from Beirut and Armenia. and one grandson. They recently celebrated great admiration for all the clergymen who Primate of the Eastern Armenian Diocese And the University has a burgeoning pop- their 33rd wedding anniversary. inspired him, and for the “warrior priests” who was born in the Diocese.” ulation, and an exchange program with Now 58 years old, he calls his four-year like Rev. Hovhannes, the pastor of the re- “I am a bishop who came out of a small vered Dadivank church in Artsakh “who parish and I am sensitive to the values of was both a priest and a soldier, and who small parishes. The smallest parishes will symbolizes the unbreakable and indomita- take our church forward. They are easi- ble spirit infused with our identity.” ly overlooked,” he said, adding, “The five He again praises the people of the Bing- priests I have ordained so far have all been hamton parish for their grit and strength. assigned to the smaller parishes of our Dio- “Four years ago, one would never have cese. I am so happy to say that my spiritual thought that this would be a living parish. It and life experience is from a small parish that is remarkably a Renaissance,” he declared is now experiencing a glorious renaissance!”

Onanian Family Honors Patriarch Through Church Fund OHANIAN, from page 6 Regardless of which parish he belonged to, Edward would serve on parish coun- cils, Building and Investment Committees and immerse himself in any of the activ- ities to strengthen the church. It was during the ten years that Edward served on the

Bishop Daniel grew up in the Binghamton community, and found his calling by serving its church. A newspaper photo of parish altar servers from the 1980s.

Armenia.” Throughout the economic up- study program at St. Nersess Armenian heaval in Binghamton, the church “always Seminary 21 years ago “a bonding experi- remained open and active. We now have ence where one learned about oneself and Armenian doctors, professors, lawyers, and others.” At his ordination on his birthday other professionals.” (“not a coincidence”), he prayed for “God Another stalwart soldier of the church to give me strength and make me worthy and community has been Mary Ann of this work.” He served for 17 and a half Jamgochian, parish council treasurer, an years in the New Britain, CT, parish before Onanian Family with Archbishop Torkom Manoogian in 1987 Italian married to retired engineer Law- being assigned to Binghamton. rence Jamgochian with two stepchildren. “I Several clergymen had a profound ef- feel American and Armenian,” she declares fect on his decision to become a priest, Diocesan Council that the staff’s high level of dedication made a lasting impression proudly. An educator, she taught high including Rev. Frs. Haig Donikian, and on him. For this reason, he felt it was his duty to make sure they had financial secu- school mathematics for 37 years, and was Karekin Kasparian, the Very Rev. Fr. Vaz- rity by way of an annual retirement benefit. brought up as a Roman Catholic. Since her ken Karayan, Bishop Daniel Findikyan (“I Through the benevolence of the Onanian family, the life and legacy of Edward marriage, she has been a strong foundation have the highest regard for his education will carry forward in the spirit with which it began: taking care of those who have for St. Gregory’s Church. and devotion”), and Archbishop Khajag taken care of the Armenian church. “My father felt like God had blessed him and “Our city’s resurgence began in the Barsamian (“whom I love and respect and that he had a good life,” recalls Laurie. “He was a bright person who wanted to use 1990s with the University of Bingham- am forever grateful to for our candid dis- his knowledge and acumen for the sake of the church. Through this endowment, my ton, which is renowned for its engineer- cussions”). family has ensured that his wish has become a reality.” ing, pharmaceutical and nursing programs. His busy schedule includes being at 8 SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2021 ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR

OBITUARY

sary of Armenian book printing, and Proj- Van Aroian ect Save’s “Looking at Ourselves” with the Worcester Historical Society. Urban Renewal and Armenian Community Leader In 1975, Van co-founded Oriental Rug Treasures, a store in Sudbury, selling fine WORCESTER, Mass. — Van Mihrean His sharp mind led him to teaching and oriental rugs. With his integrity and hones- Aroian passed away on July 14, 2021. pursuit of a doctoral degree in geography at ty, he saw this an opportunity to share his Born in Boston in 1927, Van was the Clark University, moving to Worcester in love of art and connecting with others. middle child of Mihran and Satenig Ar- 1959. He met his love and life-long com- Following his retirement, Van remained oian, a survivor of the Armenian Genocide, panion and wife of 63 years, Mary Balekd- an amazing husband, father, grandfather, and had two sisters, Alice (Roat) and Myra jian, marrying in 1957. and friend. (Ellis). To raise his family, he left Clark Uni- Based on years of research at the Getty Van grew up in Boston’s South End versity and eventually became Deputy Museum in Los Angeles, Van published a and Jamaica Plain, working family farms Director of the Worcester Redevelopment scholarly piece in the Journal of Armenian around Sterling in summers. Authority, where he dedicated his energies Studies on the important contributions of Van was energetic, gregarious, generous, toward urban renewal, amelioration of pov- Armenians to photography in the Ottoman and intelligent. He attended Boston Latin erty, and revitalizing the city of Worcester. Empire, giving seminars on the East and and graduated from Jamaica Plains High Helping others and promoting justice and West Coasts. School, where he excelled in academics equality were among his passions. Van was a Renaissance man with sharp and track. During this time, he and Mary raised two wit, enormous strength and fighting spirit, He served in the US Army during World boys, Mihran and , instilling in them generosity, wisdom, compassion, sparkling War II from 1945 to 1947, after which he his positivity, strong work ethic, dedica- eyes, and boundless love and optimism. received a BA in history from Boston Uni- tion toward helping others, love for family, where he served as treasurer and, until his The world has lost a great man. versity (Phi Beta Kappa) and Master’s in friends, and their Armenian heritage, being death, board member. He is survived by his wife Mary, his sons Middle Eastern history from Harvard Uni- inclusive and welcoming, love of classical Van was dynamically involved in the Ar- Mihran and Raffi, their wives Karen and versity. He also worked at the Arnold Ar- art and music, and going out for a drive or menian community of Worcester, includ- Jeanine, and his four grandchildren Has- boretum and made many lifelong friends. for ice cream. ing the Armenian Church of Our Saviour mig, , Diran, and Zoe. He lost both parents at a relatively early His love of his Armenian heritage was al- Parish Council, Director of the Armenian The funeral service was on Tuesday, July age. While remembering them with love ways in the front, with more than 50 years Children’s Milk Fund, the Worcester Ar- 20, at the Armenian Church of Our Sav- and honor, he always looked to the present of commitment to National Association for menian Book Commemoration Committee iour, 87 Salisbury Street, Worcester. Burial and not the past. Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR), exhibit to commemorate the 500th anniver- followed at Hope Cemetery.

Barbara V. Dorian Leon William Kachadorian Loving Aunt, Business Leader Active St. James Member

BELMONT, Mass. — Barbara V. Dorian BELMONT, Mass. — Leon William of Belmont, MA passed away on July 3, Kachadorian of Belmont passed away on 2021. July 2, 2021 at the age of 86. She was the daughter of the late Daniel He was pre-deceased by his parents Wil- K. and Helene Dorian; sister of Daniel K. liam and Elize Kachadorian. He leaves his Dorian Jr. and his wife Lisa Kolligian, Jan- sister Joyce Guleserian of Arlington and ice Dorian, and Lois Malconian and her was the loving uncle of Mark Guleserian husband Ronald; aunt of Ashley and her and his companion Debbie Clabough of husband Scott Martin, Amanda and her Powder Springs, GA, Gary and Elizabeth husband Matthew Keller, Sarah and her Guleserian of Burlington and Matthew and husband Kwasi Mensah, Ronald Malco- Terri Guleserian of Westwood. He also nian and Danielle and her husband Gary leaves his great-nieces and great-nephews Dodakian and great-aunt of Matthew and Samantha, Michael Charles, Isabella and Daniel Dorian Keller. twins Lillian and Gunther Guleserian. Barbara graduated from Belmont High Leon attended the Belmont schools and School in 1976 and Bentley University in graduated from Northeastern University 1980, where she formed many cherished with a degree in business. He served in the Students Assoc. (ASA), as well as the Na- and lifelong friendships. She served as VP US Army from 1957 to 1959 and remained tional Association for Armenian Studies of Mansfield Beauty School and formerly ing elaborate dishes for holiday gatherings. in the reserves until 1963. and Research (NAASR). Lakes Region Cinemas, Guilford NH. Deeply loyal and protective, Barbara al- Upon his return from the service, he Leon loved spending time with family Barbara was also a longtime member of ways did all she could for her inner circle worked for Thompson and Thompson in and friends, and he especially adored his cat Oakley Country Club. of friends and family. Boston and Fidelity Investments in Boston Becky. Leon will be greatly missed by all. Barbara’s gift was to leave a lasting im- Although Barbara will be deeply missed, and Smithfield, RI. Funeral Services were held at St. James pression on each person with whom she her memory will forever shine brightly in Leon was an active member of St. James Armenian Church, 465 Mt. Auburn St. crossed paths. She was a great leader, a all those who loved her. Armenian Church in Watertown, serving as Watertown, on Tuesday, July. Interment trusted confidante, an animal lover, a tal- The funeral services were at Holy Trin- chairman of the Bingo Group and a mem- followed at Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Cam- ented cook, and most of all a truly “great” ity Armenian Church, 145 Brattle Street, ber of the Boston Chapter of the Armenian bridge. aunt. Barbara’s greatest joys were often Cambridge on Friday July 9. simple moments: sitting by the Broken Arrangements were by the Aram Bedro- Sound pool with family, taking her nieces sian Funeral Home, Watertown, MA . and nephew to movie premieres, and cook- SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2021 ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR 9

OBITUARY Jivan Gasparyan, Armenian Musician Beloved By Rock Stars And Hollywood, Has Died GASPARYAN, from page 1 came acquainted with Gasparyan’s music, heard Gasparyan play at a per- however, via the soundtrack to the 1988 formance in Moscow in 1988, and prompt- Martin Scorsese film, “The Last Tempta- ly invited him to London, where Eno in- tion of Christ,” which was curated by Peter troduced him to Michael Brook. Brook Gabriel. Gasparyan also appeared as part of produced Gasparyan’s first international the scores and soundtracks to “Dead Man Walking,” “Blood Diamond,” “Syriana” and “Gladiator,” among other Hollywood films, as well as Armenian-Canadian director Atom Egoyan’s “Cal- endar.” He transformed the duduk from a purely folk instrument — one played by shepherds — into a force on the concert stage. Remarkably, Gaspary- an, who grew up not knowing how to read music, enrolled At a concert dedicated to the centennial of the at the Yerevan Conservatory of Music at age 52; later, he Armenian Genocide (Aurora Prize photo) Flanked by musical friends, at left and Brian May became a professor there. But album, “Moon Shines at Night.” (In the what he accomplished during his career interim, Eno managed to license another was remarkable — not just in terms of his ra. Upon learning of his death, the former them world renown and recognition. I bow Gasparyan recording, “I Will Not Be Sad personal achievement, but also what he ac- , Robert Kocharyan, with great gratitude before his merit and in This World,” from the Soviet state label, complished for his instrument’s profile. wrote: “Djivan Gasparyan is one of the memory.” , and issued it outside the USSR Gasparyan was also an important am- greatest musicians who raised the Arme- To see a performance of Gasparyan with on his own label, Opal Records.) bassador of Armenian culture, for both his nian performing arts and, in particular, folk Queen’s Brian May, visit https://www.you- Most international audiences first be- country and the far-flung Armenian diaspo- wind instruments to a new level, giving tube.com/watch?v=14Xyi-5WgAI&t=26s

and & history for 25 He was extremely proud of his three chil- Hagop Artin Kitabjian years, he became a founding member of dren, Sona, David, and Paul, and 6 grand- the KNAR Armenian Choral Group where children, Ellie, Autumn, Matthew, Jesse, Hagop Artin Kitabjian was born in Alep- the University of Pennsylvania, where he he spared no energy singing his favor- William, and Elijah. He cherished his wife po, Syria on November 24, 1932, to Ha- earned a Master of Science in Architectural ite Armenian songs with his best friends; Pam dearly, whose photos still adorn his rutune Kitabjian and Nergiz Minassian. Engineering. founded The Armenian Inter-Communal computer desktop and cover the walls at his The grandchild of victims of the Genocide After facilitating the immigration of his Committee of Philadelphia out of his ded- home some 15 years after her passing, and against Armenians of 1915, “Hagopig” also extended family into the US, Hagop settled ication to bridge church denominations whose love for him has been the subject of lost 4 sisters at young ages, his father when down with a lovely, American-born Arme- and political parties that were dividing the over a half century of stories to families he was only 3, and his mother when he was nian nursing student, Pamela Zartarian, with whom he raised three children in the Philly Armenian community, and bring us and strangers alike. Philadelphia area, Sona, David, and Paul. together to celebrate what we have in com- And Hagop never forgot an act of kind- And now, in Hagop’s own words: “Al- mon; became a member of the Knights of ness or generosity that was ever shown to though, I was an architectural engineer, Vartan, performing as Ghevont Yerets for him, expressing his appreciation to those but my main purpose in life was more 27-years; became a founding member of people incessantly throughout his life, and than simply designing and supervising the the Armenian Sisters Academy; became also recounting their kindness to others. construction of many multi-story luxury a charter member of the Ararat Song and Even in his final weeks, in his pain, Hagop apartment buildings, hospitals, science & Dance Ensemble and so much more, in- was still making sure the nurses by his bed engineering buildings, libraries, fine arts cluding giving numerous lectures on Arme- knew how grateful he was for how they centers and six college campuses… My nian Architecture, poetry, and music. were taking care of him. main purpose in life was my strong desire Hagop received a countless number Perhaps most of all, Hagop attributed his to serve the Armenian Church and the Ar- of awards, including appearing in Who’s blessings in life to God, whose human mes- menian community.” Who in North America. But his greatest sengers in his life he always referred to as And he lived up to his goals with a prolif- legacy may be with the people he knew. “angels.” ic record both professionally and culturally. Hagop was a registered architect in 3 states and served on numerous profession- al boards. Anyone travelling through Phil- Minnie Shoushanian adelphia will see several of his high-rises Dedicated to Church, ARS still standing some 60 years later, including: The Philadelphian across from the Art Mu- FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. — Min- seum, Penn-Towers, and Park City West. nie Shoushanian passed away June 24, And his buildings are all over the campuses 2021, in her home in Farmington Hills. She 18. Raised largely by his older brother Gar- of Hampton Institute, Grove City College, was 89. bis, Hagop was the only family member to Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Sci- Minnie (Mannig) Mooradian was born receive education past elementary school. ence, Widener University, Gordon Conwell January 7, 1932, in Detroit. Her parents But “Jacko” directed his energy into his Theological Seminary, and Westminster were Arshag and Satenig (nee Aslanian) church, where he served regularly as an Theological Seminary. And his lengthy Mooradian. Growing up in the Armenian acolyte, and into his school studies, where tenure as Chief Architect for Astra-Zeneca community of Delray, she attended Cary he quickly became top of his class. Grad- leaves a record equally impressive. Elementary School and graduated from uating first in his high school and college But his contributions to the Armenian Southwestern High School, where she had classes, his intention was nonetheless still church and community leave a wake whose played basketball and had earned a Letter to become a silversmith like his broth- impact on the Philadelphia community and Sweater in Fencing. er. But his professors insisted he pursue beyond is truly hard to quantify or quali- Upon graduating from high school, she graduate work overseas, which led him to fy. Besides having taught Sunday School worked in accounting at Revere Copper and Brass. She married Charles Shoushanian June 4, 1955, and they were blessed with the birth of two daughters, Suzan and Denise. Minnie, always involved in her com- munity, was an active member of the ARS Suzan and son-in-law Dr. John Zazaian; Sybille chapter and, as a teacher, she taught grandchildren Dr. Danielle and Alexan- Sunday School at St. Sarkis Armenian Ap- der Zazaian, Chase Shoushanian-Trapha- ostolic Church. Additionally, Minnie had gen (James Edayan Jr.), and many nieces, an innate sense of the beauty in life, so she nephews, relatives and friends. furthered her appreciation of it by earning a A private service will be held with fi- degree in interior decorating from La Salle nal resting place next to her late husband, University. Charles, in Oakland Hills Memorial Gar- Minnie is survived by her daughter dens, Novi, MI. 10 SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2021 ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR

COMMUNITY NEWS St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School 2021 Graduation Ceremonies WATERTOWN, MA. - In June 2021, despite the Pandemic, St. Stephen’s Ar- menian Elementary School (SSAES) suc- cessfully completed its 37th academic year. The Graduation Ceremonies were held on June 17 (Kindergarten) and June 18 (El- ementary). Due to the State Health and Safety Regulations, only the parents of the graduates were invited to the ceremonies, which were held in the Hovnanian Hall of the Armenian Cultural and Educational Center (ACEC). Both Kindergarten and Grade 5 students presented poems and an Armenian Dance. In addition, the Kindergarten students pre- sented a short play, while the elementary students read their farewells. In her remarks, Principal Houry Boyam- ian announced that in addition to com- pleting fully the curriculum in each grade, the school was able to conduct many ex- tra-curricular activities. The pandemic did not stop us in having virtual celebrations of Armenian Cultural Day, Vartanants Day, May 28, a commemoration of the Arme- nian Genocide, two talent shows, a State of the School Address, a visit to the Arme- nian Museum of America, guests authors, SSAES 2021 Elementary Graduates with their Principal and Teachers roundtables, and a one-week virtual trip to Armenia for fifth graders. As for next year, support in this most challenging year with Presidential Award for Outstanding Ac- Lori Panosian: Great Interest in Arme- the Pandemic. ademic Achievement: Nellie Agajanyan, nian History On June 17, 15 students graduated from Julia Kebadjian, Tatevik Sarkissian Gassia Sarkissian: Skillful in Armenian Kindergarten. They are: Fiona Abidian, Language Mona Arzunyan, Alec Avakian, Samuel Presidential Award for Educational Ex- Tatevik Sarkissian: Hardworking and Barsoumian, Ellen Boyamian, Areni Gar- cellence: The purpose of this award is to Expresses herself well in Armenian abedian, Olivia Ghazaryan, Areni Hama- recognize the academic success of students Bella Tamburrini: Conscientious and lian, Serop Khatchadourian, Haig Mard- who have excelled in their studies and who Hardworking iros, Aiki Mikaelian, Hovhannes Sargent, have earned high scores in the Standard- Talian Tarabelsi: Conscientious and David Simonyan and Lyanna Thompson. ized Tests. Hardworking On June 18, 14 students graduated from Presidential Award for Educational the elementary division, bringing the num- Achievement: The purpose of this award is ber of graduates up to 348. They are: Nellie to reward students who work hard and give IV-Certificate of Recognition for Special Aghajanyan, Nara Potookian Behbahani, their best effort in school. Strength (All Subjects) Avedis Bell, Emma Fontes, Isabel Fontes, Armen Galaian, Stepan Guzelian, Julia Ke- III-Certificate of Recognition for their Nellie Agajanyan: Spirit of Adventure badjian, David Oganesian, Lori Panossian, Special Strength (Armenian Studies) Nara Behbahani: Hardworking, Esperan- Gassia Sarkissian, Tatevik Sarkissian, Bel- za Rising Award la Tamburrini and Talia Tarabelsi. Nellie Agajanyan: Hardworking, Takes Avo Bell: Spaceship Earth Award In his remarks, Rev. Antranig Baljian, Initiative Emma Fontes - Super Speller Award expressed his appreciation to the adminis- Nara Behbahani: Great Interest in Arme- Isabel Fontes: Class Historian Award tration and faculty for their dedication and nian Language Armen Galaian: The Wonder Award effort, in providing an excellent education Avedis Bell: Great Interest in Armenian Stepan Guzelian: Grammar Detective Principal Houry Boyamian addressing to all students. Then Fr. Baljian and Princi- History and World History Award her Remarks pal Boyamian presented the diplomas and Emma Fontes: Great interest in Arme- Julia Kebadjian: The Inventor Award the awards to the graduates. nian History David Oganesian: Reader’s Theater she announced that the enrollment numbers Isabel Fontes: Great Interest in Arme- Award will be much higher with the addition of Graduating Class Awards nian History Lori Panossian: The Jamestown Colony many new students. She concluded her re- I-Prelacy Award for Excellence in Arme- Armen Galaian: Demonstrates Armenian Award marks by expressing her profound gratitude nian History (silver coin of Levon the 1st): Spirit Gassia Sarkissian: Math Factor Families to the Teaching and Administrative Staff, Avedis Bell. Stepan Guzelian: Tends to do always his Expert Award to the School Board, the Education, Health best Tatevik Sarkissian: Number the Stars and Technology Committees, as well as to II- President’s Education Awards– Gr. 5 Julia Kebadjian: Is Inventive and Skilled Award Der Antranig and the St. Stephen’s Church Presidential Award for Academic Excel- in Armenian Grammar Bella Tamburrini: Golden Graph Award Board of Trustees. She thanked the parents lence: Talia Tarabelsi, Bella Tamburrini, David Oganesian: Reads with Expres- Talia Tarabelsi: President Washington for their encouragement and unwavering Avedis Bell sion Award

2021 SSAES Elementary Graduates with Fr. Antranig Baljian, Principal Houry SSAES 2021 Kindergarten Graduates with Principal Houry Boyamian, Fr. Antranig Boyamian and Teachers Ardemis Megerdichian and Kiely Goss Baljian, Teachers Alik Arzoumanian and Diane Chiappinelli SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2021 ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR 11

COMMUNITY NEWS

Glendale Y Displays ANI Exhibit on YMCA Volunteers in Amrenia during Genocide WASHINGTON — At the invitation of continued genocidal actions by Turkish and the City of Glendale Y and the Armenian Azerbaijani militias. His Eminence Abp. Assembly of America, a special event was Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western held June 24 at the Y to display the Arme- Diocese of the Armenian Church of North nian National Institute (ANI) exhibit titled America, delivered the evening’s invoca- Tekeyan Cultural Association, Inc. “The Lifesavers” and to honor David Elder tion and remarks. Reverend Berdj Djam- and Louise Lund Elder, whose father John bazian, of the Armenian Evangelical Union Elder, and fellow YMCA volunteer James of North America, delivered the program’s O. Arroll, are featured in the exhibit. The benediction. Ambassador Dr. Armen Bai- Dr. Nubar exhibit was curated by ANI Director Dr. bourtian, Consul General of the Republic Rouben Adalian. of Armenia in Los Angeles awarded the Elder and Arroll traveled to Armenia in Elder family certificates of appreciation on Berberian 2021 1918 and witnessed the dramatic events behalf of their father. that led to the founding of the Armenian Dr. Adalian explained how the exhibit Republic. They had arrived to open a was created and spoke of Elder and Arroll Annual Awards YMCA facility and ended up in charge of for writing a new chapter in American hu- the extensive philanthropic activities of the manitarianism by their courageous actions Dr. Nubar Berberian, intel- Near East Relief, whose employees were on behalf of the Armenian people. He was lectual, journalist, activist recalled from the field when the situation warmly praised by David Elder and Louise in Armenia became too dangerous on ac- Elder Lund for recovering the story of their and editor of many ADL count of the warfront advancing toward father of which even they were not fully daily newspapers for more Yerevan and Alexandropol/Gyumri. Elder aware. and Arroll were ultimately credited with Louise Elder Lund shared with audience than 50 years passed away saving thousands of lives as they cared for the gift that John Elder received from the at the age of 94 in Novem- orphans and refugees when local resources Armenian government, the silver souvenir were virtually non-existent. cup that he spoke of in his memoirs, which ber 23, 2016. In his will, Dr. With over 70 invited guests in atten- is inscribed in Armenian “to the unforgetta- dance, several elected officials spoke at ble captain Elder.” Berberian directed his Trust the event and bestowed certificates of David Elder spoke eloquently of the role Fund managers to appro- recognition on Mr. Elder, Mrs. Lund, and of the YMCA during and told Dr. Adalian. They included City of Glen- the story of how his father reached Arme- priate awards every year to dale Mayor Paula Devine, California State nia during that critical year and how he college students of Arme- Senator Anthony Portantino, representing went about organizing relief work and ar- California’s 25th State Senate District, and ranging for the delivery of supplies from nian descent worldwide who major in either Interna- California State Assemblymember Adrin when all other avenues were cut off by Nazarian, representing California’s 46th surrounding forces. tional Law or Political Science. State Assembly District. Toumajan also noted that the Elder sib- Assembly Western Region Director lings and Dr. Adalian had received certif- Mihran Toumajan, who spearheaded the icates of recognition from California State special event, was joined by several lead- Assemblymember Laura Friedman (43rd ELIGIBILITY AND REQUIREMENTS ers of the Glendale Y who also shared their State Assembly District), and Los Ange- 1) Eligible recipients are college students of Armenian descent appreciation of the exhibit that highlighted les County Supervisor Kathryn Barger who major in either International Law or Political Science. the role of the YMCA during the Armenian (5th Supervisorial District). In addition, Genocide. Among them were Dr. David he acknowledged the attendance of elected 2) Applicant must be enrolled in a full-time graduate program Viar, President of Glendale Community officials, including City of Glendale Coun- in a fully accredited college or university in the world. College and Chairman of the Board of Di- cilmember Ara Najarian, Glendale Unified 3) Applicant must provide all of the information requested on the application form. 4) Applicant must submit a copy of his or her most recent college transcript. 5) Applicant is to include a small head and shoulders self- portrait. 6) Application could be received by requesting from [email protected]. 7) Applicants should submit applications electronically (via email) to: [email protected]. 8) The deadline of receiving the applications is September 15, 2021. 9) The administrators and managers of the fund will vote the qualified winners in October, 2021 based on the merits of each applicant. 10) The winner or winners will receive their awards in November, Dr. Rouben Adalian and Ambassador Armen Baibourtian with the Elders. 2021 11) Winning applicants are not eligible to apply again. rectors of the YMCA of Glendale, who also School District School Board Member Dr. 12) This announcement is published in Armenian, English, acknowledged fellow Glendale YMCA Armina Gharpetian, Glendale Police Chief board members in attendance, Mr. George Carl Povilaitis, and Glendale Fire Chief French and Spanish. Saikaly, President and CEO of the YMCA Silvio Lanzas. He also recognized Mr. Ara of Glendale, and Mrs. Nora Yacoubian, Kalfayan, owner of Phoenicia Restaurant YMCA of Glendale Board Member and and YMCA of Glendale Board Member Watertown, MA, July 15, 2021 Chairperson of the Glendale-Artsakh Sister for the generous buffet made available to YMCA Committee, who reflected on the attendees. YMCA of Glendale’s partnership with the A wide cross-section of the Southern Cal- Artsakh YMCA. ifornia-based Armenian American commu- The Armenian General Benevolent Union The ANI exhibit first debuted on the Toumajan served as Master of Ceremo- nity was represented with organizational (AGBU) was represented by Central Board West Coast in 2019 at the West Gallery of nies and briefly reflected on the “unsung leaders. Armenian Assembly board mem- member Lena Sarkissian, Shahan Minas- the California State University Northridge hero” status of YMCA volunteers Elder and bers Joyce Stein and Talin Yacoubian were sian, and Gohar Stambolyan. (CSUN) campus and continued onto the Arroll in an era when the fledgling first Re- joined by Assembly trustees and members The visit of David Elder and Louise El- YMCA Glendale. A digital version of the public of Armenia faced existential threats, Margaret Mgrublian, Joe Stein, James Me- der Lund was coordinated by Frida Valijan, exhibit can be freely downloaded from the including drought, famine, epidemics, and likian, Flora Dunaians, and Helen Haig. a longtime friend of the Elder family. ANI website. 12 SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2021 ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR

COMMUNITY NEWS

Newton South Armenian Assembly Hosts Networking Get-Together in NYC NEW YORK — The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) hosted a networking event on Friday, June 25 at City Win- High School ery - Rockefeller Center in New York City, which provided the opportunity for some 100 Armenian American professionals to come together in a social gathering and engage in conversation pertaining to key priorities for the betterment of the Armenian Hosts Armenian people. In addition, they were familiar- ized with the Assembly’s current advo- cacy efforts. Awareness Day “It was great to reconnect with friends By Bella Ishanyan and also meet new people in a safe and social setting that allowed us to brain- NEWTON, Mass. — Newton South storm ways to strengthen Armenia and High School hosted an Armenian Aware- Artsakh,” said attendee Anoush Gulian. ness Day on May 12 in order to bring “Our community needed an occasion like light to the Armenian Genocide and ex- this to start making plans for the coming hibit Armenian culture. The four online months. Thank you to the Assembly for programs had over 1,000 viewers. organizing a timely and enjoyable event.” Newton South hosts awareness days to “We have a strong base of Armenian provide a better understanding of topics American activists in the New York met- often related to human rights. Led by ris- ro area and we’re happy to welcome new ing sophomore, Charles Kouspakian, the members who support our mission,” said Armenian Awareness Day was among the Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ar- few student-initiated programs. douny. “The significant turnout made it “We have clear the community is eager to partici- these webinars pate in advocacy work for the benefit of From left, Vahe Stepanian, Aram Sethian, Mariam Khaloyan, Bryan every Wednes- the homeland and the diaspora.” Ardouny, Taleen Babayan & Van Krikorian day, and I was really interested and I wanted to pretty much talk about Armenia, since Armenian Charles Kouspakian Genocide Re- membrance Day was coming up,” he said. After a few weeks of planning, Kous- pakian, Robert Parlin and Joana Chacon, teachers and faculty chairs on the South Human Rights Council, organized a pro- gram with six total speakers: Anais Astar- jian, Martina Harutunian, Isabella Isha- nyan, Kouspakian, Roxanne Makasdijian and Tsoleen Sarian. Collectively, they spoke about analysis of the genocide, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and shared personal stories and photographs. Astarjian, co-chair of the Armenian Genocide Commemoration Committee and active participant in many other Ar- menian organizations, gave an overview of the genocide and analyzed the politics behind it, saying that her goal was to in- form students about genocide, a topic not commonly discussed. “It’s very important for students to learn this early on, and it’s an extremely difficult topic to cover,” she said, “Yet, people whose ancestors have faced geno- cide typically hear their families’ stories early on. Given the generational trauma that often exists, I would say high school is an optimal time to more formally learn about genocide.” Sarian said that she decided to make her presentation more lighthearted. As execu- tive director of Project SAVE Archives, she selected photographs of Armenian culture, with the intention of showing a different side of Armenia. “I wanted it to be positive. I knew that there was going to be discussion of genocide and genocide is a difficult, sad topic. We talk about survival, but it’s also this idea of being victims,” she said, “I wanted my presentation to be about not just survival, but thriving and choosing to keep our Armenian culture.” Ultimately, Kouspakian said that his main goal of the awareness day was to in- form the school about Armenia, but also said that his interest extends to proving that lesser-known countries are still im- portant. “Apart from Armenians in South as well, other people with backgrounds from not-well-known countries, it helps them also understand that every country mat- ters,” he said, “Even though my country may not be well known, it’s still allowed to have a voice, and people should still know about it.” SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2021 ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR 13 Arts & Culture

Rep. Schiff Secures a Conversation with... $950,000 for Armenian American Museum in Upcoming Funding Farid Legislation Boudjellal GLENDALE — Congress- man Adam Schiff announced that $950,000 was secured in the fiscal Author of Armenian year 2022 federal government fund- Granny ing legislation in support of the con- struction and development of the By Artsvi Bakhchinyan Armenian American Museum and Special to the Mirror-Spectator Cultural Center of California. YEREVAN / PARIS — Farid “Armenian-Americans are an es- Boudjellal, born in 1953, is a French sential part of the very fabric of our comics book author, artist and script- nation — enriching our customs, writer. Born to Algerian immigrants, traditions, and communities,” stated he grew up in Toulon, in the south Congressman Adam Schiff. “Their of France. He studied literature and story is an American story, one of sociology at the university. In 1978, hope in the face of hardship, of per- he published short stories in Circus severance, and of new beginnings. and Charlie Mensuel. His first long The Armenian American Museum story, L’Oud, was published by Fu- and Cultural Center of California will turopolis. ensure that story gets told for gener- In Paris, he moved into a studio ations to come. It’s an honor to work with José Jover and Roland Mon- alongside my Armenian-American pierre. constituents for recognition and jus- In 1986, Boudjellal produced the tice. I am thrilled that investment in David Boyajian and his creation poster for “Le Gone du Chaâba,” a this important cultural center will be film adaptation of a work by Azouz included in the government funding Begag. package, and I will continue to press DAVID BOYAJIAN He writes numerous screenplays forward to help ensure its passage.” METALBoyajian SCULPTURE : New Chosen Fairfield CT. / www.davidboyajian.comto Display and draws numerous albums devot- The announcement follows the mu- ed to the theme of immigration, the seum’s historic Groundbreaking Cer- housing crisis in France, racism and emony held at the future site of the David Boyajian 3 MilltownSculpture Rd. Education: onNorwalk Campus Community College Father:COL. of MYRON H. NewFairfield CT. 06812 BFA, Alfred University 1980 David Boyajian Sculpture studio BOYAJIAN handicaps. In 1998, the first volume landmark center in Glendale Central [email protected] Skowhegan School painting LLC / Sculpture Barn Art Jamaica Plain MA. and Sculpture 1981 Center ,NewFairfield CT. Aunt: Marion Boyajian Kennedy of Petit Polio appeared, enabled him www.davidboyajian.com Park. MFAPingree , Maryland Institute GrandSchool Parents: Attends : Armenian Memorial to reach a large audience and, in During the event, Schiff celebrated 203-241-8204 college of Art ,Rinehart school Grandmother: Perusa Topalian Church Watertown MA SOUTH HAMILTON,of sculpture Mass. 1982 — Artist DavidBoyajian Boyajian, / Marash Turkey who createsBigelow ST.sculptures in- 1999, to win the Ecumenical Prize at the Armenian-American community Teaching : Grandfather: Nazareth P. the International Festival of Comics as an important part of the national spired by nature for bothWestern private CT. State and University public collections,Boyajian/Hadjin Turkey is among the sculptors chosen to display work at the 12th annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit this fall on in Angoulême, France. fabric of the country and discussed Dear Farid, it is my pleasure to how the museum will bring people the 100-acre campus of Pingree School in South Hamilton. Boyajian, a graduate of Alfred University, also studied at Skowhegan School of present you to readers worldwide. together to embrace cultural diversity. French comics are famous in the He announced his efforts to advocate Painting and Sculpture, and earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Maryland Institute College of Art Rinehart School of Sculpture. world. Characters like Tintin, As- for federal funding in support of the terix and Titeuf are recognizable project to rounding cheers throughout Over the course of his 30-plus-year career, Boyajian has shown his work in nu- merous solo and group exhibitions, in- worldwide. the audience. Often comics are linked to child- “We are grateful to Congressman cluding SculptureNow on The Mount, Edith Wharton’s home in Lenox; Bull hood, even if today it has more or Schiff for his powerful remarks at less distanced from it. Those who did the Groundbreaking Ceremony and City Sculpture Show in Durham, North Carolina; and “Genesis,” an outdoor not read comics as a child find it very his steadfast support of the Arme- difficult to approach this medium. nian American Museum,” stated Ex- solo show at the Robert Moses Sculpture Garden at Fordham University. ‘Gene- Reading a comic is not that easy. You ecutive Chairman Berdj Karapetian. have to grasp the page as a whole, “The Congressman’s efforts to secure sis,’ received praise from both The New York Times and Review Magazine. read both the text and the image. federal funding for the museum will Some researchers attribute the help bring to reality a world class cul- Boyajian’s numerous public commis- sions include “The Weaving Shuttle” origin of comics to cave paintings. tural and educational center that will Do you agree? be the pride of our community and and “The Eye of the Needle” at the Man- sfield Town Square in Mansfield, Con- Why not? A comic is not an illus- our country.” tration. You need at least two imag- When passed through Congress, the necticut; “Lift,” a memorial to a former student at the Canterbury School in New es to enter it. The comic strip is the funding will support the ongoing con- space of time between these two im- struction and the development of the Milford; and “Sanctuary” at the 9/11 Living Memorial at Sherwood Island for ages. It can pass a quarter of a sec- museum’s permanent exhibition and ond or billions of years. This is the programming. The funds would rep- the state of Connecticut. His teaching ca- reer has spanned more than 20 years at specificity of comics, which makes it resent the federal government’s first a narrative art in the same way as the investment in the landmark center. institutions such as Western Connecticut State University, Silvermine School of novel, the cinema or the theater. Art, and Hartford Art School at the Uni- Your comic books show that the versity of Hartford. comic book artists don’t just enter- For 18 years, Boyajian has taught met- tain; you always raise social issues. al, stone, and wood sculpture at David In this uncertain time what role Boyajian Sculpture Studio in New Fair- can comics play? field, CT. The first subject of comics, and Boyajian’s father, Col. Myron H. Boy- arguably of all narrative arts, is the ajian, grew up in Jamaica Plain, and his comic book itself. You can express The sculpture by David Boyajian on all your concerns there. The main aunt, Marion Boyajian Kennedy, attends the Pingree School campus the Armenian Memorial Church in Wa- thing is to be both readable and in- tertown. His paternal grandparents were novative. Perusa Topalian Boyajian who emigrated from Marash, Turkey and Nazareth P. Boya- What is more important thing jian, who came from Hadjin, Turkey. for a comics’ artist? The Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit of more than 50 sculptures opens Satur- Readability, both in terms of draw- day, September 4 and runs through Sunday, November 28. It is open free to the public ing and texts. seven days a week during daylight hours. Pingree School is located at 537 Highland Many say that the era of printed Rep. Adam Schiff at the Street, South Hamilton, MA. 978-468-4415. Pingree.org/sculpture-show books is approaching to the end. groundbreaking ceremony see INTERVIEW, page 14 14 SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2021 ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR

ARTS & CULTURE Farid Boudjellal: Author of Armenian Granny INTERVIEW, from page 13 It was a publisher who wanted to translate E-books will prevail, but do you see fu- it. I just gave my consent. ture for e-comics? It was translated also in Turkish. What I believe that comics will be modified was the reaction? Books more by digital technology than writing, Likewise, I only learned late that there which risks nothing. If you write that the was a Turkish edition. In fact, there are sky is blue on a wall, digital book, or paper three editions, two Armenian and one book, the sky is always blue. For comics Turkish. I am happy that my album lives in it is different because it is about using all these regions. Alas, I have had no feedback the tools that digital, movement and sound from readers or the editor. offer you. A comic on a digital book is not In 2017 a brilliant comics book on Ar- quite a comic anymore. menian subject, La Structure est pour- It is obvious your character Petit Po- rie, camarade (The Structure is Rotten, lio, a little Algerian living in Toulon, is Comrade) by Viken Berberian and Yann your alter ego. How much of your biog- Kebbi was published by Actes Sud BD in raphy is expressed in it? French. Do you know this volume and We only speak well of what we know have you ever met Armenian comics art- well. Little Polio is indeed my alter-ego, ists? but his name is Mahmoud and mine is Far- I don’t know this album but I think I will id. Autobiography does not exist; the only read it. And yes, I have already met more reality is the blank page because the past is than one colleague from Armenia. dead. I think that we say a lot more about Before the sad events of 2020 we had a ourselves by passing our imagination than comics festival in Yerevan – I hope with fragments of our life. the normalization of life, so you can visit I came across your family history while your grandmother’s country again. learning about the Armenians in Algeria. I visited Yerevan three times for courses Thus I learned about your grandmother organized by the Association for the Pro- Marie Bedros Caramanian, the heroine dren? because she could not stand the slightest vi- motion of Comics in Armenia, co-founded of your book Mémé d’Arménie (“Arme- In fact, as my grandmother lived in Tou- olence, whether oral, physical, televised ... by late Mr. Jean Mardikian, the co-founder nian Granny”). My impression is that lon, I got to know her much better than When the Turkish navy landed in Toulon, of the International Festival of Comics in Armenian grandmothers have strong in- my Algerian family. She was very pious she did not go outside. Angoulême and Laurent Mélikian, who is fluence on their grandchildren, Turkish and looked after the Armenian church at Your book on your grandmother was very active in this field. We have had run lawyer Fethiye Cetin and French actress Baudin Street. Her small room was adorned published in Armenian in Istanbul. How comic book workshops for Armenians. Anny Romand dedicated books to their with sacred objects that fascinated me. My did that happen? An album was born from this experience. Armenian grannies. Please tell us about grandmother never spoke of the Genocide Personally, I have had nothing to do with There is no lack of talents in Armenia. Of your medz-ma – from where she was and she and her family had suffered. On the it. As soon as it appears, a book escapes course, I am quite ready to come back to what was her influence on her grandchil- other hand, she expressed it involuntarily you completely and belongs to the reader. Armenia... Project SAVE Welcomes New Executive Director Arto Vaun WATERTOWN — Project SAVE Arme- Before joining Project Save, Vaun was SAVE team has put into this invaluable or- history. We are dedicated to staying at the nian Photograph Archives announced re- assistant professor and chair of the English ganization,” he said. “Project SAVE’s mis- forefront of preserving the past to inform cently that Dr. Arto Vaun will serve as its and Communications BA program at the sion and photograph collection is unique and energize the present and future.” new executive director. He will be respon- American University of Armenia (AUA), and important, especially at this vital mo- Various collections and further informa- sible for day-to-day operations, short and where he helped grow and establish the ment in regional and global Armenian tion is online at projectsave.org. long term stra- program as one of the most competitive and tegic planning, popular at AUA and in Armenia. He also and helping to founded and directed the Center for Cre- shape the vi- ative Writing, championing the concept of sion for Project creative writing as a fine arts and academic SAVE’s present discipline in the region. In fact, it was the and future. first such Anglophone center in the former With more . Previously, Vaun lived and than 10 years worked in Scotland, Beirut, and Berlin. As CALENDAR of local and in- a poet and musician, he has published and ON-LINE EVENTS & PROGRAMS ternational ex- performed widely as well. perience in the arts and education, Vaun Vaun is picking up the torch from former MASSACHUSETTS hopes to make an immediate impact. “As Executive Director Tsoleen Sarian, who a Boston native, I’ve admired the mission is moving on to new endeavors. For more The Armenian Heritage Park is hosting a series of events this summer. and work of Project SAVE’s founder, Ruth than six years, Sarian helped guide Project August 1 at 2pm LABYRINTH WALKING: A WELLNESS PRACTICE RSVP hello@ Thomasian, for years,” he commented. “It’s SAVE and infused it with her energy and ArmenianHeritagePark.org an organization that’s highly respected, yet talents. August 11 at 4pm TEA & TRANQUILITY Meet & Greet RSVP hello@Armenian- often stays under the radar. I think it’s time “My focus has been to make Project HeritagePark.org to change that.” SAVE Archives more outward facing and August 22 at 7:30pm UNDER THE BLUE MOON Meet & Greet Enjoy Black Sea Thomasian started Project SAVE in 1975 increasing demand for our photographs Salsa Combo RSVP [email protected] to document and preserve the vibrant social and our stories. We have an active pres- September 9 at 10am CELEBRATING WHAT UNITES US! All About Grains, vir- and cultural history of Armenians through- ence on social media and our searchable tually with Oldways RSVP [email protected] out the Americas and elsewhere. The mis- online collections database features thou- September 19 at 2pm SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT THE PARK! Meet & Greet sion is to Salute Armenians’ Valiant Exis- sands of photographs, making our Archive Enjoy Hye Guys Ensemble RSVP [email protected] tence (SAVE) by listening to people speak more open and accessible,” Sarian said. AUGUST 21-22 — SAVE THE DATE! The Armenian Apostolic Church at Hye through their photographs and to bring the “I am proud that Project SAVE promotes Pointe will hold its annual picnic on Saturday and Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m. 1280 past to life for current and future genera- Armenian heritage through photographs Boston Road, Haverhill. tions. There are over 60,000 photographs in a vibrant and exciting way. I welcome NEW JERSEY currently housed in the archive. Arto’s leadership to raise awareness about “I am thrilled to have Arto at our helm. our work by building collaborations and at- NOVEMBER 13 — Save the Date: Saturday. 12 Vocations, Fulfilling the Promise He is a perfect match for Project SAVE,” tracting new funding opportunities.” of St. Nersess Seminary. Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of St. Nersess Thomasian said. “Just as Tsoleen took the According to Vaun, there are a number of Armenian Seminary and the vocations of the first 12 priests who graduated reins back in 2017, to guide Project SAVE new initiatives that Project SAVE will an- from St. Nersess and St. Vladimir’s Seminaries and were ordained. This is into the digital/social media age, so Arto nounce in the coming year to engage with the first in a series of events to recognize the alumni of St. Nersess, both now will move Project SAVE on to new different segments of the Armenian and ordained and lay, who are in service to the Armenian Church, in any capacity. heights so that the archives will have a du- non-Armenian communities both locally The celebratory dinner will be held at the Old Tappan Manor in Old Tappan, rable future. Our boards of directors and and beyond. N.J. For more info, go to www.stnersess.edu. advisors welcome him and look forward to “I’m excited to build upon all the hard working with him.” work that Tsoleen, Ruth and the Project SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2021 ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR 15

ARTS & CULTURE A Harp for Gyumri

By Muriel Mirak-Weissbach Special to the Mirror-Spectator

HALLE, Germany — The cathedral in Halle is huge, but once the doors closed and visitors had taken their seats, it was almost full — at least as full as it could be under pandemic conditions of social distancing. In mid-afternoon on Sunday, July 18, the church in this Thuringian city hosted the opening concert in a series that will continue during August in several Armenian cities, including Halle’s sister city, Gyumri. The fact that Gyumri and Halle are finalizing the pro- cess is itself historic, as this is the first such partnership between cities in the two nations. In Germany, virtually every city has a partner in another country, but until now, none has had a twin city status in Armenia. Presenting an ambitious and highly differentiated pro- gram was Ars Musica, a male chorus that has been en- gaged in projects for Armenia over many years. (https:// mirrorspectator.com/2021/06/17/ars-musica-to-per- form-in-armenia/) Most of the chorus members started out in a boys choir in the city of Suhl, a choir that pre- sented a benefit concert in 1988 following the earthquake. Ars Musica performing in Halle In 2018, the adult chorus raised funds at a concert which financed the renovation of the auditorium at the H. Tu- that he was especially glad that the Halle concert would Halle is a most appropriate setting for this chorus and manyan middle school in Lichk. be replicated in Gyumri, as it will be “an important cor- its solidarity project. Here, in the late 17th century, August Now Ars Musica has launched a new Armenian initia- nerstone for the expansion of the recently established city Hermann Francke (1663-1727), a Lutheran theologian tive. Postponed from 2020 due to the Covid crisis, the partnership between Halle and Gyumri.” And the pro- and clergyman, educator and philanthropist, launched a project involves a series of benefit concerts in historic lo- ceeds from the concert will contribute to musical educa- ground-breaking project to care for homeless children. He tion in the city, known as the cultural capital of Armenia. established an orphanage which began with 100 children, The conservatory in Gyumri, a branch of the then developed over the years to offer protection and the Conservatory of Yerevan State University, would like best available education to more than 2,000 at the time to offer classical harp instruction, but lacks the instru- of his death. Francke focused on religious instruction but ment. Together with Ars Musica, the Mirak-Weissbach Foundation and the Halle Rotary Club have donated funds to purchase a Venera Grand Concert Harp. It should be officially presented at the concert on August 22. In Halle, the chorus performed a generous program with Armenian pieces (sung in the original), as well as works from the classical European repertoire, including by modern and contemporary composers. They began with Metzatsustse andzn im ezTer by Komitas Vardapet, which they sang from the back of the church. Following greetings delivered by Smbatyan, an official from the state government and Dr. Judith Marquardt, the person deal- ing with the partnership procedures, the chorus reassembled in front of the main altar and performed a series of very different compositions, display- ing extraordinary virtuosity among a broad spectrum of genres. First came a Russian liturgical piece by Piotr Janczak Kriestu Tvoyemu (1972), con- taining various musical styles, from a chant-like recitative (Sprechgesang) to the highly dramatic and harmoni- ous/lyrical. Leonard Cohen’s (1934- 2016) Hallelujah followed in English, conveying an aura of chiming bells from the bass voices. Libertatum by Ambassador Ashot Smbatyan at the cathedral Jim Papoulis added a mixture of jazz- like rhythms and clapping. In Halle, Georg Friedrich Händel (1685-1759), one of included sciences and vocational training. His institution its most famous sons, could not be absent. The cathedral expanded to include higher education and teacher training cantor Gerhard Nötzel played his Suite No. 7 in G minor seminars, gardens and a workshop, as well as a pharmacy, on the organ, introducing yet another musical voice and and later hospital. It remains active today as the Francke- mood into the gathering. sche Stiftungen. A Venera Grand Concert Harp The second part of the program included works by The spirit of Halle lives on in the initiative of Ars Mu- Ludwig van Beethoven, Felix Mendelssohn-Bartoldy sica and its partners. Smbatyan said he was “thoroughly cations: the in Tatev, and Sevanav- and Franz Schubert, as well as famous German favorites, convinced that compassion, neighborly love, knows no ank, the House of Hope and Komitas Museum in Yerevan, like Heidenröslein by Heinrich Werner (1800-1833) and borders. I want to stress, with deep satisfaction, that these Echmiadzin and Gavar. In Lichk they will perform in the Schubert’s Der Lindenbaum. It concluded with the fa- charitable projects are being carried out through cultural new auditorium and in Gyumri at the Black Fortress. mous Sanctus (Heilig, Heilig, Heilig) also by Schubert, cooperation. Culture knows no borders either, but rather Armenian Ambassador to Germany Ashot Smbatyan which is particularly effective when sung by such an ex- opens new doors, builds new bridges. Such a bridge is this said, in greetings published in the concert tour program, cellent men’s choir as Ars Musica. initiative by Ars Musica.” 16 SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2021 ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR ARTS & CULTURE Armenian Brand OCHRE Launches Collection Of Artist-Designed Organic Wool Goods YEREVAN — The Armenian strong sense of responsibility to- brand Ochre launched a collection wards the well-being of the people of artist-designed artisan-made involved in the production. hand-woven natural wool blan- The products designed by kets. The products’ designs are OCHRE combine functionality, created by the contemporary Ar- aesthetics, respect for the envi- menian artists and the production ronment and local craftsmanship is carried out by the artisans at traditions. OCHRE creates objects Amasia Wool Factory (Shirak re- of everyday use that serve as a gion, Armenia). source of comfort and also express The products represent the re- the unique vision of the artists and sult of the exploration of local bring joy and happiness, very sim- craftsmanship traditions. The art- ilar to that of owning a work of art. ists Aleksey Manukyan (Gyumri, Armenia), Gohar Martirosyan Ochre was established in 2020 as (Armenia, France) and Sereg an arts-based social enterprise with Navasardyan (Yerevan, Armenia) the aim of merging creative ideas explored the possibilities of the and artisanal resources in order to wool and its texture and offered craft artist-designed, artisan-made visual essays and sketches for products for everyday use. It was its surface. Together with textile founded to create new, commer- experts and artisans from Goris cially-oriented products together and Amasia, they transferred their with artists and artisans with the artistic ideas to the surface of the ultimate aim of using the profits blankets. As a result, hand-woven generated to support independent wool blankets were created using artistic production and social goals. 100 percent Amasia Wools weft The company strives to support all and 100 percent cotton warp. stakeholders from artisans and resi- The blankets can be used both dents of the regions where the pro- for decoration and as bedspreads. duction is located, to the end users The wool used in production and artists involved in the project. is undyed wool of natural tints OCHRE was established in 2020 (from beige to dark brown) with as an arts-based social enterprise addition of wool dyed with nat- with the aim of merging creative ural pigments. Wool fibers are ideas and artisanal resources in incredibly long-lasting, they are order to craft artist-designed, ar- distinguished by high elasticity, tisan-made products for everyday low crease and they hold their use. shape perfectly, thus products It was born out of a reflection on made from them are not only the urban and artistic landscape of beautiful, but also practical. Gyumri, which was always famous for its arts and crafts. Inspired by the complex context of Gyumri, we founded OCHRE to design new, commercially-oriented products with the ultimate aim of using the An OCHRE blanket profits generated to support inde- pendent artistic production and so- cial goals. The wool used in production OCHRE works with new and historic manufacturers is pure Armenian wool sourced in Armenia to craft locally rooted products. We began from shepherds in Shirak, where our journey from a partnership with Amasia Wool Fac- the village residents have been tory in the Shirak region of Armenia, following a long breeding sheep for centuries. The tradition of sheep breeding and wool crafts. The wool local sheep wool is long and thick; used in production is pure Armenian wool sourced from it is processed at the Amasia Wool shepherds in Shirak, where the village residents have factory, where it is washed with been breeding sheep for centuries. eco-friendly soaps, treated with modern carding technologies. The The enterprise was co-founded by Anush Zeinalian, key value of OCHRE is a care- Alina Saraikina, and Natalia Gerasina. ful attitude towards nature and a For information, visit ochre.am.

Queernissage Open Air Pop-Up Market by LGBTQ+ Armenians And Allies to Spotlight Creativity and Craftwork LOS ANGELES — GALAS LGBTQ+ Armenian with each other and with the public. With an eclectic therapeutic support groups, Soorj Sessions for families, Society (GALAS) will host its first ever Queernissage, array of vendors, attendees can expect to find artwork, friends, and allies of LGBTQ+ Armenians, as well as a an open air pop-up market by LGBTQ+ Armenians and freshly made baked goods, interactive booths, jewelry, scholarship fund for college students of Armenian descent allies. The market will take place at the Studio City and much more. who have demonstrated LGBTQ activism. Pop-Up: 4354 Tujunga Avenue, Studio City, on Satur- Queernissage is only one of the many programs GALAS GALAS encourages all community members to at- day, July 24, 2021 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. has planned for this year. In its 23rd year, in addition to so- tend Queernissage to support and enjoy the creative Queernissage is an homage to “Vernissage,” the open cial events, GALAS is committed to expanding and further work of LGBTQ+ Armenians and allies. For additional air market in Armenia that has been a gathering place developing robust outreach and community programming information on Queernissage, taking place on Saturday, for artists and merchants for decades. Through Queer- to bring visibility to LGBTQ+ Armenian voices and create July 24, 2021, please e-mail [email protected] or nissage, GALAS aims to create a space for their com- resources and safe spaces for LGBTQ+ Armenians, their visit GALAS’ Facebook page at @GALASLosAngeles munity members to express and share their creativity families and allies. Some of GALAS’ programs include or GALAS’ Instagram page at @galas_la. SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2021 ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR 17

THE ARMENIAN COMMENTARY Mirror SPECTATOR Editorial Since 1932 Is Anyone Listening? The drums of war are beating louder and Not only is he asking for Armenia to forget Karabakh, but louder for anyone willing to listen. The 44- he is warning that he will take over the sovereign territory of An ADL Publication day war between Armenia and Azerbaijan Armenia itself and still there is no protest from the internation- did not end on November 9, 2020. Hostil- al community, nor from Armenia’s strategic partner, Russia. The First English Language ities were only stopped by a declaration Just recently, President Aliyev visited President Vladimir in the which can amount to a precarious ceasefire Putin in Moscow; the only talk emanating from the Russian at best. Hostilities may resume at any time, capital was about strengthening the strategic ties between Rus- United States By Edmond Y. under any pretext. sia and Azerbaijan, after some lip service to the implementa- Azadian Whatever Armenia failed to achieve in tion of the November 9 tripartite declaration. EDITOR the 1994 ceasefire, Azerbaijan is now trying While expressing satisfaction that the terms of that decla- Alin K. Gregorian to achieve. The ceasefire at the end of the first war for Kara- ration are being implemented, Moscow conveniently is over- MANAGING EDITOR bakh (Artsakh), which was brokered by Moscow at that time, looking the release of Armenian prisoners of war in Azerbai- Aram Arkun proved to be inconsequential. Armenia’s inexperienced rulers jan, even though the November 9 declaration seeks the return at that time believed that the ceasefire, which Azerbaijan had of all prisoners. ART DIRECTOR signed under duress, was enough to guarantee the future of Moscow, despite its treaty obligations to Armenia, has as- Mark (Mgrditchian) McKertich Nagorno Karabakh, particularly with the argument that the sumed the role of intermediary between its ally and enemy. Armenian control of seven regions adjacent to Karabakh in Further concessions are demanded from Armenia, in terms of SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST Azerbaijan proper presented a strategic buffer which would maps of minefields, rather than offers of help. Edmond Y. Azadian prepare Armenia and Karabakh for any eventuality. Adding muscle to its rhetoric, Azerbaijan has advanced STAFF WRITER No one at that time tried to push the ante further to force the its armed forces into Armenian territory, triggering another Harry Kezelian III government to sign a definitive agreement recognizing farcical situation, this time with the leadership of the Collec- Karabakh’s independence for perpetuity, when that country tive Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). Indeed, Armenia CONTRIBUTORS was on its knees. appealed to the CSTO to live up to its treaty obligations by Christopher Atamian, Florence Avakian, Taleen Babayan, Artsvi Bakhchinyan, Raffi Bedrosyan, Christine Vartanian Datian, Dr. Arshavir Gundjian, Philippe Raffi Kalfayan, Ken Martin, Gerald Papasian, Harut Sassounian, Hagop Vartivarian REGIONAL CORRESPONDENTS LOS ANGELES: Ani Duzdabanyan- Manoukian, Kevork Keushkerian, Michelle Mkhlian YEREVAN: Raffi Elliott BERLIN: Muriel Mirak-Weissbach PARIS: Jean Eckian SAN FRANCISCO: Kim Bardakian CAIRO: Maydaa Nadar

PHOTOGRAPHERS Jirair Hovsepian, Ken Martin

VIDEO CORRESPONDENT Haykaram Nahapetyan

The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published weekly, except two weeks in July and the first week of the year, by: Association, Inc. 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 Telephone: 617-924-4420 FAX: 617-924-2887 www.mirrorspectator.com E-Mail: [email protected] For advertising: [email protected]

SUBSCRIPTION RATES U.S.A. $80 one year Canada $125 one year Because of that failure, defeat returned to Armenia 25 years forcing out the 1,000 or so Azerbaijani soldiers crossing into Other Countries $200 one year later with a vengeance. Armenia. The reply was that the aggression amounted to noth- In that quarter century, Azerbaijani dictator Ilham Aliyev ing but a border incident since “there are no casualties.” © 2014 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator seems to have learned the lessons of history imposed on his In fact, there were casualties; Armenian soldiers were killed Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, father, Heydar, with a little help from his big brother, Turkish and others were captured from the very soil of Armenia, which MA and additional mailing offices. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. should trigger Section 4 of the CSTO agreement. Now that Armenia is down, with its army shattered by the Contrary to Aliyev’s statement, the Organization for Securi- ISSN 0004-234X coordinated attacks by Azerbaijani, Turkish and freelance Ji- ty and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group co-chairs hadi armies, Aliyev is pushing to extract maximum conces- insist there is still unfinished business in Karabakh to deter- sions from Yerevan. He already has warned Armenia not to mine the status issue. Postmaster: Send address rearm or seek revenge. On April 13, the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs called on changes to The Armenian Mirror-Spectator, 755 Mount Azerbaijan is building up pressure on Armenia gradually, the parties to resume their high-level dialog to achieve a final, Auburn St., to the point of rekindling a war once again. Before the lat- comprehensive lasting settlement of the Karabakh conflict un- Watertown, MA 02472 est war, he had promised “the highest level of autonomy” for der the auspices of the co-chairs. However, no action has been Karabakh in return for the occupied territories. Today, a victo- taken as of yet. Other than the Editorial, views rious Aliyev claims that there is no issue to discuss regarding On the other hand, Europe has been taking subtle steps to and opinions expressed in this Karabakh, no case for its status, and that even a geographic return to the region. Europe’s approach is through economic newspaper do not necessarily area named Nagorno Karabakh does not exist, instead renam- help and development, so as not to alert or upset Moscow. But reflect the policies of the ing part of it as eastern Zangezur as part of the recent Shushi steps are being taken towards sustainable economic growth publisher. declaration made jointly with Turkey. see EDITORIAL, page 19 18 SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2021 ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR

COMMENTARY A Story about Escaping an Early 20th Century Execution

By Angelina Der Arakelian small talk with him, praises him for a job well done, and Their tone has changed, and their weapons have made Special to the Mirror-Spectator thanks him for having saved him the trouble of purchas- their appearance. My great-grandfather complies, be- ing a new carriage. ing forced to stand alongside a queue of victims who The early 20th century had lots of significant events My great-grandfather is able to leave. had already been placed in the trap beforehand. Some happening simultaneously. It is no surprise that when The office’s doors shut behind him as he begins to un- of their faces possess a look of disappointment whilst thinking of the era of the First World War and the grad- surely navigate the way to exit the mansion. The owner’s others are filled with looks of contentment, eager to get ual introduction of electricity, the birth of modern civi- assistant figured he should have learned the way by now. it over with. All of the men present are ordered to place lization can be traced all the way back to its roots there. Besides, he could use an extra word with the owner in their hands behind their heads as a line of soldiers stand Though there was an impressive array of milestones private. Upon involuntarily committing a detour around meters apart from them. Their guns arch upwards as they achieved, this doesn’t mean that there was an adequate the house, my great-grandfather finds himself back at the stare at the collection of bodies prepared to surrender means of reporting every type of situation ordinary men office. He is eager to start the path towards the outside their lives at their command. crossed paths with during their lifetimes. Among the again, but the loud utterances of a conversation between “And, fire…” one of the guards proclaims. But the fire lessons the two consecutive world wars can teach us the two men within the room grabs his attention. He can- does not ignite yet. is the journey one must take to uncover bits and piec- not help but listen. The owner of the carriage is speak- Instead, it is brought to a halt by the incoming rush es of undiscovered treasures, stories which are buried ing, a man whose identity would soon reveal itself when of a carriage. It is traveling at the speed of light. Be- in silence. These stories include those of people like my sparing my great-grandfather’s life. fore the soldiers are able to formulate an expression, it great-grandfather, who managed to save his life, regard- “Who would’ve thought that an Armenian could be so has reached our proximity and parked at the corner of less of having been in the wrong place at the wrong time. hardworking, so efficiently productive and so intelligent the lined-up executioners. A hyper soldier steps out of Chance Encounter as to perform such beautiful work?” These words come the carriage, holding a piece of paper in his hand as he It’s four o’clock in the afternoon. My hand skims over out of the owner’s mouth flowingly as my great-grand- confusedly discovers the words written on it. His hand a page of my notebook as I intently listen to the tape father decides to abandon the premises full of confusion. is raised to signal the will to intervene in the occasion. recorder blurting out my great-grandfather’s rusty voice. The Execution “Don’t shoot! Don’t shoot! Hold on a second there,” He is speaking a language I can’t comprehend — Turk- The clock strikes past six o’clock in the afternoon. My his lips mutter. “If you hear your name, please step back- ish — as my father, who sits opposite me, partakes in great-grandfather is just about done with his job for the wards.” translating what appears to be an interview he conducted day as he decides to head out of the shop. The silence He proceeds to initiate a reading of names, one of with his grandfather about four decades which happens to be my great-grandfather’s, ago. I am holding a pencil, vigorously “Der Arakelian...” writing down occurrences highlighted In response, my great-grandfather shak- by my father’s approximate translation ily withdraws his hands from the back of of the words being spoken. The words his head and steps backwards. The speaker teleport me to a time and place my approaches him and kindly asks him to join mind could only fathom dreaming of. him in entering the carriage. He does as he The , 1915 is told, and as the carriage sets off, shots are The occupied streets unfold before heard being fired at the rest of the ill-fated me as I navigate my way through the men. From the pool of blood sinking into shattered pieces of marble and brick the golden sand, only two souls are fortunate that kiss the ground. There is a gener- enough to escape that evening. One belong- al distaste arising from the faces ob- ing to my great-grandfather, and the other to served around the neighborhood. They an acquaintance of his who has been lucky in are screaming at me, the invisible me: hiding under the name of a dead man. “Leave… leave…” The other man was to visit my great-grand- No one has anything left here any- father at his workplace in the coming days, more. where he told him about how he survived, I track a youthful representation of having had to pretend that he was shot by the Yeghia Der Arakelian, my great-grand- firing squad. Soon enough, the small-scale father, which I have come to identify murders of minorities in the Ottoman suburbs from his ancient photos, and begin and towns turned into widespread genocides, to follow his fast-paced figure. He is among them being the Armenian Genocide. headed to work in Adana (a city in Cili- My great-grandfather came to realize that the cia). The walk feels like it is dragging sparer of his life was the same man who had almost an hour before he approaches owned the carriage and profoundly thanked his stopping point, a maintenance shop him for his magnificent job in his own house. that specializes in making and apply- The man also went by the title of Marshal of ing upholstery into carriages. I sit on the Ottoman Army and soon-to-be president a distant chair, observing his tending of Turkey: Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. In other to a carriage that has been parked by words, the same person who would soon be the shop’s front porch. He completes connected with the massacres of Armenians his task of refurbishing its upholstery during the establishment of Turkey following as the neighing of horses is heard ap- the First World War had chosen to avoid hav- proaching our vicinity, the frantic tap- ing my great-grandfather killed, the only via- ping of their shoes louder by the sec- ble explanation being the incredibly positive ond. impression that he had of him concerning the The customer has arrived. He attach- treatment of his carriage’s upholstery. es a horse to the carriage that has just completed its renovation and proceeds Meeting Fate in the Eye to salute my great-grandfather in sat- Yeghia Der Arakelian I am back in the 21st century, marveling at isfaction. the tape recorder that has just finished broad- Two days later, I am sitting at the same chair in the that once enveloped our area is now replaced with the casting my great-grandfather’s voice. same dusty walled room. My great-grandfather is con- shudders and yelps of distant inhabitants. They don’t re- I guess the saying that nothing happens by coincidence sumed in replacing the upholstery of a similar carriage main distant. Their heart-wrenching screams are heard hits the nail on the head when thinking of incidents with before he expects a visitor to knock on his front door. It coming closer and closer. They are soon accompanied positive results such as this one. After escaping his or- is the same man who had come to fetch the carriage a by the sound of the rush of horses speeding their way deal, my great-grandfather found refuge in the Medi- few days ago. Only this time he has no carriage to fetch. across the square, which stop by the shop. terranean island of , where he would come to be It is my great-grandfather he is looking for. He lets him A brief entrance of three government soldiers and involved in the creation of the nation’s first taxi service. know that the owner of the carriage has been incredi- their conversation with my great-grandfather lasts no I also often think that had it not been for his survival, bly impressed by his work and would like to see him to more than two minutes before they ask him to follow I wouldn’t have been born in a relatively safe, warless personally thank him at his house. My great-grandfather them outside. They claim there is an important arrange- environment, writing about his story. Most of my privi- is flattered; he blushes before complying with what ap- ment to be made that would require his presence at a lege has been thanks to this sequence of events, which, pears to be a request to which he has little choice. specific place. The four exit the space towards the moon- if they never happened, would have probably prevented He makes it safely into the house of the mysterious lit landscape of demolished infrastructure as I am moved my existence along with that of millions of others, those owner. The only thing noticeable about him so far is his by the sight of the soldiers leading my great-grandfather who were lucky enough to be descendants of survivors. wealth, indicated by his lavish exhibition of furniture onto the carriage. I follow them along as they embark on Others, however, were not so lucky. And I often think and paintings costing a fortune. He has his assistant, a journey towards the promised place of arranging the about how different the world would be had it included the man who was responsible to pick up his carriage, matter. After what felt like an eternity on the road, the descendants of all the victims, the lives that were silently lead my great-grandfather around the mansion until they carriage pulls off at the heart of a vacant plot of land near terminated. enter an office. A few minutes later, he is at the dispos- Tarsus. The soldiers step out of the carriage, ordering my That is the only certain conclusion to be made in a al of my honored great-grandfather. He conducts some great-grandfather to jump off the carriage. world that is based on inexplicable occurrences. SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2021 ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR 19 COMMENTARY

My Turn an even bigger scandal. However, if the Greek Ambassador had not secured his Greece Must Recognize country’s approval prior to his visit to Shushi, which is unlikely, then he should be immediately fired! Artsakh to Atone For Its Rather than showing gratitude to Greece, Azerbaijan disrespected its sub- Envoy’s PR Tour of Shushi missive action by sending its first parliamentary delegation to the Turkish-oc- cupied so-called Republic of Northern Cyprus, recognized only by Turkey. by Harut Sassounian A scandalous propaganda tour was organized on July There are reports that Azerbaijan may soon recognize the statehood of North- 9-10, 2021 by Azerbaijan’s despotic government to occu- ern Cyprus. If that happens, Greece should immediately dispatch its ambassa- pied Shushi and Hadrut to display “proudly” to foreign ambassadors its bar- dor in Yerevan to Stepanakert, the capital of Artsakh, and announce its recog- baric attack on the civilian population of Artsakh and partial destruction of nition of the . This would be the only way that Greece can one of its most sacred Armenian cathedrals. atone for its envoy’s indiscretion and deliver a proper response to Azerbaijan’s Before I present the list of ambassadors of countries that exposed their hos- recognition of Northern Cyprus. tility to Armenia by participating in this tour, it is important to note that the In addition to the Armenian National Committee of Greece’s complaint, the ambassadors of France, Russia, and the United States, who are members of the ANC’s of Belgium and the Netherlands filed similar complaints with their re- Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Minsk Group of medi- spective governments. Protests should also be made to the other participating ators of the Artsakh conflict, refused to take part in this charade to the cha- countries, particularly the governments of Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Estonia, grin of the Azeri government. The Minsk Group thus indicated that it had no Georgia, Iran, Iraq, , , Jordan, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Poland, interest in Azerbaijan’s pompous show of its occupation of parts of Artsakh. Qatar, , Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, and Venezuela. Contrary to the repeated statements of Pres. Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, the I am pleased that the Foreign Ministries of Armenia and Artsakh issued Minsk Group still considers the status of Artsakh not resolved. The absence of statements condemning the visit of the foreign ambassadors in Baku to Shushi: these three major countries from this propaganda tour is a slap in the face of “The Republic of Armenia considers utterly unacceptable the visit of diplomatic the Azeri government. representatives accredited in Azerbaijan to the occupied territories of Artsakh, The 46 countries that shamelessly participated in this scandalous tour of the including Hadrut and the historical center of Artsakh -- Shushi, regions which city of Shushi are: Afghanistan, Algeria, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Bul- were ethnically cleansed and their population was the subject of war crimes garia, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, and other mass atrocities committed by Azerbaijani armed forces during the Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Libya, Lithuania, recent aggression.” It was emphasized that by arranging such events “the Azer- Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Qa- baijani authorities are trying to legitimize the aggression against the people of tar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Slovakia, South Korea, Sudan, Sweden, Artsakh and to strengthen their own claims of having resolved the conflict by Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, UAE, Ukraine and Venezuela. There are 63 force,” stated the Armenian Foreign Ministry which also handed these ambas- foreign embassies in Azerbaijan, which means that 17 ambassadors refused to sadors a “note verbale” or a note of protest addressed to their governments. participate in the propaganda tour, including Argentina, Cuba, Egypt, Ger- many, Great Britain, and , in addition to France, Russia and the United Rather than visiting the occupied territories of Artsakh, the foreign ambassa- States. dors in Baku should have issued a joint statement condemning Azerbaijan for The countries that took part in the Azeri tour should be severely criticized importing Syrian terrorists to fight in the Artsakh war, committing war crimes, and condemned by all Armenians. Furthermore, the Armenian communities ethnic cleansing, destruction of Armenian religious and historical monuments, who live in these countries should express their strong disapproval. Demonstra- and continuing to hold captive Armenian prisoners of war 10 months after the tions must be organized in front of the embassies of those countries in Yerevan end of the conflict in violation of international law and the agreement signed by and protest letters sent to their respective governments. the heads of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia on Nov. 9, 2020. Of course, the most shameful participant in this tour is the ambassador of At every opportunity, citizens of Armenia should remind the foreign ambas- Greece, a country that is supposed to be a friend of Armenia. In addition to sadors accredited to Yerevan the inacceptable participation of their colleagues betraying Armenia, Greece violated its own interests and principles by taking in Azerbaijan in the Shushi tour. Similarly, Armenians living in the offending part in this scandalous tour. The Greek ambassador must have forgotten that ambassadors’ countries should express their displeasure to their governments. during the height of the Artsakh war last year, the Foreign Minister of Greece By continuing to complain about this visit, Armenians will ensure that these visited Yerevan to show his country’s solidarity with Armenia. He also forgot countries and their ambassadors in Azerbaijan will think twice before they the insulting and undiplomatic words Pres. Aliyev used to address him during agree to participate in other propaganda activities on behalf of Azerbaijan. the presentation of his credentials in Baku. The only proper response to Azerbaijan’s PR actions is for the Armenian I am pleased that the Greek media and Armenian community of Greece re- government to organize a tour of Stepanakert, Artsakh, for the foreign am- sponded harshly to the country’s ambassador’s disastrous visit to Shushi and bassadors accredited to Yerevan. Will the Armenian government dare to make called on the Greek Foreign Minister to appear in Parliament to provide an such a move and will it succeed in carrying it out? However, before embarking explanation. It is not known if the Greek ambassador in Baku obtained the on such an initiative, Prime Minister must fill the post of for- approval of his government prior to his tour of Shushi. If he did, that makes it eign minister which has been vacant for two months.

nia refuses to do so voluntarily. Our native land is Zangezur. Our native Azerbaijan has also been trying to in- land is Goycha (Sevan) and Irevan (Ye- Is Anyone Listening? ternationalize the corridor issue, which revan).” basically is a component of Turkey’s In his turn, Azerbaijani Defense Min- EDITORIAL, from page 17 plications. pan-Turanist agenda. But Azerbaijan, at a ister Col. Gen. Zakir Hasanov amplified which may lead to future political coop- It is interesting that during the first two recent conference in Tashkent, had touted Aliyev’s threat by stating: “We are the eration. visits from the EU, Prime Minister Nikol the idea that the Zangezur Corridor is part winning country. We have destroyed Ar- First we saw a visit by a delegation led Pashinyan expressed his profuse grati- of China’s Road and Belt Project. On the menia.” by the European Union (EU) Commis- tude while touching on some very topical other hand, the idea was also discussed He further developed this theme by sioner for Neighborhood Enlargement issues, like the return of prisoners, Azer- when Azerbaijan invited foreign ambas- adding: “President Ilham Aliyev, the Oliver Varhelyi, who broke the news that baijan’s bellicose statements and a call sadors to Shushi last week. Victorious Supreme Commander of the the EU had decided to contribute 2.6 bil- for the resumption of negotiations, under Until recently, President Erdogan’s Armed Forces, recently threatened that lion euros for development programs in the auspices of the OSCE. rhetoric was taken as bluster by the inter- ‘the war is over but despite this, we are Armenia, particularly in the region of However, both European officials stuck national community. No more. In recent ready and must be ready for war at any Syunik, which is vulnerable economically to their prepared texts and were non-re- years, he has expanded his plans and he moment.’” and politically. The EU is providing more sponsive to Pashinyan’s pleas. That atti- has taught the same to Aliyev. We no In line with its threats, Azerbaijani than 3 billion euros to Georgia and 900 tude is encouraging President Aliyev to longer can afford to take their threats as forces have been escalating serious mili- million to Azerbaijan. We don’t know if make threatening remarks to Armenia, a bluff. tary actions; after crossing into Armenian these figures calibrate the EU’s level of with the confidence that the internation- Recently, President Aliyev’s threats territories in Syunik and Gegharkyunik, friendship to these three countries. al community will not react when in fact have become more and more ominous. they recently moved closer to Yeraskh, Next to visit the region was European there is an urgent need to do so. He has been claiming the entire territory causing causalities within view of Yere- Council President Charles Michel to fur- Nikol Pashinyan has been reassuring of Armenia. van. These actions warrant immediate ther implement those grants. the public that there is no Zangezur Cor- On July 14, he issued the following responses from the CSTO and the UN Se- It is hard to imagine any private in- ridor. The implementation of the Novem- threats: “We will return there and we are curity Council. vestment at this point in war-torn Arme- ber 9 declaration is being carried out by returning there. Nobody can stop us. We These are not empty threats. They are nia, where stability is precarious at best. the deputy prime ministers of the three will definitely return because there is no real. In fact, Aliyev and Hasanov are de- These investments are welcome and re- signatory countries and the Armenian other way. After the opening of all trans- claring war; not a virtual war, but an ac- assuring, along with the commitments of authorities categorically deny that the is- port links, we will, of course return there tual one. Aliyev had been making similar Armenian benefactors from the diaspora. sue of the corridor has come up on their and the Azerbaijani population will return threats for the few years before Septem- The next major event to happen is agenda and furthermore say it never will. to the lands of their ancestors. A tripartite ber 27, 2019. Armenia ignored it at its President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to However, Aliyev insists that Azerbaijan agreement of November 10 says that all peril. Armenia, which may have political im- will forcefully take that corridor if Arme- refugees must return to their homeland. Is anyone listening? 20 SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2021 ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR

Armenian Democratic Liberal 2021 Aurora Prize Ceremony Party Eastern District Committee To Take Place in Venice YEREVAN — The Aurora Humanitarian at a virtual fundraising event in New York Praises Amb. Nersesyan’s Tenure Initiative has announced that the 2021 Au- City, dedicated to Aurora’s core philosophy rora Prize events will take place in Venice, of Gratitude in Action. Broadcast live from Italy, on October 8-10, 2021. In addition to The New York Public Library, the event In US the ceremony, during which the 2021 Au- featured Aurora Co-Founder and member PRAISE, from page 1 rora Prize Laureate will be named and the of the Aurora Prize Selection Committee skillfully in diplomatic circles, as well as the Armenian community, serving as an Aurora Dialogues, there will be ample op- Vartan Gregorian, who sadly passed away effective liaison between the community and the war-torn Republic portunities for the guests and participants, in April 2021. of Armenia. The community in this country owes you a great debt including members of the Aurora Prize “The 2021 Aurora Prize main events in for your permanent presence, for communicating the community’s Selection Committee, Aurora Humanitari- Venice are intended to give a chance for our sentiments to the authorities in Armenia, and your effective actions ans, and other representatives of Aurora’s guests to come together for the first time in directing community’s support to Armenia. community, to explore the rich Armenian since we were forced to bring all our events It is no less an historical event that during your diplomatic en- legacy of this location. online. The last year and a half has been deavors, a significant event came true as the legislative bodies of the US govern- The 2021 Aurora events in Venice will hard on everyone, and we’ve suffered many ment and President Joe Biden, each in turn, recognized finally the historical fact mark the first time the Aurora Prize Cere- a painful loss. That is why we are very of the Armenian Genocide. mony takes place in Europe and will high- excited about the opportunity to express The Armenian community in the United States has benefitted from the accom- light the extensive connection between this gratitude to our wonderful community, to plishments of a skillful diplomat in your person. We hope that your dynamic universally important cultural site and the bring global humanitarians to Venice and to service will continue for many years in the name of our beleaguered homeland, spirit of Aurora, with its deeply embedded introduce them to the Armenian legacy of wherever you may be stationed next. respect for the human life shared by every this location and to its rich and fascinating The Armenian Democratic Liberal Party and its Eastern USA and Canada Dis- Armenian and every member of Aurora trict Committee, which has dedicated its broad network of news media to the history,” said Noubar Afeyan, Co-Founder global movement alike. It will also be the service of Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh, wishes you well in your future of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative. first offline Aurora Prize Ceremony since endeavors. The first Armenian communities were the breakout of the global COVID-19 pan- Kevork Marashlian established in the region centuries ago, and demic. Chairman the history of their successful development On October 19, 2020, the Aurora Human- and integration echoes the complex and itarian Initiative marked its 5th anniversary compound identity defining the modern Ar- menian people and their global impact. No matter where they were born, from Yerevan to Los Angeles, from Beirut to Moscow, all Armenians possess an acute understanding of the importance of kindness, humanity, and gratitude, strongly reflected in Aurora’s vision. “The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative is transforming the Armenian experience into a global movement based on the philoso- phy of Gratitude in Action, and we are very happy to have the 2021 Aurora Prize Cere- mony in Venice, one of the most important Armenian heritage sites, and to highlight our presence in Europe after the success of last year’s US event. Aurora continues to successfully enhance the humanitarian an- gle, and we can’t wait to share this special moment of celebrating modern-day heroes and the work they do with members of Au- rora’s community,” said Ruben Vardanyan, Co-Founder of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative. In the meantime, nominations are still open for the 2022 Aurora Prize for Awaken- ing Humanity. Until October 31, 2021, any person can submit a nomination for can- didates they believe have overcome great personal challenges to help others. The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative is a foundation that seeks to address on-the- ground humanitarian challenges around the world with the focus on helping the most destitute. Its mission is rooted in the Arme- nian history as the Initiative was founded on behalf of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide and in gratitude to their saviors and strives to transform this experience into a global movement. All Aurora’s activities are based on the universal concept of Gratitude in Action. It implies that countless people around the world who have received aid in time of cri- sis can best express their gratitude by of- fering similar assistance to someone else. By involving Aurora supporters around the world, this will become a global endeavor that will snowball to expand the circle of saviors and most importantly – the number of those saved. Addressing urgent humanitarian chal- lenges, the Initiative provides a second chance to those who need it the most. True to its vision – “We believe that even in the darkest times, a brighter future is in the hands of those who are committed to giving others help and hope” – Aurora welcomes all who embrace this philosophy.