JULY 23, 2016 Mirror-SpeTHE ARMENIAN ctator Volume LXXXVII, NO. 1, Issue 4445 $ 2.00 NEWS The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 INBRIEF French Senate to Armenia Hostage Crisis Continues Discuss Armenian Genocide YEREVAN (Combined Sources) — Pro- opposition gunmen are holding four police PARIS (PanARMENIAN.Net) — The French officers hostage, officials said Tuesday, July Senate will discuss the bill to outlaw the denial of 19, two days after they seized a police the Armenian Genocide in September, Armenia’s building, killing one officer and taking sev- public TV reports. eral hostages. The French National Assembly on July 1 voted The gunmen seized the police station on unanimously to penalize denial or trivialization of Sunday, before demanding Armenians take all crimes against humanity, including the to the streets to secure the release of jailed Armenian Genocide. opposition politicians. The amendment of a previous law, adopted in the first reading, criminalizes denial with one year (PHOTOLUR PHOTO) imprisonment and a 45,000 euro fine. The crimes included in the text are genocides, “other crimes against humanity,” “the crime of enslavement and exploitation of an enslaved per- son” and “war crimes.” City of Ani on UNESCO

Demonstrators in Yerevan (Russia Times Photo) World Heritage List PARIS (PanARMENIAN.Net) — The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural situation without bloodshed,” far refused to surrender. Organization (UNESCO) cultural agency on Jirair Sefilian, second from left, as he was arrested in June Armenia’s first deputy police The hostages include Armenia’s Deputy Friday, July 15 added a ruined Armenian city inside chief Hunan Pogosyan told AFP. Police Chief General Major Vardan Turkey’s border to its World Heritage list, as it ele- Lines of police in flak jackets Yeghiazaryan and Yerevan Deputy Police vated eight other sites across the world to the list They released two hostages on Sunday and helmets gathered outside Chief Colonel Valeri Osipyan. ranking, AFP reports. and three more on Monday, the security the building Tuesday as parked trucks see HOSTAGES, page 2 The ruins of Ani, which lie outside the Turkish service said. Negotiations to end the situa- blocked off surrounding streets, an AFP city of Kars, was the capital of an Armenian king- tion peacefully were under way. photographer said. dom around the end of the first millennium, before “Talks are underway with the hostage- The gunmen, who have also captured a Two Citizens of Armenia Die its conquest in 1064 by Seljuk forces hastened a takers. We are doing our best to resolve the large arsenal of police weapons, have so decline then completed by the Mongol conquest In Devastating Nice Attack and an earthquake. In another sensitive inscription, UNESCO elevat- NICE, France (Public Radio of Armenia) ed to World Heritage status caves once inhabited — According to the Foreign Ministry of by Neanderthals in Britain’s overseas territory of Armenia, two Armenian citizens died dur- Gibraltar, which is claimed by Spain. ing the terror attack in Nice on July 14. They joined seven other sites including in Iran, “We inform with sorrow about another India, China, Micronesia and Spain in being added Armenian citizen died in Nice,” the state- to the World Heritage list at the meeting of ment said. Earlier the Foreign Ministry UNESCO in Istanbul. reported that an Armenian citizen was The ruined churches and secular buildings of Ani killed in the July 14 terrorist attack in Nice. are a hugely sensitive site, lying directly on the “Details are being clarified. The Armenian other side of Turkey’s closed border with Armenia. Consulate General in Marseille is in contact with the family of the victim for providing nec- essary assistance,” the MFA said. Arthur Abraham see NICE, page 20 Defeats Lihaug to Win WBO Middleweight Title President Sargsyan, US BERLIN (Boxingnews24.com) — Former two-divi- Secretary of Kerry Hold sion world champion Arthur Abraham defeated #15 WBO Tim Robin Lihaug (15-2, 8 KOs) by an Karabagh Talks in Warsaw 8th round knockout in super middleweight action on Saturday, July 16, at the Max Schmeling Halle, WARSAW, Poland (PanARMENIAN.Net) Prenzlauer Berg. With the victory, Abraham cap- — President Serzh Sargsyan on July 8 met tured the vacant WBO International super mid- with US Secretary of State John Kerry on dleweight title. the sidelines of the NATO Summit to discuss Abraham is 36. the Nagorno Karabagh conflict settlement. Starting the meeting, Sargsyan Henrikh Mkhitaryan expressed condolences over the deadly shootings in Dallas, Texas. As for the Karabagh issue, the president INSIDE Henrikh Mkhitaryan Debuts for hailed the efforts of the United States as a co-chair of the Organization for Security Manchester United and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group in establishing peace and stability in Koutoujian MANCHESTER, UK (Independent) — Henrikh Mkhitaryan is confident he can the South Caucasus region. play a leading role at Manchester United after delivering an encouraging display in see TALKS, page 2 the 2-0 pre-season friendly victory against Wigan Athletic. Program The Armenian joined the 20-time champions of England from Borussia Dortmund for £26m this summer as Jose Mourinho continues to renovate the squad he inherited from Louis van Gaal. Page 6 Mourinho gave Mkhitaryan 45 minutes in the first-half at the DW Stadium on Saturday afternoon to prove himself ahead of the trip to China for the International Champions Cup next week. Will Keane and Andreas Pereira scored the first goals of the Mourinho era as INDEX United strolled to victory against Wigan in a match which also featured a debut for Arts and Living ...... 13 £30m defender Eric Bailly and a return from injury for Luke Shaw. Armenia ...... 2,3 Community News...... 6 Mkhitaryan said: “I would say it was a good game. The first half was a little bit Editorial ...... 18 difficult because we couldn’t score a goal. Secretary of State John Kerry , left, with International ...... 4,5 see MKHITARYAN, page 4 President Serzh Sargsyan and Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian 2 S ATURDAY, J ULY 2 3 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia

Examination Reveals Azerbaijanis Decapitated Armenian Serviceman When He Was Alive YEREVAN (Armenpress) — The preliminary inves- tigation of criminal cases that violated the interna- tional humanitarian law during the Azerbaijani aggression against Nagorno Karabagh in early April is underway at the General Military Investigative Department of Armenia. Under the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-office, the 18 bodies of Armenian soldiers were handled to the Armenian side on April 10. Police outside the police station where the hostages and hostage takers are holed up. (Photolur photo) The external examination of the bodies showed evi- dence of torture. Forensic examinations have been conducted to find out the causes of the death of each Armenian soldier. “By now we have the conclusions of the forensic Armenia Hostage Crisis Continues examinations of 7 soldiers, which prove the violation of international humanitarian law by the Azerbaijani HOSTAGES, from page 1 them later. for now. Those guys said they will side,” reads the release issues by the investigative Meanwhile, the friends of Colonel The Armenian government has made respond to it tonight at 7 p.m.” committee. The conclusion suggests that the 30-year Artur Vanoyan, killed during the attack a new proposal to gunmen holding four Both the NSS and the Armenian old Armenian major was beheaded while he was alive. of the police regiment in Yerevan on police officers hostage at a police sta- police have branded the attackers as Both hands of the major were also cut off when he July 17 by gunmen as well as colleagues tion in Yerevan, a member of their rad- “terrorists” and demanded their uncon- was alive. and MPs laid him to rest. ical opposition group said on Tuesday. ditional surrender. The evidence also shows that two more Armenian Vanoyan, 49, was married and had Alek Yenigomshian said he has been Yenigomshian said that although servicemen were beheaded after being killed. three children. acting as a go-between in negotiations the gunmen’s mobile phones were no Additional information will be provided after the con- The attackers have demanded the held the National Security Service longer reachable on Tuesday morning clusions of the forensic examinations of the other resignation of President Serzh servicemen are completed. Sargsyan and the release of detained opposition leader Jirair Sefilian. Prominent More than 1,500 anti-government protesters rallied in Yerevan on Bacteriologist Evrik Monday, calling for a peaceful resolu- tion to the crisis. Afrikyan Dies Sefilian — the leader of small opposi- YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Prominent bacteriolo- tion group the New Armenia Public gist, Doctor of Biological Sciences (1970), Professor Salvation Front — and six of his sup- (1972), Academician at the National Academy of porters were arrested in June after Sciences of Armenia (1982) and Honored Science authorities said they were preparing to Worker Evrik Afrikyan passed away at age 91. seize government buildings and tele- Born on May 14, 1925 in Yerevan, Afrikyan grad- coms facilities in Yerevan. uated from the Medical University of Yerevan in A fierce critic of the government, he 1947. was arrested in 2006 over calls for “a violent overthrow of the government” and jailed for 18 months. He was Import of Turkish Goods released in 2008. Last year, Sefilian and several of his To Armenia May Shrink supporters were arrested again on sus- by 20 Percent picion of preparing a coup, but released shortly afterwards. YERVAN (Arka) — If Armenian government bans (Stories from AFP, Reuters, Radio the import of 50 varieties of Turkish commodities, Free Europe and Armenpress were imports from Turkey may shrink 15-20 percent, used.) Vazgen Safaryan, the head of the Union of Domestic The hostage-takers’ main demand is A scene from outside the station (BBC Photo) Commodity Producers, told journalists on Monday, to free Jirair Sefilian, an opposition July 18. leader whom authorities in the ex- In recent days, Artsvik Minasyan, Armenian econ- Soviet republic have accused of plotting omy minister, unveiled the government’s intention to civil unrest. Sefilian was jailed in June (NSS) and the armed members of the he received assurances from the NSS put new requirements to the quality of Turkish com- over allegations of illegally possessing Founding Parliament movement that that the talks with them will contin- modities imported into Armenia. weapons. seized the building on Sunday, killing ue. “I’m very happy with that,” he Currently Armenia imports from Turkey some 700 The security service said talks were one senior police officer, wounding sev- said, speaking on a blocked street varieties of goods. There are not raw materials or deadlocked so far. eral others and taking the hostages. leading to the seized police com- goods of social necessity. “The armed group is refusing to “Those negotiations continued yes- pound. “We import commodities worth $130-150 million, release other hostages, including high- terday and the National Security In a statement issued at 5 p.m., the on average, from Turkey every year, and in some ranking officials, to lay down their Service (NSS) submitted a demand-pro- NSS said law-enforcement officials are years the amount reached $200 million,” Safaryan weapons, or to surrender,” the National posal to the ‘Sasna Tsrer’armed group,” continuing “intensive negotiations” said. “Along with that, our exports total only $1.5- Security Service said in a statement, Yenighomshian told reporters. with the gunmen in an effort to ensure 1.8 million.” saying the group posed a direct threat “Yesterday I met with NSS officials, their surrender and the liberation of Safaryan said that knitted fabric, washing powders to society. Zhirayr Sefilian [in prison] and mem- the hostages. “Armenian law-enforce- and other chemical products will be among the Protesters marched to the police sta- bers of ‘Sasna Tsrer’ group,” he said. “I ment bodies are doing everything to banned imports. tion seized by the gunmen. Police gave them the NSS’s demand-propos- hold the armed group back from fur- The economic entities which imported these prod- detained some activists but released als, details of which I won’t publicize ther bloodshed,” it said. ucts should be attracted to appropriate local indus- tries to prevent vacuum at market and not to leave business people without profits, he said. In his opinion, the government has created maxi- President Sargsyan, US Secretary of Kerry Hold Karabagh Talks in Warsaw mally beneficial conditions for producing goods TALKS, from page 1 Sargsyan and Azeri leader Ilham agreed to increase the number of inside the country. Also, the parties discussed an earli- Aliyev met on June 20 in Saint international observers in the “Time has come to mobilize the economic policy er phone conversation between the Petersburg to address the conflict, Nagorno Karabagh conflict zone. and use domestic resources more effectively,” he Russian and US Presidents, during with Russian President Vladimir Also, they expressed satisfaction that said. which the leaders addressed the Putin mediating the talks. The the ceasefire was now holding. According to the National Statistical Service, Karabagh conflict among other issues. Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents Prior to that, a meeting between Armenia-Turkey trade turnover amounted to about The parties also stressed the impor- confirmed their commitment to the both leaders was organized on May $50 million in Jan-May 2016 showing a 1 percent tance of implementing the agree- implementation of agreements 16 in Vienna, with top diplomats from year-on-year decline. a ments, reached at summits in Vienna reached at a Vienna-hosted meeting the MG co-chairing countries hosting and Saint Petersburg. on May 16. To that end, they have the summit. S A T U R D A Y , J U L Y 2 3 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 ARMENIA

Mer Doon Residents Participate in US Embassy Women’s Mentoring Program

ECHMIADZIN, Armenia — Four residents of Mer Doon recently met their mentors as participants in the US Embassy’s Women’s Mentoring Program. They are Margarita Grigoryan, Alisa Harutyunyan , Nelly Shaghbatyan and Hayarpi Ghahramanyan. The young women are either currently enrolled as full-time university students or, as in Margarita’s case, has completed a master’s degree. The purpose of the US Embassy program is to engage professional women as mentors to provide career advice, share personal experiences, and serve as role models to promis- ing young students. In 2016-2017, 61 women from a variety of professional fields will men- tor 62 women who are B.A. and M.A. students from different universities in Armenia. Mer Doon’s participants attended the kick-off of the fourth annual Women’s Mentoring Program at a press conference held at the American University of Armenia (AUA). Keynote speakers were US Ambassador to Armenia Richard Mills, and mentors Hasmik Sahakyan, President of Women and Youth Development and Support Center, and Shushan Doydoyan, Head of Personal Data Protection Department, Ministry of Justice. Sahakyan highlighted the importance of mentoring and said that Armenian students are very inter- ested in getting mentoring experience. “This program is meant to once again prove that mentoring also has a place in our society. Its role is especially important and significant in the development of young Mer Doon resident, Hayarpi Ghahramanyan, meets her mentor, Alice Adamyan. a violinist, women,” said Sahakyan. pedagogue and public figure. Lusine Mkrtchyan, a coordinator of the Mentoring Program, explained that each young participant has been paired with a mentor whose professional experience and expertise match the field of study and career goals of the mentee. The 2016-2017 mentoring program is organized in part- “This program is nership with AUA PSIA (Political Science and International Affairs) Program and the Women and Youth Development and Support Center. On May 18, the mentors assigned to meant to once the four young women visited Mer Doon for an initial meet- ing and orientation. again prove that Many corporate, organizational, and individual supporters help advance Mer Doon’s mission. Advisory Board members mentoring also are Chris Bohjalian, internationally acclaimed and best- selling author, and Vahan Zanoyan, global energy expert and author. Mer Doon’s corporate and organizational partners has a place in include U.S. Embassy Women’s Mentoring Program, Embassy of Lithuania, Microsoft Armenia, Megerian Carpet, our society. Its Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief (SOAR), Echmiadzin Municipality, Gavar role is especially Orphanage, Vanadzor Orphanage, Armenia Tree Project, SOS Children’s Village, and St. John Armenian Church – Detroit Women’s Guild. important and Mer Doon provides orphaned and disadvantaged young women (ages 18-24) a loving and nurturing place to call significant in the “home.” Our mission is to educate and empower them with skills to live independently in mainstream society. The orga- nization’s Co-Founder and Executive Director, Tigranuhi development of Karapetyan, manages the daily operations of the program. Mer Doon is located in Echmiadzin, Armenia. It is a reg- Richard M. Mills, United States Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia, welcomes all of its young women.” istered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the State of mentors and mentees at the U.S. Embassy’s kick off of the Women’s Mentoring Program. Connecticut and a nongovernmental organization registered -Nelly Shaghbatyan in the Republic of Armenia.

Supreme Spiritual Council Meeting Convenes at Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin

ECHMIADZIN — On June 25-30 under the the Armenian Church of North America and 2014, Pope Francis was invited to Armenia, and Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan, chairman presidency of Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch Bishop Haigazun Najarian, Primate of the confirmed his visit through a letter in 2015, of the Diocesan Representative Assembly and Catholicos of All Armenians, a Supreme Armenian Diocese of Australia and New Zealand. and finally made a fraternal visit to the Mother Committee, reported on the organizational Spiritual Council (SSC) meeting was held in the Issues related to ecumenical relations, intra- See of Holy Echmiadzin from June 24 to 26, works for Assembly, which will be convened Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin. church life and ecclesiastical councilor struc- which was held in a warm spiritual atmosphere. from October 31 to November 4 in the Mother The co-chairman for the meeting were tures were discussed during the meeting. Bishop Arshak Khachatryan, Chancellor of See of Holy Echmiadzin. Archbishop Parkev Martirosyan, Primate of the During the meeting, they reflected on the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin, presented a His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Diocese of Artsakh; Archbishop Khajag Pope’s visit to Armenia. The catholicos report on the visit. Primate of the Western Diocese of the Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of expressed his satisfaction in the process, that in The SSC members noted that the three-day Armenian Church of North America, presented visit of the Pope to Armenia was the best con- a report from the Assembly Charter Drafting firmation of the existing fraternal relations and Committee, on the progress of the Draft cooperation between the Armenian Apostolic Charter Project of the Armenian Church and Catholic Churches. The members of the Representative Assembly. Various suggestions Supreme Spiritual Council also expressed their and considerations regarding the draft articles appreciation to the Visit Organizing Committee were made during the discussions, based on and all those who participated in the organiza- which the Committee was instructed to finalize tional activities. the draft charter and present it at the next SSC During the meeting, the SSC members were meeting. made aware of a request from Archbishop Rev. Markos Mangasaryan, director of the Nurhan Manookian, Armenian Patriarch of Social Services Office, gave a report on the Jerusalem, asking for the participation of the Assistance to Artsakh Program, noting the Armenian Church in the renovation of the donations organized by the Mother See in the Tomb of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Church of Dioceses of the Armenian Church around the the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Stressing the world, as well as the humanitarian aid rendered importance of Jerusalem in the nation’s life and by various departments and dioceses of the the responsibility of the Armenian Church for Mother See; that were sent to Artsakh. the preservation of sacred places, the Supreme Expressing satisfaction regarding the support Spiritual Council, under the presidency of the provided by the ecclesiastical institutions and Catholicos of All Armenians, committed to sup- dioceses, the Supreme Spiritual Council port the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem stressed the importance of continuing efforts in James Kalustian, left, with Ruben Vardanyan and one of the Brotherhood members and secure the necessary amounts with the this direction, assisting the Armenians of Dioceses around the world. Artsakh and aiding in their needs. 4 S ATURDAY, J ULY 2 3 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR INTERNATIONAL International News Thousands Detained as Turkey Vows Azerbaijan Fires Shots To Smoke out Gülen Supporters Toward Artsakh ISTANBUL (Guardian) — As the dust nationalist-centered attack claiming he investigating them as part of a broader STEPANAKERT (Public Radio of Armenia) — The settled on an attempted coup in was promoting too many Kurds to posi- effort against Gülen sympathizers in the Azerbaijani side violated the ceasefire 20 times at Turkey, a crackdown has ensued. tions of authority because of his own military. the line of contact with Karabagh forces last night, Thousands of judges and soldiers have family heritage. Since the coup, thousands of people Artsakh Ministry of Defense reports. been detained and Turkish officials have Government officials claim the have been fired from their positions in The rival used firearms of different calibers as it vowed to “cleanse” a bureaucracy that Gülenists were probably behind the leak- the bureaucracy. A senior counter-ter- fired more than 240 shots in the direction of they say has entrenched supporters of ing of footage showing MIT trucks that rorism official said it had previously Armenian positions. an exiled cleric, Fethullah Gülen, in posi- were carrying arms to rebels in Syria been difficult to root out alleged The front divisions of the NKR Defense Army tions of power. under the guise of humanitarian aid, in Gülenist cells because they operated refrained from responding to the provocative actions It is a hunt that the government fully an effort to embarrass the agency’s chief. across various government organiza- of the rival and continued with the reliable protec- expects the opposition in parliament to After the 2011 elections, Hizmet sup- tions. Now the challenge was to find tion of the military posts. stand behind — now that their warnings porters grew increasingly frustrated what the official described as “sleeper and enduring paranoia over a coup by with what they saw as a pivot towards a cells” that hadn’t taken part in the coup. Tour Groups Say No Gülenists have, they say, become mani- more assertive political Islamist agenda “Moving forward, no tolerance or com- fest. — they felt Erdogan had grown invulner- passion will be shown to supporters of Russia-Turkey Charter But how did it come to this? able, buoyed by landslide victories that Fethullah Gülen’s terrorist group or any The Gülenists once found common meant he no longer needed his allies. In other terrorist organization,” Erdogan Flights This Year cause with Recep Tayyip Erdogan , sup- the autumn of 2013, Erdogan ordered said in a statement on Monday. porting his Justice and Development the closure of preparatory schools “Without compromising democratic MOSCOW (news.am) — Maia Lomidze, executive (AK) party when it was founded on a around the country — a significant principles and the rule of law, we shall director of the Association of Tour Operators of realist, pro-European and business- source of income for the Gulenists, who Russia, reported this week that charter flights friendly platform in the wake of a 1997 operated about a quarter of them. between Russia and Turkey will not be reinstated in coup. They remained allies as Erdogan But the serious break came in the current year, according to Izvestia newspaper of initiated peace talks with the separatist December 2013, when a wide-ranging Russia. insurgency of the Kurdistan Workers investigation into corruption in She said that, during the talk between a delegation Party (PKK), and through the liberaliza- Erdogan’s inner circle led to the resig- from Turkey and the management of relevant tion of the economy and EU accession nations of several ministers and the Russian departments, the Russian side raised the talks. arrest of many of their associates. The matter of safety of tourists. “There was an overlap [with] president declared the investigation was As a result, the parties decided that Turkey will Erdogan’s political party,” said a jour- an outright attempt at a judicial “coup” provide a list of dangerous places for tourists. nalist and sympathizer of the Gülenist by a parallel authority within the state. movement, also called Hizmet, who said “That was the final nail in the coffin of Azerbaijan Shuts TV he opposed the coup attempt but the relations,” said the journalist who is requested anonymity amid the tense sympathetic to Hizmet. Station after Gulen political situation in Turkey. Erdogan’s supporters insist the cor- Gülen’s acolytes were allies of ruption investigations were an attempt Fethullah Gulen Interview Erdogan, partners in purges of the mili- to bring down the government, but oth- BAKU (Public Radio of Armenia) — Azerbaijan on tary over the last decade that turned ers sympathetic to the Gülenists said the Tuesday, July 19, shut down a private television into witch hunts, and ironically led to the investigators were simply doing their combat all terrorist organizations that channel over plans to broadcast an interview with promotion of officers who would later jobs, and could not have turned a deaf place the future of our nation and the Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen, who Ankara accus- take part in Friday’s attempted coup. ear to increasingly flagrant corruption state at risk.” es of being behind the failed coup in Turkey, AFP Gülen’s supporters were instrumental in and nepotism in the bureaucracy. The president’s crackdown on Gülen’s reports. prosecuting two wide-ranging investiga- “Hizmet doesn’t have the means to supporters will raise numerous concerns Baku is an ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip tions and trials, known Ergenekon and execute a coup d’etat,” said another about the government’s efforts to con- Erdogan, who has furiously pointed blame at his Sledgehammer affairs, targeting “deep journalist linked to the movement who solidate its power. But his supporters archenemy Gulen for the weekend’s botched military state” structures that were accused of was interviewed before the coup say that their warnings have been ful- takeover. The US-based preacher denies any involve- planning to remove the AK party from attempt. “The corruption investigation filled, even though the evidence of ment. power. was an important turning point, the gov- Gülenist orchestration has not yet been Azerbaijan’s National Television and Radio Council “Let me put it this way,” said one ernment thought it was done by prose- made public beyond the statements of said in a statement that it has “ordered temporary Turkish government official. “Nobody, I cutors and officers linked to Hizmet, and officials, and the widespread detentions suspension of broadcasting by the ANS TV channel mean nobody, was aware at the time that what they claim is correct. The question and arrests have meant that Hizmet is at in order to avoid provocations aimed at damaging the the Gülen movement had a secret agen- is whether there is corruption or not.” least temporarily crippled in Turkey. strategic partnership between Turkey and da. Let’s keep in mind that [in 2007] it Whether or not the Gülenists hoped “They have lost their operational abil- Azerbaijan and to prevent obvious promotion of ter- was a very different situation, with the to bring down the government with the ity, their headquarters and their orga- rorism.” armed forces openly threatening to over- corruption allegations, there was no nizing minds,” said one official close to Erdogan wants Washington to extradite Gulen to throw the government.” going back. They were accused of the prime minister. “We will have to Turkey, but US Secretary of State John Kerry has Since then, the relationship has steadi- orchestrating various conspiracies and clear all the bureaucracy, whether those said that Ankara must produce evidence to support ly declined. Both sides accused each setting up terror networks. Thousands who supported the intervention or who the extradition request. other of wanting to consolidate control. of police officers were fired. TV stations are leaning towards intervention.” The reclusive Muslim cleric lives in self-imposed Drawing on grassroots support, the and newspapers belonging to the move- Gülen himself has rejected all accusa- exile in a mountain town in Pennsylvania. His Hizmet Gülenists continued to stack the judicia- ment were either shut down or prevent- tions against Hizmet, and suggested that movement has a powerful presence in Turkish soci- ry and police forces with followers loyal ed from distribution, including one of the coup may have been staged, while ety, including the media, police and judiciary. to the movement. Erdogan also consoli- the country’s largest newspapers, some of his supporters say the putsch dated power, growing more powerful Zaman, which was taken over by the gov- was likely orchestrated by secularist mil- and populist as prime minister, and ernment. itary officers who were unhappy with Russia Tries to Maintain espousing a political view that saw a But despite repeated accusations the flare-up of tensions with the Kurds resurgent Turkey as a geopolitical leader against Gülen of masterminding terror and the instability on the border with Arms Parity in a troubled neighborhood. operations from his exile in Syria and they question the extent of the MOSCOW (Public Radio of Armenia) — Russia is Various skirmishes erupted between Pennsylvania, no formal extradition purges. taking efforts to maintain parity both in absolute the two camps. The Gülenists led an ulti- request was submitted to the US. But “Shaaban Disli, an AKP member terms and in the quantity and quality of the basic mately unsuccessful smear campaign then the coup attempt was launched. whose brother gave the order to begin weapons systems it supplies, TASS reports. against Hakan Fidan, the head of the Turkish officials allege the putsch was the coup, has a right to distance himself Russia is committed to maintaining parity in the Turkish intelligence agency MIT, with lead by a Gülenist core supported by from the coup,” said the journalist who supply of military equipment to Armenia and various accusations ranging from him other military officers. They say it was is sympathetic to Hizmet. “But now you Azerbaijan in the conditions of the intensified being sympathetic to Iran to espousing accelerated when members of the mili- are dismissing thousands of civil ser- Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Director of the Russian the ideology of Sayyid Qutb, the godfa- tary faction that backed the coup vants and teachers and bureaucrats for a Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation ther of modern jihadist movements, to a became aware that authorities were coup they have no relation to.” (FSMTC) Alexander Fomin said in an interview with Izvestia on Monday, July 18. “Conflicts begin regardless of the fact that one side may be armed better than the other,” Fomin said. “However, it is necessary to seek parity, so Henrikh Mkhitaryan Debuts for Manchester United Russia is taking efforts to maintain parity both in MKHITARYAN, from page 1 course we’re getting ready for the new the best stage for a footballer - 27/28 absolute terms and in the quantity and quality of the “But we made a good game and season so we are trying to do every- years old. basic weapons systems.” thank you to my team-mates. I was try- thing the coach is asking.” “He is magnificent the way he thinks Fomin also said that the main purpose of military- ing to feel comfortable. I think day by The former Shakhtar Donetsk midfield- about football, he thinks very quickly technical cooperation is to preserve peace and sta- day it will be better. I am trying, because er’s manager was delighted with his display, and it’s so sweet how he touches the bility in a given country, in a region and in the world the first days are always very difficult. too, lauding him as a “top-class player” ball. in general. “You have to get to know your team- whom he considers invaluable to his Old “He can play in different positions mates and their qualities, so I am trying Trafford project being a success. behind the striker. He doesn’t have the to learn everything very quickly. Game Mourinho told MUTV: “Mkhitaryan sharpness yet but his performance was by game it will be better and better. Of is a top-class player and currently at very positive.” S ATURDAY, J ULY 2 3 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5

Commitment at the Heart of AUA’s 25th Anniversary Celebrations

YEREVAN — A series of exciting events were by a special conference aimed at exploring A Medal of Gratitude was awarded to Zaven AUA benefactors Berj Kalaidjian of Monaco and organized in Yerevan recently in honor of AUA’s Armenia’s technology and innovation capabili- Akian, a member of the AUA Board of Trustees, Zaruhy Chitjian of Los Angeles in honor of silver jubilee. These included a special art exhi- ties, as well as challenges and opportunities for benefactor of the AUA Akian Gallery and spon- their significant contributions to education and bition featuring the works of 25 artists, the collaboration. The conference also examined sor of 200 scholarships to AUA students. A sec- science. The Ministry of Education and Science opening of the Entrepreneurship and Product AUA’s role in developing Armenia’s entrepre- ond Medal of Gratitude was awarded to Tom of the Republic of Armenia also conferred a Innovation Center (EPIC) along with a confer- neurial ecosystem and EPIC’s future goals in Samuelian, Dean of the AUA College of Gold Commemorative Medal to Director of the ence reflective of AUA’s role in entrepreneur- AGBU Papazian Library Satenik (Bella) ship and innovation, a concert and awards cer- Avagyan. Prestigious Gold Medals were also emony at the Aram Khachaturian Grand awarded to Director of Financial Services and Concert Hall, and an elegant gala dinner at Chief Accountant Mnatsakan Mkrtchyan, and Florence Restaurant. Registrar Chaghig Arzrouni-Chahinian. The anniversary theme, “More Than An The following day, AUA celebrated the grad- Education – A Commitment,” was the central uating class of 2016 with a commencement cer- theme of the festivities, reflective of AUA’s cru- emony led by AUA President Dr. Armen Der cial role in providing world-class teaching, Kiureghian. A highlight of the ceremony was a research, and service programs that prepare stu- speech delivered by one of this year’s valedicto- dents and enable faculty and researchers to rians, Setrag Hovsepian. Setrag, originally from address the needs of Armenia and the sur- Damascus, is a recipient of the Akian Family rounding region for sustainable development. Foundation Scholarship, along with several AUA opened its doors to 101 students on the other Syrian-Armenian students enrolled at same day the Republic of Armenia was declared AUA. Footage of Setrag’s touching speech on September 21, 1991 and has evolved into describing how this was the first time in his life one of the country’s most esteemed institu- he had the opportunity to take part in a gradu- tions, successfully creating a setting that values ation ceremony went viral on the internet. and develops academic excellence, free inquiry, AUA’s 25th anniversary celebrations in integrity, scholarship, leadership, and service to Yerevan concluded with a memorable Gala din- society. ner where AUA faculty, staff, alumni, benefac- The kick-off event was the “A Quarter tors, and board of trustees from all over the Century. A Salute to Education” art exhibition world gathered to celebrate AUA’s achieve- held at AUA’s Akian Gallery featuring the works AUA President Armen Der Kiureghian, left, with US Ambassador Richard Mills, right ments. of 25 artists. The exhibit, a joint collaboration AUA 25th anniversary celebrations will also with the Antikyan Gallery, reflected the diversi- be organized in Los Angeles with a special Gala ty of media, styles and narratives of the this sphere. Humanities and Social Sciences. The Medal of being held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on Armenian nation. Proceeds from the sale of the Later that evening, guests attended a special Gratitude is in recognition of an individual’s November 19. Longtime AUA benefactors artwork supported the University’s liberal arts Gala Concert held at the Aram Khachaturian efforts in state, economic, social, scientific-tech- Mihran Agbabian and Elizabeth Agbabian and education programs. Grand Concert Hall. Awe-inspiring perfor- nical and public activities, as well as significant Jerry and Patricia Turpanjian will be honored The opening of the newly renovated state-of- mances were delivered by the Hover State contributions aimed at developing the health, for their ongoing generosity and commitment to the-art AUA Entrepreneurship and Product Chamber Choir and the Armenian National education and culture spheres. the University. The evening’s keynote speaker Innovation Center (EPIC) was also a highlight Philharmonic Orchestra. The evening, emceed The Movses Khorenatsi Medal, awarded for will be entrepreneur/philanthropist Ruben of the celebrations. EPIC will serve as a plat- by Armen Amiryan, also showcased a presenta- outstanding achievements in the spheres of cul- Vardanayn. An exclusive clip previewing the form for promoting entrepreneurial education, tion of awards and decorations in honor of indi- ture, art, literature, education, social sciences, upcoming film “The Promise” (directed by Terry cross disciplinary collaboration, and startup viduals who have supported the University. The and sports, was bestowed upon Chairman of George and starring Christian Bale, Oscar Isaac incubation at AUA. Congratulatory remarks civil decorations are bestowed by the Armenian AUA’s Board of Trustees Dr. Lawrence H. Pitts and Charlotte Le Bon) will also be shown. were delivered by U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Government for acts of accomplishment bene- and Assistant Vice President Anahit Ordyan. Please contact Lorraine Alexander at lalexan- Richard M. Mills. EPIC’s opening was preceded fiting the Armenian nation as a whole. Commemorative Medals were also awarded to [email protected] for sponsorships and tickets. Armenians Celebrate to Help Artsakh Victims

Paris, “has not been silenced and it has won out “Pulsar — Ode to Peace,” was unveiled in front of was enough to make the church walls shake. By Muriel Mirak-Weissbach over the murderers, it lives on.” the church. In his words of welcome, church rep- Ordukhanyan said it was a “unique feeling to The church was filled to capacity, as hundreds resentative Rudolf Skibinski Palmer highlighted hear Armenian songs in this setting.” But the Special to the Mirror-Spectator of Armenians from the Ruhr region had come, as this special relationship, and said that Armenia evening was not over. Groups gathered to talk well as several from as far away as Hamburg and would figure as a theme next year in the context and enjoy refreshments, then one of the musi- BOCHUM, Germany — For Nathanial Ullmann, Toulouse. Traffic jams had delayed the concert of festivities to celebrate the 500th anniversary cians sat down at the organ and began to play, a a journalist for the largest regional newspaper in but once all had arrived, the musicians marched of Martin Luther’s theses. flute joined in and even a German musician on Germany, the response of participants at a con- onto the elevated altar area to the sound of Then the music began, and as Rieck described hand took up his instrument, a German- cert in Bochum on July 8 showed just “how dif- rolling drums and the shrill tones of a flute. The it, “marvelous sounds rang out from a faraway Armenian duduk duet rang out, to shouts of ferent German and Armenian culture are.” He parishioners of this church feel a special rela- world, first melancholic, then soon with wit and “long live the Armenian-German friendship.” It explained: “Whereas Germans at an elevated cul- tionship to Armenia and the fate of its people, for swing,” both so familiar to the Armenian soul; was midnight when the doors to the church final- tural event sit there in silent wonder, Armenians a historical reason: a nurse from Bochum-Linden “and they let themselves be carried away, they ly closed. The journalist from the Westfaelische sing, dance and clap in happy enthusiasm.” And who had served in the Second World War clapped, they swayed in rhythm, and soon five Allgemeine Zeitung summed up: “The Armenian that is the case, even if the occasion might be a bequeathed her life’s savings – 50,000 deutsche young women (along with two little girls on the people have not had an easy time of it in their sad one. marks — for the church to erect a statue on its sidelines) could no longer sit still, and they history — but despite that, or perhaps because of This was a benefit concert in the Christ’s premises, dedicated to the cause of peace. In danced, hips moving, arms raised and hands that, they have never lost the joy of life.” Church in Bochum-Linden, organized by the 2005 a minister of the Christ’s Church traveled swirling – softly and yet strong, like wild flowers Armenian-German Association 1860, and the to Armenia, and in Gumri met sculptor Albert in the winds…” (The author can be reached at mirak.weiss- proceeds will go to the families of soldiers killed Vardanyan. The following year, his statue, When the concert concluded, the applause [email protected]) in the Artsakh war last April, as the organiza- tion’s head Azat Ordukhanyan said. Thus, a sad occasion, indeed; and yet, the mood was one of celebration. The ensemble “After Our Era,” which had traveled from Armenia for this con- US, Russia Working Together on Karabagh Settlement: Kerry cert and for a folk festival near Frankfurt, per- formed on traditional instruments – duduk, tar WASHINGTON (PanARMENIAN.Net/CNN) take to deal with Ukraine, also,” Kerry added. that Russia could be trusted to uphold its end (sitar), cylinder drum and Armenian bagpipe — — US Secretary Of State John Kerry said on In addition, Kerry said on Friday that the US of the bargain. while Madlena Galstyan sang. Selecting from a July 17 that Washington and Moscow are work- and Russia had agreed to cooperate in Syria “I want to emphasize, though, they are not repertoire that spans the centuries, the musi- ing together on the settlement of the Nagorno against the al Nusra Front, al Qaeda’s Syrian based on trust,” Kerry said, referring to the key cians (virtually all graduates of the Yerevan Karabagh conflict. branch, in an effort to “restore the cessation of parts of the agreement. “They define specific, Conservatory) presented works by the 10th-cen- “...We’re working on a number of different hostilities, significantly reduce the violence and sequential responsibilities all parties to the con- tury monk Gregor of Narek, other medieval com- issues,” he told “Meet the Press” on NBC. help create the space for a genuine and credible flict must assume with the intent of stopping all posers and, from the modern era, Makar “We’re working on Nagorno Karabagh. But political transition” in Syria. together the indiscriminate bombing of the Yekmalyan and Komitas Vardapet. with respect to Syria, nothing in what we talked But Kerry, appearing alongside Russian Assad regime and stepping up our efforts “And we have good reason to celebrate,” said about is based on trust. I’m not sitting here Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow, against al Nusra.” Heide Rieck, while introducing the performers to naively trusting what the Russians may or may declined to provide details of the cooperation, Both the US and Russia have aircraft that the hundreds of guests. Rieck, who is a leading not do. What we have done is laid out a series saying “the concrete steps that we have agreed conduct operations over Syria, and a draft of figure in Bochum’s literary milieu, has been of steps concretely.” on are not going to be laid out in public in some the proposed agreement would allow for target- engaged in several Armenian initiatives over the “We’re still working on the issue of Ukraine long list because we want them to work.” ing and carrying out joint air strikes against past years. Cause for celebration, she said, was and we still haven’t resolved the issue of Proposals to deepen military cooperation ISIS and al-Nusra, the al Qaeda branch in Syria. the German Bundestag’s recognition of the Ukraine. And frankly, we’ve spent a good deal with Russia in Syria have sparked a rift at the The draft also said that the air force of the genocide on June 2 of this year. The music of of time in the conversation with President highest levels of the Obama administration, Syrian regime would largely be grounded as Komitas, she said, who studied in Berlin and Putin laying down the steps that we need to with the Pentagon openly challenging the idea part of the agreement. 6 S ATURDAY, J ULY 2 3 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Community News

Camp Armen Breakthrough in Supporters Get Wound Care in Boost from Armenia Thanks Armenia, To US Doctors BOSTON and YEREVAN — Wound care remains a considerable medical AMAA and surgical concern in Armenia and the world, and, with the introduction of YEREVAN and PARAMUS, N.J. — In early new technologies, it has evolved consid- July, Rev. Kirkor Agabaloglu, pastor of the erably during the past decade. At the Armenian Evangelical Church of Gedik Pasa, initiative of Dr. Gevorg Yaghdjyan, an Istanbul, was in Armenia, along with a delega- Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery, tion comprising members of the Committee for at the Yerevan State Medical University the Construction and Rehabilitation of Heratsi Hospital, a wound care project Istanbul’s Camp Armen (Kamp Armen), includ- Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian addresses a Merrimack Valley crowd was launched in April, 2016, in Yerevan. ing engineer Nazareth Binatli, architects Aleen during an Armenian Genocide observance in Lowell. Its goal was to improve wound care in Pontioglu, Zhan Gavrilov, representative of the the Republic of Armenia and Artsakh Hrant Dink Foundation Delal Dink (Hrant by identifying, acquiring, and distribut- Dink’s daughter) and benefactors Harout and ing modern equipment, an improving Talar Khorozoglu. Merrimack Valley the education of surgeons and other They came to Yerevan to get acquainted with health care professionals at major med- creative centers for children and youth, and learn ical institutions. some positive things that they can implement at Armenians Rally Around The implementation of the program Camp Armen, where children and youth will required the collaboration of several come during their summer vacations and devel- organizations. Boston, Massachusetts, op their creative thinking and artistic abilities. Peter Koutoujian area physicians, Drs Carolann Najarian The guests met with Armenia’s Minister of and Shahe Fereshetian, accepted a Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan. She welcomed donation of modern V.A.C. VERAFLO™ the guests warmly and expressed her gratitude and V.A.C. ULTA™ units from Acelity, to all the Armenians of Istanbul, for staying By Tom Vartabedian which help in treatment of wounds in true to their national identity and setting an the safest and most effective way. example of how to live as an Armenian. During Christine Grogan of Acelity was instru- the meeting, the Minister also touched upon LOWELL, Mass. — Over the years, Peter Koutoujian has been a good friend mental in making the donation of 12 the school for children from Armenia, based to the Armenians of Merrimack Valley, back when he served as a State machines in total sum of $717, 344 hap- under the roof of the Armenian Evangelical Representative and now as Sheriff of Middlesex Country. pen. The Boston area Armenian- Church in the Gedik Pasa. She expressed her He has come aboard as a powerful speaker and more recently as honorary American Medical Association, funded gratitude to Rev. Agabaloglu for his attention chairman of the Armenian Genocide Memorial Committee at Lowell City Hall. the project. The Armenia-Artsakh Fund and heartfelt attitude for this school, as well as He has fought for identity and resolution, touching other political figures and organized the air delivery of the to the school’s sponsors, Harout and Dalar inspiring them to become connected. devices, and the Fund for Armenian Khorozoglu for their financial assistance. Now, it’s time for Merrimack Valley to offer its own appreciation and sup- Relief ensured their receipt in Yerevan They later visited TUMO Center for Creative port toward his re-election campaign. and distribution in Armenia and Technologies and got acquainted with creative A committee called Armenians for Merrimack Valley has joined together to Artsakh. and skilled education of the students and the sponsor a fundraising reception on Thursday, August 4, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Acelity, an American company based control system of the center led by the qualified Holiday Inn, 4 Highwood Drive, Tewksbury. in San Antonio, is a world leader in educators and technical experts. The guests Members include: Dr. Florence Bejian Bahtiarian, Mike Bahtiarian, Peter advanced wound care and regenerative also visited the Armenian Missionary Bogosian, Daniel Varoujan Hejinian, Dr. Ara Jeknavorian, Aram Jeknavorian, medicine and was created by uniting Association of America’s Nor Nork District’s Armen Jeknavorian, Paul Ketchoyian, Greg Minasian, Mimi Parseghian and the strengths of three companies, Shogh Day Care Center and got acquainted Tom Vartabedian. Kinetic Concepts, Inc., LifeCell with the activities of the children who come Koutoujian will be opposed in the primary election on September 8 by Corporation, and Systagenix Wound from families with social issues and prob- Barry Kelleher, a career corrections professional. Kelleher has worked in the Management, Limited (formerly lems. They also talked with the teachers, the Middlesex Sheriff’s office for the past 18 years. There is no opponent for the Johnson & Johnson). Acelity started as social worker and the psychologist of the general election in November. an operation in a 1-bedroom apartment Center. The guests familiarized them with all Koutoujian was sworn in as Middlesex County Sheriff in 2011 by Gov. Duval in San Antonio, Texas, in 1976 by an the activities that are carried in Istanbul among Patrick to fill a vacancy. In November 2012, he won the election, representing emergency room physician who saw the Armenian children. 1.5 million residents with 77 percent of the vote. value of kinetic therapy in dealing with Rev. Kirkor Agabaloglu spoke about all the dif- Koutoujian hit the ground running, utilizing his legal and legislative expe- spinal cord injuries, multiple trauma, ficulties that they went through last year for the rience to implement his vision toward law enforcement inside his district. His and severe pulmonary condition. From return of Camp Armen to its right owner, the first action was to institute new policies designed to increase public confi- 13 original employees, Acelity now Armenian Evangelical Church of Gedik Pasa. dence in the historic department. employs 5,800. Acelity is committed to “The AMAA commends and whole heartedly Included was a policy that prohibits employees from donating to the sher- restoring people’s lives around the supports the community efforts in Istanbul iff’s political campaign and mandating campaign political finance education world, and is proud to have the oppor- exerted to reconstruct Camp Armen,” said classes for all employees. tunity to donate V.A.C. VERAFLO™ Zaven Khanjian, AMAA Executive Koutoujian has also created new inmate vocational courses in environmen- and V.A.C. ULTA™ Therapies for the Director/CEO. “It is our sincere wish to see tally-friendly janitorial services and digital print shop design, thus increasing treatment of wound care in Armenia. the mission of the audacious hero, Hrant opportunities for men in his custody to gain essential job skills and becoming Each year, Acelity donates millions of Guzelian, and the legacy of Hrant Dink, more marketable. dollars and products to help heal peo- reignite at Camp Armen with new generations Prior to the sheriff’s appointment, Koutoujian represented the ple involved in the aftermath of global of Armenian Youth walking the path of the 10th Middlesex District in the Massachusetts State Legislature where he was tragic disasters, including Haiti, faith and may the ‘homecoming of the rem- the lead sponsor for annual Armenian Genocide Commemorations at the Ecuador, San Bernardino, Paris, nants’ vigorously resume.” Statehouse. Brussels, and the recent horrific attack He spent several years spearheading efforts to win the approval of Armenian in Orlando. Heritage Park which opened May 2012 along the newly-created Rose Kennedy Based on a previously established Greenway. plan, the distribution of equipment For his efforts, he was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor as well as started on June 22, and eight medical the Mkhitar Gosh Medal for exemplary service in the field of diplomacy, law centers, including the St. Astvatsamayr and political science. Children’s Hospital, received V.A.C. Koutoujian’s grandparents immigrated to the US from Turkey during the VERAFLO™ and V.A.C. ULTA™ equip- genocide and settled in Waltham. His dad became a fixture in the community, ment. serving as City Councilor and later as City Clerk. Peter followed his father into In parallel with the distribution of elected office and made Armenian-American issues a central focus throughout the equipment, training of medical per- his political career. sonnel started on June 16, 2016. Dr. Contributions may be made to the Koutoujian Committee and mailed to 293 Allen Gabriel, from Portland, Oregon, Members of the Committee for the Construction Ash Street, Waltham, MA 02453 or persons can donate securely on-line gave a first teleconference presentation and Rehabilitation of Istanbul’s Camp Armen to: https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/mvarmenian. (Kamp Armen), with Armenia’s Minister of to teams of physicians in Gumri, Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan Stepenakert and Yerevan. S A T U R D A Y , J U L Y 2 3 , 2 0 1 6 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R 7 COMMUNITY NEWS Youth Pilgrimage to the Holy Land Inspires Leadership, Enriches Faith

NEW YORK — A group of 29 young adults Caves, the Dead Sea and the Upper Room. from parishes across the Eastern Diocese trav- At the Garden of Gethsemane and the eled to the Holy Land from June 6 to June 14. Church of All Nations, the pilgrims prayed The sixth annual Youth Leadership Pilgrimage before the rock upon which Jesus prayed on the to the Holy Land was led by the Rev. Hovsep night of his arrest. During a Bible study session, Karapetyan, pastor of St. Mary Church of they discussed the importance of both individ- Washington, DC, and Arpi Nakashian, a recent ual and communal prayer. graduate of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary The young adults concluded their pilgrimage and a Jerusalem native. with a farewell dinner where they celebrated Their pilgrimage began in Bethlehem, where their new friendships and renewed sense of the young people visited the Church of the faith. They expressed appreciation to the Holy Nativity. They descended into the Holy Diocese, Archbishop Barsamian and benefactor Grotto, where they took part in the celebration Aso Tavitian, who from the inception of this of the Divine Liturgy at the site where Christ annual pilgrimage has been a major supporter was born. At the conclusion of the service, the of the Primate’s vision to take promising young group proceeded to the Armenian monastery adults to the Holy Land. and later gathered for Bible study at Shepherds’ “Walking through Jerusalem along the same Field, where the angels announced Christ’s paths that Jesus walked, being in the land of my birth. Lord and Savior was just what I needed to The following day, the pilgrims traveled to renew my Christian faith,” said Parnagian. the Jordan River where Karapetyan performed “This year’s pilgrimage to the Holy Land was a Blessing of Water ceremony and the group rewarding and uplifting,” said Karapetyan. “Our engaged in a Bible study on the significance of young pilgrims traveled through the footsteps Christ’s baptism. The pilgrims touched upon In church in Jerusalem of the Lord, which undoubtedly left the mark of the symbolism of participating in Bible Studies the Holy Spirit on their souls and the pride of at the holy sites, in which the passages were their Armenian identity in their hearts. This tied to momentous periods in Christ’s life. “When we visited the Church of the Tomb of calmed a sudden storm when he was crossing unforgettable journey has enriched them and “I learned so much about Biblical events and the Blessed Virgin, I had an indescribably mov- the sea with his disciples. will guide them in the future as faithful it was inspiring to have stood on the grounds of ing experience,” said Yedigarian. “This was the On several occasions, the group visited the Armenian Christians and leaders of their own such important historical and spiritual sites,” pinnacle of my trip, and was such a significant Armenian Quarter and spent time with local communities.” said Sophia Yedigarian of St. Mary Church of turning point in my faith. I had never felt God’s Armenians in Jerusalem enjoying fellowship. “A pilgrimage is a chance for people of faith Washington DC. “I feel blessed to have had sev- presence more in any other holy site or place in One highlight included meeting the students at to experience the presence of something eral moving experiences, which continually felt my life.” the Sts. Tarkmanchatz School. greater than themselves,” said Keleshian. “It more emotional and spiritual as the week pro- Following a Bible Study on the Mount of the “It was beautiful to see the strong presence of was a duty for me, as an Armenian Apostolic gressed.” Beatitudes — where the group reviewed the The pilgrims traveled to the Church of the Beatitudes of Jesus and considered how these Tomb of the Blessed Virgin, which marks the teachings can help them become better leaders site where Mary was buried by the apostles in their parishes — they took a boat ride on the before her assumption into heaven. Karapetyan Sea of Galilee, where Karapetyan encouraged celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the site, where everyone to experience a private meditation as Armenians hold services daily at the church. they traveled on the waters where Christ

A group of the young pilgrims in Jerusalem

the Armenians in the Holy Land,” said Njteh Christian, to go visit the Holy Land, to be able Keleshian of St. Sarkis Church in Dallas, Texas. to walk in the very places where Christ per- “The Armenian Quarter, the Patriarchate, many formed miracles, taught his people, lived, died, of the Holy Sites that belong to the Armenians and then resurrected.” and the Sts. Tarkmanchatz Armenian School “The faithful youth who participated in the are all continuing the mission of Sts. Thaddeus pilgrimage to the Holy Land are an inspiration and Bartholomew.” to me personally,” said Archbishop Barsamian, The pilgrimage culminated in a Divine reflecting on the six-year history of the Liturgy at the Church of the Administrative Director Holy Sepulcher. The pilgrims woke up in the early hours of Position the day and walked through the dark streets of the Old City of Jerusalem until they reached Manoogian Manor, Livonia, MI this holy place-the site of Christ’s crucifixion, burial, and The Manoogian Manor is currently taking resumes for glorious resurrection. Fr. the position of Administrative Director to head up our Karapetyan celebrated the premier assisted care program. Founded by Alex and Divine Liturgy at sunrise, as the young people sang in choir Marie Manoogian, we are a fully licensed non-profit 90 and assisted on the altar. bed facility, providing assisted living and personal care “The most moving experience services to seniors. With our recent multi-million dollar of all was celebrating Holy renovation we are an industry leader known for our Badarak at the Holy Sepulcher,” said Christina Parnagian of Sts. outstanding resident care programs. Potential candi- Sahag and Mesrob Church in dates should have extensive experience in the industry. Providence, RI. “As I was waiting An Assisted Living Administrator’s License will be to enter Jesus’ tomb, an over- whelming feeling of peace came required. Knowledge of the Armenian language is a over me. In that moment, my One of the pilgrims’ many stops plus. Interested candidates should email resumé with entire being was filled with cover letter to: Manoogian Manor, Attn: Gregory God’s love.” Jamian at [email protected] Among the other sites the pilgrims experi- Diocese’s Youth Leadership Pilgrimage to the enced were the Mount of the Temptation, the Holy Land. “They are our assurance that the Mount of Olives, the Wailing Wall, the Garden mission of the Armenian Church will continue of Gethsemane, Nazareth, Jericho, the Qumran in the future.” 8 S ATURDAY, J ULY 2 3 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS

on that broadcast will follow shortly. Fr. Mardiros Chevian and Krikor Kucukyan will serve as the Two Deacons to Be Ordained as Priests sponsoring priest and godfather for Dn. Vahe. For Dn. Saro, those roles will be taken up by Fr. Vasken Kouzouian and Dr. NEW YORK — Deacon Vahe Bagdasarian and Deacon Saro uplifting events. Click here to download a flyer with informa- Zaven Kalayjian. Kalayjian will be ordained together by the hand of Diocesan tion on the services. Following their ordinations, both new priests will spend Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, in services Also, please note that reservations are being accepted for a their 40-day seclusion period at St. Nersess Armenian on Saturday and Sunday, July 23 and 24. celebratory banquet that will follow the ordinations Seminary, in Armonk, NY. Subsequently, they will go to their The Saturday evening Service of Calling will take place at on Sunday, July 24. Click here for details about reserving a new assignments as parish pastors. Bagdasarian will serve as St. Leon Church in Fair Lawn, NJ. On Sunday morning, the place at the Sunday banquet. pastor of the Soorp Haroutiun Church in Orlando, Fla., effec- Divine Liturgy and Ordinations will take place at St. Vartan Provisions are being made for a livestream broadcast of the tive September 1. Kalayjian will serve as pastor of the St. Cathedral in New York City. Sunday ordination service, so that people beyond the New Mesrob Church in Racine, Wis., where he has been serving as The faithful are encouraged to attend these spiritually York-New Jersey region can share in this stirring event. Details deacon-in-charge since July 1.

OBITUARY

Momjian was widely known for his dedication Dr. Albert Momjian to the Armenian community in America and the Armenian Missionary Association of America, Legal Pioneer of which he was variously president, solicitor and board member. PHILADELPHIA (Philadelphia Inquirer) port, surrogate parenting and prenuptial agree- He also was active in the Armenian — Albert Momjian, 82, of Huntingdon Valley, a ments. Evangelical World Council, serving as its trea- nationally known expert on family law, a dedi- Not only did he try cases, he also was a surer. For more than a generation, Momjian cated civic volunteer, and a leader of the revered force behind the development of the was active in the Armenian Assembly of Armenian community in America, died Monday, state’s family law. He co-chaired the Committee America and the Armenian Sisters Academy in July 11, of an infection at Einstein Medical to Consolidate Pennsylvania Family Laws, and Radnor. Center Montgomery. lent his expertise to the Pennsylvania House Momjian and his wife, Esther, celebrated Momjian was a partner in the Philadelphia and Senate Judiciary Committees during pas- their 57th wedding anniversary in June. law firm of Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis, sage of the 1980 Divorce Code. Besides his wife and son, Momjian is survived where he worked for 24 years before retiring in The author of numerous articles on his spe- by daughter Carol Momjian Hanamirian; son 2012. He led the firm’s family law department. cialty, he wrote Pennsylvania Family Law, a Thomas; five grandchildren; and a brother, Set, In 2015, he was honored by the American treatise often cited by appellate courts. He also a former US ambassador to the United Nations. Jewish Committee as the recipient of the Judge collaborated with his son, Mark, on All of the couple’s children became lawyers. Learned Hand Award, meant for “outstanding Pennsylvania Family Law Annotated. He was an Armenian Assembly of America leaders in the legal profession who exemplify He received many honors, including the Cecil Fellow Trustee for more than 25 years and the high principles for which Judge Learned B. Moore Award from the Barristers’ served on the Assembly’s Board of Trustees as Hand was renowned.” He also served as Association of Philadelphia, the Eric D. Turner Solicitor from 1990 to 2015, until his son Mark Honorary Consul to the Republic of Haiti. Award from the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Momjian took over his position. A funeral service was held on Saturday, July Family Law Section for Outstanding Service as “Albert Momjian’s dedication and invaluable 16 at Armenian Martyrs’ Congregational a Teacher and Mentor, the Judge Learned Hand counsel to the Armenian Assembly will be Church, located at 100 N. Edmonds Avenue, Award from the American Jewish Committee, deeply missed. He served the legal profession Havertown. and the Columbia University Alumni Medal for tion to the Lower Moreland Township school and the Armenian American community with Over the years, he attracted many high-pro- Distinguished Service. board. He was the first Democrat elected to the merit and grace, setting standards for excep- file clients, including the actor Will Smith, the Born in Atlantic City, he was the son of board, his family said. tional leadership,” stated Armenian Assembly TV and radio host Larry King, the late Phillies Armenian parents, Garabed and Johar Momjian, Since 1974, Momjian was honorary consul for Board of Trustees Co-Chairs Anthony relief pitcher Tug McGraw, and the late Flyers who had emigrated from Turkey. In America, Haiti in Pennsylvania. After the January 2010 Barsamian and Van Krikorian. “His spirit and owner Ed Snider. the Momjians became confectionery manufac- earthquake in Haiti, he helped local Haitians con- character have helped shape many of our suc- Win or lose, he was not shy about expressing turers during and after the Great Depression. tact relatives on the stricken island and obtain cesses, inspired by his ongoing commitment his opinions on cases. The family operated the Atlantic Candy Co. on passports to visit them. He also arranged for the and tireless efforts. Our hearts and prayers go In 2009, when a Delaware County judge Virginia Avenue. shipment of tents and medical supplies. out to his wonderful family,” they added. ordered Main Line lawyer H. Beatty Chadwick Momjian graduated first in his class from released after 14 years in prison — he had Atlantic City High School in 1951, and received refused to pay his ex-wife the $2.5 million he special recognition for never having missed a owed her under a divorce decree — Momjian, day of school since the first grade. her lawyer, said he was disappointed. He attended Columbia College and Columbia “Here’s a guy who thumbed his nose at a Law School on full scholarships, completing his court order for 14 years,” Momjian told the undergraduate degree in three years. After New York Times. “There should be some kind graduating from law school, Momjian joined F UNERAL H OME of sanctions for doing that.” the Pennsylvania National Guard. Eventually, Giragosian Regarded by his peers as the dean of the he rose to major and vice president of the James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC Pennsylvania family-law bar, Momjian’s practice guard’s First Regiment Infantry. Mark J. Giragosian dealt with divorce, custody, alimony, child sup- His only foray into politics was his 1975 elec- Funeral Counselors 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 Jacques Sahman Merian www.giragosianfuneralhome.com

SARASOTA, Fla. — Jacques Sahman Merian, 91, of Sarasota, FL and Pittsburgh, Penn. Telephone (617) 924-7400 passed away on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at Forbes Hospital in Monroeville, PA. Born Sahman Merametdjian, but nicknamed Hagop, Aram Bedrosian he was born in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, the son of Oshin and Alice (Babikian) Merametdjian. He Funeral Home, Inc. left Bulgaria in the late 1940s and went to France, where he enrolled at the University of Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 Caen in Normandy and studied chemical engi- MARION BEDROSIAN neering, and where he met his future wife, 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET Simone. He immigrated to the United States in PAUL BEDROSIAN 1953 and married Simone in 1955. They moved WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN to Pittsburgh in the late 1960s where he worked for Westinghouse until his retirement, and for whom he developed a number of prod- ucts which were patented. He was active in the Armenian Club of Pittsburgh, which successful- ENNIS M. EVENEY & ONS ly completed a project to build the Armenian D D S Nationality Room at the University of Cemetery Monuments Pittsburgh, dedicated in 1988. He was predeceased by his two brothers, Specializing in Krikor Merametdjian and Leon Miller (Levon Armenian Designs and Lettering Merametdjian). He is survived by his wife great-granddaughter, Kovia, as well as numer- Simone, his two daughters, Sylvie Merian (and ous nieces, nephews, and cousins in the United 701 Moody St. Waltham, MA 02543 her partner Leon Tatevossian) and Nadine States, France, Argentina, and Brazil. (781) 891-9876 www.NEMonuments.com Ciappetta (and her husband Russ), three grand- A private memorial lunch was held in his children, Lauren, Marco, and Marisa, and one memory on March 5. S ATURDAY, J ULY 2 3 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 COMMUNITY NEWS Fulbright Specialist Helps Refugees in Armenia

SAN PEDRO, Calif. — Clinical psychologist Dr. John Saroyan, has recently returned from Armenia where he served his second assignment as a Fulbright Specialist for Public and Global Health, specifically focused on the trauma and mental health issues of refugees in Armenia. The Fulbright program was established in 1946 by Sen. J. William Fulbright and is administered by the United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. It sends US fac- ulty and professionals to serve as expert consul- tants on curriculum, faculty development, institu- tional planning and related subjects to overseas academic institutions. Armenia has recently experienced a signifi- cant number of refugees entering the country, the third largest number proportionately in the world. Currently it is estimated that there are between 17,000 to 20,000 refugees from Syria as well as others (up to 1,000) from Iraq and Ukraine due to war. Most of the refugees resid- ing currently in Armenia arrived from various

Dr. John Saroyan (back, second from the left) at KASA in Yerevan, Armenia with psychologists and Syrian-Armenian refugees.

cities of Syria such as Damascus and Aleppo, and are of Armenian descent. In collaboration with Yerevan State Medical University, Saroyan provided lectures and pre- sentations to students and faculty members about trauma and mental health treatment methods. He also visited clinics and sites where various modes of assistance are made available to refugees. He met with psychologists, social workers and NGO administrators from a number of local US Embassy Cultural/Education Specialist and international organizations such as the Hasmik Mikayelyan, Dr. John Saroyan, and UNHCR and UNICEF, as well as Komitas Action Gladys Saroyan at the US Embassy in Yerevan, Suisse-Armenie (KASA), and praised their valu- Armenia. able and sincere contribution to the mental well-being of the refugees and their families.

Dr. John Saroyan meeting with psychologists and mental health providers at INTRA Centre in Yerevan, Armenia.

“There is a need to recognize that local staff at the AGBU Vahe Karapetian Center, where he and psychologists must also be supported for met with refugees who were provided medical the highly intense work that they provide when care by volunteer Armenian physicians, includ- assisting refugees. Many are hard workers, giv- ing some who were physicians in Syria and ing of their time and energy on an almost vol- carry refugee status. untary basis, sometimes feeling that they have “I expect to return again in the near future not given enough,” he said. and continue to support and train colleagues In addition to the educational component of who specifically work with uprooted and Dr. John Saroyan (center) at the UNHCR Office in Yerevan, Armenia. his grant, Dr. Saroyan met with refugees and traumatized adults, children and families,” worked directly with them. One of his visits was Saroyan said.

Scholarships Distributed In Watertown

WATERTOWN — On Sunday, June 21, St. James Armenian Church of Watertown, held its annual Scholarship Sunday event, presenting 25 scholarships totaling more than $22,000 to St. James’ college-bound students. These scholarships, made possible thanks to various endowment funds at St. James Church, are awarded to young parish- ioners enrolled in a full-time undergraduate or graduate program. Following Divine Liturgy, Rev. Arakel Aljalian, together with donors who have established the endow- ment funds, presented the scholarships to the recipients, and congratulated them on their achievements. “Work hard this year, and don’t forget that St. James is always your home,” he said to the college students. “We support you and wish you success in your studies.” This year’s scholarship recipients are: Alyssa Bogosian, David Boloyan, Lucine Boloyan, Alex Bresnee, Arlin Cimen, Shant DerTorossian, Natalie Eskici, Aram Gurekian, Ari Kazanjian, Raffi Kazanjian, Dylan Madden, Shane Madden, Shant Melkonian, Tania Melkonian, Matthew Reppucci, Julia Samuelian, Ari Shirinian, Hagop Toghramadjian, Thomas Toghramadjian, John Bogosian Trocchi and Lori Yeterian. 10 S ATURDAY, J ULY 2 3 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS

A patient climbing aboard the Mobile Eye Hospital to be treated

artistic expressions are at the very heart of its identity. Learn about everything from the geography of Armenia to traditions, history, music and dance, textiles and more — with each section highlighted with beautiful photographs. The new website will also introduce visitors to the wonders of AECP Physician Anna Hovakimyan administering an eye exam the eye and the magnificence of eyesight, how eyes works like a camera, about the anatomy of the eye and important informa- tion on eye safety at home, when playing sports and in the work- place as well as first aid for the eye with special sections for chil- dren, teens and parents. Armenian EyeCare Project Launches The project encourages everyone to visit its website often as the organization embarks on its 25th anniversary year. Visitors New Website in Anticipation of 25th Anniversary

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — Dedicated to the prevention of development of Five Regional Eye Clinics throughout Armenia avoidable blindness and to providing quality eye care to all for $5 million; Subspecialty Clinics — eight clinics directed by Armenians regardless of their economic status, the Armenian the project’s US-trained Fellows; the Center of Excellence for EyeCare Project (AECP) is excited to introduce their new web- the Prevention of Infant and Childhood Blindness; and the site to friends and supporters. The new website kicks off a year- Project’s hallmark — the Mobile Eye Hospital. long celebration of the project’s 25th Anniversary next year — In addition to articles and stories, the organization encour- 1992 - 2017 — at www.eyecareproject.com. ages visitors to explore the “Grand Opening” of its new website AECP Physician Asatur Hovsepyan having some fun with a col- In discussing the new website Dr. Roger Ohanesian, founder by watching some of its more than 40 powerful videos — patient league aboard the Mobile and president of the Armenian EyeCare Project, said “We’re stories, physician biographies and more — and taking virtual doing big things in Armenia and we want to share them with the tours of the Mobile Eye Hospital, the Center of Excellence, and world. At a time of such activity and excitement at the EyeCare other facilities. will learn about the many activities planned throughout the year Project, we are thrilled to tell our story to friends and support- The EyeCare Project would also like to take this opportunity and across the country in celebration of 25 years of Bringing ers.” to introduce everyone to its Board of Directors; the Armenian Sight to Armenian Eyes so they can participate in its endeavors. With a colorful design and an Armenian flair, the new and and U.S. professional staffs; and the Armenian and U.S. oph- So whether friends and visitors want to explore the project’s enriched site shares the Project’s latest programs, along with its thalmologists along with all others who constitute the Project’s many accomplishments through the years, learn about the orga- 25-year history and accomplishments. “What We Do” includes team through their website biographies. nization’s history, meet its doctors and staff, discover more the Project’s five-point strategy — medical education and train- The new AECP website has a section on Armenia — the cra- about Armenia’s heritage or the wonders of eyesight, its new ing, direct patient care, public education, research, and capacity dle of civilization — a tiny country the size of Maryland with a website is a wealth of interesting and fun information including building — with its four major programs — Five for Five, the tumultuous past, a rich heritage and a beautiful culture whose myths about the eyes, optical illusions and eye care statistics.

A line of patients outside of the Mobile Eye Hospital S ATURDAY, J ULY 2 3 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 COMMUNITY NEWS Armenian Caucus in Washington Expands

WASHINGTON — The Armenian Assembly that I do my part to represent this commu- of America welcomed the bipartisan expan- nity while in Washington,” Valadao said. “As sion of the leadership of the Congressional Co-Chair of the Armenian Caucus, I am excit- Caucus on Armenian Issues with the addi- ed to continue my work raising awareness of tion of Representatives David Valadao (R-CA) the contributions of the Armenian people and Jackie Speier (D-CA) as Co-Chairs and and the importance of strong bilateral ties Adam Schiff (D-CA) and David Trott (R-MI) between the two nations,” he added. as vice chairs. These Members of Congress Speier, who participated in the US delega- join current Co-Chairs Frank Pallone, Jr. (D- tion that traveled to Armenia last year for NJ) and Robert Dold (R-IL). the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, “Representatives Speier, Valadao, Schiff, also hails from California and serves on the and Trott have all proven to be dedicated and House Armed Service Committee as the integral Members of the Armenian Caucus. Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on We are excited to see them take on this new Oversight and Investigations and on the leadership role,” Assembly Executive House Permanent Select Committee on Director Bryan Ardouny said. “As more Intelligence. Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) Members of Congress take the lead on “As one of only two Armenian members of Armenian issues, the more we can accom- Congress, I couldn’t be more proud to co- plish, especially in these challenging times. chair the Congressional Armenian Caucus. I The Assembly welcomes the expanded was raised to take pride in my Armenian Caucus leadership team and looks forward background, and learned at an early age the to working with them throughout the rich history of our Armenian people — remainder of this Congress,” Ardouny con- including the horrors my ancestors and oth- tinued. ers suffered at the hands of the Ottoman During a recent meeting with Empire as part of the Armenian Genocide,” Congressman Pallone, Armenian Assembly Speier said to the Armenian Assembly. “I Board Co-Chair Van Krikorian expressed the look forward to representing Armenian importance of strengthening the Caucus in Americans and all Americans in building a view of recent developments in the region as robust US-Armenia relationship. By celebrat- a result of Azerbaijan’s attacks against ing our strong heritage, and ensuring atroc- Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh. ities of the past are never forgotten, we can Valadao serves on the House ensure that America and Armenia will enjoy Appropriations Committee and is the Vice a peaceful and prosperous future.” Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee Schiff, who met with the Assembly’s 2016 Adam Schiff (D-CA) David Trott (R-MI) on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food intern class, has long been a leading and Drug Administration and Related Democratic sponsor of the House resolu- Agencies. tions affirming the Armenian Genocide. the US delegation to Armenia for the keep members engaged on Armenia-related “My Congressional District is home to a Schiff previously served on the House Centennial of the Armenian Genocide. He issues. The Caucus continues to advocate for very large Armenian population that has a Appropriations Committee, and presently serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee increased trade and assistance to Armenia, very strong presence throughout California’s serves as the Ranking Democrat on the and the House Committee on the Judiciary. self-determination for Nagorno Karabagh Central Valley. As a result, the positive con- House Permanent Select Committee on The Congressional Armenian Issues and supporting US recognition of the tributions Armenian-Americans have made Intelligence. Caucus has worked to strengthen the ties Armenian Genocide. to our society are evident. It is important Republican Member Trott was also part of between the United States and Armenia and

Armenian Genocide Billboards Greet Delegates to RNC in Cleveland

WASHINGTON — The Armenian Assembly of of the Assembly’s ongoing public awareness ini- too many other peoples - the lessons of the particularly, our parishioners, are overjoyed America embarked on an Armenian Genocide tiative. They serve as a reminder about the need Holocaust must never be forgotten.” with respect to the presence of both bill- billboard campaign prominently displaying the to affirm the truth and learn from the past so The first two billboards, located on I-77 boards,” Rev. Hratch Sargsyan, pastor of St. statement of President Ronald Reagan affirm- as to prevent future genocides. northbound near Grant Avenue (close to where Gregory of Narek Armenian Apostolic ing the Armenian Genocide in Cleveland, Ohio, During his first term in office, Reagan issued the Convention will be held) and Carnegie Church, said. “The billboards are the talk of the site of the Republication National a proclamation which read in part: “Like the Avenue westbound, features an excerpt from the Armenian community. Folks are simply Convention. genocide of the Armenians before it, and the President Ronald Reagan’s proclamation on ecstatic.” With nearly 50,000 people expected at the genocide of the Cambodians which followed it April 22, 1981. The billboards’ media campaign was overseen Convention in Cleveland, the billboards are part — and like too many other such persecutions of “The Cleveland Armenian community, and, by the Assembly’s Ohio State Chair Ara Bagdasarian, who is also a member of the Cleveland Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee. “Ronald Reagan, one of the most revered Republican leaders, is the only sitting president to recognize the Armenian Genocide and use the term genocide. With these billboards, we will reiterate Reagan’s statement and help ensure that the next president — whether it be Republican or Democrat — reaffirms the Armenian Genocide,” Bagdasarian said. “We wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to share our message about the Armenian Genocide with the visitors coming to Cleveland during the Republican Convention. The world’s spotlight and media will converge here, and we have the chance to be heard.” Donated by Debbie Abdalian-Thompson, owner of Cleveland Outdoor Advertising, the Assembly put up two of the billboards to com- memorate the 101st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and to promote public awareness during the Convention. A third bill- board was added following Germany’s affirma- tion of the Armenian Genocide on June 2. The most recent billboard reads: “Truth vs National Interest” and “Thank You Germany for Recognizing the Armenian Genocide,” designed by Peace of Art and located on I-77 southbound near mile marker 157. “I would also like to give special thanks Debbie Abdalian-Thompson and Cleveland Outdoor Advertising for her generous support,” Bagdasarian added. 12 S ATURDAY, J ULY 2 3 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS MV Knights of Vartan Honor High School Graduates

Club; Recycling Club; Body Positive Club; cross Prayers were offered by Rev. Stephan Baljian, movie programs; teaching genocide in public By Tom Vartabedian country and track teams; will attend St. Anselm’s chaplain and pastor. schools; cultural programs, monthly dinners, along College after spending the summer as a coun- Other activities inculcated by the Arakadz Lodge with a host of charitable endeavors both inside and selor at Camp Haiastan; daughter of Greg and over its six decades of service include: library and outside the Armenian community. NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. — This year’s crop of Carol Minasian. high school graduates in Merrimack Valley certain- Robert Couyoumjian of North Andover High ly made the Armenian community quite proud of School; varsity basketball and track; will attend its achievements throughout local schools. Fordham University; son of Myles and Robin As it does annually, the Arakadz Lodge, Couyoumjian. Knights of Vartan, paid tribute to these fine stu- Kristina Bebirian of Pelham, NH, High School; dents during a recognition night June 21 held at Yearbook Staff; volunteer for various school St. Gregory Armenian Church. events; will attend Rivier College as a public In all, seven graduates were singled out for health major, hoping to make a difference with exemplary service. Each was presented with an health conditions in various communities; daugh- historic Armenian coin marking the genocide cen- ter of Michael & Elaine Bebirian. tennial, along with other tokens of appreciation. Benjamin Balian of Westford Academy; varsity A biographical sketch was presented on each soccer captain; Business Club; National Honor honoree by Charles Kochakian prior to the pre- Society; youth basketball coach; Sunday School sentation. Students were joined by their parents teacher; ACYOA chairman; camp counselor; son and families. of John and Kristin Balian. “Our students are the leaders of tomorrow,” Charlie Rachel Sirmaian of Portsmouth, NH, said Hamboyan. “They have brought honor and High School; concert choir; National Honor esteem to our communities and we join in their Society; Madrigal Singers; theater (four shows a attributes. It’s a tradition we have maintained year for four years); will attend Emerson College Arakadz Lodge, Merrimack Valley Knights of Vartan, honored its area high school graduates June 21 down through the years and its impact has been as a business major, leaning toward creative enter- at St. Gregory Church, North Andover. marked. We commend them all as they climb the prises; daughter of Ilysse and Kory Sirmaian. ladder of success.” The students: Alexandra Sirmaian of Salem, NH, High School; varsity field hockey; basketball; 2-year captain; member of Best Buddies, a club that did activities with disabled children; will attend University of New Hampshire; daughter of Stacy & Steven Sirmaian. Michelle (Mouradjian) Ryan of Chelmsford High School; Student Government; National Honor Society; Thomas Jefferson Forum; soccer; will attend University of New Hampshire as a nursing major; daughter of Scott & Cheryl Ryan. Ani Minasian of Andover High School; Interact

Dr. Richard K. Babayan Named President of American Urological Association BOSTON — Richard K. Babayan, MD, Professor and Chair of the Department of urol- ogy at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and Chief of Urology at Boston Medical Center (BMC), was recently appointed as the 2016-2017 president of the American Urological Association (AUA), which has more than 22,000 members. As part of his presidency, he will preside over the AUA Annual Meeting to be held in Boston May 12-16, 2017. Additionally, he will make an official AUA visit to the Republic of Armenia on September 23, 2017 for the Armenian Association of Urology’s 25th Annual Meeting. As the event’s guest of honor, Babayan will pro- vide on-line AUA membership for all Armenian residents, allowing them access to AUA University, AUA guidelines and other educa- tional services aimed at enhancing their clinical competencies. Babayan has been an active participant in local, national and international urological asso- ciations. He was the New England Section rep- resentative to the AUA Board of Directors from 2005-09 and served as President of the Massachusetts Association of Practicing Urologists from 2012-14. He received the AUA’s Distinguished Service Award, and in 2013, received the Joseph B. Dowd Lifetime Achievement Award from the New England Section. Babayan is a past president of the Armenian American Medical Association of Boston and was Chairman of the Armenian Medical World Congress in Boston in 1995. A 1970 graduate of Tufts University, Babayan received his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine in 1975. He com- pleted his surgical training at Yale-New Haven Hospital and his urology residency at the for- mer University Hospital, now BMC. Dr. Babayan was awarded an AUA Research Scholar, performing basic science research in the field of hyperthermia at both Massachusetts Institute of Technology and BUSM. He joined the BUSM faculty in 1980 and has been chairman of Urology since 2000. S ATURDAY, J ULY 2 3 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 Arts & Living

Pianist and Composer Hymns and Karén Hakobyan Becomes Ceremonies Keys Armenia Fund USA’s New Cultural Program Advisor To Revive Ties PARAMUS, N.J. — Armenia Fund USA Between Church Eastern Region Affiliate announced recently the addition of the Armenian-American pianist and And People, composer Karén Hakobyan as their new cultur- al program advisor. On behalf of the board of Armenia Fund USA, Pidedjian Says Executive Director Lisa Stepanian explained their decision on the addition of a cultural pro- gram advisor, “As a non-profit organization By Florence Avakian focused on building infrastructures, many of which include the cultural arts, as well as hold- NEW YORK — In a recent lecture, ethno- ing concerts in both Armenia and the United musicologist, composer and conductor Krikor States, we thought it would be beneficial to have Pidedjian spoke about the disintegrating con- someone like Karén Hakobyan who is experi- nection between the Armenian Church and enced within the cultural arts to help advise us its people. The event, sponsored by the when making decisions on the topic.” Zohrab Information Center and held at the Hakobyan has become a prominent influence Diocese of the Armenian Church, was also in the international musical scene since his the occasion to introduce his latest book, The Carnegie Hall debut at the age of 17. He has Music of the Armenian Church, a first-ever received multiple different professional studies scholarly survey of the Armenian Apostolic degrees at the Manhattan School of Music, Church’s music. Mannes College of Music and the University of Taleen Keldjian holds a copy of Pidedjian noted that “Church-related issues Utah. He has performed in major concert halls Fútbol! were interwoven with the daily lives of the in Armenia, the United States, Mexico, Germany, people in the 19th and beginning of the 20th France and Argentina. Hakobyan has appeared centuries.” But this all changed after the dis- as a soloist in the United States with the persion of the Armenian people following the University of Utah Philharmonia, the Salt Lake Taleen Keldjian’s Fútbol! Genocide.” Though the survivors held tightly Symphony, Summer Arts Festival Orchestra, the to their spiritual values and traditions, the New American Symphony, and the World Scores a Goal with Kids Soviet regime’s persecution of the clergy and Festival Orchestra. Internationally he has the forbidding of religious church activities in appeared as a soloist with the Tucuman LOS ANGELES — Author and artist Taleen Keldjian has written and illustrated Armenia, as well as the need to survive and Philharmonic Orchestra in Argentina, the her first book, Fútbol!: A Fun Doodle Book On All Things Fútbol, published by the lifestyles in the new world, took its toll. Monterrey Symphony Orchestra in Mexico, and Banian Labs’ Blue Wonder Books, in the San Francisco Bay Area. The music scholar defined “church” as not in Armenia the Armenian Philharmonic An educational “doodle” book for kids ages 4-9, Fútbol! engages kids with the merely its physical structure, but also to the Orchestra, the Serenade Chamber Orchestra, basics of fútbol (soccer) and its international appeal. Despite its Spanish title, the “ceremonial content created by our church and the National Chamber Orchestra. He is cur- 27-page hardcover book is written in English. Fútbol! touches on everything from fathers, the hymns and prayers. While the rently the Artistic Director of World Peace uniforms and game rules to how fans celebrate and cheer the game, enabling kids community worldwide continues to build Sinfonietta, a New York-based orchestra. to color, doodle and solve puzzles along the way. churches, they have lost much of their past On May 6, Armenia Fund USA collaborated Fútbol! also pays tribute to those widely considered to be two of the finest female sacredness, he said, because our people have with Hakobyan and the Armenian and male Fútbol players in the world, Alex Morgan (US) and Lionel Messi little knowledge of the church’s ceremonial National Philharmonic Orchestra to present (Argentina). content. This lack of knowledge has resulted By emphasizing how fútbol is for both girls and boys, and for all countries and in passivity and indifference, and thus the cultures, Keldjian’s book unifies all those who love and play the sport, including church cannot transmit its essence and mis- those who perhaps are just exploring it for the first time. Her exuberant illustra- sion,” he explained. tions show both the joy of playing and following fútbol, as well as the respect owed “Today, although Armenians go to church, to the world’s most popular sport. how many of them walk in with knowledge Keldjian reflects on how the book came to be: “My publisher asked if I could and belief,” he asked. “To do so, the literature write and illustrate a doodle book especially for multiracial and multicultural chil- needed for this spiritual nourishment is lack- dren. There are not too many resources available for those kids in the market today. ing. And the new world with its emphasis on The subject was free reign, which is quite rare for a young writer/illustrator to be material acquisition and the advantages presented with early in their career. Illustrating sports subjects had always excited money provides have taken away many of the me, and I had been wanting to work on a professional sports-themed project for a values of our spiritual culture, and will con- while. I thought to myself, what better subject to appeal to most kids than sports tinue to take more.” — and the sport which most unites the world today?” It is this spiritual “history” that links Having already made appearances at the Bay Area Kids Book Festival and other together the diasporan communities, and “in signing events, Keldjian is making inroads to new generations of readers with her turn the diaspora to our fatherland, Armenia, work. “The sport of fútbol unites us all no matter our background,” said Keldjian. he stated. Today in the new world, the church “Every nation in the world comes together to participate, pause for the love of the is not able to nourish our people’s spiritual game, and learn unique cultural traditions from each other.” inner life, and our people are not familiar with She also encourages students to try their own hand at writing and illustrating. the spirited, sparkling, entrancing hymns and “When I visit schools, the message I like to share with kids is if you like writing, prayers created by our church fathers,” he then keep writing. If you like drawing, then keep drawing. Start out by writing lamented. see KELDJIAN, page 15 To illustrate the indifference also permeat- ing the clergy, he related the story of a retir- ing priest who told the new young pastor that Karén Hakobyan he wished to take with him his hymnary which had always been on the stand through- out his long service to the church. To his shock, the young priest replied, “Der Hayr, a concert dedicated to the cultural and diplo- take it. I don’t use it anyway.” His voice in a matic relations of Armenia and Japan. The con- whisper, the speaker commented, “How can cert was held in Aram Khachaturian Concert something like that be said. The church hym- Hall in Yerevan. It was well received and laid the nary was created over the span of 1,000 groundwork for future cultural exchanges years, and contains 1812 hymns. It is the between the two countries. It was also the start backbone of our church services. They are of new beginnings between the pianist and sung prayers, our spiritual legacy.” Armenia Fund USA. He pointed out that non-Armenians are On May 24, Hakobyan, along with the familiar with, and highly evaluate these spiri- National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia, held a tual treasures, and quoted Russian scholar concert at the Armenian National Gallery to and poet Valery Brussov. “Medieval Armenian honor Hyebridge Telehealth Telemedicine lyric poetry is the supreme and most unique Program, which is one of the Armenia Fund accomplishment of the Armenian people in USA’s major projects since 2009. Taleen Keldjian signs copies of her book at the Bay Area Kids’ Book Fair. the realm of poetry creation. It is the true vic- “Music has been my passion and purpose tory of the Armenian spirit in world history,” since my early childhood. Growing up in see HYMNS, page 15 see HAKOBYAN, page 15 14 S ATURDAY, J ULY 2 3 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING Ruben Mirzakhanyan: I Have not Created the Book with a Pen, I Have Created it with My Heart

YEREVAN — The Tekeyan Center here in June hosted the presentation of the Armenian State Pedagogical University (ASPU) Rector Ruben Mirzakhanyan’s trilingual illustrated album, Impressionism: Armenian Painters. The event was attended by public and political fig- ures, representatives of the sphere of education and culture, art lovers and guests. The book published with the help of philan- thropist Hrachya Poghosyan includes 280 color reproductions presenting Impressionism, one of the movements in art that has many followers and a wide response in the history of world art. The study is valuable for it familiarizes readers with emotional content of some 37 Armenian Impressionists who lived at the end of the 19th Ruben Mirzakhanyan addresses the attendees in Yerevan. century and in the 20th century, their stylistic improvements and advancement, as well as their unique approaches to color variety. The ues. Impressionism: Armenian Painters is a trea- Based on his own experience, the professor Mirzakhanyan spoke about the objective and book also gives a detailed and comprehensive sure not only in the Armenian fine arts, but also said when sitting in the studio lost in the book, motives of the book. He says the book presents, description of the development of Impressionist in the history of world culture,” Sharmazanov one wants to look through it again and again. in particular, prominent Impressionists, people movement, as well as leading movements in aes- said. David Muradyan, rector of the Yerevan State who have their rightful place in the history of thetics and fine arts their interaction. For the Speaking about Impressionism and its mani- Institute of Theater and Cinema, in his speech world art and who are united in one thing – first time, the 414-page book describes in detail festations in Armenian culture, the speakers introduced Impressionism as an art movement their Armenian origin. the works of Armenian Impressionists. Near also valued the publication as an important as “an art in freedom, outburst of art, change in Mirzakhanyan thanked St. Petersburg-based each artist’s name one can find excerpts from source for future cultural studies. “Never before outlook, a culture that does not follow the time, Armenian philanthropist Hrachya Poghosyan, his written heritage and opinions of famous have Armenian Impressionists, their famous but keeps up with the times.” editors Ara Hakobyan, Artashes Martirosyan, people. “Despite the availability of digital infor- and sometimes not-so-famous works been pre- He also noted that in the book Mirzakhanyan translator Tigran Mikaelyan and Vrej mation and sources, the album stays and never sented so thoroughly,” said Ararat Aghasyan, presented Armenian painters in a new light, Markosyan, director of the Tigran Mets pub- loses its demand and significance at all times,” director of the Institute of Arts of the National through the prism of new perception. lishing house. said Karen Aghamyan, president of the Artist’s Academy of Sciences. Union of Armenia. He added that similar initia- He added that the book laid reliable and solid tives are a real holiday for art lovers. foundations for further large-scale studies. Eduard Sharmazanov, vice-speaker of the Prof. Paravon Mitrzoyan, head of the ASPU Armenian National Assembly, also expressed Fine Arts Department, added in turn that we New Issue of Journal of the Society for his opinion about the trilingual study that con- would not have the current edition but for the tains enormous historical and documentary first and second republics of Armenia, because Armenian Studies Released material. He says the work is of cultural value. the school which laid the foundations of “Armenian people have reached the 21st centu- Impressionism was created during that historic FRESNO — The Society for Armenian Crassus that describes the defeat of the Roman ry, preserving their cultural and spiritual val- period. Studies announces the release of Volume 24 of general at Carrhae. The second by Smbat the Journal of the Society for Armenian Studies Hovannisyan is a reflection on how Braudel’s (JSAS), edited by Dr. Sergio La Porta. JSAS theory of civilizations can be applied to Volume 24 includes five articles, four commu- nications, an addendum, a review essay, and three book reviews. The articles in this issue address topics in art history, the Armenian Genocide, Armenian identity and contemporary church history. The volume begins with an essay by Cristelle Baskins that analyzes the representation of the Armenian merchant Khoja Sefer in the Quirinal Palace in Rome. Based upon a wide array of archival documents, Baskins provides a vivid depiction of Khoja Sefer’s travels to Italy as well as of the variety of identities he could embody. In his article, Dickran Kouymjian investigates the book illuminations of the somewhat over- looked book artist, Grigor Marzvanec‘i. Working in the first half of the eighteenth cen- tury, Grigor produced a number of large illumi- nated works that continued to be used and copied after the artist’s death. Khatchig Mouradian’s examination of the Some of the Pokémon guests at the Armenian Museum of America Meskeneh concentration camp presents the camp as a case study of how prisoners collabo- rated with, appeased, manipulated or resisted the system in order to survive. In doing so, Pokémon Creatures Take over Mouradian explores the dynamics of camp life and restores agency to the deportees who Armenian early modern history. In his commu- Armenian Museum inhabited them. nication, Stefan Ihrig emphasizes the utility of In his essay, Daniel Fittante examines the the- German sources as evidence for the perpetra- tion of the Armenian Genocide. In their study, WATERTOWN — The Armenian Museum of America is taking advantage of its new oretical debate surrounding the question of Russell Kashian and David Luhrssen use the status as a “Pokéstop” to invite Pokémon Go players through its doors. Armenian identity and argues that theorists of Armenian settlement in South Milwaukee as a Every Thursday, starting on July 21, ALMA is hosting #Luresday Thursday by Armenian identity have borrowed the terminol- case study to examine patterns of ethnic clus- attracting Pokémon and visitors to the Museum. By dropping a lure in the game on ogy of nationalists who often use rigid models tering and dispersion. the museum, Pokémon will be easily found outside and inside the galleries. of national identity to describe a dynamic and Vol. 24 also contains a review essay by D. Pokémon Trainers will be welcomed inside with a discounted admission rate, as well fluctuating phenomenon. Kouymjian on the recently published catalogue as the opportunity to complete a Poké-themed scavenger hunt through the Musuem. In the first part of his two-part study of the of the Alex and Marie Manoogian Museum in This Thursday, the first 10 players to complete the hunt will earn an Armenian last three catholicoi of the Armenian Apostolic Detroit and three books reviews. Museum Pokébadge, and the first person to find the four rarest Pokémon hidden Church, Levon Petrosyan examines the policies The Journal of the Society for Armenian throughout the museum will earn a special prize. of Vazgen I and Karekin I and how these two Studies is a peer-reviewed journal and is pub- The hunt will be changed every week, and the Museum is excited to help Trainers catholicoi faced the challenges of the end of lished annually by the SAS. Copies of the latest ‘Catch ‘Em All’ at ALMA on Thursdays. Soviet rule and of the early years of the volume, and back issues, are available by con- For any questions about the Scavenger Hunt, or the Museum’s role in Pokémon Go, Republic of Armenia. tacting the SAS Secretariat by email at bar- contact the Museum Program Manager, Anna Kaczmarek. In addition to these articles, vol. 24 contains four communications on a wide range of topics. [email protected]. Copies may also be The first, by Albert Stepanyan, is a reexamina- ordered online at tion of the famous passage in Plutarch’s Life of societyforarmenianstudies.com. S ATURDAY, J ULY 2 3 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 ARTS & LIVING Smithsonian Guest Scholar from Armenia Recipe Dr. Marutyan Speaks with Armenian Assembly Interns Corner WASHINGTON — On July 11, Dr. Harutyun across many of his articles, it was truly an Marutyan visited the Armenian National honor to meet the author himself,” Assembly Institute (ANI) and spoke with the Armenian Intern Coordinator Mariam Khaloyan said. by Christine Vartanian Datian Assembly of America (Assembly) interns as well Marutyan is a leading research fellow at the as ANI Director Dr. Rouben Adalian. Marutyan Department of Contemporary Anthropological was invited to Washington as a guest of the Studies at the Institute of Archaeology and Onion, Bulgur and Tomato Summer Smithsonian Institution to participate in their Ethnography, National Academy of Sciences Folklife Festival, which is held annually on the of Armenia, a visiting professor of National Mall. Anthropology at Yerevan State University, and Salad (or Appetizer) Marutyan spoke to the interns about the was previously a Diane and Howard Wohl transformation of Armenian national identity, Fellow at the United States Holocaust INGREDIENTS the survivors’ memory of the Armenian Memorial Museum (USHMM). For his Diane 1 large yellow or red onion, finely diced or chopped Genocide, modern national movements, iconog- and Howard Wohl Fellowship, Marutyan con- 1 medium red bell pepper, seeded, diced raphy, and traditional Armenian culture. He ducted research for his project “Memory 1 medium green bell pepper, seeded, diced emphasized the importance of a new ideology Based on Politics: Comparative Study of 2 stalks celery (and tops), diced regarding the recognition of the Armenian Jewish and Armenian Experience.” He is also 2-3 cloves fresh garlic, minced Genocide. Most importantly, he focused on the an IREX/RSEP (Michigan University, 1998), 1/2 cup olive oil attitude of the younger generations and the Fulbright (MIT, 2003-2004) and DAAD (Berlin, 1 (8 oz.) can low sodium tomato sauce message for the future. He is the author of 2013) alumnus. 1 cup water three monographs and more 1 cup fine bulgur than a hundred scholarly 1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped articles, as well as his book Juice of 2 or 3 fresh lemons entitled Iconography of Chopped fresh mint, green onions, parsley, radishes, and black olives as garnish Armenian Identity: The Sea or Kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper, or Aleppo pepper Memory of Genocide and the Karabagh Movement, PREPARATION published in 2009. He is also In a large pan, sauté the onions, bell peppers, celery and garlic in the olive oil. Add the the recipient of the tomato sauce, water, and choice of salt, pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper or Aleppo pepper, President of the Republic of and bring to a boil, tossing all ingredients, for 5-8 minutes. Armenia Prize for his valu- Remove pan from heat. Fold in the bulgur and the tomato, and let all ingredients absorb able contribution to the the liquid for 10 minutes; add lemon juice and extra olive oil, if desired, and toss a few times. recognition of the Armenian Serve salad warm or cold mounded on a large platter, and garnish with chopped mint, Genocide. green onions, parsley, radishes, and black olives. Serve with Armenian peda bread, garlic “As a former intern with bread, or cracker bread, and with large Romaine lettuce leaves to ‘scoop up” the salad. the Armenian National Institute, it was refreshing to *Christine's recipes have been published in the Fresno Bee, Sunset and Cooking Light hear about Dr. Marutyan’s Magazines, and athttp://www.thearmeniankitchen.com/ progressive approach *For Christine's recipes that have been published in Sunset and Cooking Light Magazines, towards international recog- Dr. Harutyun Marutyan and Armenian National Institute Director go to: http://www.myrecipes.com/search/site/Datian nition of the Armenian Dr. Rouben Adalian. Genocide. After coming

Hymns and Ceremonies awards, plaques and a gold-plated baton. His honors include the encyclical and St. Nerses Keys To Revive Ties Shnorhali Medal by Catholicos Karekin II in 2007, a gold medal in 2008 by the Hamazkayin Between Church And Armenian Educational and Cultural Society, and membership in the Society of Composers People, Pidedjian Says and Musicologists in Yerevan that same year. In October 2010, his 75th birthday and 50th HYMNS, from page 13 anniversary of his musical contributions were cel- Brussov said, and far more advanced than the ebrated in grand style by Yerevan’s Komitas State European poetry of the 13th and 14th cen- Conservatory. He received the Conservatory’s turies. Honorary Professor Diploma, capping a long life “These treasures are ours and can be kept dedicated to his musical heritage. only by Armenians,” Pidedjian said. “We must Among the close to 100 in attendance were approach them with understanding. If we don’t the Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag take care of them, and maintain them, who Barsamian, Diocesan Vicar General Very Rev. will?” Simeon Odabashian, Zohrab Center Executive Pidedjian was born in 1935 in Alexandria, Director Very Rev. Daniel Findikyan, St. Vartan Egypt. Throughout his education at the Cathedral Dean Very Rev. Mamigon Kiledjian, Boghosian National School, the Armenian and musicians, pianist Sahan Arzruni and choral Theological Seminary in Antelias, Lebanon, and director Rubik Mailian, who introduced the Dr. Harutyun Marutyan speaking with the Armenian Assembly of America interns. the Beirut National Conservatory, he was dedi- speaker. cated to learning and mastering the many dimensions of religious music. Coming to New York in 1962, he formed the Kousan Chorus, which became the foundation Taleen Keldjian’s Fútbol! of the Armenian Cultural Association, now Pianist and Composer Karén Hakobyan Becomes Hamazkayin. Two years later, with Nevart Scores a Goal with Kids Hamparian, he organized the first Armenian Armenia Fund USA’s New Cultural Program Advisor song and dance ensemble with 120 members KELDJIAN, from page 13 which performed at the World’s Fair that year, HAKOBYAN, from page 13 and/or drawing your favorite things and create garnering him a Certificate of Commendation Armenia, which has such a rich cultural and musical tradition, was the perfect environment stories out of it. Practice by writing several by Governor Nelson Rockefeller. for a young aspiring musician. I was fortunate to study with some of the brightest minds in drafts and draw layers of sketches. You will get Throughout the 1960s, Pidedjian furthered Armenia such as composers Edvard Mirzoyan and David Sakoyan among others. In 2001, I better and one day as a career, creating your his music education, graduating with a bache- graduated from Tchaikovsky School, which had an enormous impact on my early develop- own book will become possible. Let your imag- lor’s in choral conducting from the Mannes ment, and briefly attended the Komitas Conservatory before moving to the United States in ination wander and most importantly, just have College of Music where he was assistant con- 2002 at age of 16. I had always followed Armenia Fund’s caring involvement in the com- fun!” ductor of the school’s choir, a master’s degree munity but it wasn’t until about a year ago when I established a personal connection by Keldjian is a Los Angeles-based artist and from Hunter College. He taught music in the meeting with Lisa Stepanian to discuss the Tchaikovsky Music School Reconstruction pro- illustrator. She earned her Bachelor of Fine New York City public school system for several ject. Being an Alumnus of Tchaikovsky, I knew exactly how much it was in a need of Arts degree with Honors in illustration from years. a major reconstruction and could fully appreciate the impact such a project would have on Art Center College of Design, with awards from In 1970, he established the professional choir the development of the future generations of students,” he explained. the Society of Illustrators in New York and at New York’s St. Vartan Cathedral, conducting He added, “Going through the challenges of becoming a professional taught me humility Creative Quarterly 37. She has illustrated for it for 11 years. His arrangements and composi- and hardworking ethics, but most importantly the appreciation for opportunities in educa- Good Magazine, Nautilus Magazine and Caltech tions of religious, patriotic and folk music have tion and professional growth. Armenia Fund does exactly that, by building Connect. She gravitates towards playful, poetic been heard by concert audiences in Armenia, sustainable infrastructure and investing in cultural and humanitarian programs. I am hon- and kid-friendly illustration subjects, painting Argentina, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, ored to be selected as the Cultural Program Advisor of Armenia Fund USA, Eastern in gouache and acrylic ink. Fútbol! is her doo- and throughout the US. Region and will work tirelessly towards contributing to Armenia Fund’s mission and help- dle book debut and can be found on amazon at Pidedjian is the author of four books in ing to implement impactful cultural projects.” https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-list- Armenian, and the recipient of numerous ing/099743970X. 16 S ATURDAY, J ULY 2 3 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING Kharpert Cultural Association Raises Funds for ‘Daybreak’

PASADENA, Calif. — On June 26, a kickoff developing the play. fundraising event for the Los Angeles pro- “Daybreak” is slated for a fall 2017 produc- duction of a new play about the Armenian- tion in Los Angeles, produced by Gary American experience was held at the Guidinger and Linda Toliver, and directed by Pasadena home of Margaret and David Jules Aaron. “This play is what we look for in Mgrublian. The elegant evening was spon- the theater. It is compelling, adventurous and sored by the Kharpert Cultural Association extremely relevant. It can open doors to a dis- of America, Inc., under the leadership of the board, Dr. Garbis Der-Yeghiayan, Hasmig Agemian, Sato Karajerjian, Tamar Krekorian, Eve Mekerdichian, and board mem- ber emeritus, Mary Najarian. Written by playwright Joyce Van Dyke, the play had a sold-out production in Boston under its earlier title, “Deported/ A Dream Play,” and was honored by the Massachusetts State Legislature for its commemora- tion of the genocide. The play was subsequently produced at Tufts University, and had staged readings in New York, London, and Yerevan. In 2015 the Guests at the event Armenian Ministry of Culture funded its translation into Armenian. tressed world,” Van Dyke said. Joyce’s play — or how relevant it would be to “Daybreak” is inspired by the Van Dyke and the play’s producers were spe- today’s issues,” Haig said. true stories of the playwright’s cial guest speakers at the dinner party which According to Diana Hekimian, the party gave grandmother and her best friend, was also attended by members of the play’s pro- a boost to the fundraising goal. “Now that peo- the mother of Dr. H. Martin duction advisory board, including host ple know about this exciting project, we’re Deranian. The two women were Margaret Mgrublian, Helen Haig and Diana hopeful that it will generate more interest and, deported together from Mezireh Hekimian; two other board members who were in turn, more donations to bring it to fruition.” in 1915. Dr. Deranian is the well- unable to attend were Maggie Goschin and Joan The next step will be to reserve a Los Angeles known author of The Armenian Agajanian Quinn. venue for fall 2017. Orphan Rug and Hussenig, “When our grandparents found their voice For more information about “Daybreak”, or Joyce Van Dyke among other books, and he col- and told their story, little did they know that we to make a contribution, visit laborated with the author in would be here today talking about the future of joycevandyke.com/daybreak-in-la.

From left, Martin Eskijian, Dr. Gregory Ketabgian, Effie Eskijian, Alice and Greg Garakian and From left, Eve Mekerdichian, Salpy Akaragian, Margaret Lulejian, Mary Zoryan, Mary Najarian Deran Tashjian and Hasmig Agemian

Mosaic of Armenian Heritage Collected in Book Educates and Celebrates

developed in Adishian’s mind on the thresh- ture, history, sports, religion and Diaspora a more lasting, more tangible item that, we By Olya Yordanyan old of the centennial of the Armenian followed each other throughout the year, hope, will make its way into living rooms and Genocide. She knew that the centennial until April 24, 2015. classrooms, having an impact in a different would trigger curiosity of foreigners, and “We’ve exchanged some 3,000 e-mails over the way than a website or a Facebook page,” BOSTON — Lena Maranian Adishian had they would turn to Armenians for answers. past three years,” Seferian said describing their Seferian said. been mulling over raising awareness about She kept wondering how “knowledgeable” cooperation. “It’s just been e-mails back and “When you read something on a website the Armenian history and culture for a cou- Armenians were on various historical and cul- forth, writing, editing, re-writing, publishing...” you just look at it quickly, and you look at ple of years, before she initiated the 100 tural subjects to be “good representatives Each story offers a glimpse into a subject one fact at a time. When you are holding a Years, 100 Facts project that culminated in a and ambassadors” of their communities. matter. book, leafing through the pages, it feels like book. “The idea was to develop something that Topics were carefully selected, and, accord- the vastness and the depths of our culture, it Impact of an Ancient Nation: Bridging the was educational,” Adishian said. “The other ing to Seferian, they “had to get rid of some feels the variety,” Adishian said. Past, Present, and Future with 100+ facts part was to really celebrate the vastness and great ideas and consolidate some others.” 100 Years, 100 Facts also became a per- about Armenia and Armenians — a new book depth of our heritage.” 100 Years, 100 Facts soon gained popular- sonal journey for Adishian, who studied the by Lena Adishian and Nareg Seferian — was Former corporate employee Adishian, of ity and became available in five other lan- story of her family more profoundly. published in June 2016. It is a collection of Los Angeles, teamed up with her friend, guages - French, Portuguese, Turkish, “It gave me the encouragement to have my 105 short articles, written for the 100 Years, Seferian, a Yerevan-based writer and Spanish and Russian. great-great-uncle’s memoirs translated from 100 Facts project, a non-profit online initia- researcher, in 2013 to make 100 Years, 100 For the authors, however, only online pres- French into English,” Adishian said. “And I tive aimed to educate Armenians about their Facts a reality. The first article was posted on ence and success was not “tangible” enough. learned that he was at the trial of Soghomon culture and history. April 24, 2014, and 99 stories about the “We decided in the end that, yes, it would Tehlirian, the first to kiss and hug him, when The idea for 100 Years, 100 Facts fully Armenian Genocide, language, literature, cul- be something that we could put together as Tehlirian was acquitted.” S ATURDAY, J ULY 2 3 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 17 CC AA LENDARLENDAR

Massachusetts with Archbishop Khajag Barsamian pre- MASSACHUSETTS siding. Kazanjian Memorial Ballroom, 180 Old Westford Rd., Chelmsford. Details to follow. JULY 31 — Sunday, St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic OCTOBER 22 — Armenian Friends of America presents Church, Annual Church Picnic, 12 pm to 5 p.m., Camp Hye Kef 5, a 5-hour dance, 7 p.m. to midnight with buf- Haiastan, 722 Summer St., Franklin. fet; Andover Windham, 123 Old River Road, featuring AUGUST 4 — Armenians for Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian musicians Onnik and Ara Dinkjian, Johnny Berberian, Mal reception, 7-9 p.m., Holiday Inn, Tewksbury, off Route Barsamian, Jason Naroian and Paul Mooradian, with pro- 133. Fundraiser to re-elect candidate as sheriff of ceeds benefiting area churches. Advance tickets before Middlesex County. Persons can donate securely on-line Sept. 1 @ $55, call either John Arzigian, (603) 560-3826; at: https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/mvar- Sharke Der Apkarian, (978) 808-0598; Lucy Sirmaian, menian. (978) 683-9121, or Peter Gulezian, (978) 375-1616. AUGUST 7 — Annual Church Picnic, Saints Vartanantz OCTOBER 23 — Save the Date. YerazArt will celebrate its Armenian Church, 180 Old Westford Road, 10th anniversary. Concert followed by reception, Chelmsford, 12:00p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Food, Music, Drinks. Cambridge. For more information go to www.stsvartanantz.com OCTOBER 23 — Opening reception marking joint pho- AUGUST 28 — Armenian Church at Hye Pointe Picnic to tograph exhibit titled: “East Meets West,” compiled be held at American Legion Farm, 1314 Main St., by Tom Vartabedian and Sona (Dulgarian) Gevorkian, fea- Haverhill MA (take Rte. 495 to Exit 51 B onto Rte. 125 N), turing eclectic pictures of Armenia and Artsakh, 2-5 p.m., 12 noon to 5 pm. Music by the Jason Naroian Ensemble. at Armenian Museum of America (AMA), 65 Main St., Menu includes Shish, Losh, & Chicken Kebab Dinners, The group Armenians for Sheriff Peter J. Watertown, co-sponsored by Project SAVE Armenian Kheyma, Pastries, & Beverages. Raffles for Cash Prizes & Koutoujian will host a fundraising recep- Photograph Archives. Exhibit will be displayed during the Gift Certificates. Air Conditioned Hall. Bring your lawn tion on Thursday, August 4, from 7 to 9 entire months of October and November. chairs. For more info visit www.hyepointearmeni- p.m., at the Holiday Inn in Tewksbury, NOVEMBER 3 — K. George and Carolann S. Najarian, anchurch.org or call (978) 372-9227 Mass. Koutoujian, the current sheriff of M.D. Lecture on Human Rights at Faneuil Hall, 7:30 SEPTEMBER 10 — Sayat Nova Dance Company of Middlesex County, is seeking reelection in p.m. Doors open at 6:45 p.m., “Justice & Equality: Boston 30th anniversary gala. a tough race. Those interested in making My Life as an Activist.” Speaker: Harry Belafonte, SEPTEMBER 11 — Trinity Family Festival, 12-5 pm, Holy a donation can send it to Activist & Entertainer. Reception follows at Bostonian Trinity Armenian Church of Greater Boston, 145 Brattle https://secure.actblue.com/con- Hotel. All are invited; free and open to the public. Further St., Cambridge. Delicious Armenian food with take-out information: ArmenianHeritagePark.org tribute/page/mvarmenian available; Armenian music for your listening and dancing NOVEMBER 15 — Thank You Reception for All pleasure; fun activities for children. Blessing of the Supporters of Armenian Heritage Park. Armenian Madagh, raffle drawing and more. Save the date; details Cultural and Educational Center. Watertown. 7:30 p.m. to follow. For further information, contact the church During the evening, supporters will receive the Armenian office, 617.354.0632, or email [email protected]. SEPTEMBER 30 — OCTOBER 2 — 25th Anniversary Heritage Park Commemorative Book, which will acknowl- SEPTEMBER 11 — Picnic Festival sponsored by St. Celebration. Armenian International Women’s edge all supporters in the category of giving that com- Gregory Armenian Church of Merrimack Association. Charles Hotel, Cambridge. bines all their contributions since the campaign’s incep- Valley, noon-5:30 p.m., 158 Main St., North Andover; OCTOBER 1 — 35th anniversary of Armenian tion. Deadline for first time supporters and for support- music by Leon Janikian, John Berberian, Jason Naroian Independent Broadcasting of Boston. Celebration at ers to increase their contribution is September 22. and John Arzigian; celebrating Feast of the Exaltation of the Armenian Cultural and Educational Center (ACED), Contributors are tax-deductible as allowed by law. All the Holy Cross; shish, losh, chicken kebab, vegetarian din- 47 Nichols Ave., Watertown. Details to follow. supporters are invited. ners, take outs; family games and activities. For further OCTOBER 14-15 — St. James 69th Annual NOVEMBER 19 — Armenian Women’s Welfare information, visit www.saintgregory.org or by call (978) Bazaar - Delicious Armenian Food and Pastries. Silent Association will hold its 40th annual luncheon/auc- 685-5038. Auction, Attic Treasures, Booths and Vendors. Raffles, tion. Oakley Country Club, 410 Belmont St., Watertown. SEPTEMBER 18 — Sunday Afternoon at the Park. For Children’s Activities, and more. Details to follow. St. Details to follow. families and friends. Armenian Heritage Park on the James Armenian Church – 465 Mt. Auburn St., DECEMBER 18 — Candlelit Labyrinth Peace Walk, Greenway. Boston. 2-4 p.m. All are invited. Watertown. For more information con- Armenian Heritage Park on the Greenway, Boston. 5-6:30 SEPTEMBER 23 – St. James Hye Café, Friday, Join us for tact 617.923.8860 or [email protected] or p.m. All are invited. delicious food and fellowship! Kebab, Falafel, Imam visit www.stjameswatertown.org. DECEMBER 2 and DECEMBER 3 – Trinity Christmas Bayeldi, and more. Doors open at 6:15pm. For more OCTOBER 15 — Banquet to mark the 100th Bazaar, Friday, 12 noon-9 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 information visitwww.stjameswatertown.org. St. James Anniversary Celebration of Saints Vartanantz p.m.; Holy Trinity Armenian Church, 145 Brattle Street, Armenian Church, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown. Armenian Church of Lowell-Chelmsford, Cambridge. Save the date; details to follow.

Versatile Armenian Artist: Celebrating Life with a Brush

he experimented with the immense variety of quality that I desire. This was accomplished Sarkis showcases some of his work in a web- By Arthur Hagopian artistic expression, a lifelong delight and accom- through my persistent drawing of the outdoor site, plishment that resulted in a formidable portfo- landscape, still life setups, or years of weekly http://www.sarkisantikajian.com, and a has lio of paintings, and a book, evidence of an drawing from live models.” encapsulated an impressive gallery in a book, JERUSALEM — Since early childhood, Sarkis artist who is “extraordinary gifted and versatile, Looking at his paintings, one is inescapably “Paintings, Drawings and Images in Words,” Antikajian had nurtured one paramount dream: equally facile in several genres from impres- drawn to a comparison with Van Gogh. There is (available from Amazon), a celebratory exposi- to paint, to be an artist, to give expression to sionism, expressionism to nonobjective or the same symphony of color, the same, call it tion where he frames his pictures with flights of the creative urges in him by metamorphosing abstract art,” in the words of Shannon Ray, “abandon”, of ritualism. poetry that reinforce his love of nature. them into landscapes, portraits, still lifes. director of the Lawrence Gallery in Oregon Examine his nudes. There is no trace of las- He remembers one particular outing that But the fact that he was growing up in a part where Antikajian now lives. civiousness in the contours of their limbs, says it all: of the world where art took last place to the It was no easy task to gain acceptance, as is rather a mysterious essence that is as old as “It must have been sometime struggle for survival, did not prove easily con- usually the way of life with art: but assiduous humanity. “in March, on a Saturday afternoon, ducive to the realization of that dream. So he work and self-motivation, backed by timely Antikajian believes in giving the viewer a “the crocus had broken the soft fertile soil had to bide his time and be satisfied with con- opportunity, provided by the workshops with mere suggestion of what is, or can be, in tender “to usher a new beginning.” tinuing to study, hope and plan. leading contemporary artists that he attended, watercolor strokes, the way the child puts out But it is Jerusalem where the heart returns, He was born in the Jordanian capital of helped propel him into the mainstream. its hand and touches its mother’s cheek — can and he pays tribute to it with bold, eloquent Amman, but spent part of the formative years of “After years of uncertainty, at this part of my the viewer’s response be anything but the feel- strokes of a brush that has succeeded, with a his childhood across the (Jordan) river, in journey, I am pleased to call myself a painter - ing of a mother for her child? minimum of line, color and shade, in absorbing Jerusalem. and sometimes, with a smile, an artist,” he says. Some of his pencil sketches are also reminis- the mystique of that remarkable city and con- Walking along the cobblestoned alleys of the After graduating, Antikajian worked as a cent of Norman Rockwell. In his “Girl in Green” veying it onto the canvas: see how economical- Armenian Quarter of the Old City, Antikajian pharmacist for more than 30 years, and raised he has dwelt a little longer on the face of his ly he has depicted the stones of Jerusalem, let- absorbed the unique ambience of the holy a family. model as if coaxing the child concealed within ting his brush caress its walls, streets and gates precinct, his keen eyes taking detailed note of “I cannot recall a day during those years that the folds of the canvas to come forth, and man- with soft fascination: Antikajian does not want the rarefied palette of the gold and copper of the I did not attempt to find ways on my own to ifest itself. to influence or instruct you, but rather to invite ancient walls, the virginal blue of the skies, the learn the craft of drawing and painting,” he In “Girl with Puppy,” all Sarkis has to do is you to discover and experience Jerusalem for red sunsets over the domes, minarets and towers. said. “Throughout this process of learning I angle one of the girls’ posture slightly, to con- yourself, by offering you a portal into its heart. It was a heady education, an experience he stressed the need to draw, not so much to ren- vey the depth and nature of affection for the And what joy will you find in that journey would later translate into his prolific output as der accurately, but to lean towards the gestural animal. and the exploration. 18 S ATURDAY, J ULY 2 3 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

COMMENTARY Mirror A World in Turmoil Spectator From Nice to Yerevan, a Bloody Summer bringing with them a host of social and economic problems. On By Edmond Y. Azadian top of that, some express their desire to bring Sharia law to many parts of Europe and eventually Islamize Europe. The Europeans, however, deserve what they have been experi- EstablishedEstablished 1932 1932 As if the police shootings in Dallas and Baton Rouge did not encing now and for the foreseeable future. They brought on the shock us enough, even more grotesque atrocities followed in problems upon themselves, first by destroying the countries from An ADLAn Publication ADL Publication Nice, France, and Turkey, with shockwaves arriving from which those immigrants hail and then not developing a coherent Armenia to further numb our sense of outrage. and economically sustainable immigration policy. They have opened wide the floodgates. They have destroyed stable societies Dallas and Baton Rouge Mourning in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, and, to a certain extent, EDITOR There is almost no relation or causality among the violence we Lebanon. Alin K. Gregorian witnessed around the world recently, except that in all the cases, Because of wars, constant bloodshed, violence and economic human life has become so disposable that it is wasted, often with- collapse have rendered these countries practically uninhabitable: ASSISTANT EDITOR out even the benefit of an excuse. never mind that some “wise” people pontificate that those Aram Arkun A series of police killings apparently triggered the July 5 killing nations could not govern themselves. ART DIRECTOR of a black man, Alton B. Sterling, which was caught on video, thus Marc Mgrditchian not giving another chance to police to hide behind the claim of self- Coup Who? defense. However, with the abundance of guns in the hands of cit- The attempted military coup in Turkey was the most improba- izens, police have the right to worry about their own safety. ble event that took place on July 15, shaking the Middle East and Violence may erupt when the police stop a person for any reason. ironically consolidating President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s politi- The freedom guaranteed under the Second Amendment and its cal support. SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: abuse by the gun lobby does not auger well for our society. On that day Turkish land forces and members of the gen- Edmond Y. Azadian Micah Johnson, the killer of five officers on July 7 in downtown darmerie seized key positions in Ankara and Istanbul as well as Dallas, and Gavin Long, who assassinated three officers in Baton the Turkish General Staff Headquarters. The coup plotters CONTRIBUTORS: Rouge, have something in common: they both have military back- turned out to be mid-level officers led by Col. Muharrem Kose Florence Avakian, Dr. Haroutiun grounds and they both have witnessed battleground violence and and Gen. Akin Ozturk. The three main opposition parties — Arzoumanian, Taleen Babayan, Diana Der Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, have returned to civilian life as broken individuals, like so many Republican People’s Party (CHP), Nationalist Movement Party Kevork Keushkerian, Harut Sassounian, other veterans. It is revealing that Long said about himself: “I (MHP) and the People’s Democratic Party (HDP) — publicly Hagop Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian wonder if this city loves me. In uniform, I got nasty, hateful looks, denounced the coup. and out of uniform, some consider me a threat.” The Turkish military has experience enough to carry out CORRESPONDENTS: It is no wonder that especially among Iraq War veterans, the coups, since they launched well-organized takeovers in 1960, Armenia - Hagop Avedikian suicide rate is alarming; 4,500 youth in uniform were killed dur- 1971, 1980 and 1997. But the most recent one failed, fueling sus- Boston - Nancy Kalajian ing the war and an equal number have become victims of suicide. picions that it was a false-flag operation to smoke out Erdogan’s Philadelphia - Lisa Manookian The carnage is continuing. These numbers do not include, of suspected enemies. By the time it was over, the attempted coup Berlin - Muriel Mirak-Weissbach course, some 50,000 wounded or maimed. had resulted in more than 265 dead and 1,440 wounded. Contributing Photographers: When veterans return home, many cannot shake off the hor- It seemed that Erdogan’s government was better prepared, Jacob Demirdjian and Jirair Hovsepian rors they have seen or have had to live with. Therefore, some since it was able to take sweeping measures within just a few have suicidal urges and not surprisingly, some many also wanted hours, leading to the arrest of 2,839 military personnel. And 140 to take the lives of innocent people with them. The blood of these judges from the Court of Appeals and the Council of Judges, two victims is on the hands of the leaders who launched these wars of the highest legal institutions in the country, were taken into The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published weekly, except two weeks in July and the first based on manufactured lies. British Premier Tony Blair’s belated custody. Another 2,475 judges were also purged, giving credence week of the year, by: apology, after he got a verbal thrashing by a British investigative to the speculations that those lists had been prepared far in commission recently, cannot bring back those victims nor heal Baikar Association, Inc. advance. the wounds of those handicapped permanently with physical or At the beginning of the coup, Erdogan was vacationing in 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 psychic wounds. The Bush-Cheney tandem has yet to apologize Marmaris. His hotel was bombed right after he left the premises. Telephone: 617-924-4420 for their blunder. At least, they have demonstrated the decency Also, rebel military planes were following the jet that took FAX: 617-924-2887 of no longer claiming that “the world is safer without Saddam Erdogan safely to Istanbul, yet no attempt was made to shoot it www.mirrorspectator.com Hussein,” after Donald Trump told the ugly truth to their faces. down. E-Mail: [email protected] That Turkey knows how to stage a false-flag operation no one For advertising: [email protected] France, Again doubts. At the beginning of the Syrian crisis, news was leaked France suffered its third and worst mass shooting in 18 about Hakan Fidan, head of the Turkish secret service, who was months, on July 14, Bastille Day. A 31-year-old Tunisian immi- planning such an operation to create an excuse to invade Syria. grant, Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, plowed his 19-ton truck The tomb of Fatih Sultan Mohammed’s father is located in Syria, through a crowd gathered on Nice’s Promenade des Anglais to guarded by the Turkish military. Fidan was to plant a bomb at watch festive fireworks, killing 84 people and wounding many the tomb in order to blame the Syrian government, much like SUBSCRIPTION RATES : more. The investigation proved that he was a radicalized admir- how Turkish intelligence officers planted a bomb at Ataturk’s er of the Islamic State, filled with antipathy toward his adopted birthplace in Salonika to stage the pogroms of 1955 against the nation. Greeks and Armenians in Istanbul. U.S.A. $80 a year France’s vulnerability to such frequent attacks has weakened Some journalist even compared the coup with Hitler’s burning Canada $125 a year its government and almost doomed Francois Hollande’s presi- of the Reichstag in 1933, which led to his ascension. Even recent dency, the poll ratings of which have dropped to a rock bottom bombings in Istanbul are suspected of being false-flag operation Other Countries $190 a year 11 percent. Of course, terrorism is not the only factor for the to deflect criticism that Turkish government has been in cahoots country’s problems, which have been compounded by a drop in with ISIS. economic stability and labor unrest. Whatever the case, President Erdogan was able to get the © 2014 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator These murderous rampages in France have sent shockwaves masses into the streets and mosques, to protest against the revolt Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA throughout Europe, triggering a right-wing whiplash and anti- and to express support for him. and additional mailing offices. immigration and anti-Islam sentiments. Journalist Cengiz Candar posted an article in al-Monitor, the The security situation in France has emboldened the ultra- title of which read, “Was Turkey’s Coup Attempt an Elaborate ISSN 0004-234X right National Front party of Marine Le Pen, who once appealed Hoax by Erdogan?” only to a marginal portion of the country’s voters. Terrorism and For Turkish leaders, human lives are dispensable; all Ottoman POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The immigration issues now have catapulted her into the mainstream sultans except one have murdered their children. Ahmet Simsek, Armenian Mirror-Spectator, 755 Mount Auburn as a viable presidential candidate. An article in the New York deputy prime minister, once announced that “the Armenian St., Watertown, MA 02472 Times by Alison Smale and Stephen Castle, said, “Shutting off Genocide [deportation] was justified and we have to do it again Other than the editorial, views and opinions immigration was one of the most powerful motives behind the if necessary.” Therefore, 265 deaths are immaterial in staging a expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily [recent British] vote to leave the European Union.” political game. reflect the policies of the publisher. Another politician in Holland, far right leader Geert Wilders, Erdogan has been a polarizing figure but he plays to the worst said on Twitter: “This is a war and it will not stop until we close instincts of his Muslim majority to stay in power. There is gen- our borders for Islam and de-Islamize our societies. No more ter- uine resentment against his authoritarian rule but it looks like ror. No more Islam.” the coup attempt, rather than having a moderating effect, will Germany and Austria will soon be holding elections and the embolden him. Copying for other than personal use or political pendulum is heading to the right there as well. In a relat- The New York Times editorial on July 18 states: “After the internal reference is prohibited without ed vein, Poland and Hungary have tightened their immigration chaotic and bloody events of the weekend, Mr. Erdogan is becom- express permission of the copyright owner. Address requests for reprints or regulations. ing more vengeful and obsessed with control than ever, exploit- back issues to: Different immigration policies applied by the 28 countries of ing the crisis not to just punish mutinous soldiers, but to further the European Union have caused fractures within that union, squash whatever dissent is left in Turkey. ‘They will pay a heavy Baikar Association, Inc. rendering visa-free Schengen travel within the union more diffi- price for this,’ he said chillingly. ‘This uprising is a gift from God cult. to us because this will be a reason to cleanse our army.’” 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472- As far as the immigrants themselves are concerned, they are see TURMOIL, page 19 1509 S ATURDAY, J ULY 2 3 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 19 COMMENTARY

on the other hand, would have been an absolute nightmare albeit more vocal, are barely half of the voting public; and his for everyone in and out of Turkey, particularly for Armenia regime has been an enabler of ISIS terrorists. and Artsakh (Nagorno Karabagh) next door. One does not What will happen next? Erdogan will now exploit this gold- have to go all the way back to 1915 to remember the mur- en opportunity to tighten his grip on power by becoming derous acts of the Turkish army against 1.5 million innocent even more vengeful and autocratic than before, and smash- My Turn Armenian men, women and children. As recently as the 1974 ing with an iron fist anyone who dares to disagree with him. Cyprus invasion, the Turkish military committed despicable The Turkish leader is now aggressively eliminating all sus- By Harut Sassounian war crimes against thousands of Greek civilians. pected opponents by arresting thousands of military offi- Erdogan’s continued hold on power may be the greatest cers, including 102 Generals, dismissing over 10,000 securi- gift for all those who wish Turkey to remain the laughing ty officials and 3,000 members of the judiciary who had noth- Turkish Coup D’état Still in stock of the world. His extremist views on social, political and ing to do with the attempted coup. They will certainly be Progress: Conflict Keeps Turkey religious issues appeal only to his radical followers, but replaced by Erdogan’s obedient servants to ensure that his antagonize all people of compassion and common sense. political rivals would receive the harshest court verdicts, In Turmoil When the initial news of Erdogan’s downfall turned out to most probably the death penalty, which would preclude be false, those celebrating his presumed departure turned to Turkey from ever joining the European Union. Most Armenians became ecstatic last Friday upon hearing rumor-mongering, insisting that the Turkish President had Erdogan’s only out of his reach adversary is Islamic Cleric that a military coup was in progress to topple Turkey’s staged the coup himself to get rid of his opponents. To Fethullah Gulen, an erstwhile ally, who has been living in self- President Erdogan. believe such a far-fetched notion, one has to ignore that the imposed exile in Pennsylvania. The Turkish President is false- Even I was caught up in a momentary euphoria, until I coup was staged by a considerably weakened group of senior ly accusing the Muslim cleric of orchestrating last week’s recalled that while Erdogan is a fascist leader, the Turkish officers after Erdogan had spent the better part of a decade attempted coup to eliminate his major opponent. It remains military is far worse. During the past four military coups d’é- purging the military. It is a miracle that after being threat- to be seen if Erdogan will succeed in bullying Pres. Obama tat in Turkey — 1960, 1971, 1980 and 1997 — when gener- ened, prosecuted, jailed or forced into early retirement, there to extradite Gulen to Turkey. als shot their way to power, wholesale jailing, torture, and are still putschists left in the Turkish military. Experienced Contrary to the Turkish government deceptive reports, the killings ensued. By no means is Erdogan a democratic lead- commanders were replaced by amateurs whose only skill was coup has not been fully crushed. As of the printing deadline er, but his military opponents could be far more vicious. This total submission to Sultan Erdogan’s every wish and whim. of this column, four days after the start of the insurrection, is the reason why none of the opposition parties in Turkey, Furthermore, the coup d’état was poorly organized, allow- Erdogan is still cooped up in Istanbul, unable to return to his not even the oppressed Kurds, have supported the coup plot- ing Erdogan to avoid arrest after getting wind of the plot, colossal empty Palace in Ankara. ters, realizing their dreadful fate under a military regime. and going on TV to incite his fanatical followers to confront All those fed up with Turkey’s meddling in the neighbor- Rather than rushing to welcome the attempted coup, the tanks in the streets. ing countries’ affairs would certainly prefer prolonged Armenians should have hailed the Turkish leader’s survival. The American mass media, as usual, misled the public by internecine clashes between the coup plotters and the One should consider that Erdogan is primarily an Islamist, repeatedly calling Erdogan a “democratically elected leader” regime’s autocratic leadership. This would keep Turkey pre- whereas the military officers are rabid nationalists. Erdogan, who supposedly has a “massive public following” and is an occupied with its own domestic troubles, diminishing its abil- of course, is no friend of Kurds, Armenians, Turkish human “important US ally in fighting ISIS.” All of these statements ity to threaten the security of Armenia, Artsakh, Cyprus, rights activists, journalists, and political rivals. Military rule, are untrue. The Turkish President is a fascist; his followers, Greece, Iran, Iraq, and Syria.

From Nice to Yerevan, a Bloody President Vladimir Putin, Western journalists noted. The Export Other At the top of the list were Vladislav Reznik, a member Summer of parliament from Putin’s United Russia Party; Nikolai Aulov, the deputy director of Russia’s federal narcotics TURMOIL, from page 16 Countries Would service; and Igor Sobelevsky, former deputy head of the Erdogan is contemplating the return of the death penalty, EU Investigative Committee, Russia’s FBI. objections not withstanding, but his mobs have already slit the Rather Do Without: Spain spent a decade looking into the way the throats of mutinous soldiers in the streets, IS style. Russian mafia bought Spanish property to launder money made illegally in Russia. It recently filed money- Erebuni Standoff The Russian Mafia laundering charges against a half dozen Russia mob- Among the countries shaken recently by violence is Armenia, sters living in Spain, with expectations there will be which can ill afford any shake up and yet it is caught in the grip more arrests. of political turmoil. Spain issued its arrest warrants for the 12 officials The situation there is desperate; economic disparity contin- By Armine Sahakyan close to Putin on grounds that they helped crime boss- ues, the application and enforcement of laws are selective, no es in Russia make the illegal money that was laundered remedy has been found to curb the emigration depopulating in Spain. the country and by all standards, Armenia remains one of the USSIAN OFFICIALS began talking Russian authorities reacted by calling the charges in most corrupt countries in the region. The leadership is either about diversifying the economy the Spanish warrants preposterous — the typical insensitive to the plight of its citizens or it is plainly inept. On years before the price of oil began Russian reaction when other countries accuse Russian top of all those problems, the four-day Karabagh war in April tanking in 2014. big shots of crimes. And, of course, Moscow refused to disillusioned the people. All in all, a very combustible situation But there’s one commodity that extradite the officials to Spain. where anything can happen has been created. It is perfectly Moscow has done a great job of If it was just Spain, the story of the Russian mafia understandable that some people or groups may resort to take exporting to the rest of the world could be dismissed as a one-off. But it isn’t just Spain. desperate measures. since the early 1990s. Russian crime syndicates have become so entrenched R in the United States — particularly in the New York area It is under those conditions that a group calling itself Sasna The trouble is, the rest of the Dzerer has occupied a police compound in the Erebuni district world doesn’t want it — because it’s the Russian mafia. and south Florida — that the popular American cop of Yerevan, taking as hostages some officers and demanding the I began reading stories about organized-crime syndi- drama “Blue Bloods” often features plots about police release of Jirair Sefilian, who was arrested on June 20 on cates from the former Soviet Union taking root in other dueling with Russian baddies. charges of possession of arms and planning to mount an insur- countries in the mid-1990s. Germany is so concerned about what it sees as the rection and finally the resignation of the president. Already one Now the syndicates’ presence overseas is so pervasive growing threat of the CIS mafia on its soil that the head officer, Arthur Vanoyan, has been killed and there are three oth- — particularly in rich nations like the United States and of its equivalent of the FBI took the unusual step of dis- ers who have been wounded. Europe — that not a month goes by when you don’t read cussing the matter publicly this month. The appeal by this group for a general uprising has not met a story about the havoc that gangs from the former Holger Munch noted that “Russian-Eurasian” orga- any results yet. This could mean two things: either the people Soviet Union are wreaking. nized crime has been expanding both in Germany and have lost their political will or they feel instinctively that any dis- Although the Russian mafia is the biggest overseas elsewhere in Europe. ruption in a volatile situation may bring a greater catastrophe crime network from the former Soviet Union, gangs One Russian mafia group alone has up to 40,000 to Armenia. from a number of other countries — including Ukraine, members in Germany, he said, and CIS mobsters The government is in an untenable position, since the rumors Armenia and Georgia — have an overseas presence as account for 8 to 10 percent of Germany’s over-all prison abound about the territorial concessions in Karabagh as a well. So I’ll refer to the crime syndicates from places in population. result of Russian pressure. The government is accused of being the region besides Russia as CIS mafia — CIS for The Armenian mafia’s grip on the United States has weak at the negotiation table. But any internal disturbance may Commonwealth of Independent States. surfaced in shocking fashion with a series of mass further deteriorate the government’s position and bring about Those who study overseas mafia say two key differ- arrests over the past five years. the dreaded surrender in Karabagh. ences between CIS gangs and, say, Sicilian gangs is that In February of 2011 federal and state authorities The people who have resorted to violence believe that free- many CIS gangs get their marching orders from crime arrested 70 members of the Armenian Power crime syn- dom fighters can also become effective leaders. Indeed, Jirair bosses back home and — critically important — govern- dicate on charges that included kidnapping, extortion, Sefilian has been one of the commanders who saved Shushi ments in their homelands protect the gangs. bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, credit card fraud, from the Azeris and ever since, he has become a rabble-rouser Western investigative journalists have written many marijuana distribution, conducting illegal gambling and political activist. stories about Russian politicians and government offi- operations, and conspiracy. As the standoff continues, there is a heated debate in the cials being on mafia payrolls — and reciprocating by pro- Most of the arrests were in Los Angeles, which has media and among the public. Most organized media are tecting the mobsters. the world’s second-largest Armenian diaspora, although financed by foreign sources and they certainly have to serve That’s why Alexander Litvinenko, a former Russian some occurred in other cities. their masters’ interests, which may not benefit Armenia. They intelligence officer whom the Russians poisoned with The majority of the suspects were Armenians, not have been inciting people under the guise of giving voice to radioactive polonium 210 in London in 2006, coined Armenian-Americans, law-enforcement officials noted. ordinary people. the term “mafia state” to describe Russia. Unfortunately, the kingpins of the Armenian mafia Change must come to Armenia. But change through violence One of the most outrageous signs of Moscow’s protection are in the homeland, not the United States, authorities may destroy the entire country. of mafia is its refusal to extradite Russians to countries where said in announcing the arrests. One member of parliament, Heghine Bisharian, who advocates they are wanted for organized-crime activity. Assistant U.S. Attorney General Lanny Breuer for change, has come up with an appeal that no matter how dif- Spanish prosecutors made international headlines a summed up the difficulty of exterminating the ficult, change has to come through the democratic process. year ago by issuing arrest warrants for 12 Russian offi- Armenian mafia on American soil by saying that its ten- This hostage standoff continues as of this writing; may God save cials they contend have helped the Russian mafia in tacles go beyond “international borders, reaching all the Armenia and bring peace there and elsewhere gripped by war. Spain pull off their crimes. All 12 were close to Russian see MAFIA, page 20 20 S ATURDAY, J ULY 2 3 , 2 0 1 6 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Two Citizens of Armenia Die in Devastating Nice Attack

NICE, from page 1 Scores of people were killed Thursday night when a large truck plowed through a Bastille Day crowd in Nice, France, in what President Francois Hollande called a terror attack. The French Interior Ministry reported about 84 people being dead and 18 in critical condi- tion. The driver opened fire on people in the crowd. Police fired back and the driver was even- tually shot dead. The perpetrator of the attack was Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, a 31-year-old French Tunisian. The Armenian woman killed in the Nice attack saved her baby by covering the carriage with her body, witness Susan Mkhitaryan said. Members of the Armenian community came together at St. Philip Church in Nice this week, where the Primate of the Armenian Church of France and of Europe, Bishop Vahan Hovhannisyan celebrated a Holy Mass in memo- ry of victims of the attack in Nice, Nouvelles d’Armenie reports. He was accompanied by Fr. Krikor Khachatryan. The faithful then went to the Promenade des Anglais to pray. “We came to honor the victims and show our solidarity, our compassion and share the pain of Nice. To pray is an act of faith but also of resistance, because there must be Bishop Vahan Hovhannisyan and others mourn the deaths of 84 people in Nice, France. hope in life,” Hovhannisyan said. St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School Holds Graduation Ceremonies

Help us to relocate WATERTOWN — In June, St. Stephen’s This year, the kindergarten graduation pro- Armenian Elementary School (SSAES) com- gram was dedicated to peace, while the SyrianArmenian families pleted its 32nd academic year. The graduation Elementary graduation program focused on the ceremonies were held on June 16 (K) and June 30th anniversary of the school, the 25th 17 (Elementary). anniversary of the Republic of Armenia, as well to Armenia from the In her remarks the principal, Houry Boyamian, as on Community Service. focused on the 13th Graduating Class Trip to On both days, Baljian expressed his apprecia- Armenia, the annual STEM (Science, Technology, tion to the administration and faculty for their conflict zone. Engineering and Math) Week and the Science Fair, dedication and effort. the school’s 30th anniversary and the visit to the On June 16, 21 students graduated from school of the President of the Republic of Armenia Kindergarten. They are: Nellie Aghajanyan, Donate Now — Save a Life and his delegation. Gianna Alexanderian, Harout Artinian, Nara She thanked the faculty, the administrative Behbahani, Avedis Bell, Ariana Bouthiete, staff, the PTO, the parent volunteers, the school Emma Fontes, Isabel Fontes, Armen Galaian, board and committees, the St. Stephen’s Stepan Guzelian, Julia Kebadjian, David Church board of trustees, Rev. Antranig Baljian, Oganesian, Lori Panossian, Gassia Sarkissian, as well as all the organizations and individuals Tatevik Sarkissian, Liana Seraderian, Arman that contribute to the advancement of the Stepanian, Belissa Tamburrini, Chloe Tinkjian, school. Gacia Tokadjian and Nairi Yacubian. On June 16, Boyamian honored Maral On June 17, 13 students graduated from the Derderian for 25 years of dedicated service in elementary school. They are: Taline Antoine, the preschool and on June 17, she honored two Chris Ashjian, Alec Der-Sirakian, Alique administrators. Nora Hackett received the Haserjian, Sophia Kahvejian, Vana Golden Logo of the school for her 15 years of Karaguesian, Alexander Nalbandyan, Andrew service as assistant treasurer and Arlet Ashjian Sarkissian, Sevan Soukiasian, Alique received the Silver Logo of the school for her Stepanian, Sevana Stepanian, Benjamin 10 years as administrative assistant. Surenian and Izabell Tenekedzhyan.

The kindergarten students dance.

The Export Other Countries Would Rather Do Without

MAFIA, from page 19 minds of a lot of people whose countries have way back to the former Soviet bloc.” substantial populations of immigrants from the Underscoring the Armenian mafia’s continu- Commonwealth of Independent States. ing threat to the Los Angeles area, the FBI and I understand how they feel. The only conso- local law enforcement agencies have organized lation I can offer is that makes for good TV cop a Eurasian Organized Crime Task Force to shows. investigate the crimes of mobsters from (Armine Sahakyan is a human rights activist Armenia, Georgia and other countries in the based in Armenia. A columnist with the Kyiv Post neighborhood. and a blogger with The Huffington Post, she writes It’s embarrassing to law-abiding citizens in on human rights and democracy in Russia and the the former Soviet Union that the word “mafia” former Soviet Union. Follow her on Twitter at: is the one of the first things that pops into the www.twitter.com/ArmineSahakyann)