JANUARY 20, 2018 Mirror-SpeTHE ARMENIAN ctator Volume LXXXVIII, NO. 26, Issue 4521 $ 2.00 NEWS The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 INBRIEF Armenian Organization Armenian Christmas at St. Vartan’s Attacked on Christmas Eve in Brussels Cathedral as it Kicks off 50th Year BRUSSELS, Belgium (Panorama.am) — Unidentified people opened fire at the Office “Sahakyan Union” of the Armenian community in NEW YORK — Temperatures in New Schaerbeek neighborhood of Brussels, York City approached zero degrees Ermenihaber reported, adding the incident took Fahrenheit on Saturday, January 6. But place the night of January 5. According to the inside the city’s St. Vartan Armenian source, nobody was injured during the attack, and Cathedral, worshippers were warmed by only the door and windows of the building were the celebration the Feast of the Nativity damaged. The organization does not operate cur- and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ — rently. informally called “Armenian Christmas.” It is believed the attack in the mostly Turkish- Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate populated district of the Belgian capital was moti- of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of vated by nationalism, with the source citing the America (Eastern), celebrated the Divine date of the assault conducted on the eve of the Liturgy and delivered a sermon that Christmas. touched on the theme of peace, as it relates The Istanbul-based Agos daily wrote that the to the story of Christ’s birth, to the spiritu- area was a scene of violence six years ago, when al atmosphere of the church, and to press- Armenian and Assyrian organizations in the dis- ing concerns of the world today. trict were a target of periodic attacks. Pointing behind him to the icon adorning Tensions have been running high in the immi- St. Vartan Cathedral’s altar, he called its grant Turkish community of Brussels, following the image “the face of Peace: the face of the infant decree by Emir Kan, the Turkish head of the munic- Christ, held in the arms of his loving mother, ipality, banning Kurdish rallies in the district. Mary. Is there a more beautiful, inspiring Primate Khajag Barsamian at the altar performs the blessing of water. image in all of human history? For two thou- sand years, the church has preserved this Armenia Presidential beautiful image of the Nativity of Jesus, and new year of 2018, the magnificent sanctu- sanctuary,” he said. “The cathedral is a the message of peace underlying it.” ary around us — St. Vartan Armenian source of spiritual strength for faithful peo- Election ‘Most He said that the atmosphere of peace Cathedral in New York — will mark the ple across our Diocese. It opens welcoming Probably’ Will Be Held explains why every church is called a “sanc- 50th anniversary of its consecration.” doors to all of our countrymen — and to tuary”: “a sacred place of harmony and safe- Place of Peace people of any background. It welcomes On March 2 ty, where all are welcome, and none are “St. Vartan Cathedral was built as our those who may have strayed from their turned away.” He went on to note: “In this ‘national home’: a place of peace; a true see CHRISTMAS, page 10 YEREVAN (PanARMENIAN.Net and Armenpress) — The presidential election in Armenia will most probably be held on March 2, with discussions on possible candidates set to launch this week, lawmaker from the ruling Marshal Bagramyan Republican Party of Armenia Vahram Baghdasaryan told reporters on January 15. In Rediscovered “Currently you can’t know the names of candi- dates since we didn’t have discussions over this Film Talks of His issue. When we will begin the discussions during this week and will have a decision, you will know Pre-Soviet Life about it”, he said. Incumbent President Serzh Sargsyan’s term in office will end April 9, 2018. Until then, in accordance to the Constitution, the By Haykaram Nahapetyan Parliament will elect a new president, and the gov- Mirror-Spectator Video Correspondent ernment will submit its resignation after Sargsyan’s term is completed. Then, the parliament will elect a prime minister, who will form a new government. “The Red Army was as multiethnic as the In response to a question whether the candidate Soviet Union, but its generals were over- might be from the diaspora, the lawmaker said only whelmingly Russian. Very few non-Slavs that the future presidential hopeful must be accept- reached high rank and the highest propor- able to the outside world. tion of those who did were Armenian — Baghdasaryan said he might have several options from the smallest Soviet Republic in area,” in mind but failed to divulge more details anyway. wrote British scholar Geoffrey Jukes about President Serzh Sargsyan had said earlier that Marshal Hovhannes (Ivan) Bagramyan in a the National Assembly must elect the fourth presi- Istanbul Street book edited by Harold Shukman called dent of Armenia by March 9, 2018, and the new Stalin’s Generals (New York, 1993). prime minister after April 9. Named after Jukes’ observation was ultimately correct given that more than a half million sons and daughters of Armenia fought bravely and cov- Armenian ered themselves with glory during the World War II. Suffice to say that the only non-Slavic INSIDE Photographer commander of a front in the Red Army was Armenian — Hovhannes Bagramyan. Ara Güler see BAGRAMYAN, page 11 Simon ISTANBUL (Public Radio of Armenia) — Tosbaga Street in the Beyoglu district of Istanbul, Turkey, has formally been Simonian named after famous Istanbul Armenian The renamed street, photographed by photographer Ara Güler. Page 15 Ara Güler Güler photographed the sign of the street named after him and posted it on his Twitter account. Güler has lived at this street for many years, and his photo studio is also locat- INDEX ed there. Güler, who was recognized as “Photographer of the Century” and is also known Arts and Living ...... 12 Armenia ...... 2,3 as the “Eye of Istanbul,” was born in the city in 1928. He began his journalistic Community News...... 6 career in 1950, he has received many Turkish and international awards and titles, Editorial ...... 17 and he has photographed numerous world-renowned personalities. International ...... 4,5 see GÜLER, page 20 Marshal Hovhannes (Ivan) Bagramyan 2 S ATURDAY, J ANUARY 2 0 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia

Karabakh Soldier Killed STEPANAKERT (Public Radio of Armenia) — A private in the Artsakh Defense Army, Harutyun Khachatryan, died on January 16 of a gunshot wound, when on duty at one of the military units in the northern direction. The Artsakh Defense Ministry said in a statement the incident took place at about 01:15 “under unknown circumstances.” An investigation into the details of the case is under way. Sargsyan Awards National Hero Medal to Hovhannes Chekijyan YEREVAN (Armenpress) — A solemn ceremony honoring and presenting the Order of Homeland, “Order of Homeland” to People’s Artist, Director of the State Academic Choir of Armenia Hovhannes Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II making his way to the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin Chekijyan took place on January 16 at the Presidential Palace of Armenia. During the ceremony People’s Artist, composer Tigran Mansuryan introduced the biography of Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany Chekijyan, his creative past and achievements. Sargsyan handed the “Order of Homeland “to the Celebrated at Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin National Hero of Armenia congratulated him and on behalf of the Armenian people wished Chekijyan ECHMIADZIN — On January 6, in the Mother See of Desert, His Holiness went to the Holy Tent, where the health and new successes. At the awarding ceremony, Holy Echmiadzin, a solemn celebration of the Feast of Patriarchal Divine Liturgy began. President Sargsyan addressed a congratulatory mes- Christmas and the Blessing of our Lord and Savior At the sacred ceremony, as an adjunct, were in sage to Chekijyan. Jesus Christ was celebrated. The patriarchal Divine attendance the Supreme Ruler of the Mother See of Liturgy was celebrated at Mother Cathedral on the Holy Echmiadzin. Bishop Hovnan Hakobyan and Armenia Question on occasion of the holiday. Director of the Department of the Mother See of Catholicos Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Holy Echmiadzin, Bishop Mushegh Babayan. This ‘Jeopardy!’ TV Show Catholicos of All Armenians, led the service. year, the Patriarchal liturgy was also attended by Deacons Volodya Deacon Najaryan, Deacon Gevorg small scribes serving in different churches for their CULVER CITY, Calif. – Every once in a while, Mirzoyan, Deacon Artur de Armanian and Deacon dedicated service. During the Divine Liturgy, questions pertaining to Armenia pop up in the daily Suren Janibekyan were on the patriarchal rampart. Karekin II conveyed to all Armenians the “Messiah television game show “Jeopardy!” produced by Sony By distributing his patriarchal blessing to the devout was born and was revealed” to the angelic preacher, Pictures Studios. On January 9, host Alex Trebek nation, the Armenian Patriarch entered the holy tem- addressing his patriarchal message on the occasion gave the clue that “its provinces include Aragatsotn ple under “Hrashapar.” After the descent to the Holy of the feast. and Ararat,” and a contestant quickly responded “what is Armenia” to win the point. See our website for the video clip (https://mirrorspectator.com/2018/01/16/arme- nia-question-jeopardy-tv-show/). Armenia Recognizes Genocide Against Iraq’s Yazidis

TCA Tekeyan-Shake YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Armenia’s par- low lawmakers on Monday, Makhmudian Sarkisian instructed Armenia’s Foreign liament unanimously passed on Tuesday, drew parallels between the 2014 atroci- Ministry and diplomatic missions abroad Ghazarian Contest January 16, a resolution recognizing as ties against Iraqi Yazidis and the 1915 to “redouble their efforts to adequately Accepting Submissions genocide the 2014 mass killings of Armenian genocide in the Ottoman raise the issue in the international Yazidis in Iraq which were committed by Empire. arena.” YEREVAN — The Central Board of the Tekeyan the Islamic State (IS) extremist group. The Ottoman Turks also killed and dis- The move followed a series of street Cultural Association (TCA) of Armenia has The National Assembly also called on placed many Yazidis during the First protests staged by Yazidis in Yerevan. announced the following categories for awards in var- the international community to track World War. Thousands of them fled to They said that the Armenian government ious creative categories for 2017, all through the down and prosecute those directly what is now the Republic of Armenia. is slow to react to the atrocities. TCA Shake Tekeyan-Ghazarian Endowment Fund: lit- responsible for the killings and “take There are an estimated 50,000 Yazidis In April 2016, leaders of Armenia’s erature, music, visual arts and drama. Those who measures to ensure the security of the living in Armenia at present, making Yazidi community inaugurated a memor- wish to participate in the contest for 2017 may pre- Yazidi population.” them the country’s single largest ethnic ial in downtown Yerevan to Yazidis and sent their works from January 22 to March 1 at the Thousands of Yazidis were seized by IS minority. other people massacred by the IS extrem- TCA Yerevan office during the regular work week when it overran Iraq’s northwestern President Serzh Sargsyan condemned ists. Said Avdalian, the leader of a Yazidi (Monday to Friday) from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the sec- town of Sinjar in August 2014, and most the mass killings and deportations of youth group, hailed the Armenian parlia- ond floor of 50 Khanjyan Street, or contact the of them remain unaccounted for. The Iraqi Yazidis shortly after they were first mentary resolution on Tuesday as a “his- office for further information (email tekeyan@armin- town was regained from IS in late 2015 reported in the summer of 2014. toric event.” co.com; telephone 552-632, or 520-783). and 30 mass graves of Yazidis have since been found there. But an unknown num- ber of the ethnic minority, which prac- Defense Minister tices a unique religion that IS considers Nadia Murad and Yazda Welcome Recognition Receives US Ambassador heretical, was moved to neighboring Of Yazidi Genocide by Armenia Syria. YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Defense Minister of The US government officially declared YEREVAN (Armenpress) —The tude to the people of Armenia and Armenia Vigen Sargsyan received Ambassador of the in March 2016 that IS is “responsible for Yazda organization and the UN their representatives in Parliament. USA to Armenia Richard Mills on January 16. genocide” against Yazidis as well as Goodwill Ambassador for dignity of Acknowledgment of the Genocide During the meeting the work done in 2017 in the Christians and other religious and ethnic Survivors of Human Trafficking Nadia means a lot to me and all the victims of sidelines of Armenian-US defense cooperation were minorities in Iraq and Syria. A subse- Murad have welcomed the adoption of genocide,” Murad said. “The Yazidi summed up and the main themes for cooperation for quent report released by United Nations the resolution recognizing the geno- genocide is the latest major crime of 2018 were outlined. investigators similarly concluded that the cide of the Yazidi people by the our century, the world should recog- Sargsyan presented the goals that will be included Islamist militants’ actions against Yazidis National Assembly of Armenia on nize this crime and accept the fact it in the seven-year program to modernize the armed meet a 1948 UN convention’s definition January 16. “The recognition of the happened, not only recognize it, but forces of Armenia and for which Armenia expects of genocide. Yazidi Genocide by the Armenian par- take the steps to stop it and adopt cooperation with the US. In its resolution, the Armenian parlia- liament today is a historic moment for mechanisms to ensure it will not be Mills stressed the readiness of the US Defense ment said it “recognizes and strongly the entire Yazidi community world- repeated in the future,” said Murad Ministry to cooperate with its Armenian counterpart condemns the genocide of the Yazidi wide and for victims of this genocide. Ismael, Yazda Executive Director. in the spheres of mutual interest. people perpetrated by terrorist groups in We welcome this important step espe- Yazda and Nadia Murad expressed An agreement was reached to hold bilateral defense 2014 in Iraqi territory controlled by cially as it comes from a country their gratitude to the Standing consultations in Yerevan during which future cooper- them.” which, in recent history, has suffered Committee on Foreign Relation, to MP ation would be developed. Issues of regional security The main sponsor of the resolution is greatly from genocide,” reads the Rustam Makhmudyan, leader of the were also discussed at the meeting. Rustam Makhmudian, the parliament’s statement posted in the official web- RPA fraction Vahram Baghdasaryan, sole ethnic Yazidi member representing site of the Yazda organization. ,leader of the ARF fraction Armen the ruling Republican Party of Armenia “I am touched by today’s decision Rustamyan and the Tsarukyan and (HHK). Presenting the document to fel- and I would like to express my grati- Yelk fractions. S A T U R D A Y , J A N U A R Y 2 0 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 ARMENIA Armenian Defense Chief under Fire over Fundraising Sargysan Drops First Hint on Next Armenian YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Defense Minister families of soldiers killed or seriously wounded But Eduard Sharmazanov, the spokesman for Vigen Sargsyan has provoked a storm of criti- in action. Others said the government should the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), President cism for launching a fundraising campaign for cut back on spending on personal needs of dismissed the criticism. “I see nothing extraor- the medical treatment abroad of an Armenian senior military officials and use that money for dinary [in Sargsian’s initiative,]” he said. YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Armenia’s next soldier seriously wounded during his military soldiers’ treatment. president must be a renowned but politically service. The minister angrily inexperienced individual who speaks foreign In a weekend Facebook post, Sargsyan said responded to one abusive languages, President Serzh Sargysan said on that the soldier, Albert Dallakian, needs comment and blocked Tuesday, January 16. $45,000 to undergo surgery in a foreign clinic. other critics, who also Sargysan commented on his possible suc- He argued that Armenian law bars the govern- used offensive language, cessor at a meeting with a group of elderly ment from covering Dallakian’s medical expens- from his social media artists and intellectuals. es because the required operation can also be account. “In Serzh Sargysan’s view, the future pres- performed in Armenia. Some opposition politi- ident must speak foreign languages, have “But the likelihood of Albert’s quick recovery cians added their voice to broad connections in both Armenia and the would be much higher in foreign clinics which the chorus of disapproval [Armenian] Diaspora, enjoy a good reputa- have much greater experience and skills on this on Monday. One of them, tion, and, most importantly, be an impartial matter,” wrote Sargsian. “So I advised his fami- Aram Sarkisian of the Yelk person who has never engaged in politics and ly to collect the required sum through such alliance, suggested with been a member of a political party,” the pres- Defense Minister VIgen Sargsyan speaks during parliamentary hear- idential press office said in a statement. It did fundraising. I personally and several of my sarcasm that the minister ings on military draft in Yerevan. friends will provide 10 percent of the necessary be appointed head of a not cite him as naming anyone who he thinks $45,000.” state-backed charity. would be fit for the post. The appeal for private donations triggered a “[Privately] raising money is definitely not “Furthermore, I think that the defense minister Sargysan will complete his second and final torrent of angry comments from Facebook the defense minister’s function,” he told has acted like a normal, caring person.” presidential term on April 9 in time for users who said that the Armenian military is RFE/RL’s Armenian service (Azatutyun.am). Seyran Saroyan, a retired army general elect- Armenia’s transition to a parliamentary sys- obliged to ensure adequate treatment for sol- “This is not how such problems must be solved. ed to the Armenian parliament on the HHK tem of government. The next Armenian pres- diers without turning to private citizens for There are state mechanisms for solving such ticket, also defended the 42-year-old minister. ident will be elected by the parliament, rather financial assistance. problems.” “He’s written a seven-year plan on strengthen- than popular vote, by March 9 and have large- Many of them pointed out that it was Another Yelk leader, Nikol Pashinian, ing our army. Instead of helping the guy [imple- ly ceremonial powers. Sargsyan who engineered in late 2016 a special described Sargsian’s initiative as “strange” and ment it] we are going after him,” complained The parliament is controlled by the ruling tax for raising financial compensations to the “inappropriate.” Saroyan. Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), putting Sargysan in a position to install his choice of the next head of state. Meeting with parlia- mentary leaders last week, Sargysan said his successor should enjoy “broad-based sup- port” in the National Assembly. Catholicos of All Armenians Visits Children’s Hospital Armenian newspapers claimed late last year that Gagik Harutyunyan, the chairman ECHMIADZIN — On January 5, Karekin II, Social Services Office of the Mother See of catholicos toured the Hematology Center, got of Armenia’s Constitutional Court, is Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Holy Echmiadzin and Marcos Mangasaryan acquainted with the conditions of the center Sargysan’s preferred presidential candidate. Armenians, visited the Yoloyan Center for and the visiting pastor of the Center. and familiarized himself with modern equip- However, Harutyunyan insisted in December Hematology. The director of the center, Dr. Smbat ment. that he has received no such offers and is not Accompanying him were Bishop Daghbashyan and the staff of the Center Then he visited the children and their par- interested in the job. Anushavan Zhamkochian, Director of the greeted the Catholicos at the entrance. The ents, who were gathered in the children’s Some media outlets have since speculated playroom, congratulating the New Year and that Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, the Lord’s Christmas Eve. Speaking about who is fluent in English, French and Russian, the Christmas Council, Catholicos Karekin II may become president. Citing an unnamed underlined that God has given his love and government source, the Yerevan daily abundant gifts to everyone according to their Zhamanak said on Tuesday Armenia’s ambas- needs, enabling everyone to live. He encour- sador to Britain, Armen Sargysan (no relation aged the little ones with this faith and hope to the president), is also a potential candi- and wished them a quick recovery, to return date. to their normal lives. The Director of the Center thanked the catholicos for his visit to Armenia, highlight- ing the cooperation between the church and Human Rights Watch: the center and regular assistance. Daghbashyan emphasized the usefulness and Women and Children in beneficial influence of visiting clergy on the lives of children receiving treatment in the Armenia Remain at Risk center. Of Domestic Violence Finally, the catholicos spoke with the doc- tors. He praised their dedicated service and YEREVAN (news.am) — In December 2017, thanked them for the care shown to chil- Armenia’s parliament passed a law on vio- dren. lence in the family, but women and children The Catholicos of All Armenians presented remain at risk until the government compre- children with crosses, children’s Bibles and hensively changes how police respond to Catholicos of All Armenians visiting children at the Yoloian Center other gifts, as well as providing material sup- complaints of violence and provides accessi- port to their families by the Mother See. ble, Human Rights Watch reported. The organization spoke with 12 survivors of domestic abuse in Armenia. The women said their husbands or male partners punched them and raped them. Children wit- Eighth-Century Settlement Discovered in Lernagog nessed abuse against their mothers, often for many years, and several women said their YEREVAN (Public Radio of Armenia) — An husbands committed violence against their 8th century B.C. settlement has been discov- children. ered at “Lernagog-1” site near the village of Those interviewed said that when they Lernagog in Armenia’s Armavir Province. reported abuse to police or other authorities, For the first time in the region archaeolo- the authorities did nothing to prevent further gists have uncovered a settlement, whose violence or hold the attackers accountable. lower layers date back to the late 8th centu- “Armenian authorities have failed to pro- ry or early 7th century B.C, Pavel Avetisyan, tect women and others from domestic vio- Director of the Institute of Archaeology and lence, putting women’s and children’s health Ethnography of the Armenian National and lives in jeopardy,” said Jane Buchanan, Academy of Sciences, told a press conference associate Europe and Central Asia director at today. Human Rights Watch. “The new law is one “Before that the most ancient settlements important step, but until authorities take found on the territory of Armenia dated back reports of domestic violence seriously and to the 6th century B.C.,” he said. ensure that women and children get the legal, Specialists say that architectural traces medical, and social help they need, the dan- found at the site prove that the area had been Archeologists in Lernagog ger remains.” populated since the 8-7th centuries B.C. Armenia’s Coalition to Stop Violence Archaeologists have also discovered traces against Women reported that at least four of a clay construction, which testifies to the at the Institute of Archaeology and Highlands were active participants of the women were killed by their partners or other fact that people mastered clay architecture. Ethnography, it’s now a proved fact that res- processes taking place at the beginning of family members in the first half of 2017, and According to Arthur Petrosyan, researcher idents of this part of the Armenian the Neolithic era. at least 50 were killed between 2010 and 2017. 4 S ATURDAY, J ANUARY 2 0 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR INTERNATIONAL International News Turkish Attack on US-Backed Kurds

Russian, Iranian FMs In Syria Believed Imminent Discuss Syrian 2011, arming rebel groups and allowing Settlement By Martin Chulov in Beirut, and Kareem Shaheen political opposition to organize. Its involvement became more direct in MOSCOW (Armenpress) — Russian foreign minis- mid-2016, when it sent troops to fight ter Sergey Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart ISTANBUL (Guardian) — Turkish from the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Isis and to establish its influence in the Mohammad Javad Zarif discussed the Syrian settle- troops and tanks near the Syrian border Defense Force, which led the battle same area it intends to invade. ment and the situation around the Joint are making final plans to attack the US against Isis in north-east Syria. The Turkish fear then, and now, is Comprehensive Plan of Action on the Iranian nuclear military’s Kurdish partners inside north- Ankara views the Syrian Kurds as an that the Kurds have ambitions to estab- program during a phone conversation on January 16, ern Syria as tensions between Ankara extension of the Turkish Kurdish PKK, lish a self-governing canton in north the Russian foreign ministry said, TASS reports. and Washington near unprecedented with whom it has fought a four-decade Syria along the entire border. The “The sides exchanged views on a number of vital levels. insurgency inside its borders. It has Syrian Kurds claim to have no links to international issues, in particular the Syrian settle- Ahead of a widely expected incursion, vowed not to allow Kurdish groups to the PKK, but they receive significant ment in the context of holding the Syrian National the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip dominate its border with Syria. backing from the Turkish group and fol- Dialogue Congress in Sochi and also the situation Erdogan, on January 16 threatened to The area most likely to be invaded by low the same leader, Abdullah Öcalan, around the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on “destroy all terror nests,” a reference to Turkish forces is a 60 mile-stretch lying who has been jailed on an island off the Iranian nuclear program,” the ministry said. Kurdish forces that the US has used as between the towns of Afrin and Manbij, Istanbul for almost 20 years. proxies in the fight against Islamic State one of the most bitterly contested pock- The Syrian Kurds had spearheaded a Iranian Firm to Build (Isis) and Turkey views as a subversive ets of territory during the Syrian con- US-backed campaign to oust Isis from its threat. flict. The US-raised force is proposed for self-proclaimed capital of Raqqa, a battle Bridge on Armenia- Tensions over the Kurds, which have north-east Syria, which Ankara is not that finished in the autumn. Erdogan tested relations between two nominal thought to be targeting for a ground repeatedly tried to extract a pledge from Georgia Border allies for the past three years, spiked attack. the Trump administration to halt the over the weekend, when Washington The move seems aimed to strike a supply of weapons to the Kurds in the TEHRAN (Public Radio of Armenia) — The Iranian announced it would raise a border force symbolic wedge between the north-east aftermath of the Raqqa campaign. Ariana Tunnel Dam Co. will construct a new bridge and a smaller Kurdish presence along The US had vowed to ask its allies to on the Armenian-Georgian border under a loan Syria’s north-west border. It would also surrender weapons once the fight agreement signed between the Republic of Armenia stake a new marker for relations against Isis had been completed. A senior and the European Bank for Reconstruction and between Erdogan and the Trump Turkish official told the Guardian: “This Development (EBTD). Quarrel at Christmas administration, which have steadily is plainly ridiculous. It could not happen The agreement on the designing and construction deteriorated over the Kurdish issue. even if they wanted it to. All the serial of the Bagratashen Bridge was to be carried out with- Reception at Istanbul Erdogan said he had not consulted numbers of the weapons have been in the framework of the “Armenia Northern Armenian Patriarchate Donald Trump on any planned opera- erased to start with.” Corridor Modernization Project” was signed at the tions. Bashar al-Assad and Russia, which Armenian Ministry of Transport, Communication ISTANBUL (Agos) — A quarrel took “Last time we spoke, he said he would has backed him into a winning position and Information Technologies today. place during the Christmas reception at get back to me. He still didn’t. So I’m not on the battlefield, support Turkey’s Minister Vahan Martirosyan said voiced hope that Istanbul’s Armenian Patriarchate over planning to call him. In a short span of plan, which they see as limiting US the victory in the tender would be the first step and the election of the patriarch. The recep- time, we will destroy all terror nests, one influence in the war-ravaged country. the Iranian company would continue to participate in tion, led by patriarchal locum tenens by one, in Syria, starting from Afrin and “Afrin is not within the coalition area projects implemented in Armenia, particularly the Archbishop Garegin Bekchyan, was Manbij regions,” Erdogan said. “Those of operations,” said a US military construction of a tunnel in the north of the country attended by Armenian lawmakers of the who stabbed us in the back and appear to spokesman, in a statement seemed expected under the same modernization project. Turkish Parliament Selina Dogan and be our allies ... cannot prevent it.” designed to reassure Ankara that the Ariana Tunnel Dam Co. was chosen to implement Garo Paylan, Armenia’s permanent rep- Erdogan said it would be a joint oper- proposed Kurdish border force will not the project from among seven bidders. resentative to the Organization of the ation involving the Turkish army and creep into areas that Turkey deems to Black Sea Economic Cooperation Arsen Syrian rebels backed by Ankara, and be extra sensitive. Syrian-Armenian Avagyan, Chairman of the Board of urged Nato to act to protect Turkey’s US-backed rebels and Turkish-sup- Trustees of Istanbul’s Armenian Holy borders. The Turkish foreign minister, ported groups have fought alongside Students Present Letter Saviour Hospital Pedros Shirinoglu and Mevlüt Çavusoglu, went further in criti- each other throughout the war, particu- other representatives of the Armenian cism of the Trump administration, say- larly in Idlib province, where Russia, Of Thanks to community. ing Washington ought to clarify Iran and Syrian troops have mounted a Representative of During the reception Iskender “whether it chooses to be with its allies new offensive against the opposition in Sahingoz, head of the foundation of the or terror groups”. recent weeks. However, as the war has Russian Embassy St. Mary Armenian church of Ortakoy, Ankara has been a prominent backer dragged on, alliances and agendas have considered painful the recent state- of the anti-Assad opposition since late splintered. YEREVAN (Armenpress) — A group of Syrian- ments of Archbishop Aram Ateshyan Armenian students gathered outside the Russian and locum tenens Bekchyan. Embassy to present a letter of gratitude to the “We read with a great regret the Russian Federation for the continuous support aimed statements of our two archbishops in at liberating the country during the years of war and the media Such accusations against Japanese Helped Save Armenians assisting its people. each other harm the community and The organizers of the initiative were the Syrian humiliate us. The number of people vis- And Greeks During 1922 Student Union in Armenia and the International iting the Church has decreased and this Humanitarian Development NGO. is due to you, the clergymen! The cler- About 20 allied ships were at the har- Head of the Syrian Student Union in Armenia Julia gymen should immediately solve this By Philip Chrysopoulos bor watching the events, as a fire broke Pampalyan said almost all students who arrived in issue,” he said. In response locum out in the Armenian quarter four days Armenia from Syria participated in the campaign. tenens Bekchyan said: “Events took later, which eventually destroyed most “I am from the city of Aleppo. I arrived in Armenia place in Armenia which I was not aware YEREVAN (Public Radio of Armenia) of the city. One ship was from Japan, in 2012. I study at the Yerevan State Medical of. We needed to post an announcement — Researcher Vicken Babkenian wrote and it was the one that mobilized the University. I left Syria because it was dangerous at the patriarchate’s website over the how a Japanese ship saved the lives of rescue of desperate refugees. there. Terrorist movements started, they were every- incident and we did it.” Chairman of the hundreds Armenians and Greeks from Anna Harlowe Birge; the wife of the where, even entered universities, churches, they foundation of the St. Hovhannes church genocide in Smyrna in 1922, and the American Professor Birge of the attacked everywhere. My relatives now are in Syria, of Gedikpasa Harutyun Shanli said the overall humanitarian aid provided by International College at Smyrna, wit- we had 3 young losses, now everything is destroyed clergymen should play a uniting role the Japanese. nessed the helpless refugees crowding there. We express our gratitude both to Russia and instead of expressing dissatisfaction Babkenian, along with Professor each other off the wharves as Smyrna Armenia since Armenia also provided aid by sending towards each other. Peter Stanley, are the authors of the began to burn. Men and women could food,” she said. “It is necessary to show respect to the book Armenia, Australia and the Great be seen swimming around in the hope Nasri Nasri also arrived in Armenia in 2012. The position of the locum tenens. It’s time War. of rescue, until they drowned. She relatives are now in Syria. “Three years ago when I for us to open a white page and forget In the book, they wrote about the wrote: returned back, the situation was bad, but this sum- the past. Our clergymen should use widely unknown humanitarian aid that “In the harbour, at that time, was a mer I also visited there, the situation had greatly their capacities to unite the communi- the Japanese showed towards Greeks Japanese freighter, which had just improved. This year I graduate and will return to my ty,” he said. and Armenians, during that turbulent arrived loaded to the decks with a very relatives,” the student said. Shanli also commented on Ateshyan’s time. valuable cargo of silks, laces and china The head of the Union presented the letter of grat- statement made in Armenia in July 2017 The most remarkable story of representing many thousands of dollars. itude to the advisor of the Russian Ambassador who where he called some members of the Japanese humanitarianism during the The Japanese captain, when he realized promised to give the letter to the Ambassador and Armenian community “uneducated,” 1922 Smyrna catastrophe is about the the situation did not hesitate. The said Russia will continue providing assistance now strongly criticizing the clergy for such captain and crew of a Japanese ship, whole cargo went overboard into the more focusing on the humanitarian direction. behavior. In response to Shanli’s state- who saved many lives. dirty waters of the harbour, and the “The most important thing is the revival of that ment, Ateshyan accused him of dividing Hundreds of thousands of Armenian freighter was loaded with several hun- country which is not an easy task. We think that we the community. Bishop Sahak and Greek refugees had fled to the quay dred refugees, who were taken to all, including by the assistance of Armenia, will be Mashalyan in his turn said as long as of Smyrna as Turkish troops entered Piraeus and landed in safety on Greek able to address this difficult task,” the advisor said. there is an uncertainty over the election and occupied the city on September 9, shores,” wrote Stavros T. Stavridis in an of the patriarch, the discussions will 1922. The Turkish occupation was fol- article published in the American continue. The reception ended after the lowed by the massacre and deportation Hellenic International Foundation’s prayer. of Armenian and Greek civilians. Policy Journal. S ATURDAY, J ANUARY 2 0 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 INTERNATIONAL AGBU Marks International Day of Commemoration of Victims of Genocide

NEW YORK — The Armenian General and school curricula as it would promote tran- le Jour; Preethi Nallu, the founder of Refugees Paris Benevolent Union (AGBU) participated in sitional justice and end impunity. Deeply; and Ayman Mhanna, the executive On December 9, AGBU Europe, the efforts to raise awareness on genocide and Speakers on the second panel discussed the director of the Samir Kassir Foundation, who European Grassroots Antiracist Movement human rights issues through thought-provok- role of civil society in raising awareness of shed light on the role of the media in genocide (EGAM)/ Elie Wiesel Network and Nouvelles ing discussions in Beirut, New York and Paris, human rights violations and shared Lebanon’s prevention and the incitement of hatred. Fawaz d’Arménie held a conference titled “How to in support of the United Nations’ initiative. The programs featured well-known activists, pundits, journalists, scholars and witnesses of war crimes. “December 9, the United Nations-designated day for remembrance of genocide victims, is another opportunity for us, as one Armenian nation, to be a leading voice in this global con- versation and to help shape a world free of these preventable human tragedies,” said AGBU President Berge Setrakian. “AGBU remains committed to supporting the efforts of the international community to prevent geno- cides and wars against humanity, and to pro- moting a critical dialogue based on lessons learned through our history of survival.” In September 2015, the United Nations passed a resolution — introduced by Armenia — declaring December 9 as the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime. It aims to raise awareness of the UN Genocide Convention.

Beirut On December 7, a day-long seminar titled Preventing and Combatting Human Rights Violations: A Responsibility for All took place in (from left to right) Award-winning director Evgeny Afineevsky; Omer Ismail, of Enough Project; former journalist Sherine Tadros; Akshaya Kumar, Of the American University of Beirut (AUB), focus- Human Rights Watch; Evan Cinq-Mars, of Center for Civilians in Conflict; Dr. Bridget Moix, of Peace Direct, and Oscar-winning director Terry George. ing on the role of education, civil society and media in genocide prevention. The seminar was held in partnership with the Issam Fares experience of overcoming the consequences of shared her experience covering conflicts and Stop the Killing.” Institute for Public Policy and International the civil war. It featured Leila Zahoui, a found- examined journalists’ alignment and objectivity. The conference was comprised of three panels Affairs at AUB and in collaboration with the ing member and secretary general of the “I am biased to humanitarian issues and I do and featured practitioners, scholars, journalists Foundation for Human and Humanitarian Lebanese Association of History (LAH); Maitre not believe in neutrality,” said Fawaz. and witnesses who explored topics ranging from Rights in Lebanon, UN Global Compact Carmen Hassoun Abou Jaoude, a professor at The panels were moderated by Dr. Ohannes the responsibility to protect and early prevention Lebanon Network, UMAM Documentation and the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik and a Geukjian, the acting chairman of AUB’s to post-conflict reconciliation and eye witness Research Center, CEMAM Research Center for researcher at the Saint Joseph University’s Political Science and Public Administration accounts about crimes in the Central African the Modern Arab World at the Saint Joseph Research Center for the Modern Arab World Department; Wail Kheir, the managing director Republic, Iraq and Syria. Speakers also highlight- University and L’Orient-Le Jour. (CEMAM); Hoda Barakat, the regional human of Foundation of Human and Humanitarian ed the continuing controversy around the legiti- Dr. Keith David Watenpaugh, professor of rights education project manager at Amnesty Rights in Lebanon, and Habib Battah, the macy and effectiveness of external interventions human rights studies at University of California, International; Lokman Slim, the political founder of Beirut Report and an instructor at to protect the victims of atrocities. Davis, opened the conference delivering a activist and founding member of the UMAM AUB. The conference featured Frank Engel, mem- keynote speech on satirist Yervant Odian, who Documentation and Research, and Fadi Abi ber of the European Parliament and chair of was among the few Armenian intellectuals to Allam, Lebanese Prime Minister’s consultant on New York the Elie Wiesel Network for the prevention of survive the genocide. Watenpaugh further human security issues. Jaoude presented a pilot Advancing Civilian Protection: Human Rights mass crimes; Dr. Cristina Stefan, director of the examined comparative genocide studies during project in the Lebanese schools, which helps in Times of Upheaval, which took place on European Centre for the Responsibility to December 6 before a capacity crowd at the Protect (ECR2P); Jack Mayerhofer, chief of staff Harvard Club in New York City, shed light on at the Auschwitz Institute for Peace and past and ongoing atrocities with the goal of Reconciliation (USA); Delkhwaz Haciy, director engaging stakeholders and the public to take of the global Yazidi non-profit Yazda (Sweden); action. The panel event co-hosted by News Godefroy Mokamanede, board member of the Deeply focused on the importance of docu- Interfaith Platform in the Republic of Central menting crime against humanity as they hap- Africa; Beate Klarsfeld, a well-known German pen, listening to the communities on the activist; Nadia Gortzounian, president of AGBU ground, ensuring a timely response and, most Europe; and Benjamin Abtan, president of importantly, preventing the atrocities before European Grassroots Antiracist Movement they even happen. (EGAM). Both sessions were moderated by Anna Among the many excellent points raised, Therese Day, an award-winning independent Mayerhofer focused on the practice of estab- reporter and social media researcher. The first lishing task forces responsible for the preven- session featured Evan Cinq-Mars, the United tion of atrocities in Latin America. “Genocide is Nations advisor at Center for Civilians in a process, it requires planning and organization. Conflict; Omer Ismail, senior advisor at Enough The good thing about that is that planning can Project; Akshaya Kumar, deputy United Nations be interrupted. The earlier you start, the more director at Human Rights Watch; and Dr. effective you can be,” said Mayerhofer. Haciy, a Bridget Moix, US senior representative at Peace young Yazidi woman originally from Iraq, Direct. The speakers explored ongoing crimes shared a harrowing account of the Sinjar mas- against humanity, early warning signs and the sacre by the Islamic State, saying, “Although it role of local experts and civil society activists in has been over three years since the attack on the prevention of mass crimes. Sinjar, thousands of Yazidis remain in Islamic (from left to right) Dr. Cristina Stefan, Jack Mayerhofer, MEP Frank Engel and moderator Nicolas In the second session, the conversation State’s captivity, but the Iraqi authorities and Tavitian. Speakers explored topics ranging from the responsibility to protect and early prevention to focused on the power of storytelling and the the international community have failed to take post-conflict reconciliation tools. role of films and the media in documenting meaningful action to assist or rescue them.” atrocities and educating the public, as well as The panels were moderated by Nicolas the first panel, which also included scholars Dr. teach children about the Lebanese Civil War. encouraging people to take action. Award-win- Tavitian, director of AGBU Europe; Christopher Vicken Tcheterian, a lecturer in history and “We wanted to encourage dialogue between the ning directors Evgeny Afineevsky (Winter on Metz is staff coordinator and development offi- international relations at the University of generation of war and the younger generation Fire and Cries from Syria) and Terry George cer at EGAM, and Ara Toranian, editor-in-chief Geneva and Webster University Geneva, and to know what has happened and to avoid pos- (“The Promise” and “Hotel Rwanda”), as well as of Nouvelles d’Arménie. lawyer Dr. Nidal Jurdi, the deputy regional rep- sible future war and violence,” she said. Sherine Tadros, representative and head of For more information on the International Day resentative at the Office of the United Nations The conference concluded with a panel fea- New York (United Nations) Office, Amnesty of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of High Commissioner for Human Rights. They turing Youmna Fawaz, a prominent investiga- International, engaged in a meaningful discus- the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of emphasized the importance of including geno- tive reporter and journalist at Al Jadeed TV; sion, sharing their experiences of shaping nar- this Crime, visit http://www.un.org/en/events/ cide and human rights themes in the university Jeanine Jalkh, the Grand Reporter and L’Orient ratives around human suffering. genocidepreventionday/ 6 S A T U R D A Y , J A N U A R Y 2 0 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR

Thank you for your support. We had a great 85th anniversary symposium and gala, and, as long as you continue to support us, we will work to further improve the Mirror both in its print and digital version.

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www.mirrorspectator.com S ATURDAY, J ANUARY 2 0 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 Community News

FAR Develops (PHOTO BY DAN ADDISON, UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS) From a Scary Vocational Training Delivery to a Center for Armenian Children Happy Ending LOS ANGELES (People) — Alexis Ohanian is With Special Needs reflecting on the moment he almost lost his wife, Serena Williams, and their daughter. NEW YORK — On January 9, the Fund for The Reddit co-founder shared a photo from Armenian Relief (FAR) Board of Directors met Williams’ Vogue photo shoot on Instagram at the Diocesan Center in New York to evaluate Thursday with their 4-month-old FAR’s operations and set plans for the current daughter Alexis Olympia, and began his caption year and beyond. Archbishop Khajag with a sweet note, writing, “This one is going Barsamian, Diocesan Primate and FAR Board on the desk at work.” President, presided. Ohanian, 34, continued, “I can’t imagine life Five years ago, FAR embarked on the ambi- without these two,” referring to Vogue’s tious Breaking the Cycle of Poverty Program February cover story in which Williams, 36, (BCPP), aiming at self-sustainability for the peo- described her difficult experience giving birth ple of the Berd Region in Tavush Province in to her first child and the subsequent major Armenia. Under the board’s supervision, a health complications which followed multi-layered, multi-year program to address Ohanian continued, “This ordeal, as well as problems in economic development, healthcare, the weeks and months after, has made me an children’s nutrition, education and labor force even bigger advocate for paid parental leave development was developed. (not just for my employees — men & women Assessing the results of the first stage of alike — but for all). We’re blessed in a lot of ways BCPP, the directors were glad to see major and I couldn’t imagine a new parent going progress in advancing to the objectives set by through all of that without all the support, the program. In addition to tangible accom- financial security, and flexibility we had.” plishments, the Board stressed as one of the Williams revealed to Vogue that her plum- most important results of FAR’s work in that Leon Yacoubian vowed to do something to help the Armenian people, even as he meting heart rate reached dangerously low lev- borderline region the fact that people in the pursues his undergraduate degree at UVA. els during contractions, leading to an emer- region are gradually regaining hope that gency cesarean section. changes are possible. Moreover, they are start- Though the surgery went well, what followed ing to make these changes themselves to have was a six-day battle with a pulmonary embolism a better life. Engineering Student The Board expressed its deep appreciation to the Mardigian Family for their visionary gen- erosity and continued support, which would Tackles Housing Problem make it possible to extend the program for five more years. In Armenia, from Virginia

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Leon Yacoubian is a fourth-year student at the University of Virginia, but he’s already putting his education to use on the other side of the planet. An ethnic Armenian majoring in civil and environmental engineering, Yacoubian and some of his fellow students are seeking to develop housing for Alexis Ohanian and his wife, Serena Williams Armenians still suffering from a 1988 earthquake. Each of his proposed struc- tures, which house four people, measures about 158 square meters (or about 1,700 that led to multiple surgeries and a handful of By Matt Kelly square feet) and costs around $7,500 – costs additional medical troubles for Williams. he hopes will be defrayed by donations from “That was an amazing feeling,” Williams Armenian expatriates. “There are more recalled of having a crying newborn fall silent Armenians living outside Armenia than inside,” he said. when laid on her mother’s chest seconds after Marta Batmasian, with FAR Board member A week before he came to the University in 2014, Yacoubian toured Gyumri, birth. “And then everything went bad.” Oscar Tatosian in the background Armenia, with his father and was badly shaken. He saw the destruction that per- Symptoms of Williams’ problems began the sisted from the earthquake more than a quarter-century earlier, with survivors still day after her daughter’s birth, as Williams expe- living in the shipping crates that were supposed to be their temporary shelter. rienced sudden shortness of breath while recov- The directors approved a new program of “I was in shock,” said Yacoubian, who has lived in the Armenian capital of ering in the hospital. FAR for the next five years: the development of Yerevan – about 55 miles from Gyumri — since 2012, when his family escaped Having had blood clots in the past and a Vocational Training Center for Armenia’s chil- the Syrian civil war. “I saw where nature had overgrown the fallen buildings. I because she wasn’t taking blood thinners due dren with special needs, which was made possi- thought ‘Why am I so lucky? Why am I here and they are there?’” to her c-section, she knew that the breathing ble thanks to a grant from James and Marta Yacoubian was determined to do something about the plight of the Gyumri problems she was experiencing were due to Batmasian. As envisioned, the new center will residents. He launched the “Tuff Armenia Project” in the fall of 2014 with the another pulmonary embolism and immediately become a state-of-the-art facility, to support goal to design and engineer small houses made out of tuff, a local volcanic ash told the nearest nurse (between gasps for older children in need from the entire country that he hoped could be formed into building blocks. breath) that she needed a CT scan with contrast to get ready to lead independent lives and to There are about 7,000 people in Gyumri who are still affected by the earth- and IV heparin. become contributing citizens of the country. It quake. Yacoubian’s teams are focusing on one district, Number 104, known as The nurse, however, thought Williams was will give them vocational and life skills crucial the Bus-Stop District, which has about 400 residents, requiring about 100 struc- just feeling confused from her pain medication. to live dignified independent lives. tures. Instead, doctors performed an ultrasound of The suggested model and approach of this He now has two teams working on it. One is a field team of engineering stu- her legs, which ultimately revealed nothing. new FAR endeavor is in tune with today’s dents who have been to Gyumri and seen the problem firsthand. The team’s “I was like, ‘A Doppler? I told you, I need a CT reform in Armenia’s education system, pursu- expenses were defrayed by a $20,000 Jefferson Public Citizens grant and a scan and a heparin drip,’” Williams remembers. ing inclusion. In the meantime, with this project $10,000 Center for Global Health grant as they gathered material for research When they finally listened, the CT turned up sev- FAR would be able to create a model that and analyzed the data. eral small blood clots, which had settled into her expands the concept of inclusion from the class- The second team comprises students for whom the Tuff Armenia Project is a lungs. “I was like, ‘Listen to Dr. Williams!’ ” she room to the workplace. classroom exercise. Yacoubian’s project has been included in two civil engi- jokes as she was put on the blood thinner drip. Reviewing financial statements from 2017, neering classes, “Civil Engineering Research and Design,” offered in the fall, and (VOGUE PHOTO) the board expressed satisfaction with the finan- “Civil Engineering Design and Practice,” offered in the spring. Fourteen stu- cial standing of the organization, and noted sig- dents signed up. nificant growth in its assets which will enable “Leon convinced us that these courses would benefit from the real-world pro- FAR to set more ambitious goals to meet the ject,” said Leidy Klotz, an associate professor of civil and environmental engi- critical needs of the Armenia’s people. neering and and an associate professor of architecture. “We were looking for a The Board also reviewed progress made in way to do this. Architecture students were part of the team that traveled to “rebranding” FAR to increase its global visibili- Gyumri and we are exploring ways to have a merged architecture and engi- ty and broaden its donor base. neering capstone opportunity through coursework as well.” The Board members agreed to collectively see ENGINEERING, page 9 visit Armenia in the fall of 2018 to evaluate progress in FAR’s mission of improving the Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian Junior quality of life for Armenia’s citizens. 8 S ATURDAY, J ANUARY 2 0 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Armenian Bar Association Partners with City of Glendale to Combat Elder Abuse

GLENDALE — In late 2017, the administration of a promi- Association. “Working with Glendale city officials, we identi- Community Services and Parks Department translated into nent Los Angeles-area Armenian high school alerted the pub- fied the areas of greatest need and developed a program to Armenian a detailed informational brochure, which explains lic that a group of youths, pretending to be students from the educate the elderly and their caretakers to heighten aware- the various forms of abuse that the elderly can be subjugated school, had entered apartment buildings and approached ness of the issues and take steps which will protect them from to, provides tested methods which the elderly can implement homes with the intent to target and swindle the elderly. These falling prey to the unscrupulous who seek to take advantage to avoid becoming victims of abuse, and also provides refer- young impostors claimed to be Armenian school students and ences to social service agencies which can assist once an act concocted a scheme of abject dishonesty in which they fabri- or acts of abuse take place. The brochure will be disseminat- cated a sales pitch that they were collecting much-need funds ed throughout the City of Glendale, at locations such as the for the betterment of their school library. “Working with Glendale public social service centers, libraries, City Hall, and other sim- Understandably, many elderly Armenians responded to ilar public-gathering venues. what they believed to be genuine calls for financial assistance city officials, we identified The second manner in which the elderly will be served and handed over their money for what they thought was a the areas of greatest through this program is by way of public forums where noted good cause. To help bring these deceitful acts to an end, the need and developed a experts in the field will speak about the subject of elder abuse Armenian Bar Association moved swiftly and contacted Onnig and financial scams directed at the elderly. The first two pre- Bulanikian, Director of the City of Glendale’s Community program to educate the sentations will be taking place on January 17, at 10:30 a.m. at Services and Parks Department. The Armenian Bar proposed elderly and their the Adult Recreation Center located at 201 E. Colorado St., partnering with the Department’s Senior Services Division to Glendale, (presented in Armenian). The second lecture which present to the senior-citizen community a series of “Know caretakers...” will be presented in English will be held on February 8, at Your Rights” lectures so that they may be made aware of and 10:30 a.m. at the Sparr Heights Community Center, 1613 –Saro Kerkonian in a better position to protect themselves from such and other Glencoe Way, Glendale. deplorable attempts of abuse. Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney and active Armenian “The elderly members in our community are an especially of our senior citizens,” added Lucy Varpetian, Armenian Bar Bar member, Amy Ashvanian, who has successfully prosecut- vulnerable segment of the population who, unfortunately, Association member and senior assistant city attorney for the ed numerous defendants accused of elder abuse, will impart sometimes find themselves to be the victims of abuse and City of Glendale. her years of prosecutorial expertise to attendees at these first financial scams designed to take advantage of them,” said To accomplish the goals of the partnership, two primary two events. Admission to the events are free of charge. For Saro Kerkonian, Chairman of the Board of the Armenian Bar objectives were set into place: First, the City of Glendale’s more information, call (818) 548-3775.

OBITUARY Judge Jacob Hagopian Leaves Twin Legacy of Service

NARRAGANSETT, R.I. — US District Court Airborne Division. He earned his GED, under- 2012. Magistrate Judge Jacob Hagopian relished his graduate and law degrees while serving in the “He was a man who had not one, but two years on the federal bench, but even more so his military and raising five children. He later sterling careers,” Selya said. two decades in the U.S. Army, where he rose to enrolled in the Judge Advocate General’s Hagopian was also known for his warm man- become the youngest colonel at the time in School and was soon assigned as an officer in ner and for taking others under his wing, 1968. the Judge Advocate General Corps. including young soldiers as well as Roger Such was the remarkable life of Hagopian, “He looked at life as a series of challenges,” Williams University School of Law students. who died November 10 at age 90 with his fam- his son Mark said. “There was no challenge that “He mentored one person after another. He ily by his side. wasn’t worth taking.” always looked out for the underprivileged,” “He had a love for court and country. You Hagopian retired as a military judge in the Mark Hagopian said. always knew as much as he loved the court, it Court of Military Review in 1970 while in line In addition to his son Mark and his wife, came second to the Army,” US District Court to be appointed a brigadier general, according Hagopian is survived by daughter Mary Lou Chief Judge William E. Smith said. to his family. The next year he was named a fed- Hagopian-Lamb; sons Dana A. Hagopian, Jan C. Hagopian grew up poor in a Manton Avenue eral magistrate, a position he held through his Hagopian and Jon G. Hagopian; and five grand- tenement in Providence, the son of the late retirement in 1992. He was recalled to the children. The funeral was held from Saints Peter and Varvar Hagopian, who fled the bench six months later, taking on many of the Sahag & Mesrob Armenian Church, Providence. Armenian Genocide. He left Mount Pleasant cases brought by prisoners at the Adult Burial, with full military honors, was held in High School to enlist in the Army at age 17 and Correctional Institutions. He fully retired in Arlington National Cemetery. quickly rose through the ranks. “He was true to his roots. He never forgot where he came from,” said Thomas G. Shaffer, program director for the Master of Studies in Law at Roger Williams University School of Robert Law who clerked for Hagopian from 1999 to 2008. Sanasarian F UNERAL H OME Mark J. Hagopian recalled two instances that Giragosian captured his father’s values, both during his James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC Keeper of Watertown time in the Army in the late 1940s at Fort Mark J. Giragosian Bragg. Although the Army was integrated at Funeral Counselors Memories the time, Hagopian took pride in riding with the 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 soldiers of color at the back of the bus, Mark www.giragosianfuneralhome.com WATERTOWN — Robert Sanasarian of said. Watertown died on January 12. “That was his choice, because they were men He was the uncle of Roxanne Baker of of honor,” Mark said. Brookline, Kevin Baker of Randolph, Joy Another time, Hagopian picked up his friend Morgan and her husband George of RI and fellow Rhode Islander John “Black Jack” Telephone (617) 924-7400 and the late Mark Asadoorian and the Warrick for a ride in his convertible. Both men great-uncle of Mark and Marina Morgan. wore their Class A uniforms, bringing all they Aram Bedrosian He was the son of the late Aram and passed to salute regardless of Warrick’s race. It Vartouhi (Jerian) Sanasarian and brother was based on more than just a laugh, but on of the late Audrey Baker and Arpie principle, Mark said. Funeral Home, Inc. Asadoorian. “He was straight as an arrow. He was kind of Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 Services were at St. James Armenian a walking testament to old-fashioned virtues. Church, 465 Mt. Auburn Street, Honor, valor permeated every aspect of what he MARION BEDROSIAN Watertown on Thursday, January 18. did,” 1st US Circuit Court of Appeals Senior 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN Interment followed in Ridgelawn Judge Bruce M. Selya said of his friend. WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN Cemetery, Watertown. Those qualities made him the go-to judge for He was a member of the St. James handling settlement conferences. Choir for more than 70 years. He was “He was always a man who did his home- also a member of St. James Men’s Club, work, listened. He had a strong moral sense of served as a bingo volunteer. He was also right and wrong,” Selya said. ENNIS M. EVENEY & ONS a member of Knights of Vartan, Ararat “He was extremely fair,” said Karen Lodge #1. Ellsworth, who covered Hagopian for years at D D S Armenian Mirror-Spectator correspon- the Providence Journal and became friends Cemetery Monuments dent Nancy Kalajian interviewed with the judge and his wife of 64 years, Mary. Sanasarian at length for a piece that “He did not make you feel like he was better Specializing in appeared in late fall, about the history of than you.” Armenian Designs and Lettering old Watertown. (https://mirrorspecta- While Hagopian’s judicial career wins praise, tor.com/2017/11/30/tribute-old-water- so do his years in the military, including time 701 Moody St. Waltham, MA 02543 town-bob-sanasarian-walks-memory- spent engaging in electronic eavesdropping (781) 891-9876 www.NEMonuments.com lane/) between Soviet and East German military forces in Berlin and as a parachutist with the 82nd S ATURDAY, J ANUARY 2 0 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 COMMUNITY NEWS Engineering Student Tackles Housing Problem in Armenia, from Virginia

ENGINEERING, from page 7 built,” meaning they would have two bed- While Yacoubian’s project is focused on the degree in civil engineering from UVA, wants Students working on the Armenia Project rooms, a bathroom and a kitchen, with space problems in Armenia, the lessons are not lim- to integrate virtual reality into her research, incorporated it in their civil and environmen- for the homeowner to expand the structure. ited to one crisis. which involves developing sustainable design tal engineering capstone experience in the “The residents can build the rest, if they “The Armenian problem is unique, but the interventions for civil engineers using behav- fall in Klotz’s research and design course, want additional bedrooms or a workshop for lessons are certainly transferrable,” Klotz ioral science and neuroscience. Gordon is and will continue in the spring design and a home business,” Yacoubian said. said. “For example, learning about the also starting to explore the idea that increas- practice course under Brian Smith, professor The survivors are very interdependent, he unique needs of a community, understanding ing the blood flow to the parts of an engi- of civil and environmental engineering and said. “It is a tight community and they rely on available material and human resources in a neer’s brain dealing with empathy will pro- the chair of the department. The team also their neighbors. They share community gar- region and designing accordingly.” duce more sustainable designs. She is also enrolled in professor James Groves’ interdis- dens and rely on each other for child care working on the hypothesis that the later in And the problems can be approached in ciplinary engineering design course. and sharing space. It is a tight community the process an engineer commits his or her many different ways. Yacoubian said the class project is split into and we want to maintain that and keep fami- design to a model, the more willing the engi- three sections: one dealing with site selec- lies together.” Bethany Gordon is part of the field team. A neer is to change the design. tion, a second team designing the house and He said it is important that the people in first-year PhD student in civil engineering Yacoubian said he sees the problem in a third team working with the tuff stone the communities have a sense of being part from Richmond, Gordon is experimenting Gyumri as a “wicked problem,” a social or material. He said tuff has proven to be an of the solution. with virtual reality as a way of presenting cultural problem that is difficult or impossi- unreliable building material, but still can be “We want to design this ‘with’ the people, engineers with problems to be solved in far- ble to solve for as many as four reasons: used as a façade material. Yacoubian said it is not ‘for’ the people,” Yacoubian said. “We away places such as Gyumri. incomplete or contradictory knowledge; the important in designing the buildings to make need to listen to what they are saying. We “Virtual reality can give you an under- number of people and opinions involved; the them look as if they belong to their sur- need to see them as people and not just data standing of someone else’s world in min- large economic burden; and the intercon- roundings. points. Everyone has a story to tell.” utes,” Gordon said in a podcast that won an nected nature of these problems with other The teams are preparing architectural He said at one point they gave the international competition this summer. “It’s problems. designs and shovel-ready engineering plans, Armenians disposable cameras and told them not a perfect understanding, and maybe you “I see the issue in Gyumri as having no sin- and Yacoubian said project members are to photograph negative and positive things in are not aware of all the cultural nuances, but gular solution,” he said. “Instead, there needs working with non-governmental organiza- their lives. The people all said that their fam- … you can make that connection in five min- to be a multitude of solutions, each tackling tions in Armenia to build the structures. He ilies and their gardens were “positive,” while utes by sitting on your couch and looking a root problem instead of a symptom. I see said the houses, which would be built on rubble, trash, rust and mold were “negative,” through a $10 virtual reality viewer.” the Tuff Armenia Project as one step toward girders supported by pylons, would be “half- he said. Gordon, who received her undergraduate a solution for one of the problems.” Middle Eastern Restaurant to Replace East Nashville Bar

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Bizjournals) — The for- and Etch in downtown Nashville, among other mer home of Holland House Bar & Refuge in hotspots. The building, he said, “screams” for a East Nashville will buzz with booze and food “good restaurant” to call it home. again in 2018, when Middle Eastern restaurant Arakelian, a Nashville native whose family Lyra takes over the West Eastland Avenue building. Helmed by chef Hrant Arakelian and his wife, Elizabeth Endicott, Lyra will offer a variety of Middle Eastern options in a “nice, modernist setting,” Arakelian said. Endicott, a restau-   rant industry veteran, will handle the bar program at the restau- ‘‡‘”ƒ–‹‰–Š‡ͷͷ–Š‹˜‡”•ƒ”›‘ˆ–Š‡†‡ƒ–Š‘ˆ ”ƒ–‹ rant, which the couple hopes to open in late spring. Holland House’s July closure, which came amid an ongoing Dz    dzǡ ʹͳǡʹͲͳͺ legal battle between restaurateur Terry Raley and his former part- ‘ŽŽ‘™‹‰Š—” Š‡”˜‹ ‡•Ȅͳʹǣ͵Ͳ’ ner and landlord, Cees Brinkman, was a shock to many ‘•–‡†„› ”‹‡†•‘ˆ ”ƒ–‹ in East Nashville and left a void in one of the neighborhood’s    trendiest areas. Arakelian’s plan to take over     the space continues the surge of  ƒ†‡‹ ‹ƒǡ‰‘•‡™•’ƒ’‡”‘Ž—‹•– new restaurants joining the ranks of Nashville’s food scene and adds to the growing diversity   of dining options in Music City. Chef Hrant Arakelian ––‘”‡›Ƭ —ƒ‹‰Š–• –‹˜‹•– “We’ve been looking for a place to do this style of restau- ‡ ‡’–‹‘–‘ˆ‘ŽŽ‘™ǤŽŽƒ”‡™‡Ž ‘‡Ǥ rant for a while,” said Arakelian, a veteran of roots are in Lebanon, expects Lyra to offer “rea- sonable” prices and not be overly expensive or the Holland House kitchen who has also –Ǥ ƒ‡•”‡‹ƒŠ—” Š worked at Butchertown Hall in Germantown formal.

”‡‡Ƭ‡”‘‹ ƒƒ”˜‡œ‹ƒ ƒŽŽ Ͷ͸ͷ‘—–—„—”–Ǥǡƒ–‡”–‘™ SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE Students of Armenian Descent Having Completed One Year of College by June 2018 Applications and other information may be obtained from: Armenian Students’ Association Scholarship Committee 333 Atlantic Avenue • Warwick, RI 02888 Tel. 401-461-6144 • Fax 401-461-6112

email: [email protected] Deadline for returning completed applications: March 15, 2018

10 S ATURDAY, J ANUARY 2 0 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Armenian Christmas at St. Vartan’s Cathedral as it Kicks off 50th Year

CHRISTMAS, from page 1 For the third consecutive year, the Diocese faith. Who need consolation in a time of trial. broadcast the Armenian Christmas liturgy over Who seek a place of shelter in the storms of the Internet. The live broadcast with a running life. St. Vartan Cathedral is a sanctuary for all narration was watched by some 10,000 viewers our people. And it is calling its sons and daugh- on Livestream and Facebook. Hundreds more ters home in this golden anniversary year.” have tuned in the recorded program in the days The Primate concluded by inviting all to visit that followed. St. Vartan Cathedral in 2018, especially during The sacred music of the Divine Liturgy was ren- the celebration on May 5-6, in the presence dered beautifully throughout the service by the of His Holiness Karekin II, the Catholicos of All St. Vartan Cathedral Choir, under the direction of Armenians. “I invite you to enter this sanctuary conductor Khoren Mekanejian. Accompanying to find the peace that cannot be found any- on the organ was Florence Avakian. where else in the world. Within these walls— A traditional home blessing and Christmas within the walls of every Armenian Church—the reception were held in Haik and Alice peace of our Lord Jesus Christ is waiting to be Kavookjian Auditorium following services on discovered,” he said. January 6. The St. Vartan Cathedral’s Shushi The Very Rev. Mamigon Kiledjian and Very Dance Ensemble junior group delighted the Rev. Mesrop Parsamyan also participated in the crowd with their performance. Armenian Christmas service at the cathedral. An Armenian Christmas Eve service was held Hratch Kaprielian served as godfather for on the evening of January 5. The celebrant was the churorhnek (Blessing of Water) ceremony, Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan, the Diocese’s Director which commemorates the baptism of Jesus by of Ministries. the hand of John the Baptist. Parishes across the Eastern Diocese also held “It is the 50th anniversary year of St. Vartan Christmas services on January 5 and January 6, Cathedral and I am very grateful for the oppor- with some performing the Blessing of Water tunity to serve as the godfather of the cross,” service on Sunday, January 7. said Kaprielian. “We have to preserve our —Photos of Armenian Christmas liturgy by Children performed at Kavoukjian Auditorium. Armenian identity and stay stronger together.” Albin Lohr-Jones.

Hratch Kaprielian served as godfather for the . Loving family members at the joyous occasion A singer in the chorus churorhnek Street Renaming to Honor Armenians in Bayside

Community Board 11. With the support of chairs) and I attended the CB 11 meeting in loves us back!” said Dr. Cetin. By Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan State Senator Tony Avella and City Council Bayside. In my public remarks, I thanked the Community Board Chair Christine Haider Member Barry Grodenchik, the project local community for their support of Holy told her own story about her connection to regained new life. On December 11, 2017, after Martyrs and the Armenian community for the Holy Martyrs. A non-Armenian living in the BAYSIDE, N. Y. — Three years ago, in January almost three years of waiting, I was invited to past six decades. This co-naming is our way of area, Holy Martyrs was the only available 2015, as the Holy Martyrs Genocide Centennial the Transportation Committee board meeting remembering those who established our com- kindergarten for her son 49 years ago. She Committee began plans for their year of cele- spoke highly of the school and the education bratory events, the idea to symbolically co-name her son received. 210th Street from Horace Harding Expressway Eileen Miller, another Community Board to 58th Avenue as “Armenia Way,” was born. member, stated that she has lived down the With the help of Garo Sekdorian, former block from Holy Martyrs for 12 years and com- member of Community Board 11 (CB 11) that plimented our church community for being wel- serves Bayside and the surrounding communi- coming to the neighbors of all religious back- ties, Dr. Lynn Cetin (chair of the Centennial grounds. Committee) and I embarked on a mission to After three years of waiting and some set- make this dream a reality. backs, on the evening of January 8, Community While Dr. Cetin drafted a letter to the Board 11 voted unanimously to co-name 210th Community Board describing the connection of Street from Horace Harding Expressway to Armenians to Bayside, I personally went door- 58th Avenue as “Armenia Way.” to-door to all the neighbors on 210th Street to After the vote, which brought applause and secure their support of symbolically renaming congratulations from all, those of us attending the street. It was important that they under- reached out to Sekdorian, who now lives in stood that the co-naming would not change Florida. their actual address, but just be a symbolic ges- “What a beautiful gift to Holy Martyrs on its ture to our community. 60th anniversary!” wrote Sekdorian upon Navigating the world of community politics receiving the news. was new to me and no easy task. With the The “Armenia Way” block of 210th Street in Bayside, Queens (NYC) I am humbled and grateful to all who sup- tremendous help of Garo Sekdorian, I sent let- ported this project from day one. I am especial- ters to community leaders and politicians seek- ly thankful to our wonderful neighbors on ing support for this project. Despite our efforts of CB 11 to present the co-naming project. Dr. munity years ago and thanking them. Cetin told 210th Street and the members of CB 11. I am and the many connections I made with many Lynn Cetin and I attended the meeting and the attendees that Holy Martyrs’ annual Street excited to see “Armenia Way” on the corner of prominent community members, the project fiz- were excited to hear the committee unani- Festival is a way our community has given back 210th Street and will notify all of you about the zled and the dream of seeing “Armenia Way” on mously vote in approval of the co-naming of to our neighborhood. official street sign unveiling once I am made 210th Street dwindled over the next two years. 210th Street. Now, one more step was needed “Our community has discussed many times aware of the details. Last fall, with a new political climate in the — the approval of the entire community board. about relocating our church, but we have (Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan is pastor of the community, I revitalized the street co-naming On January 8, 2018, Dr. Cetin, Bruce always said that we love Queens and are grate- Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs, project and resubmitted an updated letter to Ashbahian (Holy Martyrs’ 60th Anniversary co- ful to the community here. We hope Queens Bayside, NY.) S ATURDAY, J ANUARY 2 0 , 2 0 1 8 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R 11 COMMUNITY NEWS Saugus Dinosaur May Have New Neighbors This Spring

By Bridget Turcotte project has an overall timeline of five years. The first building will house either an 8,200- SAUGUS, Mass. (Itemlive.com) — The first of square-foot restaurant with a banquet space, or two eight buildings guarded by the orange dinosaur smaller restaurants, with one-bedroom apartments in the $150-million Essex Landing development on the upper floors, said Barsamian. He hopes to on Route 1 is nearing completion and residents find a middle- to high-end restaurant that serves are expected to move in by spring. Italian cuisine. At the top of the hill, just behind the 20-foot, Behind it will be a free-standing space to house 6,000-pound dinosaur, developers are breaking Kane’s Donuts’ third location, a 3,500-square-foot ground on a second apartment building. cafe with a drive-through. The family-owned orig- “It will be on the very top back of the hill with inal store is on Lincoln Avenue. Last year they views of Revere Beach and downtown Boston,” opened at International Place in downtown said developer Michael Barsamian. “We view this Boston. The cafe and the combined total of 350 location as a 10. It’s close to Boston, it’s close to residential units are expected to be open by April, the airport. It will be close to the new casino. A said Barsamian. Each apartment will be listed for lot of people don’t look at Saugus as that kind of $2,200 to $2,500 per month. location, but it’s getting more and more desir- An extended stay hotel will be positioned just able.” behind the dinosaur. The Lenox Hotel will part- TB Holdings Inc., an entity managed by ner with developers to create a boutique hotel on Barsamian and Michael Touchette, bought a site. vacant 1.2-acre site next to the golf course in The Dinosaur will be refinished with a fresh 2013 for $3.3 million, and they closed on the 1.4- coat of orange paint and will remain a fixture of The orange dinosaur in Saugus acre golf parcel in September for $1.4 million. The the development.

Marshal Bagramyan in Rediscovered Film Talks of His Pre-Soviet Life

BAGRAMYAN, from page 1 757649/) on Bagramyan in which he himself Turkish yataghan with the help of the Russian Eastern Prussia and the second capital of Nazi December 2017 marked the 120th anniver- tells the story of his life prior to becoming a Army,” wrote Bagramyan in his memoirs. Such Germany. sary of Marshal Bagramyan’s birth. During the Red Army Commander. His memoirs, published heartbreaking images of suffering Armenians It was during this period that Bagramyan Soviet era several biographies of the high-rank- in Yerevan in 1979, also provide certain details might have affected his decision to join the war. received a letter from the United States. A woman ing commander were published and media out- related to his pre-Soviet life and struggles. First, Bagramyan was engaged in the battles with the same last name as his, Anahit Bagramyan lets would feature stories and news about him Bagramyan volunteered for the Czarist army in against Ottoman Turkish troops in Persia (Iran). from New York, but originally from Van, was look- frequently. However, the Communist-era publi- the fall of 1915, when he was only 17 years old. As Then, as a private in Russia’s Caucasian ing for her brother Hovhannes, who had joined cations generally tended to depict Bagramyan a technician at the Transcaucasian Railroad he Expeditionary Force, he walked hundreds of miles the Tsarist Army in 1915. However, General as a purely Soviet and Communist officer, offer- often saw Russian trains arriving from the from Persia to Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq). Bagramyan was not from Van. He was born in ing only few (if any) details of his Armenian pro- Western Armenian front that transported After the revolution in Russia in 1917, he partici- Chardakhlu, a village situated in Northern file. However, recently the archive service of the Genocide survivors. “Trains from Kars would pated in the self-defense struggles against the Karabakh. The general’s daughter suggested that Public TV Company of Armenia discovered and carry…thousands of refugees, overwhelmingly Turkish troops in Sarikamish. That is when he confirm that he was that woman’s lost brother published a video segment (https://www.face- elderly Armenians, women and children. Those Bagramyan met the legendary Andranik in order to make her happy and not disappoint book.com/EshayemiskDu/videos/168444303 were the handful of ‘lucky ones’ that escaped the (Antranig). As he recalls in his memoirs, Andranik her. However, according to writer Hrachya watched Bagramyan’s detachment (he had Kochar’s story, “The General’s Sister,” Bagramyan become a cavalry officer by then) and praised his declined her proposal, saying that he couldn’t lie service. Andranik had been appointed to com- to her. mand the defense of Erzurum (the historic Instead, the general wrote back to Anahit as fol- Armenian fortress of Karin). Unfortunately, in lows: “My dear sister, I was not born in Turkish February of 1917, Erzurum fell into Ottoman Armenia, but in the Caucasus, and up until now Turkish hands. According to Bagramyan’s biogra- never had a sister Anahit. But from now on you pher Aramayis Mnatsakanyan, after learning that can consider me your brother. It was not the same Erzurum was lost, Bagramyan burst into tears. mother that gave us birth, but it was the same “That’s when I realized the scale of the forthcom- nation that did it. We do carry common senti- ing disaster,” he wrote later in his memoirs. ments and feelings. Now I know that I have a sis- The future marshal fought courageously in the ter overseas and I am in debt to her. Your brother battles of May 1918, particularly in Sardarapat. Hovhannes.” The 100th anniversary of this historic fight will be I am interested in Hovhannes Bagramyan’s celebrated in 2018. biography and I am working on a book about this After the Sovietization of Armenia, Hovhannes prominent marshal. I would be glad to learn if the Bagramyan joined the Red Army and advanced descendants of the general’s “sister” Anahit rapidly in his career. He was the most educated Bagramyan know about this story and by any high-ranking commander of the Soviet Army. chance have kept the letter from the prominent Bagramyan graduated from 10 schools and acad- military man. emies in total: the local school of his native village In July of 1944 Bagramyan was awarded with of Chardakhlu, a school in Elizavetopol (currently, the Golden Star Medal of Hero of the Soviet the town of Gyanja in Azerbaijan), attended caval- Union, and later in 1955 he became Marshal of ry classes in the town of Armavir (a settlement in the USSR (there were only 41 military officers Russia named after the historic Armenian capital), during the entire history of the USSR who the Armenian gymnasium of Armavir, Red Army became Marshals). In 1977, he received his second Academies, and others. Golden Star Medal of Hero of the USSR. In 1937, during the Great Purge he was on the Even though national Armenian heroes of the verge of arrest: Bagramyan’s service in the late 19th and early 20th century were not very Armenian national units prior to the 1917 welcome in Soviet historiography, an exception Revolution had not been forgotten. His junior was made for Andranik Pasha Ozanian. Andranik brother Aleksey was arrested by Soviet was fairly well known to the masses. This author Azerbaijan’s NKVD state police. Bagramyan was may dare to assume that this was thanks to fired from the Red Army and worked as a drafts- Bagramyan’s efforts in large part. Bagramyan man for few months. spoke several times of Andranik, and praised him The late 1930s was a period of rapid militariza- in his book of memoirs. When in 1976, during a tion of the Soviet Union and the numerical expan- meeting at the Yerevan State University he was sion of its military personnel. The Red Army asked to tell about Andranik, after Bagramyan’s lacked educated commanders and the variety of few first words: “Andranik was a brilliant and schools Bagramyan attended, as well as the sup- courageous commander, a true hero…”, the audi- port from politician Anastas Mikoyan and his mil- ence suddenly burst in applause. In 1972, during itary comrade Georgiy Zhukov saved his career his working visit to France, Bagramyan went to and possibly his life. He was reinstated to active Pere Lachaise cemetery, where Ozanian was service. buried. He placed a wreath on his grave and salut- At the early stage of the Great Patriotic War (as ed his former commander. World War II was known in the Soviet Union), It was during this trip that France’s TF1 invited Bagramyan was the chief of the operational Marshal Bagramyan to appear on French TV, department of the Southwestern Front (Ukraine). where he was interviewed regarding the 1943 bat- He moved rapidly from one commanding position tles around city of Kursk. With the help of to another and by late 1943 became the com- Armenia’s First Channel’s Paris correspondent mander of the First Baltic Front: an important Mariam Ter Gulanyan, we were able to find the front that would eventually advance to Eastern copy of the video, a portion of which can be seen Germany and capture Koenigsberg, the capital of at the Mirror-Spectator website. 12 S ATURDAY, J ANUARY 2 0 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Arts & Living

Inside Markarian Acclaimed Journalist Designer Alexandra William Rempel to O’Neill’s Greenwich Present New Village Aerie Biography of Kirk

NEW YORK (Vogue) — During the day, Kerkorian at NAASR Alexandra O’Neill’s Greenwich Village apart- ment doubles as her brand’s headquarters. BELMONT, Mass. — William C. Rempel, a The Markarian team of four taps away at their veteran investigative reporter who spent more laptops on the Bertoia dining chairs, surround- than three decades at the Los Angeles Times, ed by clothing racks displaying the Spring and will present his new book, The Gambler: How Resort collections, while at night, O’Neill invites Penniless Dropout Kirk Kerkorian Became friends over for dinner parties. Menus are creat- the Greatest Dealmaker in Capitalist History, ed based on what is fresh at the nearby Union on Thursday, February 1, at 7:30 p.m. at the Square Greenmarket and served on her favorite National Association for Armenian Studies zodiac Laboratorio Paravicini plates and vintage and Research (NAASR) Center, 395 Concord French tablecloths or Zsuzsanna Nyul table Ave. linens. On the evening before my visit, a gaggle The program is open to the public and of friends had gathered for Halloween costume- copies of The Gambler will be available for making, and during my tour of the apartment, purchase and signing by the author. the feather-and-jewel-festooned headdresses The Gambler is the rags-to-riches story of were displayed alongside Markarian’s Spring one of America’s wealthiest and least-known ’18 Saturn clutches. financial giants, self-made billionaire Kirk The smooth, clean lines and muted hues of Kerkorian—the daring aviator, movie mogul, Alexandra O’Neill’s Greenwich Village apartment risk-taker, and business tycoon who trans- might seem to exist in sharp contrast to the fes- formed Las Vegas and Hollywood to become tive frills of her clothing line, Markarian, but a one of the leading financiers in American love of textiles and attention to detail suffuses business. both. “I love doing prints and over-the-top for the In this engrossing biography, Rempel digs Bedouine (Azniv Korkejian) deep into Kerkorian’s long-guarded history to introduce a man of contradictions — a poorly educated genius for deal-making, an extraordi- narily shy man who made the boldest of busi- ness ventures, a careful and calculating investor Bedouine who was willing to bet everything on a single roll A Solitary Daughter Markarian designer Alexandra O’Neill clothing because it changes seasonally, but your LOS ANGELES (Broadsheet) — “I don’t need your company to feel saved,” sings home is more permanent and you’re never going Azniv Korkejian on “Solitary Daughter.” to get sick of neutrals,” explains the designer, her The sweeping and self-possessed soliloquy off her self-titled debut album is a dec- Yorkie, Winston, curled on her lap and her laration of defiance against the recurring “male savior” trope. It sure is timely as Maltese, Milly, peering up from the antique a growing number of women stand up to Persian rug (brought back from a family trip to reclaim their spaces and their voices. Turkey). “But I have all my interesting pops.” By Daniela Frangos “It’s definitely inspired by a person I Those pops include a pair of cobalt mid-century was romantically involved with,” says pendant lamps above the matte black-painted the singer and guitarist, better known as kitchen and gem-color velvet pillows from ABC Bedouine. “It was a very confusing involvement and something snapped in me Carpet & Home on the oyster white sofa. where the illusion shattered. I realized: ‘Oh, I don’t need this. I don’t need any bit During a complete gut renovation of the pre- of it.’ And it felt like I was shedding skin when I was writing that. So, the song just war one-bedroom, O’Neill uncovered and kind of poured out of me.” restored many of the original moldings and The show-stopping track, which was cut on Korkejian’s first take, is just the design elements that had been hidden and built singer and her pawnshop-bought Silvertone acoustic guitar, save for a smattering over through the years. Cove lighting was of orchestral flourishes. Its quiet intimacy and self-assurance harks back to the vin- replaced with moldings modeled after the origi- tage folk of Nick Drake, Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell. nals, and the lowered kitchen and hallway ceil- “There were a lot of beautiful, lilting melodies back then,” Korkejian says of that of the dice. ings were pushed back up to their original era. She particularly loves the warmth and texture those songs had, a rarity in the Rempel’s 36- height. For O’Neill, the decision to take on the age of slick digital production. “You do have to ask yourself if you’re being deriva- year career at task of decorating the apartment on her own tive when your music evokes a lot of ’60s and ’70s music, but I think the tone has the Los Angeles was an easy one. “I’m so specific in the taste a lot to do with it, and that’s just something I prefer; the sound of tape and the Times, both as a that I have and the things that I like that it sound of the equipment from that era.” writer and an edi- translates to my home as well,” she explains, Korkejian’s origin story is a fitting tale for a rambling folk singer. Especially one tor, produced a still admitting she couldn’t have done it without named after the nomadic tribes of the Middle East. Born in Aleppo, Syria, to collection of high- her nimble project manager. “And I’m such a Armenian parents, she grew up in an American compound (where her father profile projects. homebody, so if I’m not comfortable in my worked as an electrician) in Saudi Arabia before her family upped stumps to the His groundbreak- home it’s not ideal.” US by way of a green card lottery. She passed through Boston, Houston, Austin ing reports on A giant Cire Trudon Odalisque candle accents and Savannah before settling in the hip Los Angeles neighborhood Echo Park — Osama bin Laden the ledge below the French windows, which for now, anyway. and al Qaeda O’Neill had installed throughout the apartment. “It’s definitely the longest I’ve been anywhere in my adult life,” she says from were published Author William Rempel By deepening the existing windowsills and her LA apartment on a sunny winter’s day. “This is a great place, I think, to put before the terror- pulling the bookshelves further out into the down roots. But it has its challenges. The neighborhood has changed so rapidly. ist attacks of room, she created two cozy window seats, one It’s become so expensive so quickly … sometimes I fantasize about getting out of September 11, 2001, and his extensive cover- used to display treasures and the other, dressed the city and going into the desert. Though I’m not really sure how I would do, if age of supertanker safety flaws began years with a Madeline Weinrib pillow, as her reading that would feel isolating after being somewhere like LA.” before the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster. nook, a grapevine charmingly climbing up the Korkejian’s music is transportive. The idea of passage — across time and place Rempel’s work has been recognized with outside of the window. The rose gold mirror — seeps into each song: the call of someone for whom home is everywhere and numerous journalistic honors, including an above the mantelpiece hides the TV where nowhere. Her newest song, Louise, released on the deluxe edition of her debut Overseas Press Club award and the Gerald O’Neill likes to watch “Stranger Things” or album, is about her family’s decision about whether or not to stay in or flee war- Loeb Award. He was also a finalist for the “Versailles,” though during my visit, the entire torn Syria. It’s sung entirely in Armenian. Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting. wall is obscured by the rack of Markarian Spring “It’s funny, I couldn’t even tell you,” she says of her motivation to sing in her And in 2015 he toured the former Soviet dresses with floor-length feathery metallic fringe parent tongue. “Maybe I was listening to a lot of bossa nova and Astrid Gilberto … states of Ukraine and the Republic of Georgia that tickles Winston’s snout as he passes. thinking, ‘I could probably take advantage of knowing a second language.’ for the US State Department, meeting with The self-professed 1stdibs junkie sourced see BEDOUINE, page 14 professional and student journalists to advo- many of her mid-century gems from some of her cate the value of aggressive investigative see MARKARIAN, page 14 reporting in those young democracies. S ATURDAY, J ANUARY 2 0 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 ARTS & LIVING As Saudi Arabia Relaxes its Controls on Culture and Entertainment, Artists Dream — and Worry

about the role of independent artists who had drive (a concession promised by the late King painting by Leonardo da Vinci for $450 million By Kareem Fahim toiled in the kingdom for years, navigating Abdullah) and curbing the authority of the “reli- — a vast sum, given the government’s stated bureaucratic hurdles and rigid social bound- gious police” — represent a long-delayed effort commitment to anti-corruption and austerity aries to win international recognition for the to drag the kingdom into the modern era. Some measures. After media reports indicated that JIDDAH, Saudi Arabia (Washington Post) — Saudi arts. initiatives, such as the opening of cinemas, have the real buyer had been Mohammed, Saudi offi- The government of this ultraconservative king- Would the government’s plans give a boost to also promised a vast economic opportunity. dom has lately become a tireless patron of the independent curators, underground musicians But critics warn that it will take years to arts, sponsoring concerts by Western perform- and first-time filmmakers? Or would it lash art determine whether highly touted government ers such as New Age artist Yanni and promot- to the whims of government ministries and priv- reforms — for example, to stamp out corrup- ing comic festivals and book fairs. Cinemas, ilege only those artists favored by the state? tion and curb extremist discourse — were meant banned for decades, are set to open soon. “Art should be away from any agendas. That to change an ossified system or simply repack- The thaw is part of a push by Saudi Arabia’s is what makes us concerned,” said Abdulnasser age it. 32-year-old crown prince, Mohammed bin Gharem, co-founder of a pioneering Saudi arts In embracing the arts, the Saudi leadership Salman, to ease some social restrictions, and collective called Edge of Arabia. His own work, drew a lesson in image-making from its ally and the flurry of official announcements has including paintings and installations, often is neighbor, the United Arab Emirates, which long thrilled a generation of young Saudis for whom shown abroad. ago recognized that its homegrown cultural a night of music or movies most often The debate over culture gets at the nature of scene was also a “powerful tool of soft power meant trips abroad. the sweeping changes underway in Saudi and diplomacy,” said Beth Derderian, a doctor- But the plans have raised concerns, too, Arabia under Mohammed. A focus on enter- al candidate in anthropology at Northwestern about the kind of cultural scene that emerges in tainment and culture is central to a plan to University who studies the development of arts a place governed by an austere religious creed diversify the country’s oil-dependent economy and culture in the UAE. and where the benefactor is an absolute monar- while expanding some social freedoms. Saudi Other moves by the Saudi leadership have chy that takes a dim view of unfettered speech. officials and the crown prince’s supporters say stirred confusion about its priorities, including The undertaking has raised questions here the changes — including allowing women to the recent purchase by a Saudi prince of a

Beth Derderian

cials said the painting had been acquired for the new Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE. Artist Abdulnasser Gharem fixing his hattah, the headpiece traditionally worn by Saudi men, at Gharem Studio in Riyadh on Dec. 16, 2017. (Iman Al-Dabbagh/For The Washington Post) From his bustling studio in a villa in the cap- ital, Gharem launched a residency program six years ago to nurture young Saudi artists. In a country where many view contemporary art with suspicion, the studio was a rare incubator of creativity. It reflected a small Saudi scene that flourished over the past decade — despite occasional clashes with religious figures and the government. “We were under pressure for years. It made the scene organic,” Gharem said on a recent evening in his studio. But artists also faced peril. One, Ashraf Fayadh, a Palestinian poet, curator and artist, was convicted on apostasy charges in 2015 and sentenced by a Saudi court to death by behead- ing. The accusations, which Fayadh’s lawyers said stemmed from a personal dispute, included charges that his poetry had promoted atheism. After an international outcry, the sentence was reduced to eight years in prison, along with 800 lashes. Efforts to foster culture are coming as artists are feeling increased pressure because of ten- sions in the wider Persian Gulf. A feud has divided the gulf monarchies, pitting Qatar against Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE and Egypt. In addition, surging hostilities between Shiite Iran and the Sunni gulf states have fueled an increasingly vicious sectarian enmity. The resulting atmosphere of often-strident nationalism has largely quieted dissenting voic- es in the media, on social networks and in the arts. The tensions have been apparent in the past few years in the UAE, long considered a cos- mopolitan hub for artists across the region, including immigrants who grew up in that country. But in recent years, it has become more difficult for some artists, especially those who are Shiite Muslims or originally from Iran, either to travel to the UAE or renew their visas for access to the country, Derderian said. At a recent exhibition in Abu Dhabi, a paint- ing by Gharem was removed, he said, after an official complained. The painting, called “Prosperity Without Growth,” depicted a figure wearing clothes that suggested he was both a Sunni and Shiite Muslim — a message about unity that apparently was too toxic for the moment. “It’s not the time to tell the truth,” Gharem said. see ART, page 16 14 S ATURDAY, J ANUARY 2 0 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING Inside Markarian Designer Alexandra O’Neill’s Greenwich Village Aerie Recipe MARKARIAN, from page 12 Flower Line, is so beloved that she recently favorite dealers on the site. “I love 1stdibs so hosted a Markarian dinner there for Fashion much, I got almost everything from there,” she Week. “I love it. I’ll usually do giant green says. In the foyer facing the kitchen, a 1stdibs- palms here,” she flits her finger around the liv- Corner sourced console is home to a pencil-on-paper ing room, “and then branches in the kitchen portrait of O’Neill’s great-grandmother Abby, a slash hallway, and little flowers everywhere trio of blown glass vases scored at the 28th else. That’s always my pop of color — the cloth- by Christine Vartanian Datian Street flower market, and a brass conch shell vase gifted from her college best friend. Armenian Chicken, Rice and Lemon Soup The living room is the heart of the home. A pair of large, Ad Reinhardt– INGREDIENTS esque abstract canvases created by 4 cups fresh or canned chicken broth (turkey broth may be substituted) O’Neill in college hang above the 4 cups water Restoration Hardware sofa. Topiaries 2 skinless boneless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded or diced (or any cooked in John Derian Tuscan pots are framed chicken) on the windowsill by the greenery of 1/2 medium onion, minced the courtyard below. A pair of James 2 stalks celery, diced Sansum chairs flanks the Milo 1 medium carrot, diced Baughman burl wood coffee table lay- 3/4 cup basmati rice or a large handful of crushed vermicelli (or egg noodles) ered with interior design books, a baby Juice of 2 lemons and zest from 1 lemon 2 eggs, beaten alligator head from Key West, and trop- Dried crushed mint and chopped parsley ical fronds in a green copper vase. 1 teaspoon sea or Kosher salt “It’s my little marble palace,” O’Neill Black or white pepper and paprika jokes of the floor-to-ceiling marble Slice lemons bathroom which faces the prodigious shoe and handbag closet lit in the hall- PREPARATION: way by Charlotte Perriand’s iconic wall In a large pot, bring the chicken broth and water to a full boil. Season with salt sconces. There was a walk-in closet, but and pepper, add the rice or vermicelli, onion, celery and carrot, and cook over medi- O’Neill, ever the design perfectionist, um heat until rice is tender, about 20-22 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the got rid of it so that the doors of the shredded chicken, stir a few times, and cook for 10 minutes longer until full com- apartment would line up on a single bined. axis. Beat the eggs with the lemon juice in a medium bowl for a few minutes until The petite bedroom is made to feel frothy, stir in 1/2 cup of the soup broth, and then gradually pour the egg mixture bigger by the windows, the built-in cub- into soup; season to taste. Add the lemon zest, if desired, and stir constantly taking bies above the bed, and the book- care that broth does not curdle. Remove from heat when soup is hot. shelves that form an alcove around the Garnish with parsley, dried crushed mint, paprika and sliced lemons. Serve with bed, hosting everything from The Armenian madzoon or Greek yogurt, a crusty Italian or French bread or warm pita Wizard of Oz to Margaret bread on the side. Atwood’s Alias Grace, her current read. Serves 4-6. “It’s small but it gets so much light,” *Christine's recipes have been published in the Fresno Bee newspaper, Sunset she says. The wooden shutters give the magazine, Cooking Light magazine, and at http://www.thearmeniankitchen.com/ bedroom a European air, as do the antique trinkets gleaned over many years of visiting the Paris and London flea markets. “I always pick up a little something from my travels,” she says, lifting a bronze candlestick from Paris: A Markarian design “I call it my 18th-century flashlight.” The brick terrace has recently received some needed love and care, just in ing on the racks also helps!” time for winter hibernation. O’Neill added a (Editor’s Note: The label is name for lattice border and 18-inch trellis, as well as Benjamin Markarian, considered one of the a Serena & Lily wicker bench and Sicilian greatest astronomers of the 20th century. He ceramic head, picked up during her worked at the Byurakan Observatory in sister’s Positano wedding in 2016, to keep her Armenia starting in 1946 on theories of star- fig tree company. “Look, it’s producing its sec- formation, clusters and super-clusters. He went ond crop!” she says proudly, holding the osti- on to discover the Markarian Galaxies in the ole of a fig in her palm. “The second I stopped 1960s and published a catalog of 1469 galax- taking care of them, they started doing better,” ies called Markarian catalog (First Byurakan she says of her trees. Catalogue of Markarian galaxies). Markarian She does take care of her flowers though. also discovered a string of galaxies moving O’Neill makes a weekly pilgrimage up to the with a common motion. Markarian received 28th Street flower market. Her favorite, Dutch many honors during the course of his career.)

of a culture shock. “Because we lived in an Bedouine: A American compound, you didn’t really have a sense of what life really was for women outside Solitary Daughter of [it],” says Korkejian. “It felt really insular and protected. When I was in Massachusetts, BEDOUINE, from page 12 when we weren’t living in a neighborhood that “That subject had been weighing on my mind was gated, I felt really vulnerable.” as well,” she says of the song’s lyrical inspira- These days Korkejian works as a music edi- tion. “I have family in Syria still who were there tor in Hollywood — she recently worked on throughout the war. Thankfully, everything has Kumail Nanjiani’s autobiographical rom- settled down since, but there was a time that I com “The Big Sick.” A possible byproduct of didn’t quite understand why they were staying her day job, Korkejian’s own music has a cine- in harm’s way. I stayed with that long enough to matic quality — not grand or epic in scale but sympathize and empathize that you can’t just quiet and intimate and revealing (the swoony, pick up everything and expect to be able to get elegiac ebb and flow of highly re-playable back on your feet. Some of my family did leave, album track Dusty Eyes could easily sound- but some of them didn’t feel as comfortable track a tale of lost love). It makes you sit up, doing that.” lean in close and listen. Displacement is a topic we keep coming “I just really love the quiet,” says Korkejian. “I back to. It’s hard to avoid when chatting to the love things that are really simple and have so itinerant artist. She describes her move from much space in them. To me the perfect balance Saudi Arabia to the US as “jarring,” though of something that’s simple but also really melod- concedes: “In some ways, I felt like I was ic. I think that might sum up how I like writing.” primed for [it]. It might also sum up how she likes to live “Living in an American compound, going to her life. an American school, English was more or less “Leave me alone to the books and the radio my first language.” Still, after spending the snow,” she repeats on Solitary Daughter. “I LIKE US ON FACEBOOK first 10 years of her life in a gated community, don’t want your pity, concern, or your scorn. the vast metropolis of Boston was something I’m calm by my lonesome I feel right at home.” S ATURDAY, J ANUARY 2 0 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 ARTS & LIVING Influential Middle Eastern Intellectual Simon Simonian’s Legacy Described in New Volume

Simon Simonian was a prolific author, edi- Simonian was born in Simonian had begun penning stories about tor, publisher and teacher who played an Aintab in 1914. His father the lives of Armenians from Sasun in Aleppo influential role in Armenian diasporan life. An was from the Germav vil- from the 1940s, and eventually published initial attempt at presenting his legacy in lage of Sasun. His family them in 1968 with the title, in Armenian, of English has been made by Levon Sharoyan of fled to Aleppo in 1921. The Twilight of the Mountaineers. The first Aleppo, in Simon Simonian: The Last Scion of Simonian was accepted to story of this collection, “He Was Different,” the Mountaineers (On the Occasion of the the newly opened Seminary appears in the present volume in English 3 0 t h of the Catholicate of Cilicia translation in the appendix. He published two Anniversary in Aleppo and graduated as other literary anthologies of his stories, in By Aram Arkun of His Death). part of its first class in 1967 and 1970, title Sipanay Kacher Mirror-Spectator Staff First pub- 1935 together with the [Daredevils of Sipan]. In 1972, he published lished in seri- future Archbishop Terenig Ler yev Jagadakir [Mountain and Destiny], alized form in Poladian and Catholicos which combined all the stories in The Twilight the Armenian-language periodicals Kantzasar, Zareh Payaslian. He then of the Mountaineers with some pieces from Aztag and Harach, and then as a volume in returned to Aleppo to be a the latter two volumes. Armenia, this short work was translated into teacher of Armenian lan- He wrote several novels, of which only two English by Dr. Vahe H. Apelian and published guage and history at the were printed. The first, Gu khntrvi khachat- in 2017 by Hratch Kalsahakian with the spon- National Haigazian School sevel [Please Overlap], was published in 1965, sorship of the Simon Simonian Fund. till 1938, and again from and the second, Anzhamantros, in 1978. This volume is not a scholarly monograph 1941 to 1946. He taught Sharoyan points out that Simonian’s decision but a very personal approach to Simonian’s from 1938 to 1941 at the that the latter should only be disseminated works. Sharoyan’s grandfather “Shoemender Gulbenkian Armenian after his death does not have any rational Levon” is one of the Sasun Armenians living School. explanation and was “a wrong and an unjus- in Aleppo about whom Simonian wrote in his One of Simonian’s most tifiable act” which lessened the impact of the stories, and Sharoyan grew up reading important legacies is the novel on contemporary readers. Simonian’s various writings. Several publication work of the Sharoyan concludes his book with a Simonian family members edited and proof- Sevan publishing house, description of Simonian’s 1983 visit to the read the translation. which he first started in United States, where he was honored in New 1945 in Aleppo York, Los Angeles and Philadelphia (the latter and restarted in event hosted by the Tekeyan Cultural 1954 in Beirut. He published and edited two issues of a liter- ary periodical called Sevan in 1946, sponsored by Karekin I in 1952, and ensu- the Armenian Teachers’ ing political turmoil, led Association of Aleppo, which print- Simonian to leave his posi- ed the works of many prominent tions connected with the writers, including Catholicos Armenian Church and restart Karekin I Hovsepiants, Nigol his Sevan publishing house Aghpalian, Vahan Tekeyan and in Beirut. He published the Hagop Oshagan. works of both established In 1946 Catholicos Karekin I and new authors, as well as invited Simonian, the former semi- Armenian textbooks, and narian, to work in Antelias, turned into one of the great- Lebanon, as a tenured lecturer of est Armenian publishers in classical and modern Armenian and Lebanon, printing over 475 its literature at the Seminary. The titles of 190 authors during next year he was also appointed as 27 or 28 years. Sevan contin- chief editor of Hask, the monthly ued to publish even after the organ of the Catholicate of Cilicia. onset of the Lebanese civil He held these positions until 1955, war in 1975 but it was and also taught at the Armenian bombed, leading to massive General Benevolent Union’s damages, and printed its last Hovagimian-Manougian High work in 1983. School for boys and the Tarouhi When his printing house Hagopian High School for girls was in good order, Simonian until 1960. Catholicos Karekin I in published the first issue of this period entrusted him to edit his new weekly newspaper, his unpublished scholarly works, of Spiwrk [Diaspora], in 1958. which only one volume was pub- It was a literary and cultural The cover of the third printing of one of Simonian’s Armenian his- lished in 1951, and the Hask journal with well known reg- tory textbooks Simon Simonian’s mother Mennoush with her first husband hayakidagan Darekirk, an ular contributors from differ- Bedo Donoyan, who are described in his short story, “He Armenological yearbook, in 1948, ent segments of the diaspora, Was Different” 1951, and 1957. and special editions dedicated to new young Association). However, the death of Catholicos writers. Simonian’s independent perspective Simonian died on March 24, 1986 and his led to opposition in both the diaspora and former student Catholicos Karekin I Sarkisian Armenia. Simonian served as editor until the gave the eulogy. Sharoyan finds that “perhaps end of December 1974, after which his broth- Simon Simonian did not receive the recogni- er-in-law Kevork Ajemian took over. tion he deserved for his literary accomplish- When still 25 or 26 years old, Simonian ments,” but that interest in his works began to prepare an influential series of text- increased after his death. books on Armenian history, some of which There are minor errors of language and edit- are still used in Armenian schools in the dias- ing in the volume. For example, on page 50 pora today. Sharoyan praises their patriotic Sharoyan writes that in 1945 there were three nationalistic style but does not closely analyze Armenian literary periodicals in Aleppo, yet on them. Sharoyan notes, incidentally, that the same page he writes that the third, Simonian claimed his textbooks were plagia- Simonian’s Sevan, was first published in 1946. rized by the Aleppine Armenian intellectual At times, the author’s indulgent personal Armen Anoush-Marashlian (1907-1958). approach leads to what for most readers is Sharoyan presents as one of Simonian’s superfluous information. For example, he most important achievements the volume declares: “Thirty years after Simonian’s Arewelahay kraganutiwn [Eastern Armenian death, as I write these sentences, let it be Literature] (1962), which Sharoyan describes known that I recently procured a copy [of as “an eight-hundred-page-long book that Anzhamantros] from our Kristapor Library reminds one of a heavy-set bible.” It contains and read the book patiently from the very biographical information and examples of the beginning right to the very end.” However, works of 42 authors, as well as an appended overall the volume provides readers with a dictionary for 6,500 obscure or unfamiliar useful introduction to Simonian, and is illus- Simon Simonian at the editor’s desk at the Sevan Publishing House words from Armenian provincial dialects and trated with interesting photographs from the a chronology of the cited authors’ works. Simonian family archives. 16 S ATURDAY, J ANUARY 2 0 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING CC AA LENDARLENDAR

MASSACHUSETTSCONNECTICUT England and CFA Society Boston. Free and open to the public. Registration recommended at aiwaneweng- FEBRUARY 10 — Hye Hearts Dance. Second big annual [email protected]. event. Back By Popular Demand! 8pm - ??? LIVE MARCH 8-11 —The Global Cinema Film Festival of MUSIC featuring Harry Bedrossian (oud, vocals), Mal Boston (GCFF) announces its 2018 Official Selections. Barsamian (clarinet), Bruce Gigarjian (guitar), Charlie The 3rd annual global event will be held at the Studio Dermenjian (dumbeg). Continuous dancing with DJ Chris Cinema, 376 Trapelo Road, Belmont, MA. Festival kicks Habibian. Hosted by the Tri-Church Cultural Committee. off on March 8, at 6 p.m. with Red Carpet Event and film Holiday Inn, 1 Bright Meadow Blvd., Enfield, CT (just off screenings until 10 p.m. Film screenings will continue Interstate 91). Hotel $89 room rate. 860-741-2211, men- from Friday, March 9, through Sunday, March 11, 2018 tion “Hye Hearts” Adults $45 advance, $50 at the door. from 12 to 11 p.m. For more info visit @ www.world- Students & Adults 80+ $30 advance, $35 at the door. widecinemaframes.com. Children 12 & under free. Mezzeh included. Cash Bar. [email protected] Reservations for up to tables of 10. To purchase tickets: MARCH 11, 2018 — “Jazz and Art for YerazArt” on https://hyeheartsdance2018.eventbrite.com or mail Sunday, 5 p.m., at Anoush’ella Saj Kitchen, 35 W Newton checks (made payable to TCCC) to: Gary Hovhanessian, St., Boston. More information will follow. 81 Cope Farms Rd., Farmington, CT 06032. RSVP & MAY 5 — Save the date! Annual Meeting, Armenian Questions/Info: David Jermakian 413-727-2586, davidjer- International Women’s Association (AIWA). Details [email protected] and Gary 860-690-5959 or gary- to follow. Contact: [email protected] or 617- [email protected]. Tri-Church Cultural Committee includes The Hye Hearts Dance will take place 926-0171. MAY 11 — Welcome His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme members of the Armenian Church of Holy Resurrection, on February 10 in Connecticut, host- New Britain, CT and St. George Armenian Church, Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, to ed by the Tri-Church Cultural Celebrate with Rev. Father Mampre A. Kouzouian on the Hartford, CT and St. Mark’s Armenian Church, Committee, at the Holiday Inn, 1 Springfield, MA. 60th Anniversary of his Ordination to the Priesthood. Bright Meadow Blvd, in Enfield. The Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Greater Boston, 145 MASSACHUSETTS dance will feature musicians Harry Brattle Street, Cambridge. Hrashapar Service in the Bedrossian, pictured above, Mal Sanctuary followed by a Celebration in the Charles and JANUARY 21 — “We Remember Hrant,” commemorat- Barsamian, Bruce Gigarian and Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall. Details forthcoming. ing the 11th anniversary of the death of Hrant Dink, Charlie Dermenjian and DJ Chris Sunday, following church services, St. James Armenian Habibian. To purchase tickets: RHODE ISLAND Church, Armene and Veronica Tarvezian Hall, 465 Mount https://hyeheartsdance2018.eventbr JANUARY 24 —The Cultural Committee Proudly pre- Auburn St., Watertown. Reflections by Ohannes Kilicdagi, ite.com sents New exclusive showing ARMENIAN FILM FES- Agos columnist, and Gaye Azpinar, attorney and human TIVAL THE NATION”S PAST & PRESENT Presented in rights activist. Reception to follow. All are welcome. English In Egavian Cultural Center, 70 Jefferson Street, Hosted by Friends of Hrant Dink. Providence, RI 02908 Donation $ 10: FEBRUARY 1 — Thursday, 7:30 p.m.: William C. 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As Saudi Arabia Relaxes its Controls on Culture and Entertainment, Artists Dream — and Worry ART, from page 13 been a boon, she added. Mater, whose work has been confrontational “On the contrary, it provides windows Other Saudi artists were more optimistic. Her short film, called “Zaina’s Cake,” was at times — for instance, documenting the rav- through which new opportunities can spring,” “We say, ‘In movement, there is a blessing,’” screened at a film festival sponsored by the ages of development in Mecca, Islam’s holiest he said. “The art scene will continue as it is; I said Mohammed Hafiz, co-founder of Athr, a Saudi oil company Aramco last spring that was city — said he did not think the government’s think the nature of conversation, creativity, con- contemporary gallery that opened in 2009, attended by filmmakers from across the coun- embrace would stifle Saudi artists. nections assures that.” who has advised the government on its foray try, she said. During one recent week, it played into culture. in Riyadh and the eastern city of Dammam. Hafiz said officials are approaching the arts Khaled Nadershah, a 26-year-old filmmaker as a “holistic ecosystem” of theaters, museums, shooting his first feature in Saudi Arabia, ‘Creation of the Universe: and Eve. Where is Adam?’ auction houses and other venues that would praised the plans to open cinemas and support FRESNO — A new exhibit will open at the els. Artspeak critic Sean Simon has com- bolster arts education and nurture an embrace filmmakers as encouraging first steps. Armenian Museum of Fresno at the exhibi- pared her paintings to those of Kathie of art in society at large. One of the most ambi- “People need to see that there is such a thing tion hall, with an opening reception on Kolowitz, Max Beckman and Jose Clemente tious projects, the King Abdulaziz Center for as Saudi movies and that the industry is real,” January 26, 6 to 8 p.m. featuring an artist Orozco. The strength of her expressionistic World Culture, features a library and museum, he said. talk by Lucy Janjigian. The exhibition is and cubistic technique as well as her vividly and it recently launched a competition to pro- His ambition is broad — to tell “all the untold titled “Creation of the Universe: and Eve. contrasting colors heighten the starkness of mote contemporary Saudi artists. stories about my culture and society,” he said. Where is Adam?” her graphic power. And critically, Hafiz said, the government is His is a small, self-financed film called “Exit 5,” Janjigian is a widely traveled and noted Her love of painting combined with her consulting local artists as it moves forward — about a divorced woman struggling to get her Jerusalem-born painter and sculptor whose many years of Bible study resulted in these among them Ahmed Mater, one of Saudi parents’ approval to study abroad. main focus is on Biblical themes and the tri- three series of paintings that reflect her Arabia’s best-known contemporary artists, He is less concerned with negotiating social als and tribulations of humanity. She has Christian faith: “Journey to Resurrection,” whose work, including large-scale photographs, taboos than with the challenge of finding a plat- had numerous commissions and exhibited “Biblical Parallels” and “The Story of Two videos and installations, is being shown at the form for an independent film. New cinemas are extensively throughout the United States, Women / From Guilt to Redemption.” Brooklyn Museum. opening, but the Saudi audience that will fill Middle East and Europe. Her artwork is on The series many find most emotionally There was bound to be a period of “trial and the seats is largely obsessed with U.S. main- display in private collections and institu- stirring is the one most personal to her, error,” Hafiz acknowledged. But, he said, “you stream entertainment, he said. tions “Uprooted” based on the tragedies and stay still and nothing happens. . . . The whole soci- “There is a new wave of artists trying to find Lucy Janjigian came to the United States hardships experienced by her family and ety is moving much faster than it was before.” a Saudi popular culture,” he said. “It’s so inspir- in 1952 and settled in Tenafly, NJ. friends during The Armenian Genocide. Among young artists, a sense of possibility ing. But I can’t say we are quite there yet.” Her works hang in numerous public, pri- These four series have been professionally has taken hold. Ahmed Mater said he had agreed to head a vate and corporate collections. Her paint- produced into videos complete with narra- Nada AlMojadedi, a filmmaker, said it would government-sponsored art institute in part to ings illustrate a narrative dialogue and bare tion by the artist over dramatic music based take time take for Saudi audiences to embrace represent his generation of independent artists. her inner soul. on the paintings, one of which will be pre- local content. They “haven’t been accustomed “They will have a voice and a say in the purpose Creatively designed, her abstract works sented during the opening night reception. to watching stories about themselves,” she said. and direction of the institute,” he said in a text have been inspired by nature and her trav- The exhibit will be up through June 22. But the government’s encouragement — or at message, referring to a project by the Misk least its endorsement of cultural events — has Foundation, sponsored by the crown prince. S ATURDAY, J ANUARY 2 0 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 17 COMMENTARY

COMMENTARY Mirror Armenia in Transition

Kocharyan, Serzh Sargsyan, Arkady Ghukassyan, Alik Spectator By Edmond Y. Azadian Harutyunyan, Seyran Ohanian and others. When once Levon Ter-Petrosian brought up this trend, he was accused of pitting Karabakh Armenians against the citizens of Armenia cannot entertain or exercise any political culture Armenia proper. which is alien to the region, just as it cannot isolate itself from At this point, Gagik Harutyunyan is still needed in his posi- the corruption and cronyism which have defined the post-Soviet tion, which he has occupied since independence. He is a sur- EstablishedEstablished 1932 1932 era. vivor, as he has ingratiated himself to all succeeding adminis- Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitri trations by rubberstamping many controversial issues and legis- An ADLAn Publication ADL Publication Medvedev have been playing musical chairs in the Kremlin to lations. perpetuate Mr. Putin’s rule well into the 2030s. Azeri President Nalbandian has the best chance because of his suave diplo- Ilham Aliyev changed to country’s constitution to perpetuate macy and linguistic skills. the Aliyev dynasty’s rule forever, with his wife Mehriban Aliyeva There is no room to guess who would be nominated to the EDITOR appointed as vice president to assure a smooth succession. In position of prime minister because all those changes were made Alin K. Gregorian neighboring Turkey, the ruling AKP party succeeded in holding to perpetuate Mr. Sargsyan’s and his Republican Party’s rule.

ASSISTANT EDITOR a referendum to consolidate the pedestal of Sultan Erdogan. Therefore, on April 9, all he has to do is change his hat from Aram Arkun Now, it is Armenia’s turn to follow the trend. president to continue to rule the country as prime minister. The President Serzh Sargsyan, after serving two terms, had his only technicality remains for his party to nominate him for the ART DIRECTOR position and to garner 50 percent of the votes. Technically, the Marc Mgrditchian back against the wall. He could not even emulate the Russian model because he could not find a reliable partner to swap president has to nominate the prime minister and he has the offices with and he feared falling into the trap he had designed power to turn down the candidate selected by the parliament himself for his predecessor. Former Armenian President Robert but in reality, that option is off the table. If the unforeseen hap- Kocharyan, under whom Sargsyan served as prime minister, had pens, Mr. Sargsyan is savvy and experienced enough to have an alternative candidate up his sleeve who will not tip the cart. SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: believed that by ushering Sargsyan to the presidential palace, Edmond Y. Azadian the throne would be waiting for him at the end of the presiden- Citizens in Armenia do not anticipate any changes in their tial term. daily lives, because the same leadership cannot offer anything CONTRIBUTORS: It is part and parcel of the post-Soviet political culture to cling other than what it has provided thus far. In anticipation of the Florence Avakian, Dr. Haroutiun to power as long as possible by altering the government struc- forthcoming elections, Sargsyan has forewarned against price Arzoumanian, Philippe Raffi Kalfayan, ture to skirt democratic principles. hikes. But in a cabinet meeting, he confided that the market Diana Der Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, Armenia held its referendum in a timely fashion to convert the fluctuations reflect world trends. However, before those trends Kevork Keushkerian, Harut Sassounian, system from presidential rule to parliamentary. Thus, political cross Armenia’s borders, they are subject to the oligarchs’ Hagop Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian parties were empowered to elect the president, taking away the monopolies, which can distort commodity prices. CORRESPONDENTS: citizens’ right to speak. The name of the game is indirect democ- Cosmetic changes have also been introduced in the tax code. racy. There will certainly take place a power transfer from the The tax rate for the poor, receiving less than 175,000 drams a Armenia - Hagop Avedikian Boston - Nancy Kalajian office of the president to the prime minister, with the former year has been reduced a few percentage points, which will be off- New York/New Jersey - Taleen mainly playing a ceremonial role. set by the rise of commodity prices and rampant inflation (15 Babayan At the end of the long New Year holidays, Armenia entered percent). And as the prices of food items climb, the salaries and Berlin - Muriel Mirak-Weissbach pensions remain stationary to Contributing Photographers: further strain family budgets. Jirair Hovsepian Any citizen earning 175,000 drams a year or more will pay 2 percent more in taxes, which will further stifle the middle class. The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published The middle class is the backbone weekly, except two weeks in July and the first of any society, and Armenia has week of the year, by: yet to learn how to cultivate and Baikar Association, Inc. enlarge this group. 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 It is almost embarrassing to Telephone: 617-924-4420 find out that neighboring FAX: 617-924-2887 Georgia has been able to curtail www.mirrorspectator.com corruption but Armenia cannot. E-Mail: [email protected] Some cynics argue that Armenia For advertising: [email protected] has to run a parallel shadow economy to be able to pay the election bribes! The president’s promise to increase the population to 4 mil- lion by 2040 has yet to be SUBSCRIPTION RATES : backed by an economic plan. With the pace of emigration and the death rate, Armenia has U.S.A. $80 a year been experiencing a negative population growth. Perhaps the Canada $125 a year the pre-election mode, although no visible political activity has only other alternative remains to set up a number of fertility Other Countries $190 a year been witnessed yet and the mood may continue since the polit- clinics to boost the population. ical scenario remains so transparent. The diaspora certainly does not have a say in the forthcoming It is anticipated that a new president will be elected by March governmental structure change, although there is talk that the 2 of this year and take office on May 9, at the end of President president needs to appeal to the diasporans, which until recent- © 2014 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator Sargsyan’s term. ly the government treated in a cavalier manner. Armenia’s per- Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA It takes two-thirds votes (79) of the parliament to elect the spective of Diasporan Armenians was shaped in the Soviet era and additional mailing offices. president. and it continues to resist change. That policy is not limited to ISSN 0004-234X Which party can propose candidates for president? Certainly the current administration but refers to all successive leaders. not the opposition Yelk (Exit) party of Nikol Pashinyan, because They do not possess the wherewithal, perspective and mecha- it cannot garner more than 9 votes. Gagik Tsarukyan’s nisms to work with organized structures; therefore they opt to POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Prosperous Armenia party can command enough votes to come enlist individuals of means who are more susceptible to be Armenian Mirror-Spectator, 755 Mount Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472 up with its own candidate, but it does not seem to be a possi- impressed by the glitter of medals. Or they wreak havoc by infil- bility after that party’s internal shake-up. The ruling Republican Other than the editorial, views and opinions trating parties to morally bribe some “hopefuls” among the lead- expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily Party, joined by its coalition partner, the Armenian ership to play them against others. Even the ARF, which is a reflect the policies of the publisher. Revolutionary Federation (ARF), can command a majority and more disciplined party, has sustained some stress when the it will exercise that power. Although the head of the parliamen- silence and cooperation of some party members in Armenia are tary faction of the Republican Party Vahram Baghdassarian has bought. feigned ignorance about any discussion to nominate the next Armenians outside the country may be considered to be more presidential candidate, names have already been circulating Copying for other than personal use or naïve and romantic for refusing to accept the current reality, internal reference is prohibited without which include Bako Sahakyan, the current president of Nagorno wishing a more prosperous future for the people in Armenia, try- express permission of the copyright Karabakh, Arkady Ghukassyan, the former president of ing to halt emigration, raising the economic standards of living, owner. Address requests for reprints or Karabakh, Gagik Harutyunyan, the president of the Supreme etc. back issues to: Court, and Edward Nalbandian, the current foreign minister. We hope against hope that the transition would bring radical Incidentally, many statesmen, after completing their appren- change in Armenia and its relations with the diaspora. Baikar Association, Inc. ticeships in Karabakh, have moved to occupy positions of power It is not mutually exclusive to love Armenia and to point out 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472- in Armenia. The traffic has only been in one direction: Robert some of its disastrous trends. 1509 18 S ATURDAY, J ANUARY 2 0 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

Although widely recognized as source of evil and duly pro- of citizenship in Turkey is the fundamental matter sustaining hibited by regional and international treaties, it does not pre- discrimination against minorities. How to Make vent hate speech to prosper across all continents. Today’s offi- Uzay Bulut, a journalist, reminded in an article titled “Turkey: cial discourses in many countries are based on nationalistic and Normalizing Hate” that insulting non-Turkish and non-Muslim religious exclusions, and may lead to humanitarian disasters. people has almost become a social tradition in Turkey. Hate Speech an The direct and public incitement to commit genocide is one Prejudice and hate speech have become normalized. of the five acts punishable by the Genocide Convention. Any In 1996, in Turkey’s parliament, then interior minister and advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes current MP from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Meral incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence is prohibited Aksener, said that the leader of the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Asset Against by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Party), Abdullah Ocalan, was “Armenian semen.” She then clar- (ICCPR, art. 20.2). The UN Convention on Elimination of all ified the remark by saying, “I did not refer to the Armenians liv- forms of Racial Discrimination’s preamble reads “(…) that any ing in Turkey. I referred to the Armenian race in general.” Bulut doctrine of superiority based on racial differentiation is scien- recalls that “Armenian semen” or “Armenian sperm” are the Inherent Evil tifically false, morally condemnable, socially unjust and danger- most popular swear words in Turkey, often used for Kurds, as ous, and that there is no justification for racial discrimination, well. in theory or in practice, anywhere.” Art. 4(c) emphasizes that Perinçek Case “States Parties shall not permit public authorities or public Here we may point, despite its shortcomings, to the decision By Philippe Raffi Kalfayan institutions, national or local, to promote or incite racial dis- of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) Grand crimination.” The general recommendation number 35 about Chamber in the Dogu Perinçek case. The judges have indeed RECENT COLUMN in “Combatting racist hate speech” issued by the Committee on voluntarily truncated and biased the interpretation of the Armenian Mirror- the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), recommends Perinçek’s statements denying the Armenian Genocide to avoid Spectator (“Intolerance (Art. 13) that the States parties declare and effectively sanction those to be qualified as the manifestation of anti-Armenian Toward ‘the Other’” by as offences punishable by law: (a) All dissemination of ideas racism. Thus, the unfortunate outcome of the decision, con- A Raffi Bedrosyan) report- based on racial or ethnic superiority or hatred, by whatever firmed by the decision of the French Constitutional Court on ed on a shocking event that hap- means; (b) Incitement to hatred, contempt or discrimination January 8, 2016, is that hate speech and the Jewish Holocaust pened in Turkey during the inhu- against members of a group on grounds of their race, color, denial are unique in the sense that antisemitism is at the root mation of a non-Turkish person, dis- descent, or national or ethnic origin; (c) Threats or incitement of Holocaust denial while racial discrimination would not be at playing an unequalled degree of to violence…; (d) Expression of insults, ridicule or slander of per- the root of other genocides’ denial. hatred and intolerance toward the “other” to the extent that the sons or groups or justification of hatred, contempt or discrimi- Non-governmental organizations, parties to the Perinçek family had to forcibly renounce burying its relative in that ceme- nation…, when it clearly amounts to incitement to hatred or dis- case, have failed imposing the reality of the link between the tery, because the protesters claimed the cemetery soil was for- crimination. CERD adds (Art. 14) that public denials or anti-Armenian hate speech and genocide denial. The Armenian bidden to Armenians. This is the occasion to stress that such attempts to justify crimes of genocide and crimes against government did not want to challenge the integrity of freedom discriminatory intolerance is a source of evil and may prompt or humanity, as defined by international law, should be declared as of expression (nor did the government of Turkey). result in most severe violations of international human rights offences punishable by law, provided that they clearly constitute Meanwhile, the Court asserts (para. 227) “the right of law, namely crimes against humanity, the supreme form of incitement to racial violence or hatred. Armenians to the respect of their dignity and that of their which is genocide. It is not by coincidence that the Republic of Armenia took the ancestors, including their right to respect for their identity con- In Turkey, the ideology and then the Constitution of the lead at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in 2015 to draft a structed around the understanding that their community has Republic of Turkey rely upon constitutional segregation, both resolution about the Prevention of Genocide, where they suc- suffered genocide.” This de jure association between the ethnic and religious. The Constitution recognizes exclusively cessfully inserted during preliminary session the Art. 9 Armenian identity and the suffered genocide restores the link “Turkishness” and the Treaty of Lausanne, considered as a fun- “Condemning the intentional public denial or glorification of between hate speech and genocide denial in the light of the damental law, distinguishes the Muslim from the Non-Muslim. crimes of genocide and crimes against humanity as defined by respect to human dignity; a promising and potential argument Since the time before the Genocide, the “other” is seen as an international law, and notes with concern that public denials for future legal battles around those questions. enemy (“the enemy of the interior”) when it relates to minori- create a risk of further violations and undermine efforts to pre- In June 2015, Turkish nationalists protesting in front of the ties, or as a “giaour” (infidel) as it relates to non-Muslims. vent genocide.” This article has disappeared in the final draft German Embassy in Ankara in the aftermath of the adoption by Already in the 19th century, the Armenian Christian minori- adopted by the HRC on April 7, 2015, although the preamble the German Parliament of a resolution recognizing the ty was seen as “other” because [of the need to be] “protected” clearly “notes with concern that attempts to deny or to justify Armenian Genocide, shouted: “The best Armenian is a dead either by the Western nations or/and by the Russian Empire. the crime of genocide, as defined in the Convention and estab- Armenian.” They became “enemies” for the purpose of justifying the “final lished as such under international law, may risk undermining solution” in 1915. the fight against impunity, reconciliation and efforts to prevent Azerbaijan, Hate Speech and Karabakh Peter Balakian quotes in The Burning Tigris British ethnog- genocide.” In the ECRI report concerning Azerbaijan (March 2016), one rapher William Ramsey, an enthusiast of Turkish civilization The ECRI, which is the Council of Europe’s commission com- can read that “almost all of the 196 hate speech items dealing who spent more than 10 years in the country, and described bating racism and intolerance, considers that hate speech is to with ethnic conflicts were targeted at Armenians. Politicians what being a “giaour” implied: “The Turkish law (...) was syn- be understood as the advocacy, promotion or incitement, in any and civil servants were the main disseminators of hate speech, onymous with unspeakable contempt (...) The Armenians (and form, of the denigration, hatred or vilification of a person or followed by journalists.” Other sources confirm recurrent hate the Greeks) were dogs, pigs (...) good for spitting when their group of persons, as well as any harassment, insult, negative speech towards Armenians, which is connected to the conflict shadow was grazing a Turk, good for humiliation, mats to clean stereotyping, stigmatization or threat in respect of such a per- over Nagorno-Karabakh, the frequent ceasefire violations at the the mud off. Imagine the inevitable result of several centuries son or group of persons. It recognizes that hate speech may contact line and the resulting deaths and injuries. The Advisory of slavery, to endure insults and scorn, centuries during which take the form of the public denial, trivialization, justification or Committee of the Framework Convention for the Protection of nothing of what the Armenian possessed — nor his properties, condoning of crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity or National Minorities for example noted “a persistent public nar- nor his house, nor his life, nor his own person, nor his family — war crimes which have been found by courts to have occurred, rative surrounding the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh identi- was sacred or escaped violence — an unreasonable and gratu- and of the glorification of persons convicted for having com- fying invariably Armenia or Armenians as ‘the enemy’ and open- itous violence — and when resisting it in a violent way meant mitted such crimes. ly promulgating hate messages.” death.” Both Turkey and Azerbaijan have ratified the UN Convention According to other sources, there is a conflict-ridden domes- Nowadays, racism and nationalism are on the rise in almost combatting racial discrimination, and are parties to the Council tic political discourse and Azerbaijan’s leadership, education every big nation. It is therefore not surprising to observe a vio- of Europe and European Court of Human Rights. system and media are very prolific in their denigration of lent resurgence of old ghosts in Turkey. Witness the recent cre- Armenians. Political opponents are accused of having Armenian ation of the first racist political party, which singles out Turks Hate Speech in Turkey: A Social Phenomenon at roots or of receiving funds from Armenian sources. What is as a superior race (www.hurriyetdailynews.com/first-racist-polit- State level worse, an entire generation of Azerbaijanis has now grown up ical-party-founded-in-turkey-in-2017-turks-presented-as-superior- The last ECRI report on Turkey (June 2016) denounces that listening to constant rhetoric of Armenian bashing. According race-125310.) “hate speech is expressed increasingly by officials and other to a 2012 survey, 91 percent perceived Armenia as Azerbaijan’s In Azerbaijan, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the humil- public figures, including senior representatives of the state and greatest enemy (Caucasus Research Resource Centre et al. iation of the Azeri army have given rise to official hatred, some members of the opposition.” The report gives the promi- 2013: 21). enshrined as national doctrine. The Azerbaijani leadership has nent example of President Erdogan’s televised statement: “They In a recent article, Anzhela Elibegova, co-author of a book even endorsed the denial of the Armenian Genocide and per- have said I am Georgian […] they have said even uglier things — titled Armenophobia in Azerbaijan writes that “Armenians are petuates the falsehood. they have called me — pardon my language — Armenian, but I the perfect external enemy for Azerbaijani authorities who use Edward Nalbandian, minister of foreign affairs of the Republic am a Turk.” A recent research has unveiled the underlying high the current situation to aim their propaganda machine in the of Armenia, in his address at the 24th Meeting of the levels of intolerance: around 70% of the respondents to a recent necessary direction, falsify history and disseminate Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) survey had negative views and attitudes towards Jews and Armenophobia domestically. She quotes many official declara- Ministerial Council (Vienna, December 7, 2017) stated that Armenians (Anti-Defamation League 2015; Küçükcan 2010: tions showing that Armenophobia emanates from the head of “Azerbaijan continues to practice anti-Armenian hate speech, it 16). state, President Ilham Aliyev. The excerpts of his speeches are calls all Armenians of the world its number one enemy, writes Most reported hate speeches go unpunished and ECRI fur- given as examples to show that the targets of its Armenophobia in the textbooks that Armenians are genetic enemies of ther states that they are not aware of criminal court convictions are not Karabakh Armenians, but the Armenian nation, which Azerbaijan, erases all traces of indigenous Armenian cultural for hate speeches targeted at Kurds, Alevi or non-Muslim com- “will soon perish from the world map.” heritage and religious sites, and claims that territories of munities. On the contrary, law enforcement authorities use Others in power there offer even more aggressive declara- Armenia are ancient Azerbaijani lands.” Art.216 of the Criminal Code on incitement to hatred almost tions. Ogtay Asadov, chairman of the National Assembly of Hate speech has become the main vector of discrimination exclusively in cases of offensive speech concerning the majority Azerbaijan said: “During the last century Armenians violently against Armenians in Turkey as well as in Azerbaijan. religion, i.e. Muslim Sunni. massacred over two million Azerbaijani people and Turks. Erdal Dogan, a lawyer, told Today’s Zaman on March 20, Armenian nationalists are the ones responsible for all these Hate Speech and International Crimes 2014 that the problem of ethnic and racial discrimination is murders.” Elman Mammadov, a member of the National Hate speech is a form of discrimination and has been a sig- deeply rooted in Turkey and will not be resolved soon. “Since Assembly of Azerbaijan noted: “It is not clear why Turkey tol- nificant element in the commission of crimes of genocide, the founding of the Turkish Republic, our country had been erates Armenian people on its lands. What is the reason Turkey crimes against humanity and war crimes because it incites to built according to the concept of ‘oneness’. To ‘Turkify’ every- does not require Armenians to free their lands? Turkey should intolerance and violence against a person or a group of persons. one, governments normalized hate speech and did not recog- be a state without Armenians […]. If Turkey and Azerbaijan Past and current examples are legion: slavery and human trade, nize ethnic or religious differences.” He further adds, “the goal unite, they may wipe Armenia off the map of the world. colonial crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity (Hereros of such policies was to label as an enemy all those who were not Armenians should beware of this […].” And Hafiz Hajiyev, and Namas in Namibia, Armenians in the Ottoman Empire, Sunni Muslim Turks.” Leader of the New Musavat Party offered: “Our sons in Armenia Rwanda, European Jews, Muslim Bosnians in former Baskin Oran, a prominent political scientist, and one of the will set the nuclear plant in Armenia to explode so that no Yugoslavia, Apartheid in Israel and South Africa, African tribes two co-authors of the official report on minorities ordered by Armenian is left in that territory.” in Central Africa and Sahel, etc.). Prime Minister Erdogan in 2004, kept saying that the definition see HATE, page 20 S ATURDAY, J ANUARY 2 0 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 19 COMMENTARY

demonstrated in many Islamic countries against President Trump and his UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, proudly declared Trump’s decision on Jerusalem. The Palestinian leadership that the United States would cut off aid to any country that announced that they will no longer consider the United voted against the US. This is a ridiculous statement, as the States as an honest broker of peace between the conflicting United States is not going to eliminate aid from many of these sides. 128 states. Furthermore, when a world power like the United My Turn During the Security Council session, UN Middle East envoy States provides foreign aid, it does so to pursue its own inter- Nickolay Mladinov warned that President Trump’s unilateral ests. By cutting off aid, the United States would jeopardize its By Harut Sassounian action lessens the chances of peace, “undermining moderates own national interests. Giving foreign aid does not mean that and empowering radicals.” the United States automatically buys a country’s sovereign President Trump justified his decision by basing it on a right on how to cast its vote at the UN and try to intimidate President Trump Gets Slapped 1995 law passed by Congress to move the US Embassy to it into submission. Twice In One Week at the United Jerusalem. However, all US Presidents since then have signed Regarding the Jerusalem issue, there was much discussion a national security waiver postponing the move every six in the Armenian press about the appropriateness of Armenia Nations months. They did not wish to undermine the Arab-Israeli voting against the US at the UN on December 21. The fear peace negotiations and inflame the passions of the Arab and was that Armenia would not receive foreign aid from the US President Trump added two new major mistakes last month Islamic world. and would antagonize Israel. to the long list of misguided foreign and domestic policy deci- The fact that Trump had made a promise during his cam- In my opinion, these points are not valid. I am confident sions throughout the year. paign to transfer the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem that Armenia’s many supporters in the US Congress would On December 18, 2017, the United States vetoed a United cannot excuse his recent decision. As I wrote a year ago, restore the aid against the wishes of the White House, in the Nations Security Council resolution that called for the rever- Trump had made an unwise promise and keeping it could unlikely possibility that President Trump would carry out his sal of President Trump’s announcement to recognize become dangerous. threat. Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and move the US Embassy to To make matters worse for the US, the UN General With regard to relations with Israel, Armenia does not have that city. All the other 14 members of the Security Council, Assembly, where the United States does not have veto power, much of a risk as Israel has not been friendly with Armenia. including Britain and France, voted for the resolution which overwhelmingly adopted a resolution on December 21, 2017, It has no Embassy in Yerevan, has refused to recognize the correctly asserted that “Jerusalem is a final status issue to be declaring President Trump’s decision recognizing Jerusalem Armenian Genocide, and has sold billions of dollars of lethal resolved through negotiations.” It further called for all states as Israel’s capital as “null and void.” It is highly embarrassing weapons to Azerbaijan to kill Armenians. Even Azerbaijan, to refrain from moving their diplomatic missions to for a Superpower like the United States to have 128 countries despite its love-fest with Israel, voted against the US decision. Jerusalem. vote against it, only 8 other countries supported it, 35 Needless to say, Turkey also voted against it. The status of Jerusalem is a highly controversial and emo- abstained, and 21 were absent. Thus, President Trump has Furthermore, abstaining from voting at the UN or being tional issue for Jews, Muslims and Christians. Israel captured made the United States the laughing stock of the world, par- absent would have isolated Armenia from the rest of the the eastern part of Jerusalem during the 1967 Arab-Israeli ticularly since the US and Israel were supported by tiny coun- world, from Armenian communities in Arab and Islamic coun- war and annexed it in violation of international law. Israel tries that most people have never heard of, such as Togo, tries, and contradict the wishes of the Armenian Patriarchate considers Jerusalem its “undivided and eternal capital.” Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, and Palau. in Jerusalem which has condemned the US decision. Palestinians, on the other hand, consider East Jerusalem to In contrast, many of the major countries voted against the Finally, Israeli leaders should not celebrate President be the capital of an eventual Palestinian state. Immediately US in the UN General Assembly: France, Britain, Germany, Trump’s decision on Jerusalem, as it is not in Israel’s interest after the UN vote, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Turkey, Italy, Japan, to antagonize the rest of the world and isolate itself. Israel announced his refusal to meet with Vice President Mike Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Korea, Singapore, needs to win over other countries, especially Palestinians, to Pence during his upcoming visit to the Middle East. The trip South Africa, Spain, Sweden, and dozens of others. arrive at a peaceful resolution through negotiations, not bul- was postponed to a later date. Thousands of protesters As if this embarrassment was not sufficient, President lying or violence. Historic Ordination of a Deaconess in the Tehran Diocese of the Armenian Church

By Dr. Hratch Tchilingirian

The Primate of the Diocese of Tehran ordained a young woman as a deaconess in Tehran’s St. Sarkis Mother Church on September 25, 2017. Even as the office of deaconess had existed in Armenian Church convents for centuries, this was a historic first. It is the first time that a lay woman, not a nun, was ordained a “parish deacon.” Twenty-four year old Ani-Kristi Manvelian, an anesthesiolo- gist by profession, was ordained — along with Mayis Mateosian — by Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian, the Primate of the Diocese of Tehran. “What I have done is in conformity with the Tradition of the Church and nothing else,” said Archbishop Sarkissian. This was his personal initiative as a diocesan primate in order, as he explained, “to revitalize the participation of women also in our church’s liturgical life,” adding, “do not be surprised, a woman could also become a servant of the Holy Altar.” Deaconess Ani-Kristi has been involved in the life of the church in Tehran since she was very young. She used to per- form the duties of an acolyte during church services, such as reading the psalms and carrying the ceremonial candle. In explaining the purpose of the ordination, Archbishop Sarkissian said: “Today, our Church is confronting the imper- ranks and are not ordained deaconesses. coness in 1982, using the canon of ordination used for male ative of self-examination and self-critique. It is imperative to Like her male counterparts in the Armenian Church, if and deacons. The Damascus-born Deaconess Hripsime was 54 rejuvenate the participation of the people in the social, educa- when Deaconess Ani-Kristi marries, she will continue to serve years old at the time. She passed away in 2007. tional and service spheres of the Church. It is our deep con- as a deaconess. In North America, Seta Simonian Atamian was the first viction that the active participation of women in the life of our Deaconesses have been part of the Christian tradition from adult woman ordained as an acolyte, a lower rank, by Church would allow Armenian women to be involved more the early years of the faith. There are numerous references in Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian of the Western Diocese in 1984 enthusiastically and vigorously, and would allow them to be the Epistles and early Church writings. at St. Andrew Armenian Church, in Cupertino, Calif. However, connected and engaged. They would provide dedicated and In the Armenian Church tradition, the development of the when in 1986 she moved to the East Coast of the United loving service [to the people]. The deaconess, no doubt, would office of female diaconate is divided into four historical periods States, she was not allowed by the local diocese to serve on the also be a spiritual and church-dedicated mother, educator, and according to Fr. Abel Oghlukian, the author of a study on the altar in the Armenian Church. why not, a model woman through her example. It is with this subject: (a) 4th-8th centuries in Greater Armenia; (b) 9th- Even as this is a most welcome step by Archbishop Sebouh deep conviction that we are performing this ordination, with 11th centuries in Eastern and Cilician Armenia, where the Sarkissian and the Diocese of Tehran (under the jurisdiction the hope that we are neither the first nor the last to do it.” term “deaconess” is included in the book of ordination; (c) of the Catholicosate of Cilicia), the Armenian Apostolic Church According to the Primate, parish priests in Tehran are watch- 12th century and on, where there are “literary references and has yet to formally restore the office of female diaconate. ful and keen to recruit more women who fit the profile of rites for the ordination of deaconesses in liturgical texts in Today the question is how to revive the female diaconate for prospective deaconesses. Cilicia and eastern Armenia; and (d) 17th century renewal of the pastoral life of local parishes rather than in monastic set- What is special and novel about Deaconess Ani-Kristi female diaconate. tings or convents, which are virtually non-existent as viable Manvelian’s ordination is that she is a “parish” deacon — that The last ordained monastic deaconess in the Armenian institutions. is, she is not a member of a convent or a religious order, like Church was Sister Hripsime Sasounian in Istanbul. The late the Kalfayan Sisters in Istanbul or Gayanyants Sisters at Birds Patriarch Shnork Kalustian of Constantinople ordained Sister (Dr. Hratch Tchilingirian is a scholar at University of Nest in Jibel, Lebanon, who have a few sisters among their Hripsime of Kalfayan Sisters (established in 1866) as a dea- Oxford [www.hratch.info]). 20 S ATURDAY, J ANUARY 2 0 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR

Istanbul Street How to Make Hate Speech an Asset Named after Armenian Against Inherent Evil Photographer HATE, from page 18 “international community.” The threshold mine freely their political status and their Ara Güler Those political declarations could have been imposed for considering the second concept place in the international community based interpreted as intimidation pressures, if one are egregious and repeated violations of inter- upon the principle of equal rights and exem- GÜLER, from page 1 had not witnessed already inhumane criminal national human rights laws against the minor- plified by the liberation of peoples from colo- He studied at Getronagan Armenian High acts resulting from this hatred dissemination. ity group. If the State responsible does not nialism and by the prohibition to subject peo- School. His father owned a pharmacy, but The first example is that of Gurgen stop or prevent them, it should then either ples to alien subjugation, domination and had many friends that belonged to the world Margaryan, a lieutenant in the Armenian consent on its own for the minority or exploitation.” It further emphasizes that “in of art. Ara Güler came into contact with Armed Forces, hacked to death in his sleep by oppressed group to the right to secession, and accordance with the Declaration on Friendly these people and they inspired him to opt for Azerbaijani Lieutenant Ramil Safarov in consequently accept constitutional changes of Relations, none of its initiatives should be a career in films/cinema. He worked in film Budapest, Hungary in 2004. Both men were its state structure, or run the risk of a “reme- construed as authorizing or encouraging any studios and joined courses of drama under participating in a NATO-sponsored English- dial secession” by force. action which would dismember or impair, Muhsin Ertugrul. Later, he leaned towards language training course at the Hungarian Nagorno-Karabakh is a de facto case of uni- totally or part, the territorial integrity or polit- journalism and abandoned cinema. In 1950, University of National Defense within the lateral secession, although legally implement- ical unity of sovereign and independent States he joined Yeni Istanbul, a Turkish newspa- framework of the “Partnership for Peace” pro- ed in respect to the USSR Constitutional pro- conducting themselves in accordance with the per, as a photojournalist. During the same gram. The gruesome murder sent shockwaves visions regarding the autonomous republics. principle of equal rights and self-determina- time, he studied economics from University across the world for its barbarity. Safarov was Whether the situation at the time was meet- tion of peoples and possessing a government of Istanbul. Then he started working for sentenced to life imprisonment but under ing the criteria fixed in the Quebec case for representing the entire population of the ter- Hürriyet. questionable circumstances was extradited to exceptional circumstances of secession, both ritory without distinction of race, creed or In 1958 when Time-Life, the American Azerbaijan in 2012, where he received a hero’s parties have their own arguments and it will color.” publication, opened its bureau in Turkey, welcome by both the government and people. remain a controversy. It is submitted therefore that the current Güler became its initial correspondent. Soon The second example is related to the “April This question does not matter any longer. In official policy of hatred and racial discourse enough he started to get commissioned by war” occurrences (April 2-6, 2016). In the vil- fact, secession from the State in which a peo- promulgated by Azerbaijan will lead to the other international magazines, such as lage of Talish (Nagorno Karabakh), three ple forms a part is regarded by many promi- elimination by any means of Armenians from Stern, Paris Match and Sunday Times, elderly members of the Khalapyan family, nent authors and some States as a right of last Nagorno-Karabakh. The OSCE Minsk Group London. In 1961, he was hired by Hayat including 92-year-old Marusya Khalapyan resort if the denial of fundamental rights of came to this conclusion long ago. As a result, magazine as the chief photographer. were brutally tortured, mutilated and killed. minority groups is sufficiently blatant and the current diplomatic process should recog- In this time, he met Marc Riboud and Three servicemen, Hrant Gharibyan, Hayk irremediable — in other words if the said nize this fact and its consequences. Henri Cartier-Bresson, who recruited him to Toroyan and Kyaram Sloyan were beheaded groups are victims of attacks on their physical join Magnum Photos. Ara was presented in by Azerbaijani military in the vicinity of existence or integrity, or of a massive violation 1961 British Photography Yearbook. In the Talish. Photos of Azerbaijani soldiers posing of their fundamental rights. This is what the (Philippe Raffi Kalfayan is an international same year, the American Society of with the head of Kyaram Sloyan were shared Supreme Court of Canada stated in substance legal expert, the former secretary general of Magazine Photographers made him the first on social networks. Eighteen other service- in this reference case. the International Federation for Human Turkish photographer to become the mem- men were listed as missing in action. Their The doctrine of the CERD states that “[…] Rights (FIDH), an associate researcher at the ber of this organization. bodies later transferred to the Armenian side the external aspect of self-determination Paris Human Rights Center at the University In 1960s, Ara’s work was used in books by had signs of torture and mutilation. implies that all peoples have the right to deter- of Paris 2 Pantheon Assas.) notable authors as a means of illustration Although this column has no intention to and were shown at different exhibitions elaborate on the topic of Nagorno-Karabakh around the world. In 1968, his work was dis- self-determination, it must be highlighted played at the Museum of Modern Art in New briefly that self-determination is divided in York in a show called, Ten Masters of Color two concepts. The internationally coded one For Your Internal News of Armenia Photography. Moreover, his photographs is the internal self-determination. It foresees were also shown in Cologne’s fair, Photokina the implementation of self-determination with in Germany. Two years later, Türkei, his pho- the consent of the sovereign State and relying Log on to www.AZG.am tography album was published. His images upon democratic and rule of law principles. related to art and its history were featured in The un-coded one, the external self-determi- In English, Armenian, Russian and Turkish magazines, like Horizon, Life, Time, and nation proceeds of the casuistic method and is Newsweek. often arbitrarily assessed by the so-called Ara traveled for photography assignments to countries, such as Kenya, Borneo, New Guinea, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Iran and other cities of Turkey. In 1970s, he also took photography inter- views with noteworthy artists and politi- cians, like Salvador Dali, Marc Chagall, Ansel Adams, Alfred Hitchcock, Imogen Cunningham, Willy Brandt, John Berger, Maria Callas, Bertrand Russell, Pablo Picasso, Indira Gandhi, and Winston Churchill. His work is included in the collections of institutions worldwide, such as Paris’s National Library of France; New York’s George Eastman Museum; Das imaginäre Photo-Museum; Museum Ludwig Köln; and Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery. Foto Muhabiri, a book by Nezih Tavlas recounts the life of Ara in a chronological method and the book also highlights 80 years in the history of Turkey. His philosophy on photography is that he attaches great importance to the pres- ence of humans in photography and con- siders himself as a visual historian. According to him, photography should provide people with memory of their suf- fering and their life. He feels that art can lie but photography only reflects the reali- ty. He does not value art in photography so he prefers photojournalism. He has won several awards for his work, including Turkey’s Photographer of the Century, 1999; Master of Leica, 1962; France’s Légion d’honneur; Lifetime Achievement Lucie Award, 2009; and Turkey’s Grand Prize of Culture and Arts, 2005. In 2004, he was give honorary fellow- ship by Istanbul’s Yildiz Technical University. Güler also published books of his pho- tographs, including Living in Turkey; Sinan: Architect of Süleyman the Magnificent; Ara Güler’s Creative Americans; Ara Güler’s Movie Directors; and Ara Güler: Photographs.