JUNE 16, 2018 Mirror-SpeTHE ARMENIAN ctator Volume LXXXVIII, NO. 47, Issue 4542 $ 2.00 NEWS The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 INBRIEF AGBU New England District 110th Anniversary Banquet Mirror Annual Summer Vacation Raises $1.22 Million, Honors Afeyan and Guleserian WATERTOWN — The Armenian Mirror-Spectator will close for its annual summer vacation starting NE District’s Global Excellence Awards for was screened, guests were welcomed by July 2. 2018 and an important new Boston AGBU Lindsey Hagopian and Houry Youssofian, By Aram Arkun The last issue before the vacation will be that of internship program was announced. the AGBU New England 110 Gala Mirror-Spectator Staff June 30 . The first issue back will be that of July 21. The attendance of a large number of stu- Committee co-chairs. Youssofian exclaimed You may submit stories, letters or inquires elec- dents and AGBU Young Professionals (YPs) that the evening was really a reunion of tronically in the meantime. CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The Armenian reflected the commitment of the New .family and friends. She spoke about the General Benevolent Union New England (AGBU-NE) District celebrated its 110th Bako Sahakyan Will anniversary on Saturday, June 2, with a banquet at the Samberg Conference Center Not Seek Reelection at MIT. The unbelievable view of Boston YEREVAN (Armenpress) — President of Artsakh thanks to the great weather served as the Bako Sahakyan officially announced this week in background for a sell-out event with 300 an interview with the Public TVs of Armenia and people. It raised $1.22 million, of which $1 Artsakh that he will not seek reelection as presi- million was from the Cpl. Paul Marsoubian dent in 2020. Amvets Post 41 for AGBU Scholarships. Dr. “As you know our people adopted a new Noubar Afeyan and Dr. Kristine J. Constitution through referendum in 2017, which Guleserian were honored with the AGBU provides for a transitional stage of 3 years. This peri- od will be also used for harmonizing the legislation with the new Constitution. National presidential elections will be held in 2020 in line with the current New Eastern Diocesan Constitution. I want to announce officially that I will not participate in that election. My participation will Primate Listening and be as a citizen of the Republic of Artsakh who elects Learning, Considering a new president,” Sahakyan said. He added that he will take all the necessary steps Reprioritization AGBU President Berge Setrakian addresses the audience. to ensure free and transparent presidential and par- liamentary elections. England District on innovative program- intense level of her own family’s commit- By Aram Arkun ming for both demographic groups, includ- ment to AGBU and its goals when they emi- Armenian Official ing career advancement through mentoring grated to Boston. Hagopian also spoke Mirror-Spectator Staff dinners and acting as an incubator for about her personal connections to AGBU, Decries Azeri Attack NEW YORK – Very Rev. Daniel entrepreneurship. The importance of this which became profound when she chaired YEREVAN (Public Radio of Armenia) — The Findikyan’s election on May 4 as Primate event for AGBU was highlighted by the the YPs in New York. She introduced Lia Establishment of an atmosphere conducive to of the Eastern presence not only of AGBU President Berge Oganesyan, who served as the evening’s peace talks is key to achieving progress in the Diocese of the Setrakian but of almost every member of master of ceremonies. Karabakh conflict settlement process, spokesman Armenian Church the Central Board of Directors. Oganesyan is an entrepreneur-in-resi- for the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tigran of America repre- After Boston-area Armenian clergy pro- dence at TED, where she gave the first TED Balayan said on June 11. sents a decided nounced their blessing, and a brief video of The comments come in the wake of a ceasefire change from the the history of the AGBU in the Boston area see AGBU, page 20 violation by the Azerbaijani side, which saw an past. The installa- Artsakh Defense Army soldier killed. tion of any new Balayan described these actions ahead of the Primate for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in first time after 28 Turks Go to the Polls in Germany Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group Co-Chairs’ visit to years, which is Armenia as “yet another provocation on the part of the length of time Archbishop Khajag BERLIN — By Erdogan and his Baku aimed at aggravating the situation in the Barsamian, the longest-serving Primate in all forecasts, the By Muriel Mirak-Weissbach AKP party col- region and disrupting the implementation of agree- the history of the Diocese, was in office, outcome of the Special to the Mirror-Spectator leagues have been ments that would help ease tensions.” would imply change, but on top of that, parliamentary placing on wooing He said the incident proves the importance of Findikyan is the first American-born priest and presidential voters in Germany. respecting agreements, respecting ceasefires and to hold this office, and his election coincid- elections in Turkey will be close, so close, Of the more than 3 million eligible Turkish implementation of the agreement, on creation of ed with the mass movements leading to a some say, that there could be a runoff for voters living abroad, there are 1.4 million in investigation mechanisms. change of government in Armenia. the presidency. If Recep Tayip Erdogan Germany alone. The European countries “We have declared on many occasions that the Findikyan commented, “I was elected does not receive a clear majority in the first that follow in rank are home to substantial establishment of an atmosphere conducive to peace Primate the same week that Nikol round on June 24, he could face a candi- numbers of voters, but considerably fewer talks is key to achieving progress in the Karabakh Pashinyan claimed his place as prime min- date backed by a coalition of opposition than Germany; France with 341,000, conflict settlement process. Such actions by the ister, with all those really remarkable parties. Two weeks later, a runoff would be Holland with 260,000 and Belgium with Azerbaijani side pursue a contrary goal,” Balayan events in Armenia. People could not help called on July 8 (from June 30 to July 4 for 142,000, zaccording to German press said. but remark that it was a new day, with voters abroad). And in that case, the votes reports. The US and Canada account for fresh hopes and expectations. I don’t want cast by Turkish citizens living outside the about 100,000 each. to be too romantic about that. Time will country, who make up an estimated 5 per- Voting began on June 7 at 13 polls set up tell. My way of expressing it is that perhaps cent of the total electorate, could prove in the Turkish consulates throughout the holy spirit of God is at work here.” decisive. Germany, as well as Austria and France, INSIDE see PRIMATE, page 11 This helps explain the special focus that see POLLS, page 5

Tekeyan Sponsor a Teacher Program Philadelphia Disburses Annual Support Story YEREVAN — They say that if you have decided to help, and you do help, you bear responsibility for that decision. The Page 12 Tekeyan Cultural By Gayane Muradyan Association of the United States and Canada (TCA) INDEX for some 18 years undertook and continues now to Arts and Living ...... 14 undertake the realization of its philanthropic program in Armenia ...... 2,3 Community News...... 6 support of the five schools in Armenia and Artsakh bear- Editorial ...... 18 ing the name of Vahan Tekeyan. International ...... 4,5 see TEACHERS, page 3 2 S ATURDAY, J UNE 1 6 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia Aurora Prize Awarded to Rohingya Human Rights Defender Kyaw Hla Aung Sarkissian, Ambassador YEREVAN — The third annual $1.1 Discuss Macron’s Visit million Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity was awarded on June 10 to YEREVAN (Armenpress) — President of Armenia Kyaw Hla Aung, a lawyer and activist Armen Sarkissian received French Ambassador to recognized for his dedication to fight- Armenia Jonathan Lacôte on June 12 and the Rector ing for equality, education and human of the French University in Armenia Jean- rights for the Rohingya people in Marc Lavest. Myanmar, in the face of persecution, The President of the Republic and Ambassador harassment and oppression. Kyaw Hla Lacôte referred to the state visit of the French Aung was presented the 2018 Aurora President Emmanuel Macron to Armenia planned in Prize, granted by the Aurora October, as well as the preparatory works of the busi- Humanitarian Initiative on behalf of ness forum to take place in the sidelines of the La the survivors of the Armenian Francophonie summit. The interlocutors also Genocide and in gratitude to their sav- expressed confidence that the key event will foster iors, at a ceremony in Armenia. the relations between Armenia and the member Kyaw Hla Aung was selected as the states of the organization. 2018 Aurora Prize Laureate among During the meeting the sides also spoke about the 750 nominations submitted from 115 activities and future projects of the French countries. University in Armenia. Vartan Gregorian, co-founder of the Aurora Prize and a member of the Economist Acemoglu Selection Committee, commended Aung, stating: “As we remember the Offers Advice horrors and violence experienced by Armenians — especially women and YEREVAN (Public Radio of Armenia) — Prime children — on the deportation route Dr. Vartan Gregorian presented the award to Kyaw Hla Aung. Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Deputy Prime Minister during the Genocide, it is with a great Tigran Avinyan, Head of the Deputy Prime Minister’s sense of responsibility that we stand Office Varag Siseryan, Director of the Center for ready to support Kyaw Hla Aung’s have become illiterate, and, as a result, .most vulnerable people can create Strategic Initiatives Alexander Khachatryan and advocacy work that will hopefully lead are penniless. It has been heartbreak- impact beyond measure,” said Mary Director of SDG National Innovation Lab Erik one day to the enactment of national ing to see my community suffer from Robinson, Aurora Prize Selection Gyulazyan this week held a video-conference with and international policies to protect such discrimination. The support of Committee member and Former UN economist, Prof. Daron Acemoglu to discuss possible and defend the vulnerable. Kyaw Hla the Aurora Prize serves as important High Commissioner for Human Rights. recognition for all of the Muslim vic- avenues of cooperation. Aung is doing tremendous work, at Celebrating Aurora tims of human rights violations, as the Pashinyan presented the government’s programs great risk to himself, and exemplifies Leading international humanitarian plight of the Rohingya people contin- and priorities. Acemoglu stressed that “it’s time to the far-reaching impact one person can figures and Aurora Prize Selection ues to become more visible to the inter- undertake and start implementing short-term, mid- have to galvanize a movement, and to Committee members, including national public.” term and long-term institutional reforms with a focus help individuals transform their lives.” Robinson, Nobel Laureate Shirin on politics, as well as in the fields of justice, improve- Ebadi; former foreign minister of ment of finical systems and investment climate.” He Australia and President Emeritus of noted that these should be concrete actions aimed at the International Crisis Group Gareth achieving results within a certain period of time. Evans; former president of Mexico, Acemoglu attached importance to the implementa- Ernesto Zedillo; Director of the tion of mechanisms of flexible institutional checks Institute of Global Health Innovation at and balances in different branches of power, which Imperial College London, Lord Ara would improve transparency. Darzi; former US Ambassador to the “As a result of the government’s present activity United Nations, Samantha Power; and citizens feel their involvement in politics. Many in co-founder of Médecins Sans Armenia are really excited and want to be part of pol- Frontières and former French foreign itics,” Acemoghlu said. minister, Bernard Kouchner, were in The economist expressed his willingness to support Armenia for the event. the Armenian government in any format on its path Kyaw Hla Aung was congratulated of development, democratization and reforms. by Dr. Tom Catena, who was awarded the 2017 Aurora Prize for his excep- American Film Festival tional commitment to providing urgent medical care to the 750,000 people in In Yerevan the war-torn Nuba Mountains of Sudan. He said: “The Aurora Prize has YEREVAN (Public Radio of Armenia) — The created a true light for our people in American Film Showcase 2018 kicked off in Yerevan Nuba, and has helped rebuild the Visiting the Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial on June 4. This year the film festival’s theme was resilience of our community, ultimately “Inspire, Empower, and Encourage,” and it featured to keep people alive. I am proud to a number of documentaries to showcase the power of As the 2018 Aurora Prize Laureate, “Kyaw Hla Aung’s work personifies share the Aurora Prize mantle with individuals to change the world. The festival ended Kyaw Hla Aung will receive a $100,000 the spirit of the Aurora Prize. He such a selfless humanitarian as Kyaw on June 10. grant and the opportunity to continue demonstrates the exceptional impact Hla Aung. I congratulate him on receiv- “Film has an amazing power to open our eyes to the cycle of giving by donating the an individual can have in fighting injus- ing this award and applaud his incredi- the stories of other people,” U.S. Ambassador to accompanying $1,000,000 award to tice that often seems unbeatable, and bly selfless efforts fighting for such a Armenia Richard Mills, Jr., said. “And through the organizations of his choice. He will inspires us to consider how a brave noble cause.” stories in these documentaries, I think Armenian donate the award to three internation- step forward to support the world’s continued on next page audiences will be transported to the United States. al organizations that provide medical They will better understand American culture, but I aid and assistance to refugees in think more importantly, they will see stories that Myanmar: showcase the universal power of individuals, stories * Médecins Sans Frontières (London) that inspire, empower, and encourage us to better * Malaysian Medical Relief – MERCY ourselves, our communities, and our societies.” Malaysia (Malaysia) One documentary titled “The Music of Strangers,” * International Catholic Migration depicted how famed American cellist Yo Yo Ma pulled Commission – ICMC (Switzerland, US) together musicians from multiple countries and musi- Kyaw Hla Aung has been working for cal styles to form the Silk Road Ensemble, a bold decades, using his legal expertise to musical experiment. The ensemble’s members are appeal for basic human rights for the using music to explore the ties that bind humanity stateless Rohingya people. His commit- together. ment to fight for justice for the hun- “These documentaries tell powerful stories — dreds of thousands of Muslim refugees about individuals campaigning for a cleaner environ- in Myanmar persecuted by the govern- ment, school kids working to save lives in their rural ment, and for the children who no communities, efforts to rehabilitate female inmates. longer have access to education, They show the good, the bad, and the hopeful about remains stronger than ever. He sacri- American society,” Mills said. “So I think Armenians ficed a total of 12 years in prison as a who join us to watch these films will leave with a result of his mission, at huge personal well-rounded understanding of American culture and cost to his own family. the American psyche.” He said: “There are severe restric- Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, right, greets last year’s winner, Dr. Tom Catena, tions on my people. They have lost with Rouben Vardanyan next to him and Vartan Gregorian in the background. their courage and faith in themselves, S ATURDAY, J UNE 1 6 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 ARMENIA Tekeyan Sponsor a Teacher Program Disburses Annual Support

TEACHERS, from page 1 the happy faces of Principal Anahit Kosakyan Every year our compatriots from the dias- and the students, they momentarily forgot pora come to visit these schools in order to the damp walls running from the first to the deliver to their teachers and other staff the third floors and the at least fifty-years-old aid collected by the TCA Sponsor a Teacher ruined parquet flooring. The students Program. This year the Tekeyan supporters’ showed them the four classrooms renovated visit coincided with the May triple festivity over the last one-and-one-half years and told commemorating the victories of the Great them about the daily life of the school and its Patriotic War (World War II), the liberation new educational plans. The teachers and staff of Shushi and the creation of the Artsakh with words of thanks received the gifts from Defense Army, and the centennial of the first the visitors and openly related the needs of Republic of Armenia. They shared in the pan- the school. Armenian joy. Yerevan’s Vahan Tekeyan School No. 92 TCA Central Board member Kevork was visited by TCA Central Board president Keushgerian and his wife Sylva visited for the Edmond Y. Azadian from Detroit, and board first time the Vahan Tekeyan Berdzor School members Hagop Vartivarian of New Jersey No. 1 of Artsakh. Their amazement at the and Kevork Marashlian and his wife Vartiter natural beauty of Artsakh was only matched of Washington D.C. Principal Tsovinar by their sadness at the difficult circum- Mardanyan proudly related the students’ stances of the school. However, upon seeing accomplishments and their successes at vari-

Students at Yerevan’s Vahan Tekeyan School celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Sardarapat.

ous Olympics. However, it still was necessary new life.” to renovate the elementary school and com- Principal Arsen Ohanyan of the Karbi pletely transform the unsanitary state of the school accompanied the guests and showed cafeteria. them the chairs of the events auditorium, The visits to the Tekeyan schools of Karbi, which ten years ago had been donated with Vartivarian and Vartiter Marashlian, and thanks to the family of Maro Bedrosian, mem- those of Gyumri and Stepanavan, coincided ber of the TCA Central Board. At present, the with their graduation ceremonies. The words repair of the school roof, built in 1973, is an of praise and appreciation bestowed upon the imperative issue. teachers by their students was compounded The periodic repairs and renovations by that of the visitors. Vartivarian declared, required by all the schools are matters of “We are grateful to you for your influence urgency. This is true in particular because and your everlasting dedication. It is you who the ongoing aid through TCA helps to create patiently educate and mold the young gener- a flourishing educational environment for ation, preparing them for their entry into a the citizens of Armenia of the future.

From left, Gayane Mouradyan, Principal Tsovinar Mardanyan, Edmond Azadian, poet Tamara Hovhannisyan, Hagop Vartivarian, and Vartiter and Kevork Marashlian at the principal’s office of the Yerevan’s Vahan Tekeyan School

Arrested Yerevan Protesters Set Free

YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Five residents of a Yerevan neighborhood who clashed with riot police during a hostage crisis in 2016 were released from custody on June 8. The Sari Tagh neighborhood overlooks a police base in the city’s Erebuni district which was seized by radical opposition gunmen demanding the resignation of then-President Serzh Sargsyan and the release of the leader of their Founding Parliament movement, Zhirayr Sefilian. Three police officers were killed before the gunmen laid down their weapons at the end of a two-week standoff with Armenian security forces. During the standoff, several dozen male residents of Sari Tagh protested against police blocking roads leading to their blue-collar neighborhood for security reasons. They also voiced support for the armed oppositionists holed up in the Erebuni police facility. The protesters clashed with police officers deployed in Sari Tagh in July 2016. Ten of them were subsequently arrested and charged with assaulting law-enforcement officers, a crime punishable by between 5 and 10 years in prison. They went on trial last year, denying any wrongdoing. A Yerevan court on Thursday agreed to free one of the defendants pending the outcome of the continuing trial. Four other defendants were set free on Friday. One of them, Harutiun Torosian, attributed their release to the recent change of govern- ment in Armenia. He also said that he will continue to plead not guilty to the accusations. Relatives and lawyers of the five other defendants hope that they too will be set free in the coming days. Kevork Keushkerian handing a gift to Mrs. Nune Hagopian, history teacher at the Vahan Tekeyan School in Berdzor, Artsakh.

Aurora Prize Awarded to Rohingya Human Rights Defender Kyaw Hla Aung from previous page lives, often at risk to themselves. The Aurora Prize is granted on behalf of the survivors of the Armenian Guests of the Aurora Prize Ceremony also honored Genocide and in gratitude to their saviors. the contributions of the other two 2018 Aurora Prize The committee is chaired by actor and philan- Humanitarians: Dr. Sunitha Krishnan, women’s thropist George Clooney and includes Nobel rights advocate and co-founder of Prajwala, India, Laureates Oscar Arias, Ebadi and Leymah Gbowee; and Father Tomás González Castillo, Founder of La Robinson; human rights activist Hina Jilani; Evans; 72, a center that supports Central American Zedillo; Darzi; former US Ambassador to the United migrants in Mexico. Nations, Samantha Power; and co-founder of The Aurora Prize Co-Founders are Gregorian, Médecins Sans Frontières and former French Foreign Noubar Afeyan and Ruben Vardanyan. Minister, Bernard Kouchner. Nominations are now open for the 2019 Aurora A description of the Aurora Prize criteria and selec- Prize for Awakening Humanity, a global humanitari- tion process can be found on the Prize website. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan meets guests and takes selfies, with Noubar Afeyan an award presented by the Aurora Humanitarian Nominations for the 2019 Aurora Prize will close on in the background, at left, and Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II at right. Initiative recognizing those who change and save September 7, 2018. 4 S ATURDAY, J UNE 1 6 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR INTERNATIONAL International News Banquet in Beirut Dedicated to Polish Delegation Visits AMAA’s 100th Anniversary Armenia YEREVAN (Armenpress) — A delegation led by the Head of the Polish-Armenian Parliamentary Group of BEIRUT — On the Parliament of the Poland Tadeusz Woniak, Thursday, May 31, the accompanied by the Head of the Armenian National Phoenicia Hotel in Assembly’s Armenia-Poland Friendship Group Vahan Beirut was the site of a Harutyunyan and member of the Friendship Group banquet in celebration Suren Manukyan visited Tsitsernakaberd Memorial of the 100th anniver- Complex on June 11. sary of the founding of The guests laid a wreath and flowers at the eternal the Armenian fire immortalizing the memory of the innocent vic- Missionary Association tims of the 1915 Armenian Genocide and honored in of America (AMAA). silence the memory of the Holy Martyrs. Organized by the Union Members of the delegation then visited the of the Armenian Armenian Genocide Museum Institute, got acquaint- Evangelical Churches in ed with the documents proving the Armenian the Near East (UAEC- Genocide and observed the exhibits. NE), the event brought together more than 220 people, including Armenian Evangelical Armenia Seeks to Deepen ministers from the U.S., Australia, Iraq, Syria Economic Relations With and Egypt, Haigazian University trustees, Iran AMAA board members, YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Prime Minister Nikol the Bishop Shahe Cutting the Celebratory Centennial Cake - L to R: Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian - Chairman of UAECNE Pashinyan reaffirmed on Friday, June 8, his govern- Panossian, Prelate of Central Committee and President of Haigazian University, Zaven Khanjian - AMAA Executive ment’s stated intention to maintain and even deep- the Armenian Apostolic Director/CEO, Joyce Philibosian Stein, Dr. Nazareth E Darakjian - President of AMAA, Rev. en Armenia’s cordial relations with neighboring Prelacy of Lebanon, a Megrditch Karagoezian - Presdient of UAECNE, Bishop Shahe Panossian - Prelate of the Armenian Iran. representative of the Apostolic Church in Lebanon, HE Samvel Mgrtchyan - Armenian Ambassador to Lebanon and Rev. “We will make utmost efforts to further develop Armenian Catholic Haroutune George Selimian - President of the Armenian Evangelical Community in Syria bilateral partnership,” Pashinyan told the Iranian Church, the ambassador in Yerevan, Seyed Kazem Sajjad. Ambassador of Armenia “We are interested in giving new impetus to in Lebanon, the mayor of Bourj who had declared the independence of ple at every level. Armenian-Iranian ties on the basis of mutual inter- Hammoud, heads of the three Armenian the first Armenian republic, while at The banquet attendees were treated ests,” he said in remarks publicized by his press political parties in Lebanon, representa- the same time in the United States, a to the lovely voice of Central High office. tives of a variety of organizations and group of Armenian Evangelicals were School and Haigazian University grad- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani likewise called unions, and many guests. founding the AMAA in order to reach uate Alice Ipradjian, who sang, Savior, for closer ties between the two nations when he The program opened with a word of out to the decimated and demoralized Thy Dying Love and Doun im hayreni. phoned Pashinyan a week after the latter was elect- welcome from the Vice-Chair of survivors of the Genocide. The AMAA Zaven Khanjian, executive direc- ed Armenia’s prime minister on May 8. An official Haigazian University’s trustees, John worked at rebuilding the educational tor/CEO of the AMAA, expressed how Armenian readout of the phone call said the two Sagherian, followed by the opening institutions and churches of the the AMAA was a part of the strength- leaders agreed to “further deepen mutually benefi- prayer offered by Rev. Nishan Bakalian. Armenian people, and in 1988 estab- ening and rebuilding of Armenia fol- cial partnership in all areas.” AMAA President Dr. Nazareth lished that same effort in the home- lowing its 1991 independence, also A statement by Pashinyan’s office said the Darakjian in turn offered the associa- land, following the earthquake there. extending to Artsakh (Karabakh) and Armenian premier and Sajjad discussed the imple- tion’s greetings, recalling the impor- Therefore, as Darakjian put it, the year the needs there. mentation of bilateral energy projects, including the tance of 1918 for the Armenian people, 2018 is a year to celebrate the centen- As the crowd enjoyed dinner and ongoing construction of a new power transmission who had barely survived the massacres, nial of the rebirth of the Armenian peo- conversation around the tables, gui- line and long-standing plans to build a hydroelectric tarist Raffi Mandalian and his ensemble plant on the Armenian-Iranian border. It said they performed an eclectic mix of adapta- also touched upon broader commercial ties, with tions of Armenian folk tunes along the Iranian ambassador stressing the importance with jazz and popular standards. Iran’s provisional free-trade agreement with the The event included the screening of a Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) signed short documentary film about the last month. AMAA, with testimonies and location Pashinyan was quick to hail that deal, saying that footage of the worldwide scope of its it “fully” reflects Armenia’s national interests. “We work, titled “A Legacy of Faith, Love hope that it will stimulate our commercial ties [with and Service.” Iran,]” he told reporters on May 17. Dr. Hasmig Baran, current Trustee Armenian manufacturers have long complained that Chair of Haigazian University, joined the Islamic Republic’s protectionist policies severely Khanjian on the stage to present the limit their access to the Iranian market. AMAA award of appreciation to outgo- According to official Armenian statistics, Armenian- ing HU Chair Dr. Ani Darakjian for her Iranian trade stood at a modest $263 million last eight years of service ending early this year. The authorities in Yerevan hope that a free year. Darakjian was surprised and economic zone created near Meghri, an Armenian touched by this gesture, and wished town on the Iranian border, last December will also her successor the best. boost it significantly. Concluding the evening’s program, The Iran-EEU deal was signed just days after the Rev. Megrditch Karagoezian, President of UAECNE presents a Commemorative Rev. Megrditch Karagoezian, president United States decided to re-impose economic sanc- Plaque to Zaven Khanjian, AMAA Executive Director/CEO of the UAECNE, presented a plaque tions on Tehran after pulling out of a 2015 interna- recognizing the pivotal role the AMAA tional agreement on the Iranian nuclear program. has played in the Christian testimony Rouhani and Pashinyan reportedly discussed impli- of the churches in the Middle East. He cations of U.S. President Donald Trump’s contro- offered a benediction and prayer of versial move. thanks to God for the blessings In its comprehensive policy program approved by bestowed upon the church, after which the Armenian parliament, Pashinyan’s government AMAA and UAECNE heads gathered pledged to seek the kind of “special relationship” together to cut the anniversary cake. with Iran which would be “immune to other geopo- These AMAA centennial activities in litical influences as much as possible.” The program Lebanon also had the aim to finan- says Armenia will at the same time seek to bolster cially help Armenian Evangelical its “friendly partnership” with the U.S. schools in Lebanon, and all funds Due to the unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh conflict received were designated for that pur- and the resulting closure of Armenia’s borders with pose. In commemoration of the cen- Azerbaijan and Turkey, Iran has long been one of tennial, each banquet attendee the landlocked country’s two commercial conduits received a 112-page bilingual color to the outside world. Successive Armenian govern- booklet with detailed information on ments have therefore been keen to maintain a warm the rich history and current ministries rapport with Tehran. of the AMAA. In addition, the UAECNE organized a special worship service for the Ani Darakjian, M.D., former Chair of the Board of Trustees of Haigazian University anniversary on Sunday, June 3, at the decorated by the current Chair Hasmig Baran, Ed.D. on behalf of the AMAA First Armenian Evangelical Church in Beirut. S ATURDAY, J UNE 1 6 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 INTERNATIONAL Turks Go to the Polls in Germany

POLLS, from page 1 overwhelming. Many Turks in Germany feel they are dis- themselves as second-class citizens, and “see Erdogan as a and will continue until June 19. Erdogan is hoping that he criminated against, and this contributes to identity insecuri- man who gives them a voice they can identify with. He intu- and his AKP will profit from what he hopes will be a massive ties; as one Ahmet cited by ZdF TV put it, “In Germany, you itively reinforces the self-consciousness of these people.” turnout. During a speech in Mugla on June 6, he appealed to are always the Turk, and in Turkey I am always the German, A study conducted at the Duisburg-Essen University voters in Europe to flock to the polls until they burst; “the Alman.” Despite the fact that the Turkish community has showed that since 2010 more Turks have said they identify signal that you send from abroad,” he said, “will, God willing, been here for three generations, analysts complain that not with Turkey than with Germany. In 2010, Turkey established blend together with the votes of your brethren in Turkey.” enough is being done to fully integrate them. Osman Okkan, a Ministry for the Diaspora, whose message has been And his foreign minister, Mevlüt Cavusoglu, called for an even a filmmaker and leading representative of the Turkey- summed up as, “We are taking care of you; you are not real- higher vote than what Turkish voters in Germany had deliv- Germany Cultural Forum, noted that Germans are not so ly wanted here, but back home, you are.” ered for the referendum last year. At that time, the turnout active in the integration and social processes, and the One Picture Is Worth… was 50 percent and 63 percent of those who voted cast a mosques and Turkish organizations like DITIB have moved It is in this context that a calculated move by Erdogan “yes” for Erdogan’s changes. into the vacuum. should be considered. On May 13 he posed for a photo with Campaign Rallies Banned Since the failed coup attempt in Turkey, attributed to the two Germans of Turkish background and when the picture The problem Erdogan has is that he cannot rally the mass- Gülen movement, Turks in Germany have been put under hit the press, it caused an uproar. The two Turkish-Germans es directly. Last year in March Germany issued a ban on any tremendous political and psychological pressure from the were Mesut Özil and Ilkay Gündgan, leading members of the campaign speeches by Turkish politicians, a move followed by Erdogan regime to stay in line. Okkan told German national soccer team, now in Russia to compete for Holland and Austria. In response Erdogan accused the “DeutschlandFunk” radio news on June 7 that people are the world championship. As in other countries, fans consider Germans of adopting “Nazi methods.” When Chancellor scared. “I have never experienced such a mood of fear,” he such sports stars as heroes, and when they appeared in print Angela Merkel and SPD politician Martin Schulz indicated said, “and several reports we have read confirm that many together with Erdogan, the backlash was brutal. Although that the talks on Turkey’s bid for EU membership were at a people do not want to expose themselves to the danger of the players attempted to calm the waters, and Merkel noted dead end, he said they were all “Nazis of fascists.” This did being labeled terrorists or terrorist sympathizers on flimsy that they had probably utterly underestimated the explosive not endear him to the political class in Berlin, nor did it lead pretexts.” He said they even had to conceal their views from potential of such a photo, the incident has become an issue. to any rethinking of the ban. their closest neighbors. It has been reported that Turkish- Whatever was going through the minds of the soccer play- And yet, early polls indicate that there is considerable sup- language media in Germany have solicited reports on indi- ers, it cannot be doubted that Erdogan knew exactly what he port for Erdogan and the AKP. The reasons suggested by viduals suspected of links to the Kurdish PKK or to the was doing. political analysts are complex: as one German TV feature pre- Gülen movement. Serap Güler, a political figure responsible That said, there is no reason to consider the outcome of sented it, Turks living in Germany, even those who were born for integration policy in the federal state of North Rhine the vote a fait accompli for Erdogan. There is a numerically here, tend to consider Turkey still as their homeland. They Westfalia, said he had never witnessed such fear, both here strong and politically sophisticated opposition in the Turkish view Erdogan as the man who succeeded in providing eco- and in Turkey, fear of speaking openly about politics. community in Germany, including prominent intellectuals, nomic growth, fighting poverty, building public infrastruc- Such political pressure, actually a form of blackmail, exert- writers, filmmakers, not to mention a substantial component ture, roads, bridges, airports, schools and hospitals. Although ed on persons who feel they are being discriminated against, of Kurds and an increasing number of Turks from military in reality, the economy has entered a serious crisis and the can have devastating effects. When the charismatic leader and political circles who have sought and obtained asylum in national currency has taken a nose dive, the picture present- appears on the scene, with appeals to the glories of Germany. Inside Turkey itself, the establishment has good ed in the state controlled media, which many Turkish- “Turkishness” or other names for exasperated nationalism, reason to fear the potential alliance of opposition groups in Germans follow, is still the rosy one of years past. that offers an alternative identity based on a sense of power. a possible runoff, and that reality finds its counterpart in Then there is the psychological, ideological factor, which is As political analyst Gülistan Gürbey commented, Turks see Germany as well. AGBU Europe Marks the Centennial of the First Republic Of Armenia with Musical Weekend in Brussels

BRUSSELS —From June 1 to 3, Brussels was cance of the occasion. Tatul Margaryan, Iradyan, who conducted the very first concert of forms on the most prestigious jazz stages in captivated by a multi-genre Musical Weekend Armenia’s Ambassador to Belgium, stated, “On the ensemble which interpreted the powerful Europe. Yessaï was accompanied by Sylvain organized by the Performing Arts Department of May 28, one hundred years ago, our nation and emblematic Symphony for Strings and Fournet-Fayas on double bass and David Paycha AGBU France/Europe in partnership with the restored its millennia-old state by declaring the Timpani, by Mirzoyan along with selected works on drums. Boghossian Foundation, the City of Brussels and birth of the First the Armenian community of Belgium. Republic of Armenia. The program was inspired by the 100th Although the First anniversary of the First Republic of Armenia, an Republic faced historical milestone in the Armenian Nation’s numerous challenges long road to independent statehood. “Since and was short lived, it Armenia’s rebirth in 1991, it has showcased to laid the foundation the world the depth and breadth of the musical for the establishment achievements of its people. This concert series and development of has crystalized those achievements all in one state institutions and weekend,” remarked Nicolas Tavitian, the direc- democratic gover- tor of AGBU Europe, when noting the turnout at nance.” all three of the weekend’s events. He was followed by Together with AGBU Performing Arts Philippe Close, the Department of France, AGBU Europe assembled mayor of Brussels, a roster of some of the best musicians of a gen- who referred to the eration, many whose talents were originally cul- turbulent context in tivated in Armenia. A new AGBU string ensem- which the Republic of ble, a classical piano trio and a jazz band played 1918 was founded, on successive nights, displaying their mastery of citing the fall of the their respective genres. Ottoman empire, the The entire weekend also served as a fundrais- chaos of the Russian er to benefit the afterschool programs of the revolution and the AGBU Children’s Centers in Yerevan. “After 25 admission of hun- Piano Trio with Varduhi Yeritsyan and Avanesyan brothers years of providing Armenia’s youth with charac- dreds of thousands of ter-building and self-discovery programs through genocide survivors. arts and sports, these centers are long overdue The mayor also highlighted the will of the City of by Komitas. Nadia Gortzounian, the president of AGBU for a major renewal—not only to expand and Brussels to collaborate with Armenian organiza- The following evening, the diverse audience of France, hailed the event as a “brilliant” weekend. “I upgrade interior space but also to enhance teach- tions to host this important cultural event, not- Armenians and non-Armenians gathered at the was thrilled to see such a high level of attendance ing proficiencies and enrich curricula,” explained ing that “culture is the best expression of a peo- Ceremonial Hall of the Boghossian Foundation at each of our three events and I am profoundly Karen Papazian, back at the AGBU Central ple’s vitality and of its presence in the world.” Villa Empain for the performance of pianist grateful to all the immensely talented musicians for Office in New York. As the director of Global Stepan Mirdikian, a former chairman of the Varduhi Yeritsyan, known for her vast and their extraordinary performances. It was also a plea- Outreach and Development, she pointed out that Armenian community of Belgium also added diverse repertoire. She performed along with the sure to collaborate with the City of Brussels, the “Armenia’s youth deserve to thrive in a safe and words of inspiration. Quoting Ernest Renan, he Brussels based brothers Hrachya Avanesyan (vio- Armenian community of Belgium and the nurturing environment. And no doubt, some of mentioned, “What constitutes a nation is not so lin) and Sevak Avanesyan (cello). The trio per- Boghossian Foundation that allowed us to host our these children will grow up to follow in the foot- much speaking the same language or belonging formed the works of Shostakovich and concerts in the particularly magical setting of the steps of rising stars like those who performed to the same ethnic group, it is to have accom- Babajanian as well as a number of encore pieces Villa Empain in Brussels.” this weekend.” plished together great things in the past and to by Komitas following the wide public acclaim. She went on to say, “It was a heartwarming The concert series began Friday evening at the want to accomplish more in the future.” Sunday’s performance at the same venue fea- and inspiring experience to see just how far the Brussels Town Hall, one of Belgium’s most mag- On opening night, the AGBU String tured the contemporary works of Yessaï Armenian nation has come since the First nificent Gothic buildings. Opening remarks made Ensemble[CE1], took to the stage to perform Karapetyan Trio, a jazz ensemble led by pianist Republic, as we contribute to world culture by officials and dignitaries spoke to the signifi- under the direction of young composer Alexandr Yessai Karapetyan, a gifted musician who per- through the arts.” 6 S ATURDAY, J UNE 1 6 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Community News

Armenian American Acclaimed Novelist Pharmacists Association Honors Principals Janigian to Serve Boyamian and Melkonian As Master of WATERTOWN — On, May 19, the Armenian American Pharmacists Association (AAPA) Ceremonies for honored the St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School and Saturday school prin- Debutante Ball cipals, respectively Houry Boyamian and Mayda Melkonian, at the Oakley Country Club. LOS ANGELES — The Ladies Auxiliary of the Melkonian previously was vice principal at Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of the Armenian Sisters’ Academy. North America announce that Aris Janigian, Sossy Yogurtian (RPh.), AAPA president, acclaimed Armenian-American novelist, will welcomed all attendees and introduced Harold serve as the master of ceremonies for the 45th R. Partamian (RPh.), founder of the AAPA and Annual Debutante Ball. its first president (1981), as the evening’s mas- This traditional event will be held in The ter of ceremonies. The featured speaker for the Ballroom at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, 9500 evening was Peter J. Koutoujian, sheriff of Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, on Sunday, Middlesex County of Massachusetts. The sher- June 24. iff made brief remarks and presented each hon- Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the oree with a plaque recognizing her 30 years of Western Diocese, stated, “The year 2018 has honorary and exemplary service to the local been dedicated to Armenian community. our youth. The The honorees’ biographies were presented youth, a central by their former students, Dr. Vatché Demirjian focus of the commu- (Pharm.D., RPh.) and Varteni Aroyan, with the nity, is a large family latter also the AAPA’s 2018 of the faithful of Apelian/Partamian scholarship recipient. Christ whose life is Aroyan introduced Boyamian after which defined by God’s Demirjian introduced Melkonian. divine love. May this In moving speeches the honorees expressed evening serve as a their gratitude iand then received gifts from calling for our youth Yogurtian and AAPA Vice President Ripsime to devote themselves Aris Janigian Guyumdzhyan. Each principal received a paint- to the faith of our ing specifically painted for them by GP Vahan, forefathers, to rekin- and a hand-painted silk scarf by Karine dle in their hearts the love for their ancestral homeland and to lead lives as noble citizens of Abgarian, an Armenian artist from Yerevan Young students at the St. Vartan Cathedral School who hand paints on silk using multicultural the blessed country of the United States of designs with an emphasis on Armenian sym- America.” bolic patterns. Cindy Norian, chair of the Ladies Auxiliary, In addition to these gifts, AAPA presented stated that the Ladies Auxiliary is especially both principals with the Honorary Award from Rooting Young pleased to welcome Janigian. “We are delighted the newly elected Minister of Diaspora of the that Aris will be introducing the 22 young Republic of Armenia, Mkhitar Hayrapetyan. women of Armenian descent that we are pre- Armenian School senting as Debutantes this year,” stated Norian. “We are also pleased that our guests will have the opportunity to recognize one of the most important Armenian-American writers of his Students in New York generation.” Janigian is internationally known for three of his highly acclaimed novels, Bloodvine, Riverbig NEW YORK — “A child is a learning machine. All one has to do is create a and This Angelic Land, which use the Armenian learning environment, as well as promote the child’s identity and individuality. experience of exile, memory and assimilation as An environment has to be created so that the child can feel comfortable wanti- a lens through which to explore the broader ng to learn,” said Hovannes Khosdeghian, principal and teacher of the St. American experience. His 2016 novel, Waiting Vartan Cathedral School, and the Brooklyn Armenian School in New York. for Lipchitz at Chateau Marmont, about a screen His thoughts on this vital subject brought me back to my childhood when my writer who goes from riches to rags, spent 17 mother, Ashkhen Kapikian Avakian for 50 years — even before my sister and I weeks on the Los Angeles Times best-seller list. were born — was the dedicated vol- Holding a PhD in psychology, from 1993 to unteer principal and teacher in sev- 2005, Janigian was senior professor of humani- eral Armenian schools in New York By Florence Avakian ties at the Southern Institute of Architecture. City. Every Friday evening she used He has published in genres as diverse as poetry, to prepare the Saturday meals for social psychology, and design criticism. Janigian my sister and me, since she would be gone all day Saturday at one of her has written extensively to advance Armenian schools. She would always buy food and drinks for her school children. And for causes and most noteworthy were a series of let- the bi-annual hantesses, my sister and I were recruited to help sew the costumes, ters he exchanged with the Los Angeles Times play the piano and accompany the singing of the children. It was a ritual that in 2002 and with the New York Times in 2004, From left, Mayda Melkonian, Sheriff Peter Peter we got used to throughout our young and teenage years, and it left an indelible that proved instrumental in getting both news- Koutoujian, and Houry Boyamian mark on us. papers to quit using the word “alleged” in refer- “The focus must always be the child,” Khosdeghian emphasized. “This child ence to the Armenian Genocide. is a learning machine. All you have to do is create the environment, and pro- Janigian was a contributing writer to West, These awards are among the first proclama- mote the child’s identity and individuality. It is important not to create compe- the Los Angeles Times Sunday Magazine; a tions signed by Armenia’s new administration. tition,” he added. finalist for the William Saroyan Fiction Prize, These gifts were presented to the honorees “Each child must be greeted when coming to school. As she or he enters, the and the recipient of the Anahid Literary Award in recognition, gratitude, and deep apprecia- teacher should look into the child’s eyes, and greet each one warmly. A warm from Columbia University. He was born and tion of many years of service in education and atmosphere of caring and interest must be created,” he stressed. raised in Fresno, where he now lives with In dedication to the Armenian community in the Describing his unique teaching method, Khosdeghian explained that “a child Sun, his wife, daughter Maria (graduating from greater Boston area. learns a language either on the street or at home, and comes to school to learn high school in 2019) and daughter Valentine, a The Armenian American Pharmacists’ it correctly. In our Armenian schools, the teachers only speak Armenian. We Freshman at Stanford University. Association then presented the Harold concentrate on a child’s ability to recognize Armenian letters, in all five senses. The Debutante Ball on June 24, will begin Partamian and Daniel Apelian scholarship to This does not necessarily mean forming words.” Extremely important is for the with a cocktail reception at 5 p.m., the presen- Aroyan for her future endeavors and goals in child, he continued, is “to listen to the new sound system. In our schools, the tation of the Debutantes at 6 p.m., followed by the profession of pharmacy. children speak Armenian with each other from a very young age.” dinner and dancing at 7 p.m. The AAPA members closed the evening by At the St. Vartan Armenian School, there are 23 students ranging in age from A keepsake booklet is being prepared containing recognizing Yogurtian. Her vision and drive 2 to 13, with many having parents of mixed ethnicity. Every five weeks the prin- greetings and congratulations to the debutantes, make the organization more active in the com- cipal meets with the six teachers to discuss how the children are approaching escorts and cross bearers, as well as business ads munity and be recognized for many charitable the learning process, how to improve the delivery message and content, and to make the event a financial success. works, including: how to go forward to best meet each child’s individual needs. For information and/or reservations, contact -supporting orphans in Armenia through see STUDENTS, page 7 Michele Chalfant at [email protected]. AMAA see HONORS, page 8 S A T U R D A Y , J U N E 1 6 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS Rooting Young Armenian School Students in New York

STUDENTS, from page 6 to serve as assistant pastor first at the St. Mark And at the Brooklyn Armenian Church Armenian Catholic Church in Wynnewood, School, which meets every Sunday from noon Penn., then at St. Ann Armenian Catholic to 5 p.m., whose members are made up of Cathedral in New York City, directing the Armenians mostly from the former Soviet church choir, and editing the Armenian Union, the student population numbers 167, Catholic Exarchate’s periodical, the Eternal ranging in age from 3 to 20, with 11 teachers. Flame. Between 1988 and 1992, he taught In both schools, the parents also are involved Classical Armenian language and Canon Law at with different projects. St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, and was a This year’s school’s goals have involved Research Fellow at the Krikor and Clara Zohrab “familiarity with the Armenian alphabet and its Information Center at the Armenian Church historical and cultural context so that the Diocese (Eastern). Armenian language and heritage can be fully Most recently, at the request of the understood. This goal is achieved through vari- Mekhitarist Order’s Abbot General in Venice, he ous exercises and multi-dimensional approach prepared a study for the academic and financial which includes reading exercises, articulated recovery plan for the rebuilding and relaunch- pronunciation techniques, and introductory ing of the Mekhitarist School in Tujunga, Calif. notes on the historical and cultural setting of In the American world, he does contract the invention of the Armenian alphabet,” work for companies dealing with data systems Hovannes Khosdeghian related. for integrated and consistent financial, manu- “The school must be put at the center of con- facturing and regulatory reporting. But it is his cerns,” Khosdeghian said. “This [focus] is espe- dedication to the promotion, and deepening of cially important for new immigrant families. If Hovannes Khosdeghian with some of his young charges the community’s involvement in language not, that first generation will lose its connec- instruction, the enhancement of home-school tion with its roots. By the second and third gen- communication and teaching of the Armenian erations, many have already left the shores of “We must give direction to our destiny with- Thomas Aquinas Universities in Rome. He language and culture which is, and has always their identity. In America, this is especially vital. out losing our identity of being Armenian. We served as editor of the Mekhitarist magazine, been at the head of his concerns and work. Once we start concentrating on economic must put this issue at the head of our con- Hye Endanik, and was assistant rector and aca- issues, we lose this vital connection. It becomes cerns,” he stated. demic dean of the St. Lazarus Seminary, teach- a compass without bearing.” Khosdeghian is a Mekhitarist scholar who ing Classical Armenian and Greek, history of How can a conversation be started in the has had a deep background in pedagogy, philosophy and religion. Alice Avanian Awarded community to address this crucial issue? How Biblical studies and Systematic Theology, which In 1983, Khosdeghian left the order as an can the problem be solved? he studied at the Pontifical Gregorian and St. Armenian Catholic monk, and came to the US, CFA Institute Volunteer of The Year

BOSTON — Alice Avanian recently travelled to Hong Kong to be honored by CFA Institute as a Volunteer of the Year. The award is in recognition of Alice’s years of service to the CFA Society Boston, the local affiliate for Chartered Financial Analysts and particularly, her leadership in Financial Literacy training. Educating the public about personal finance and investing has become a passion for Avanian. She started the Financial Literacy initiative as Chair of the Boston Board in 2013. She was inspired by her son, Shaant, a math teacher in an inner- city high school. Whenever he was ahead of his curricu- lum on Friday after- noons, he would teach such topics as credit cards. She thought, “If he could Alice Avanian do it, why weren’t we doing it, as finance professionals?” CFA Society Boston is New England’s largest membership organization for investment profes- sionals with over 5,800 members. Now in its fifth year, the Financial Literacy pro- gram has grown to 80 events with over 100 vol- unteers. CFA Society Boston creates alliances with community organizations and schools, which provide built-in audiences and logistical support. Alliances and events are driven by vol- unteers, for example at local libraries, or by incoming requests, such as Newton North H.S. and Mattapan Boys & Girls Club. In February, vol- unteers presented at an event hosted by AIWA at the Watertown Library. The Volunteer Award also recognizes Alice’s other contributions over the years. She served on the Boston Board for 12 years, during which time she was Treasurer, VP of Education, as well as on committees for Personnel, Nominations and Governance. Also, Avanian has been very active in the CFA Global Research Challenge, where students pre- sent a stock recommendation. She mentored the global winning team in 2008, and subsequently has been a grader and judge. This shows Alice’s interest in promoting rigorous financial analysis to the next generation. She also contributes to the financial industry as a Board member of the Boston Economic Club, with a specific focus on diversity. In addition, she leads the finance committee of the National Association of Armenian Studies and Research. To learn about financial literacy training, con- tact Alice or the CFA Society Boston [email protected]. 8 S ATURDAY, J UNE 1 6 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS

Armenian American Pharmacists Association Honors 5K Run in Honor of Fallen Principals Boyamian and Melkonian HONORS, from page 6 were selected by the ABMDR as Volunteers of Athlete Brandon Grant -supporting and providing food and entertain- the Year. ABMDR is going to honor AAPA’s con- ment to the Armenian nursing home in Jamaica tributions in the March for Life 2018 Gala, BELMONT, Mass. (Belmont Citizen-Herald) endow the newly-created prize structure, sup- Plain which will take place on September 16 in — Dr. Alan DerKazarian’s connection with base- porting in the most meaningful way possible -raising money for scholarships for outstand- California. ball in Belmont began out of necessity — his son the foundation’s effort to maximize the yield to ing and needy students AAPA thanks everyone who attended the Alan’s team needed a coach way back in 1978. youth of the Home Run proceeds. Each year -contributing to the Armenian Bone Marrow evening and supported the organization, His odyssey through the annals of Belmont base- the top three male and female finishers join the Donor Registry (ABMDR) by participating in allowing us to make an impact in the com- ball continued until his passing in 2015. DerKazarian Circle of Champions. walkathons and by raising money for this cause. munity. DerKazarian’s coaching style is remembered The next running of “Brendan’s The AAPA volunteers raised the most amount of Music for the evening was provided by pianist fondly by former players. One of them, Brian Home Run” 5K Race & Walk will take place on money in the Boston area two years in a row and Marine Margaryan as well as DJ Rams. Keegan, now an NBA executive, attributes his Sunday, June 17, at the Belmont High School passion for the game to his Little League coach. track. Last year’s event was another record set- “He always made his entire team feel like ting race with a new course record set in the everyone was important — everyone mattered,” women’s division. This has become one of the Keegan said. DerKazarian became President of Belmont Little League. He maintained an active role as the consolidation of the town’s Little League, Instructional League and Babe Ruth League became the Belmont Youth Baseball Association (BYBA). Even after his sons aged out of eligibility, DerKazarian stayed on the BYBA Board offering advice and priceless his- torical perspective to ensure that it succeeded in its mission of serving youth in Belmont. In this capacity, he was able to watch some impres- sive baseball talent develop. One of the talented players he watched with pleasure was Brendan Grant who rose through the town’s baseball divisions to become a star at Belmont High School. When Grant was fatal- ly injured in an outfield collision during a Dr. Alan DerKazarian From left, Taline Abrimian, Tanya Najarian-Illiades, Arpi Aridjian, Ripsime Guyumdzhyan, Sossy Senior Babe Ruth game in June 2001, Yogurtian (AAPA president), Sarkis Duhanyan, Hasmig Mardiros. Members of the organizing DerKazarian knew that he had to be part of the committee missing from this picture: Harold Partamian (RPh.) and Ara Demirjian (RPh., M.S.). effort to memorialize such a talented player and New England region little jewels among presti- promising young man. gious5K running events, with genuine running DerKazarian became a trustee of the fledg- talent participating each year. ling Brendan Grant Foundation and helped Since his passing in the fall of 2015, the steer the outpouring of grief and shock into the DerKazarian Family Foundation has chosen to OBITUARY effort that produced the gem of a varsity base- increase its generosity to the Foundation, this ball diamond now known as Brendan Grant year becoming the event’s principal sponsor. Anna M. Terzian Kalian Memorial Field. But his efforts did not stop Registration for 2018’s Brendan’s Home Run there. DerKazarian also contributed his wis- is now open. dom to the foundation’s chief fundraising tool Pre-registration entry is $28 until June 14; SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio — Anna Kalian died at home with family members and under — Brendan’s Home Run, held every Father’s onsite entry is $30. died on May 10. She was 85. She was married, the care of home hospice. Day since 2002. It was his suggestion that cash The first 300 people to sign-up will receive a to Robert V. Kalian for 61 years. For many years, she was a dedicated patron awards be offered to the top male and female complimentary commemorative T-shirt. Her death came shortly after she decided not supporter of the Rhode Island Philharmonic finishers in order to ensure that a steady stream Online entry and mail-in forms are available to undergo further medical treatments. She Orchestra. She sponsored two major concerts of championship caliber athletes would come to online. which were very well attended and featured Belmont each June. Then DerKazarian stepped For information: http://www.brendan- internationally known Armenian artists. up and contributed his financial support to grant.org. She met her husband, Bob, when she was only one month old. An intermittent relation- ship existed for almost 24 years. After Bob served in the US Armey for five years, he returned home and joined the Armenian Nardolillo Funeral Home Church Youth Organization of America and Est. 1906 Anna became his secretary. An intense courtship led to marriage. John K. Najarian, Jr. In her personal reflections, she felt she had Rhode Island’s Only Licensed Armenian Funeral Director had an intense, exciting and fulfilling life. She helped her children create homes in four 1278 Park Ave. Cranston, RI 02910 (401) 942-1220 states. 1111 Boston Neck Rd. Narragansett, RI 02882 (401) 789-6300 And her husband dedicated his second book to her, writing in part, “I love you for what you www.nardolillo.com are, for what I am and what I have become.” In addition to her husband, she leaves her children Mary Ann Kalian of Shaker Heights, Ohio; Gregory Kalian of Des Moines, Iowa Telephone (617) 924-7400 and Peter Kalian of Leesburg, Va. Additionally she has five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Aram Bedrosian Funeral Home, Inc. Hilda Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 Mamourian MARION BEDROSIAN 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN Active in Montreal WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN Tekeyan Chapter

MONTREAL — Hilda Mamourian died on June 6. She was 47. A celebration of her life was held for her on June 10 at Complexe Funeraire Aeterna et Crematorium, Saint-Laurent, Canada. F UNERAL H OME Our most sincere sympathies to the fami- Giragosian ly and friends of Hilda Mamourian James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC She leaves her parents, Lucy and Nubar Mark J. Giragosian Mamourian of Montreal and many friends Funeral Counselors and relatives. 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 www.giragosianfuneralhome.com S ATURDAY, J UNE 1 6 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 COMMUNITY NEWS Armenian Bar Association Welcomes Next Generation of Leadership Holy Martyrs

Ossian Law, P.C., a firm focused exclusively on bers represent every segment of the Armenian Church Celebrates By Armen K. Hovannisian, Esq. Information Technology Law. community, united in purpose, independent, “Holding our annual meeting in the Republic with an unwavering commitment in service to of Artsakh and our first newly-constituted Board the Armenian people, Armenia, Artsakh and the 60 Years YEREVAN/SHUSHI — During its pilgrimage meeting in Yerevan on the historic 100th Armenian Cause,” Kerkonian said. BAYSIDE, N.Y. — In September 1958, the to Armenia and Artsakh from May 23-June 2, the anniversary of the first Republic of Armenia Secretary Liz Al-Dajani of Evanston, Ill., with Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs in Armenian Bar Association dredged deeper than has renewed my commitment to help make the the resilient DNA of Sis, is a principal of Bayside was consecrated as a house of worship. ever before into the homeland’s hallowed fields Armenian Bar Association even stronger, more Kerkonian Dajani, LLC, where she leverages her More than 60 years ago, the Armenian commu- of professional love and labor, which peaked at relevant and open to all lawyers of Armenian prior career as an appellate law clerk and her nity of Long Island established its roots in the 29th annual meeting among the green-swept descent as we pursue our important mission,” interest in cross-border transactions, now spe- Bayside, a quiet suburb of Manhattan. hills and dales of Shushi. Ossian said. cializing in state and federal appellate advocacy Founded by the survivors and descendants of Emerging from a rich array of partnership ini- Vice-Chairperson Lucy Varpetian of Los as well as Middle East business transactions. the Armenian Genocide, the forefathers and tiatives which took shape in local universities, Angeles, with indigenous first breaths and final “I saw in the bright and cheery eyes of the chil- mothers of the Armenian Church of the Holy judicial chambers and courtrooms, civic auditori- farewells in Afyon-Karahisar, Aintab and dren of Armenia the eyes of my own three young Martyrs turned to Bayside as a place to settle ums, government offices, and public welfare cen- Sepastia, is a senior assistant city attorney in the sons in Chicago. During our magical trip to without fear of persecution or discrimination. ters, a new executive leadership team of the Glendale City Attorney’s Office, with extensive Armenia and Artsakh, they all became one Over the past 60 years, the neighborhood has Armenian Bar has been installed for the year experience in city governance including advising gleaming symbol of the now happy face of our remained warm and welcoming to the 2018-2019. the municipality’s City Council and its Civil homeland. Next time, their eyes will meet face- Armenian community. In commemoration of Chairman Gerard V. Kassabian of Beverly Hills, Service Commission. to-face and the divisions between Diaspora and the church’s 60th anniversary, a Special Prayer Calif., with the winds and gales of Dikranagerd at “In 1989, the Armenian Bar Association Hayastan will melt away into our unity of nation, Service was held on Friday, May 18, with the his back and in his horizon, is a top-rated lawyer answered the call when the soon-to-be new faith and future,” Al-Dajani noted. participation of local clergymen, community lay who owns and operates a law firm bearing his Republic of Armenia embarked on its road to Beyond the Executive Committee, the leaders and servicemen. Organized by parish name, specializing in trusts and estates, real independence and sought assistance with build- Armenian Bar’s Board of Governors is composed priest, Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan, and the 60th estate and family law. ing infrastructure,” Varpetian said. of: Sara Bedirian (Glendale, CA), Harry H. Anniversary Committee, the evening presented “In Shushi, Artsakh, I was handed the torch Treasurer Saro K. Kerkonian of Los Angeles, Dikranian (Montreal, Canada), Christine an opportunity to thank those who have sup- that my esteemed predecessors entrusted upon with deep roots and fallen family trees in Aintab, Engustian (East Providence, RI), Garo G. ported the Holy Martyrs community for the me to illuminate the proverbial path, the mission Marash and Sassoun, is a workers’ compensation Ghazarian (Encino, CA), Armen K. Hovannisian past six decades. It was an evening to celebrate of our Armenian Bar Association. We are deter- law specialist certified by the State Bar of (Los Angeles, CA), Karnig Kerkonian (Evanston, Unity in Diversity. mined to fearlessly and fiercely defend and California and works as a senior trial attorney as IL), Mesrop Khoudagoulian (Glendale, CA), Local clergymen, Fr. Nareg Terterian (St. uphold the rights of our compatriots wherever house-counsel for Farmers Insurance Company. Vanna Kitsinian (Encino, CA), Gary T. Moomjian Sarkis Armenian Church), Rev. John K. Lardas they may be,” Kassabian said. “As the Armenian Bar Association celebrates (Jericho, NY), Tina Odjaghian (Woodland Hills, (The Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Vice-Chairperson Kathy L. Ossian of Detroit, next year the 30th anniversary of its founding by CA), Scott A. Ohnegian (Morristown, NJ), Raffi Church), Msgr. Martin T. Geraghty (St. Robert with the determined terrain of Efkere, Kghi and Raffi Hovannisian, it is a distinct honor and priv- Sarrafian (Chicago, IL), and student member Bellarmine Roman Catholic Church), and Rabbi Palou at her base, is the founder and CEO of ilege to be part of an organization whose mem- Sarkis Yeretsian (Los Angeles, CA). Menashe Bovit (Bellerose Jewish Center) par- ticipated in the readings during the service. Following the prayer service, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and City Council Member Barry Grodenchik presented Fr. Malkhasyan with special proclamations in honor of the church’s milestone anniversary. Representing the 2.5 million people of Queens, Katz enthusiastically stated, “As we cel- ebrate all of the diversity in Queens, we also cel- ebrate the Armenian community. They have been masters at celebrating their parents’ tra- ditions, the language, the religion, and the clothing.” Recalling seeing the graduation of the children from the local Armenian School, Katz paid tribute to the Armenian community. “Those kids are going to make sure their kids know the language, know the dancing, know the culture and know the religion. And that is an amazing tribute to the Armenian communi- ty.” She then presented Fr. Malkhasyan with a proclamation declaring May 18, “Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs Day” in Queens. Grodenchik then spoke about his involve- ment in the process of getting the City Council to approve the co-naming of the street behind the church as “Armenia Way.” With resounding applause, Grodenchik was hopeful that the unveiling of the new sign would take place in the fall. “Sixty years ago the people of this con- gregation made a choice to be here at this cross- roads, right along the Long Island Expressway in Bayside Hills and it has been a fantastic deci- sion. It is a great honor to represent this com- munity. We have so many houses of worship here in western Queens. This is a community of faith. It is a community where people care for one another, where they hold each other dear,” said Grodenchik. “As survivors, to start building churches and community centers that will serve the needs of our community 60 years ago was a dream that this community has made into a reality,” said Terterian of the St. Sarkis Armenian parish in Douglaston, New York, during the fellowship that followed the prayer service. “Not long after that, St. Sarkis was established. But in the 1980s, there was a devastating fire, and I am told that this church, the sanctuary of Holy Martyrs, was the second home for my commu- nity. The Armenian Church, my friends, is one and that unity is very important. Despite all the challenges, we are committed to maintain that unity and to strengthen our communities. When the church is strong, our communities will be stronger.” Other attendees who spoke words of grati- tude to the Armenian community were Joseph Marziliano, Community Board 11 District Manager and Captain John Hall, Bayside-based 111th Precinct Commanding Officer. Servicemen from the community were also rep- resented. 10 S ATURDAY, J UNE 1 6 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS

Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Graduates 18 from Special Citizens Academy

CHELMSFORD, Mass. — The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office recently concluded its inaugural Special Citizens Academy with a graduation ceremony and lunch for 18 participants who completed the four-week program. Designed for adults with developmental disabilities who have an interest in public safety, the Special Citizens Academy provided participants with the opportunity to learn more about the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office (MSO) and its functions. Graduates of the Academy included both independent participants and groups from local agencies such as the Valley Collaborative, Northeast ARC, Eastern Middlesex ARC, and Triangle, Inc. “I want to thank all our participants — as well as their families and caretakers — who made our first academy program such a memorable success,” said Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian. “This program is an exten- sion of efforts to connect with all residents of Middlesex County, and we look forward to hosting future sessions.” Participants attended classes on issues such as Internet Safety and Awareness; Fire Safety and First Aid; and Scam Prevention. They also received demon- strations from the MSO’s K-9 Unit, SWAT Team, and Mobile Operations Unit. The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office has already received interest from individuals to attend the next Special Citizen’s Academy. Sheriff Peter Koutoujian and the 18 graduates

Rev. Khachatur Kesablyan Earns Master’s in Theological Studies

CHELMSFORD, Mass. — Parishioners and friends of Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church, Chelmsford congratulate their pastor, Rev. Khachatur Kesablyan, on his recent graduation from the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology with a master’s degree in theological studies. Kesablyan, who has served the Sts. Vartanantz parish since 2008, attended the Gevorkian Theological Seminary in Holy Echmiadzin, graduating with a Master’s of Divinity degree prior to his transfer to the Eastern Diocese. He noted, “I am so very grate- ful to our former Primate, Khajag Srpazan

Rev. Khachatur Kesablyan and his wife, Anna Kesablyan

[Barsamian], my loving family, parishioners, and friends who encouraged me to earn this Master’s Degree, which will surely help enrich my ministry.” CHECK US OUT mirrorspectator .com S ATURDAY, J UNE 1 6 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 COMMUNITY NEWS New Diocesan Primate Considering Reprioritization

PRIMATE, from page 1 late more concrete ideas about how to in a family of Armenians to live his Christian Eastern Diocese running Armenian schools, change, improve and grow. life within the Armenian Church…then we he responded that “the question will be, does Young Michael Findikyan In a broad way, Findikyan said, he already should not be surprised that our churches are this fall within the unique prerogative and Findikyan is simultaneously Armenian and does have a sense about what type of change empty.” It is necessary to provide “education privilege of the Church, or are there others American — and even German. He was born is necessary. He said, “One thing is very clear in the sense of lifting up our people, recog- who can do it better than we can?” Running Michael Findikyan in Fort Worth, Texas, to me…for a long, long time, for many good nizing who we are, and what is the message schools, he said, is not an easy task and the where his family had no Armenian connec- historical reasons, the Armenian Church was of the church that is distinctive to it.” financial costs are great, while there are other tions whatsoever. His mother is German, and placed in a position of being all things to all bodies like the Armenian General Benevolent through her he learned German. On the other Armenians, all things to all people. The Uniquely Armenian Christianity Union that are already doing this very well, or hand, his father is from Istanbul, and his Armenian Church was the only structure or There is also much to be optimistic about in the American University of Armenia with its grandfather was the director of the Gomidas entity of the Armenian people that had a the present situation. Findikyan said, “I language immersion programs. Consequently, Choir there and a real leader of the Armenian global reach. Quite naturally, especially dur- believe that the Christian way of life that is he said, “we have to have the courage to community there. ing horrific circumstances like the Genocide, uniquely Armenian, for which our ancestors think critically and very objectively to make Findikyan said that his grandfather was and in other circumstances as well, the have given their blood, is a very good path …. sure that…we find the best means to do it.” part of the Armenian National Assembly Armenians looked to the church for every- My goal always has been as a priest, a Giving concrete examples, Findikyan said, which elected Patriarch Shnorhk Kalustyan, thing, not just for spiritual sustenance but for vartabed, and now, as a Primate, to inspire “My heart bleeds for the fact that my nieces and was on the organizing committee for the ALBIN LOHR-JONES PHOTO visit of Catholicos of All Armenians Vasken I to Istanbul. As a child, Findikyan was old enough to hear stories of Istanbul Armenian life from his grandfather, who relocated to Brazil with his wife and a daughter and her family in 1960, but frequently visited the US. He also heard much from his father, who came to the US as a college student. When his family moved to the metropolitan New York area, young Michael came into con- tact with an organized large Armenian com- munity, and when he was 8 or so, his father forced him to go to Camp Nubar. Today Findikyan says that this “perhaps was the birthplace of my Armenian identity.” He met prominent Armenian clergymen, including Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, and still looks forward to visiting the camp as an adult. However, Michael’s father changed jobs while Michael was in high school so that in 1975, the family had to move to Binghampton, a little town in upstate New York. There is a small Armenian community there of some 30 or 40 families, mostly from Hadjin originally. Findikyan said, “They knew we were coming before we got there…this family with three kids…and they just dragged us in.” Moving to Binghampton The American-born Fr. Kevork Arakelian, only ordained a few years before and the first Fr. Daniel Findikyan, left, at his May 8 enthronement as Primate, with his predecessor Archbishop Khajag Barsamian graduate of St. Nersess Seminary to become a priest, “just scooped us up with enthusi- asm,” Findikyan continued, “and I had no education and culture…and now of course we our people with what is in their blood: it is and nephew don’t speak Armenian. It bleeds choice but to be involved.” live in a different world.” world class, second to none.” This tradition redder blood when I see nice Armenian kids And Michael’s mother was, as Findikyan He pointed out that there is the govern- must be studied and articulated, or rather addicted to drugs, and committing suicide describes, “scooped up too in Binghampton.” ment of the Republic of Armenia and all sorts translated into the categories of the 21st cen- and becoming Mormons … and, to be very She became involved in the Armenian of Armenian organizations with a global tury, he said. honest, that is where my heart goes. With Church. Michael’s German background and reach now, and concluded, “It is time for the The first step is to “excavate” it, as it is all every fiber of energy that I have left, I will American upbringing, he says now, “allow me Armenian Church to be a church, to focus its in Classical Armenian. The St. Nersess teach Armenian and encourage it, but for me to recognize what is so precious about mission on that which has been uniquely Seminary and the Zohrab Center can play a there are even more horrific tragedies around Armenian identity.” given to the Church to achieve, which is the part in this, and education must be fostered, us.” One day, Arakelian showed up with a pile of Gospel, cultivating God’s people, God’s chil- he said, at all levels, age groups and demo- These include issues like opioid addiction, books and asked him to prepare to replace dren, building up the Body of Christ…these graphics. suicide and gender confusion, which are the church organist, who had moved to are the kinds of imperatives uniquely entrust- He said he often quotes Prof. Gabriella issues no other Armenian organization will Florida. Michael was sent to St. Nersess for ed to the Church and to no one else.” If the Winkler, a world-renowned historian of litur- deal with, whereas, he said, “We are better deacons’ training and summer conferences. Armenian Church does not do this, he said, gies or worship traditions of the Eastern equipped to deal with those kinds of issues He said, “Once in that environment, every- these things won’t get done, and, he said, Churches, and in particular of the Armenian here in this diocese than to figure out the thing started to change.” “We will betray what we are at its most sacred Church, who said to him that “you Armenians great, complex problem of transmitting lan- At the age of 14, Arakelian planted the seed center, or, they will be done by other peo- don’t know what you are sitting on.” This guage and culture to fourth-generation in Michael of becoming a priest, and eventu- ple…and that is not acceptable. I am the stung to the core, Findikyan said, because as American Armenians, and we really need to ally, after studying chemistry and music in Primate of the Diocese. I have gone over the Armenians, “We don’t really have a clue. We be thinking broadly about that…We have a college, Michael gave up the idea of becoming books. We don’t have the resources, neither are operating on the outermost skin, one cell time-honored path which works, endorsed a physician to go into the priesthood. After human nor financial nor spatial, to do every- thick, of what it means to be Armenian, with time and again with the blood of the martyrs. earning various advanced academic degrees thing to which the Armenian people aspire. our lahmajun, our flag and our genocide and I am eager to share that with people.” and becoming a vartabed, Findikyan served There are others who can do that work, our alphabet, and about six other things, yet When the perennial question of how to get as a visiting parish priest, taught at St. nation-building and so forth, who are much we stand up as proud Armenians. If it weren’t the youth to participate more in the life of the Nersess Seminary himself, where he was dean better equipped, both financially and other- so tragic, it would be laughable.” church was discussed, Findikyan declared from 2000 to 2012, and was the director of wise, to undertake those kinds of missions.” He said that he was not convinced that the that “the stagnancy that we may experience the Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information This approach, if followed to its logical con- old model of education, with Saturday and may have to do with a broad and diffuse sense Center of the Eastern Diocese from 2012 clusion, will lead to many changes. He said, Sunday schools, inherited from 75 years ago, of the mission of the church. We will articu- until his recent election as Primate. “This has very tangible consequences, which is effective, while an artificial distinction has late that message courageously, see its links He also has taught at a number of univer- in time we will have to consider. We will have been created between Armenian Christian with the history of our church and the sities. to trim the way we do things…We are not and cultural heritage. “We face grave prob- Christian culture of our people. This is really going to do some of the things this Diocese lems with the Christian formation of our kids exciting.” He said that he would work to have Historic Perspective on Armenian Church has traditionally done.” This will be a reprior- and the creation of a generation that can all elements of our community centrally Findikyan confessed that in his first few itization. speak or read Armenian,” he declared. “This involved in the life of the church. The ACYOA, months in office, he must spend much time Findikyan said that the present situation all has to be reviewed very carefully and very for example, should not “be a holding bin for listening and learning, for there are many perhaps is one reason why a lot of people do soberly and courageously, because to disrupt college students” but be actively engaged in aspects of the Diocesan operations with not have much time for the church. In the what we have been doing for decades is risky the ministry of the church, while women must which he was not involved in the past. He will aftermath of the Genocide, the children of business.” be more visibly involved with the mission of be meeting with staff at the Diocesan Center, survivors did not have much time to reflect One option, he thought, might be to raise the church according to the Armenian tradi- the Diocesan Council, clergy, Armenian on the distinct theological orientation of our money to send the youth to Armenia, tion. He exclaimed, “I can tell you that I will Church Youth Organization of America church. He said, “If we are unable to articu- Lebanon or Jerusalem, but this was a conver- be casting a wide net to empower men, (ACYOA), allied groups, and various parishes, late clearly why it is fruitful for someone of sation for the broader community to hold. women, children and youth to become a part after which, he said, he can begin to formu- Armenian extraction or someone who is now When asked about the possibility of the of the very invigorating mission of our church 12 S ATURDAY, J UNE 1 6 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS New Possibilities for an Ancient People: When Scholarship, Art, History, Faith and Community Intersect

PHILADELPHIA — The Armenian Inter- through artwork is a unique phenomenon of a Communal Committee of Philadelphia, a con- history being illuminated in manuscripts, some sortium of lay and religious representatives of as very small texts which provide an intimate the five Armenian churches and one Armenian experience for the one person holding them. day school in the greater Philadelphia area, has Piñon explained the term sharagan as an illu- for more than 40 years been committed to keep- minated hymn and made the case for the ing open a dialogue among local Armenians absence of Vartanants-related artwork until the with each other and with their heritage, as well 12th century, when Nerses Shnorhali picked up as being a powerful unified Armenian presence the story. in the broader metropolitan area. Each year it “These illuminations echo the praise-worthy organizes commemorations of three historic words of the sharagans,” she said. events: Vartanants in February, the Armenian She had the audience viewing details in new ways: gold outlines of fig- ures of soldiers were an adorning of their martyr- dom, the gold trim essen- tially extending the lives of these martyrs. Armenians are always depicted as supe- rior in combat. The soldier becomes the saint, the vic- tim the victorious, the Philadelphia Armenian Inter-Communal Committee with guest speaker Erin Piñon slaughtered the saved. Piñon said she was delighted to be among an tion unfolding in Armenia: “As an intellectual, I the History Museum of Armenia, the Mother audience of contemporary can’t take sides, but I can’t remain neutral See of Holy Echmiadzin, the Jerusalem Armenians bringing life either.” … “It’s about joining an energy – not Patriarchate, the Holy See of Cilicia in Antelias, again to what she has been about hatred or unseating someone.” … “I am the Mekhitarist Monastery in Venice, the studying in a scholastic full of hope for the future.” … “The new gener- Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in Portugal, the bubble. ation are the decision-makers. We have to Alex and Marie Manoogian Museum in Detroit, April 24 found organizers respect young people’s right to think different- the Armenian Museum of America in in Memorial Hall of Sts. ly.” … “History shows us we don’t like leaders, Watertown, and the Eastern Diocese of the Sahag and Mesrob so we will be led by multiple leaders.” Armenian Church in New York. Dr. Evans, who Armenian Apostolic Church Keeping with tradition, each Inter-Communal wrote her doctoral dissertation on the in Wynnewood, riveted by event included students from the Armenian Armenian manuscripts of Cilicia, has taught Dr. Haik Demoyan’s presen- Sisters Academy bringing their full and endear- courses on Armenian art at Columbia tation “Aurora’s Road: The ing participation to the program with their University and currently serves as president of Mission of the Armenian songs and recitations. Their presence is always The International Center for Medieval Art. She Genocide Survivor.” a gift from the future, for they represent the has wanted to curate such an exhibition since Director of the Armenian hope that there will be yet another generation coming to the Met over 30 years ago. Genocide Museum-Institute filling their shoes. Indeed, many of them have It is with excitement that the Philadelphia in Yerevan and chief editor parents who a generation ago stood in their Armenian community – including the other two of the International Journal same places singing Dr. Haig Demoyan of Armenian Genocide and reciting. Studies, Demoyan until The remaining very recently was in the US event of the 2018 sea- Genocide in April, and Tarkmanchats as a Fulbright Visiting Scholar at Harvard’s son is planned for [Translators’ Day] in October. Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, October 7 at St. The challenge to be relevant and bring fresh where he was engaged in researching the iden- Gregory the perspective keeps the committee on the look- tity transformation processes in the South Illuminator Armenian out for individuals and groups who have some- Caucasus. Apostolic Church in thing novel to contribute to this ongoing cul- He discussed that the Armenian legacy in Philadelphia and will tural conversation. America spans 400 years of heritage, from feature Dr. Helen C. So far in 2018, two refreshingly different and Martin the Armenian’s arrival in Jamestown, Va. Evans, Byzantine Art thought-provoking events have taken place. in 1618. Coincidentally, Demoyan remarked, Curator at the February 8 brought to the sanctuary of 2018 also commemorates the 100th anniver- Metropolitan Museum Armenian Martyrs’ Congregational Church in sary of the establishment of the first Armenian of Art in New York, who will speak about the upcoming unprecedented exhibi- tion “Armenia!” Scheduled to open on the 27th anniversary of the Republic of Art Historian Erin Piñon Armenia’s indepen- dence, September 21, participating parishes of Holy Trinity Armenian this large-scale exhibition dedicated solely to Apostolic Church of North Philadelphia and St. Armenian history and culture in the medieval Mark’s Armenian Catholic Church of period will cover the 4th to 17th century and Wynnewood — looks forward to this Fall event. will portray the significance of Armenian art to And it is with profound gratitude and inspira- the world during the Middle Ages. It will remain tion that we appreciate the scholars who have on exhibit until January 13, 2019 and will fea- graced our venues this year, sharing their life’s ture some 140 Armenian works of art from work and bringing us to new awareness of and around the globe, including artwork on loan connection with our source — our heritage — from Yerevan’s Madenataran (the Mesrop our legacy. Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts) and —Dr. Arsine Oshagan

Armenian Sisters Academy students

Havertown the illustrated talk “Visualizing Republic and the 2800th anniversary of the Vardan(ants): Avarayr Illuminated, 14th-17th founding of the city of Yerevan. He then pro- centuries” presented by art historian and ceeded to bring to life the journey of Genocide- Princeton University Department of Art and survivor Arshalouys Mardiganian’s story in Archaeology doctoral student Erin Piñon. poignant detail, as an illustration of the work With passion and expertise, she shared her his Institute is doing: “We translate … we must own insatiable wonder/love regarding the artis- save what we can save.” … “We Armenians have tic interpretations through the ages of this bat- to care about our heritage because it’s part of tle and her readiness to journey literally to our history.” wherever research beckoned. How Armenians Dr. Demoyan concluded with spontaneous of the past have commemorated the event comments on the current sociopolitical situa- S ATURDAY, J UNE 1 6 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 COMMUNITY NEWS Armenian Assembly Welcomes More Members to Armenian Caucus after Numerous Meetings

WASHINGTON — Working through the “I’m proud to join the Armenian Caucus, month of April, the Armenian Assembly of working in a bipartisan manner to strengthen America (Assembly) held 50 meetings with con- the US-Armenian relationship - a vital strategic gressional offices discussing key issues of con- partnership,” stated Crist. cern, including reaffirmation of the Armenian Crist represents the 13th congressional dis- Genocide, US assistance to Armenia and trict of Florida, on the Gulf Coast from Artsakh, as well as Christian and other minori- Clearwater down to St. Petersburg. After meet- ty communities at risk in the Middle East. ing with the Assembly, he co-signed this year’s As a result of these efforts, the Assembly will letter to President Donald Trump to formally welcome Representatives Charlie Crist (D-FL), recognize the Armenian Genocide. Last year, Steve King (R-IA), Eric Swalwell (D-CA), and the representative co-signed a letter to then- Steve Knight (R-CA) as the newest Members to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson urging him to join the Congressional Caucus on Armenian arrest, prosecute, and jail members of Turkish Issues, bringing the total to 122 Members. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s security detail who attacked peaceful protesters out- side the Turkish Ambassador’s residence in Washington, D.C. Swalwell told the Assembly: “I’m happy to Rep. Steve Knight (R-CA) with constituents and leaders of St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church of join the bipartisan Santa Clarita, California, and representatives of the Armenian Assembly of America’s Western Congressional Armenian Region Office and Southern California Regional Council Caucus because I believe in strengthening the diplomatic, cultural, eco- East, West Asia, and around the world.” Artsakh and Armenia, and calls upon the nomic and military ties Swalwell represents the 15th congressional Organization for Security and Cooperation in between our nations. district of California, which includes parts of Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group to “publicly con- You don’t need to be of the East Bay in Northern California, and is a co- demn specific acts of aggression along the line any particular political sponsor of H.Res. 220, affirming the Armenian of contact.” party, or of Armenian Genocide. “The Assembly is pleased that Rep. Knight descent, to know that King agreed to join the Armenian Caucus has joined the Congressional Armenian Caucus, many of our interests after meeting with the Assembly and and looks forward to continue working closely intersect and we should Ecumenical Director and Diocesan Legate of with the Congressman and his staff. I would like Armenian Assembly Grassroots and Development Associate Mariam work together to ensure the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) to take this opportunity to express the Khaloyan and Rep. Charlie Crist (D-FL) peace and prosperity Archbishop Vicken Aykazian. During the meet- Assembly’s gratitude to Ms. Vanessa Wilk for throughout the Middle ing they discussed the plight of Christians and her extraordinary efforts in encouraging Rep. other minorities in the Middle East. King also Knight to join the caucus,” stated Assembly co-sponsored H.Res. 220 and signed the letter Western Region Director Mihran Toumajan. urging President Trump to reaffirm the The Assembly’s Western Region office has Armenian Genocide. been in contact with Rep. Knight’s Santa “I’m proud to join my colleagues on the Clarita district staff since August 2017, when Congressional Armenian Caucus,” said they held a productive meeting with him, along Knight. “America and Armenia share much in with the Assembly Southern California common, especially our mutual commitment Regional Council (SCRC) and the leadership of to freedom of religion and individual liber- St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church of Santa ties. It’s also important to never forget atroc- Clarita. The Assembly-led delegation expressed ities like the Armenian Genocide so that we its gratitude to Rep. Knight for his support of may always remain vigilant in ensuring they Armenian issues in Congress, and also acknowl- never happen again. Southern California has edged his efforts assisting Armenian American a large contingent of Armenian Americans, constituents during his tenure in the California and I look forward to working with my col- State Assembly (2008-2012) and California leagues on the caucus to address these State Senate (2012-2014). important issues.” “The Armenian Assembly looks forward to Knight represents the 25th congressional dis- working with these new Members and with the trict of California, which covers a sizable part of leadership of the Armenian Caucus as we con- northern Los Angeles County, and includes the tinue to strengthen US-Armenia relations, and Santa Clarita Valley, Simi Valley, the Antelope continue to promote genocide awareness and Valley, and the northern section of the San education, including the remarkable efforts of Fernando Valley. He co-signed the bipartisan John Elder and James O. Arroll of the YMCA in Royce-Engel letter, which proposes common helping the survivors of the Armenian sense measures to curtail ongoing Azerbaijani Genocide,” said Assembly Executive Director military-initiated attacks against citizens of Bryan Ardouny.

Rep. Steve King (R-IA), Ecumenical Director and Diocesan Legate of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) Archbishop Vicken Aykazian and Assembly Public Affairs Associate Danielle Saroyan 14 S ATURDAY, J UNE 1 6 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Arts & Living

BOOKS Tigran Arakelyan Michael Boyajian’s Recognized with New Book Takes Two Awards and On Armenia’s A New Music Relationship with Director Position SEATTLE, Wash. — Armenian-American Roman Empire conductor Tigran Arakelyan has been appointed music director of the Northwest NEW YORK — On June 7, Michael Boyajian Mahler Festival. In addition, he received a conducted a Skype book talk before the bronze medal at the Global Music Awards Armenian Virtual College, AGBU on his new and is a finalist for the American Prize in book, Roman Armenia: A Study In Survival. The Orchestral Programming. discussion was organized by Marina Founded in 1995, the Northwest Mahler Khachaturyan, Education Program Coordinator Festival is a summer festival for profession- at Armenian Virtual College, AGBU and student als, students and community musicians per- Aram Agajanian. forming large-scale works. On July 21, the Boyajian detailed the 500-year relationship Festival Orchestra will perform Mahler’s between Rome and Armenia focusing on the 5th Symphony, in Seattle. confrontation between Tigranes The Great and Arakelyan recently received a bronze Pompey The Great and the subsequent accord medal at the Global Music Awards for his between them that laid the groundwork for work on the podcast “Off The Podium Armenian geopolitics that would last through Music.” The podcast has close to 70 Armenia’s Roman period, ensuring that episodes featuring artists of high caliber. In Armenians would be one of the few ancient peo- addition to his podcast, the other programs ple to survive into modern times. in the series featured David Harrington of Boyajian stated that this policy was to con- the Kronos Quartet, Grammy Award-win- front invaders but not to the point of extinction ning bassist Christian McBride and Pulitzer Women’s 14” Heel-less Platforms - Leather with Lace Overlay. $7,999 Prize-winning composer George Walker. He was also named a finalist for the American Prize in Orchestral Programming Business Insider with the Bainbridge Island Youth Focuses on Man behind Lady Gaga’s Shoes

LOS ANGELES (Pan ARMENI- AN.Net) — Business Insider has prepared a short video about Gary Kazanchyan, an Armenian- Michael Boyajian American celebrity shoemaker who creates extravagant and unique footwear for stars and icons and lasted into modern times. Thus Armenia like Lady Gaga, Kiss, Johnny Depp, survived conflicts with Parthians, Persians, Oprah Winfrey, Britney Spears, Russians and Turks as well as the Romans. Fergie and others. This policy refutes the Turkish notion that Andre No.1, a brand established the Armenians were threatening Turkish rule, by Kazanchyan in Los Angeles, forcing the genocide upon themselves. The specializes in custom-made shoes Armenians would never risk annihilation under and has a huge celebrity clientele. a policy that lasted two millennia. “When something is store One student challenged Boyajian’s premise Gary Kazanchyan bought, it’s kind of big all over to but the author pointed out that the US has fit a lot of people,” says maintained a similar foreign policy for 75 years Kazanchyan. that has kept Russia and America at peace and “But when something is tailored the world free from nuclear destruction. He to you, then it feels like a glove, then asked the class if any Armenian had risked a sock kind of fitted exactly to extinction in an uprising against Russian occu- you.” piers in the last century. The answer was no. First, they use a 3D And as in Roman times, when Armenia balanced scanner to create a pro- between Parthia in the East and Rome in the file of your feet, they West, today the nation does the same with make an exact foot Russia and the US with the new Armenian pres- mold, pick a heel ident first visiting Putin and in the near future and leather. Conductor Tigran Arakelyan Trump. “If we are doing The book is the first of its kind in the US some female tour although the topic is well covered in Armenia. artist, what they Orchestras. The American Prize — Vytautas Boyajian is a retired attorney and former want is the bright- Marijosius Memorial Award in Orchestral human rights judge. He and his wife live in the est of metallic, Programming — recognizes and rewards Hudson Valley where they enjoy their Cicero shiny colors,” says the best achievement in the unique field of inspired library and garden with their three Angeles Noir Ramos, orchestral programming, where the selec- cats. a senior designer. tion of repertoire by knowledgeable, cre- He has a history degree from Stony Brook They can recon- ative and courageous music directors University and a law degree from Brooklyn Law struct a designer shoe builds orchestras and audiences, educates School. He and his wife, Jeri Wagner, travel the to fit your foot and young people and adults, and enriches the world studying ancient history. He has written repair worn shoes. They community. Efficacious Roman Suicide, Green even recreated Alexander Arakelyan is music director of the Enchantments, Bee Boro, Into the Bright Light McQueen’s iconic Armadillo Bainbridge Island Youth Orchestra, Federal of the Sun, A Hudson Valley Writer’s Guide, Lobster Claw. $6,500 boot. Way Youth Symphony and Port Townsend New York’s A Go Go, A Hudson Valley High and Community Orchestra. For more information is a co-author of The People’s Victory. about him, visit www.TigranArakelyan.com S ATURDAY, J UNE 1 6 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 ARTS & LIVING

(JIRAIR HOVSEPIAN PHOTO)

Soloist Haig Hovsepian with the Boston Pops A Pop of Music at Symphony Hall

BOSTON — The 67th annual Armenian Night Lord’s Prayer) arranged by Makar Yekmalian dence, he performed at an earlier time on every year by the Friends of Armenian Culture at the Pops featured violinist Haig Hovsepian, a and Rouben Gregorian and Sardarapat by Saturday, June 9, at Symphony Hall. Society. sophomore at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Hovhannissyan-Asatruyan. The Armenian Night at the Pops is sponsored performing along with the Boston Pops at Hovsepian started studying the violin at age (JIRAIR HOVSEPIAN PHOTO) Symphony Hall on Saturday, June 9. 4 and has had several teachers, including Jason Hovsepian, of Belmont, played the first move- Horowitz, Kyoko Horowitz, Sam Ou, Daniel ment of the Sibelius Violin Concerto in D Getz, Lynn Chang and Angelo Xiang Yu. He was Minor. He received an enthusiastic reception the recipient of the Alice and Violent from the orchestra and the audience and at the Ohanasian/Friends of Armenian Culture conclusion of his performance, received a stand- Society scholarship at NEC. ing ovation. He has won several concerto competitions, In the post-concert reception at the New including the NEC, the Concord Orchestra, England Conservatory (NEC), he got to play an Brockton Symphony, Waltham Philharmonic Armenian piece, Groong, by Komitas, accompa- and Belmton High School Orchestra. He also nied by his mother, Ani Hovsepian on piano. won the Boston Symphony Orchestra Concerto The program also featured Hayr Mer (The Competition, as a condition of which, by coinci-

Soloist Haig Hovsepian shakes hands with Boston Pops Conductor Keith Lockhart

(JIRAIR HOVSEPIAN PHOTO) (JIRAIR HOVSEPIAN PHOTO)

Soloist Haig Hovsepian with his former teacher, Lynn Chang, who taught him at the New Haig Hovsepian is flanked by Karina England Conservatory Demurchyan, left, and Ara Arakelian. 16 S ATURDAY, J UNE 1 6 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING AIWA New DAVID MEDZORIAN PHOTO England and Women’s Entrepreneurship Are Focus at Taste Of Spring Reception

BELMONT, Mass. — On the evening of May 22, the Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA) New England hosted “Taste of Spring,” a fundraising and networking event held at the Loading Dock restaurant. The event featured Patti Fletcher, a business consultant and coach who gave a brief presentation about her book, Disrupters: Success Strategies from Women Who Break the Mold, and about how she draws inspiration from her Armenian roots and her family’s history during the Genocide. Her message to the gathering was, “We are our grandparents’ wildest dreams!” The event featured hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, as well as a wine raffle, with wines donated by Karas Vineyards, the Loading Dock and several AIWA members. Funds were raised to support AIWA New England and the Women’s Entrepreneurship Program Zela Astarjian (left), president of AIWA New England Chapter, with guests at Taste of Spring May 22 at the American University of Armenia Extension School. This high-powered training program educates and supports women in Armenia who want to become successful entrepreneurs, and AUA is expanding it to include a leadership training course. More than 250 women have graduated from the program since 2002. In addition to fundraising, a key achieve- ment for the evening was to introduce new- comers to the organization and expand Recipe AIWA’s network. AIWA’s mission is to promote and enrich the social, economic and personal advancement of Armenian women worldwide. Events and mem- bership are open to everyone, male and female, Corner who shares these goals. DAVID MEDZORIAN PHOTO by Christine Vartanian Datian

Walnut Orange Cookies

INGREDIENTS 2 cups walnuts, very finely chopped 1 cup sifted flour 1/2 cup soft unsalted butter (1 stick) 3 tablespoons brown sugar 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice (and zest of one orange) 1/4 teaspoon sea salt 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon Philanthropist and AIWA Life Member Jack Medzorian, left, with author, business consultant FOR GARNISH: and coach Patti Fletcher, at Taste of Spring Confectioners’ sugar Unsweetened cocoa powder Crushed walnuts (or any nut of choice) DAVID MEDZORIAN PHOTO PREPARATION Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. In a blender or processor, grind walnuts until very fine. In a medium bowl, cream butter, sugar, and vanilla until fluffy. Add walnuts to this mixture and all remaining ingredients except the confectioners’ sugar (gar- nish), and mix thoroughly. Cover and chill dough for one hour. Form dough into 1” balls, place on an ungreased cookie sheet, and bake for 12-15 minutes or until set but not brown. Remove from oven and cool on a cookie rack. Roll cookies in confectioners’ sugar, cocoa powder or crushed nuts while still warm. For best results, re-roll again before serving. Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

*Christine's recipes have been published in the Fresno Bee newspaper, Sunset magazine, Cooking Light magazine, and at http://www.thearmeniankitchen.com/ Armine Manukyan (left), principal of St. James Erebuni School, talks with Judy Norsigian of the *Pecans, almonds or hazelnuts may be substituted for the walnuts for this recipe. Board of Our Bodies Ourselves, at Taste of Spring May 22. S ATURDAY, J UNE 1 6 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 17 ARTS & LIVING CC AA LL EE NN DD AA RR

MASSACHUSETTSFLORIDA Tea Imports and The Bostonian Hotel. Walk the Labyrinth. For first-time walkers introduction to walking a JANUARY 20-27, 2019 — Armenian Heritage Cruise labyrinth at 5:30 p.m. RSVP appreciated. XXII 2019. Western Caribbean Cruise aboard the Royal [email protected] Caribbean’s Allure of the Sea. Traveling to Nassau, AUGUST 23 — Under an August Moon, Armenian Cozumel, Roaten, Costa Maya. Cabin Rates, starting from Heritage Park on The Greenway, Boston, Thursday, $949/person based on double occupancy, including port 7:30 - 9:30 pm. Meet & Greet! Berklee All-Star Jazz Trio! charges and ACAA registration fee. Government rates of Enjoy signature tastings, hosted by anoush‘ella say $137.45 are additional. Armenian entrainment, kitchen; creative mocktails, hosted by The Bostonian Armenian cultural presentations, Armenian Festival Day, Hotel; luscious ice teas hosted by MEM Tea Imports. Tavlou and Belote Tournaments and much more. Call RSVP appreciated. [email protected] Travel Group International at 1-561-447-08750 or 1-866- SEPTEMBER 16 — Sunday Afternoon at the Park for Families. 447-0750 ext. 108, contact person Janie. Armenian Heritage Park on the Greenway, 2-4 p.m. Cindy Fitzgibbon, WCVB TV5, Emcee; Boston Hye Guys-Ron Sahatjian, MASSACHUSETTS clarinet; Joe Kouyoumjian, oud; Art Chingris, percussion; ADD At 2:30pm “Match the Pair”: Game for all ages! Face Painting: For Kids by Kids, Hoodies RSVP appreciated. JUNE 16 – Book presentation by Adrienne Alexanian [email protected] (editor) of her father’s memoir Forced into Genocide: NOVEMBER 14 — Najarian Lecture on Human Rights Memoirsof and Armenian soldier in the Ottoman Turkish at Historic Faneuil Hall, Boston Wednesday. Doors Army Worcester Library – Saxe Room – 2 - 3:30 pm 3 open at 6:45pm, Program at 7:30pm. Reception follows Salem Square – Worcester MA – (508) 799-1655 ext. 3 at The Bostonian Hotel An endowed public program of Book signing will follow the presentation – proceeds will Armenian Heritage Park on The Greenway. Details forth- be donated to charity coming. JUNE 18 — The Gregory Hintlian Memorial Golf On Saturday, June 16, the Cultural Tournament, sponsored by Holy Trinity Armenian NEW JERSEY Church of Greater Boston at the Marlborough Country Committee of Sts. Sahag and Club, Marlborough; 9:30 a.m., registration; 11 a.m., Mesrob Armenian Church in SEPTEMBER 30 — Armenia Fund USA and Ardzagang “Shot Gun.” Join us for a day of golf - player’s fee: $175 Providence will present a tribute Armenian TV are proud to present Artash Asatryan (includes hospitality, lunch, dinner, green & cart fees, concert honoring Canadian- and Band, guest singer Grisha Asatryan, from prizes and gifts) – or just dinner and a social evening Armenian bass-baritone Garo Armenia on Sunday, 4 p.m. Don’t miss the performance ($50 per person). Limited to 128 players. Tournament by the son and grandson of the legendary Armenian Nichanian (pictured above) for his singer Aram Asatryan! Proceeds will benefit Fruitful and tee sponsorships available. RSVP deadline, June 11. 40-year career. Invited performers To register or for further information, log onto Artsakh Project. Location: Bergen PAC, 30 N Van Brunt www.htaac.org/calendar/event/562/ call the Holy Trinity will include Janette St, Englewood, NJ. Tickets: $50, $70, $90. Please call Box Church Office, 617.354.0632, or email [email protected]. Khalarian, singer, Mari Panosian, Office 201-227-1030 or visit www.bergenPAC.org JUNE 20 — Tea & Tranquility, Armenian Heritage Park on piano, David Griego, on flute on The Greenway, Boston, Wednesday, 5-6:30 p.m. and the Nazeli Dance Group The MRAHSSODAEC HISLUSEANTTDS Meet & Greet! Enjoy Tea & Desserts hosted by MEM Tea program will take place at 7 p.m. JUNE 16 — The Cultural Committee of Sts. Sahag & Imports and The Bostonian Hotel. Walk the Labyrinth. For at the Egavian Cultural Center, 70 Mesrob Armenian Church Presents A Tribute Concert first-time walkers introduction to walking a labyrinth at Jefferson St., Providence, RI. There 5:30 p.m. RSVP appreciated. Honoring Garo Nichanian (Bass – Baritone, Canada), [email protected] will be a reception after the pro- for his 40 years of contribution to the Arts and JUNE 28 — Under a Strawberry Moon, Armenian gram. Admission is $20 per person. Culture. Invited Performers: Janette Khalarian, singer, Heritage Park on The Greenway, Boston, Thursday, Mari Panosian, piano, David Griego, flute, Nazeli Dance 8:30– 9:30 p.m. Meet & Greet! Moonlit Labyrinth Walk. Group Saturday, 7 p.m. Egavian Cultural Center 70 Enjoy chocolate-dipped strawberries, hosted by Vicki Jefferson Street, Providence, RI. Wine & refreshments will Lee’s and Ice Teas, hosted by MEM Tea Imports. RSVP be served. Admission $20 appreciated. [email protected] on The Greenway, Boston. Wednesday, 5- 6:30 p.m. JULY 7 — Armenian Church of Cape Cod presents Kef Meet & Greet! Enjoy Tea & Desserts hosted by MEM Tea Time - Dinner & Dancing Saturday 6 to 11.30 p.m. at The Imports and The Bostonian Hotel. Walk the Labyrinth. For Cape Club, 125 Falmouth Woods Road, North Falmouth. first-time walkers introduction to walking a labyrinth at Calendar items are free. Entries should not be longer Chicken Kebab & Losh Kebab dinner Leon Janikian band 5:30 p.m. RSVP appreciated. hello@ArmenianHeritage than 5 lines. Listings should include contact infor- with special appearance by Harry Minassian & a DJ $60 Park.org per person, children 7-14 $10. For tickets/tables contact AUGUST 15 — Tea & Tranquility, Armenian Heritage mation. Items will be edited to fit the space, if need Andrea Barber (617)201-9808 Park on The Greenway, Boston, Wednesday, 5-6:30 be. A photo may be sent with the listing no later JULY 18 — Tea & Tranquility, Armenian Heritage Park p.m. Meet & Greet! Enjoy Tea & Desserts hosted by MEM than Mondays at noon.

Dean Cain, Montel Williams Team up for Documentary Addressing Anti-Semitism

LOS ANGELES — Fresh off their acclaimed Semitism is a form of bigotry that can easily to millions of people around the world so that these horrific situations affect not just the vic- documentary on the Armenian Genocide, escalate from rhetoric to violence. In showing they can truly get a deeper understanding of how tims of genocide but the changing world itself.” “Architects of Denial,” (which was adapted as a audiences what this rising tide of anti-Semitism television special Denial), Executive Producers really looks like, I hope we can contribute to an David McKenzie (a multi-Emmy Award-winning equally dramatic decline in this dangerous ide- Producer and Director), Dean Cain and Montel ology of hate.” Williams have announced their new feature Cain agrees. “We are very concerned about = = = ==-7+7

COMMENTARY Mirror The Velvet Revolution Creeps into Karabakh

with regards to the situation in Artsakh. They both assumed a Spectator wait-and-see attitude assuming a kind of controlled and dispas- By Edmond Y. Azadian sionate approach. There are some differences in the case of Armenia this spring A nightmarish scenario is unfolding in Nagorno Karabakh and the events in Artsakh. In Armenia, the Velvet Revolution (Artsakh): while David Babayan, a spokesperson for the presi- moved from the bottom up, but in Karabakh, it was from top to EstablishedEstablished 1932 1932 dent of the republic warns of “concentrations of Azerbaijani bottom. Army units where they were not supposed to enter,” former Recent news informs us that some protestors are back in the An ADLAn Publication ADL Publication Armenian President Levon Ter-Petrosian warns that whatever streets demanding the president’s resignation. And indeed, in an happened in Armenia must not happen in Artsakh. interview this week, Sahakyan indicated that he will not seek What triggered this entire scenario was a scuffle on June 1, in reelection once his term is up. These actions discredit what Stepanakert, between some civilians and members of security Artsakh has achieved in terms of good governance. The EDITOR forces. As a result, 15 people were hospitalized. protestors claim that the republic’s constitution is flawed, that Alin K. Gregorian The true nature of this fight remains a mystery because a the elections have been conducted under fraudulent conditions street brawl could not have resulted in political protests, and that the leaders do not enjoy legitimacy. ASSISTANT EDITOR demands for the resignation of the leader of the security forces, Aram Arkun These are accusations that only Azeris would make. and indeed some resignations have taken effect, leading analysts Thus far, Artsakh has gained respectability, if not recognition, ART DIRECTOR to believe that the incident was not a street fight but rather a through holding model democratic and transparent elections, Marc Mgrditchian plot to destabilize Artsakh, while the enemy is at the gate. closer to the standards in the West rather than Armenia. These First to resign was Arayik Harutyunyan, the state minister, demonstrators are not concerned about destroying that image who announced at his resignation that other high officials will and are playing into the hands of the enemy. follow suit. And that prediction proved to be true when the next During my recent visit to Armenia, I found many people spec- wave of resignations followed through with Chief of Police ulating about the future and offering their views of the evolving SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: Kamo Aghajanyan and the head of the National Security events in the tiny enclave. Some there believe that because of Edmond Y. Azadian Service Arshavir Garamyan. the deteriorating regional and international situation, pressure Harutyunyan, who was replaced by Grigory Martirosyan, CONTRIBUTORS: on Armenia was forthcoming to cede territory to Azerbaijan, Florence Avakian, Dr. Haroutiun attributed his resignation to a “new phase of reforms,” which and Serzh Sargsyan did not wish to shoulder that responsibility Arzoumanian, Philippe Raffi Kalfayan, Artsakh President Bako Sahakyan was planning to implement. and opted out. Philip Ketchian, Kevork Keushkerian, The protestors had not asked for Harutyunyan’s resignation; As much as Armenians pride themselves with their hard-won Harut Sassounian, Hagop Vartivarian, they were demanding the heads of the police division. victory in Karabakh, there is an undercurrent of resentment Naomi Zeytoonian towards Artsakh. Sometimes people blame the Karabakh conflict for their CORRESPONDENTS: problems in terms of policy and econo- Armenia - Hagop Avedikian my. But one major argument is that Boston - Nancy Kalajian New York/New Jersey - Taleen mothers in Armenia send their sons to Babayan defend Karabakh but people in Berlin - Muriel Mirak-Weissbach Karabakh, especially at the leadership level, look for a place in the sun in Contributing Photographers: Armenia. And that view is corroborated Jirair Hovsepian by positions held in Armenia’s leader- ship by Robert Kocharyan, Serzh Sargsyan, Arkadi Ghoukasyan, Gen. The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published Seyran Ohanyan and others. No one weekly, except two weeks in July and the first would publicly articulate that undercur- week of the year, by: rent, but former President Ter-Petrosian Baikar Association, Inc. did and even politicized the issue. 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 Nikol Pashinyan has been Ter- Telephone: 617-924-4420 Petrosian’s political disciple all along the FAX: 617-924-2887 struggle to topple the Republican Party www.mirrorspectator.com stranglehold ion the top echelons. Ter- Petrosian had even devised a term for E-Mail: [email protected] that action: to deconstruct the For advertising: [email protected] Kleptocracy (gazmakantel). Today, Pashinyan has put forth the notion that Artsakh must be a party to the negotiations. Actually, it has been a party in the past. Even the cease-fire was SUBSCRIPTION RATES : signed between Baku and Stepanakert in 1994. But in the process, Artsakh was dropped out of the process. U.S.A. $80 a year Now people have been asking whether Pashinyan is promoting or abandoning Canada $125 a year Karabakh to its own devices. Whatever the policy or the motives, it Other Countries $190 a year is not the time to stray from the course. The regional situation is indeed dete- riorating with the US and Israel further © 2014 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator isolating Iran, on the one hand and on Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA the other hand tightening sanctions and additional mailing offices. around Russia, two countries that are Under the tenuous situation created, all eyes were directed strategic allies for Armenia and on which the country’s econo- ISSN 0004-234X towards Armenia’s new Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, whose my and security depend. magic words had proven to be very effective in controlling crowd External actions can destroy Armenia, but internal issues and POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The situations from getting out of hand. And Pashinyan, indeed, destability may exacerbate that process. Armenian Mirror-Spectator, 755 Mount Auburn called for calm and the demonstrators were dispersed. But his Throughout Armenia’s history, our statehood has been St., Watertown, MA 02472 call was enigmatic, if not conditional; he stated that he had been destroyed by foreign enemies to whom internal dissenting forces Other than the editorial, views and opinions in constant watch of the situation in Artsakh and that President have contributed. Beginning with Tigran II’s empire, which fell expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily reflect the policies of the publisher. Sahakyan had promised to him to take immediate action in to Rome partly because of the betrayal of his son, and the addressing the situation and bringing to justice the parties Kingdom of Ani which fell and Vest Sarkis had something to do responsible who had instigated the incident. He concluded in his with it. The Cilician Kingdom fell to the Mamelukes and the statement that the ball was in the court of Stepanakert and that internecine squabbles of the princes contributed to its internal if the authorities did not take immediate action, the people were weakness. We blame the loss of our first republic on the Soviet- Copying for other than personal use or entitled to go back to the protest lines. Turkish collusion, but internal score-settling had also a role in internal reference is prohibited without express permission of the copyright Bako Sahakyan seemed to be in control of the situation and the demise of the republic. owner. Address requests for reprints or he came up with his own announcement, which in part, said, Today, history has offered a golden opportunity to Armenia back issues to: “There are no developments here that could be defined as a and Artsakh to survive. With the victory of the Velvet political crisis, as some would lead you to believe.” Revolution, Armenians have all the more reason to be circum- Baikar Association, Inc. Some similarities may be detected between Moscow’s position spect, to look back on the lessons of history and preserve the 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472- vis-à-vis the Velvet Revolution in Armenia and Yerevan’s position velvet quality of the revolution, both in Armenia and Artsakh. 1509 S ATURDAY, J UNE 1 6 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 19 COMMENTARY

Kurtulus also attacked Chris Cuomo of CNN for inter- the equivalent of condemning anyone who speaks about viewing on his show Cong. Adam Schiff (Dem.- CA). the Jewish Holocaust because that may tarnish the reputa- Kurtulus described Schiff as “a racist” for championing the tion of Germans. recognition of the Armenian Genocide and compared him Kurtulus then disparaged all of the scholars who have with David Duke of the KKK. Kurtulus then picked on written on the Armenian Genocide, in addition to Amb. My Turn Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (Dem.-CA) for acknowledg- Henry Morgenthau who had written an eyewitness account ing the Armenian Genocide in her 2016 statement. in his book, “The Murder of a Nation.” Instead, Kurtulus By Harut Sassounian Kurtulus ridiculously claimed that Armenians may have praised so-called “scholars” who are genocide denialists died of “old age” rather than being murdered during the funded by the Turkish government. Genocide. Kurtulus ended his email with more insults directed at Unfortunate Coincidence: Attacks Kurtulus also blasted Amy Goodman, host of the award- Bourdain: “If I lived in a less racist society, Anthony Bourdain on Eve of Suicide winning “Democracy Now,” a TV/Radio news program that Bourdain would be losing his job in a moment. Yet the airs on 900 public broadcast stations in North America, for problem does not only rest with hateful bigots such as A friend forwarded to me the copy of a lengthy email that acknowledging the Armenian Genocide in her show. Anthony Bourdain; why did [CNN] President Jeff Zucker, was sent by Ibrahim Kurtulus, a Turkish-American from Kurtulus not only denied the occurrence of the who has also been receiving our communications, allow for New York City, to hundreds of CNN employees harshly crit- Armenian Genocide by calling it a ‘hoax,” but turned Bourdain’s vicious racism?” icizing Anthony Bourdain, Chris Cuomo and others for around and blamed Armenians for committing an “exter- Kurtulus also blamed other CNN employees for not acknowledging the Armenian Genocide. The subject of mination campaign against Turks.” He also falsely claimed protesting “Anthony Bourdain’s irresponsibility, hateful- Kurtulus’s email is titled: “When CNN’s Chris Cuomo and that “a systematic extermination campaign against ness and corruption of the facts. …How could CNN jour- ‘Especially’ Anthony Bourdain Legitimize RACISM.” Armenians would have been not only unlikely, but out of nalists exercise any tolerance over Anthony Bourdain’s prej- By an unfortunate coincidence, the Turkish email was the question.” udices, as well as his twisting of the facts?” sent on June 5, 2018, barely three days before Bourdain Kurtulus then criticized Anthony Bourdain for accompa- Rather than countering the many lies and distortions of committed suicide. Given the large number of Armenians nying Serj Tankian on his trip to Armenia and Artsakh. Kurtulus, I will simply quote from Kemal Ataturk, the and non-Armenians who have written in recent days Kurtulus described Tankian as “a member of an Armenian- founder of the Turkish Republic, who during an interview expressing their unfounded suspicion that Azerbaijan or American heavy metal band (System of a Down), a major published by the Los Angeles Examiner on August 1, 1926, Turkey caused Bourdain’s death, I want to make it clear insidious purpose of which has been to brainwash world- confessed: “These leftovers from the former Young Turk that I do not believe in such conspiracies. Sadly, Bourdain, wide youthful fans into acceptance of an ‘Armenian geno- Party, who should have been made to account for the lives who suffered from serious depression, committed suicide in cide.’” Kurtulus went on to accuse Bourdain of repeating of millions of our Christian subjects who were ruthlessly his hotel room during a visit to France last week. “all of the hateful propaganda in his episode driven en masse from their homes and massacred, have In addition, those who propagate such conspiracies are (https://www.youtube.com/watch ?v=A3oEJjTbDpo).” been restive under the Republican rule. They have hitherto damaging Armenian interests. Anthony Bourdain, who had After comparing Bourdain to white ‘”supremacists” in lived on plunder, robbery and bribery, and become inimical the popular TV travel and food show “Parts Unknown” on Charlottville, Va., Kurtulus asked: “what is the difference?” to any idea or suggestion to enlist in useful labor and earn CNN, was blacklisted by Azerbaijan for having gone to Regrettably, Kurtulus defamed anyone who has supported their living by the honest sweat of their brow.” Artsakh after visiting Armenia late last year. The show the veracity of the Armenian Genocide. It is no one else’s Since I have received a copy of the Kurtulus email along aired on CNN last month to the great delight of Armenians fault that the Ottoman Turkish government organized the with the complete list of hundreds of email addresses at worldwide and dismay of Azeris and Turks. By alleging that extermination of the Armenian people. If, as a result, the CNN where he dispatched his email, I will send my article Azerbaijan killed Bourdain, Armenians are simply discour- Turkish nation has had a horrible reputation, it is wrong to to the same email addresses so CNN journalists will not be aging non-Armenians from visiting Artsakh. blame it on the Armenian victims. Kurtulus’s argument is deceived by Kurtulus.

Wallenburg Foundation Pays Tribute to Righteous Catholics ROME — Between 1943 and 1945, in as feared concentration camps. lives to save others,” Tenembaum adds. LETTERS Italy, hundreds of Jewish children perse- In the Church of San Giocchino, in the war.” So far, more than 500 Houses cuted by the Nazis found protection in Prati, Rome, the priest Antonio of Life have been identified in Italy, churches, convents and houses belong- Dressiono, allowed, after the armistice of France, Denmark, Hungary, Greece, Open Letter to Armenian ing to Catholic families. Three of them, September 8, 1943 — which facilitated Poland and Belgium. According to Silvia speak of their odyssey. the German gruesome search efforts all Costantini, a point of reference of the Community on Proposed All of a sudden, at age 7, Gianni Polgar over Italy — to host Jews and other per- foundation in Italy, “each House of Life became Franco De Renzini. If called by secuted people and sheltered them in the brings more Houses of Life.” his real name, he knew he should not attic of the church. One night in 1943, Bice Gilardoni, the Diocesan Building Project turn around. Although his parents were They were hidden behind a glass wall wife of Fausto Staderini, a Catholic engi- alive, he pretended to be an orphan. He and their presence was known by Sister neer who owned a printing workshop in (The following open letter to the Armenian community by took first communion and even got a pic- Margherita, who was in charge of cook- Rome, in a dream heard a voice that told Avedis Hekimian was sent to the Armenian Mirror- ture with his pretend godfather. Polgar, a ing lunch and dinner for the refugees. her: “You have to save Elvira’s children.” Spectator for publication.) Jewish child, knew by heart the mass in In the 1960s, the State of Israel creat- Elvira was a Jewish friend of hers, mar- Latin. ed the Committee of Righteous, whose ried, with two children. I read Hirant Gulian’s letter to the Primate “Community Bianca María Campagnano was 9 job is to bestow the title of “Righteous “Suddenly, we were eight,” remembers Input Needed Before Deciding Fate of Diocesan Complex” when she struggled how to respond: among the Nations” upon every gentile Carla Staderini. The image was embed- in the June 2, 2018 issue of the Mirror Spectator with great “Jewish” or “Catholic” if stopped while who saved the life of a Jewish person. ded in her mind. interest since I too am very concerned about this project. walking in the street of Rome, disguised Raoul Wallenberg, a Swedish diplomat “The concentration camps became Many in the community who are well versed in real estate as a Christian girl who was just baptized, who risked his own life to save people known later, but I was a child and feared have stated that this project is a “bad deal” and high profile on her way to visit her parents at an attic. from the Nazis in Budapest and in 1945 the Germans. I thought they were com- knowledgeable people are strongly against it. It’s baffling as Between 1943 and 1945, Italy was one was detained by the Russians never to be ing after me,” says Bianca Maria. She’s to why precious land in Manhattan that took survivors of of the countries that challenged the Nazi seen again, was one of those rescuers. 84 and now and then sees the Staderinis, the Armenian Genocide years to purchase and develop occupation the most: Both spontaneous In his memory, the Argentinian Baruj who come and pick her up and bring her would be sold at such a cheap price. What is also disturbing and audacious, the Italians drew a pro- Tenembaum, a Jewish Gaucho born in to the Vila at Via Nicotera, where the is that this project was veiled in such secrecy. I was told by tective dome that protected the Jews Santa Fe, established in 1997 the Wallenberg Foundation affixed the reliable sources that those involved in masterminding this against deportation. “During his trial in International Raoul Wallenberg House of Life. project insisted that everyone involved sign letters of confi- Jerusalem, Adolf Eichmann, the architect Foundation, an NGO with headquarters “We were hidden there for 9 months. dentiality. This begs the question…WHY?...If you have noth- of the Final Solution, stated that in New York and branches is Buenos Even the teacher, Ms. Sanzoni, came ing to hide. amongst the Nazi-occupied countries, Aires, Jerusalem and Rome, which deals secretly to teach us so that we wouldn’t It is common practice that those putting together real Italy was the most difficult one in terms with educational programs aimed at lose the year,” she adds. estate deals such as this one are compensated financially for of implementation of the deportation highlighting the civic courage of those In November 1943, when Annalisa their efforts. This isn’t an accusation as much as it is a ques- measures,” according to Giovanna who offered a drop of relief in the Sadun was a newborn, the Jews of Siena tion and concern. If the deal goes through, and I hope that Sadun, sister of Annalisa, survivor of a Holocaust inferno. were sinking in despair in light of the it doesn’t, the members of both the Diocesan Council and Jewish family from Siena which was pro- atrocious presence of the Germans. the Board of Trustees will always have clouds hanging over tected by a Catholic one. Houses of Life Monsignor Luigi Rosadini, from the their heads since the community will always be suspicious “Historical documents recognize the f Vigano Church, offered refuge to the of their motives in putting their stamps of approval on such high degree of solidarity displayed by the Since 2014, the foundation has pro- Saduns. Soon afterwards, the Saduns a bad deal. population. We were under the rule of moted Houses of Life, a program aimed found shelter at the house of Dr. Gino If this sale is for the purpose of mitigating the Diocese’s the Salo and there was a tacit agreement at identifying, paying tribute and spread- Cardini, a pediatrician living in the cen- financial problems the community needs to ask how compe- between some local officials and the citi- ing around to the whole world who, ter of Siena. tent are the men and women advising the administration if zens, who rescued and sheltered Jews,” where, how and when the people perse- On March 6 this year, during the cele- they allowed this state of affairs to happen in the first place? says historian Alessandra Staderini, cuted by Nazis were sheltered. bration of the Day of the Righteous in Why can’t the Diocese find a competent executive director whose parents, when she was 1, saved “During the Shoa, there were thou- Siena, Annalisa participated at the cere- who won’t throw up his hands after a short time in office? two Jewish kids, Bianca Maria and sands of people that helped other mem- mony which proclaimed the residence of This is first major test for our new Primate. He must show Marcelo Campagnno. bers of minorities doomed to die by the the Cardinis and the Vignano church as leadership and listen to the community who is very much The Salo Republic was a fascist inven- Nazis and their allies. Many have been Houses of life. against this building project and not to those who want to tion that Mussolini made up in the north- duly recognized. Others, were not,” Gianni Polgar is a living testimony of a mitigate their mistakes by arrogantly promoting the sale of center area of the country, which was noted the creator of the foundation, legend which came true. Nowadays, he is our precious Diocese. It’s also a test for member of the under Nazi control. In the wake of WWII, whose chairman is Eduardo Eurnekian. 82 years old and he visits schools to tell Diocesan Council/Board of Trustees to push back against the anti-Semitic monster had already “The Houses of Life program is our the story of terror and solidarity he expe- those who are bullying them into consent. devoured some 6 million people. way to thank all these persons in the rienced as a Jewish child protected by Please say no to this outrageous bad deal. However, there were convents, monas- European continent (in this case, the Catholics. –Avedis V. Hekimian teries, churches, religious schools and overwhelming majority of Houses of Life He still recites passages of the mass in Catholic families that sheltered Jewish are religious institutions belonging to Latin. children, who were handed over by their the Catholic Church) that risked their 20 S ATURDAY, J UNE 1 6 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR AGBU New England District 110th Anniversary Banquet Raises $1.22 Million, Honors Afeyan and Guleserian

ARLAN PHOTOGRAPHY) AGBU, from page 1 great-uncle, Catholicos Papken Guleserian, for Talk on virtual reality. A former music industry example, came in handy in an unusual situa- professional who has toured with Bon Jovi and tion. She first learned about AGBU as a child the Rolling Stones and worked with the Clinton through her family. Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies on Guleserian gave examples of some of her reducing carbon emissions, Oganesyan is a famous cases illustrated by slides, taking advan- founding partner of Protocol Investments and tage of the opportunity to educate her audi- has served as chairwoman of the Ewing’s ence. She pointed out that congenital heart dis- Sarcoma Research Foundation. ease is one of the leading causes of death world- Oganesyan spoke about the magic of com- wide in infants, with some operations needing munity. She related that her grandfather used to be conducted within hours of delivery. to repeat the Armenian saying, “rise up, raise Guleserian is director of Heart Failure and up,” but proposed changing it to “raise up, rise Transplantation at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital up,” because by raising up others, you are also in Miami, and served previously for over a carving out your own path. Her great-grandfa- decade as the surgical director of Pediatric ther documented her family’s history, founding Cardiac Transplantation at Children’s Medical orphanages in Greece with the help of the Center in Dallas, Texas. AGBU and the Danish government. His tool to Ara Balikian took the podium to speak about preserve the past was his pen, while the Amvets and their close connection to the Oganesyan’s is virtual reality. Leaders of AmVets Post No. 41 receive plaque from AGBU in recognition of their 1 million dollar AGBU NE District. He called up their members She enjoined the crowd to continue to docu- scholarship donation. From left, Ara Balikian, Jack Medzorian, George Haroutunian, Berge who were in the audience, as well as Setrakian, ment and publish Armenian history. AGBU, she Setrakian, Robert Kaprielian, Harold Partamian, Frank Nahigian, and George Elanjian. Present at in order to recognize their generous donation said, preserves our traditions, languages and gala and missing from photo is Leon Simonian. and service over the years. A video about their culture, in order to preserve the Armenian work was played, and a plaque was presented to nation. them. Another short video about the AGBU was Armenian students from outside of taking risks and doing the same things today as Closing remarks at the banquet were given played for the audience and afterwards Ara Massachusetts come to study in Boston, and the saviors of the Armenians did a century ago. by Setrakian, who congratulated the awardees Balikian, chairman of the AGBU NE District, AGBU intends to help these students succeed Afeyan noted that this put Armenia on the map and exclaimed, “It has been a very emotional 24 took the podium with his inimitable energy and in various ways. of international humanitarianism for the first hours in Boston.” He stated that he grapples humor. He pointed out that almost every He ended with a call for the Boston commu- time. with the question of how to attract the new Armenian organization in the Boston area had nity to continue to help Armenia during this Several years ago Afeyan was asked to join generation to become Armenians by their own its leaders or representatives in the crowd, dramatic period of developments. the AGBU Central Board, intensifying his rela- choice. He said that the nostalgia for the past showing their encouragement of AGBU. Oganesyan then introduced Afeyan, founder tionship with the organization. Afeyan said that or the old country would not work. Instead, Balikian gave an overview of the history of and CEO of Flagship Pioneering. Afeyan pro- the AGBU realizes that the old Armenian dias- Setrakian said, “We need heroes. Kristine and vided an expansive overview of his upbringing, pora is going to dissolve and a new diaspora Noubar tonight are symbols of the new genera- ARLAN PHOTOGRAPHY) career and views on Armenian affairs. As a child centrally focused on having a country will take tion. The new generation will come and see growing up in Beirut, Lebanon, demonstrating over. how successful Armenians can be, yet they are annually about the Armenian Genocide, he Afeyan urged Armenians to be more original Armenians by choice.” related that he was actively involved in the than others, keep their roots firmly planted in Setrakian said, “That is where our mission Armenian community. When he was 13 years the future, not the past, and not drop their stan- has to be focused. That is why AGBU is com-

old, he and his family had to flee the Lebanese ARLAN PHOTOGRAPHY) Civil War in 1975 to Montreal. He viewed soci- ety from the perspective of an immigrant, which he felt was an advantage. He came to Boston to pursue a PhD from 1983-87 in MIT and joined the Daron Dance Ensemble in Watertown the next year, which let him rediscover being Armenian. He also joined a basketball team. Both the dance ensemble and the team were part of the AGBU, beginning

ARLAN PHOTOGRAPHY)

AGBU New England District 110th Anniversary Gala Co-Chairs Houry Youssoufian, at left, and Lindsey Hagopian

the AGBU in the district. Vahan Kurkjian, a From left, Dr. Noubar Afeyan, Dr. Kristine Guleserian and Ara Balikian friend of Nubar Pasha, came to study law at Boston University, and founded the Boston chapter of AGBU in 1908, only two years after dards when it comes to the Republic of mitted to excellence.” He added, “I am elitist, the founding of the organization itself. This Armenia. He called for all Armenians to be but I am not talking about social elitism, but means the chapter was not only the first in the born-again Armenians who choose their identi- about successful professional elitism.” United States but the third in the world, fol- ty, with the degree of Armenian blood or bio- Historically, Setrakian said, AGBU always lowing Cairo, Egypt, and Manchester, England. logical inheritance not relevant to this identity. believed that unless we take care of Armenia, Gradually the Boston chapter grew into the Finally, he called the attention of the audi- there is no future in the diaspora. He conclud- New England District, with thirty AGBU chap- ence to the new book by Dr. Hayk Demoyan, ed, “We are not abandoning our programs in ters. visiting head of the Armenian Genocide the diaspora, because the diaspora is very Balikian said he found much information in Museum-Institute of Yerevan, on the Armenian important, but one way to reinforce Armenian the documents preserved at his headquarters. legacy in America, which shows, Afeyan said, power in the diaspora is to make sure that we For example, in 1946-47, the New England Lia Oganesyan how good we really are in this country. have a prosperous, independent, democratic District raised $280,000 for repatriation to Demoyan came to the podium to say a few free Armenia.” He issued a call to the other Soviet Armenia. There were scouts, a school, words about his work. organizations represented in the hall to work and champion soccer teams. In 1959, the a close relationship with the organization. After Afeyan, Oganesyan introduced together, exclaiming “there is nothing that sep- Central Board purchased the present AGBU He became involved in the Armenia Fund, Guleserian, the pediatric heart surgeon known arates us,” while the needs are so great. headquarters on Mt. Auburn Street. Almost and then in 2001, after meeting fellow as “Dr. G.” to her patients. Guleserian is one of The banquet was the highlight of a weekend fifty percent of the chairs of the New England entrepreneur Ruben Vardanyan of Russia, cre- only 11 specialists in her field, who has carried devoted to AGBU activities, including a town Chapters were women. Balikian introduced ated Armenia 2020 to help Armenia grow. This, out the world’s youngest combined heart-liver hall meeting Friday night at District Hall in the many of the past leaders of the district who in turn, led to several other foundations. transplant, the world’s smallest and youngest Seaport area of Boston. Setrakian and mem- were present in the hall and received great By the time the Armenian Genocide centen- heart transplant in a one-week-old, the world’s bers of the Central Board responded to ques- applause. nial approached, he said he realized that simply smallest and youngest pacemaker placement tions from over 50 students and AGBU Young He then spoke of some of the programs cur- asking for justice weighed Armenians down and the world’s smallest and youngest total arti- Professionals (YPs). Afterwards, over 120 YPs rently offered for Armenians of all ages, praising because it limited the number of ways in which ficial implant. She gives back to the Armenian went to a nightclub called The Grand . the work of the YPs, and announced the launch they interact with the world. He and Vardanyan community with her initiative to help pediatric During the banquet, a silent auction with of the AGBU Boston Internship Program for created the 100 Lives Initiative, which worked patients in Armenia. Armenian art, exotic getaways and other prizes college students, joining New York City, Paris, for remembrance, and in 2016 the Aurora Prize Guleserian gave a detailed talk about her helped raise money for AGBU. After the ban- London, Yerevan and Buenos Aires, starting in for Awakening Humanity, which honors people work, peppered with humor and Red Sox and quet, there was a reception at the gastropub 2019. He declared that about 150-200 completely unrelated to Armenians who are Armenian references. The name of her great- Meadhall nearby in Cambridge.