AUGUST 27, 2011 MirTHE rARoMENr IAN -Spe ctator Volume LXXXII, NO. 7, Issue 4201 $ 2.00 NEWS IN BRIEF The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Estonian Company to Ricciardone Revises Response to Senate Dig for Gold in Armenia Inquiry on Number of Churches in Turkey TALLINN, Estonia (Baltic Business News and Hetq) — Estonian businessman Marcel Vichmann has set up FIT Armenia, a company that plans to Clerics Take Him to Task for Following broad-based concerns explore and mine gold and copper in Armenia. Ignorance of Ottoman History expressed by Armenian-American commu - Abp. Khajag Barsamian Vichmann started the gold mining project in nity and religious leaders, Ricciardone Responds to Amb. Armenia after GILD Arbitrage, an investment WASHINGTON — US Ambassador to amended his earlier response to Senate fund that had invested in Armenia in 2007 and Turkey Francis Ricciardone, responding to a Foreign Relations Committee member Ricciardone’s Statement 2008. wave of grassroots outrage and growing Robert Menendez (D-NJ), in which he had The investment fund had gold exploration Congressional concern, backed away from his argued, without any basis in fact, that a WASHINGTON — Archbishop Khajag rights for seven properties, but soon went bank - most obvious and offensive misrepresenta - majority of Christian churches operating in Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of rupt when it could not meet its investors’ tions about Turkey’s destruction of Christian the territory of present-day Turkey prior to the Armenian Church of America demands. 1915 were still functioning today. (Eastern), sent a letter to United States Vichmann now owns three of the seven licens - In a correction obtained by the ANCA on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, es and has reportedly invested additional August 22, Ricciardone took the “opportu - regarding assertions recently made by amounts in the exploration. nity to clarify the record,” suggesting that Ambassador Francis Ricciardone, of the 2,000 churches there before 1915, President Barack Obama’s recess they are not all still functioning. He said, appointment to serve as US ambassador Fortune Oil Names “The corrected text should read as follows: to Turkey. Most of the Christian churches functioning In an official written statement Director for Iron prior to 1915 are no longer operating as addressing an inquiry from New Jersey Mining Operations churches. Christian community contacts in Sen. Robert Menendez regarding the Turkey report that a total of 200-250 present operational status of “the more YEREVAN (Hetq) — Fortune Oil PLC announced churches that date to 1915 and before offer see RESPONSE, page 16 this week the appointment of Jerry Gorman as see STATEMENT, page 16 project director for its iron ore investment in Armenia, effective October 1. Gorman will now be responsible for developing both the Hrazdan and Abovyan mines. He will be Fortune Oil’s most senior represen - Armenia, Israel Review tative based in Armenia and will be the key indi - vidual liaising with all of the group’s strategic alliance partners including SRK Consulting US Amb. to Turkey Francis Ricciardone (UK), ProMet Engineers (Australia), Sinosteel Tenuous Relationship Group (China), local government and other rele - churches, but sparked renewed controversy vant authorities including the Chinese Embassy. by artificially inflating the number of cur - YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Senior reference to the Armenian Genocide. The largest shareholders in Fortune Oil are rently operating Christian houses of worship, Armenian and Israeli diplomats discussed Successive Israeli governments have First Level Holdings Limited, Vitol and major and again using strained euphemisms to help the sometimes uneasy relationship resisted calls to recognize the Armenian Chinese state-owned corporations. Ankara escape responsibility for its crimes, between their countries during two days of Genocide. Support for such recognition reported the Armenian National Committee consultations that ended in Yerevan on appears to have grown within the Israeli Tateossian Jewelry of America (ANCA). Tuesday. parliamen over the past year, however. The Armenian Foreign Ministry said the Diplomatic sources in Yerevan say that Opens Store in two negotiating teams were headed by Ayalon phoned his Armenian counterpart Deputy Foreign Minister Arman to address the Armenian government’s Armenia Kirakossian and Armenian Woman YEREVAN (news.am) — The Tateossian jewelry Pinchas Avivi, a company, base in London, will open a store here. high-level Israeli Dies in Indiana The 700-square-foot store will be situated in a Foreign Ministry small center and will be designed by architects official coordinating State Stage Collapse PLS Design of Italy — Lino Lasanno and Lorenzo ties with Eastern Perini — who also designed the Dolce and Europe and the for - INDIANAPOLIS (Indiana Star) — An Gabanna and Valentino stores, according to mer Soviet Union. Armenian-American woman was among Retail Jeweler. “During the con - those who died when a stage collapsed at “It’s fulfilling to be able to go back to your sultations the two the Indiana State Fair on August 13, right roots and offer a London twist to the city of sides discussed before the band Sugarland was to perform. Yerevan. The store opening is a reflection of the issues related to Alina BigJohny, of Muncie, was the growing market of the Commonwealth of Armenia-Israel daughter of an Armenian immigrant. She Independent States and Armenia is the perfect cooperation, devel - had just turned 23, and her family was plan - first opening in this part of the world,” said Chief opments taking Israeli and Armenian diplomats met in Yerevan on Tuesday. ning a belated birthday celebration for her Executive Officer Robert Tateossian. Sunday. But instead the party turned into a place in the Middle prayer vigil, the Associated Press reported. East and South BigJohny died Saturday when stage rig - Caucasus regions as well as other issues of unease over Israel’s growing ties with ging collapsed at the Indiana State Fair. mutual interest,” read a ministry state - Azerbaijan, which was communicated to see BIGJOHNY, page 16 ment. It gave no details of those discus - another Israeli diplomat earlier this sum - sions. mer. Although the statement described the One source said that Ayalon denied INSI DE talks as “regular,” they are understood to reports that quoted him as saying in May be connected with Kirakossian’s July 25 that Israel will not recognize the Armenian phone conversation with Israel’s Deputy Genocide because of Azerbaijan’s impor - Foreign Ministry Danny Ayalon. tance for his country. Speaking of The Israeli Foreign Ministry said that Avivi, who served as Israel’s ambassador Ayalon “thanked Kirakossian for the to Turkey from 2003-2007, and other Bardakjian... friendly relationship and mentioned the Israeli diplomats accompanying him visited historical ties and cultural similarities Tsitsernakabert memorial on Tuesday. page 5 between the two nations.” Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor “Ayalon emphasized the importance Lieberman held up the Azerbaijani-Israeli Israel attaches to the continuous develop - ties as a model for cooperation between ment of diplomatic relations and practical the Jewish state and a Muslim nation when INDEX cooperation with Armenia,” the ministry he visited Baku in February 2010. He also Arts and Living ...... 10 said in a statement. “He further stated that reportedly voiced support for Azerbaijan’s Armenia ...... 2 it would be his pleasure to visit Yerevan, “territorial integrity.” Community News...... 5 and invited Kirakossian to visit Israel.” In what may have been an attempt to Editorial ...... 14 Ayalon also “reiterated the special sensi - soothe Yerevan, Ayalon contradicted International ...... 3, 4 Alina BigJohny tivity we, as Jews, feel regarding the those remarks in his phone call with Armenian tragedy,” the statement added in Kirakossian. 2 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 27, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia Dashnak Leadership Criticizes Samvel Karapetyan: Party Branch in United States Voyage of ‘Armenia’ YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — In a rare show Vessel – Sport of discord within its ranks, the opposition Achievement Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) criticized on Friday its YEREVAN (Armenpress) — The vessel “Armenia” largest branch in the United States for started its voyage in March 28, 2009 in Valencia, deciding to boycott an upcoming event in Spain, and crossing the Red Sea on August 5, and Los Angeles to be attended by President its crew stated that the “From Sea to Sea Armenia” Serge Sargisian. mission has been accomplished. The vessel went to Sargisian is expected to visit the US in 23 countries, traveling almost 82,000 kilometers. late September to address the UN The head of the expedition, Zori Balayan, said General Assembly in New York and meet “From Sea to Sea” is not an exaggeration. with representatives of the Armenian- According to captain of the ship Samvel American community. He will attend an Karapetyan, the voyage is first of all a sport official banquet organized by the achievement for Armenia. “This is the first round- Armenian Consulate in Los Angeles and the-world navigation for Armenians, which was suc- dedicated to the 20th anniversary of cessfully completed. The historical meaning of the Armenia’s independence. voyage is that we also visit world-spread Armenians Dashnaktsutyun’s organization in the and the churches built by them,” he noted, adding western US announced late on Thursday that the navigation is attractive in regard to busi- that its representatives will not take part President Serge Sargisian (right) and Hrant Markarian attend a concert in Yerevan ness, too. The ties established in different countries in the celebration, in a protest against organized by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation. can promote that investments are made in Armenia. Sargisian’s track record in office. It said his presence there will “cast a shadow on the idea of independence and denigrate unsolved problems accumulated in the Congress (HAK), a more radical opposi - Armenian Deputy PM the struggle of our people for the restora - Republic of Armenia,” Giro Manoyan, tion force at odds with Dashnaktsutyun. Visits China tion of justice.” the Bureau’s foreign and pan-Armenian They are the clearest indication yet that In a strongly-worded statement issued affairs spokesman, said in written com - some Dashnaktsutyun structures and YEREVAN (news.am) — Armenian Deputy Prime late on Thursday, the party’s chapter ments to media. “But the 20-year [inde - individual members disagree with the Minister Armen Gevorgyan left for a working visit described the Armenian president as a pendence] anniversary testifies to our party leadership’s cautious stance. to China on Monday. “discredited” individual who “tramples common victory and achievements. We Opening a Dashnaktsutyun congress The delegation members are scheduled to visit democracy and democratic values under - have no right to be guided by person - in Yerevan in late June, Hrant Markarian, the Guangdong province and will participate in the foot” in order to ensure “the reproduc - alized relationships and emotional the de facto head of the Bureau, called closing ceremony of the 26th international sports tion of the criminal regime.” steps in this kind of event. Instead, we for a “systemic regime change” in games in Shenzhen city, the ministry’s press ser- The statement went on to accuse the must use this occasion to express our Armenia but avoided personal attacks on vice reported. Sargisian government, of which unity and consolidation with such Sargisian. The games started on August 12. Athletes from Dashnaktsutyun was a part until April events, while remaining faithful to our He made clear that Dashnaktsutyun Armenia participated in five disciplines: chess, 2009, of committing “blatant human principles.” will not seek to topple the president with weightlifting, taekwondo, judo and tennis. rights violations,” controlling the judicia - Manoyan did not clarify whether the sustained street demonstrations and Armenia’s weightlifter Aghasi Aghasyan won a gold ry and sponsoring “oligarchs that contin - Bureau agrees with the harsh assessment other radical actions. medal during the games. ue to relentlessly plunder our people” in of Sargisian made by one of the party’s A declaration adopted by the congress Gevorgyan will meet with local authorities and Armenia. It also condemned the govern - most important diaspora branches. likewise stopped short of demanding Chinese high-ranking officials in Beijing. ment’s conciliatory policies towards Dashnaktsutyun leaders in Armenia Sargisian’s resignation. Gevorgyan met with Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan and Turkey. have been more cautious in criticizing Dashnaktsutyun quit Armenia’s gov - the Chinese State Council Liu Yandun. Dashnaktsutyun’s supreme decision- the current authorities in Yerevan. erning coalition in 2009 in protest The speakers agreed that the development of the making body, based in Yerevan, the The verbal attacks from the Armenian- against Sargisian’s controversial policy of cooperation would assist to strengthen ties Bureau, made clear the next day that it American political structure are more in rapprochement with Turkey, rather than between the two friendly nations. disapproves of the boycott. tune with characterizations of Sargisian his human rights or socioeconomic The sides especially welcomed cooperation in “Obviously, there are numerous regularly made by the Armenian National records. educational sphere and rated the new programs. Gevorgyan welcomed China’s decision to increase the number of slots for Armenian students to 40. Shirak Primate Urges Gov. to Help Residents Stay in Armenia

MP, Gov. Minister Debate families they have started. It sickened life as being on the outside. State of Children By Yeranuhi Soghoyan me to think that even the Turks have He pointed to the Come Home pro - changed their impressions of gram launched by the Ministry of the YEREVAN (Hetq) — Filaret Berikyan, Deputy Armenians. The image of the Armenian Diaspora, noting that the government Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, stated at a YEREVAN (Hetq) — It seems that one family has been distorted. Turks have should launch a similar program to press conference this week that when it comes to ranking member of the Armenian always regarded Armenians as a people keep local residents at home. the protection of children’s rights, Armenia is Apostolic Church has joined the ranks with morals. Now, that image is being “Why is it that it is possible to change doing quite well in comparison to other post-Soviet of many raising the alarm regarding the replaced. Isn’t this a national tragedy?” conditions in Georgia but not here in nations and Eastern Europe as a whole. exodus of average citizens from said Ajapahyan. Armenia? They joke about Saakashvili This viewpoint was challenged by Heritage Party Armenia. The clergyman went on to say that chewing on his tie but this hasn’t pre - MP Anahit Bakhshinyan, the other conference Bishop Mikayel Ajapahyan, Primate he’s been accused of washing Armenia’s vented him from pushing through speaker. She argued that children’s rights were of the Shirak Diocese, noted as much dirty wash in public when he raises the reforms,” he says. periodically violated in Armenia. when he said: “Of course there’s an exo - issue and that he should be spreading Ajapahyan continued by stating that She presented 2010 figures regarding the inclu- dus and it has reached dangerous pro - positive news. there must be the desire and will to sion of children with disabilities in Armenian spe- portions. The “I am sure that some of your readers improve the situation in Armenia. cial needs schools obtained from the Ministry of BBC even will say I am exaggerating the facts and He pointed to the pressure tactics of Labor and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Heath. recently aired that the migration numbers are not as the tax authorities in Armenia as a sec - Bakhshinyan pointed to a number of irregulari- a program bad as they seem. They forget that we tor that must be addressed. ties in the figures. about villages representatives of the church are “You won’t see a Soviet-produced car For example, according to the list provided by the where you’ll responsible for all our flock and that we in Georgia. The government has made Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs there are 8,931 only find mourn each member who leaves the the importation of foreign cars accessi - children with disabilities registered in Armenia. women. The country. We have an obligation to ble to the public. They’ve done away The ministry’s official website says there are 8,045. men are off speak out,” notes the Primate. with the 30-percent tax burden. She added that 1,836 children with a variety of working over - Ajapahyan went on to note that only Countries usually slap importers with learning disabilities are enrolled in the country’s seas and have those with no other options are the heavy taxes in order to protect the 18 special needs schools. This deviates from the Bishop Mikayel started new ones that leave. domestic market. But we don’t produce 1,036 figure given to her by the Ministry of Labor Ajapahyan families.” “It’s hard to blame them. It’s a matter autos in Armenia, so why all the taxes?” and Social Affairs and the 285 figure in the The Primate of survival,” he said. The clergyman argues that 10 years Ministry of Health list. makes a point He also confessed that the Shirak ago Georgia was lagging behind When asked about the discrepancies, Berikyan to visit parishes throughout the diocese Diocese employs more people than Armenia but that today the situation said that the numbers are constantly changing. She and says he can see the results every actually needed in order to prevent has been reversed. added that there are various levels of learning dis- time he goes. some from migrating. “It’s not because they have an outlet ability and that not all children registered as such “Recently there was a Turkish tourist “Many accuse me of employing extra to the sea or due to tourism. What I are enrolled in special needs schools. in Gumri and when he found out that I people. I am aware of this, but I also want say is that the government must spoke Turkish he came to see me. know that these individuals have fami - not treat the people like subjects to be Turns out the man has lived in Moscow lies to take care of,” he said. sheared and milked. We must take care for many years and told me about the The Primate says it is a matter of gov - of them without demanding any pay - Armenian workers there and the new ernance and that many see their future back.” S ATURDAY , A UGUST 27, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 INTERNATIONAL Armenians Seeking Asylum International News Protocols Withdrawn In France on the Rise, Again From Agenda of Turkish Parliament still considered a student, and this allows Kosovo and Sri Lanka. ANKARA (Armenpress) — The Turkish National By Seda Grigoryan him to stay in France. He has a residency In November 2009, France decided to Assembly has withdrawn 898 bills from the agenda card. To make some extra money, Aram register Armenia (as well as Turkey) in its of its regular session, including the Armenian- plays in some groups and gives private official list of “safe countries.” Turkish protocols signed October 10, 2009, in PARIS (Hetq) — Aram, a 28-year-old lessons. Of course, the French government Zurich. graduate of the Komitas National He makes enough to get by and even made this decision not because it was con - Turkish mass media reported that according to Conservatory in Yerevan, moved to Paris send some back to his parents in vinced that Armenia was on the road of the regulations of the National Assembly, all bills in 2004. Armenia. stability and democratic reform. There which are not ratified and not put on the agenda He says he relocated to continue his But unlike Aram, most Armenians were more practical considerations at play. by the previous parliament, will be nullified in the musical education. Aram later confessed arriving here are not legal residents. But local civic groups working with subsequent parliament. that the education story was just a ruse. Many are obliged to return to Armenia. migrants pressured the French govern - He simply wanted to get out of Armenia. It is not uncommon to read about ment to review its decision. As a result, “I had two major reasons. First, there Armenian families forced to live “rough” Armenia and Turkey were removed from Israel’s Knesset to was the work issue. Even a top graduate on the streets of Paris. the list in July of 2010. from the Conservatory would find it Recently the French newspaper, La During those eight months, the num - Consider Armenian impossible to get a job in any of the Depeche , wrote about an Armenian fami - ber of asylum seekers sharply dropped off Genocide Resolutions orchestras in Armenia. All the spots are ly with four kids that were found sleeping — 44 percent to be exact. taken. The second issue was that I was on the streets. The number of Armenians seeking asy - TEL AVIV, Israel (news.am) — Discussion of two res- facing military service. Had I stayed, I Last March, an Armenian named Misha lum in France sharply rose again after olutions on the Armenian Genocide in Israeli par- wouldn’t have been able to play music for Shaveshyan launched a hunger strike Armenia was no longer considered a “safe liament (Knesset) has been postponed until two years. I might have gotten frustrated since French authorities were planning to country.” October, after parliamentary recess, coordinator of and left music all together.” deport him, his wife and two children. Many asylum seekers claim they are Jerusalem Armenian Cause Hagop Sevan said. In the ensuing years, Aram has Their asylum request had been denied. persecuted in Armenia since they belong “We have strong support in the Knesset on received a number of diplomas. But he is In 2009, 3,603 individuals from the to the political opposition and took part behalf of the parliament speaker, leader of the rul- Republic of Armenia applied for asylum in the March 1 events. A tiny percentage ing coalition and many of its members. Many are in France. This was the largest number claim they are members of ethnic minori - well aware of this issue. The damaged relations of Armenian-asylum seekers ever. ties and thus the target for discrimination between Israel and Turkey also play an important Sargisian Rules Out Armenia came in third place after in Armenia. role. In general, we hope that we will succeed and justice will prevail,” he said. Azeri Military Edge The issue on recognition of the Armenian Genocide was introduced in the Knesset Committee Over Armenia on Education, Culture and Sports in May this year by the left-leaning party, Meretz, with the support YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Azerbaijan French MPs in ‘Solidarity’ of the Likud party, led by Israeli Prime Minister cannot gain military advantage over Benjamin Netanyahu. Before sending it to the Armenia despite its ongoing military Visit to Karabagh Commission on Education, Culture and Sports buildup and will eventually come to members of parliament approved the decision to terms with Armenian control over deputy and the mayor of the French city continue the discussion. They stressed that the Nagorno-Karabagh, President Serge of Vienne, also voiced “great sympathy” relations between Israel and Turkey should not Sargisian insisted over the weekend. By Lusine Musayelian for the Karabagh Armenian cause. become an obstacle to Israel’s recognition of “The Azerbaijani president [Ilham “Just as other nations like Kosovo and Armenian Genocide. Aliyev] keeps saying that Azerbaijan STEPANAKERT (RFE/RL) — Four Cyprus, where they have two govern - A resolution dealing with assigning a memorial has lots of money, a powerful econo - members of France’s parliament visited ments, they [the Karabagh Armenians] day for the Genocide will be considered as well. my, that its population is 9 million Nagorno Karabagh on Monday in a have the right decide their destiny by people while there is nobody left in show of support for the disputed terri - themselves,” Remiller said. Armenia and so on,” Sargisian said tory’s pursuit of international recogni - The French lawmakers were sched - Attacks Kill 100 Kurds during a visit to a youth camp in Lake tion of its secession from Azerbaijan. uled to tour on Tuesday several Sevan. ISTANBUL, Turkey (UPI) — Turkey’s air strikes into The delegation led by Guy Teissier, chair - Karabagh villages and meet with leaders “Azerbaijan has had only one presi - northern Iraq the past week have killed at least 100 man of the French National Assembly’s of local non-governmental organizations dent who was more or less realistic,” Kurdish separatists and injured more than 80 oth- committee on national defense, met with uniting Armenian refugees from he added in an apparent reference to ers, Turkey’s military said. local parliamentarians and was due to hold Azerbaijan. Aliyev’s late father and predecessor The strikes hit 132 locations around Qandil, separate talks with Bako Sahakian, presi - The visit is bound to anger the Heydar. “The rest of them were using Hakurk, Avasin-Basyan, Zap and Metina regions dent of Nagorno-Karabagh Republic (NKR). Azerbaijani government, which consid - today’s rhetoric. And what happened while heavy artillery bombed 349 targets, the New “Coming to Armenia is a gesture of ers such trips an affront to its interna - [as a result]? Everybody knows quite York Times reported Tuesday. friendship. Coming to Karabagh is a ges - tionally-recognized sovereignty over well what happened. A statement posted on the military headquarters’ ture of solidarity,” Teissier said in a Karabagh. It has already banned scores “I am confident that military actions Web site said the strikes would continue. speech at the NKR parliament. of foreign dignitaries, who have been to is a road leading nowhere. Azerbaijan “North of Iraq and inside the country will be The senior lawmaker, who is affiliated the territory without its permission, is not able to gain military superiority closely monitored for any separatists terror actions with France’s ruling Union for the from visiting Azerbaijan. over Armenia.” as air and land operations will continue,” the state- Popular Movement (UMP) party, said Among those blacklisted by Baku are Having embarked on a major mili - ment said. that Karabagh had been incorporated five other French deputies who traveled tary buildup about a decade ago, The military operations follow escalating vio- into Soviet Azerbaijan “at the whim of a to Karabagh in June 2010. The trip was Azerbaijan’s leaders regularly threaten lence by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party in Turkey dictator” — Stalin — and that its pre - initiated by Francois Rochebloine, the to forcibly win back Karabagh and and Iraq. dominantly-Armenian population pro-Armenian deputy chairman of the Armenian-controlled territories sur - The group is seeking autonomy in the southeastern should be able to determine its status. French parliament committee on for - rounding the disputed enclave. Baku region near the borders with Syria, Iran and Iraq. “Why would we keep silent and not eign affairs. plans to boost military spending to Areas that are thought to be Kurdish Workers’ say that people very deeply rooted in Teissier defended the visits. $3.3 billion this year, up from $2.15 a Party headquarters have been subject to air attacks this land have the right to live here?” “Don’t we, free people from a free year ago and just $160 million in in response to the killing of 30 Turkish soldiers last added Teissier. country, have the right to freely visit 2003. month. Jacques Remiller, another UMP here and see our friends?” he said. The Armenian government as well as Karabagh’s ethnic Armenian lead - London Royal Festival ership have repeatedly dismissed those threats, saying that Azerbaijan will suf - Cypriot FM Makes Israel Second Port of Call Hall to Host Recital by fer another defeat if it attempts a mili - tary solution to the dispute. They also NICOSIA (Jeruslaem Post) — New tions. The relations of the two countries Armenian Composer say that the Armenian side is respond - Cypriot Foreign Minister Erato have seen a tremendous development in LONDON (news.am) — The London Royal Festival ing to the Azerbaijani buildup with its Kozakou-Marcoullis is scheduled to visit the last two years on the political and Hall will host a recital by Armenian composer own substantial arms acquisitions. Israel on Wednesday, less than three the economic level.” Karen Grigoryan, with the participation of the The commander of Karabagh’s weeks after taking over her new post, in Moreover, he said, the ties are likely to London Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor, Armenian-backed army, Movses what is widely viewed as a sign of the get even closer in the future with the Marius Stravinsky. Hakobian, said last week that the “mil - importance Cyprus now attributes to prospect of possible cooperation on the On September 1, Grigoryan will start his tour in itary potential” of his troops grew by ties with Israel. development of the countries’ natural Europe. 20 percent in the first half of this year. This will be only Kozakou-Marcoullis’s gas fields. The concert program in the UK is devoted to the He said they will receive more weapon - second visit abroad since becoming for - Kozakou-Marcoullis, a career diplomat 20th anniversary of the independence of the ry in the coming months. eign minister, her first being a trip to who served as foreign minister briefly Republic of Armenia. The concert will be held Addressing several hundred young Greece some 12 days ago. from July 2007 to March 2008, is sched - under the auspices of the British Diocese of the Armenians affiliated with a pro-gov - One Cypriot foreign ministry official uled to meet with President Shimon Armenian Apostolic Church. ernment political group, Sargisian said her visit to Israel so soon after tak - Peres, Prime Minister Binyamin claimed that Azerbaijan will eventually ing office “speaks about the importance Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor abandon attempts to regain control Israel and Cyprus attach to their rela - Lieberman during her 36-hour visit. 4 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 27, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR INTERNATIONAL Berge Setrakian, President of AGBU Worldwide: Erasing the Damage Caused by the Genocide

1946, I funded the their respective capacities, is breathtaking. The By Maria Chakhtoura repatriation of thou - children’s center programs discover and cultivate sands of Armenians young talents, sometimes even prodigies. It suf - in the diaspora to fices to watch these very, very young children in BEIRUT (L’Orient Le Jour) — “I am Lebanese Armenia. In 1971, its their high-quality performances, in order to to the core, attached to the land where I was then president Alex understand the commitment of supporters, as born, where I grew up and lived, and I have Manoogian donated well as the instructors who are driven by the pur - Armenia as my heritage.” These are the words of the museum bearing pose of this enterprise. AGBU also operates Berge Setrakian, president of the Armenian his name at the Holy senior dining centers, where more than 1,500 General Benevolent Union (AGBU), the world’s See of Echmiadzin. retirees with paltry pensions receive daily meals. largest Armenian NGO headquartered in New Nothing is perma - At another level, we have focused on the devel - York. nent in politics; opment efforts of the Armenian Apostolic Church Our chance meeting, the result of a happy regimes change but by funding, through donations from our mem - coincidence, took place in a hotel in Yerevan. heritage remains. bers, the construction of new churches and orga - Setrakian was visiting the Armenian capital to Since the indepen - nizing existing parishes and initiating new ones attend two important meetings: the Special dence, our activity after 80 years of communism. We supported the Commission of the centenary of the Armenian has become even construction of a new seminary by Lake Sevan. Genocide and the annual meeting of the Board more diversified, and Thus, we are helping Karekin II, Catholicos of All of Trustees of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund. the organization has Armenians, in his mission to reconstruct “the He had left Lebanon in 1976 after completing invested more than church” by providing funding to train seminari - his law studies at Saint Joseph University and AGBU President Berge Setrakian speaking at the 86th General Assembly in $150 million in vari - ans and theological education abroad through having practiced law for some years. While on a Buenos Aires, which took place in October 2010 ous projects in scholarships. We are convinced that the church short visit to the United States, he had met a Armenia. After the will continue to play an important role in pre - lawyer of Lebanese origin associated with a large fall of communism, serving our identity in the diaspora. New York firm, who proposed that he join their rently being the Demirdjian Center in Antelias. It AGBU funded the creation of the American AGBU has also established a scout camp in team. No sooner said than done, and here he is sponsors primary and secondary schools, and University of Armenia to enable young people to Armenia and excursion trips for youth to the now, a senior partner of an international firm the Antranik Youth Association with its many embrace the educational system of the West. On homeland, where more than 500 young with nearly 900 lawyers and offices in 26 cities sports, cultural and educational activities. AGBU the other hand, they provide scholarships to the Diasporan Armenians visit every summer. We around the world. provides college scholarships for higher educa - French University in Armenia and subsidies to have created the Armenian Virtual College to Since leaving Lebanon, Setrakian has kept in tion, with special attention to the field of per - the State University. AGBU supports the teach language, history and culture through the touch with his friends and returns regularly to forming arts and to students who exhibit talent Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra and has fund - Internet to Diasporan Armenians. Our efforts are the country where he still has his apartment. In in art and music. ed many activities in the field of art and music to increasing in Armenia, on the one hand, because the United States, he remains very active with save the artistic and cultural heritage of the past we are convinced that it will be difficult to main - groups working for the Lebanese cause. After Initiatives in Armenia regime, as the young state, still in its inception, tain our identity in a diaspora scattered around relocating to the United States, Berge Setrakian What action has AGBU initiated in Armenia to has not been able to take upon itself the financ - the world, without the inspiration of the moth - also joined the Central Board of Directors of help the country survive in face of the political ing of these activities. erland and the church. On the other hand, since AGBU, which was established in 1906 and now problems stemming from Turkey’s refusal to rec - Working with the Holy See of Echmiadzin, the fall of communism, we have resumed our has chapters in over 32 countries and 80 cities. ognize the Genocide? AGBU took over what once were youth centers activities in Eastern Europe, namely Bulgaria, After serving as vice president, he assumed the “Since its inception, the organization has of the Soviet era and transformed them into Romania and elsewhere, and we are developing presidency in 2002. always followed a policy of supporting Armenia, artistic and cultural centers for young people. programs in Russia, where more than 2 million It was in this capacity that Setrakian was in regardless of existing political regimes. For exam - Since 1990, these centers have been serving Armenians live. Unfortunately, our means are the Armenian capital. The Special Commission of ple, in 1928, AGBU created a medical center in nearly 4,000 youths daily and providing them the limited in light of the actual needs of the com - the centenary of the genocide, chaired by Yerevan. In 1931, with donations from its presi - means to engage in after-school leisure activities, munities.” Armenia’s head of state, was convened with the dent at the time, it established the village of rather than stay home. (The article was translated by the AGBU participation of highest-ranking government offi - Nubarashen, which now has 11,000 residents. In The performance of these young people, in Press Office.) cials, political party representatives, heads of the church, and AGBU, to organize the worldwide centennial commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. The mission of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund, whose annual Board of Trustees meeting Iran’s Covert War with Israel in the Caspian was being held in Yerevan, is to raise funds from the Diaspora to finance large projects in BAKU Azerbaijan (UPI) — A senior Iranian on Iran’s doorstep. Azerbaijan works on strengthening its relation - Armenia. general has warned Azerbaijan about getting “If this policy continues, it will end in dark - ship with the West.” too close to Israel, underlining fears in Tehran ness and it will not be possible to suppress a Around 85 percent of the population of AGBU and the Diaspora that the Jewish state could use Iran’s northern revolt by the people of Aran,” or Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijan, ringed by key regional players Iran, As for AGBU, with which many Lebanese are neighbor to launch pre-emptive strikes against general declared in an interview with Iran’s Turkey and Russia, is Shiite. That gives Tehran familiar through its various activities, Setrakian Iran’s nuclear program. semi-official Mehr news agency. the opportunity to make sectarian mischief in says, “This organization was established in Cairo Israel has been quietly building intelligence Relations between Iran and Azerbaijan have the Caucasus and the energy-rich Caspian Basin. in 1906 by Boghos Nubar Pasha, son of the and military links with oil rich Azerbaijan, a been under strain in recent years, largely However, Azerbaijan is overwhelmingly secu - prime minister of Egypt at the time, with the pri - largely secular Muslim state, since the collapse through Iranian covert operations. lar, except for the religious conservatives on its mary mission of preserving the Armenian identi - of the Soviet Union two decades ago. In 2007, Azerbaijan convicted 15 Iranians southern flank. The government of President ty in the diaspora and the national heritage in The Israelis sell significant amounts of and Azeris for spying on Israeli, US and British Ilham Aliyev suspects Tehran is them to bolster Armenia. Its headquarters are in New York and weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles to the interests, including oil facilities, for Tehran and its claims to Azerbaijan’s Caspian energy it is managed by a board of 21 members, with an government in Baku, on the Caspian Sea, as its plotting to seize power. reserves. annual budget of almost $40 million. The orga - intelligence services dig in along the border In 2008, Azeri authorities, aided by Israel’s Iran fears Aliyev, backed by Israel and even nization first and foremost addressed the human - with Iran. Mossad spy agency, thwarted a plot involving the United States, could support a revolt by its itarian and educational needs of the Armenian That gives Israel a forward operating base to operatives of Hezbollah, Iran’s powerful Azeris, who comprise about one-quarter of the people following the Genocide. Throughout a monitor Iran, particularly its contentious Lebanese proxy, to blow up the Israeli Embassy population. whole century of its history and activities, AGBU nuclear program, which Jerusalem views as a in Baku. So it supports Azerbaijan’s regional rival, has adapted itself to the needs of the Armenian major existential threat. That plot was intended to avenge the assassi - Armenia, in its deadlocked dispute with Baku people and has grown progressively, playing a Over the last two years, tensions have esca - nation of Hezbollah’s iconic security chief, Imad over Nagorno-Karabagh, currently held by significant role in the contemporary history of lated as Azerbaijan has become part of the Mughniyeh, in Damascus earlier that year. Armenia. Armenia and Armenians. In the years immedi - shadowy intelligence war between Iran and Tehran blamed Mossad for that killing. “Given that Azerbaijan’s relations with Iran ately following the Genocide, AGBU financed and Israel. It has become even more important to Firouzabadi’s statement jolted the Iranian have long been fraught, the Azerbaijani govern - organized Armenian refugee camps in Lebanon, Israel since its May 2010 rift with former ally leadership as much as it did the Azeri govern - ment has not had any qualms in developing a Syria, Greece and elsewhere. In the decades Turkey, which also borders Iran. ment. Senior Iranian figures publicly chastised strategic relationship with Israel,” Stratfor between 1930 and 1950, it created clinics, Even so, the unusually aggressive outburst by the general and sought to distance Tehran from noted. schools and youth camps. Gen. Hassan Firouzabadi, chief of Iran’s armed his remarks. Expanding that military and intelligence rela - Moving on to the 1960s, it constructed and forces Joint Staff Command, August 9 struck a “It is important to note that the ongoing tionship to upgrade Azerbaijan’s capabilities organized community and youth centers in prin - particularly jarring note and brought into sharp power struggle in Iran” between President and develop a military industrial complex there cipal diaspora communities. With the advent of focus a little-known aspect of Israel’s deepening Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the clerical estab - is one of Tehran’s greatest concerns. Armenia’s independence and the reopening of intelligence war with Iran. lishment led by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Aliyev is looking toward Israel and NATO to the Eastern European countries following the It also reflected Tehran’s growing alarm at Khamenei, “has been having the unintended help modernize its forces, despite a US arms fall of the Soviet Union, the focus turned to ini - Israel’s penetration of Iran’s northern neighbor. effect of creating more political space for the embargo in place since 1992. tiatives in the homeland. Today, in the diaspora, In what was perceived as thinly veiled threat, military leadership to assert its views,” the US Israel is Azerbaijan’s fourth largest trading AGBU owns and operates more than 25 day and Firouzabadi accused Baku of mistreating reli - global security consultancy Stratfor observed. partner. The Jewish state has also been making weekly schools, in addition to youth and cultural gious Shiites in southern Azerbaijan who lean It said “the tense exchange between Tehran inroads into the former Soviet republics of centers. For example, in Lebanon, AGBU oper - toward the Islamic Republic and allowing and Baku … underscores the growing conflict Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan. It’s negotiating ates several institutions, its main quarters cur - “Zionists” access to Azerbaijani territory right of interests between the two neighbors as with Kazakhstan to upgrade its military. S ATURDAY , A UGUST 27, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 Community Ne ws

Prof. Kevork Milestone for Bardakjian Jacksonville Honored with Parish

Ellis Island JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The mission parish of Jacksonville realized a long-held dream this Medal of Honor summer when it purchased a new property to serve as a community center to be used for worship, as well as cultural and social pro - grams. By Aram Arkun Plans are made to renovate the two-story, Mirror-Spectator Staff 3,600-square-foot building, located on two acres of land, in the coming year. When com - pleted, the second floor will be used for litur - NEW YORK CITY — Dr. Kevork Bardakjian gical celebrations and performing sacraments, was a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of while the first floor will be for Sunday School Honor on May 7 here. Sponsored by the classrooms, Bible study sessions and other National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations activities. (NECO), the award recognizes the immigrant “We’re very pleased to see the Armenian experience as well as individual achievement. faithful of Jacksonville take this important This year, Bardakjian was one of seven step forward towards a more vibrant commu - Armenian winners of the award. There is an The AWWA auction will feature a David Yerman Channel Cable Bracelet. nity life,” said Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Armenian on the NECO Board, Irma Der Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Stepanian, and a number of Armenian- Church of America (Eastern). American organizations are part of the NECO The local Armenian community began to coalition, including the Armenian Assembly of coalesce in the 1980s, when the few America, the Armenian General Benevolent Armenians who had settled there began Union, the Armenian National Committee of AWWA Annual searching the phone book for other Armenian America, the Diocese of the Armenian Church families. The community grew in 1991 when a of America (Eastern) and the National wave of immigrants from Azerbaijan arrived in Association for Armenian Studies and the area and soon a mission parish was Research. formed. There were various members of ethnic Luncheon/Auction For years, the parish held services at a local groups singing or dancing at the entrance to Greek Orthodox Church, with Diocesan clergy Ellis Island hall, including Armenians and a BURLINGTON, Mass. — The Armenian Women’s Welfare Association (AWWA) visiting about once a month for the celebra - sumptuous dinner was followed later by fire - will be hosting its annual Luncheon/Auction on Saturday, November 12, at the tion of the Divine Liturgy. But with the works. One hundred awardees from many fields Burlington Marriott Hotel. increase of young families, the community saw of work were recog - The Silent Auction tables where bidders will be competing for gifts include chil - a need for a place they could call their own. nized in the presence drens’ toys, home-made pastries, items from Armenia, boutique gifts, holiday dec - “This mission parish is a great group of peo - of several hundred orations, games and many more. ple,” said Parish Council member Carl people, including Mistress of Ceremonies Janet Jeghelian will begin the Live Auction. Back by pop - Bazarian, who also serves as the vice chair on family and friends of ular demand are auctioneers Jordan Rich, WBZ News Radio, and Cindy the Board of the Fund for Armenian Relief. the awardees. The Fitzgibbon, FOX 25 News, who will take the guests on a bidding spree where they “We have a new generation now that we have event finished late, can vie for hotel stays, sports tickets, jewelry and many other items. to keep together.” with many returning The grand finale of the day will be the drawing of the Super Raffle with: a grand Bazarian added that the community worked to their hotels or prize of a David Yurman 10-milimeter Channel Cable Bracelet, Silver/18K gold, hard to raise funds for the project. In addition homes around mid - Blue Chalcedony and Iolite; a second prize of an Apple iPad 2, 64GB with Wi-Fi to a large donation from the late Mabel night. and 3g; a third prize of a $500 Nordstrom Gift Certificate and several other prizes. Altoonjian, the parish hosted picnics, garage Bardakjian gave his This year AWWA is having a kick-off raffle of two deluxe tickets to a Boston Red sales, dinners and other events to raise money. Dr. Kevork Bardakjian impressions from that Sox/New York Yankees game on August 30. These special raffle tickets are $2 “Through donations, hard work and com - weekend: “It was a each and can be obtained by contacting [email protected]. mitment of time, the seeds of hope were plant - very dazzling ceremo - The Luncheon/Auction is AWWA’s major fundraiser and supports its mission of ed,” said Jacksonville’s Parish Council Vice ny. It was pomp and circumstance. The army, caring for the Armenian community. AWWA owns and operates the Armenian Chair John Brooks. “Our community waited a navy and air force were all represented with Nursing & Rehabilitation Center (ANRC) in Jamaica Plain and supports a program long time for this day.” bands. Several people made speeches. Jerry in Stepanakert, Karabagh, where 200 elderly living alone receive medical and The purchase of the property was finalized Lewis popped in and said a few words. It was social care, as well as food. on July 26. Community members say that very well organized and you truly felt that you To learn more about the ANRC and the AWWA, visit www.ArmenianHome.org. through continued perseverance and the assis - were being honored. It made you think back tance of the Diocese and other parishes, they about the path you have traveled in your hope to acquire the necessary liturgical items career.” and other materials needed to furnish the Indeed, Bardakjian has had a long and active building. career in Armenian studies. Born in Aleppo and Elmira Grigoryan, who moved to the United raised in Damascus, he became interested in States from Azerbaijan and became involved Armenian topics in part because of the influ - in the Jacksonville community in the last ence of his father, an Armenian priest who was decade, serves as the Parish Council chair. She a classmate of Simon Simonian. As a youth, stressed the importance of having a physical Bardakjian had a great interest in Soviet place to gather for regular church-related Armenia and was a self-described “lefty.” He activities. said, “I felt I needed to know more about myself “It was a dream for the whole community to as well as to learn more about my culture. That have a place of our own,” she said of the new is how I ended up in Armenian Studies.” building, but added that a lot remains to be After graduating Grtasirats, an Armenian done. She said she hoped more people would school in Aleppo, and the Greek Catholic high be inspired to get involved in renovating the school of Damascus, he spent one year at building and strengthening parish outreach. Damascus State University before going to “For this community of families — who had Yerevan State University (YSU) and studying overcome the hardships of the pogroms in with the leading Soviet Armenian scholars of Baku and Artsakh, and the difficulties in the time, from 1964 to 1969. With bachelor’s establishing themselves in this country — pur - and master’s degrees in hand, he went to chasing this property is a remarkable accom - Oxford University to study with Albert Hourani plishment,” said the Rev. Tateos Abdalian, and Charles Dowsett from 1970 to 1979. He director of the Diocese’s Mission Parish obtained his doctorate in Armenology there, Department. “They are an example of deter - though he also was awarded an honorary one mination, character and dedication to their from YSU in 2006. church.” Bardakjian began teaching at Harvard Auctioneers Jordan Rich and Cindy Fitzgibbon Bazarian said the mission parish hopes to University as an instructor in 1974 and welcome Barsamian soon for a celebratory remained a senior lecturer there until 1987, event. For more information, visit see BARDAKJIAN, page 7 www.armenianchurchjacksonville.com. 6 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 27, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Kara (Setian) Marston Awarded Fulbright Scholarship to Armenia

Armenian activities with the likes of Marston apartment in Yerevan. I wrote to Catherine By Betty Apigian Kessel and Kasbarian. about Kara and we found out that she had rent - During her stay in Yerevan, Kara will be study - ed Raffi Kojian’s apartment back in 2007 and ing the role media plays in improving the socio- already knows Tina Yesayan and her husband DETROIT — Kara Marston is on her way to economic status of women in Armenia. “I am Raffi, and that the couple and all three of them Armenia in September for 10 months as a excited for the new journey and will stay in look forward to meeting up in Yerevan. What a result of being awarded a Fulbright touch with you while I am in Hyastan,” she small world. Scholarship. Kara was featured in a Hye Beat promises. In addition, I sent the Fulbright news to column a couple of years ago. The Fulbright Program offers grants to study, Lucine Kasbarian, who also got in touch with The long awaited good news finally arrived teach and conduct research for US citizens to Kara so that when she arrives in Armenia she and the young lady who had a great position go abroad and non-US citizens to come to the will contact Lucine’s friend, journalist Maria working for The National Geographic on-line US and is sponsored by the Department of Titizian, vice president of Socialist Women relayed the message to me, knowing how much State. Kara says, “I will be completing a International who works on women’s initia - I was pulling and praying for her. research grant. For this type of grant, appli - tives. Kara, like author Lucine Kasbarian, who cants propose their own research and/or grad - Kasbarian also suggested Kara contact her recently released The Greedy Sparrow , a popu - uate study project and find their own host affil - brother, Antranig, who is the executive director lar Armenian folktale, has become very special iation. I hope to gain a deeper understanding of of the Tufenkian Foundation, which also under - to me. I have no qualms saying if I had a daugh - how the Republic of Armenia Action Plan was takes women’s initiatives in Armenia. ter, I would hope she possessed the character developed; how the media has portrayed Join me in wishing Kara Marston “Pari qualities of these two young women dedicated women since the start of the plan and whether Janabarh” on her new adventure. There is a les - to Armenian issues. broadcast and print media have fostered a grow - son to be learned here: If all Armenians coop - Both women are extremely intelligent as well ing awareness of women’s rights.” erated in like manner the world would become Kara (Setian) Marston as beautiful — a desirable combination in any - Most of her time will be spent in Yerevan our oyster. one’s world. Their parents are to be congratu - studying at the American University of Armenia lated for raising such remarkable children. and volunteering at the Women’s Resource While Lucine was born to Armenian parents Center (WRCA). WRCA is working in the area and raised in an ethnically-oriented atmos - of women’s human rights, reproductive and sex - phere, Kara is the product of an Armenian ual rights, sexual violence and women’s roles in MMetropol-Residenceetropol-Residence mother and a non- Hye father who always the conflict resolution and peace building in encouraged her to research and learn about her the region of South Caucasus. 2 Mashtots Ideal Ave. for Family Yerevan. vacations Armenia Armenian roots. It is because of this area of study I have put Daily, weekly and monthly low rates, starting $65.00 per day/ residence Marston graduated from the University of her in touch with Olya Azatian, another recent The four star residences at the heart of Yerevan with a kithcen and private bathroom is an Maryland with honors and in preparation for Hye Beat column subject and activist in ideal place to stay for families and couples. This luxurious residence is convenient for what- her third trip in her young life to Armenia, has Yerevan, ever purpose your visit is. taught herself to speak Armenian and writes to It is an amazing coincidence that the newly- me phonetically in that language. I love it. Our wed daughter and son-in-law of my writer friend future holds great hope with the involvement in from Glendale, Calif., have just moved to their St. James Sunday School in Watertown Graduates 14 Students

WATERTOWN, Mass. — For 20 young adults, as they go forward. formal religious education classes came to an Aljalian advised them to make good choices end on Sunday, June 5. After nearly 12 years of based on all that they have learned in the Sunday School for most of the students, they Sunday School as they go out into the world. Following Divine Liturgy, the graduation program continued in Keljik Hall, where Aram Reservations in English please call Sevag at 011-374-93211217 Reservations in Armenian please call Onnig at 011-374-94435445 Soukiasian (salutatorian) and Deanna Minasian (valedictorian) spoke of lessons learned, friend - ships made and warm memories. Both challenged their classmates to be good role models, give back and make good choices. Graduating class teacher Paul Abdalian reminisced about the graduating class and the strengths and abilities of the fine group of graduates. Rev. Arakel Aljalian with the members of the Sunday School A reception honoring the grad - graduating class uates was hosted by the Sunday School parents. The 2011 St. James Sunday assembled in the St. James Armenian Church School graduates are: Allen Ackan, Aram sanctuary to renew their baptismal vows and Andonian, Silva Ayvazyan, Alexis Cheney, Berj graduate from Sunday School. Fr. Arakel Chilingirian, Kevin Eskici, Varteni Jamakorzian, Aljalian, pastor of St. James, and Marsha Ari Kazanjian, Nicholas Kazizian, Julia Metjian, Telephone (617) 924-7400 Alabachian, superintendent, presented to them Deanna Minasian, William Musserian, Siobhan their diplomas/certificates, following which O’Sullivan, Lorig Purutyan, Alec Seferian, Aram Bedrosian Aljalian gave a heartfelt and sincere message to Leanne Santorsola, Aram Soukiasian, Simon the graduates, reminding them that St. James Tacvorian, Rachel Talanian and Melissa was their spiritual home and family, today and Trimble. Funeral Home, Inc. Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 MARION BEDROSIAN Siyahian Awarded Marilyn Arshagouni Scholarship 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN LOS ANGELES — Aida Siyahian, on August 19, accepted her check for $2,000 as the winner of the Marilyn Arshagouni Scholarship. The scholarship is designed to assist Armenian students who are juniors at the very least at an accredited university in the United States. Preference is given to Ferrahian graduates pursuing careers in the GF UiNrEaRgAoL sHiaOMn E humanities, fine and performing arts, social sciences and education. Siyahian, a senior at James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC UCLA, hopes to enter a master’s program in Funeral Counselor public health next year. At right, she is shown receiving the check from Marilyn 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 Arshagouni. www.giragosianfuneralhome.com S ATURDAY , A UGUST 27, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS Prof. Kevork Bardakjian Honored with Ellis Island Medal of Honor

BARDAKJIAN, from page 5 paid. Later, especially after Alex Manoogian’s Armenian and Turkish. stresses their learning various empirical when he transferred to the University of death, Bardakjian himself did fundraising for Bardakjian was forced to prepare language research tools such as languages. He is also the Michigan at Ann Arbor. He continues to teach the institute. Financial difficulties, a decline in textbooks, since when he entered the field, language coordinator for the Department of at Ann Arbor as the Marie Manoogian Professor the number of students, competing new pro - these were scant. In 1977 he published A Near Eastern studies and president of the of Armenian Language and Literature. grams in post-independence Armenia and per - Textbook of Modern Western Armenian , with Society for Armenian Studies (SAS). Bardakjian explained, “The chair was basically haps a desire to turn to new projects after so Robert Thomson. In 1999, he and Bert Vaux Bardakjian was involved in SAS from its incep - established for me. Mr. Manoogian wanted me many years on the part of Bardakjian led to the published Eastern Armenian: A Textbook . tion and has served in various high-level posi - to get it and Edmond Azadian’s role in organiz - termination of the Institute. In 2000, he published A Reference Guide to tions over the years. His goals as president ing this was important. My chair was initially in Bardakjian’s academic work involves a variety Modern Armenian Literature, 1500-1920 include the creation of a permanent endowment, the Slavic Department but I moved it to the of fields. For example, he said, “Willy-nilly, we (2000). It is now out of print and as he is unable broadening the participation of its membership Near Eastern Department because I felt that were drawn into genocide studies. I did that ini - to continue it to the present period. Bardakjian in conferences in various fields, creating an even though we were part of the Slavic world in tially and still do it, but not as intensely as suggested, “Maybe it should be put online and online encyclopedia of the diaspora on the recent times, we were essentially a Near Eastern before. I read Ottoman Turkish. There was a people could contribute, with supervision, send - Wikipedia model, an online page for posting culture.” program prepared by Ted Bogosian for Nova, ing in at the least bibliographies.” translations relevant for Armenology that would Bardakjian instituted a major and a minor in ‘An Armenian Journey,’ and he got me more of While still at Harvard, Bardakjian prepared a allow comments and review and an Internet site Armenian Studies and as director of the the Ottoman court-martial copies. That really concise overview of the work of the Mkhitarist for members to respond to Armenological ques - Armenian Studies Program from 1995 to 2007, catapulted me into it and I was engaged. I was Catholic Armenian brotherhood, titled The tions from the public. He wants to recruit as organized conferences and gatherings and man - working on only Turkish evidence.” Mekhitarist Contributions to Armenian many supporting members as possible who do aged money for fellowships and academic pro - At one point, there were plans for inclusion of Culture and Scholarship (1976). not vote in the society but have an interest in jects. In 1987 he initiated an Armenian Armenians in the Holocaust Museum and His thesis was on the political and social learning more about Armenology. Language Institute. Through it, hundreds have though this eventually was not allowed, satire of the Ottoman Armenian writer Hagop An independent biannual SAS conference or studied Western or Eastern Armenian in Bardakjian served as one of the experts who Baronian and he published a related work, an workshop and the funding of the participation Armenia. There were also a few courses in met with museum people with some regularity. Armenian-language volume titled The of promising PhD students from Armenia in the Classical Armenian. Alex Manoogian initially He also prepared a confidential report on the Historical Figures and Events in Some of Middle Eastern Studies Association annual con - helped the Institute financially and the Armenian Genocide and what could become Hagop Baronian’s Allegorical Works , in 1980. ference are two other SAS projects for which Armenian General Benevolent Union and its part of the Museum. This led him to write his Bardakjian may eventually turn his thesis itself Bardakjian needs funding. One of the main rea - Presidents’ Club, with Rita Balian in a leader - book, Hitler and the Armenian Genocide into a book. sons funding has been so difficult, Bardakjian ship role, also played a role. The Soviet (1986), which provides documentation of the Bardakjian at present is supervising the work feels, “is the old tradition that the community Armenian government funded all expenses in famous Hitler quote pertaining to the of seven graduate students on topics that range rallies around the church, not secular institu - Armenia, so that only travel funds had to be Armenians. It has since been translated into as widely as his own research interests. He tions.” However, his efforts have already been crowned with some success and he hopes to continue to improve SAS’s finances. Perhaps the most ambitious of Bardakjian’s administrative projects is the creation of an institute of Armenian studies, which would cre - ate employment for new doctoral students in Armenology and aid in the development of the field. If any new chairs are created in Armenian studies, Bardakjian feels that the agreements or contracts for these chairs should very clearly define the purpose for which they are being established, so that the donated money will only be used for the promotion of Armenian studies and not other fields, unlike at some pro - grams at present. Bardakjian also wishes to sup - port the teaching of Armenian in the US, espe - cially of Western and Classical Armenian, which recently seems to be deteriorating. SAS might be able to find federal support for this. When asked about attacks by some scholars in Armenia on the motivations and scholarship of academics outside of the homeland, Bardakjian replied, “I’m against having public arguments with them. I want to ignore them and continue to work with scholars in Armenia. There are so many good scholars that don’t share the views that these people have expressed and secondly, we have to come to terms with the fact that there will always be people like this. We should not let the atmos - phere be contaminated and should avoid engag - ing in public polemics.” Aside from participating in various lectures and conferences, Bardakjian is busy with multi - ple academic projects at present. He is editing a volume from a conference on the Armenian apoc - alyptic tradition together with Sergio La Porta and burnishing the first draft of his translation of the lengthy Chronology of Grigor Daranaghtsi (Kemakhtsi) . Bardakjian chose it because, he said, “it tells us of Armenian peasants, their rela - tions with Turks, their daily routines and prob - lems. It gives us insights into the daily life of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire and how things actually worked in the Empire, as well as the difficulties the various nationalities therein faced. He covered the period from 1596 to 1638 or 1639.” Bardakjian has been working on this daily for the last four or five years. He is preparing a history of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople, which he start - ed about eight years ago. Bardakjian has been interested in this topic for an even longer time, having published a book chapter on it in 1982. He waited 25 years but finally obtained permis - sion to delve into the Ottoman Prime Ministry Archives in Istanbul. Bardakjian gave a series of lectures on Armenian identity at Columbia University as part of the Takakjian Lectures, which he wants to revise into a book, and some lectures on the post-Cilician period, as well as his thesis on Baronian, that may also turn into separate volumes. If he is able to accomplish even a small part of what he has on his plate now, he will be enriching Armenology in English greatly. 8 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 27, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS

Flagship Ventures’ Afeyan Is a ‘Four-Seasons’ Athlete

tific method not just to the ciated with Afeyan are Waltham-based soft - By Kyle Alspach technologies his companies ware company Affinnova, which applies develop, but also to the genetic algorithms to the world of con - process of creating new com - sumer product marketing; Waltham-based CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (Boston Business panies. Flagship Ventures BG Medicine, a developer of cardiac diag - Journal) — Noubar Afeyan has had a itself — and especially its start - nostic tests that went public in February, hand in founding 22 companies to date. up-founding arm, Venture and Joule Unlimited of Cambridge, which Scientist, entrepreneur, public company Labs — has been “an experi - says it has developed a method for creating executive and venture capitalist — many ment in institutional entrepre - renewable fuels through combining sun - people spend a lifetime on just one (or neurship” from the start, light, waste carbon dioxide, water and spe - maybe two) of these roles. But Afeyan has Afeyan said. The firm that cialty microorganisms. been all four, and he has found success in would become Flagship Afeyan, Kania said, is “insatiably drawn every one of them, says Ed Kania, who co- Ventures was founded in to newness, to better ways of doing founded Cambridge-based Flagship 2000. “We started with an things, to new ways of solving problems.” Ventures with Afeyan. experiment, as to whether we On top of it all, Afeyan — who is ethni - “I see him as a four-seasons athlete could systematically conceive, cally Armenian but was born in Lebanon across those dimensions,” said Kania, optimize, launch and develop and grew up in Canada — is also a co- who has known Afeyan ever since leading new ventures,” Afeyan said. founder and board member of Armenia an investment into Afeyan’s first compa - What that has meant is that 2020 and the National Competitiveness ny, PerSeptive Biosystems. Flagship does not operate like Foundation of Armenia, two economic Afeyan founded the company in 1987 the vast majority of venture development projects in the Republic of after earning his doctorate from MIT. The capitals, which support entre - Armenia. Afeyan said he is seeking to take bioinstrumentation company — which preneurs who come up with an Noubar Afeyan his venture expertise into a new realm achieved $100 million in revenue and was idea and then seek funding. through the projects. ultimately acquired by PerkinElmer — The majority of the ideas for “If you think of an emerging country as would be the first of the 22 companies co- the Venture Labs companies are con - call proto-companies,” he said. “These are a startup, you start thinking in the same founded by Afeyan to date. ceived by Afeyan and the firm’s other not companies, but they are, if you will, processes — what’s my core competency, Underpinning all of it is a passion for partners, most of whom are also scientists hypotheses that we are testing.” what markets do I go after, where do I get experimentation. Afeyan brings the scien - and inventors. “We tend to start what we Among the companies most closely asso - capital,” Afeyan said

International Banker, Investor to Speak at St. James Men’s Club

WATERTOWN, Mass. — On Monday, general manager and head of corporate bank - September 12, Jacob (Hagop) Yahiayan, founder ing at a subsidiary of Standard Chartered Bank, and managing member of Continental Advisory Plc. Previously, Yahiayan was the vice president Services, LLC, will be the speaker at the dinner of the Corporate and Institutional Group for meeting of the St. James Armenian Church Standard Chartered Bank’s New York branch Men’s Club. The topic will be “Creating and head of Credit and Business Development Economic Value in an Age of Diminishing for the New York branch of Bank Bumiputra Returns.” Malaysia Berhad. During his 20 years in corporate banking, Yahiayan received his bachelor’s degree from New York University, his MBA from New York Institute of Technology, International Management Certification from INSEAD, Fontainebleau-France, and a master’s degree from CUNY. Yahiayan is also a licensed registered invest - ment advisor in New York, California, Florida and Texas and holds a New York state Real Estate Brokers License. Yahiayan has served on the advisory boards at NYU, American University of Beirut and NYIT’s School of Management. Jacob Yahiayan The social hour starts with mezza at 6:15 p.m., followed by a losh kebab and kheyma din - ner at 7 p.m. The dinner meeting will be at the Yahiayan has successfully structured more than St. James Armenian Church Charles Mosesian $5 billion in corporate financing in North Cultural and Youth Center, Keljik Hall, 465 American and international markets. In his last Mount Auburn St. As always, women are wel - management role, Yahiayan was the assistant come.

Charkoudian Joins New York City’s Community Board 1 NEW YORK (Downtown Express) — Deron ber of times I’ve almost been hit by cars.” Charkoudian, 34, who lives and works in the Charkoudian added that he believed narrow Financial District, is the newest member of streets, many of them clogged with vendors, have Community Board 1 (CB 1). Manhattan Borough exacerbated danger to pedestrians. President Scott Stringer appointed Charkoudian Charkoudian, who comes from Newton, Mass., to fill a vacancy created when board member received his bachelor’s degree in applied mathe - Rebecca Skinner resigned because she was mov - matics from Johns Hopkins University and a mas - ing away. ter’s degree in finance and accounting from Since 1999, Charkoudian has lived in an office Carnegie Mellon. He worked for Goldman Sachs building converted to residential use. for several years before joining the Federal “I’ve seen a lot of changes here,” he said of the Reserve Bank of New York a year ago as a bank Financial District, noting how the neighborhood examiner. used to close down on weekends and no longer “I wanted to get involved in a public service does. “I want to help keep the transformation role using my skill set from the street and my for - going.” mal education,” said Charkoudian. “Public ser - Specifically, Charkoudian would like to work vice is part of my background. My parents were in on creating more green space and opening more public service for much of their careers.” Check us out at schools. He also would like to see safer conditions The desire to serve the community was what for pedestrians. prompted Charkoudian to apply for a seat on CB www.mirrorspectator.com “There’s no such thing as a stop sign down 1. He hopes to serve on the board’s Financial here,” Charkoudian said. “I can’t tell you the num - District and Seaport/Civic Center Committees. S ATURDAY , A UGUST 27, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 COMMUNITY NEWS

Feast of Assumption, Grand Reopening of Armenian Church Sanctuary and Blessing of Grapes Picnic Unites Different Faiths BOCA RATON, Fla. — On Sunday, August 14, Prior to his sermon Berberian said, “For the tions,” he said. St. David Armenian Church reopened the sanc - first time we are gathered in our magnificently He also thanked Andrew Merjian, a member NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. — After a suc - tuary after a six-week-and-a-half renovation. renovated sanctuary and narthex on the cele - of the Parish Council who is responsible for cessful collaboration the past two years, More than 100 people gathered for the celebra - bration of the Feast of Assumption. As you are building the two candle boxes. One candle box churches representing two different faiths tion of the Feast of Assumption and to see the marveling at the beauty of our sanctuary, I am already has a sponsor, Drs. Andy and Rosemary will join together for the third time in co- newly-remodeled sanctuary of St. David certain that the founding fathers of our com - Mencia. The other candle box is waiting for sponsoring a joint picnic. Armenian Church. munity are rejoicing with you from heaven. This sponsorship. St. Gregory Armenian Church will unite The service started at the church hall with church was built by their vision for the enrich - He also thanked the members of the with St. Michael’s Catholic Church in the spir - the participation of 15 young sub-deacons of ment of our faith and culture. They successful - Women’s Guild headed by Carol Norigian and it of unity Sunday, September 11, for what the church. At the end of the service, Very Rev. ly passed their vision to our present generation. the members of choir headed by Nina Stapan, has turned into an idyllic spiritual fellowship. Nareg Berberian, along with the young altar Today, it is your responsibility to continue as well as George Stapan and Hagop The festival will take place along 158 servers and choir, led the congregation to the enriching their vision.” Alikhanian. Main St., from 1 to 6 p.m., featuring During his sermon, Armenian and American food, family activi - Berberian spoke ties and Armenian and American music for about the greatness dancing. Such a partnership proved so suc - of Mary in the New cessful in the past that officials from both Testament and in churches decided to repeat the gesture. church history, in Activities such as tug-o-war, rock paint - particular in the life ing, pitch burst and soccer kick, will add to of the Armenian peo - the festivities of the day. A special presen - ple. He emphasized tation will take place that afternoon. that Mary revolution - Both churches have been next-door ized the role of wom - neighbors over the past four decades but anhood in the soci - only recently decided to merge for a sum - ety. Following the mer extravaganza such as this. Each con - sermon, a Blessing of gregation will hold a separate food court Grapes ceremony fol - and collaborate in other ways. Ample on- lowed. With a great site parking is a huge benefit. enthusiasm, people “Both churches have been very support - gathered at the ive of one another,” said Vartkes Mardigian Church Hovsepian, St. Gregory’s picnic chairman. Hall for a special lun - “The joint picnic is a way of sharing our dif - cheon to celebrate ferent faiths in the true spirit of Christian both the Feast of harmony. It’s also an ideal way of passing Assumption and the our rich culinary heritage on to others. It Grand Reopening of has been a real pleasure working with our Sanctuary. Earline Tweedie, St. Michael’s picnic chair - Melkonian, the woman, and her outstanding team.” chairman of the For further details and directions, visit Parish Council, www.saintgregory.org. The new sanctuary of St. David Armenian Church raised his cup of wine and gave a toast to the people, Blessing of Grapes Brings entrance of the church. He thanked Sita Ohanessian for her donation “Thank you for your support and encourage - The opening of gates ceremony, Ternpatsek , of $42,000 towards this project in memory of ment. We truly are fortunate to have such a Friends and Family followed. As the doors of the sanctuary opened, her parents, Ohannes and Sirpouhi Ohanessian. beautiful sanctuary. We are thankful to Father 200 people stood in awe of the newly-remodeled He also thanked all the parishioners who have Nareg for his vision, guidance and leadership in Together in Faith St. David Sanctuary. Their eyes sparkled and supported the undertaking. our parish. We are grateful to Andrew for mak - their spirits were energized as they stepped into He also thanked Parish Council Chairman ing two candle boxes in the sanctuary, which the sanctuary following Berberian, the altar Armen Melkonian, who oversaw this project on was designed with marble and for installing the By Bethany Clough servers and choir, singing Voghormoutiamp ko a daily basis, spending days and nights and even decorative wainscot in the narthex of the tourn patz mez Der , which means, “With your providing food for the workers. church.” FRESNO (Fresno Bee) — The blessing of the Mercy, open the door for us, O Lord.” “Armen is a wonderful leader and a great At the conclusion of the program, Berberian grapes, an Armenian tradition that mixes faith, Berberian ascended on the Holy Altar with chairman. During his chairmanship, we have thanked Melkonian for closely overseeing and family and friends, drew crowds from as far away the altar servers to continue the Holy Badarak . accomplished major constructions and renova - sharing his input in the project. as Los Angeles and the Bay Area to the California Armenian Home here on Sunday. Church leaders from the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church in downtown Fresno led a traditional Divine Liturgy, followed by the blessing of the grapes. Sponsor a Teacher in Armenia and Karabagh 2011 “Even though the vine is one of the lowly plants ... it is very mighty,” Deacon Mark Shirin explained later. “It is the source of wine, which symbolizes the blood of Christ.” Since its inception in 2001, TCA’s ‘Sponsor The celebration is deeply religious, a praying for the grape harvest while celebrating the Feast a Teacher’ program has raised over $477,750 of the Assumption of Mary, one of the most important holidays of the Armenian Church. and reached out to 3,700 teachers and The blessing is followed by a picnic, music and dancing. Shirin estimated about 2,000 people school workers in Armenia and Karabagh. attended the daylong event. Many Armenians do not eat grapes in the £ months before the event, preferring to wait until the grapes are blessed, he said. Immediately after the blessing, participants K Yes, I want to sponsor teachers in Armenia and Karabagh to continue grabbed hundreds of bags of grapes and then helping them to educate the children, our future leaders. I would like to have headed to tables in the shade for lunch. the teacher’s name and address. In addition to the spiritual aspect, the event is a time for people to visit with friends and family K $160 K $ 320 K $ 480 K other $ ————————— from across the state. Name Cheryl Rodden from the Bay Area city of Address Pinole brought her 90-year-old mother, Alice City State Zip code Berberian, to the event. Berberian used to live in Tel: Fresno. “We bring her back every year, mostly to see a Make check payable to: Tekeyan Cultural Association – Memo: Sponsor a Teacher 2010 lot of friends,” Rodden said, adding that they are Mail your check with this form to: joined by family from Fresno at their table. TCA Sponsor a Teacher The family dined on traditional Armenian food. 5326 Valverde, Houston, TX 77056 Busloads of people come from churches in the Los Angeles area, Anahit Gevorkyan of Fresno Your donation is Tax Deductible. said. “It’s spiritual, then it’s fun,” she said. 10 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 27, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Arts & Living

Varteni Carzou Exhibit to Be Held at the Came to Zorayan Museum BURBANK, Calif. — Born Karnik Zouloumian on January 1, 1907 in Syria Istanbul to an Armenian family, Carzou later creat - ed his name from the first syllables of his first name and surname. Becoming a world traveler at an early age, Carzou was By Ayse Günaysu educated in Cairo, Egypt before moving to Paris in 1924 at the age of 17 to study art and architecture in earnest. ISTANBUL (Taraf) — There came the sky Carzou mastered a number of mediums, blues, rosy pinks, poppy reds, sun whites, though his line drawings and engravings dreams and memories. There came drawers, would become well known as illustrations family photos, old letters on papers turning yel - for some of the 20th century’s most low with time. This is because Varteni revered writers, including Hemingway, Mosditchian came to Istanbul. Albert Camus, Ionesco and Rimbaud. At Pera Art Gallery in Taksim, then later at Carzou produced stunning work of paint - Pera Fine Arts Exhibition Hall in Kadikoy, there ed glass and porcelain, in pencils, gauche she was, a slender, tall, elegant, shining woman and pastels as well as oils, often choosing with wide eyes searching and willing to under - to work on textured or irregular fabrics stand, opening her inner self to us, bringing her and papers rather than traditional canvas. love, her belief in the beauties of life and show - In July 1977, Jacques Chirac, the French ing us her wound to see and feel. prime minister, presided over Carzou’s ret - I see her paintings passing one after other rospective exhibition at the Château de before my eyes. Illuminated, almost transparent, Val in Corrèze. There were also retrospec - as if painted on glass, such that you think you tive exhibitions in Switzerland, can see through them, see what is beyond, deep Luxembourg, Rochecheouart, the into what they withhold from the viewer. Yes, Château des Hayes and Pérouges, near there are shadowy figures, hardly discernible Lyons. Carzou was awarded the National from the texture of shades and colors, just like Order of Merit by the president of the memories that become part of one’s being. republic. In December of the same year, he Mosditchian’s exhibition is called was made a member of the Académie des “Palimpsest-History In Drawers.” Here is what Beaux-Arts, where he replaced Jean she says she wanted to do with this exhibition: Bouchaud. On April 4, 1979, he became a “…to become part of live experience of the member of the Institut de France. moment. To connect the internal and external One of the artist’s master works, com - An Armenian student shows her painting worlds of day-to-day life! To scrape away the soli - pleted in his 80s, was the Apocalypse of tude and alienation of the human condition (in Saint Joan in the Chapel at Manosque in art) and give the observer/participant a totally Vaucluse, France, which depicted not lived life. Where palimpsest is rejuvenated! (A merely the passion of the saint and nation - palimpsest is a manuscript that has been re- OneWorld Classrooms to al hero, but the ravages of war. Carzou, used by writing over the original writing, and like his contemporaries Hemingway, Dali sometimes more than once. Frequently it’s Present International Children’s impossible to say which layer was first inscribed; and in any case any development and all the layers are transparent, translucent.) The Art Exhibit at ALMA very act of creating/painting cannot develop without destruction. The very notion of bring - WATERTOWN, Mass. — OneWorld Classrooms, a nonprofit dedicated to building ing new beauty into being implies an old ugli - bridges between local and global classrooms through art and technology, will be ness has been swept away. Beauty defines itself presenting a free exhibit to showcase children’s art from Armenia and the rest of by destroying the ill, the ugliness which is not the world. itself.” The exhibit will be on display at the Armenian Library and Museum of America She did what she wanted. Beauty in her (ALMA) at 65 Main St., from September 24 until December 31. paintings resists with all its might against the ill There will be an opening ceremony on September 24 from 2 to 5 p.m., which will and the ugly. include refreshments and a student art raffle/auction. I look at her painting named “Pari Luys” “The International Art Exchange is really a unique way to get students to inter - (Good morning in Armenian): The sun is rising. act and connect with other children from different cultures around the world, But it’s more like a living being, spinning through art. When we saw the talent that some of these kids have and the unique - around, radiating sending intense beams of ness of the art work, we decided to display it for a larger audience to see it,” accord - ing to OneWorld Classrooms Board member and exhibit organizer Zela Astarjian. light to the viewer. There, do I see a woman Carzou in his atelier standing with her back turned to us, looking at OneWorld Classrooms is presenting this exhibit as part of its ongoing mission to the sun? Am I right? Are her hands tied at the give students in the US the ability to share, collaborate and explore with their glob - see VARTENI, page 12 al peers, as well as gain the skills, knowledge and cultural awareness they need to and Picasso (though in an interview the improve their academic achievements. artist criticized Picasso for being “vul - gar”), was part of a generation that wit - nessed many wars. Haunted to the point Kerkorian Cuts His of obsession by the horrors he had wit - nessed, Carzou’s work went through a period where the artist seemed to be des - Stake in MGM perate to remind the world of the holo - causts past, perhaps in warning. His work LOS ANGELES (Associated Press) — on the Chapel de Manosque, one of the Billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian is selling 20 oldest churches in France, became his own million shares of MGM Resorts International for fitting tribute when it was dedicated as about $214.9 million, cutting his stake in the the Museum de Jean Carzou in 1995. casino operator to 22.8 percent. Under the auspices of Archbishop MGM Resorts said Kerkorian’s Tracinda Hovnan Derderian and patronage of Corporation investment firm sold about 15 per - Diocesan benefactors Antranik and cent of its shares in the company for about Virginia Zorayan, the Zorayan Museum $10.74 each on Wednesday. will honor Carzou with an exhibition. The The transaction is expected to be completed opening reception will be held on August 23. September 15 at 7 p.m. at the Zorayan Kerkorian was the company’s majority owner Museum of the Western Diocese. For as recently as 2009 and remains its largest One of the paintings by the young artists more information, visit shareholder, with 111.2 million shares. www.armenianchurchwd.com. Tracinda said it continues to believe MGM Resorts is a good investment. S ATURDAY , A UGUST 27, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 ARTS & LIVING Armenia Issues Silver Coin Commemorating Noah’s Ark

Unlike other limited issue By Levon A. Saryan commemorative coins that have been issued by Armenia since declaring YEREVAN — A new one-ounce silver coin independence in 1991, the commemorating Noah’s Ark and Mt. Ararat, Noah’s Ark coin is being issued by the Republic of Armenia, was produced and marketed as announced on July 4 by the London firm a bullion investment. Thus, CoinInvestDirect. it is intended to compete The attractively designed coin depicts Noah’s with the United States Ark floating upon the waters with the twin peaks Silver Eagle, the Canadian of Ararat in the background and a dove bearing Maple Leaf, the Austrian an olive branch. The reference is to the great del - Philharmonic and other uge that engulfed the world as described in the popular silver bullion coins book of Genesis (Chapters 7-8). The coat-of-arms marketed worldwide. of Armenia is depicted on the obverse. Recent economic turmoil The coin has a nominal value of 500 drams affecting the United States (equivalent to about $1.40 or 1 Euro) and is and Europe has fueled an dated 2011. Each coin contains one troy ounce upward spurt in the market (31.1 grams) of 999 fine (essentially pure) silver value of gold and silver. In and is about 38.6 millimeters in diameter. the past two years, silver The coins recently minted in Armenia According to a press release from coininvest - has surged about three-fold, direct.com, the Noah’s Ark coin is produced by from about $14 to about a private mint in Germany. The coin obverse $40 per ounce, as investors and speculators only from distributors in Europe. I contacted a of authenticity. If this coin is in fact officially carries the hallmark LEV of the Leipziger attempt to profit from the uncertain economic collector in Yerevan who informed me that the sanctioned by the Central Bank of Armenia, its Edelmetall Verarbeitung (Leipzig Precious and political climate. Precious metal coins have Noah’s Ark coin will not be sold in Armenia. image and technical specifications should even - Metals Factory). LEV and CoinInvestDirect cer - thus become popular vehicles for those who “These coins are not available in Armenia,” he tually be registered on the bank’s website. As of tify that the metal used to mint the coin has wish to shelter assets from the vagaries of the told me, “because they are just investment mid-August, this had not occurred. met standards established by the London stock and bond markets. coins, and there is no mechanism to sell and Examples of the Noah’s Ark coin are present - Bullion Market Association. The Central Bank of Armenia has the sole purchase these coins from the Central Bank.” ly available from internet dealers in Germany The new coin is available in wholesale quan - authority to authorize coinage on behalf of the Unlike the great majority of coins issued by and other European countries. The cost for tities of 20 and 500 coins. Orders for the latter Armenian government. Modern Armenian coins Armenia to date, the Noah’s Ark coin carries individual examples varies between $50 and quantity are supplied with a sturdy and conve - are struck mostly by mints affiliated with vari - the hallmark of the manufacturing mint. Also, $65 each, plus shipping. nient wooden storage box. According to ous European governments, under contract unlike most others new issues, this coin does (Dr. Levon Saryan has been researching CoinInvestDirect, other sizes of the new bullion with the Central Bank. Within Armenia, new not appear to be accompanied by a certificate Armenian coins for more than 30 years.) coin are planned to be released in the near commemorative releases are typically available future. Coins in 1/4 and 1/2 ounce sizes will be for sale at the “Numismatist” salon of the available at the end of 2011, and large coins (5 Central Bank headquarters in Yerevan. oz., 10 oz., 1 and 5 kilograms) will be available In a departure from the usual arrangement, in 2012. the Noah’s Ark coin will apparently be available Atom Egoyan to Direct Movie $UPHQLDQ +HULWDJH 3DUN Based on ‘West Memphis’ LOS ANGELES (Reuters) — Atom Egoyan, rights and private investigator Ron Lax’s life the Egyptian-born Canadian director, plans to rights. Lax has worked pro bono for the three 2Q WKH 5RVH )LW]JHUDOG .HQQHG\ *UHHQZD\ %RVWRQ start shooting a movie based on convicted mur - men for years. derers the “West Memphis Three” — the sub - Richard Saperstein, Elizabeth Fowler, jects of the 1996 documentary “Paradise Lost” Boardman and Clark Peterson will produce — in early spring 2012. Dimension’s movie. As reported last week, the Weinstein On Friday — the day the three men were Company’s Dimension Films has been develop - released from prison — Berlinger said that they ing the project for years. deserve full exoneration. But on Friday, the story got an ending when a judge ordered the three men released from prison. Dimension acquired the rights to journalist Mara Leveritt’s book, Devil’s Knot: The True Story of the West Memphis Three in 2006, and hired Scott Derrickson and Paul Harris Boardman to write the script. Egoyan will direct the adaptation. “The West Memphis Three” are Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley Jr., who were convicted of killing three 8-year-old boys in West Memphis, Ark., in 1993. Their guilt has been questioned ever since. Filmmakers Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky made three documentaries about irregularities in the case. The third, HBO’s “Paradise Lost: Purgatory,” is scheduled to be released this January. In addition to securing the rights to the Atom Egoyan book, Dimension has acquired Leveritt’s life

C Tellalian Associates Architects & Planners, LLC. under construction Sponsorship/Naming Opportunities DONATE James Kalustian 781 777.2407 online: www.ArmenianHeritagePark.net Charles Guleserian 617 484.6100 Haig Deranian 617 489.2215 check: Armenian Heritage Foundation Walter Nahabedian 781 891.7249 25 Flanders Road Dr. Jack Kasarjian 617 232.6350 Belmont, MA 02478 12 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 27, 2011, T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING Varteni Came to Istanbul

VARTENI, from page 10 “Nevertheless to fuse and to feel the dichoto - back? What do all these tell us — the dark reds my between the physical and non physical I so close to black that even the bright sun is am going to choreograph an event in which unable to enlighten, those dark blues, intense every observer will be invited to participate dark yellows? Will the sun ever reach the by bringing their letters new or old, written woman to embrace her, cuddle her, soothe her? material — to leave something behind and These colors, these visions, moments of reminiscent of the stacks of envelopes in the remembrance and these dream-like, almost drawer — a labyrinth type of drawer where unreal figures, almost invisible, merged in the the individual can go in and leave behind its texture of colors and patches of shadows and own trace by painting drawing or writing in light seem to be the rejection of the ugliness, private. The history in drawers will connect the evil, the destructive force inherent in those — us — who are destined to meet humankind, by a woman whose personal histo - regardless of time and space… It can trans - ry is full of deportation and exile, massacres form and travel.”

“Pari Luys” by Varteni Mosditchian

and plunder suffered by her grandparents. Now the exhibition is over. Mosditchian is Mosditchian is originally from Istanbul, but leaving with her letters, photographs and paint - her grantparents’ roots go back to Kayseri ings. How many of us saw these? How many of (Caesarea) in Central Anatolia and Bafra (Black us touched her, brought to her our own draw - Sea). She moved to Massachusetts at the age of ers and showed our wounds like she did to us, 16. Then she was graduated from the Faculty of to touch and to feel? Moreover, were we aware Fine Arts of the University of Central Florida. that she was with us? Her works were exhibited in various parts of And Mosditchian will come again, pursuing the world including New York, Boston, her memories, reaching out to us to show how Washington and Paris. she translates into colors her questions, asser - And this year Mosditchian came to Istanbul tions and challenges — some asking “why not?” at last, bringing her grandfather’s locked some insisting “yes we can,” some sadly saying drawer with its metal key, which had always “if only we wanted.” She will ask us to touch been at his disposal only a drawer containing them, to penetrate and wander about inside large envelopes carefully piled together. It is them to see and to understand. a call to us to bring our own drawers to her The remaining is up to us, to what we are and and to others to share. She said: to what we aspire to be.

Album Reviews: ‘To What Strange Place’

“To What Strange Place: The Music of each other, surrounded by men wearing fezes the Ottoman-American Diaspora 1916- and smoking water pipes. Many were also ped - dlers, or engravers or waiters or fruit-sellers; 1929,” Thompkins Square, £29.99 they played to recover their sense of identity and to accompany their traditional dances. “Ah, I wish I had never gone, /Ah, I wish I By Michael Church had never seen / Darling you, America,” sings Achilleas Poulos from Anatolia in 1926: this was a very strong love-hate relationship. One of The story of this fascinating triple-CD begins these CDs consists of American releases for and ends with tears. It begins with the flight of Ottoman émigrés of music by their compatriots Turkish-Armenians from Turkey in 1915, when back home: record companies made a killing hundreds of thousands were murdered or driv - this way, trading on the nostalgia market. The en into exile; it ends when the 1929 Wall Street other two are of the genuine thing — émigré crash threw most of America’s new immigrants stars performing for their communities. onto the scrap-heap. In between, a remarkable Some of the recordings are very rough in musical culture flourished wherever Armenians, quality, others surprisingly good, but two Turks and Greeks were clustered together: here tracks stand out. The first is by the Greek singer we encounter the unmistakable sounds of all Marika Papagika (1890-1943), one of the most three cultures, fundamentally one and the popular immigrant singers in America. The same. other is by Armenag Chah-Mouradian, a black - Almost everything here was recorded in smith’s son whose sweet rendition of a Komitas Manhattan. These musicians moved among the song literally tugs the heart. cafes of New York’s Little Armenia and its (This review was originally published Sephardic quarter, playing with and listening to in the Scotsman .)

Advertise in the Mirror-Spectator S ATURDAY , A UGUST 27, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 ARTS & LIVING

Ara Oshagan to Speak about His Book, Father Land CC AA LLEENNDDAARR FRESNO — Ara Oshagan will present a talk on his new book, Father Land , at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 14, in the University Business Center, Peters Auditorium, Room 191, on the Fresno State campus. MASSACHUSETTS Oshagan’s presentation is the first of the Fall 2011 Armenian Studies Program Lecture SEPTEMBER 16 and 17 — “A Weekend of Art and Renewal” by the Series and is sponsored by the Armenian Armenian Library and Museum of America (ALMA), featuring Studies Program at Fresno State. the works of Yousuf Karsh. Oshagan will be presenting photographs and • September 16 — Friday, ALMA will host a gala celebration at the text excerpts from Father Land , a book that is Fairmont Copley Plaza, Boston, honoring the life and works of Yousuf a collaboration with his father, Vahé Oshagan, Karsh, and the permanent collection of his portraits gifted by his and published by Powerhouse Books of New wife, Estrellita Karsh. Reservations can be made online by visiting York. Father Land is a poetic and personal jour - ALMA’s website, www.almainc.org, or by phone (617) 926-2562, ney through the rugged, human-and-history- ext. 31 or 4. laden landscape of Nagorno Karabagh, a • September 17 — Saturday, Opening Reception of the exhibition unique collaboration between a photographer “Karsh: Celebrating Humanity,” in ALMA’s newly-designed son and his well-known, writer father. Bedoukian Gallery, 6:30-8:30 p.m., 65 Main St., Watertown. For A family steeped in Armenian literature and more details visit ALMA’s website, www.almainc.org, or call the On September 18, Holy Trinity Armenian Church, art, Vahé and Ara Oshagan’s work is the result administrative office at ALMA (617) 926-2562, ext. 31 or 4. 145 Brattle St., Cambridge, will hold its Trinity of an intensely-felt connection to their heritage SEPTEMBER 18 — Trinity Family Festival, 12-5 p.m., Holy Trinity Family Festival, from 12 to 5 p.m., featuring a deli - and homeland, but also rooted in their shared Armenian Church, 145 Brattle St., Cambridge. Delicious dinner; cious dinner, children and family games, as well as Armenian music by the Greg Krikorian Ensemble. For history of the Armenian Diaspora. Father Land moonwalk for kids; children and family games, starting at 1:30 p.m., is a literary and visual contemplation of information, contact the church office at (617) 354- Armenian music by the Greg Krikorian Ensemble. Yalanchi cook-off. 0632, e-mail [email protected] or visit Nagorno Karabagh’s present-day, its history and Blessing of Magdagh, 4 p.m. Raffle drawing for cash prizes, 4:30 www.htaac.org. its culture, as well as a meditation on transna - p.m. For information, contact the church office at (617) 354-0632, e- tional identity, land and paternal bonds. mail [email protected] or visit www.htaac.org. Ara Oshagan is a photographer whose work revolves around the intersecting themes of identity, community and memory. His first series, iwitness, joined portraits of witnesses of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 with their stories of horror, sur - vival and redemption. Exploring his identity Meet the British Actor behind Film’s CGI-Created Ape, Caesar through his own diasporan community, Oshagan photographed the Armenians of Los Angeles in a LONDON (Hollywood Reporter) — Even if body of work titled “Traces of Identity” that was you don’t recognize Andy Serkis’ face, you’ve exhibited at the LA Municipal Art Gallery and the probably seen his work. Downey Museum of Art. Andy Serkis: 5 Things to Know Oshagan’s work is in the permanent collection Before checking out his new film “Rise of the of the Southeast Museum of Photography, Planet of the Apes,” get to know Serkis in The Florida, the Downey Museum of Art, California, Hollywood Reporter ’s crash course below. the Armory Center for the Arts in Pasadena, Calif., 1. No stranger to CGI projects, Serkis earned and the Museum of Modern Art in Armenia. critical acclaim for his portrayal of Admission is free to the lecture. Smeagol/Gollum in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Receiving significant recognition during award season, his performance sparked a debate over whether CGI-assisted acting could be worthy of an Academy Award. He’s previ - ously embraced his inner ape as the title char - acter in 2005’s “King Kong” and worked with video game developers on 2007’s “Heavenly

(SAMIR HUSSEIN/GETTY IMAGES)

Andy Serkis as Caesar, as he appears in “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”

Entertainment Fridays and Saturdays

Andy Serkis

Sword” and 2010’s “Enslaved.” 2. Serkis attended Lancaster University in Lancashire, England, where he was a member of The County College. He studied visual art Andy Serkis and “Gollum” from “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy and became involved in a student radio station on campus, as well as stage design and set building for theatrical productions. ductions throughout England in the ’80s. He and as the lead role in the 2010 Ian Dury biog - 3. Born to an English mother and an Iraqi- later made the switch to television in the ’90s, raphy, “Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll.” born father with an Armenian background, appearing on several British TV miniseries Serkis is set to reprise his role of Gollum in Serkis’ name was shortened from “Serkisian.” before landing the role of Gollum in “The Lord Peter Jackson’s upcoming “The Hobbit,” for He reportedly split a large amount of time of the Rings.” which he will also serve as a second unit direc - between London and Baghdad in childhood. 5. He can be seen in 2006’s “The Prestige,” tor. Other projects on the horizon include “The 4. Serkis got his start in touring theater pro - opposite Jennifer Garner in “13 Going on 30” Adventures of Tintin” and “The Spider.” 14 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 27, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

T HE A RMENIAN COMMENTARY Mirror- Unpleasant ‘Welcome’ Mat Spectator For Armenia’s President

chair opposition politicians with blame, saying, “if you cared so By Edmond Y. Azadian much about your homeland, your place was Armenia, where you could stay and improve the lot of your compatriots, and for Established 1932 that matter, also yours.” If the ARF branch on the US West Coast was looking for an All these analyses are academic. The fact on the ground is An ADL Publication altercation, it certainly got it when it released to the press its that Armenia’s current administration has more vocal opposi - bombshell. tion in California than any other place. Previous administra - Indeed, as the community was preparing to celebrate the tions did not fare any better. And the ARF seems to be riding EDITOR 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence, the ARF on the on the tide for some political dividends. Alin K. Gregorian West Coast decided to boycott the celebratory banquet, which Even a dissident ADL group, which has severed its ties with will also be honoring President Serge Sargisian, the man who ADL traditions and principles, has bought into this trend, hang - ASSOCIATE EDITOR “has driven Armenia into the mire of corruption,” according to Aram Arkun ing on the coattails of their Dashnag overlords. Indeed, this the ARF statement. group, published in ADL’s Nor Or weekly an editorial recently ART DIRECTOR This rebellious stand received a mild rebuke from the ARF comparing Serge Sargisian’s administration with that of Marc Mgrditchian Central Bureau, through its representative, Giro Manoyan. This General Pinochet’s brutal regime in Chile.

PRODUCTION is not the first time that the ARF is extending the unpleasant In the past, the ARF’s hegemonic instincts in the diaspora Dilani Yogaratnam “welcome” mat for Armenia’s president. We cannot rule out were checked by a unified ADL stand, thereby creating a bal - also a political posturing by the West Coast ARF, coordinated ance of power across the communities outside Armenia. It was with the Bureau, to extract maximum concessions from the a windfall for the ARF to see a split and weakened ADL, and president during the upcoming elections. that party’s leaders began boasting that the ARF controls the CONTRIBUTORS: There is no love lost in Washington towards Armenia, com - diaspora and can claim to speak on its behalf. Elizabeth Aprahamian, Daphne Abeel, Dr. pared to the despotic ruler in Azerbaijan and the frivolous The ADL split was engineered initially by the first president, Haroutiune Arzoumanian, Edmond ruler in Georgia. Levon Ter-Petrosian, who announced, during his first visit to Azadian, Prof. Vahakn N. Dadrian, Diana The Dashnag statement will certainly play into the hands of the US, that traditional political parties were “anachronistic.” Der Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, Kevork Keushkerian, Sonia Kailian- the same quarters in Washington, which recently terminated The current administration is no less responsible in the ADL Placido , H arut Sassounian, Mary Terzian, the Millennium Challenge contract with Armenia, leaving rural split, perhaps inadvertently. Hagop Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian, renovation programs there flailing and unfinished. This cavalier attitude towards the traditional parties was Taleen Babayan President Sargisian “enjoyed” a similar reception when he occasioned by domestic considerations, with parochial political visited different countries to personally present the Protocols. myopia. By weakening the ADL, Armenia’s leaders were cut - The reception was worst in Lebanon, where the ARF youth ting the branch on which they were sitting. CORRESPONDENTS: stoned the presidential procession to the amazement of the History demonstrated that by dislocating traditional political Armenia - Hagop Avedikian local Lebanese people who were wondering what kind of hos - parties, Armenia could not develop real political parties in Boston - Nancy Kalajian Philadelphia - Lisa Manookian tility people were harboring towards the representative of a order to nurture democracy in the country. The best that country which had recently gained independence after 70 years Armenia could come up was to create a semblance of political Contributing Photographers: of Soviet rule. parties, or, caricatures of them, if you will, based on the Jacob Demirdjian, Harry Koundakjian, Jirair Hovsepian No one can claim that there is no corruption in Armenia. Also resources of some oligarchs. no one can claim that any one’s hand in the power structure may History has its revenge. The party that Ter Petrosian created The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published be clean, but the irony is that the Dashnag party itself was part — Pan Armenian National Movement (HHSH) — after steering weekly, except two weeks in July, by: of the coalition headed by President Sargisian. Therefore, the Armenia to independence, fizzled out. It met its doom before Baikar Association, Inc. ARF was a partner in crime in corrupting Armenia. its bloom, because it was a movement which was not able to When the going got tough, the ARF jumped ship, trying to become a political party and because it had rallied around polit - 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 play to the opposition. But that position was already occupied ical opportunists. Recently, two prominent leaders, namely Telephone: 617-924-4420 by the real opposition coalition headed by Levon Ter-Petrosian, Ararat Zourabian and Alexander Arzoumanian, resigned from FAX: 617-924-2887 and consequently the Dashnag party ended in a no-man’s-land, that moribund party, which became anachronistic faster than www.mir rorspectator.com with limited popularity and unlimited static. the traditional political parties. E-Mail: editor@mirrorspectator .com What actually is happening in California is that the West When it comes to diaspora’s evaluation, there are some very For advertising: [email protected] Coast ARF is playing up to the popular sentiments of an expa - unrealistic expectations. For example, some political leaders New York/New Jersey Office triate community where opposition to Armenia’s current would boast that “if Azerbaijan has oil, we have a diaspora.” 560 Sylvan Ave. , Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 regime is fashionable, which in turn can be explained in psy - The truth of the matter is that no government since inde - (201) 800-1164 chological terms. Most of those immigrants had real and objec - pendence was able to harness the full power of the diaspora in tive reasons to move to California, chief among them econom - terms of resources to benefit the homeland. At best, they were ic ones. In addition, many families were worried about their able to manipulate the diaspora’s weaknesses and internal con - SUBSCRIPTION RATES : children serving in the army, in a very volatile region of the tradictions for temporary relief. U.S.A. world which is an actual powder keg, not to mention hazing Now they have to pay for the consequences. The West Coast 2nd Class $75 a year 1st Class $120 a year incidents within the Armenian armed forces. And above all, ARF is extending the “unwelcoming” red carpet to Armenia’s Canada they did not see any promising future for the younger genera - president. That perhaps may be only the tip of the iceberg. It is Air Mail $125 a year tion. Considering that every individual has only one life to live, not improbable that some other groups, inspired by the arro - the above reasons outweigh patriotism, which demands only gant stand of ARF may run to the streets with hostile banners All Other Countries Air Mail $190 a year sacrifice. to further embarrass the president. Display advertising r at e: $7 per column inch Yet despite all these legitimate reasons listed above, those That will be the icing on the cake of Armenia’s Independence who have abandoned Armenia have feelings of guilt and look Day celebration. for subterfuge. Thus, the first self-redeeming act is to blame Armenians seem to have lost focus of their history. So much © 2010 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator Armenia, denigrate the regime and thus receive psychological so that they are willing to waste opportunities which could Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA relief. That relief is being translated into politics, making oppo - unite them and propel them into a more promising future. and additional mailing offices. sition to Armenia’s regime a very popular slogan and a cop-out Let us join, therefore, and celebrate Armenia’s 20 years of for the entire group. Of course, no one is countering these arm - independence, the way we deserve to celebrate. ISSN 0004-234X POSTMASTER : Send address changes to The Armenian Mirror-Spectator, P.O. Box 302, Watertown, MA 02471-0302 Is English Answer to Armenian Church’s Survival in US?

His body, also has a secondary function of pre - ture, but there are many cultures in America, Copying for other than personal use or By Rev. Arnak Kasparian serving the Armenian nationality. Therefore, if rural, small-town, large town, city and mega - internal reference is prohibited without there is to be a continuing Armenian presence lopolis. There are Italians, Germans, Greeks, express permission of the copyright in America, our effort must be to keep the Hungarians, Jews, Arabs, Hindus and so forth. owner. Address requests for reprints or back issues to: What is going to happen to our Armenian Armenian Church alive and strong. Those who Each of these groups has their own culture Baikar Association, Inc. existence in America? Can we survive? We live outside of the church are certainly the first within the predominant culture. count about almost one million Armenians in to assimilate. The Armenian Church is the only There’s also a culture experience by the very 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 the US. What is their destiny? The record show hope for Armenian preservation. rich, the rich, the middle class, lower middle that eight out of ten marriages in Armenian Is there a contradiction between being a class, the poor and the downtrodden. All of churches are with non-Armenians. Of course church, which serves Christ and at the same these live in different styles with different cul - those who choose to marry outside of the time supports ethnicity? I don’t think so. tures. Check us out at Armenian church altogether are not marrying Everyone has a culture as well as a religion, or Consequently, since there really is no mirrorspectator.com Armenians at all. a culture of no religion. There is no such thing “American” culture; Armenians have every In America, the Armenian Apostolic Church as a person without a culture. right to maintain their culture as anyone else. besides her main function of serving Christ, as We bandy about terms like American cul - continued on next page S ATURDAY , A UGUST 27, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 COMMENTARY

yet another autocratic regime. While Ambassador Ricciardone’s revised answer is some - To make matters worse, in response to a written question what more accurate, it is still far from representing the full from Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Ambassador truth. Here is why: Ricciardone falsely claimed that most Christian churches • His figure of “200-250 churches” operating today in existing in Turkey before 1915 are still functioning today. Turkey is inflated. My Turn The ambassador’s gaffe triggered a massive outcry from • His claim that “many churches do not offer services every the Armenian-American community. Church leaders wrote week due to insufficient clergy or local Christian popula - By Harut Sassounian irate letters to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, sharply tions” is misleading. The real reason most churches do not criticizing Ambassador Ricciardone’s erroneous assertion. offer services is that they have been converted to mosques, The Armenian National Committee of America demanded museums, stables or warehouses, if not outright destroyed. Ambassador Ricciardone Finally that he issue a retraction, correction, and apology for his Our own research indicates more than 4,000 Christian Admits Most Churches not false statement. In my last week’s column, I called on the churches were operating in Turkey prior to 1915: Senators to reject his nomination. • More than 2,000 Armenian churches of all denomina - Operating in Turkey Fearing that his confirmation is in serious jeopardy, tions (around 2,000 Armenian Apostolic churches, 200 Ambassador Ricciardone issued a revised statement last Armenian Catholic churches and 150 Armenian After facing harsh criticism for covering up Turkey’s des - week, partially reversing his earlier misrepresentation. Evangelical churches); ecration and destruction of thousands of Christian church - Here is the question that Senator Menendez had asked: • More than 2,000 Greek Orthodox churches; es, Ambassador Francis Ricciardone, President Obama’s “To the best of your knowledge, approximately how many • More than 100 Assyrian churches; and appointee as Ambassador to Turkey, reversed himself last of the more than 2,000 Christian churches functioning • A small number of Bulgarian, Russian, Georgian and week, acknowledging that most churches functioning in prior to 1915 on the territory of present-day Turkey are still Coptic churches. Turkey prior to 1915 are no longer operating today. operating today as churches?” Only 178 of these 4,000 churches (less than 5 percent) Ambassador Ricciardone disavowed the Turkish misin - Ambassador Ricciardone’s initial answer: “Most of the are still operating today in Turkey, mostly located in formation he had recently spewed, after realizing that his Christian churches functioning prior to 1915 are still oper - Istanbul: nomination was about to be rejected by Senators for the ating as churches. Some churches of significance operate • 52 Armenian churches: 40 affiliated with the Armenian second time in 12 months. as museums. The remaining have fallen into disrepair or Patriarchate (34 in Istanbul, 6 in other regions); 2 A year ago, when President Obama nominated were converted to mosques for lack of use.” Armenian Evangelical churches in Istanbul and 10 Ricciardone as ambassador to Turkey, Sen. Sam Ambassador Ricciardone’s revised answer: “With your Armenian Catholic churches in Istanbul; Brownback (R-KS) placed a hold on his nomination, accus - permission, I would appreciate the opportunity to clarify • 87 Greek Orthodox churches (74 in Istanbul, 13 in other ing him of being too cozy with President Mubarak’s despot - the record. The corrected text should read as follows: Most regions); ic regime during his posting in Egypt. Obama then cir - of the Christian churches functioning prior to 1915 are no • 20 Roman Catholic churches (12 in Istanbul, 8 in other cumvented the Senate’s confirmation process and appoint - longer operating as churches. Christian community con - regions); ed him as ambassador to Turkey, while Congress was in tacts in Turkey report that a total of 200-250 churches that • 14 Assyrian churches; and recess. Should the Senate not confirm him by year’s end, date to 1915 and before offer Christian worship services at • five churches affiliated with other denominations. his assignment would be cut short and he would be forced least once a year. Many churches do not offer services every Ambassador Ricciardone’s shameful attempt to minimize to return to Washington. week due to insufficient clergy or local Christian popula - the destruction of thousands of Christian churches by the During his August 2 appearance before the Senate tions. Some churches of significance operate as museums, Ottoman authorities and Republic of Turkey is reprehensi - Foreign Relations Committee, Ambassador Ricciardone others have been converted into mosques or put to other ble. Given his false and evasive answers on this and many repeatedly made excuses for the Turkish government’s uses. Still others have fallen into disrepair or may have other issues, he should not be allowed to represent the domestic and foreign policies, acting as the spokesman of been totally destroyed.” United States in Turkey.

from previous page “Peace unto all.” This should make English moment. I had worked with each of these women ing but once in a while have a visiting priest who The real binding power in America is the English speakers feel at home while not alienating over the years. They were all very active mem - offers Badarak in the afternoon in a host church language, and even that is being challenged from Armenian speakers. bers of the parish and the Women’s Guild, each and who may perform a baptism or a wedding. If some quarters. Once Koreans were using our church for a holding executive office and many leadership they cannot support a full-time priest, other If all Americans have their unique culture, how wedding and I was sitting in the balcony with positions. I never for a moment thought of them arrangements should be made. They need a local can we keep the Armenian Church alive and Joanne Torigian, our non-Armenian Parish as non-Armenians.” person for emergency needs: sick people who strong so that we can enjoy Armenian culture? Council chairperson. After half an hour I could This kind of situation exists in many of our need prayer or Holy Communion, or need of a The only way is for the Armenian Church to not take the Korean language anymore and parishes in America. We have many mixed mar - funeral service. continue to nourish its members. If people do turned to Joanne and said, “How do you take it riages and, fortunately, the non-Armenian spouse As we have lay deacons, we can have lay priests not feel the benefit of belonging to the church when we use Armenian?” Joanne replied, “Every becomes an active member of the parish. We also. Like the deacons, they keep their business community, then they will quit and float into Sunday it is Korean for me.” No wonder people must accept them and also serve them in their or employment but serve as priest during another lifestyle typical of their surroundings. stay away from church and get bored. Answers spiritual needs. Badarak. In Tenafly, the Greek Church has a den - This need also applies to the non-Armenian bride have to be found. Some ballots must be brought I cannot help but think of a report written 91 tist as a lay priest who helps as assistant pastor or groom who married an Armenian. If the non- into the church. years ago by Bishop Papken Guleserian (later and who serves at the Altar when the pastor is Armenian spouse does not feel nurtured in the We must not be afraid of marrying non- Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia). On visiting Sunday School or is on vacation. I intro - church, he or she will leave it and take the fami - Armenians. We have blue eyed and blond October 8, 1920 he wrote a letter from duced him to our then Primate Torkom ly away. Armenians from Cilician region. That is from the Worcester, Mass., to Catholicos Kevork V. This Manoogian. These lay priests, like the deacons, As I said, the only real binding force in time of Crusaders. Even some early Armenians letter has since become famous. He stated that have no executive function but are able to visit America is the English language. For better or were blond haired and blue-eyed, and those the Armenian community in the United States is the sick and perform priestly functions. for worse, Americans rarely learn foreign lan - recessive genes appear even today. Furthermore, very important and needs special attention. He How these positive actions can be taken to guages. Consequently, the use of the English lan - not all prominent “Armenians” were Armenians wrote: “Armenians are here to stay and are not resolve some of these problems? The Diocesan guage is essential if the Armenian Church is to by birth. Even our first Christian king Drtad and going back to their homeland; now that we have Assemblies represent the churches of the nurture its members. I am not suggesting that the first catholicos, St. Gregory, who were distant an independent Armenia [first republic of 1918], Diocese. It is the responsibility of the delegates we go so far as to perform the Holy Liturgy, the cousins, were of Persian origin who became they are and they will play a very essential role to elect the proper Diocesan Council and Badarak, in English. If we did that, there would Armenian nobility. We sing in the sharagan in the future.” These were prophetic words. Primate. Presently our Primate is Archbishop be little of Armenian culture remaining in the (hymn) dedicated to St. Gregory: “Glorified God, He continued: “In America, the Armenian cler - Khajag Barsamian. He is well educated, dedicat - church. You granted us the Illuminator from the sinful gy must be trained with an American education. ed and good person, but never has served as a Yet, in order to reach the people, most nation of Persia,” (Hrashapar Asdvadz ee The members of the new generation of pastor. I don’t think he understands their special Armenian churches in America have sermons in Bartevagan meghabard azken Lousavorich Armenian Americans hardly speak Armenian. needs. He is traveling most of the time, often to both Armenian and English, some read the mez shnorhetser) . So many great “Armenians,” They are American with American ideas, educa - Armenia, and his priority is to follow the wishes prophets and the epistles in English, but reserve were not Armenian by birth, but in a sense tion and lifestyle. So that they do not get lost as of the Catholicos at the expense of devising imag - the gospel for Armenian. Many churches have became naturalized Armenians. Armenians, they must be active in the Mother inative ways to serve the Armenian people in public confession in English, or do it in both lan - Today, we have many non-Armenians very Church, understanding her and, for that they America. guages. In some Armenian churches, they even active in various positions in our Armenian must hear the sermons in English.” He goes on Since a priest cannot be elected as Primate recite the Nicene Creed in English. So, it is com - churches: parish council members, diocesan del - to write, “For the spiritual administration of the under the present system, let us change the mon practice to express the teaching portions of egate, choir member, and Sunday school teach - Armenian Church in America, a new system bylaws. We can divide the responsibilities into the Divine Liturgy in English. ers. Without their dedication and service, our must be created with wide jurisdiction and two parts. We can elect an dedicated and experi - That leaves most of the ritual in Armenian. churches would be weaker. authority (untartsag iravasootune) [the empha - enced priest to manage the executive functions Since very few people, even Armenians, under - Yeretsgin Violet had an interesting experience, sis is his], for example, similar to that of the of the Primate while at the same time electing a stand classical Armenian, the Diocese has print - which she relates: “On Sunday, June 4, 1991, Der Patriarchate of Constantinople, so that the presiding Bishop to ordain clergy, consecrate ed liturgy books with translations and transliter - Arnak celebrated his last official Badarak as Armenian people of America can govern the churches, and presiding at Diocesan gatherings. ations. Most churches have a “number board” Pastor of St. Thomas Armenian Church. church according to the needs of the country Jesus came into a religious community not where the lighted numbers show which page of Following the service a reception was held in and for its immediate necessities.” unlike our own. He was accused of disregarding the liturgy is being recited, thus making the Saddler Hall for all members and guests to bid In an ACYOA meeting, the young people were His religious traditions and practices, and words intelligible to those who make an effort. him fond farewell. At one point in that afternoon, talking about the need for some changes in the neglecting the age-old rituals of His Jewish faith. Nevertheless, many people do not find follow - I was conversing with three long-time members church. The consensus among the ACYOA mem - He answered His critics, “the Sabbath was made ing the Divine Liturgy in translation very satisfy - of the parish. As is my habit, I intersperse bers was that if there is no accommodation in the for man, not man for the Sabbath.” In other ing. Perhaps they are too lazy, perhaps they just Armenian words within my conversation. At one church, they will just leave quietly. When they words, it is a rule of life that preserving life itself get confused and perhaps some do not want to point, one of the women said, “Yeretsgin, we were told that if they wanted changes, they is the most important thing. We cannot say, “The be distracted as they follow the liturgy. This don’t understand Armenian. All three of us have would have to fight for them. They said that it is operation was successful, but the patient died” means, we have to find special ways of accom - been active members of this parish since we mar - not their style to protest and argue, and prefer to about the Armenian Church. We must be auda - modating their needs. ried our Armenian husbands many years ago. leave quietly. cious and find new solutions. Some priests after saying their prayer in But in fact, we are not Armenians by birth, we We have also a number of mission parishes Armenian, do the Translation, for example after are all Italians, we are all Sicilian Armenians!” I with their own special needs. They are small (Rev. Arnak Kasparian resides in saying Khaghaghootune amenetsoon , they say was truly dumbfounded and was silent for a groups that do not have their own church build - New Milford, NJ.) 16 S ATURDAY , A UGUST 27, 2011 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR

Ricciardone Revises Response to Senate Inquiry on Number of Churches in Turkey

STATEMENT, from page 1 beyond even the Administration’s longstanding Armenian-Americans,” explaining that “the loss Christian worship services at least once a year. and shameful complicity in Turkey’s denials of of these many hundreds of churches, their Many churches do not offer services every week the Armenian Genocide,” stated Hachikian in neglect and outright destruction, and the con - due to insufficient clergy or local Christian pop - his August 15 letter. “His verbal and written “It took Ambassador version of many of our sanctuaries into ulations. Some churches of significance operate responses to questions during his Senate con - mosques, is a matter of intense pain to as museums, others have been converted into firmation process, regarding the Armenian Ricciardone, with the Armenians: an ongoing reminder of the loss of mosques or put to other uses. Still others have Genocide and other issues, ranged from evasive life and the destruction that we suffered as a fallen into disrepair or may have been totally to deeply offensive.” result of the 1915 Genocide... In all charity, per - destroyed.” Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan and help of his many State haps the Ambassador is simply unaware of cer - “It took Ambassador Ricciardone, with the Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, prelates of tain facts. But mastery of the history of a coun - help of his many State Department colleagues, the Armenian Apostolic Church of America try, its dark as well as bright chapters, is essen - over a week to submit in writing a patently false Eastern and Western United States, respective - Department colleagues, tial to serving the United States effectively and misrepresentation about the destruction of ly, and Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate diplomatically in this important and complex Christian churches in Turkey, and another 10 of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic over a week to submit region.” (See the full text of his statement on days and a full wave of Senate and citizen pres - Church, Eastern United States, each issued this page.) sure for him to finally take half a step back from powerfully-worded spiritual messages in According to Armenian Church experts, of the most offensive and obviously incorrect response to the ambassador’s statement. in writing a patently the more than 2,000 churches serving the aspects of his response,” said ANCA Executive In an August 15 statement, Choloyan Armenian community prior to 1915, less than Director Aram Hamparian. stressed that the ambassador’s assertion was 40 are functioning as churches today. “He just keeps digging himself into a deeper “so blatantly false that it cannot remain unchal - false misrepresentation Reservations about the ambassador’s readi - hole as an apologist for Ankara. His use of false lenged.” Setting the record straight, he noted ness to placate his foreign hosts willingness to figures and euphemisms to try to twist his way that: “The facts are quite clear. From the mas - accept the Turkish government’s talking points out of his misrepresentation — while somehow sacres of Armenians in 1895-96 and the about the destruction of on religious tolerance at face value echo con - still trying to stick to Turkey’s genocide denial Armenian Genocide in 1915, to the decades fol - cerns expressed last fall by then Sen. Sam narrative — clearly confirms that Ambassador lowing the establishment of the Turkish repub - Christian churches in Brownback (R-KS), who, during the last session Ricciardone is not the right representative of lic, Christian houses of worship were systemati - of Congress, placed a hold on Ricciardone’s US values and interests in Turkey.” cally destroyed or confiscated. My own church’s nomination to serve as US ambassador to Last week, in a strongly-worded letter to hierarchal see, the Armenian Catholicosate of Turkey.” –Aram Hamparian Turkey. In an August 16, 2010, letter to Clinton, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, ANCA Cilicia, was a victim of this process, and today is Brownback voiced disapproval of Ricciardone’s Chairman Ken Hachikian demanded a retrac - exiled in Lebanon. The archives of the consequences of the Ottoman and Republican tenure as US ambassador to Egypt, noting, tion, correction and apology for Ambassador Catholicosate contain hundreds of original Turkish government’s genocide of Armenians, among other things, that “he quickly adopted Ricciardone’s statement covering-up Ottoman deeds and other documentation of churches Assyrians, Syriacs, Greeks and other Christians the positions and arguments of his Egyptian and Republican Turkey’s systematic destruc - and church owned property that was confiscat - materially undermines US interests, compro - diplomatic counterparts.” tion of thousands of Christian churches. ed.” mises American values and weakens interna - In the wake of Brownback’s hold, President “We have been troubled by his eagerness to Mardirossian concurred, stating, “The pres - tional efforts to defend religious freedom for Barack Obama circumvented Senate objections embrace the government of Turkey’s false and ence of an Ambassador in Ankara who is peoples of all faiths. Sadly, but unmistakably, by issuing a “recess appointment” of hateful genocide denial narrative, at lengths unaware of or uninterested in the truth and the with this hateful and hurtful statement, Ricciardone. The Senate must approve his nom - Ambassador Ricciardone has demonstrated ination in the upcoming months, if Ricciardone that he is not the right candidate to effectively is to continue to serve in Turkey for more than and responsibly represent the United States in one year, of the usual three-year ambassadorial Abp. Barsamian Responds to Ricciardone’s Statement Turkey.” term. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee On August 19, Barsamian noted that will likely take up his nomination upon their RESPONSE, from page 1 churches, their neglect and outright destruc - Ricciardone’s response had “deeply offended return from the August Congressional recess. than 2,000 Christian churches functioning tion and the conversion of many of our sanctu - prior to 1915 on the territory of present-day aries into mosques, is a matter of intense pain Turkey,” Ricciardone had asserted: “Most of the to Armenians: an ongoing reminder of the loss Christian churches functioning prior to 1915 of life and the destruction that we suffered as a are still operating as churches. Some churches result of the 1915 Genocide. KOHAR All Time of significance operate as museums. The Ambassador Ricciardone deeply offended remaining have fallen into disrepair or were Armenian-Americans with his remarks, opening converted to mosques for lack of use.” sensitive wounds and potentially setting back The full text of Barsamian’s letter to Clinton, the gradual process of healing. In all charity, Armenian Favorites 3 in response to that assertion, appears below: perhaps the ambassador is simply unaware of Dear Madame Secretary: certain facts. But mastery of the history of a My kind greetings and blessings you, as you country, its dark as well as bright chapters, is After much anticipation, HAYASA Productions LTD releas - continue your service to our nation. essential to serving the United States effective - es KOHARʼs, “All Time Armenian Favorites 3.” The As Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the ly and diplomatically in this important and com - three DVDʼs feature over six hours of live concert at the Armenian Church of America, I write regarding plex region. the statements made by Ambassador Francis Again, it is our general support for your Opea Theater of Damascus and the citadel amphitheater of Ricciardone, President Obama’s appointment as efforts, Madame Secretary, as well as our desire Aleppo. US ambassador to the Republic of Turkey, dur - to see genuine progress made to benefit the ing his confirmation hearing. entire region that prompts this letter to you. I Please know that we have been generally sup - am confident that you will give these thoughts portive of the efforts of the US government to pro - all due consideration, as you make decisions mote a more normal relationship between the about the vital role America plays in Turkey, in republics of Turkey and Armenia. Likewise, we Armenia and throughout the world. greatly respect and appreciate the productive role Madame Secretary, you have our great you personally have played in such initiatives. respect and support in all your undertakings. With those efforts in mind, it is difficult to May our Lord strengthen and guide you in your understand Ambassador Ricciardone’s asser - service to our beloved country. tions about the status of historic Armenian With prayers, churches, and other Christian churches, in Archbishop Khajag Barsamian Turkey. The loss of these many hundreds of Primate

Armenian Woman Dies in Indiana State Stage Collapse BIGJOHNY, from page 1 senior class president at Wayne High School. “She was excited about this concert,” said She graduated in May 2011 with honors from her brother-in-law, Terry Collins. “She had the Manchester College. She was planning on The documentary material portrays the built up process of tickets for a while, and she’s been talking about teaching seventh grade this fall at Wilson it all summer.” Middle School, Muncie. the stages in Damascus and the Citadel of Aleppo with It was a busy time. After graduating in May She is survived by her father, Robert (spouse some interview with conductor Sebouh Abcarian, who with high honors from Manchester College, she Gohar Hakobyan) BigJohny, of Sherwood, Ark.; depicts the heroic past associated with his father and the had landed a job teaching middle school mother, Polly A. BigJohny, of Fort Wayne; sister, citadel. English in Muncie. Christy (spouse Terry Collins) BigJohny, of Fort The “must own” KOHAR — All Time Armenian Favorites And her father, Robert BigJohny, was visiting Wayne; brother, Antonio Guerrero, of Fort from Arkansas. BigJohny’s parents had Wayne; grandfather, Stepan BigJohny, of three package comes with a 128-page song booklet that divorced, and her father, an Armenian immi - Armenia; great-grandmother, Margaret includes the lyrics of the songs in Armenian and transliterat - grant, had planned to return to that country Baghoomian, of Glendale, Calif.; nephew, TJ ed. later this month and wanted to say goodbye. Collins of Fort Wayne; and several aunts, uncles For more information, go to BigJohny was born August 4, 1988 in Fort and cousins. Wayne. She was a 2007 graduate of Wayne Funeral Services were held on Friday, August 19. High School and was the salutatorian of her In lieu of flowers, memorials to TJ Collins http://hayasashop.com/. class. She was also the captain of gymnastics Education Fund c/o Christy BigJohny. team, editor-in-chief of the school paper and www.klaehnfahlmeltonfunerals.com