DECEMBER 27, 2014 MirTHErARoMENr IAN -Spe ctator Volume LXXXV, NO. 24, Issue 4369 $ 2.00 NEWS IN BRIEF The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 Official 1915 Merry Christmas! WATERTOWN — The staff of the Armenian Mirror-Spectator wishes all Document their readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Our next issue will be Swept Under that of January 10, 2015. The Carpet Armenian President ISTANBUL (Agos) — Journalist Murat Speaks of Challenges, Bardakçi announced this week that a Turkish Historical Society (TTK) official Opportunities Ahead removed “dispatch registers” kept after the YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow) — Some of the current deportation law was issued in 1915 from year’s difficulties and uncertainties that have objec - the Ottoman archives, and hid them in the tive reasons are likely to continue in Armenia in archive of another institution. 2015, President Serge Sargisian said on December According to Bardakçi, this was done not 22 during a reception for the business community. by official procedure, but was the outcome At the same time, he spoke about new opportu - of an individual’s interference. Even the nities offered by Eurasian integration as Armenia newly changed administration of the prepares to enter the new economic grouping of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan on January 1. “Any state, any economy, even the most powerful economies like the United States or the European Union, can always encounter difficulties. In coun - Aram Satyan at Erevan Chorale and Orchestra Christmas Concert tries like ours these difficulties may happen more often,” said Sargisian. Aram Satyan President of Armenian Genocide Centennial to Composers Union Visits Boston Be Commemorated in

WATERTOWN, Mass. — Aram Satyan, president of the Composers Union of Murat Bardakçi Diyarbekir Church Armenia, recently visited Boston to be present at the well-attended December 14 DIYARBEKIR, Turkey — The Gomidas Institute, Erevan Chorale and Orchestra’s Christmas concert. The concert was dedicated to Turkish Historical Society does not know with the support of the Turkish Human Rights the 100th anniversary of the birth of Satyan’s father, the composer Aram Satunts, where these documents are located at pre - Association, is organizing a series of commemora - whose Shnorhavor Nor Taree was performed. In addition, it was the US premiere sent, however. tive events in Diyarbakir between April 22 and 24, of Satyan’s Ave Maria. The concert took place at Holy Trinity Armenian Church Murat Bardakçi, who has published the 2015 to mark the centennial of the Armenian in Cambridge, under the direction of composer and conductor Konstantin books Talat Pasa’nin Evrak-i Metrukesi Genocide. The focus on Diyarbakir is for good his - Petrossian. (The Abandoned Documents of Talaat torical and political reasons. Born in Yerevan in 1947, Satyan is one of a large family of composers and musi - Pasha) containing documents and private Diyarbakir was a key theatre of the Armenian cians. His uncle Ashot Satyan (1906-1958) led the music department of Armenfilm correspondence on the Armenian question Genocide. Its governor Reshid Bey in 1915 played see SATYAN, page 20 found in the private archive of Talaat a prominent role in the mass murder of Armenians. Pasha, and Ittihatçi’nin Sandigi (The Some of the victims — such as the local prelate Wooden Chest of the Unionist) containing Mgrdich Chlghadian — were killed in the city, thou - the correspondence of high-ranking sands more were killed outside, and even more fur - Unionist leaders, has made striking state - ther afield. EEU Member States’ Presidents to ments regarding the Ottoman archives, The city’s co-mayors and regional representa - which state officials claim are open on tive’s at the Turkish Parliament speak out on the every occasion. Armenian issue with a clear voice. Diyarbakir city Confirm Armenia’s Accession Bardakçi added that he guessed that the has already supported the reconstruction of Sourp “records on abandoned properties were in Giragos church, one of the largest Armenian YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow) — On Lukashenko already appears to have the same location as the abovementioned churches in the world. Armenians can live freely in December 23, Moscow will host a meeting received a lot of discounts and incentives. dispatch registers, and that a proper inves - this city. At last year’s commemoration of the of the Supreme Eurasian Council and the The parliaments of all three EEU mem - tigation could unearth all these docu - Armenian Genocide, the men and women who Collective Security Treaty Organization. At ber countries have ratified the treaty on ments. stood up for Armenians represented millions of peo - the meeting of the Eurasian Council it is see EEU, page 3 see DOCUMENT, page 3 ple. They included prominent politicians, lawyers, expected that Armenia’s accession to the human rights activists, and others. Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) will be The Gomidas Institute has built bridges with confirmed and an agreement on Turkish civil society and sought just resolution of Kyrgyzstan’s accession will be signed. outstanding issues. It has organized successful pro - However, the day before these important Amal Clooney to represent jects in Diyarbakir before, including the commemo - meetings the presidents of Belarus and ration of the Armenian Genocide. Kazakhstan, Alexander Lukashenko and Nursultan Nazarbayev, decided to visit Armenia in European Court Ukraine, which, in fact, is at war with the third member of the EEU — Russia. STRASBOURG, France — International Assange of WikiLeaks and former Moreover, Lukashenko already on human rights lawyer Amal Clooney is Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia INSI DE December 21 arrived in Kyiv and pledged expected to be one of the attorneys repre - Tymoshenko, will represent Armenia in the full support for Ukrainian leader Petro senting Armenia at the European Court of “Perincek v. Switzerland” case and will be Poroshenko. Human Rights (ECHR). joined by two Armenian government repre - Nazarbayev also expressed a desire to According to Harut Sassounian, the pub - sentatives, Gevorg Kostanyan and Emil Christmas become a mediator in settling the lisher of the California Courier, the British- Babayan. Ukrainian-Russian dispute. Experts are Lebanese lawyer, who is involved in several The court session is scheduled for Greetings wondering what these visits are related to major lawsuits including defending Julian January 28, 2015. and how they will impact decisions on Leftist Turkish Workers’ Party’s Dogu December 23. Perincek was fined by a Swiss court for hav - Pages 10-11 The devaluation of the Russian ruble and ing branded the Armenian Genocide “an the sharp economic downturn in Russia international lie” during a 2007 lecture have weakened the position of Russian pres - tour in Switzerland. ident Vladimir Putin in the Supreme Clooney, 36, who changed her surname INDEX Eurasian Council, and, as Western analysts after marrying 53-year-old actor George Arts and Living ...... 14 suggest, Belarus and Kazakhstan are trying Clooney in Venice in September, was Armenia ...... 2,3 to achieve greater rights for themselves in recently named London’s most powerful Community News...... 5 the emerging EEU. Moreover, they often use woman. Editorial ...... 17 International ...... 4 for this the factor of Armenia’s membership, (Sassounian’s column on Clooney can be which has been sought by Putin. For his con - Amal Clooney found on the editorial section of this news - sent to this membership Belarus president paper.) 2 S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 27, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia German Armenian Film Critic Makes

Armenia’s Central Bank Himself at Home in Yerevan Raises Refinancing (October 2014). ful new film about genius director By Artsvi Bakchinyan In November, Spirit celebrated its “Paradzanov”), Armenian-Canadian Interest Rates 30th anniversary. On November 21 director and Festival Honorary there was a big Spirit celebration with Chairman Atom Egoyan (“The Sweet YEREVAN (Public Radio of Armenia) — Armenia’s YEREVAN — Last year, among inter - two science fiction film screenings (“V Hereafter”, “Ararat”) or Hungarian Central Bank has raised its key refinancing rate to national jury members of “Golden for Vendetta” and “Coherence”) intro - director and President of the Main Jury 8.5 percent from 6.75 percent on Tuesday, Apricot” Yerevan International Film duction by Hairapetian at Cinema István Szabó (“Mephisto”, “Colonel December 23. Festival, there was an Armenian name — Filmrauschpalast Berlin with participa - Redl”). Annual inflation was at 2.6 percent in November, Marc Hairapetian. tion of many VIPs. The quality of the film programm the central bank said, up from 2.2 percent in A colleague from Berlin, member of Hairapetian said he is proud to have and competition was also superb. There October. Monthly inflation in November was at 1.3 International Association of Film Armenian roots. After visiting Yerevan was only one problem in the first days: percent, compared to inflation of 1.0 percent in Critics and Cinema Journalists he wrote the following article, pub - Sometimes the screenings in the won - October. (FIPRESCI), about whom Germany’s lished in English in Spirit - Ein Lächeln derful and stylish Cinema Moscow were The central bank kept its refinancing rate biggest newspaper, Bild wrote: “Marc im Sturm www.spirit-ein-laecheln-im- a little dark — especially of film classic unchanged at 6.75 percent in September and Hairapetian is Germany’s best film jour - sturm.de/neues/drucken/Golden_Apri “Mephisto” (1981) directed by István November after cutting it from 7.00 percent in nalist.” Not bad, of course, to have the cot_2013.pdf and www.fipresci.org Szabó. But very quick the Festival August. Last week, Russia’s central bank raised its best film journalist from Germany to http://www.fipresci.org/festivals/archi could find a solution for it. With my key interest rate by 650 basis points to 17 percent. share your ethnic background! In my ve/2013/yerevan/mhairapetian.htm FIPRESCI jury members Anna long-time quest for people of Armenian Erznkyan and György Kárpáti I could origin in cinema I had not come across Exceeded Expectations see many good films from different Armenia and Mongolia his name. Hairapetian was for the first My personal impressions as countries like Armenia, Russia, Austria time in Armenia, and we got a chance to FIPRESCI jury member of 10th or Turkey but as we say in Germany Strengthen Cooperation get acquainted. anniversary Golden Apricot - Yerevan “The best is coming always in the end” YEREVAN (Armenpress) — The governments of Hairapetian was born in February 6, International Film Festival — the Iranian Film “The Last Winter” Armenia and Mongolia are planning to sign agree- 1968, in Frankfurt am Main. His By Marc Hairapetian directed by Salem Salavati over - ment on exempting persons with diplomatic and Armenian father, Ardavas Hairapetian, Nothing is more sad when you have whelmed us in story telling and the official passports from the requirement of an entry was the founder of the Armenian great expectations and they will be bit - artistic use of Digital video. So it was visa. The issue on approving the draft of the agree- Society in the city. At the age of 16 ter disappointed. In the other case easy for us to make a decision on the ment was included in the agenda for the govern- Hairapetian founded and became the nothing is more magic when your award winner. ment’s December 25 session. editor of Spirit — Ein Lächeln Im Sturm expectations will be exceeded like with To talk about my personal impres - Based on the justification provided by Armenia’s (Spirit - A Smile in the Storm) www.spir - my invitation as FIPRESCI jury mem - sions this trip to Armenia and Golden Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the signing of the it-fanzine.com / www.spirit-fanzine.de, ber of this year 10th anniversary of Apricot had every day new high lights agreement is based on the need of fostering rela- the magazine for film, theatre, music, Golden Apricot - Yerevan International for me: It was really like being in a fairy tions between the Republic of Armenia and literature and audio drama. Film Festival. For me it was not “just” tale and meeting the most famous Mongolia. Armenia and Mongolia have held several Hairapetian has often been a jury an honorable job; it was also the dis - Armenian of all time, the singer, actor meetings and discussions in the course of the past member for German film festivals and has covery of the home country of my and honorary guest Charles Aznavour, 20 years of relations with the purpose of expanding worked for newspapers (Neue Zürcher father he was also never visiting. Maybe for an exclusive interview in his own (!) cooperation. The last major development was the Zeitung, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, you will ask: How is this possible? museum on a hill where you have an appointment of an Armenian Ambassador to Frankfurter Allgemeine Armenia in his original size was so big amazing view of Armenian capital! Mongolia in December 2013 (based in Beijing). Sonntagszeitung, Süddeutsche Zeitung) like the Federal Republic of Germany Though 89, Aznavour is still sharp and now. After the Turkish a very charming interview subject Genocide on the I will also never forget the concert in Real Stories about Armenian people in the House Museum of Aram 1915 - 1918 Armenians Khachatourian: I had tears of joy in my Genocide in One Book were going to the eyes when I listened to the melodies of YEREVAN (Armenpress)— A hundred years after Diaspora to live in other the ballet music “Spartacus” or the Armenian Genocide, the real stories about the countries all over the “Gayaneh” which were played by a tragedy, the atrocities against the Armenians and world. My father Piano, Violin and Cello Trio. In the end the Turks who saved the survivors have caused an Ardavas (1940–2006) the director and pianist Armine uproar in Turkish media. The real stories presented was born in Täbriz/Iran. Grigoryan asked me send a picture of in the book titled 100 Years...Real Stories have Later he lived in Aram Khatchaturian and my father to been published in Taraf, Zaman, Radikal, Demokrat Teheran. In the 1960s hang it in the museum! haber, Evrensel, Blanet, Yurt and T24 without any he came as a student to Wonderful were also the excursions changes. Germany and married to Sardarapat where the Armenian The book’s Armenian and English versions were Marc Hairapetian with Richard Gere my mother Mago. As one army stopped the Turkish attack and presented in Yerevan on December 23. The book of the founders of the Echmiadzin where I was talking to the also presents how the Turks saved Armenians from Armenian Society in Catholicos, the leader of the Armenian and magazines (Der Spiegel, Spiegel massacres during the years of the Armenian Frankfurt am Main, he was a close Church. Online, Cinema, ME, Movies) in Germany, Genocide. The 47 stories were compiled through friend of the world famous composer It was one of the most touching Austria, Switzerland and US. He has con - the combined efforts of the European Integration Aram Khachatourian. He taught me a moments in my life when the audience ducted exclusive interviews with person - NGO and Armedia news and analytical agency with- lot of Armenian history and culture — was applauding at the Award Ceremony alities such as Elia Kazan, Charles in the frames of the The Turk Who Helped Me and also to love cinema! It was always in the Yerevan Opera House in memory Aznavour, Billy Wilder, Gregory Peck, Sir Program carried out with the support of the UK our dream to visit the independent of my father Ardavas. My personal Peter Ustinov, Christiane Kubrick (widow Ministry for Foreign Countries and Cooperation Armenian Republic — which has existed speech and of course also the motiva - of Stanley Kubrick), Anne Hathaway, with Countries. since 1991 — and now this dream came tion to give the FIPRESCI award to Kim Novak, Sophia Loren, Claudia true for me. “The Last Winter” were also shown on Cardinale, Richard Gere, Tom Cruise, From the first moment I landed in Armenian TV. Azeri Passengers Leave Felix Werner (son of Oskar Werner), Yerevan, I felt at home. Everybody was The Film Festival Gala Dinners are Atom Egoyan and Henry Kissinger. He friendly and open — the legendary not to compare with any Gala Dinner in Yerevan with Gratitude did the longest interview with director Armenian hospitality made everything Germany — and I am invited often in Fatih Akin about his new film, “The Cut” YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Azerbaijani passengers easy for me. As my jury colleague Berlin: Every night we went to a new and the Armenian Genocide and pub - of the Kyiv-Tbilisi flight of Ukraine International György Kárpáti was writing in his intro - place of extraordinary beauty: Among lished it exclusive for Spirit - A Smile in Airlines spent the night in Yerevan’s Zvartnots duction about Golden Apricot, “the the diners were charismatic Golden the Storm. He is the co-writer of Oskar Airport on December 21-22 due to unsatisfactory Yerevan International Film Festival was Apricot Festival General Director Werner - Das Filmbuch (Oskar Werner - weather conditions in Tbilisi. brighter then ever.” Harutyun Khachatryan, Austrian film - The Film Book) biography (Vienna Civil Aviation Department’s Ruben Grdzelyan I can say honestly and not just with maker Ulrich Seidl, US director Godfrey 2002). stated: “We provided them with everything, includ- “half Armenian eyes” that this 10th Reggio, jury colleagues, the pretty girls Since 2011, Hairapetian has been a ing food. On the second day four men refused to anniversary had a high standard so that of Yerevan and me — were dancing all board member of Kinomuseum Berlin get out of the aircraft, but taking into account that we can compare it with first-class film together in Armenian or Georgian style (Cinema Museum Berlin) and his film the aircraft gets colder at night, the aircraft was festival like Cannes, Venice or Berlin, to live music. The lust for life is conta - screenings of 70mm and 35mm prints heated for those four passengers and the crew. the city where I have lived since gious in Armenia even though the of film classics are well known in They arrived at 01:00. The first one left for Tbilisi September 1989. Most of the invited country has also some problems like Germany. at 08:00 in the morning, while the second one left directors, actors, producers, jury mem - everywhere with politics and there is a There is another sphere that at 06:00. They left with gratitude and satisfaction bers and other guests where staying in discrepancy between rich and poor . Hairapetian is exploring — acting! Since for our security measures and thanked us for it. the five star Royal Tulip Grand Hotel But also the poor people give all to 1996, he has worked as an actor for They shook hands and left.” close to the Main Festival Cinema enjoy the guests — and this is maybe television and cinema in about 25 pro - Rumors were circulated by Azerbaijani media Moscow. We all lived their like Kings. It the biggest gift you can make to a ductions. His new film, the erotic that their passports were taken away, which never was the center and the heart of the stranger that feels “at home” in thriller, “True Love Ways” (directed by happened. The passports were simply checked. Festival with many events, press cock - Armenia! Thanks a lot for the invita - Mathieu Seiler) was shown this year in tails, conferences and interviews like I tion, Golden Apricot! Yes kesi shat a special market screening at Film could to with Armenian-French actor kesirem, Voske Tsiran! Yes kesi shat Festival in Cannes and celebrated its and director Serge Avedikian (who kesirem, Hayastan! (I love you, Golden world premier at Hofer Filmtage brought to Golden Apricot his wonder - Apricot! I love you, Armenia!). S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 27, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 ARMENIA Dram Rebounds, New Cyclotron at Yerevan Physics Institute Inflation Worries YEREVAN — The Alikhanyan National standing the conditions responsible for life on a challenge in physics worldwide. Scientists at Linger Laboratory in Yerevan (Yerevan Physics earth, as well as applying the techniques and YerPhi propose to measure the decay of the Institute - YerPhi) will soon take delivery of a tools of nuclear science towards understanding Hoyle state. new 18 MeV (Million electron Volt) cyclotron early human development. This science is also Another example of the kind of research that for a modern diagnostic center funded by the applicable to environmental science and the dat - can be done at YerPHi with the new C-18 By Gayane Mkrtchyan Armenian government. The cyclotron is pur - ing of art and archeological artifacts. This will Cyclotron is the conversion of the proton beam chased from a Belgian Company (IBA) and the expand the capabilities of Armenia in medical into a neutron beam for use for a broad class of YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow) — Taking plan is to start installation of the new 18 MeV treatment and diagnostic techniques. studies and experiments. Neutrons are funda - advantage of dramatic fluctuations of cur - cyclotron in January of 2015. The cyclotron will This type of cyclotron is being implemented mental particles that make up the atomic nucle - rency exchange rates in recent days some be placed in a newly constructed, specially worldwide to produce radio-isotopes for hospi - us along with protons. The properties of neu - Armenian businessmen increased prices designed building on the grounds of the labo - of basic foodstuffs and other essentials, ratory. The new cyclotron, the Cyclone 18, is which fueled concerns and even created one of the most modern cyclotrons produced some panic among Armenian citizens. today in the world. The cyclotron will produce Within a week prices for some goods negative proton beams of 18 MeV and deuteron increased by 40 percent, leading to some beams of up to 10MeV energies. panic buying at places where prices were The new cyclotron, in addition to providing not raised and making some stores set short-lived radioactive isotopes for Positron- limits on purchases of basic foodstuffs Electron tomography, will also be used to like sugar, flour and butter. People com - expand the capability of YerPhI in nuclear pared the situation with the early 1990s physics research and the applications of nuclear when bread and butter were rationed and science to society. The science questions available to buyers only by ration explored at YerPhi will range from studying the coupons. stellar nuclear reactions which are essential to “People are afraid of facing the same the formation of the solar system and to under - situation that they already experienced before. Within a few hours prices went up. Coffee and grains, sausages and dairies, meat products, let alone bread — we used to buy bread for 210 drams The IBA 18 cyclotron (AMD), this morning it was 250. The price of one egg went from 70 to 100 AMD, cooking oil prices went from 800 to 1,100 tals and research centers all over the world. The trons such as their charge neutrality makes AMD. And all this happens at the thresh - production of radio-isotopes in Yerevan will pro - them ideal probes to peer inside all types of old of the New Year holidays. This is the vide services that presently do not exist to matter, including properties of nuclei and vari - end of Armenia,” housewife Zhanna patients in Armenia and potentially provide ous types of dense matter. Wavelengths of neu - Martirosyan, 60, said. sales to neighboring countries. The cyclotron tron are about the same as the distances The stores that suspended trade and will place Armenia amongst a select list of the between atoms making them an ideal tool to closed in anticipation of stability on the world’s countries with their own production of the study of engineering of materials, as well as currency market reopened on December radio-isotopes that can be used in medical diag - biological, chemical, and physical systems. 18 as the dram that had hit its historic nostics and therapy. The cyclotrons are also Neutrons and the likelihood of various materi - lows of nearly 600 the previous night very versatile and can be used to carry out basic als to absorb neutrons (cross-sections) are rebounded to 460-480. However, no simi - nuclear research. Some recent proposals by sci - important to answering a broad range of open larly ‘dramatic’ decrease in prices would entists at YerPhi, and approved by the Ministry questions from astrophysics, nuclear physics, take place. of Science and Education, include using the and material science. The production of a neu - In the afternoon Prime Minister Hovik proton beams to study the “Hoyle” state, which tron beam at YerPhi will be an important exper - Abrahamyan visited a number of supermar - YerPhI director A. Chilingarian and the President is the resonance state that captures an alpha imental tool for the country of Armenia. Other kets to check the prices and see for himself of Armenia S. Sargsyan at the groundbreaking particle to make Oxygen and hence facilitated societal applications of Nuclear Physics include what the situation in retail trade is. ceremony of the diagnostic center the origin of life in our cosmos. The state was energy, climate physics, physics of art and At one of the stores he told reporters discovered more than 50 years ago, but remains archeology. that there were ungrounded price increas - es for a number of products which he said he corrected on the spot. And in the supermarkets he visited there were price “variations” for eggs, which was fixed as AWWA Celebrates 10 Years of Supporting Hanganak well. On December 18 at a government meet - NGO Clinic in Stepanakert ing the premier said that the government will not tolerate ungrounded price STEPANAKERT, Karabagh — In October, five assistance they have received over the years. was held in City Hall. In attendance were gov - increases, emphasizing the particularly members of the Armenian Women’s Welfare The AWWA members were invited to meet ernment officials, beneficiaries, Hanganak Clinic obvious price increase of sugar, flour and Association (AWWA) visited the Hanganak Non- with various Artsakh government officials, staff, and the general public. The celebration other basic foodstuffs. He instructed Governmental Organization (NGO) in including Prime Minister Ara Harutyunian, included traditional Armenian dancers and sev - Artak Shaboyan, the head of the State Stepanakert, Nagorno Karabagh Republic Mayor Suren Grigoryan, Health Minister eral musical performances. Both the Prime Commission on the Protection of (NKR), to celebrate the 10th anniversary of fund - Harutyun Qushkyan, Minister of Justice Ararat Minister and the Mayor expressed their gratitude Economic Competition (SCPEC), to look ing the elderly project along with the staff and Danielyan and Hasmik Mikayelyan, NKR Deputy for the Hanganak NGO Clinic and presented sev - into the matter. beneficiaries. Susan Giragosian, Annie Minister of Culture and Youth Affairs as well as eral certificates and special medals to the mem - During the recent days parallel to food Youssoufian, JoAnn Janjigian, Sara Janjigian Srpazan Parkev Martirossyan. Each of the offi - bers of the AWWA and to the director of the clin - prices, prices for medicines also were Trifiro and Andrea Stepanian Southard traveled cials expressed their gratitude for improving the ic, Dr. Gohar Hovhannisyan, for the 10th anniver - raised. “Blood pressure and diabetes together to Yerevan and then to Stepanakert lives of these elders served by Hanganak. sary of this charitable mission in Artsakh. drugs got more expensive. Now they NKR. On their last evening in Artsakh, a celebration make us go straight to the other world, Since 2004, the AWWA has sponsored the don’t they? How can they tease people Hanganak NGO, a clinic that provides medical like this? They are the ones who import, and social support to 200 elderly, 63 years old who sell, who cheat the people, what do and over, living alone in Stepanakert. This pro - they demand from anyone else?” gram delivers comprehensive social and health EEU Member States’ Presidents Margarita Hambartsumyan, 55, said. care services along with provision of pharma - Abrahamyan also instructed Health ceuticals and food. The clinical staff consists of Minister Armen Muradyan to follow trade one physician, four nurses and two social work - To Confirm Armenia’s Accession in the medicines market to understand ers whose main goal is to improve the quality of what is happening in that sector. life for the beneficiaries. In addition to medical EEU, from page 1 convey the conditions of Russia’s “withdrawal” Meanwhile, many believe that if prices care and monthly provisions to the elderly, the Armenia’s accession, but the president have yet from Ukraine. continue to climb up, Armenia may see Hanganak NGO provides spiritual and commu - to sign the ratification bills on December 23 Forecasts about the EEU that will be formal - another wave of outbound migration. nity activities. In 2006, a Senior Citizens and, apparently, Lukashenko and Nazarbayev ly launched from January 1 are different — some The waves of price increases had spread Center was established for the elderly to gather intend to achieve new privileges at the expense view it as a “stillborn” project or a formal across all Armenia. In the second largest to watch movies, socialize and have refresh - of Armenia. alliance like the Commonwealth of Independent city of Gumri some had stopped whole - ments. Hayr Hagop, the local pastor often visits But what is the goal of the Belarus and States; others argue that the project is too sale trade in flour and sugar. It restarted the clinic and holds spiritual conversations with Kazakh presidents’ visits to Kyiv? Maybe important for Putin, and he will achieve its only on December 18. In Kapan sugar the beneficiaries. Every year they also provide Lukashenko and Nazarbayev have decided to implementation at any cost. was sold for 500-600 drams, instead of the trips to historical sites in Artsakh such as talk to Poroshenko about the establishment of However, one question remains unanswered — previous 420. Gandzasar, Shushi, Amaras and Tidranakert. some kind of a free trade zone. Earlier it was will the international community, particularly Buckwheat, grains and flour prices Part of the mission was to oversee the work - reported that Russia had appealed to the the United States, Europe and major Asian increased by 200-300 drams. Citizens ings of the clinic and assess how the program European Commission with a proposal to cre - nations, wish to recognize the EEU as an entity hope that dram exchange rate stabiliza - benefited the elderly that it serves. The AWWA ate a free trade area between the EU and the of international law? Will they wish to conclude tion will also lead to price decreases, and members met with many beneficiaries, both at EEU. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said agreements not with different member nations of closer to the New Year prices will not rise the clinic and in their homes, and they all that it is quite possible if Russia withdraws from the EEU, but with the Union itself, thus con - again . expressed their sincere appreciation for the Ukraine. Maybe Lukashenko went to Kyiv to firming the re-establishment of a mini-USSR? 4 S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 27, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR INTERNATIONAL International News Official 1915 Document Swept Under The Carpet

DOCUMENT, from page 1 and properties were passed on to. tain documents in the Ottoman archive, The dispatch registers mentioned by Bardakçi points out that, although the ‘normal’ dispatch, or deportation, Painter Maro Sarkisian Bardakçi are lists which include the they do not cover all areas of settle - had to be done according to these doc - Opens Personal number and names of Armenians sub - ment, a significant number of dispatch uments. The Istanbul Court Martial jected to forced deportation in 1915, registers and abandoned property Authority sought to access these docu - Exhibition in Kuwait and from which region they were records are presently in the archive. ments during the hearings, and asked deported. The dispatch, or deportation, The reason Bardakçi presumes the after their location. As far as we know, KUWAIT CITY (Armenpress) — On December 22, was carried out according to orders abandoned property records and dis - no document was delivered to the court renowned Armenian painter Maro Sarkisian opened received from central government, by patch registers are kept together is that during those years. Similar records must her personal exhibition at Ahmad al Advani Hall in the keeping of records by local admin - the Directorate for the Resettlement of have been kept at places identified as Kuwait. As the Department of Press, Information istrators who implemented the depor - Tribes and Refugees to which the task destinations.” and Public Relations of the Ministry of Foreign tation process on the Armenians who of dispatch was assigned, was also He concluded, “Now let us imagine Affairs of the Republic of Armenia reports the were forced out of their settlements, charged with the classification and that we have the names and numbers of event was held through the combined efforts of the and the control and updating of these organization of abandoned properties. 50 families exiled from Zeitun who National Council of Arts, Culture and Epistolary of records at the places they were sent to. Historian Taner Akçam said with ref - reached Aleppo, then we must also Kuwait and the Armenian Embassy in Kuwait. The “records on abandoned proper - erence to Bardakçi’s claims: “If the know how many families were forced to Several Kuwaiti presses, including Al Anba, Al ties,” on the other hand, contained mentioned ‘dispatch registers’ are the set out from Zeitun. The gaps in the fig - Siyasa, Al Vatan and Al Rai newspapers provided detailed information regarding which books within which the Armenians ures could provide us detailed informa - wide coverage of the event. assets or properties of the deported deported from each town and province tion regarding the acts of extermina - Armenians were seized, the address, are kept, then their importance cannot tion. What I can finally say is that the and number or kind of property, and be overstated, because these registers Turkish Historical Society has acted in also in the same location as the above - could help us access a lot of informa - line with its reputation. Of course, one Russia to Provide a mentioned dispatch registers, and also tion, including first and foremost the must also ask: Why were the abandoned $270-million Loan for information on the Muslim refugees numbers of people exterminated. That is property records, along with the dis - located in places from which to say, from what we understand both patch registers, collected from the Nuclear Power Plant Armenians were evacuated from, or on from the Union and Progress trials that archives and concealed at a different the institutions and persons the assets began in Istanbul in 1919, and from cer - location?” MOSCOW (Armenpress) — On December 20, the governments of Armenia and Russia signed an agreement by which the Russian party will provide a $270-million loan and a $30-million grant to extend the period of operation of the Armenian Turkey Issues Arrest Warrant for Nuclear Power Plant until 2027. The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of Armenia said the agreement was signed by Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Armenia Erdogan Rival Fethullah Gulen Yervand Zakharyan and Director of the Ros Atom Corporation Sergey Kiriyenko. ISTANBUL (Russia Times) — A of a suspect located abroad — for Gulen. was tried and found guilty in 2000, Turkish court has issued an arrest war - “The judiciary will do whatever is nec - before being acquitted of all charges in rant for long-time Erdogan rival essary in the investigation of Fethullah 2008. Fethullah Gulen, a US-based cleric, state Gülen. Whether it is a red notice or Before relocating to the US in 1999, Erdogan Says Birth media reports. something else. He will not be treated the popular cleric was one of Erdogan’s Control ‘Treason’ The 1st Istanbul Penal Court of Peace differently than any other Turkish citi - top allies. Their relationship began to accepted the request of Istanbul Chief zen,” Davutoglu said during a press con - deteriorate as Erdogan grew paranoid Against Turkish Prosecutor’s Office to issue an arrest ference, Daily Sabah reported. about Gulen’s growing influence, facili - warrant for Gulen on Friday, December Earlier this year, Erdogan announced tated by schools, education centers, and Population 19, reports Anadolu Agency. The prose - that he would be seeking Gulen’s extra - charity organizations in over 160 coun - ISTANBUL (Armenpress) — Turkish President cutor said Gulen should be charged with dition. However, according to interna - tries. Recep Tayyip Erdogan has described birth control setting up or running an armed ”terror - tional law, an arrest warrant and evi - Critics have accused Erdogan of build - as a form of “treason,” saying it threatens the coun- ist” group. dence against the cleric first had to be ing an authoritarian regime and bend - try’s bloodline. This comes in the wake of the last produced. ing the constitution to concentrate an According to the news agency Reuters, Erdogan week’s media raids, during which over Gulen has repeatedly been accused of increasing amount of power in the pres - urged a newly married couple at their wedding late 20 suspected Gulen supporters, includ - attempting to form a “parallel state.” He idency. on Sunday to have at least three children to help ing chief editors and media executives, boost Turkish population, a common refrain from were detained. the president, who worries that the declining birth President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is rate may undermine economic growth. accusing the self-exiled preacher of plot - French Co-Chair of Minsk Group Hopes “For years they committed a treason of birth con- ting to overthrow the state. trol in this country, seeking to dry up our blood- Relations soured between the two For Peaceful Settlement of NKR line. Lineage is very important both economically after an anti-graft probe launched in and spiritually,” he told the couple after serving as 2013, which Erdogan suspects was an PARIS (Public Radio of Armenia) — tion on May 11-13 in Baku and Yerevan. their witness at the wedding. A video of the speech attempt by Gulen and his followers to “2014 was controversial in terms of set - “This summit allowing the resump - was posted on the mainstream Radikal news web- (AFP PHOTO / ZAMAN DAILY) tlement of the Nagorno-Karabagh con - tion of direct dialogue between the two site. flict,” the Organization for Security and presidents was held in a relaxed and Last month, Erdogan, a devout Muslim, said it Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk confident atmosphere. Three co-chairs was unnatural to consider women and men equal Group’s French Co-Chair Pierre Andrieu of the Minsk Group and Personal and said feminists did not understand the impor- told the Azeri news agency, APA. Representative of the OSCE tance of motherhood. In 2012, he sought to effec- “Presidents Aliyev and Sargisian have Chairperson-in-Office were involved in tively outlaw abortion, but later dropped the plan met three times at three summits orga - the negotiations. The outcomes were amid a public outcry. nized by Presidents Putin and Hollande significant. The presidents decided to Erdogan regularly faces criticism for an authori- and Secretary of State John Kerry, and soon start the exchange of information tarian style of rule after 11 years in power. this reflects full commitments of the on missing persons during conflict Turkey’s population growth has been slowing in Minsk Group’s three co-chair countries under the auspices of the International recent years and the live-birth rate hovered at 2.07 to resolve the conflict,” said the French Committee of the Red Cross, and the percent last year, according to official statistics. co-chair. ICRC has already started working in The diplomat said that along with a this field. It was decided that to discuss number of diplomatic developments, other confidence-building measures at there also has been some tension on the the appropriate time, and I hope that it Putin Says Armenia Will contact line and along the international will happen soon. At the same time, the Fethullah Gulen border between the two countries which three presidents thoroughly discussed Become Member of EEU resulted in a relatively high number of the negotiations. On January 2 casualties compared to previous years. “President Hollande urged Presidents destabilize the government. “The shooting of civilians, especially Aliyev and Sargisian to demonstrate MOSCOW (Armenpress) — The Supreme Eurasian Gulen, who heads Hizmet, an influen - the downing of a military helicopter on political will to overcome the diver - Economic Council held a session in the Kremlin. tial spiritual and social movement, has November 12 is regrettable. This serious gences and prepare their people for According to the Kremlin, among the participants denied the allegations. Last week, incident shows that it’s necessary to peace. Year-end holidays may be useful of the session were President of the Russian Erdogan vowed to crush the “evil take some measures to reduce the ten - to think about this year’s outcomes and Federation Vladimir Putin, President of forces” associated with the movement sion, rebuild confidence, and prevent future plans. Negotiations and contacts Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of and its leader. this sort of incidents from ever being will continue from January through the Armenia Serge Sargisian, President of Belarus “We are not just faced with a simple repeated. The joint statement adopted mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group. Alexander Lukashenko, President of Kyrgyzstan network, but one which is a pawn of evil by the ministers of the Minsk Group’s We hope for progress in this compound Almazbek Atambayev, as well as Chairman of the forces at home and abroad,” the presi - three co-chair countries during the file, as well as intensification of dialogue Advisory Board of the Eurasian Economic dent declared last Friday. OSCE Ministerial Council held in Basel between Azerbaijani and Armenian pres - Commission Viktor Khristenko. Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu indi - on December 4 highlights the same ele - idents at a new meeting to be held in cated last week that Ankara may ask ments. I’d like to get back to the Paris September 2015 as part of the United Interpol for a “red notice”— a document summit on December 27, which took Nations General Assembly as it was necessary for the extradition and arrest place at the French president’s invita - noted at the Paris Summit,” he added. S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 27, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 Community Ne ws

Philanthropist Flora Knights of Vartan Ararat Dunaians to Ride in First Lodge 2014 Award Gala at Armenian-American Float Oakley Country Club In Rose Parade

PASADENA, Calif. — The Los Angeles By Aram Arkun Affiliate of the Armenian International Mirror-Spectator Staff Women’s Association (AIWA) announces that Flora Dunaians, one of its founding members, WATERTOWN — The Knights of Vartan will ride on the first American-Armenian float in Ararat Lodge No. 1 held its 2014 Award Gala at the 126th Rose Parade. On January 1, 2015, the the Oakley Country Club in Watertown on float entered by the American Armenian Rose November 14. An audience of more than 110 Float Association (AARFA) will be one of 45 enjoyed a tasty dinner while listening to an floats showcasing “Inspiring Stories” and to extensive program of awards. share the stories from the American Armenian Harold R. Partamian welcomed guests as the community that has contributed much to this master of ceremonies, with introductory world. This acclaimed effort belongs to every remarks made by Ararat Lodge Sbarabed Armenian in the United States and around the (Commander) Hagop (Jack) Kouyoumjian. A world. surprise presentation was made to past com - This achievement was the result of the efforts mander Jirair Demirchian, thanking him for his of the Board Members of The American service. Armenian Rose Float Association. They orga - The Faithful Knight Award was presented to nized a celebratory “Gala Under the Stars” Santa brings presents. Krikor Gennetian by Kouyoumjian. Born in event, co-chaired by Dunaians and Margaret Istanbul, Turkey, Krikor Gennetian came to the Mgrublian, AIWA-LA Board Member, on US in 1966. He volunteered for the US Army in Sunday, October 19, at the Rose Bowl, Court of 1971, and after advanced training, won many Champions, to present the plans and prepara - awards such as the Expert Infantry Badge, the tions for this historical event. AARFA presented HMADS Annual National Defense Service Medal, and the Good the float “Cradle of Civilization” at the gala. Conduct Medal. Named Soldier of the Month, he Honorees at the event were Pamela Knapp, the was promoted to sergeant. After returning to set - great-granddaughter of Movses Pashgian who Christmas Hantes tle in Watertown, he became a photo industry was the Grand Marshal of the Tournament of sales manager. In 2001, he became a member of Roses Parade in 1915. Also honored that the Knights of Vartan at Ararat Lodge, and soon evening were the 1952 Stanford Rose Bowl Brings Cheers to All became Captain of the Guard. He served as a del - egate during several convocations. Gennetian in his acceptance speech OAKLAND GARDENS, N.Y. — On Monday, December 15, the Holy Martyrs expressed his pride in veterans of the US armed Armenian Day School (HMADS) presented its annual Christmas Hantes. This year, forces, reminisced about those who brought the program started with the festive procession of our students, grades one through six, wearing bright shades of red and green that illuminated the stage. The program continued with nursery and kindergarten marching to the stage to present songs and recitations in English and Armenian, as well as dances. The Nutcracker dance presented by nursery students was phenomenal. The highlight of the evening was watching the kindergarten class march to the stage as wooden soldiers in their fancy costumes and hats. They marched through the audience, captivating everyone’s attention. The first and second graders took the stage next. They presented “A Potpourri of Christmas Wishes” in English and “Nor Dari” and “Dzenoonti Dzar” in Armenian. The third graders recited “Shnorhavor Nor Dari” in Armenian, before the fourth graders joined them on the stage to present “The Twelve Days of Flora Dunaians Christmas.” The fourth graders recited their “Ghaghanti Maghtankner” in Armenian — an assignment in which they thought of their own unique ideas with little outside help. The fifth and sixth graders together presented “New Year’s Eve team players, Chuck Essegian, Harry Hugasian, through the Centuries” in Armenian followed by “The Nativity” in English. Not Norm Manoogian, Len Kaprielian and Gary only were the songs, recitations and dances beautifully presented by our students, Kerkorian; as well as the 2006 Tournament of but it was also an informative and lovely learning experience about the holidays. On left, Krikor Gennetian receives award from Roses Princess, Rachel Geragos. Jerry After the fourth, fifth, and sixth graders serenaded the audience with Christmas Hagop Kouyoumjian Tarkanian, one of the most successful basket - songs, which included Khorhoort Medz, Jurakalooyts, Hyoosis Arevelk, Inch ball coaches, who has also been chosen as one Aghvor e Ays Irigoon. Then the bells ringing in the distance indicated that the big him into the Knights, and gave advice to the of the riders on the float, was in attendance at man with the presents was near. Ghaghant Baba arrived all the way from Mount young generation in the Knights, ending with the gala with his son, Danny Tarkanian. Ararat, smiling and laughing, dancing around with the students, speaking of “Chivalry is not dead — keep up the good Silva Katchiguian, president of AIWA-LA stat - course Armenian and English and showing off the toys that he had for all the boys work!” Gennetian was then given a special cer - ed, “There could be no better choice than Flora and girls. tificate of praise sent by Peter Koutoujian, Dunaians to participate in the first American- Principal Zarminé Boghosian acknowledged the presence of special guests for Sheriff of Middlesex County. Armenian Rose Float. Throughout her years of the first time at HMADS, Zaven Khanjian, the executive director of AMAA in New Partamian gave Haig Der Manuelian the leadership in the Armenian church and commu - Jersey and his wife Sona Khanjian. She also extended special thanks to the entire Community Leader Award. In an extensive nity, as well as her distinguished service in the see HANTES, page 11 American community, she has earned our(AIE acceptance speech, Der Manuelian humorously respect and admiration for her dedication in chronicled the vicissitudes of his life in detail, helping others and preserving our history and beginning first with his ancestors. His parents values.” made every effort to give him and his siblings a Dunaians is a native of Pasadena, attending good education. His father invited Arshag John Muir High School and John Muir Junior Fetvajian the famous painter to live in their College and continuing her education at house and he stayed three years, teaching the California State University of Los Angeles, grad - children about Armenian history and culture. uating with a BA in education. She and her hus - His mother did everything, even sitting next to band George began Western Medical Supply, a him and giving him water to drink, in order for veterinary drug distributorship, which has been him to play the flute. For this, Der Manuelian in business for over 47 years. Her office served “kisses the ground she walked on” because as the center for all humanitarian efforts, utiliz - playing the flute has been such a great pleasure ing their shipping department, sorting out in his life. In fact, he played in the Arlington donated items, as well as supplies and medical Philharmonic Orchestra for many years. supplies for Armenia following the devastating In 1942 Der Manuelian was admitted to Tufts earthquake in 1988. The Developmental University after his junior year at Boston Latin Services of Armenia was co-founded by the cou - College, and at the age of 18, graduated summa ple to help children and to this day continues to cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. He immediate - ly went on to Harvard Law School and passed concentrate on children in need, focusing on Students in grades one, two and three at the Hantes schools, computer labs and the renovation of the bar exam six months before finishing. He gyms. has since been practicing law for some 67 years. see DUNAIANS, page 11 see GALA, page 13 6 S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 27, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Digging for My Roots A Trip to Historic Armenia and Istanbul

We went to Surp Toros Church which had By Linda Boyajian Patterson been converted to the Asagi Everek Fatih Camii Mosque. They thought that a miracle had occurred because an image of the Virgin Mary The seed for this trip was planted when I was had appeared on the side of the altar. When 10 years old. My cousin said to me, “Do you they turned the church into a mosque, they know who those people are in that picture?” I used cheap paint and the beautiful, original looked at the old black and white portrait that paintings were coming through. They then put had always hung in my Grandmother up plywood to cover them — how horrible to see Derderian’s house. I never thought about the such beautiful ancient artifacts defaced. picture, because no one had ever spoken about It’s so sad to see all the destruction and it. “No, I said. Who are they?” “They’re desecration that was done to turn this beau - Grandma’s family.” and I replied incredulously, tiful old cathedral into a mosque. We saw this “Grandma had a family?” so many times and it never stopped being Yes, Grandma had a family, a family that she sad. We spotted a house across from the lost and never spoke about, but she did write church whose door, with Armenian initials on about it. To honor her beloved family and to it, had many bullet holes. High on a building leave us a legacy, she wrote a book, My Life, by and overlooked, we spotted the Armenian Shooshanig Derderian. symbol for God. They tried to kill all the peo - In May, I carried that book to Historic ple and totally wipe out the culture but over - Armenia and went to the only place I could be looked some things. This was like anthropo - certain that she had been. I stood on the logical detective work. ground in the upper district of Kharpert, by the Turkish cities are, for the most part very hillside that had been filled with a thriving com - clean, the exception being the most eastern munity of homes and the Euphrates College. I towns of Diyarbakir and Kars. By dramatic con - held her book and tried to smile as I told my trast, the countryside is littered with debris but friends about my grandmother’s longing for an Linda Boyajian Patterson of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. only along the road. It appears to be left there education. I stood in front of the ruins of the by migrant workers who live in the most miser - Surp Hagop Armenian Church, and realized able conditions with their families in tents and that was surely the church she went to. When I I saw the sharp steep mountains and terrain stones, each plot was framed in and had beds of scavenge for food. came home I wrote this little piece as a legacy covered with large rocks, and my Aunt Roxie’s flowering plants and bushes. It was a very We were happy to see that the church of St. to my children and grandchildren. voice came back to me. Being only 6, her only serene, lovely and pensive place to visit. There Gregory the Illuminator in Kayseri, amazingly, Armen Aroyan is from Monrovia, CA. I first recollection of escaping was “I was on old is a bust of Patriarch Maghakia Ormanian who was left untouched. We passed what had been heard about him when my Uncle Avie (Avedis granny’s back and she was going down a hill so wrote the history of the Armenian Church and Armenian homes that were broken down with James Derderian) traveled with him many years steep that I was scared and crying.” Looking at the last three Patriarchs were buried next to hammers, as the Turks looked for buried gold. ago. Subsequent to that, I have heard his name the terrain that would challenge a very fit hiker, each other. The cemetery was filled with beau - It was sad to see what greed did to homes. We mentioned, in glowing terms, many times. and thinking of old women with their beloved tiful statuary. were allowed to get out to take photos. Armen Lecturers about travels to Historic Armenia grandchildren on their backs, with neither food We drove past an ancient Roman aqueduct told us “to take only five minutes” but did not would frequently mention Armen’s name. So he nor water, brought our tragic history clearly on the way to the Kumkapi suburb of Istanbul tell us that it was very dangerous here. This is came highly recommended by many people. In into focus. where the poorer Armenians live. Here was the an area of Muslim extremists. that part of the world, it is critical to be safe and May 14, Wednesday: We walked to explore most beautiful cathedral, painted in shades of We saw Armenian mansions that were Armen works continually to maintain connec - Taksim Square, which was nothing more than a lavender, pinks and blues. It was so unusual and restored to their original condition. Turks did tions throughout Turkey. He is very low-key big cement plaza, and walked to the shopping beautiful. Its elegance was in sharp contrast to the restoration for themselves, 100 years later. with a gentle personality and approaches peo - district and stopped at a café to people watch. their hard lives. When the Armenians had occupied this town, it ple everywhere for local information. One of the It was so interesting to see the Muslim women We then proceeded to the grave of Hrant had been a beautiful thriving community of keys to his great success is his enormous net - walk by. No matter how hot the weather was, Dink, a journalist murdered in 2007 for saying some 20,000. work of local contacts. they were fully garbed from head to toe. Young that Armenians and Turks should make peace. May 17, Saturday: Yozgat, Sivas: We visited He speaks fluent English, Armenian, Turkish Turkish girls walking by in tight clothes, along - Rest in peace, Armenian Hero. the caves of Göreme, a beautiful otherworldly and probably more languages. So often, we side of Muslim women wearing their pup tents Later that evening we boarded a plane to fly area. It was fascinating, imagining what the heard him ask locals, in Turkish, “Are there any while they passed lingerie shops with skimpy to the interior, to Nevshehir. All the clay roofs lives of the people were like. These caves were Armenians living around here?” He was on a lingerie in the window. Strange! visible from the plane sparkled like copper. It formed during prehistoric times. work assignment, as an engineer, in Germany in We saw some very young police trainees prac - was a beautiful sight to see. When we arrived in We learned the origins of Armenian names, 1983, when he had his first opportunity to go ticing. They were rushing by in full riot gear. Nevshehir, we met our wonderful, handsome based mostly on occupation, father’s first name to Istanbul. While apprehensive, as any There had been a horrific mining disaster and driver Selçuk with his comfortable Mercedes or town of origin. My maiden name, Boyajian, Armenian should have been, he did go and hundreds of men were injured and killed so peo - van and went off to the elegant Hotel Perissia derives from Boyaji who is someone that is a established contacts. He continued to go back ple were protesting at the office (SOMA) of the in Ürgüp. dyer (of textile) but later came to mean painter. to Turkey and began traveling into the interior mining company. In weeks to follow, we found May 16, Friday: Kayseri, Evereg, Chomaklu, I nearly jumped out of the van the first time I researching Armenian sites including towns and out that they had pulled out 276 bodies and Cappadocia: We drove down steep and sharp saw a sign that had part of that name in it to villages. He is truly an expert on Armenian 120 were still missing. Later the final count curvy roads, which later turned out to be pret - get a photograph. Later on the trip, I saw Boya Church history, geography, architecture, folk - would be 276 dead, but in truth (again, a ty commonplace in this country, and easily han - in every town, and realized that I had gone lore, food and various aspects of Armenian cul - Turkish whitewash) it was 276 plus 120 for a dled by Selçuk, into Cappadocia. Cappadocia is crazy to get a photograph of what was equiva - ture. total of 396 men dead and missing. Apparently, like a Turkish Sedona. It’s a location with amaz - lent to Benjamin Moore. I mentioned to him, “My Uncle took this trip the Turkish president changed the number of ing cliffs with homes carved out of them. They Every place we went, Armen had made with you,” and he responded, “Avedis took this men killed to suit him and his politics. were cool in the summer and warm in the win - arrangements for us have the local specialty, as trip twice, he wanted to go to Erzinga where May 15, Thursday: Armenian sites of ter and they were wonderful to walk through every town had a different version of kebab, kuf - Shooshanig was born.” In taking people to Istanbul and evening flight to Nevshehir: Today and imagine what living there was like. This tah and lahmejun. We ate in the best restau - their ancestral villages, he is fulfilling his own we start our Istanbul tour with the group, area was populated by Greeks and then later by rants and the food was amazing. There were destiny. It is clear that this work is a calling for beginning with the St. Gregory the Illuminator, a small number of Armenians. lots of spices, especially a lot of hot ones, like him. (Surp Krikor Lusavorich) Church of Galata built We later drove, with the magnificent Archeos varieties of the wonderful Turkish red pepper. He acted not only as our guide but also our in Armenian architectural style, in 1965, by an Mountain standing proudly in the distance, to The restaurants had an odd way of putting teacher and lectured to us much of the time, as Armenian architect, Bedros Zobian. The the village of Chomaklu, home to the families of whole, long green peppers on things, some of well as teaching us how to locate Armenian arti - Getronagan High School is next door. We were John and Souren Farsakian. John Farsakian which were sweet, and some were extremely facts and spot architecture that was clearly escorted into the principal’s office, which had a recited a poem “I will survive,” to honor his hot. I ate one and it burned for a solid ten min - Armenian. He showed us where to look and table with food on it ready to be served. Most uncle who had saved his little sister’s life (the utes. how to spot Armenian writing, a cross that may offices have chairs in front of the desk, but an brothers’ mother) and who was a major influ - We had ayran every night; most was home - have been missed in the process of eradicating Armenian’s office has a table to put out food. ence in their lives. He was a much-adored uncle made, though it also came boxed. It’s a won - Armenian traces, etc. He was an anthropologi - That seemed so Armenian. I guess feeding peo - who had no children. Reminded me of my derful blended version of tan (yogurt and cal detective and taught us how to be one. He ple is genetic. much-loved Uncle Nubie. History was coming to water). Our reservations were called in, so when has taken some 1,400 pilgrims to find their We passed Dolmabahçe Palace that was built life. we arrived, we were immediately taken to a ancestral homes. for Sultan Abdulmecit between 1843 and 1856 We were constantly being taught how to table and then the food started arriving and I told Charlotte, my oldest friend, who took by Armenian architects, Garabed Balian, his son “find” and uncover things that were Armenian. arriving and arriving. There were too many this trip with me, that I knew I was Armenian Nigoghos Balian. All documents omitted that Armen even pointed out pieces of a church that courses to count and all were accompanied by going on this trip, but I also knew that I would the famous architects were Armenian. They had been taken apart to use the stones. One different kinds of wonderful bread. be more Armenian after it, and I could feel it were listed as “Ottoman” architects. part of a wall had Armenian writing on it and It got so that I would be eating something happening every day. It was an emotional, edu - We visited the Shishli Armenian Cemetery, there was a pillar base from a church being and would say, “I don’t know what it is, but it is cational and spiritual adventure, exploring our the most beautiful cemetery that I have ever used as a Lally column. We left this village and wonderful.” One night when we were going to personal heritage. seen. There were photographs on the head - drove into the larger town of Evereg. continued on next page S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 27, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS from previous page countryside. I never expected such beauty. We drove into Marash and went to a restau - Syria on the other sides. The current civil war have the special ice cream of Marash, Mark We enter Gürün, a lush village in the midst of rant on the top of the hill. Enjoying a panoram - in Syria made it very dangerous to go there. commented, “You know that you’re going to get rocky terrain. It is surrounded by rocks, remind - ic view of the city, we had a fabulous dinner The place was swarming with Al Qaeda and we some serious dessert when they serve it with a ing me of the Grand Canyon. We see a woman that included the local specialty of long flat sadly voted not to go there. knife.” He was right. You needed a knife for that who has taken all the wool out of a comforter loaves of bread. May 21, Wednesday: Antep: We took the ice cream. and is beating it with a stick to fluff it up. I still May 20, Tuesday: Antep/Gaziantep: Armen road to Birejik, crossing the Euphrates River, The 2½-hour ride to Sivas, a town of 300,000, have one that my grandmother made; heavy but arranged to have an architect friend tour with passing by Syrian refugee camps. We passed by was along lush rolling hills. We went out of our nothing is warmer than that. us for the day, to help explain the architecture areas of parched soil in which pistachio trees way to see a bridge dating from the 12th cen - We visit another old Armenian church and and point out things. We stopped at St. Mary’s thrived and headed down the Euphrates River tury and Selçuk took his Mercedes van off the pass ancient caves dating from the Hittite peri - Armenian Church designed by the famous valley to a boat ride on the beautiful river. The road, onto a dirt path to get to it. Armen and od. Again, old and new Turkey collides. In the Armenian architect, Sarkis Balian, to find that water was pristine. It looked so lovely, so serene Selçuk did find the bridge. We had to walk over Armenian section of Gürün, we see how the it had been converted into the Kurtulus without homes surrounding it. Just the beauti - to the other side and use a telephoto lens to see plaques, inscribed with Armenian names over Mosque. The church, built in 1892, is one of the ful winding river and the tall golden walls of that the plaque had Armenian writing. So much the doors, had been cut out. It never stopped largest Armenian churches in the Middle East. stone interspersed with steep pastures to the was destroyed that showed any evidence of a hurting to see the way things were destroyed. On the far side wall of the church was a huge fortress of Hromgla, the seat of Catholicos thriving, successful, religious civilization, that We had a beautiful ride out of Gürün, but on Turkish flag. Despite all that was done to dese - Nerses Shnorhali in the 12th century. dıscoverıng these snippets was a treasure. the way, we passed Derende, where the death crate the church, there were imprints left on It was so peaceful that it was hard to imagine We went to Govdun, the village of Margaret’s march went by. It was so hard to look at that the wall that could not be removed so they cov - all that we had read about this river being full grandfather. Armen took us to a stone barn and rugged brutal terrain and think of the suffering ered it with that flag. Somehow, that leftover of corpses. Images rushed through my mind of told us to go inside. We had to crawl around a of all those people, our people, our families. imprint on the wall made us all feel good. tragic stories of women crazed with hunger and big tractor and went into the dark barn. Inside, In Malatya, we visited an old Armenian We toured the Armenian section of Aintab thirst who couldn’t bear the anguish of their we discovered, by the writing on the stones and Church, (Holy Trinity) which is being turned where many of the wealthy Armenians had young children and together, singing prayers, remnants of altars, that it had once been the possibly into a concert hall. It has been gutted lived. The homes were large and beautiful and threw their children to their deaths to end their Armenian Church of Surp Asdvadzadzin. This inside. When we came out, we saw a farmer rid - though more than 100 years old, many had suffering. This was the river that was reported was very emotional for Margaret who knew that ing his tractor down a city street. We visited the held up. It has become easy to spot the to have “run red with blood.” How could this her grandfather had been baptized there. only Christian cemetery in Malatya and the Armenian style of architecture with the second beautiful place have such a hideous history? It The owner, while willing to let us look inside, grave of a young German missionary killed by floor protruding over the first floor. What a was all so hard to process. told Armen five times, “I paid for this.” He want - Muslim extremists for distributing Christian lit - magnificent city it must have been in its time. Once again we were on the road and on our ed to be clear that he had not taken it, that he erature. Wherever the Armenians were, there were thriv - way to Jibin. This town is where Armen’s family had bought it. Certainly, the people were May 19, Monday: Zeytun, Aintab/Gaziantep: ing communities, churches and businesses, but came from. He had developed a friendship with encouraged to take what they wanted from the We went down narrow curving roads, passed never was that more evident than in Aintab Nuri, the last Armenian speaking person, who Armenians as they were forced out, but it is the Ceyhan River, started climbing mountains (Gaziantep). has since passed away. We stopped at his grave unclear if the government stole or just the peo - and came across a brilliant turquoise blue lake. We went to the estate of the wealthy to pay respects to this old blind man who had ple. Most likely, both did. The color of the lake took your breath away. Karamanukian family, which comprised several sung songs to Armen in Armenian. Armen told We were told the story of “Ays dune kuget e The long winding road into Zeytun was a nat - buildings and a beautiful courtyard. The us about the 30 young Armenian girls left te ims.” It’s about an Armenian who visits his ural geographic defense for the lovely village. Jebejian house next door had been converted behind during the deportations in the care of family’s home, now occupied by a Turk, who Zeytun is beyond beautiful; it’s like a Swiss into a toy museum. We saw displays of hand - their Turkish neighbors in Jibin. These girls welcomes him in. They spend a wonderful day village. There was something about Zeytun that kerchiefs, with elaborate ornate crochet lace, were married off to Turkish boys and now a together but at the end, the Turk asks “Is this just grabbed my heart. It was such a place of much like the ones my grandmothers did. sizeable portion of the village population has Having gone to Armen’s school of locating Armenian roots. Armen had interviewed one of details that proved the buildings had been those girls, then an old woman, who cried and Armenian, we had become much more obser - asked, ‘”Why did they abandon us?” The scars vant. While shopping in the market place, we of the Genocide affect the living even after 80 looked up and saw a white plaque that had years. Armenian writing on it, and when we went in, We saw a woman whose beautiful face was saw that the old building had been a mall. We clearly Armenian and history became real. I realized that it had been owned by the Kurkjian can’t even think of having to leave my daughter family. behind for her own safety. We stopped at a chai house and in a lovely At one point, seeing strangers, one woman courtyard, had the local drink, a sort of grain ran into her home and brought out a tray and which was horrible. It was a lovely setting and pitcher with ayran (tan) for us to drink. We we went upstairs and into the rooms. The chai were all very nervous, knowing that ayran is house had been the home of Nazarian family yogurt mixed with water, and we were afraid to and had been created with loving craftsmanship drink the local water. But since she handed me and details. It was ornate without being osten - one, I didn’t want to be rude, and took a drink. tatious. It was the most extraordinary tan that I had Our beautiful Annie had created an ever had. Armenian Heritage Facebook page. She I handed it to John K. and to Mark and said, received a message from a man in Turkey who “Oh, you’ve got to try it.” We talked about it, had discovered her site. He said that he and his the entire rest of the trip and to our great relief wife had purchased a home and found a plaque and surprise, we didn’t get sick and for the risk, on the wall of a neighbor and thought that it had the most amazing Ayran of our lives. could have been Armenian letters. The kindness and hospitality of the Turkish He emailed a photograph of the plaque to villagers was evident everywhere. Many Turks Annie, who reads Armenian. She saw that it was had resisted harming their Armenian neighbors .The May 2014 group in Surp Giragos Church of Diyarbakir Armenian but couldn’t make sense of it, so she and friends in 1915 and were punished if not sent it to Armen. Armen, responded, “Ask the killed for their moral conviction. house yours or mine?” serenity and beauty and so removed from the man if he is from Antep” and of course he was, Later that night, we went to another fabulous We were so very lucky to have this wonderful rest of the country, being isolated by the one though he was shocked to get that question. It outdoor restaurant. Armen had a very generous team working for our benefit. This trip is narrow road through the mountains to reach it. turned out that the inscription was in Turkish and typically Armenian way of including people beyond adventure and beyond travel. It had such an idyllic surrounding that I could using the Armenian alphabet. for our meals. That night there were 20 of us. May 18, Sunday: In the Armenian section of picture villagers with their cows and sheep Armenians were forbidden from speaking We had the most wonderful and unusual meal Sivas, we saw inscribed on the façade of a grazing on the steep hills. Plots of land were their language. Everywhere we turned, we were of sour plum kebab, and Antep lahmejun. house the seventh in the Armenian alphabet, a still gardened, and it was easy to visualize a self- confronted with the barbaric treatment of inno - After we were introduced to the man who symbol denoting God. Again, in this neighbor - sufficient and happy community living here. cent Armenian people. All of this makes me owned the newspaper, he started talking about hood, we saw Armenian homes being restored When the villagers heard about potential want to learn to speak Armenian better and the the town. I wasn’t sure that I trusted him, think - by Turks. deportations of the other villages, they decided desecration of the churches makes me want to ing of all the beautiful estates lost by the Armen stops people everywhere (generally to hold their ground and fight. Zeytun was a go to church. John Farsakian, can you hear my Armenians there, until he made a point of seek - men) and engages them in conversation. He natural fortress, as you could only enter from voice saying, “I will survive!” ing out John Kassabian. pieces information from many sources to put one direction. The Turks used religious men That man that had communicated on I listened as the newspaper owner spoke together the jigsaw puzzle of facts. He often including the Catholicos to convince the Facebook and his wife welcomed us to their glowingly about John’s grandfather and what a knows the general location of where something Zeytuntsis to give up their arms and in return home and showed us around including another wonderful man he was and how what happened “used to be.” It was here that we saw the Kolej avoid deportation. The Zeytuntsis reluctantly inscribed plaque high on the façade of their was horrible. He apologized many times and Market, which is how we discovered exactly agreed and were soon deported and killed en house. Armen translated the plaque, and it read shook John’s hand. John told us later that he where the American College used to be. masse. “Lord Protect this House.” This was in had just found some family history that had The uneducated villagers gave more informa - There is a bridge in Zeytun called the Bloody Armenian using Armenian letters. never been discussed. He knew that his grand - tion without being subjected to the Turkish Bridge because many persons were thrown off, This was the day we were scheduled to go to father had been an important official in Aintab, government’s cleaned-up version of the facts. to their certain death, into the deep ravine. Musa Dagh. Most of us had read the book The but never knew that the Turks came in and These people got their information handed The town was renamed Suleymanli to cover Forty Days of Musa Dagh , a famous place of forced him to transfer all the deeds of the down to them by their families who were eye - up the history of Zeytun, yet later, when we resistance. The villagers had received informa - Armenians homes over to the Turkish munici - witnesses to what really happened. Ironically, talked to Turkish people and referred to tion about what the Turks had done in other vil - pality. the educated people are the ones who are mis - Suleymanli, no one knew what we were talking lages, and were determined to save their lives. They made sure that they not only killed all informed. about. However they recognized the name They went into the mountains and held off the the Armenians, but that there would be no doc - On the road to Malatya! The landscape is Zeytun immediately. We passed a monument Turks. Annie’s grandfather was one of the resis - umentation for them to be able to reclaim their beautiful and varied. We pass large flat fields dedicated to “the heroic Turkish soldiers that tance fighters, so going to Musa Dagh with one homes. This story was a family shame, though surrounded by mountains. The terrain is rocky, were killed by the ‘Ermeni.’” It was awful seeing of the fighters’ granddaughters would have everyone certainly understood how it hap - with natural layers creating stripes, nature’s ver - that monument, knowing that the intruders been something really special to do. pened. It did appear that he was able to “lose” sion of fashion. We pass lush green, rolling who were going to murder innocent people in Musa Dagh is a small peninsula of land with the deed to the hospital so that remained, to farmlands and such a beautiful and diverse their own homes, were then glorified as heroes. water on its west side and is surrounded by see ROOTS, page 8 8 S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 27, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS

covered with graffiti and looked more broken Government into trouble. This is the area where looking, run-down unappealing village with a Digging for down and in a state of disrepair than old, as in Stephen Kinzer, a journalist, had spent some lot of graffiti. At one time, it must have been the other cities. The city had a seedy look to it, time and upon his return to America wrote a very nice and the fact that it had gone to ruin, a little dangerous, and the look wasn’t wrong. story in the New York Times, titled, Turkish made it look so much worse. I walked around Armen told us to not plan on going out at night. Region recalls Massacre of Armenians, pub - just a bit but didn’t feel any connection to this My Roots We went out to eat as a group and Selçuk stood lished May 10, 2000. Because of that story, this locale. My grandparents were married and had by the van watching out for his flock. area, until recently, had been closed off to found safe haven in the U.S. prior to the geno - ROOTS, from page 7 We got to do some great shopping in tourists. cide. My dad was born in Providence, RI, in this day, an Armenian hospital. John felt com - Diyarbakır. I helped John K. pick out a necklace We drove on toward Elazig, along this beau - 1913. forted by the apology and by the fact that the and got the price so greatly reduced. tiful large aquamarine colored, sparkling lake, From Husenig we went to Kharpert, high on important people in Aintab, knew what had Entering the courtyard, we saw hundred-year feeling so sad about its tragic past. Grandfather the hill. The location of the Euphrates College happened to his grandfather. old plus photographs of Armenian families and Minasian’s sister, who had taken care of him, which was the focus of young Shooshanig May 22, Thursday: Urfa, Diyarbakir: We made people. This was a first, to see anything that remained behind when he went to America and Palanjian’s dream, was desolate land. a stop in Nizip and saw a church being turned clearly showed that an Armenian population surely she was killed in those massacres. This is I was so excited to be there looking out onto into a mosque, completely eradicating anything had been here. It was very touching to see the where history cuts close to the bone. rolling grass-covered mounds where homes use that showed it was Armenian. Sarine and I cov - portraits of the families, despite the certainty Along the way, in villages or on small roads, to be and saw the front and back stone walls of ered our heads, removed our shoes and took that most had been murdered. We entered the the van would stop and Armen would try to an old church. I turned away as my friends took photos of carved crosses. We became so over - huge gray cathedral, Surp Giragos, which was engage passersby to get information. Selçuk got photos and tried to speak without crying, and whelmed with emotion that we held hands and such a moving experience for all of us. We dis - out and tried to talk to a woman tending a cow said, “This was my grandmother’s dream to said the Hayr Mer where the altar had been, covered that it had been restored and services but she kept walking away. People are fearful to come here and I know that she went to that while a Muslim service was going on in the were occasionally held here. say anything, but the locals are some of church.” I held the book she wrote and tried to other room. It was beautiful and filled with a spiritual feel - Armen’s greatest sources of information. smile while tears involuntarily poured down my We took a photo of the town symbol, the pis - ing. We lit candles in honor of our lost relatives, The Kharpert valley is described as “The face, hoping that somehow my grandmother tachio, which, to any New Englander, looks like we held hands and said the Hayr Mer . Golden Plain” because of the color of the wheat would know that I made this pilgrimage to the a Cape Cod clam. It’s the symbol of Aintab aka Spontaneously Armen and John F. sang Der fields during harvest time. We stopped at the land of her dreams and her later nightmares. Gaziantep, which is the third largest producer Voghormya in their beautiful voices. It was a village of Morenig, the birthplace of Margaret’s This was a very emotional spot for me, and for of pistachios, after Iran and California. This was memorable experience to be able to do that, in grandmother. We asked around and were told the whole trip, this place was my Hayastan. Selçuk’s hometown and his beautiful wife and a living Armenian Church. where the oldest man in the village lived, hop - When we went back to the van, a Turkish three sons joined us for dinner. We climbed the steep stairs to the top of the ing to get some information. A man hopped into man came up holding a photograph showing We headed to Urfa, where another magnifi - ancient Byzantine fortress and took photos. the van and directed us to the old man’s house. old Kharpert as a beautiful thriving community The vista of surrounding farm - The old man came out and wasn’t very helpful, of homes, with the large college buildings in the lands was beautiful. but the man who guided us, suddenly became background. The photograph was from a book, MAY 23, Friday: Elazig and vil - solemn and tears ran down his cheeks as he Days of Tragedy in Armenia: Personal lages of Husenig and Morenig: told us, “My grandmother was Armenian.” Experiences in Harpoot, 1915-1917 by the Kharpert is a large area, like As we were about to depart, a rose was quick - American missionary Henry Riggs. So much Boston, and it has many districts ly handed in the door to Margaret — such a love - tragedy, so much destruction, so much loss and and villages. For example, Husenig ly parting gesture. Turkey did not gain; they are farther behind is a village that is part of greater From there we went to Husenig where the than ever before. The villages and towns were Kharpert. Most of my family came Boyajians and my paternal grandmother thriving and beautiful and well kept. Now what from this area. My aunt, Roxie (Bandoian) were born. The fortress of Kharpert, little is left, is in ruins or has been stripped or Derderian, and my mother, Ann, high above on the hill, looms over the village, turned into a mosque. were born in Kharpert. My Uncle just as it is described in the book, In the Poor Shooshanig, because of the unrest, was Avie was born in Dersim, which is Shadow of the Fortress . Husenig is a dismal continued on next page some 40 miles north of Kharpert , as was my aunt Agnes. My paternal grandfather Boyajian was from Charlotte (Minasian) Parker of Groveland, Mass. and Linda Husenig and I’m certain that his Nardolillo Funeral Home Boyajian Patterson bride, my grandmother, Bandoian Boyajian, was from Husenig as Est. 1906 well. So was my Uncle Martin cent Armenian cathedral had been turned into Deranian’s father. Therefore, this John K. Najarian, Jr. a mosque. Even our solitary Odar (non- large area was where most of my relatives came Rhode Island’s Only Licensed Armenian Funeral Director Armenian), Debbie, blurted out, “Look what from. On the drive into Kharpert, we passed 1278 Park Ave. Cranston, RI 02910 (401) 942-1220 they’ve done to us!” As we left the church, we beautiful, but very harsh terrain. We saw steep saw a hill and the fortress of Urfa where not mountains and large jagged rock covering the 1111 Boston Neck Rd. Narragansett, RI 02882 (401) 789-6300 long ago, the Turks, without warning, set up ground. It was impossible to not think of my www.nardolillo.com cannons and started firing into the Armenian family being driven down these roads and try - quarter. ing to escape over those steep mountains with We went to Abraham’s Pool: A very large pool children on their backs and without food or surrounded by columns and beautiful architec - water. ture designed by an Armenian architect, Panos. There’s a backstory needed here. As This is a lovely place. Charlotte and I were planning this trip, we tried While the Ottoman Empire was engaged with to locate our grandparents’ hometowns. the German and Austro-Hungarian empires in a Charlotte remembered her tall handsome GF UiNrEaRgAoL sHiaOMn E battle against the British and tsarist Russia, grandfather talking about fishing in a very big Urfa was hit by the Armenian and Assyrian lake and saying he was Dzovktsi’. Since Dzov James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC Genocide in 1915 and 1916. More than 40 per - means sea, both she and I assumed that he was Mark J. Giragosian cent of Urfa’s population, mostly Christians, from a seacoast area so logically, we thought of Funeral Counselors was massacred. The British occupation of the the Black Sea. 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 city of Urfa lasted until October 30, 1919. Armen told me, “No, he probably said he was www.giragosianfuneralhome.com French forces took over and stayed until April Dzovktsi, because there is a village called 11, 1920, when local Turkish forces defeated Dzovk and the people from there were called them. The French retreat from the city of Urfa Dzovktsi.” I got so excited that I nearly hung up was conducted under an agreement reached on him and immediately called Charlotte. I was Telephone (617) 924-7400 between the occupying forces and the repre - so fired up that I could barely talk, “Armen sentatives of the local forces, commanded by knows where your grandfather was from.” Captain Ali Saip Bey, assigned from Ankara. Upon seeing a sign pointing to Hazar Lake, Aram Bedrosian The withdrawal was meant to take place peace - we turned off the main road onto a narrow fully, but was disrupted by an ambush on the curving road. I knew that Charlotte had to be Funeral Home, Inc. French units by Turkish and Kurdish forces at very excited, imagining her grandfather as a the Sebeke Pass on the way to Syria, leading to young orphan, walking down this road. (His Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 296 casualties among the French and even parents had died of natural causes and he had MARION BEDROSIAN more among the ambushers. an older sister who looked after him.) 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET We went to the newly discovered and most We turned around the corner to a huge lake, PAUL BEDROSIAN ancient (12,000 years old) of all archeological stretching far beyond what we could see and WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN digs - the world’s oldest discovered sanctuary. knew we were in the right place. Armen Göbeklitepe changed everything we knew motioned to a couple walking by to come so about the Stone Age people. that he could obtain some information. The We passed through rock-filled harsh Kurdish man approached us and before anyone said any - lands on the way to Diyarbakir. It was filled thing to him, he began apologizing profusely with shepherds, flocks of sheep and herds of saying, “Terrible things happened here.” This cows. It was here that we saw the peculiar, care - was the area where the Turks gathered up fully placed rock piles. Armen said that it is a 10,000 Armenians — men, women, children and way of communicating between shepherds. It infants — and marched them into the lake to was a simple way of handling soil erosion. My drown. The oral history handed down to the vil - assumption is that when a shepherd grazed lagers was far more accurate than anything the with his flock, he would place a stone there and Turkish government ever said. After taking pho - when the piles got too big, they would avoid tos with these people, they became very fearful that area for a while so that it could replenish. and said, “Please don’t get us into trouble.” The fortification surrounding the old city was Yes, truth will always get the Turkish S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 27, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 COMMUNITY NEWS from previous page Approaching Peri, we passed two men and all over the mounds. region, near the border of Armenia. We passed unable to finish college. Neither could her first stopped to ask if we were going the right way. We saw crosses carved on the Rock of Van, yet another monument to the “heroic” Turks born, my Uncle Avedis, who later provided a col - Selçuk, spoke to them and when they found out the outcropping on which the fortress of Van that were killed by Armenian “rebels.” Each of lege education for nine children, keeping my that we were Armenians, said to him, “We are was built. This was a way of a visitor leaving his us smiled when we saw that the lettering had grandmother’s legacy alive. brothers.” The population in this area was Kharpert, prior to 1915, was a region of Zaza, who protected the Armenians in remote 210,000 Armenians. In 1919 only 3,000 were villages during the Genocide. A few years later, left alive. the Turks came in and slaughtered the Zazas. May 24, Saturday: Bitlis, Van: Armen made So yes, we are brothers, brothers in blood. every effort to accommodate a request to go to My friends took photos of me in the town an out of the way village. Sometimes, he didn’t square. It was a rare dreary day, but I was so know how the time would play out, but other happy to have found this area and to have pin - times it was because he liked to surprise you en pointed the birthplace of my grandfather. Quite route. This morning we had a long seven-hour a few of the men in this village are of Armenian ride to Van, but without any advance notice, he descent. We passed the Euphrates River that told me we were going on a side trip to my grandmother wrote about in her book. Charsanjak in Dersim County, the birthplace of On the way to Bitlis, we came to the plains of my Uncle Avie and the place where my grand - Mus (pronounced Moosh). We saw the Sasun mother and grandfather had hidden among the mountains in the distance, where the massacres Zaza Kurds who were friendly to the of 1895 (The Hamidian Massacres) started and Armenians. consequently some 300,000 Armenians were I had done a search and found a website killed. Mus, being a Kurdish area, had not been titled Genocide Survivors. With great excite - open for tourism until a few years ago. Recently, ment I found my grandfather listed as Mus was part of a controversy because all the Derderian, Krikor, Charsanjak, Kharpert. This ancient Armenian homes were being bulldozed. was the only information that narrowed down An old church (Surp Mariane) was all that was where he was from. Armen said that Charsanjak left. (also known as Karachor) is the southern part Everywhere people are curious and friendly. of the Dersim County and is located north of They generally knew that we were Armenian the Euphrates River across from Kharpert and because of the things we were seeking, and The May 2014 group near the Hromgla fortress on the Euphrates River that Peri (Akpazar) is its main town. they were not only friendly but helpful to us. For safety and protection, my grandfather May 25, Sunday: Lake Van/Aghtamar Island: (being from Charsanjak, Kharpert) took his Lake Van is huge, with a shore length of 270 pregnant wife further to the north into the miles. It has a high level of salinity with only mark. At one church, the crosses were very been scraped off. heart of Dersim. My dearly beloved aunt Agnes one type of fish. I was excited to see it since I’d ornate and beautiful. Armen told us that there The haverzhutyun, is an Armenian religious was born in Dersim also (in 1921) about two always associated the name ‘Lake Van’ with were special craftsmen hired by visiting pilgrims symbol denoting eternity that looks like a but - years after my Uncle Avie (1919). Until only a Armenia, second only to Mount. Ararat. Van to carve on site. The crosses on the wall were a ter cookie. This symbol is visible on the tower few years ago this area was forbidden for was a walled city with a population 10,000 liv - form of a religious graffiti guest book. over the main entrance gate in Ani. We looked tourists. Sadly, my uncle took this trip twice ing within the walls. We went by an excavation Then we headed to Lake Van for our boat for this on homes and buildings that had been and still was unable to see his birthplace. site near the entrance of the Old City and hiked ride to Aghtamar Island. The water was converted into mosques. The symbol identified turquoise and Lake Van was such a beautiful that they were built by Armenians. place. The lake is surrounded by rolling green May 27, Tuesday: Ani/Evening flight to pastures, and framed by high jagged mountains. Istanbul: The walled city of Ani (established as a AN EXCELLENT GIFT FOR THE HOLIDAYS, OR ANY TIME We had a beautiful boat ride out to the island capital city in 961 AD) had a population of and a lovely day was spent there. The Cathedral 100,000 and was said to have had 1,001 church - was beautiful and felt like such a spiritual place. es. So, the first thing we learn about the resi - The only structure standing is the Cathedral, dents of Ani is that they were very religious and built during the years 915-921. In 1915, during were prone to exaggeration. This was a memo - 2 CD Compilation the Armenian Genocide, the monks of rable stop. It was an Armenian Pompeii. We went Aghtamar were massacred, the church looted into the walled city and walked around getting a and the monastic buildings destroyed. The feeling for the civilization that went before. It was church fell into disuse through the decades mindboggling to think of a city this ancient. On The Best of New England Armenian Kef Music Legend after 1915. When the writer Yasar Kemal visit - the border was a very deep ravine, like a grand ed the island of Aghtamar in 1951, he discov - canyon and on the other side was Armenia. I ered that the Cathedral it was about to be wished we had an Armenian flag to wave at the demolished. Using his contacts he helped stop guard in the watchtower. the planned destruction. I hiked all over the ruins of the ghost town Roger Krikorian May 26, Monday: Ararat, Kars: Prior to leav - and stepped over and around bits and pieces of ing Van we made a stop at the ‘Van Cat House’. old houses. I passed by the sign pointing to the The Van Cat is a beautiful fluffy white cat with Silk Road. A church in the round had only one Krikoria n’s eyes of different colors, one blue and one green. half standing, as if sawed in half. The Church of It is an unusual cat because it can swim, where - St. Gregory had the most amazingly preserved as most cats do not like getting wet. frescos. It was astonishing to see a place that music lives on We had an amazing day on the road. We old, with frescos so clear that you could see the stopped by the picturesque Muradiye (Pergri) Bible stories that they told. in this special Waterfalls, We took photos in front of Mount The Cathedral of Ani was awe-inspiring. I’m Ararat, which, sadly, was capped in clouds, but not sure if it was the biggest cathedral I’d ever collection. nonetheless, it was Ararat and we were there!! We been in, or just seemed so because it was held up a sign made by Sarine which said, vacant. It appeared to be able to hold at least “Ararat, still ours.” Our van traveled along the 1000 people. It was magnificent and only when Iranian border, and passed by Igdir, the gateway you saw a photograph with someone in the city to Azerbaijan. We drove past piles of pitch- cathedral, did you have a sense of the enormity black volcanic rock with green patches inter - of the edifice. I felt the same kind of sadness spersed. We crossed over the Arax River, which that I felt at Pompeii for a lost civilization, but divides Turkey and Armenia further downstream. this was even more so; for all the suffering of I took photos with Armenia in the background. the Armenians in this city that was once the The further east we go, the more ‘Third World’ ‘center of the universe’, a city on the Silk Road, it becomes. Transportation is either on foot, or competing in importance with Constantinople donkey or, if you’re lucky, horse. You do see an and Baghdad. occasional car in the village. We took a detour We ended our day at the Kars Museum. We and went down a narrow, bumpy, steep and curv - saw a set of old doors on which beautiful ing village road. Bless Seljuk; he has taken us Armenian khachkars (crosses) had been carved. safely down some treacherous roads. We came to We noticed that a part of each of the crosses on a Kurdish Village, Kilittashi, where, in the dis - the door had been sliced off, so that they were tance, we were able to see two ancient stone ruined. churches, Surp Shushan and Surp Kevork. It took a long time to take my notes and try I felt as if we had traveled back in history. to make sense of them, but I felt that not only There were cows and sheep grazing on steep was it important for me to do this for my mem - terrain along with shepherds nearby. There ories, but also is essential for my family to have were donkeys and wild horses loose in the field. a part of their legacy and their history docu - The fields were very lush and looked like car - mented. It was more than simply the best trip peting in places. May was ideal for taking this of my life; it was a life changing experience and trip. In this area of the country, there is a lot of in digging for my roots, I found myself. Available for only $18, including postage and handling. poverty. The people live in ramshackle homes Please make checks out to the Armenian Mirror-Spectator and don’t have much of anything, (always a dish (Linda Boyajian Patterson is a resident of and mail to: for TV, though) and yet, in a strange way, they Fort Lauderdale, Fla. She went on a tour by 755 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472-1509 don’t seem poor. Armen Aroyan in May 2014. Tour coordinator Or call 617- 924- 4420 to pay with credit card We stopped to take a photo of a famous 7th was Annie Kahkejian and the driver was century Armenian cathedral, Mren, in the Kars Selçuk.) 10 S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 27, 2014 S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 27, 2014 11

Our Warmest Christmas and New Year’s wishes to all members of Armenian good wishes for a joyful Merry Christmas and Happy Merry Christmas and Happy Tekeyan, ADL, AGBU and the Christmas Holiday season New Year Near Year Armenian Church here and worldwide George Maksian Zaven Khanjian, Armenian Antoine, Rose, Armen and Vicken The Toufayan Family Missionary Association of America Englewood Cliffs, NJ Ridgefield, NJ Bazarbashian Paramus, NJ Paoli, Penn.

Best Wishes for Happy Holidays We wish all our friends a Happy New Peace and good health to all in 2015 God bless you all and Happy Holidays and a Great New Year Year and a very Merry Christmas. John and Roxie Maljanian Beatrice Arzoumanian Violet and Peter Galazian Kevork and Silva Keushkerian Pasadena, Calif. Newington, CT Albany, NY New Britain, Conn.

May the Blessings, Joy and Best Wishes for Christmas and the Goodwill of Christmas be with all Best wishes and Season’s Greetings Happy New Year to All New Year of us throughout the year. Merry to my relatives and friends Zareh and Hasmig Maserejian Christmas! Heratch and Sonya Doumanian Belmont, MA George W. Haroutounian Chicago, Ill. Christmas Donations made to Stoneham, MA Richard, Ann and Talene Tarvezian the Armenian Mirror-Spectator Watertown, MA Tekeyan Detroit Chapters $500 Armen and Brenda Shahinian, Franklin Lakes, NJ $100 May Armenians throughout the Merry Christmas and Happy New Elizabeth Aprahamian, Northville, MI $500 Sarkis and Ruth Bedevian, Wyckoff, NJ $100 world find peace in their lives as we Year to the finest people I know, Anonymous $ 500 Mary Melikian, New York, NY $100 approach the 100th commemoration Margaret Ahnert, Fort Lauderdale, FL $500 Edward Shooshanian, Boynton Beach, FL $100 Peace to All Best wishes for a joyous Christmas subscribers to the Armenian Sami and Annie Totah Family Foundation, Potomac, MD $500 Varsenik and Dikran Betzig, Bolton, MA $100 of the Armenian Genocide Mirror-Spectator Charleen and Peter Onanian, Weston, MA $300 Violet and Peter Galazan, New Britain, CT $100 Mary Guleserian Bergoudian Anna Marie Norehad Family of Zadoor and Roger Strauch, Berkeley, CA $300 Heratch and Sonya Doumanian, Chicago, IL $100 Belmont, MA Glenview, Ill. Shnorhig Soghoian George and Margaret Yacoubian Hrip Parsekian, Watertown, MA $250 Zadoor and Shnorhig Soghoian, Glen Allen, VA $100 Glen Allen, VA Broomall, Pa. Anoosh Mathevosian, Great Neck, NY $250 George and Margaret Yacoubian, Broomall, PA $100 The Paros Foundation, Berkeley, CA $200 Michael and Katherine Halebian, Englewood Cliffs, NJ $100 Harry and Mary Hintlian, Cambridge, MA $200 Peter Sourian, New York, NY $100 Kevork Atinizian, Belmont, MA $200 Van and Mary Aroian, Worcester, MA $50 Denis Orlando and Anne Shirinian-Orlando, Freehold, NJ $200 Peter Abidian, Belmont, MA $50 The Toufayan Family, Ridgefield, NJ $200 Jack and Audrey Pilibosian, Arlington, MA $50 Aurelian Mardiros and Anahid Mardiros, Lynnfield, MA $200 Jack and Rava Arisian, Watertown, CT $50 May your Christmas be blessed and Best Wishes for a wonderful Best Wishes God Bless America and Armenia Christmas and a Happy Near Year Donald and Barbara Tellalian, Newton, MA $200 Karekin and Maria Movsesian, Paramus, NJ $50 With love, your New Year joyful Charles and Doreen Bilezikian, Osterville, MA $200 Paul Chilian, East Providence, RI $50 Nelson and Anna Tabirian, Winter Park, FL $150 Richard Hekemian, Oradell, NJ $50 Aprahamian Family Charles Gazarian Charleen and Peter Onanian Northville, Mich. Peter and Irene Vosbikian Weston, MA Armenian Missionary Association of America, Paramus, NJ $150 Shahan and Elizabeth Nazar, Garden City, NY $50 Moorestown, NY Brookline, MA Karekin Arzoomanian, New York, NY $150 Edward and Roseann Alexander, Bethesda, MD $50 Berge Tatian, Stoneham, MA $150 Garabed Kazezian, Fountain Valley, CA $50 Jacob Zakarian, Gloucester, MA $100 Ovsanna Mooradian, Troy, NY $50 Edmond and Nora Azadian, West Bloomfield, MI $100 Arsavir Arat, El Paso, TX $50 Jane Karakashian and Bryan Whitney, Rockville, MD $100 Antoine and Rose Bazarbashian, Paoli, PA $50 Paul Derboghosian, Highland Beach, FL $100 Mr. and Mrs. Khajag H. Tchakerian, Philadelphia, PA $50 Kevork and Silva Keushkerian, Pasadena, CA $100 Ara Asadourian, Plattsburgh, NY $50 Merry Christmas and Happy New Merry Christmas! Keep Christ in We wish all our family and friends May the Christmas Blessings bring Anna Marie Norehad, Glenview, IL $100 Mardiros and Evelyn Petrossian, Belmont, MA $50 health, happiness and peace to all Year to the staff and readers of the Christmas John and Roxie Maljanian, Newington, CT $100 Zareh and Hasmig Maserejian, Belmont, MA $50 a Merry Christmas and a Happy Armenian Mirror-Spectator Richard, Ann and Talene Tarvezian, Watertown, MA $100 Berc and Armine Araz, Wanaque, NJ $50 New Year our friends and relatives Richard Hekemian George W. Haroutunian, Stoneham, MA $100 Leon W. Kachadorian, Belmont, MA $30 The Paros Foundation Oradell, NJ Mary Guleserian Bergoudian, Belmont, MA $100 Matthew and Lisa Natcharian, Avon, CT $25 Edmond and Nora Azadian Jack and Audrey Pilibosian Alexan and Hilda Khachaturian, Belmont, MA $100 George Maksian, Englewood Cliffs, NJ $25 West Bloomfield, Mich. Arlington, MA Ara and Sonia Deraprahamian, Glendale, CA $100 Beatrice Arzoumanian, Albany, NY $25 Peter and Irene Vosbikian, Moorestown, NJ $100 Bethel Charkoudian, Newton, MA $25 Hagop Vartivarian, Englewood, NJ $100 David Boyajian, Belmont, MA $25 Maura and Herbert Alexander, Westborough, MA $100 Alexander B. Arzumanian, Hammond, IN $20 Merry Christmas and may the New Robert Kaloosdian, Belmont, MA $100 Jeremiah Hachadourian, West Yarmouth, MA $15 Happy, Peaceful New Year to all of Emma Sogoian, Bloomfield Hills, MI $100 Dorothy Piranian, Boston, MA $15 Happy New Year and Merry Year bring peace and prosperity to all our friends and family Hagop and Sonia Ergenian, Philadelphia, PA $100 In memory of Nishan Karakashian Christmas to All Armenians Hagop and Noyemi Isnar, Haworth, NJ $100 Sending greetings to our members and friends Asadour and Nvart Hadjian, Alexandria, VA $100 Paul Derboghosian Ara and Sonia Deraprahamian ADL and Tekeyan Detroit Chapters Jane Karakashian and Bryan Whitney Aurelian and Anahid Mardiros and family Aram Bedrosian Funeral Home, Watertown, MA $100 Rockville, Md. Highland Beach, Ill. Lynnfield, MA Glendale, CA Charles Gazarian, Brookline, MA $100 Zaven and Heidi Darian, Huntington Sta., NY $100 Ruth Swisher, Newington, CT $100 Berdj and Margaret Kiladjian, Winchester, MA $100 Dikran Meguerditchian, Lexington, MA $100 Claire and Olvi Mangasarian, Madison, WI $100 Annie Simonian Totah and family wish you all Elizabeth Arzoomanian, New York, NY $100 Keep up the Good work, or as we a very joyous Christmas and a fabulous New Seta Kalajian, Burlington, MA $100 Wishing our friends a joyous Year! May 2015 be the best year ever, full of Blessings to all Shoushik Frankian, Belmont, MA $100 Christmas and a happy, healthy and used to say in the ’60s, “Keep the joy, health and peace for you and for mankind. Edward Terzian, Philadelphia, PA $100 prosperous New Year Faith, baby!” Mary and Harry Hintlian Charles J. Tateosian, Walnut Creek, CA $100 Sami and Annie Totah Family Cambridge, MA Daniel and Ludmila Sahakian, State College, PA $100 Kevork Atinizian and Family Bethel Charkoudian Foundation Mary Alani, M.D. Franklin, MI $100 Belmont, MA Newton, MA Potomac, MD 12 S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 27, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING ADAA Awards Saroyan Prize, Armenian Honors

(PASADENA) - The Armenian Dramatic Arts Woodrow Wilson Foundation, to whom ADAA Alliance (ADAA) held its annual awards event on advisor Kristen Lazarian presented certificates December 6 at the Pasadena Playhouse, to pre - of commendation. sent the 2014 William Saroyan Playwriting Prize The evening ended with a presentation of still in Human Rights/Social Justice and other spe - photos by actor Alex Neustaedter from Meg cial honors. More than 70 people attended the Ryan’s upcoming new film, “Ithaca,” an adapta - VIP event at the Makineni Library, which was tion of William Saroyan’s novel, The Human emceed by television celebrity Jill Simonian. Comedy, for which Saroyan won the Best Story The event featured an introduction from Oscar in 1943 for the original film. ADAA board Honorary Chair Dianne Philibosian, an update member Lisa Kirazian and past finalist Bill from ADAA President Bianca Bagatourian, a wel - Hoversten presented commendations to the come from Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard and film’s producers, Meg Ryan, Erik Jendresen, remarks from Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), who Janet Brenner and Laura Ivey, which Alex accept - presented the Armenian Commendation Award. ed on their behalf. The winner of the $10,000 Saroyan This year, ADAA expanded the William Playwriting Prize is “Carla Cooks The War,” by Saroyan Playwriting Prize in scope to include Laura Maria Censabella. The grand prize was issues of human rights/social justice — topics awarded by Pier Carlo Talenti, Literary Director close to Saroyan’s heart and work — while still from Center Theatre Group (CTG) in Los honoring plays on Armenian themes. This result - Angeles. He also announced that CTG would pro - ed in five times the number of submissions, and duce a series of Armenian Genocide play read - a significant rise in both the quality of the plays ings in April along with ADAA at the Kirk Armenian Star Award winner Mardik Martin (seated, center) with ADAA volunteers and advisors. and the overall stature of the contest around the Douglas Theatre to commemorate the 100th Levon Leo Chaloukian (far right) presented the award to Mardik. world. The special Armenian Commendation anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Award was developed to honor a play on an The honorary jury for the 2014 William Armenian theme. Saroyan Playwriting Prize for Human happened to them during World War II and the imagined afterlife following his tragic assas - The Saroyan Prize is made possible by a dona - Rights/Social Justice was composed of beyond. sination in Turkey in the last decade. Catherine tion from the William Saroyan Foundation, Sebastian Born, associate director of the The other finalists were Sevan Kaloustian- Yessayan accepted the award on behalf of the which inaugurated the award at ADAA in 2007. National Theatre, London; Erik Ehn, American Greene for “I Am Not Mine,” about a war-torn playwrights. The president of the William Saroyan playwright and director of writing for perfor - Syrian family and Mary Kathryn Nagle for Runners up for the Armenian Commendation Foundation is Haig Mardikian, and the vice pres - mance at Brown University; and David Lan, “Manahatta,” connecting America’s historic mis - Award were Richard Kalinoski for “My Genius of ident is Scott Setrakian. Setrakian also serves as artistic director of the Young Vic Theatre in treatment of Native Americans with the 2008 Humanity” and Sevan Kaloustian-Greene for “In an executive producer on the film, “Ithaca.” London. Wall Street collapse of Lehman Brothers. The the Name of Silence.” The William Saroyan Foundation also donated The Saroyan Prize-winning play, “Carla Cooks runners-up were “Veritas” by Betty Shamieh; ADAA’s Armenian Star Award for excellence in two original paintings by Saroyan, one of which The War” by Laura Maria Censabella, a play - “Mr. America” by Jules Tasca and “The Family the arts was presented to Mardik Martin, veteran was auctioned off at the event to support ADAA. wright and professor based in New York, mixes Steering Committee” by Steve Karp. screenwriter of “Raging Bull” and “Mean Additional support for the Prize comes from the styles such as telenovella, cooking television In addition, the $1,000 Armenian Streets.” Martin teaches at the University of Los Angeles County Arts Commission. shows, presentational monologues, expression - Commendation Award for a play on an Armenian Southern California and also wrote the script for In addition, event donors included the ism and realism in a Fellini-esque attempt to theme was awarded by Schiff to “Bosphorus,” by the upcoming Armenian Genocide film, “The Pasadena Playhouse, Final Draft (software prizes trace the legacy of war through three genera - Gorune Aprikian and Eric De Rocquefeuil, who Cut.” The Armenian Star Award was presented for finalists), Mathew Mardirosyan tions of Italian women in one family, all with live in Paris. The play is a lyrical exploration of to Martin by Oscar-winning Ryder Sound design - (Photographer), Mastery Circle Los Angeles, drastically different points of view about what famed Armenian journalist/editor Hrant Dink in er, Levon Leo Chaloukian, former president of Phoenicia Restaurant, Wine Plus and Zorah the Television Academy of Arts and Sciences. Wines, Tieman’s Fusion Coffees, Hilton LA In keeping with Human Rights Day (annually North/Glendale and Burger Continental. observed December 10), the evening was filled The event committee was as follows: Dianne with commendations to ADAA from local offi - Philibosian, honorary chair; Zhelbert Zohrabian, cials, and presentations from human rights orga - Bianca Bagatourian, Lisa Kirazian, Kristen nizations, including Tracy Kardash of Amnesty Lazarian, Bill Hoversten, Nare Mkrtchyan, and International and Donald Wilson Bush of the Shauna Vartanian.

Philanthropist Flora Dunaians to Ride in First Armenian-American Float in Rose Parade DUNAIANS, from page 5 Other community activities include serving Managing Director Flora Dunaians’ philanthropic work generat - as board member of the Armenian Assembly of ed many memorable occasions, including co- America, the Armenian Film Foundation, west Armenia Tree Project is seeking to hire a Managing Director. ATP has a 20 year chairing the largest banquet in the Armenian coast AIWA, Armenian International Women’s history of planting trees and conducting environmental education in Armenia. The community in 1987 for Vasken l, Catholicos of Association and the Armenian Professional Managing Director position is based in Watertown, MA and reports to ATP’s All Armenians. She was honored to serve on Society, hosting the annual APS Tennis Executive Committee. The MD is responsible for the organization’s achievement of the official committee to welcome Pope John Tournament for 25 years, raising funds for stu - its mission and financial objectives. Paul II to Armenia, celebrating the 1700 dent scholarships; member of St. Gregory Anniversary of Christianity in Armenia. Armenian Church, Pasadena, Ladies Auxiliary Candidates should have significant responsible management experience, com - Flora Dunaians is the recipient of the of the Western Diocese, Armenian General mitment to environmental matters, fundraising and donor development experience “Women of Achievement Award” at the AIWA Benevolent Union (AGBU), Huntington Library and demonstrated involvement in support of the Republic of Armenia. London Conference in 1994 in recognition of and Gardens, San Marino and the Pasadena A detailed job description is available through the following link her leadership and humanitarian efforts. Museum of History. (tinyurl.com/atpdirector). To be considered, please send your professional resume Congressman Adam Schiff selected her as Other riders on the float include former “Woman of the Year” in 2005 and in 2007 California Governor George Deukmejian and and cover letter to Armenia Tree Project, ATTN: Search Committee, 4th floor, 65 Assemblyman Anthony Portantino named her Gloria Deukmejian, Attorney Mark Geragos, Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472 or to [email protected]. as one of the outstanding women in business. actress Angela Sarafyan, Gabriel Injejikian, Flora was inducted into the John Muir High founder of the first Armenian day school in the School Hall of Fame in 2008 and in 2012 she United States, and Judge Samuel der- received the Distinguished Humanitarian Yeghiayan, US Federal Judge for the Northern Award by the Armenian Assembly of America. District of Illinois. SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE for HMADS Annual Christmas Hantes Brings Cheer to All Students of Armenian Descent Having Completed One Year of College by June, 2015 HANTES, from page 5 grandparents. The following day, Tuesday, faculty, HMADS secretary Maro Jamgotchian, December 16, HMADS students took a short Applications and other information may be obtained from volunteers and benefactors of the school as well trip to the Armenian Home of Flushing, as the donors of Santa’s gifts for all HMADS Queens to bring smiles to the residents with ARMENIAN STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION Students: Jacque and Talar Minoyan, Tony their songs and recitations. Before leaving, the Scholarship Committee Tahmisyan and Roupen Aslanian and also to students handed out special Christmas orna - Dikran Cherchian for his generous Christmas ments and decorations that they had all made 333 Atlantic Avenue • Warwick, RI 02888 contribution. to all the Mahmeegs and Bahbeegs . You Tel. 401 461-6114 • Fax 401 461-6112 The excitement came to its conclusion with should have seen the happy faces and the glis - Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan’s encouraging senti - tening eyes! e-mail: [email protected] website: www.asainc.org ments and prayer. The audience was treated Upon their return to school the HMADS with traditional coffee, milk and coffee hosted Students continued to spread cheers this time Deadline for returning completed Applications: March 15, 2015 by HMADS PTO. to Holy Martyrs Seniors and the New The Christmas cheer that HMADS students Directions group earning their praises and spread was not limited to their parents and blessings. S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 27, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 COMMUNITY NEWS Knights of Vartan Ararat Lodge 2014 Award Gala at Oakley Country Club

GALA, from page 5 Tchatalbashian Armenian Secondary School was related to one of the founders of the estate development firm for 19 years. In 1980 Starting in the 1950s he did pro bono work Board, Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Knights, Archbishop Papken Guleserian, as well he opened his own real estate management for Chinese, Korean and Armenian immigrants Cultural Society, and the Armenian Relief as another important early leader and cleric, business called MGM Contracting, and for the and Armenian charities. He supported the Society in Beirut and the US. Archbishop Shahe Kasparian. Medzorian called past 12 years has concentrated on managing Jewish homeland, and promoted the creation of Poladian explained in her acceptance speech Guleserian “a man of few words, but when he his own commercial and residential properties. a monument to the Irish Great Hunger at the He has been active in St. James Armenian Cambridge Common. Church since childhood, and served on almost He founded an opera company and was its every organization of this parish. He chaired its chairman for three years in the 1970s; created 60th Anniversary Celebration and Name Day and carried out the Vestris Prize Competition Banquet in 1991, and served as Diocesan in the 1970s for ballet choreography. Delegate for St. James for the past 24 years. He As a leader in the Armenian Youth served nine years on the Diocesan Auditing Federation in the 1940s, Der Manuelian was a Committee and three years ago was elected to founder of Camp Haiastan. He was active in the the Diocesan Board of Trustees. Armenian Students Association and was one of He has been a member for 19 years of Ararat the nine founders of the National Association Lodge, and was commander in 2002. He served for Armenian Studies and Research. He helped as treasurer of the lodge for four years, and lieu - raise funds for the first chair of Armenian stud - tenant-commander in the Avak Tivan in 2008-9. ies at Harvard University, and arranged the con - He is one of the founders and has been co-vice tract for the Charles and Elisabeth Kenosian president of the Armenian Heritage Park Chair of Armenian Studies at Boston Foundation for 12 years. He was president of University. He was one of the founding mem - the Rotary Club of Belmont in 1997, member of bers of the Council of Armenian executives. the Aleppo Shriners, and Past Worshipful Cofounder of the Armenian Library and Master of the Mount Olivet Lodge, AF &AM in Museum of America (now the Armenian 1977. Museum of America), he continues to play a Guleserian declared that he joined the role in its leadership. He was a cofounder of the Knights not because of his brother or relatives Armenian Assembly of America and did pro but because he was an Armenian. He spoke bono work for the Society for Armenian about the achievements of the Knights and Studies. Ararat Lodge in particular as well as the back - He provided assistance for the National ing Ararat Lodge provided for the Armenian Armenian History Museum in Yerevan, and pre - Charles Guleserian Heritage Park, including an initial grant of pared steel plates for each of 19 famous church - $25,000. es in Armenia which were installed to provide Reverends Antranig Balian and Arakel touristic information. He assisted the Armenian that, “teaching was the best, the most reward - does speak, the words are very well chosen.” Aljalian participated as clergy at the event. Genocide Monument and Museum in various ing and the most exciting career for me.” She Guleserian was born in Arlington, Mass., and Music was provided by Argishti Chaparian of ways. added, “I am extremely proud of my hundreds soon moved to nearby Belmont. He graduated Cottaro Entertainment Company. Der Manuelian pointed out that he did not and hundreds of students all over the world.” Wentworth Institute in architectural engineer - The 2014 Awards Gala Committee was co- like or need awards, because “the pleasure I get Eastern Regional Representative of the ing and Northeastern University’s Lincoln chaired by Aleksan Yildizyan and Arakel H. from anything I do is all the pleasure I need.” A Daughters of Vartan Maro Titus presented the Institute to obtain a BS degree in Structural Yacubian, with Hagop Kouyoumjian, Daniel large table of enthusiastic family and friends, Woman of the Year Award to Donna Maria Engineering. In 1960 he married Joyce Markarian, Eric Markarian and Karnig Ostayan including his sister, art historian Dr. Lucy Der Deranian, a former Dirouhi. She pointed out Kachadorian. After college, he worked for a real as committee members. Manuelian, were among the people applauding that not only does Deranian garner respect but his award. also “brings laughter to those around her.” Heather Krafian then presented the Lifetime Donna Deranian, born to an Italian family of Achievement Award to retired teacher Araxie Medford, Mass., received a bachelor’s degree in Poladian. In an emotional tribute, she called social work and elementary education from Poladian a pioneer ahead of her time, making a Suffolk University. She then became head social lasting connection between her students and worker for the Comprehensive Educational their Armenian roots which last a lifetime. Training Association Program for Boston and Born in Beirut, Poladian graduated from surrounding towns, often visiting her clients in prisons and homes to provide them with edu - cation and resources to reenter the workforce. She married former Avak Sbarabed Haig

Donna Maria Deranian, second from left, receives certificate from Sbarabed Kouyoumjian, with Christine Mahserejian and Harold Partamian. Araxi Poladian receives award from Heather Krafian. Hripsimiantz College and studied piano at the National Conservatory of Music in Beirut. She Deranian in 1976 and the couple has three chil - received a Certificate in Methodology of Early dren and several grandchildren. She works as Childhood Education from the French Cultural senior vice president for sales at the family busi - Institute. She taught at Hripsimiantz College ness, Deran Lamp and Shade Company. She and, after the untimely passing of her husband also has served as a scout leader and vice pres - Joseph, at St. Suzanne College. In 1980 she ident of the Belmont Woman’s Club. She is cur - immigrated to the United States and was hired rently a member of the St. James Mr. and Mrs. as a preschool teacher at the Armenian General Club, the St. James Women’s Guild, and St. Benevolent Union (AGBU) Elementary School Joseph’s Church in Belmont. In 2008 she in Watertown. She served there as head became Dirouhi of Arpie Otyag No. 9, of the preschool teacher from 1986 to 1993, and Daughters of Vartan. attended Lesley College, as well as a summer Deranian stated that she was very emotional seminar for Armenian teachers in Yerevan in this night, and spoke about her role in the 1984. revival of Arpie Ortyag. After the closing of the AGBU school, she Jack M. Medzorian, former Sbarabed, pre - began teaching at St. Stephen’s Armenian sented the Man of the Year Award to Charles Elementary School in 1993 until her retirement Shahe Guleserian, also a former Sbarabed. in 2014. She has been active in Armenian com - Medzorian pointed out that Guleserian proba - munity organizations such as the bly had the best Knights of Vartan “DNA,” as he 14 S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 27, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 2 Arts & Living Greater Worcester Armenian-American Armenian Chorale LA Life in the Presents Christmas 1950s Captured in Concert Cups of Fortune BUELLTON, Calif. — With a spirited and By Charles K. Der Kazarian humorous voice, Lenore Tolegian-Hughes has written a powerful coming-of-age novel, Cups of Fortune, which recounts the early life of an WORCESTER, Mass. — The Greater Armenian-American girl, named Azad, growing Worcester Armenian Chorale presented a spe - up in 1950s Los Angeles. cial Christmas concert on Sunday, December 7, Azad’s story begins with dis - in the Sanctuary of Holy Trinity Armenian BOOKS coveries about her family’s Apostolic Church. The program consisted of poignant past which lead her Christmas carols and songs in Armenian and to a deeper appreciation of the memorable char - English. The Chorale is under the direction of acters who inhabit her world and give her Konstantin Petrossian, artistic director and con - important insights into her own identity. Her ductor, with piano accompaniment by Gayane reflections are interwoven with the fortunes Kocharyan. Mezzo-Soprano Gohar Manjelikian told by her beloved immigrant grandmother of Cranston, RI, was the guest soloist. who foretells the future by reading the grounds Manjelikian was born in Armenia and of Armenian coffee cups, and for whom the began her singing career in 1981. Accepted preparation and serving of food in all its mouth- as a member of the State Academic Chorus, watering, old-world varieties, is the ultimate she graduated from Komitas State expression of love. Cups of Fortune will make Conservatory of Yerevan. Since her arrival in every reader long to eat well, laugh out loud, the United States, she has sung in many celebrate life, and Armenian and American concerts. Her reper - predict the future Violinist Simon Hagopian-Rogers toire includes a range of European, Russian, in their own cups and Armenian operas as well as classical, of coffee. romantic and sacred music. “How Great Thou As an Armenian Art,” an arrangement of sacred Armenian American, songs, is her first CD. St. Vartan’s Cathedral Hosts Tolegian-Hughes The singing of the Hayr Mer (The Lord’s has had a surpris - Prayer) opened the concert. A medley of tradi - ing and interesting tional carols beautifully performed by the Christmas Concert life as the wife of Chorale (Oh Come, All Ye Faithful; Hark, The an Episcopalian Herald Angels Sing; Silent Night; Carol Of The NEW YORK — Christmas is the season of magic, giving, and the joy of children, bishop. Looking Bells) was followed by Armenian Christmas and St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral in New York was bubbling with all three quali - back at her child - songs: Park Ee Partzoons (Gloria In Excelsis), ties on Saturday afternoon, December 6. More than 500 people crowded the sanc - hood growing up Lenore Tolegian Hughes Khorthoort Metz (O Great Mystery) both by tuary for an uplifting program of seasonal music. in Los Angeles, she Movses Kertogh from the 6th century; Ov Warmly welcoming the large crowd, Diocesan Vicar General the Very Rev. Simeon realized that being Zarmanalee (How Wondrous) by Grigor Odabashian expressed his happiness that the cathedral was filled with so many chil - surrounded by an Armenian community and dren, parents and grandparents. He thanked the cathedral dean, the Very Rev. learning how to assimilate into the American Mamigon Kiledjian, for organizing the culture is a huge part of her personal identity. event. She has had a successful career as a profes - By Florence Avakian “Today, we are celebrating young people sional contemporary artist spanning 30 years, and young talent,” Odabashian said. and now, following in her father’s footsteps, He expressed appreciation to Aram Tolegian, PhD, who was well known as a Continental Advisory Services LLC, Diocesan Administrator Jacob H. Yahiahyan, translator of Armenian poetry and author, she and Tigran and Artyom Sahakyan, who made the celebration possible. A celebrity has published her first novel, Cups of Fortune. in the crowd was the renowned diva of the Metropolitan Opera, Lucine Amara. The book serves as a window into the To enthusiastic applause, the 12 young singers of the Zangakner performing arts Armenian culture of the time, and vibrantly ensemble walked briskly onto the stage with their artistic director and conductor depicts where the members of the community Hasmik Konjoyan. Even after a five-hour, early-morning trip from Boston, the young came from, who they became as a result of singers — ranging in age from 9 to 13, and dressed in matching white and black out - immigrating to America and how they were fits — were bright-eyed and filled with youthful energy. shaped by the tragedies of the Armenian Konstantin Petrossian conducts the Greater Their nostalgic program of Armenian songs from beloved Armenian composers Genocide of 1915. At a recent book reading, Worcester Armenian Chorale. was performed with mature understanding and a professional demeanor. During the Tolegian-Hughes was introduced as the female solos, the older members sang with bell-like voices. William Saroyan. Among the well-known numbers presented were Qahanyan’s lyrical Im Tolegian-Hughes states that, “It’s easy to see Pahlavuni from the 12th century; Aysor Anoush Mayrig which reduced many in the audience to tears; Gomidas Vartabed’s how the passing of time leaves out important Dzaynum Hayragan (Today, The Paternal lilting Kagavik ; and Altounyan’s Hoy Nazan Im Yareh and Ghapama , sung with details of the identity of a particular culture and Voice) by Hovhaness Yerzngatsi from the 13th gusto. I believe Armenians and Americans alike should century. The Chorale also presented its signa - To everyone’s delight, out marched a group of 4-year-old children, 11 girls and know about this important period in our col - ture piece, Yegeghetsin Haygagan (The two boys, dressed in matching dresses and suits, holding hands, and lining up in lective history. The experience of being a first- Armenian Church). see CONCERT, page 14 generation American Armenian in these times Selections by Manjelikian included Aysor is extremely important to write and read about Don Eh (Today Is The Feast Of Holy Nativity) especially now when Middle Eastern cultures by Komitas, Diramayr (Mother Of God) by are so feared and misunderstood and the gen - Petrossian and Archbishop N. Bozabalian and eral public has little information on the lives of O Holy Night . The latter, sung in English, Armenian Americans. Most non-Armenians brought the audience to its feet with much don’t even know that Armenians are Christians, applause for her thrilling rendition of the clas - and that in fact that we are the first Christian sic carol. nation, which illustrates a huge information The free concert was enjoyed by parishioners, gap.” friends and guests who gave the performers a She lives, writes and makes art, in Santa well-deserved standing ovation following the Barbara County and is currently working on an conclusion of the final numbers, Deck The Hall Armenian-American cookbook which was and Joy to the World . Rev. Sahag Yemishian, informed by her novel. pastor of Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic To find out more about it, visit Church which co-sponsored the event, congrat - www.cupsoffortune.com ulated Petrossian, the members of the Chorale, Kocharyan and Manjelikian for the perfor - CUPS OF FORTUNE mance. He thanked the audience for their atten - A Coming of Age Novel dance and encouraged them to continue to sup - By Lenore Tolegian Hughes port the Chorale, noting the importance of pre - Pomegranate Seed Press serving and promoting the rich musical her - Singers of the Zangakner performing arts ensemble at St. Vartan Cathedral. Paperback ($15.99) and Kindle ($4.99) itage of the Armenian people. versions available from Amazon.com The fellowship in the Church Hall, which pre - 204 pages ceded the concert was provided by the Chorale. S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 27, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 ARTS & LIVING Seventh Annual AGBU NYSEC Concert Raises More than $60,000 for Performing Arts Initiative

NEW YORK — On December 6, nine per - formers and hundreds of guests gathered at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall for this year’s AGBU New York Special Events Committee (NYSEC) Performing Artists in Concert. The evening of music was held in honor of composer Tigran Mansurian’s 75th birthday and raised more than $60,000 for per - forming arts initiatives worldwide. The evening’s program featured Armenian musicians from the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, eight of whom were first time participants in the concert series. The per - formers were all recipients of AGBU Performing Arts scholarships, which have allowed them to study at prestigious institutions like the Juilliard School of Music in New York, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the Royal Academy of Music in London and the Komitas State Conservatory in Yerevan. The musicians making up this year’s interna - tional ensemble included: Samvel Arakelyan (violin), Narek Arutyunian (clarinet), Grigor Khachatryan (piano), Lilit Kurdiyan (cello), Nune Melikian (violin), Edvard Pogossian (cello), Veronika Vardpatrikyan (viola), Lauren Williams (oboe) and Sarkis Zakarian (piano). About his participation in the concert, Pogossian said: “Taking part in this concert was such a great experience for me and it was won - derful to get to know the Armenian community in New York. The financial support AGBU has given me is beyond generous and I can’t say thank them enough for it!” Zakarian, who recently launched the AGBU London Chamber Orchestra, also served as the From left, Sarkis Zakarian on the piano, Samvel Arakelyan on the violin, Lilit Kurdiyan on the cello and Lauren Williams on the oboe. artistic director for the evening and was delight - ed to be part of the event: “It was a pleasure to meet all the other wonderful musicians and Piano Trio, and two little known pieces pub - concert in PAD’s larger mission of encourag - and donors had the opportunity to meet the work together to prepare the program. This was lished in the 1930s by Alexander Spendiaryan, ing Armenian art: “The Performing Arts performers. NYSEC committee chairwoman a wonderful opportunity for all of us, not only which were provided by the director of the department at AGBU is committed to pro - Maral Jebejian expressed her gratitude to all to perform at the Carnegie Hall, but also to Spendiaryan Museum, Marine Otaryan. The moting Armenian artists worldwide, both those who lent their support: “We are very meet and collaborate together.” evening also featured a tribute to Tigran contemporary artists and those who created appreciative of everyone who contributed to The concert was composed of an eclectic Mansurian and a special performance of some our traditions as a way to build a bridge the concert series and so proud to have been between the generations.” able to showcase the talent of our young musi - Following the concert, a reception was held cians for the past seven years. We look forward at Molyvos Greek Restaurant, where sponsors to many more concerts to come.”

Narek Arutyunian plays his clarinet. selection of Western classical and Armenian of his works. music. It was also the New York premiere of Hayk Arsenyan, the director of the AGBU recently discovered early works by Aram Performing Arts department (PAD), com - Khachaturian, provided by the Khachaturian mented on the special place of the annual

From left, Hayk Arsenyan, PAD director, Samvel Arakelyan, Narek Arutyunian, Grigor Khachatryan, Sarkis Zakarian, Lilit Kurdiyan, Nune Melikian, Veronika Vardpatrikyan, Lauren Williams and Edvart Pogossian (second row) AGBU NYSEC Committee. 16 S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 27, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING Children of Armenia Fund Gala Raises $2.4 Million for Expansion into Rural Armenia

NEW YORK — The 11th annual Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) Holiday Gala took place at Cipriani 42nd Street on December 12, 2014, in New York City. More than 450 guests attended the gala fundraiser, including honorary chairs Victor Garber, Susan Kendall Newman and Tony Shafrazi. Special guests included Michael Aram, Donald Baechler, Eric Bogosian, Peter M. Brant, Patricia Field, Henry Hay, Peter Marino and Stephanie Seymour. This year’s honorees were longtime COAF supporter Ara Arslanian, who was given the Humanitarian Award for his philan - thropic work, and Alexis Ohanian, who received the Save the Generation Award as a pioneering Internet entrepreneur and activist. Both awards were presented by COAF Executive Board member Michael Aram. For the eighth year in a row, Emmy and Tony Award- winning actress Andrea Martin entertained guests throughout the evening as master of ceremonies. The evening featured exclusive performances by soprano Isabel From left, Ara Arslanian, Stephanie Seymour and Tony Shafrazi Bayrakdarian and “The Voice” finalist Will Champlin. As a special highlight, child musicians from Armenia delivered spectacular per - formances, including on traditional Armenian folk instruments. Isabelle Bayrakdarian and Michael Aram The program featured highlights of COAF’s recent accomplish - ments, as well the organization’s ambitious plans to expand into new village communities throughout Armenia. The $2.4 million raised this year will go toward a state-of-the-art smart center to be built in Armenia which will act as a hub to surrounding villages. Funds will also be allocated to infrastructure improvements and projects in COAF-supported villages.

From left, Victor Garber, Andrea Martin and Garo Armen

Will Champlin Meri Musinyan From left, Victor Garber, Garo Armen and Will Champlin

From Levon and Armen Demerjian in Memory of Arsen Demerjian S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 27, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 17 3 ARTS & LIVING CC AA LLEENNDDAARR

Vartan, the Kaloosdian/Mugar Chair at Clark University, CALIFORNIA and the National Association for Armenian Studies and JANUARY 24, 2015 — 8 p.m., “Our Light, Our Hope” a Research (NAASR). To reserve a seat for dinner ($20), Musical Program for Commemoration and Renewal, contact 1-617-223-7520. organized by the Armenian Genocide Centennial JANUARY 14 — 7:30 p.m., Premiere of the award win- Committee of AEUNA and AMAA and performed by the ning film “Tevanik” in Boston. A must-see film! Be Lark Musical Society Choir and Orchestra of Glendale, there as director Jivan Avetisyan personally presents his CA, under the direction of Maestro Vatsche Barsoumian, film “Tevanik.” Winner of numerous awards world - at the Majestic Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena. wide, including Best Screenplay at the ARPA International Tickets ($40, $50, $60, $75, $100, $125, $150) can be Film Festival, “Tevanik” will be shown in Belmont Studio purchased from Lark Musical Society (818) 500-9997 or Cinema, one night only. For tickets call Apo - 339-222- Itsmyseat at http://www.itsmyseat.com/Light, (818) 2410 or order online 538-4911. at www.itsmyseat.com/TEVANIKBOSTON. Tickets: $20 ($15 for students). There will be a Q&A with Director Jivan Avetisyan after the screening. FLORIDA

JANUARY 3, 2015 — Armenian Assembly of America – NEW JERSEY Waterstone Resort & Marina, Boca Raton, FL. To DECEMBER 31 — St. Thomas Armenian Apostolic RSVP or for more information please contact Carol Church of Tenafly will host a New Year’s Eve cele- Norigian at [email protected]. bration Dinner Dance in beautifully decorated and ele - On January 24, at 8 p.m., the Lark gant church halls. The festivities will include a huge hors MASSACHUSETTS Musical Society Choir and Orchestra of d’oeuvres buffet, followed by a full dinner, Viennese Glendale, led by conductor Vatsche JANUARY 10 — Winter Ball, hosted by the Holy Trinity Table, free champagne, hats and noisemakers. Soft ACOYA Seniors, 8 p.m., Charles and Nevart Talanian Barsoumian, picture above, will pre - drinks are included and outside liquor is permitted. Music Cultural Hall, Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Greater sent “Our Light, Our Hope,” a musical by will be provided by DJ Allen who plays a large variety Boston, 145 Brattle St., Cambridge. All are invited. program for commemoration and of different styles of music including Armenian, Featuring International DJ Ace with music from all renewal, at the Majestic Ambassador American, Latin & Continental tunes. Children dine, are decades, including traditional Armenian favorites. Auditorium in Pasadena, Calif. For supervised and entertained with activities in adjacent Donation $30 for adults and $20 for children 12 and tickets, call (818) 500-9997 or room with Santa. As in other years, the midnight Times Square countdown will be televised. Adults $70, Children under ($35 adults/$25 children 12 and under after (818)538-4911. January 1). Includes mezze buffet, cash bar. Semi-formal 12-7 & under $25, Children under 6 are free. For reser - attire. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased vations contact any of the following: Church Office 201- online at 111.holytrinitywinterball.eventbrite.com. For 567-5446 e-mail: [email protected]; Ani: 201-767-3846 e-mail: [email protected]; Talar: 201- table reservations of 8 to 10, email [email protected] or JANUARY 13, 2015 — Prof. Taner Akçam, “Giving Voice 240-8541e-mail: [email protected]; Maral: 845-729- call 617-354-06432. to the Voiceless: Armenian Genocide Survivors and 1888 e-mail: [email protected]. Everyone is urged JANUARY 11, 2015 — Armenian Christmas Party, spon - the Aleppo Rescue House of the League of to make an early reservation as space is limited. sored by the Armenian International Women’s Nations.” At Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall, Payments are due in advance and may be mailed to St. Association. 2-4 p.m., Armenian Cultural Foundation, Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Cambridge, MA. 6:30 Thomas Armenian Church, P. O. Box 53, Tenafly, NJ, 441 Mystic St., Arlington. RSVP: 617-926-0171 orin - p.m. dinner (reservation required) followed by lecture 07670. [email protected]. at 8 p.m. Co-sponsored by the Knights and Daughters of

St. Vartan’s Cathedral Hosts Christmas Concert

CONCERT, from page 13 played with formidable technique, fiery the delight of all the youngsters. The tree was purchased and donated by the front of their older peers. With amazing coordi - expression, and concluded the many and dif - Expressing appreciation to all the perform - Sahakyans, two dedicated brothers who also nation, they swayed, sang and clapped to their ferent segments of the familiar music with a ers, Kiledjian announced are officials of the Times Square commemo - own special musical numbers. virtuosic and exciting finale. Their beautifully that Zankagner would return to the church rations. The Zangakner ensemble was formed four coordinated performance melded together in for the Easter celebration on April 5, “so that Kiledjian led the cheerful countdown, as years ago by Hasmik Konjoyan “with the mis - sheer artistry, and brought on a thunderous we can be uplifted again.” the lighting brought on a joyful outburst, sion of bringing the world of music to standing ovation. After the inspiring concert, the lighting of after which the crowd warmed up at a recep - Armenian children from various schools in Hagopian-Rogers, born in New York City, is the large Christmas tree on the cathedral tion in the church hall replete with Armenian the Greater Boston area.” They have per - the grandson of acclaimed oudist Richard plaza went forward despite the incessant rain. delicacies and Christmas fun. formed at the Children’s Planet, and at Hagopian, who is teaching Armenian music to the 2014 Musical Odyssey holiday musicals. the 10-year-old prodigy. He attends the Konjoyan, originally from Armenia, has had Kaufman Center Special Music School on a concert performances in Europe, Canada, and full scholarship. Playing the violin since age 4, the US, and previously was the artistic direc - he won the second prize at the International Mirror-Spectator tor and conductor of the award-win - Violin Competition in Cremona, Italy, at age 8. ning Kantegh children’s choir, and founder He has performed for famed violinists Joshua and conductor of the Luys Zvart children’s Bell and Uto Ughi, and attended master class - Seeking Advertising Representative choir. She has several recordings to her cred - es with Maxim Vengerov. He also studies The is seeking a part-time advertising sales represen - it. piano and composition in Juilliard’s pre-col - Armenian Mirror-Spectator A wonder to behold lege program. tative, starting immediately. Following a short intermission, a 10-year- Arzruni has played in concerts around the Salary will be based on commission only. Hours are flexible. old “wonder to behold” took the stage. world as a recitalist, chamber music partner Violinist Simon Hagopian-Rogers is small in and orchestral soloist. His many accomplish - If interested in the position, contact Hasmik Saroyan at 617-924-4420 or email resume size, but enormous in talent. Accompanying ments include writing, lecturing and produc - and contact information to [email protected] him on piano was his mentor, the master ing. As a Steinway artist, he has recorded pianist, ethnomusicologist, and renowned more than 20 albums, with a special focus on television and radio performer Sahan Arzruni. repertoire by the masters and Armenian com - Seeking Receptionist Tackling a diverse classical program, the posers specifically for younger pianists. The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is seeking a part-time receptionist, starting immedi - pair began their performance with the two- Recently, he recorded the complete works of ately. movement Sonata for Violin and Piano by Komitas. He has given command perfor - Pietro Locatelli, with its impressive phrasing mances at the White House, as well as the Duties will include mailings and answering the phone, as well as soliciting adver - and rhythms. It was followed by the much British, Swedish, Danish and Icelandic courts. tisement. Speaking Armenian is a plus but not necessary. loved rhapsodic and lyrical Chant-Poeme by The extraordinary concert ended with a Knowledge of computers is a plus. Khachaturian, played with great feeling and medley of joyful Greek, Russian, English, and Pay commensurate with experience. understanding. Armenian Christmas songs, sung in perfect Bizet’s Fantasia on Carmen took in all harmony by the Zangakner group. It ushered To apply, please email [email protected] or [email protected] forms of musical magic. The two musicians in the dashing entrance of Santa Claus — to 18 S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 20, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

COMMENTARY Mirror The Fateful Year — 2015

Spectator pendent Armenia can move both as a legal and political force, By Edmond Y. Azadian if depopulation does not erode its vitality. Despite their meager forces, Diaspora Armenians have car - ried the torch and the powerful Turkish state reckons with Armenians around the world will cross the threshold of the them and considers them more than a nuisance. year 2015 with trepidation and anticipation. However, there is In 1946, during the founding of the United Nations, the EstablEisshteadbl1is9h3e2 d 1932 no magic in numbers — whatever did not happen in a full cen - Armenians were able to present their case, although through tury will not happen in a single year and whatever was not An ADALnP AuDblLic Patuiobnlication two diverse groups, which demonstrated the inherent weakness achieved in 100 years will not be achieved in one year. of our case. However, the symbolism of the centennial resides in the fact Ever since, Armenians have been developing political aware - that Armenians will take stock of what happened in the entire ness to mobilize themselves in Western democracies and thus

EDITOR past century, to find out what they learned through their expe - far have been able to serve as a counterweight to Turkey’s orga - Alin K. Gregorian rience to be able to assess the future and take the proper nized onslaught and allocated hefty resources. actions so that the gory burden of history would not drag on Jean Marie Carzou published a book in France titled An ASSISTANT EDITOR for another century. Exemplary Genocide. The Armenian Genocide was indeed an Aram Arkun The irony is that after walking for 100 years, we are still only exemplary one, as it conforms to all the historical, legal and

ART DIRECTOR at the beginning of our journey. The devastating blow of the moral definitions of the act of genocide. The irony is that any Marc Mgrditchian Genocide was so monumental that for 50 years — while licking truth and any morally correct act cannot stand on their own their wounds — the Armenians could not fathom the enormity and they will collapse unless supported by military and political of the tragedy: an entire population was uprooted from its power. That is why Turkey and its denialist partners can tram - ancestral land of 3,000 years and scattered around the world. ple the truth with impunity and it is up to the Armenians and Mass destruction of human lives was witnessed many times human rights organization to fight for the truth in an unequal SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: in history, but this was unique in its intent, magnitude and the battleground. Edmond Azadian results. The Holocaust, the better-known genocide which took The Armenian extermination directly led to the coining of the place a few decades later in Europe, followed much the same term “genocide.” Indeed, international jurist Raphael Lemkin, CONTRIBUTORS: model. who came up with the word in 1944, cited the Turkish exter - Florence Avakian, Dr. Haroutiune When the Armenians woke up from their stupor, half a cen - Arzoumanian, Taleen Babayan, Diana mination of the Armenians and the Nazi extermination of the Der Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, tury had already elapsed and the world around them had Jews at the defining examples of what he meant by the term. Kevork Keushkerian, Harut Sassounian, changed dramatically. In 1997, the International Association of Genocide Scholars Hagop Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian The year 1965 was a turning point in our collective realiza - unanimously posted a resolution affirming the historic reality tion of the trauma. In that year, the Armenians began to engage of the Armenian Genocide. CORRESPONDENTS: in political activism, scholarly endeavors and reshaping the col - In June 2000, 126 leading scholars of the Holocaust, includ - Armenia - Hagop Avedikian lective memory. ing Elie Wiesel and Yehuda Bauer, published a statement in the Boston - Nancy Kalajian Genghis Khan, Talaat Pasha, Hitler and Stalin did not suffer New York Times declaring the “incontestable fact of the Philadelphia - Lisa Manookian any deficiency in intelligence; they suffered from a deficiency of Berlin - Muriel Mirak-Weissbach Armenian Genocide” and urged Western democracies to humanity and conscience. In their case, intelligence and human - acknowledge it. Contributing Photographers: ity were mutually exclusive. They were perverted geniuses as The much-maligned TARC (Turkish Armenian Reconciliation Jacob Demirdjian and Jirair Hovsepian they doggedly pursued their bloodthirsty goals, treating human Commission) submitted its findings in 2002 to the lives as so many expendable commodities in the process. International Center for Transitional Justice, which affirmed To make an impact on human civilization — no matter how that wholesale mass murder of the Armenians in their home - The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published nefariously — one needs a tremendous amount of prowess, land amounted to genocide. The Turks were party to TARC and weekly, except two weeks in July and the first which unfortunately this gruesome foursome possessed. soon distanced themselves when even a group like TARC, con - week of the year, by: For the Turks, Talaat Pasha was a visionary leader. Today, sidered soft and designed to appease all, could only reach the Baikar Association, Inc. when President Erdogan boasts of a 98-percent Muslim popu - one conclusion that all other legitimate groups did regarding 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 lation in Turkey, he certainly credits that achievement in homo - this issue. Telephone: 617-924-4420 geneity to Talaat Pasha’s vision, who believed that Turkey could More than 20 countries have passed different legislative res - FAX: 617-924-2887 assimilate Kurds and Alevis through religion. But Armenians olutions recognizing the Armenian Genocide and the number is www.mir rorspectator.com did not have any common denominator with the Turks, in growing, the latest being Bolivia. Talaat’s calculations; therefore he assigned them for extermina - After a long period of silence, the Turks found out that they E-Mail: editor@mirrorspectator .com tion. are at the losing end of an advocacy battle and changed their For advertising: [email protected] A few years ago, a Turkish defense minister asked rhetorical - policy first by reacting to any country recognizing the Genocide ly whether Turkey would have been at its present dimensions if and by allocating sizable resources for PR and especially buying it had not expelled the Armenians and Greeks. scholars and history chairs in academic centers. That is why one After the Genocide, when Ittihadist government functionaries of their favorite campaign themes has become “let us leave his - changed hats and joined Ataturk’s Milli Movement, they con - tory to historians and not to legislatures,” with the hope that SUBSCRIPTION RATES : tinued their genocidal policy of dumping the Greeks in the eventually the fate of the Armenian Genocide may be deter - Aegean Sea in Smyrna and deporting Armenians from Cilicia. mined by the scholars getting paid to form their points of view. Even the exchange of populations between Greece and Turkey The Armenian Genocide issue has been politicized and used U.S.A. $80 a year intended the further Islamization of the latter. The case has over time — alternatively — by the state of Israel, the US and the been thoroughly researched by Taner Akçam in his book, A European Union, every time one of them had an exe to grind Canada $125 a year Shameful Act. with Turkey or needed to extort a political concession from Other Countries $190 a year Today, 20 to 25 million Kurds account for almost one third of Ankara. Turkey’s population and they are considered a threat to the As Turkey and Azerbaijan allocated more funding trying to country’s territorial integrity. Although there are no reliable win the battle on the scholarly front, the number of denialists © 2014 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator statistics from pre-World War I Turkey, the Armenian popula - is growing in addition to Bernard Lewis (who had to pay a sym - Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA tion then matched the Kurdish population. Had the Armenians bolic fine to the French court for denying the Armenian and additional mailing offices. been allowed a natural growth like the Kurds, they would have Genocide), Stanford Shaw, Justin McCarthy, Guenter Lewy, been even more of a serious threat to Turkey’s homogeneous Heath W. Lowry are considered the old guard of the denialist ISSN 0004-234X nature. Therefore, 2015 should mark not only the anniversary front, as new names have been added to the ranks taking a for the loss of 1.5 million lives, but also the unborn genera - more aggressive posture, such as Hakan Yavuz (University of tions, which have been lost forever. Utah), Sinan Ciddi, David C. Cuthell, Sabri Sayari and others. Talaat Pasha and the Ittihadist triumvirate were so cunning On the other hand, a majority of the members of the POSTMASTER : Send address changes to The in their designs that the Armenian leadership could not possi - International Association of Genocide Scholars, headed by Armenian Mirror-Spectator, 755 Mount Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472 bly anticipate the existential threat that was about to immolate Israel Charny, are solidly behind the veracity of the Armenian them. Other than the editorial, views and opinions Genocide. expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily Today’s Armenian scene probably corresponds to the condi - In recent years, with the crack of the wall of silence in Turkey, reflect the policies of the publisher. tions the Turks could imagine; an amorphous group of people a new phenomenon has developed, as Turkish scholars came scattered around the globe, most of the time at odds with each out in support of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide — other individually or in groups but seldom together as a force scholars such as Taner Akçam, Halil Berktay, Murad Belge, against the perpetrators. The majority of the group in the Fikret Adanir, Fuad Bundar, Baskin Oran, Ugur Umit Ungor, Diaspora has lost its national consciousness and sense of pre - Fatma Goçek and others. serving its heritage, leaving the responsibility of carrying the The pioneer of the movement was the courageous journalist Copying for other than personal use or mission for justice to a minority who bears in its blood the bur - Hrant Dink, who sacrificed his life for his cause. Dink main - internal reference is prohibited without den of history. tained that Turkey had been closed for three generations and express permission of the copyright owner. Address requests for reprints or Soviet Armenia has been the harbinger of maintaining the that it would take time and immense effort to change. “The back issues to: culture and keeping the population together, even by coercion, problem Turkey faces today is neither a problem of ‘denial’ nor but being a part (or particle) of a global political entity, it could ‘acknowledgement,’” he wrote in 2005. “Turkey’s main problem Baikar Association, Inc. not serve as a legal base, which our cause needed. Today, inde - continued on next page 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 20, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 19 COMMENTARY

Lebanon, and the International Criminal Tribunal for for - with the majority’s ruling and submitted a comprehensive mer Yugoslavia. 19-page report on the Armenian Genocide, siding with the Amal was born in Lebanon to a Druze father and Sunni Swiss court. Muslim mother in 1978. At the age of 2, her family moved On March 17, 2014, Switzerland decided to appeal the to the United Kingdom. She received her law degree from ruling to ECHR’s 17-judge Grand Chamber, to defend the My Turn New York University School of Law and clerked at the integrity of its laws and the country’s legal system. International Court of Justice (World Court). After return - Specifically, the Swiss government challenged the court’s By Harut Sassounian ing to London in 2010, she became a barrister at the decision on three grounds: Doughty Street Chambers. She served as advisor to Kofi 1) ECHR had never before dealt with the juridical quali - Annan, UN Special Envoy on Syria, and as Counsel to the fication of genocide and the scope of freedom of expres - Breaking News: Amal Clooney 2013 UN Drone Inquiry team. She is fluent in English, sion; To Represent Armenia in French and Arabic. Her marriage to George Clooney in 2) The undue restriction of “the margin of appreciation” September 2014 made worldwide headlines. available to Switzerland under ECHR’s jurisprudence; European Court With such impeccable credentials, Mrs. Clooney will be a 3) The establishment of “artificial distinctions” — in the great asset to Armenia’s legal team in Strasbourg, in the absence of an international verdict, ECHR should have con - Here is a surprising news item being disclosed for the appeal of Perincek vs. Switzerland before the Grand sidered the Turkish Court’s 1919 guilty verdicts against first time in this column — Amal Ramzi Alamuddin, wife of Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights the masterminds of the Armenian Genocide as evidence prominent actor and human rights activist George Clooney, on January 28. related to World Court’s jurisprudence. will be one of the attorneys representing Armenia next The case involves the conviction by Swiss courts of Dogu Last year, when ECHR’s lower court was considering month at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Perincek, a minor Turkish political party leader, who had Perincek’s case, Armenia did not participate. Turkey, how - Some readers may wonder how a woman described by travelled to Switzerland in 2005 with the explicit intent of ever, intervened by submitting extensive documentation Elle magazine as having “stunning looks, flirty dresses, tai - denying the truth of the Armenian Genocide. In 2008, questioning the veracity of the Armenian Genocide. This lored pants, colorful heels and gorgeous hair” is involved in Perincek appealed the Swiss ruling to the European Court time around Armenia will take part with a strong legal such a complex legal matter? of Human Rights. A majority of five out of seven ECHR team, which includes Geoffrey Robertson QC, a preeminent It may be astonishing to most people that Amal judges ruled on Dec. 17, 2013 that Switzerland had violat - international lawyer and author of the remarkable book, Alamuddin, now Mrs. Clooney, is much more than a pretty ed Perincek’s right to free expression. “An Inconvenient Genocide: Who Now Remembers the face! In fact, she is perfectly qualified for this critical assign - This ruling was an unfair and unacceptable double stan - Armenians?” Robertson will be joined in court by his asso - ment. dard, as the court considered denial of the Jewish ciate Amal Clooney, and two Armenian government repre - Mrs. Clooney is a highly regarded attorney specializing in Holocaust a crime, but Armenian Genocide denial an sentatives Gevorg Kostanyan and Emil Babayan. international law, criminal law, human rights, and extradi - infringement on free speech. The five judges who ruled It is imperative that on the eve of the Armenian tion. She has been involved in several major lawsuits such against Switzerland made countless judgmental and factu - Genocide’s Centennial in 2015, ECHR’s Grand Chamber as return of the Elgin Marbles from Great Britain to Greece, al errors, misrepresenting Perincek’s allegations, misinter - reverse the lower court’s flawed ruling, restoring the and defending Julian Assange of WikiLeaks and former preting Switzerland’s laws and court rulings, lacking basic integrity of Swiss laws and preventing Turkey and Perincek Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. She has also knowledge of the Armenian Genocide, and repeatedly con - from exporting their genocide denialism to Europe and worked with the Prosecutor of the UN Special Tribunal for tradicting themselves. Two of the seven judges disagreed beyond!

But when it comes to the study of genocide, Institute, political parties and organizations in out why the bomb was planted in the first The Fateful there is divergence among Armenian histori - Europe, South America and in the newly ener - place. He published a book titled La Bomba , ans. Some of the young scholars in Armenia gized Armenian community in Russia. and ever since, he has become an advocate for accuse their colleagues in the US of being trai - One of the breakthroughs of the past centu - the recognition of the Genocide. tors, as if they have sold their souls to the ry was the military and the armed struggle for Similarly, the famous Turkish novelist Elif Year –2015 Turks or to the US. The counter accusation is the recognition of the Genocide. Shafak has discovered the Armenian Genocide that Genocide scholarship has been developing No matter where one stands — morally and in a traumatic way; growing up as the daugh - from previous page on nationalists lines in Armenia and therefore legally — on the issue of armed struggle or ter - ter of a Turkish diplomat, she shivered every is comprehension and for the process of com - lacks credibility in the West. No visible effort rorism, one cannot fail to notice the results time she heard the word Armenian for fear that prehension, Turkey seriously needs an alterna - has been exerted to narrow the divide and achieved by that struggle. In the 1970s, almost her mother, a career diplomat, would get assas - tive study of history and for this, a democratic mobilize forces towards true and solid scholar - 75 Turkish diplomats were assassinated sinated. Once she became older, she wanted to environment.” ship. throughout the world. Granted, they were all find out why Armenian youth were so intent For most of these Turkish scholars, the Some scholars in the west try to undermine career diplomats with no blood on their hands. on drawing Turkish blood. Later on, she fea - thrust was the democratization of Turkey. The the foundations of Dadrian’s work in genocide But they represented and symbolized a state tured the Armenian Genocide in one of her country had to come clean regarding its dark studies, in an effort to enhance their own which had exterminated 1.5 million innocent novels, The Bastard of Istanbul , and published past, in order to be eligible to join the civilized images. souls and sitting on their ashes, continued to it in defiance of the Turkish court. nations of the world. Therefore, the issue of There is also a very dangerous issue which deny the crime. The comfort of the Turkish We face 2015 with many unfulfilled dreams Genocide was the essential incidental. The pri - should not be sacrificed to competing egos: the state was shaken and the case of the Armenian and projects. We have more problems to face mary goal was the emancipation of Turkey truth at the foundation of the definition of Genocide was thrust on the international than our dreams. The remains of the Genocide from its historic burden. Genocide. Article 2 of the United Nations scene. victims are not yet buried, nor is their quest for The Armenians should not assume that the Convention on Genocide, adopted in 1948, In a paper published in Foreign Affairs mag - justice attained. The struggle is ahead of us. majority of Turkish scholars would go beyond defines genocide as “acts committed with azine, Thomas de Waal makes the following Some historians and editorialists tell the public the recognition of the Genocide by the govern - intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a nation - statement: “When Turkish historians finally that we have crossed a stage of recognition and ment and that mostly for self-serving purposes, al, ethnic, racial or religious group, as such.” returned to the topic [of Genocide] in the late we need to concentrate on compensation. A rather than for historic justice. Try to mention The Turks, eventually may settle for any term 1970s, they did so in response to a wave of ter - footnote on the report of a UN rapporteur territorial claims from Turkey and you will see except the world “genocide,” because the latter rorist attacks on Turkish diplomats in Western about the Armenian Genocide is not equivalent that you part ways with them. carries legal consequences in terms of punish - Europe, most of them carried out by Armenian to UN recognition. Nor can President Ronald During one of the Genocide scholars’ meet - ment and reparations. militants based in Beirut. … Turkish society has Reagan’s reference to the Armenian Genocide ings in Yerevan, I was startled by Baskin Oran, Next, they would pay any price to interject a began to revisit the dark pages of its past.” memorial be counted as recognition, especially the fiercest critic of the current Turkish gov - shade of benefit of doubt about the intent or This was one of the bloody stages of when it was recanted later. ernment, who happens to support the recogni - premeditation portion of the act of genocide. Armenians struggle which also had its unin - Recognition and quest for compensation go tion of the Armenian Genocide. He jumped Unfortunately, some scholars are buying into tended consequences. hand in hand. Recognition will only enhance from his seat when he heard one of the speak - the apologists’ argument to make their schol - Thus, a Spanish journalist, Jose Antonio the chances of compensation. ers mentioning territorial claims: “Who is that arship marketable in the West. Gurriaran, a contributor to the Pueblo news - Whatever was not achieved in one century, nationalist?” he asked with anger. After considering documents at the military paper, was injured by a bomb blast planted in a will be carried over to the next century, until Not only do we have limitations with those tribunals in Istanbul at the end of World War phone booth by Armenian youth. That incident the future generations can bring closure and scholars, we will also face the Kurds when I, after reading Morgenthau’s statement that sparked in him the interest to research and find justice to this deep wound. push comes to shove. Today, the Kurds have the Ottoman government has determined to been apologizing to the Armenians individual - exterminate the Armenians and after reviewing ly and as a group, for their ancestors’ collusion Talaat Pasha’s Black Book , newly discovered in the Genocide. The day they attain their and published by Murad Bardakci then could autonomy or independence, their tune will cer - not be any question about the premeditated Notice to Contributors tainly change. And the Kurds are sitting right nature of the Armenian Genocide. The welcomes articles, commentaries and community news from our on our historic lands. Armenian Mirror-Spectator Armenia must serve as the hub of Genocide readers. In order to assure the accurate and timely publication of articles submitted, please note the Huge endeavors have been undertaken by studies. The inroads that Armenians have following policies: Armenian historians in developing a credible developed in the academic circles in Europe — All articles submitted should be typed, double (or triple) spaced and printed in a type size large body of Genocide scholarship that can with - and Russia will help to internationalize the enough to be clearly legible (10 point or larger). Submissions that do not conform to these specifica - stand historic and legal scrutiny and chal - issue of the Genocide. In that sense, Yuri tions will be assigned lowest priority. lenges. In the West, Vahakn Dadrian has been Georgivich Barsegov, an expert in internation - — Articles sent by fax are acceptable, e-mail submissions are encouraged. the pioneer in dissecting history with mathe - al law, has made a huge contribution by pub - — All submissions should include the name of a contact person and a daytime telephone number. matical accuracy. Many scholars have followed lishing two volumes under the title The — Deadline for submission of all articles and advertising is 12 noon on Monday of the week of publi - suit. Armenian Genocide: A Crime Under cation. — Photos will be published without charge at the discretion of the editors and art director. Photos will Richard Hovannisian’s contributions have International Law. be returned only if a self-addressed and stamped envelope is included. also paved the way. In free societies, scholars We will be facing the Turks on political, — The will publish only one article about an upcoming organizational event. For major special M-S are not supposed to hold identical views on scholarly, cultural, moral and even military events, exceptions may be made only by special arrangement with the editors. issues , as they do in autocratic countries, fronts, and solid scholarship can serve as an — Telephone numbers, ticket prices and other details (at the discretion of the editors) will not be includ - where the state dictates the “truth” and the awesome weapon in the hands of all activists ed in press releases, but should be reserved for calendar listings and advertisements. scholars have to endorse that truth and find or and groups, the Armenian Assembly, the manufacture evidence to support that “truth.” Armenian National Committee, the Zoryan 20 S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 27, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR

Aram Satyan President of Armenian Composers Union Visits Boston

SATYAN, from page 1 Satyan has been president of the Composers titions. For example, there is the Edvard produce at the level of internationally recog - from 1939-47, served as head of the Union of the Republic of Armenia for approxi - Mirzoyan Adolescent Composers Competition nized composers. Satyan said, “I believe we Composers Union from 1948-52, and received mately one year. The Union was founded in for 9-16 year olds. In 2014, the Union assisted have to make contemporary music which the USSR state prize in 1952. He was the 1932 for professional musicians and musicolo - in the presentation of the Tekeyan Cultural while not cut off from its roots has something author of well-known songs such as Yes im gists. Its goals are to get its members’ compo - Association award to composer Edvard new to say. You can use contemporary anush Hayastani. sitions performed widely and have their schol - Yerganyan. Events are held outside of approaches and techniques but keep the Aram Satyan’s father Aram Satunts (Satyan) arly work disseminated, as well as to increase Armenia in collaboration with various organi - Armenian way of thinking and melodies.” was a composer who worked in a variety of international knowledge of professional zations. In December the Union had some Armenians certainly have excelled in music on genres. Aram Satyan’s son Davit works as a Armenian music and musicology. In the Soviet events in Moscow and in Paris, as well as in an international level in the past. Satyan composer in London, while his nephew Arthur period, socialist realism, national cultural tra - the United States. believes this will continue. He said, “Our Satyan works as professor in a Beirut conser - ditions and communist ideology were stressed Satyan declared, “Art is that monument youth are very good, and their names will be vatory and performs jazz throughout by the union but this changed after indepen - which has preserved the Armenians for cen - heard very soon. Many of our young com - Lebanon. dence. There are approximately 140 members. turies. Without statehood, we endured posers continue their education abroad, going Aram Satyan, after graduating the piano The majority are in Armenia but there also are through our art, and maintained our culture. to places in Europe, Russia and the US. After department of the Aleksandr Spendiaryan members in many countries scattered around We now boast we had luminaries such as a recent festival of Armenian music in Russia, Music School, studied at the Romanos the globe. Requirements for membership Sayat Nova, Narekatsi and Aram the Russians said that after the Soviet period, Melikyan Music College from 1961-65 under include a professional musical education and Khachaturian. It is thanks to them that we only the schools of Moscow-St. Petersburg and the composer Eduard Baghdasaryan, and then contributions to Armenian music, but not continue as a nation, not the construction of Yerevan remain to keep classical music at a at the Yerevan Armenian State Conservatory Armenian ethnic background. a building or factory, though of course these high level.” Satyan felt, “The results will be with Edvard Mirzoyan and Aleksandr The Union has its center in Yerevan on are also necessary things. Everybody must seen when we can bring the work of our com - Harutyunyan. He went on to the Moscow Derenik Demirchyan Street with a recording understand that culture is the protector of our position school outside not only to the Conservatory in 1970. His compositions have studio, a hall, and a wonderful Martiros borders, of the borders of the Armenian mind. Armenian community but to the world. This is won various competitions in the USSR and in Saryan mural work painted directly on the It is a very powerful weapon. Symphonic the main goal of the Composers Union.” Armenia in particular. He has composed three wall. In Dilijan it runs the Edvard Mirzoyan music, for example, lasts for centuries.” The Union encourages professional compo - symphonies, various concertos and works for Composers House of Creativity. The latter However, things have changed in Armenia. sition not only in classical but in popular chamber orchestras, and hundreds of pop includes 11 hectares of beautiful landscape, Satyan explained that in the Soviet past the music. A certain level thus can be kept which songs, as well as music for film and theater. cottages, and a hall with great acoustics. state strongly supported composers and the also is important in preserving an “Armenian His popular songs won various awards in the Under Satyan’s leadership, the Composers arts, and classical music flourished. Now mentality” in Estrada and pop music. Satyan Soviet Union. He has composed two pop Union has seen a flurry of activity. A website “there are new relationships so that com - finds that there is a foreign influence in operas, “Lilit” and “Pokrik Tsakhese.” He is at has been created for the first time (com - posers must understand how to act in the mar - Armenian rabiz music, for example, which is present a professor at the Armenian State posers.am). The Union continues to hold a ketplace.” The state can only help a little, and alien to Armenians. Conservatory. variety of events every year as well as compe - Furthermore, Armenians must continue to Satyan sees that in many Armenian commu - nities outside of Armenia the stress is placed on Armenian song. He said, “This is a very eas - ily accessible and understandable genre of music, but there are also other genres which must be presented, such as symphonic, orches - tral, or opera, and opportunities must be cre - ated for Armenian composers in these realms.” Satyan hopes to further encourage the spread of Armenian classical music outside of Armenia, and finds that Armenian composers in different parts of the world can play an important role in this process not only through their own creative work but as a bridge to composers in Armenia. Maestro Konstantin Petrossian, for example, plays such a role as an active representative of the Union in North America. Among Satyan’s goals is the renovation of the Dilijan center, since little had been done in post-Soviet times. He feels it can become a great music center which will hold interna - tional festivals in its hall. A special fund must be created and money raised to carry out the necessary work. The second floor of the Yerevan building does not have sufficient heat - ing or cooling systems, which among other things places the Saryan mural in danger, so this is another forthcoming project in need of financial support. The Composers Union is working toward the confirmation of intellectual copyright in Armenia because radio and television shows often use the music of Armenian composers without the payment of royalties or even acknowledgment of the name of composers. Many musical events in different genres are being planned for the centennial of the Armenian Genocide in 2015. Satyan feels that “we must not just cry but must show that we are a victorious people, winners.” He finds that the Armenian way of thought and culture is a triumphant one that can take the Armenian people forward for many more cen - turies.