APRIL 14, 2018 Mirror-SpeTHE ARMENIAN ctator Volume LXXXVIII, NO. 38, Issue 4533 $ 2.00 NEWS The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 INBRIEF Soldier Killed by Azeri New Army in Artsakh (Armenpress) — Defense Army con- script Narek Harutyunyan, 20, was killed by Armenian Azerbaijani forces on April 9 at about 2 p.m. in the southern section of the contact line. The spokesperson of the Defense Ministry of President Artsrun Hovhannisyan said an investigation is underway. “The Defense Ministries of the Republic of Armenia and the share the Sworn In grief of the loss and express solidarity with the fam- ily, relatives and co-servicemen of the killed sol- Ex-President Expected to dier,” Hovhannisyan posted on his Facebook page. Retain Power Armenia Negotiates YEREVAN (RFE/RL, Armenpress) — With Tesla Storage Armen Sarkisian was sworn in as president of Armenia amid speculation that outgoing From left, head of the Armenian Catholic Church Krikor Bedros XX Gabroyan, Catholicos of Battery Project President Serzh Sargsyan will become All Armenians Karekin II, Pope Francis and Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I prime minister, a post that is now more YEREVAN (Armenpress) — With increased elec- powerful than the presidency due to consti- tricity production through solar power stations, New Statue of St. Gregory of Narek Armenia is eying the establishment of accumulative stations (batteries). Unveiled in Vatican Gardens Harutyunyan, deputy minister of energy infrastructures and natural resources, said this VATICAN CITY (Combined Sources) — Pope Francis on Thursday, April 5, con- week they want to build the first 14 MW / h ener- secrated the bronze statue of Saint Gregory of Narek (Grigor Narekatsi), a 10th- gy storage accumulator battery by 2020 in century poet and monk. Ddmashen, Gegharkunik province. The historic event was attended by President “The battery stations are necessary not only for Serzh Sargsyan, Catholicos of All Armenians renewable energy, but also for our base capacities. Karekin II and Catholicos of the Great House of President Armen Sarkisian We aim at the maximally efficient use of our base Cilicia Aram I as well as the head of the capacities,” he said. Armenian Catholic Church Krikor Bedros XX The ministry is currently discussing approaches tutional reforms. Gabroyan. of the construction of the stations. Armen Sarkisian, who is not related to For the first time in history, all three Armenian Harutyunyan said they are also discussing the the outgoing president, was inaugurated in Church leaders were gathered together with the possibility of hydro-accumulation stations – taking a ceremony at the Karen Demirchian Roman Pontiff. It is something that Pope Francis into account the hydro-energy resource of Armenia. Sports and Concert Hall on April 9. prayed for in 2015. The 64-year-old Sarkisian, a former The bronze statue, designed by David ambassador to Britain, was elected to a Yerevantsi, was forged in the Czech Republic Sarkisian Meets with seven-year term by lawmakers on March 2. under the joint sponsorship of Mikael Minasyan, Opposition leaders have accused Serzh Armenia’s ambassador to the Holy See, and Eurnekian to Discuss Sarkisian, who was first elected in 2008 and Artur Janibekyan, the director of Gazprom Media Armenia’s Development held office for two terms, of seeking the Holding (). prime minister’s job to allow him to retain see STATUE, page 4 YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Armenia’s new presi- power. dent, Dr. Armen Sarkisian, visited on April 5 see PRESIDENT, page 2 Tierras de Armenia CJSC, owned and operated by Argentine-Armenian businessman and philan- thropist Eduardo Eurnekian. Sarkisian and Eurnekian toured in the orchards and visited the wine bottling plant. The latter spoke Mass. State House Commemoration of about the work done there, future plans and pro- jects of his company. Sarkisian and Eurnekian talked about the Takes Place on April 20 prospects of Armenia’s development, and the opportunities for investments. BOSTON — Many prominent Massachu- Bedrosyan to Lecture on Islamized Armenians in Watertown Sarkisian expressed his gratitude to Eurnekian setts politicians will join the Armenian com- for his contribution to the economic development munity of Boston in commemorating the WATERTOWN — For more than a hundred years, Armenians talk about the murdered of Armenia, noting that he has brought a new busi- 103rd anniversary of the Armenian victims of the Genocide. It is time to talk about the living victims of the Genocide, the ness culture, mentality, work style and approaches Genocide on Friday, April descendants of assimilated survivors remaining in Turkey today. On Friday, to Armenia. 20 in the historic State April 20, at 7 p.m., Bedrosyan will be in Watertown to address these Tierras de Armenia was founded in 2003. House. The Massachu- largely overlooked people who managed to preserve aspects of their identity setts Armenian communi- under extremely challenging circumstances. The Tekeyan Cultural ty is fortunate to have this Association and St. James Armenian Church present this illustrated talk, enti- unique setting for one of tled “Islamized Hidden Armenians of Turkey: Hidden Victims of a Genocide,” the most prominent com- followed by a question-and-answer session open to the public. INSIDE memorations of the see LECTURE, page 10 Genocide in the United States. This year guest speaker Raffi Bedrosyan Times Square will give unique insights Raffi into the Islamized “hid- Bedrosyan den” Armenians of Turkey, Gathering the liv- ing victims of the Page 6 Youth Genocide, and popular soprano Knarik Program Nerkararyan will perform several musical pieces. INDEX April 21 at On Saturday, April 21, a Arts and Living ...... 13 special program oriented Armenia ...... 2 Armenian to the youth will be pre- Community News...... 5 sented at Armenian Editorial ...... 18 Heritage Heritage Park. International ...... 3,4 Park see BOSTON, page 12 “Hidden” Armenians from Turkey visit the Armenian Genocide monument in Armenia. 2 S ATURDAY, A PRIL 1 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia AUA, AGBU to Co-Host Lecture Series Commemorating First Republic Centennial

HALO Manager Gives YEREVAN — American University of Republic. The lectures will be delivered “Creating the Republic’s Armenia (AUA) and the Armenian in AUA’s Manoogian Hall on April 16, Infrastructure.” In the spotlight will be Update on Victims General Benevolent Union (AGBU) 18, and 20. the measures taken to lay the founda- STEPANAKERT (Armenpress) — Minister of Foreign Armenia will co-host a lecture series by Hovannisian is an Armenian- tions of a republican form of govern- Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh renowned historian Dr. Richard American historian and professor emer- ment, while also dealing with internal Republic) Masis Mayilian received the Artsakh Program Hovannisian dedicated to the 100th itus at the University of California, Los tensions, not only among the several Manager of the HALO Trust, Michael Newton, on April anniversary of the First Armenian Angeles. His works include an inim- Armenian political parties, but also 10. itable four-volume history of the First within the Armenian Revolutionary During the meeting, the sides discussed issues related Republic of Armenia, a series of books Federation (Dashnak Party). to the social security of the family members of the HALO on the regions of , The lecture series will conclude on Trust deceased staffers, and those injured as a result of and an oral history project to record April 20 with the topic “Armenia in the the March 29 mine explosion in the Martakert region. Karapetyan ‘Very the eyewitness accounts of Armenian International Arena and an Assessment.” Newton briefed him on the course of the organization’s Genocide survivors. the Republic. The response of the Great investigation into the incident. Newton once more Likely’ to Become The first lecture, taking place on Powers was critical in that endeavor, and expressed his gratitude to the government of Artsakh for April 16 and titled “May 28: The it was a question of whether they would the prompt assistance rendered to the organization, as Deputy PM Uncharted Course Toward commit the resources necessary to well as personally to Mayilian, for visiting the HALO Trust Independence,” will focus on the con- honor their wartime pledges regarding Office with the director of the State Emergency Service, YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Outgoing ditions during World War I which the future of the Armenian people. The Karen Sargsyan, and for the moral support provided on Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan is made the road to independence collapse of the First Armenian Republic behalf of the authorities of Artsakh. “very likely” to serve as first deputy extremely treacherous and the chal- in December 1920 gave the answer to Mayilian reiterated the readiness of the Artsakh author- prime minister in Armenia’s new gov- lenges facing the desperate Armenian that question. As the Republic passed ities to continue supporting the activities of the HALO ernment that will be formed later this leadership seemingly insurmountable. into history, strongly divergent views Trust in the Republic. month, the ruling Republican Party But somehow the Republic managed to became manifest regarding its actual sig- (HHK) said on April 10. survive until the end of the war when nificance. Dr. Hovannisian will seek “Karen Karapetyan will continue to strong rays of hope spread over the answers to the question “In this centen- EU Is OK with Armenia’s play a serious role in the government slopes of Mount Ararat. Since then, nial year, what might be a realistic Power Plant system,” the HHK spokesman, Eduard May 28 has become the symbol of res- appraisal?” Sharmazanov, said. “It’s just that as urrected Armenian statehood after cen- The lectures and the following-up dis- YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — A landmark agreement signed has been the case until now, the leader turies of foreign dominion. cussions will be in English with simul- by Armenia and the European Union in November does and locomotive of that system will be On April 18, Hovannisian will talk on taneous translation into Armenian. not call for the closure of the Metsamor nuclear power [former President] Serzh Sargsyan, the plant anytime soon, a senior Armenian official insisted on head of the ruling party.” Tuesday, April 10. Karapetyan has been tipped to take The Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership up what will be the second most pow- Armenian Team Technology on Domestic Agreement (CEPA) covers a wide range of areas, including erful position under Armenia’s new, Armenia-EU cooperation on “energy matters.” It specifi- parliamentary system of government Violence Wins World Bank Grant since Sargsyan signaled last month his cally refers to “the closure and safe decommissioning of YEREVAN — The World Bank Group and Sexual Violence Research plans to hold on to power. The two met Metsamor nuclear power plant and the early adoption of Initiative (SVRI) have awarded $99,500 to an Armenian technology busi- on Saturday to discuss their political a road map or action plan to that effect.” ness foundation to help reduce incidents of gender-based violence (GBV). future two days before Sargsyan com- The 350-page agreement makes clear at the same time The award, part of the 2018 Development Marketplace for Innovation to pleted his second and final presidential that such a plan must take into account “the need for [the Address Gender-Based Violence, will support the Armenian Enterprise term. plant’s] replacement with new capacity to ensure the ener- Incubator Foundation (EIF) to deploy mobile applications and digital tech- Karapetyan said on Monday that gy security of the Republic of Armenia.” nologies that empower women with real-time expert support and informa- they decided to “propose” to the HHK Deputy Foreign Minister Karen Nazarian emphasized tion, and that collect critical data needed to inform policy on a larger scale. to nominate Sargsyan for prime minis- this provision when he assured Armenian lawmakers that The Award will also enable EIF to promote dialogue among stakeholders ter. as a result of the CEPA Yerevan will not be forced to shut in the field of GBV and ICT professionals. The Armenian parliament controlled down Metsamor before replacing it with a new nuclear or “I am very pleased to congratulate the Enterprise Incubator Foundation, by the HHK and its allies is due to vote other energy facility. “There is no such language in the our long-standing partner, with this outstanding award,” said Sylvie on the new prime minister on April 17. agreement,” Nazarian said during a parliament debate. Bossoutrot, World Bank Country Manager for Armenia. Sharmazanov said the party’s govern- The EU and the United State have long pressed for the The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 35 percent of ing body will discuss and field its can- decommissioning of the plant generating roughly one- women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual partner violence or didate for the top government post by third of Armenia’s electricity. non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime. the end of this week. Serzh Sargsyan pledged to build a new plant shortly “Studies show that gender-based violence can cost economies up to 3.7 Sargsyan appointed Karapetyan as after becoming president in 2008. However, his govern- percent of GDP due to lost productivity, in addition to the direct harm prime minister in September 2016 in ment failed to attract billions of dollars in funding need- caused to women and men,” said Caren Grown, Senior Director, Gender, the hope of speeding up sluggish eco- ed for replacing the Metsamor facility. The government World Bank Group. “The World Bank Group is proud to support the nomic growth through major reforms decided instead to extend the life of Metsamor’s 420- Development Marketplace winners, whose projects seek to find sustainable promised by the former business exec- megawatt reactor by 10 years, until 2027. and scalable approaches to preventing GBV for us today and for future gen- utive. Russia plays a key role in this endeavor, having provid- erations.” Opposition leaders scoffed at the out- ed Armenia with a $270-million loan and a $30-million Launched in 2015 in memory of Hannah Graham, daughter of a long- going premier’s readiness to down- grant in 2015. time World Bank Group employee, the Development Marketplace is an grade his nominal status. “I consider annual competition for researchers to find innovative solutions that can this a humiliation and deception of the help individuals, communities, and nations stamp out GBV. Sargsyan Meets with Armenian people, including by This year’s winners, chosen from more than 250 submissions from [Karapetyan,]” one of them, Raffi research institutions, NGOs, and aid and other organizations around the President of Lower House Hovannisian, told reporters. He argued world, come from Armenia, Cambodia, Colombia, Honduras, Jordan, Kenya, that it was Karapetyan, not Sargsyan, Of Italian Parliament Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Rwanda and South Africa. who led the HHK’s parliamentary elec- YEREVAN (Armenpress) — President Serzh Sargsyan tion campaign in April 2017. had a meeting on April 5 with Roberto Fico, President of the Chamber of Deputies (lower house of parliament) of in Rome. In the beginning of the meeting Fico asked the Armenian president about the process of his visit to Italy New Armenian President Sworn in and Vatican, the president’s office said. The president presented the busy agenda and results of PRESIDENT, from page 1 Sarkisian said in an interview that in establishment of equality of everyone the visit, the meeting and agreements which were Parliament is scheduled to elect a order to attract foreign investments it is before the law is very important, which, reached. prime minister on April 17. necessary to provide a transparent legal he says, depends not only on the state, Sargsyan congratulated Fico on his election as presi- Under a shift that was approved in a field and successful business examples but also the citizens, society and busi- dent of the Chamber of Deputies. December 2015 referendum, Armenia for investors. ness community. Sargsyan attached great importance to parliamentary changed its form of government from “In order to attract Western invest- As for the , ties in expanding the agenda of interstate relations, and semi-presidential to a parliamentary ments to Armenia everything must be Sarkisian said the Armenian traders told Fico that the Armenian parliament has formed a republic. done so that each potential investor still from the ancient times established good tradition of friendly ties with parliaments of numer- As a result, presidential veto powers knows what is waiting for him, in what business ties in remote coasts, from ous European countries. have been stripped from the post and conditions he is going to work, what is India to Iran, America to Australia. Sargsyan stressed it is time to also elevate the the presidency has been downgraded to the country’s legislation and practice “But the majority of the Western Armenian-Italian inter-parliamentary partnership. In this more of a figurehead position. where he is going to invest. And in Diaspora was formed when Armenians context he emphasized that simply the fact that the pre- Unlike previous post-Soviet presi- order to create a favorable investment were subjected to genocide in the vious Italian parliamentary friendship group with dents in Armenia, Armen Sarkisian was environment, a constant hard work is Ottoman Empire in late 19th century Armenia was one of the two largest groups in the world’s elected by parliament instead of by pop- needed,” he told TASS. and early 20th century. Today our com- parliaments speaks volumes. ular vote. According to him, from the perspec- patriots practically live in all conti- The constitutional reforms coming tive of the country’s economic and nents, they are actively engaged in the into effect also limit the president to a investment attractiveness, the further economic, public and cultural lives of single term. strengthening of the rule of law and 100 countries of the world,” he said. S A T U R D A Y , A P R I L 1 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 INTERNATIONAL Armenia Seeks Foreign Policy Balance International News

to start from the onset with ‘as well By Muriel Mirak-Weissbach as’ instead of ‘either/or.’ For in retro- North Korea Foreign spect, there are many who argue that Special to the Mirror-Spectator one should not have raised an Minister Visits ‘either/or’ but should have spoken of Azerbaijan BERLIN — In the current Cold War progressed steadily in line with an ‘as well as.’ Maybe we could have climate in East-West relations, exasper- Armenia’s foreign policy guidelines. avoided a lot that way.” (PanARMENIAN.Net) — North Korean ated by the British-Russian crisis Smbatyan ticked off a number of cor- Those who remember the two-day Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho left Pyongyang for around the Skripal affair, it has become nerstones of this partnership, from visit paid by President Serge Sargsyan Beijing on Tuesday, April 3 for a visit to Azerbaijan increasingly difficult for smaller nations 2004 when it was admitted into the to Germany in early April 2016 may and Russia, Sputnik reports. to maintain an independent stance in European Neighborhood Policy to 2006 remember that Armenia’s decision to After his visit to China, the minister was to take part the interest of protecting friendly rela- when the EU action plan entered into join the EEU had sparked controversy. in a ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement tions with both the West and Russia. No force; from 2009 when it joined the He was asked about this during an (NAM) scheduled for Thursday and Friday in Baku, and one knows this better than the Eastern Partnership, together with five interview with Deutsche Welle: then was going to visit Russia, the Yonhap news agency Armenians. Thus, when Ambassador other former members of the USSR, to “Armenia has been part of the ‘Eastern reported, citing diplomatic sources. Ashot Smbatyan was invited to speak at 2010 when it started association nego- Partnership’ program, which implied Pyongyang has not yet revealed any announcement the Lepsiushaus in Potsdam on March tiations with the EU. association prospects with the EU. But of the foreign minister’s tour. 22, he faced an audience of intellectu- Last year in November a framework you decided in favor of the Eurasian The Russian Foreign Ministry earlier said that als, political figures, diplomats and agreement with the EU was concluded Economic Union. What triggered this Moscow was working on the visit of the North members of the Armenian community, which is to begin implementation this decision? Russia’s pressure? Economic Korean foreign minister to Russia in the near future. eager to hear his views on “Armenia and Spring. If the earlier steps in the calculations? Ukrainian developments?” Europe: Taking Stock, with a View to process already laid the basis for Sargsyan was precise: “I would like to strengthening make a correction: We still are a mem- FIDE President Urged to national sover- ber of the ‘Eastern Partnership.’ The Resign eignty and con- new phase of negotiations began in tributing to December of last year. We will sign an MINSK (Public Radio of Armenia) — The social and eco- agreement with the EU. There was no International Chess Federation (FIDE) Presidential nomic stability pressure from the Russian side. We Board voted 14 to 1 with no abstentions to urge on the regional were guided by economic reasons. President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov to resign. level, this new Russia is our biggest market and our The issue was discussed during a meeting in Minsk, f r a m e w o r k largest trade partner. Russia has offered Belarus over the weekend. “opens up not very favorable conditions for us within FIDE said earlier that its Swiss bank accounts would only a new chap- the Eurasian Economic Union, by pro- be closed after Ilyumzhinov was accused of facilitating ter in Armenian- viding a 30-percent discount on its prod- transactions on behalf of the Syrian government. European rela- ucts. My principle is taking decisions Ilyumzhinov was added to a US Treasury tions, but also which can be realized.” Department sanctions list in 2015 for his alleged the possibility of At the time, and to her credit, dealings with the Assad government. finding new Chancellor Angela Merkel declared that The senior management of the bank extended the Ambassador Smbatyan at Lepsiushaus paths towards Germany was not raising any objec- deadline from the original 28th February, 2018 to Eurasian and tions. “We do not want an either/or sit- 30th April, 2018, but was unwilling to extend until e s p e c i a l l y uation,” she stated. (She also noted that the FIDE elections on 3rd October, 2018. the Future.” European-Iranian cooperation.” Sargsyan had stressed the importance To explain his country’s relations Smbatyan highlighted the fact that of the Iran nuclear accord and its posi- with Europe, Smbatyan posed the ques- Armenia has built good relations with tive repercussions.) Sargsyan Praises tion, “Where does Europe begin and Iran and could play “an important medi- Armenia, Smbatyan said, has always Commitment of where does it end?” An ostensibly sim- ating role” between the Islamic been opposed to establishing any divid- ple question, it actually can be Republic and the EU. “You see,” he stat- ing line between cooperation with the Armenian Community of addressed from different perspectives: ed, “that relations to Europe are in not one or the other partnership. He added geographically, he said, Germany at all one-sided!” that Armenia had “never concealed the Argentina belongs to Europe whereas India does fact that it has strategic relations with Economic Partnerships: ROME (Agencia Prensa Armenia) — Armenian not. But then perhaps “Europe” desig- Russia” and noted that it is the only Exclusive or Inclusive? President Serge Sargsyan praised the commitment of nates more a “shared value system” country in the Eastern Partnership that the Armenian community of Argentina during his than a land mass; or, yet again, one may To contribute to overcoming the has made such progress with the EU meeting with Pope Francis in his official visit to the be referring to the economic dimension. conflicts plaguing the region, econom- notwithstanding. The aim of his remarks was to explain ic stability is a key factor. Smbatyan Vatican on Thursday, April 5, according to Telam, “what this concretely means for a coun- stated that Armenia has decided to Strategic Considerations the Argentine national news agency. try like Armenia.” pursue a western economic model, a Returning to his rhetorical question, “We are very grateful to the Armenian community in Situating Armenia in the “geographi- step which “is still not undisputed” “what is Europe?” Smbatyan empha- Argentina, we have a true community of ambassadors,” cal interface between Europe and Asia,” inside the country. “Our economy,” he sized respect for the norms of shared proclaimed Sargsyan in a conversation with journalists as a country sharing borders with added, “is linked to Russia’s through European values, and he reiterated after inaugurating a statue of Saint Gregory of Narek Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Iran, many ties,” as is the case for others Armenia’s readiness to pursue collabo- with the pontiff in the Vatican gardens. Smbatyan said it had managed, despite from the Commonwealth of ration on the reform process, democra- The president also highlighted the figure of centuries of conflicts, to preserve its Independent States. tization, human rights, good gover- Argentine businessman and philanthropist Eduardo independence, “national identity and This led the ambassador to the crux nance and fighting corruption. But he Eurnekian, whom he considered “an example of how unique culture” — also thanks to its of the issue. Anyone familiar with the strongly underlined the need as well to you can be 100 percent Argentine and with the same early development of a written language debate in German political and press cir- consider the geopolitical and pride be 100 percent Armenian.” “He is a person culture. A brief historical overview of cles knows that there has been criticism geostrategic aspects when discussing with a great love for the Armenian homeland and an the last century, from its short-lived leveled at Yerevan for its close ties to Armenian foreign policy. In this con- example for young people, which represents the val- independence from 1918 to 1920, to its Russia. And, in the context of currently text, obviously the Karabakh (Artsakh) ues of the entire diaspora,” added Sargsyan. membership in the Soviet Union until escalating East-West tensions, it was conflict looms large, and with it, the When Bergoglio was Archbishop of , 1991, set the parameters for his important to address this issue. fact that the borders with Turkey and before becoming Pope Francis, he was very close to remarks on Armenian foreign policy. Smbatyan said that, considering these Azerbaijan remain closed. The EU has Archbishop Kissag Mouradian, Primate of the “Since our independence, the aim of ties, “the key to success of a Eurasian an important role to play in pursuing a Armenian Apostolic Church for Argentina and Chile. Armenian foreign policy has not been to Economic Union (EEU) lies in dialogue peaceful solution to the conflict, espe- act against any country, but to work including all sides and in the readiness cially in the Minsk Group of the Lithuania’s Government together with all our immediate and of our European partners to tolerate Organization for Security and proximate neighbors towards enduring the agreements that Armenia has made. Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Approves Armenia-EU peaceful coexistence for the region. On The EEU,” he explained, “is for us one Smbatyan lamented the fact that the basis of this premise,” he said, “one part of the international integration despite the Minsk Group’s mediation Agreement has to consider Armenian foreign policy processes that we have planned. From efforts since 1994, a solution “is still YEREVAN (Armenpress) — The Lithuanian govern- as a whole, which means not only single our standpoint, integration processes not in sight, because the Azerbaijan ment approved the Comprehensive and Enhanced bilateral agreements but also Armenia’s can unfold successfully, also in parallel.” side is not constructive and does not Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Armenia inclusion in various structures and orga- In other words, there need be no exclu- want to face reality.” and the European Union, Armenia’s Ambassador to nizations of the international communi- siveness. A durable peace, he said, would come Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia Tigran Mkrtchyan said ty.” With this in mind, one should Smbatyan pointed to the example of “only with help from Europe, the US on Twitter. understand that Armenia “for historical- China, to show that a liberal market and Russia.” He endorsed the deploy- The ambassador informed that the government has ly developed reasons fosters a close economy system can coexist with a ment of Armenian troops in the context submitted the agreement to the legislative body strategic partnership with Russia, on different social system — “which may of NATO peacekeeping cooperation, in aimed at ratifying it according to the procedure. the one hand, and very good relations not be the best” — and can still be Kosovo, Afghanistan and Lebanon. As of now among the EU member states Estonia with the West, that is the European very successful. “For this reason,” he “And still,” he added in the same breath, ratified the CEPA, and the parliament of Latvia Union and the USA, on the other.” said, “I think that when we entered “Armenia’s ties to the Russian adopted it at the first reading. the European Neighborhood Policy Federation, in view of the historical and Armenia and the EU signed the CEPA in Europe: Neighborly and Armenia, as a member of the political background, will remain close on November 24, 2017. Cooperation Eastern Partnership, began negotia- even in the future.” In sum: ultimatums Since the start of the new millenni- tions on association and a free trade and false dilemmas are not on the um, bilateral relations with the EU have agreement, it would have been right agenda. 4 S ATURDAY, A PRIL 1 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR INTERNATIONAL New Statue of St. Gregory of Narek Unveiled in Vatican Gardens

STATUE, from page 1 died as confessors and martyrs for the name of II’s delegation to Armenia on September 25-27, audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican on In an interview with the Vatican News on Christ,” Pope Francis said on that occasion. 2001. The visit took place at the invitation of April 6. Sargsyan expressed gratitude for the Wednesday, Minasyan said, “The idea to erect During that same liturgy, Pope Francis ele- former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan Pope’s decision to erect the statue of 10th cen- the statue of Saint Gregory of Narek in the gar- vated St. Gregory of Narek to the rank of a dens of Vatican stands as a symbol of fraternity Doctor of the Universal Church. The Pope char- between the two churches and all the acterized St. Gregory as a monk who “knew Christians, particularly those in the Middle how to express the sentiments of your people East.” more than anyone,” and who, as “an extraordi- Gregory of Narek was a 10th-century monk, nary interpreter of the human soul, offers poet and mystical writer and composer. His words which are prophetic for us.” best-known literary work is a book of prayers, Later in June 2016, he visited Armenia. known as the Book of Lamentations. It is con- Calling the genocide “the first of the deplorable sidered a masterpiece of Armenian literature. series of catastrophes of the past century,” St. Gregory himself defined the work as an Pope Francis praised the faith of the Armenian “encyclopedia of prayer for all nations.” He people, “who, illuminated by the light of the voiced hope that his book would provide guid- Gospel, even at the most tragic moments of ance in prayer for people of all walks of life in their history, have always found in the cross order to reach God. and resurrection of Christ the strength to rise The groundwork for the ceremony was laid again and take up their journey anew with dig- by Pope Francis on April 12, 2015 when he cel- nity.” A copy of the same statue is currently in pro- duction and will be placed in the gardens of the Cathedral of Echmiadzin where an inaugura- tion ceremony will be held at the end of 2018. In the relations of the two churches an impor- tant event was the visit of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II to Vatican on December 10, 1996 during which the catholicos met with Pope John Paul II. A joint statement was signed based on the visit results which called on the clergymen of the two churches “to more active- ly and effectively develop the cooperation, become agents for solidarity, peace and justice” From left, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, President Serzh Sargsyan, Catholicos of the Great and etc. House of Cilicia Aram I and the head of the Armenian Catholic Church Krikor Bedros On November 9, 2000 John Paul II and Karekin II signed a joint statement according to which Vatican recognized the Armenian and Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II. tury Armenian monk Gregory of Narek in the Pope Francis and President Serzh Sargsyan speak. Genocide. The document in particular says: The Vatican issued series of postage stamps heart of Vatican. “The 20th century was market by an extreme on November 23, 2017 dedicated to Pope The President and the Pontiff then cruelty. The Armenian Genocide in the begin- Francis’ 2016 visits. Among the stamps there exchanged gifts. Sargsyan donated a silver ebrated Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica marking the ning of the century was the prelude for future was one dedicated to the Pope’s visit to model of the Armenian St. Gayane Church to centenary of the genocide of a million and a horrors: two world wars, countless regional con- Armenia in 2016. Pope Francis is depicted on the Pope. half Armenians whom the Pope referred to as flicts and deliberately organized massacres that the stamp, and behind him is the Pope Francis, in turn, presented a marble martyrs. “A century has passed since that hor- claimed lives of millions of believers.” Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide copy of the sculpture of the Holy Family kept in rific massacre which was a true martyrdom of The Armenia-Vatican relations entered quali- Memorial. the Vatican Museum, as well as the copies of his your people, in which many innocent people tatively new stage by the visit of Pope John Paul Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan had an most recent three books. New Report Details Germany’s Role in Armenian Genocide

BERLIN (Deutsche Welle) — The German Mauser pistols.” Many German officers wit- exports. Mauser is now defunct as a company, feared they were colluding with mutual enemy Reich provided the Ottoman Empire with the nessed and wrote about the massacres in letters but Krupp’s successor, the German steel giant Russia, while Gottschlich’s book quotes navy weapons to carry out the Armenian genocide, a to their families. ThyssenKrupp, has never publicly acknowl- attaché Hans Humann, a member of the German- new report claims. Prussian officers also laid The report represents the first “case” being edged the part that it played in the genocide. Turkish officer corps and close friend of the the “ideological foundations” for the massacre, researched and developed by GN-STAT, a new “The question of who actually supplied the Ottoman Empire’s war minister, Enver Pasha, as according to the author. multilingual worldwide network of more than weapons, not only for the genocide but also for saying: “The Armenians — because of their con- Turkish forces mainly used German rifles and 100 organizations, and a database for activists, the First World War in Turkey, no one has real- spiracy with the Russians — will be more or less other weapons to carry out the 1915-16 geno- whistleblowers, journalists, artists, and others ly addressed that question before,” said exterminated. That is hard, but useful.” interested in arms exports. It Landgraeber. “And to what extent German offi- Another figure the report focuses on is the is already preparing new case cers took part in murders by actually picking up Prussian major general Colmar Freiherr von der studies about the illegal G36 the rifles and firing them themselves — that Goltz, a key figure who became a vital military deal that Heckler & Koch wasn’t known before.” adviser to the Ottoman court in 1883 and saw made in Mexico, and which is Many of the firsthand German accounts in the himself as a lobbyist for the German arms indus- about to go to trial in report come from letters by Major Graf Eberhard try and supported both Mauser and Krupp in Stuttgart, and the $110 bil- Wolffskehl, who was stationed in the southeast- their efforts to secure Turkish commissions. (He lion ( 90 billion) arms deal ern Turkish city of Urfa in October 1915. Urfa once boasted in his diary, “I can claim that with- € that the United States struck was home to a substantial population of out me the rearmament of the army with with Saudi Arabia last year. Armenians, who barricaded themselves inside German models would not have happened.”) houses against Turkish infantry. Wolffskehl was “Not publicly, but among his friends and rel- Accessory to Murder serving as chief of staff to Fahri Pasha, deputy atives, von der Goltz would show himself an The Turkish army was also commander of the Ottoman 4th Army, which Armenia-phobe,” said Landgraeber. “Several equipped with hundreds of had been called in as reinforcement. witnesses heard him describing them as ‘a cannons produced by the “They (the Armenians) had occupied the greasy trader people.’ He helped persuade the Essen-based company Krupp, houses south of the church in numbers,” the Sultan to try and end the Armenian question Wolfgang Landgraeber says Prussian officers provided both materi- which were used in Turkey’s German officer wrote to his wife. “When our once and for all.” al and ideological support assault on Armenian resistance artillery fire struck the houses and killed many Landgraeber also considers von der Goltz a fighters holding out on the people inside, the others tried to retreat into source for later Nazi ideology. The Prussian offi- Musa Dagh mountain in 1915. the church itself. But ... they had to go around cer published a military book in 1883 titled Das cide of the Armenian people, a new report has In 2015, German President Joachim Gauck the church across the open church courtyard. Volk in Waffen (“The People Armed”), in which, found. acknowledged Germany’s “co-responsibility” for Our infantry had already reached the houses to as Landgraeber puts it: “He adopts positions Mauser, Germany’s main manufacturer of the Armenian genocide, while a book published the left of the courtyard and shot down the peo- that Hitler would take up later — for example, small arms in both world wars, supplied the in the same year by the journalist Jürgen ple fleeing across the church courtyard in piles. the aim of a military campaign should be to Ottoman Empire with millions of rifles and Gottschlich detailed the political collusion of All in all the infantry, which I used in the main destroy the enemy totally, not just to fight and handguns, which were used in the genocide Turkey’s most important European ally in the attack ... acquitted itself very well and advanced force a capitulation. He believed in total war. with the active support of German officers. First World War, which provided military advice very dashingly.” That was also the ideological foundation that Historians have estimated that between 1 mil- and training for the Ottoman Empire through- he gave the Ottomans, and which they used in lion and 1.5 million Armenians were killed in out the Wilhelmine period. But the new GN- Ideological Support the Armenian issue.” the two-year genocide. STAT report is the first to detail the sheer While German companies provided the guns, Landgraeber is keen to underline that the “German officers who served in Turkish- extent of the material support provided by and German soldiers the expert advice on how new research does not absolve the Ottoman Ottoman military staff actively helped carry out Mauser and Krupp. to use them, German officers also laid what Empire of its guilt — but simply fills in the gaps individual murders,” according to the report by “Mauser really had a rifle monopoly for the Landgraeber calls the “ideological foundations” in the historical record. “It happened as we Global Net — Stop the Arms Trade (GN-STAT). Ottoman Empire,” said the report’s author, for the genocide. have researched it, and nothing should be sug- “The majority of the aggressors were armed Wolfgang Landgraeber, a filmmaker who has That the German Reich shared the Ottomans’ arcoated — but the entire picture should be with Mauser rifles or carbines, the officers with made several films about German weapons mistrust of the Armenians was no secret — both more complete.” S ATURDAY, A PRIL 1 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 Community News

Toros Mangassarian Supervisor Janice Named Eastern Hahn Recognizes Diocese’s 2018 ‘Armenian History ‘Church Member Month’ Of the Year’ — At the direction of Los Angeles County Supervisors Janice Hahn and Kathryn Barger, the Board of Supervisors has declared the month of April to be “Armenian By Taleen Babayan History Month.” “During Armenian History Month, LA NEW YORK — When Toros Mangassarian County will celebrate the rich culture and her- traveled to Armenia with his family two sum- itage of the Armenian people here in our com- mers ago, he read his children a passage from munities and worldwide as well as recognize William Saroyan’s short story, “The Armenian the dark days of the Armenian Genocide,” said and the Armenian.” The Pulitzer Prize-winner’s Hahn. “Throughout the month of April we will words struck a chord with his youngest daugh- highlight the accomplishments of local ter, Gabriela, who said the message taught her Armenian Americans and what an incredible about the “strength and resilience” of part of the Los Angeles County fabric the Armenians. Armenian people have become.” It’s a message Mangassarian has been culti- This is the second time the county has rec- vating all his life. ognized “Armenian History Month,” after The grandchild of Genocide survivors, the Supervisors Hahn and Barger directed the church was a second home for him from a County to do so in 2017. Previously, the board young age. Some of the fondest memories of his had only honored Armenian Genocide childhood took place on Sunday mornings Remembrance Day. when he would walk hand-in-hand with his Throughout the month Supervisor Hahn is grandfather to the Forty Martyrs Cathedral in honoring the accomplishments of Armenian , , to attend badarak. American individuals in LA County. During the When his family moved to Lebanon’s first board meeting of the month, Supervisor Achrafieh neighborhood a few years later, his Hahn honored the Immanuel Armenian parents quickly found a home at St. Hagop Congregational Church in Downey. At the Armenian Church, where Mangassarian said it board meeting on April 10, Hahn was sched- uled to honor racing legends the Agajanian was “natural” to spend Sundays attending Carla Garapedian Divine Liturgy and playing with friends in the brothers: J.C., Jr. , Chris, and Cary. church community as an 8-year-old. As he grew older, he began to serve on the altar. He was actively involved, not only in the church com- munity, but in the cultural arena as well, teach- St. James Armenian Church New Paths and KA ing French at AGBU’s Hovagimian-Manoogian and Tarouhi-Hagopian schools early on in his Coaching Bring Self- life. Men’s Club Dinner to In his late 20s, when Mangassarian decided Awareness Conversation to move to the US to strike out on his own, he Feature Carla Garapedian once again sought out an Armenian cultural To Teens and religious sphere he could immerse himself WATERTOWN — On Monday, May 7, St. James Armenian Church Men’s Club WATERTOWN — New Paths-Bridging in. He found his spiritual home within the St. dinner meeting will be held at the church’s Charles Mosesian Cultural and Youth Armenian Women (NP) is collaborating with New Gregory community, led by the Rev. Karekin Center. The speaker will be Carla Garapedian, international film producer, direc- Paths member Kristin Asadourian on “It’s Okay Kasparian, while living in Westchester County. tor, actress, writer, broadcaster, and supporter of genocide education. to Be You: A Talk about Self-Awareness.” The talk In the mid-1970s, the church was still a mission Based in Los Angeles and , Garapedian is the director of “Screamers,” is designed to benefit parents and youth ages 13- parish (and still known under the name “St. a film that has been dubbed into 14 languages and continues to be used around 18. The event will take place at St. James James”) — years away from the consecration of the world to raise Genocide awareness in schools and colleges. She is also asso- Armenian Church, 465 Mount Auburn St., on its own magnificent edifice, to which ciate producer of “The Sunday, April 15, from 2 to 3:30p.m. Mangassarian would later become an influen- Promise” and consulting You can learn more about Kristin and her prac- tial donor. producer for “Intent to tice at kacoach.com, about Pete and his work at “The church is the foundation and the cen- Destroy.” futurefitnesspro.com and New Paths by visiting ter of the Armenian culture,” said She earned her under- their Facebook page, News Paths- Bridging Mangassarian. “The religion complements the graduate and PhD degrees Armenian Women. culture and one needs the other to remain at the London School of NP is a Boston-based women’s networking strong and influential.” Economics and Political group on-line. In addition the group provides Build it for the Future Science. She is the only quarterly forums and collaborates with speakers American to anchor BBC to bring helpful and informative discussions to As his involvement in Armenian Church life World News. She has made the community. progressed, so did his professional and family documentaries for the BBC Asadourian, a social worker, life coach, motiva- lives. He and his wife, Gacia, welcomed three Garapedian, left, shows a manuscript to USC on Afghanistan, Chechnya, tional speaker and founder of KA Coaching, and children: Taleen, Mark and Gabriela. He estab- Shoah Foundation writer Robin Migdol, center, North Korea, and Iran. She Pete Asadourian, a strength and conditioning lished the Nitron Group Corporation in 1982, a and Diana Hekimian) has investigated dangerous coach and founder of Future Fitness Pro, are global trading firm specializing in chemical and nuclear reactors in Eastern bringing their talents to Watertown on April 15. agricultural fertilizers, where he currently Europe and military coups Both Asadourians have worked with young peo- serves as chairman and chief executive officer. in Africa. The Los Angeles Times described her work with the headline ple their entire careers and possess an under- His success continued to grow, but his humil- “Documenting Truth in Dangerous Places.” She has been featured in the standing of and ability to connect with them. Pete ity remained intact — particularly when his Washington Post, Boston Globe and publications around the world. Asadourian believes in the power of sports and parish called on him to help lead efforts In 2009, Garapedian founded the Pomegranate Foundation, which promotes exercise to get his clients focused on themselves towards the creation of a physical church struc- genocide education through the arts. It houses the Rwanda Library, a rare col- and their self-worth. Kristin Asadourian’s ture. Mangassarian became involved in the lection of Rwandan genocide survivor interviews and will soon include an approach is to get her clients to slow down and building committee, searching for a property archive of testimonies from Syrian Armenian refugees. focus inward. and spearheading fundraisers. Since 2011 she has led the Armenian Film Foundation’s project to digitize a She states, “It is extremely important that we While raising money for the church, he rare collection of 400 Armenian genocide survivor interviews filmed in 16mm realize our gifts and use them to their fullest noticed the difficulties of securing funds and over four decades by the late filmmaker Dr. J. Michael Hagopian. This archive is potential. I work alongside my clients as they voiced his concerns to Kasparian. He ques- now part of Steven Spielberg’s Visual History Archive at the USC Shoah journey into discovering and utilizing their gifts.” tioned whether they should continue to build Foundation. Both spend a great deal of time getting their the church structure. Carla is currently working on an international film production of her new clients to reach a heightened level of all around “Fr. Karekin responded to me by saying, ‘You crime drama, “Nemesis,” about the murder of in Berlin and the awareness in themselves and their abilities. don’t build a church for today’s generation. You trial of Soghomon Tehlirian. “Whether on the playing field or in life, suc- build it for the future,’” Mangassarian recalled. This St. James Men’s Club dinner meeting will begin with a social hour and cess comes when a person lives and plays based Those words remained etched in his mind mezza at 6:15 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. Ladies are invited. on her/ his values. Connecting to your gifts is a and soon enough, the community supporters spiritual journey that leads to a fulfilled life,” see MANGASSARIAN, page 7 states Kristin Asadourian. 6 S A T U R D A Y , A P R I L 1 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Music, Justice and Remembrance at Times Square

NEW YORK — Classically trained opera memoration for the past decade, attorney singer Elie Berberian will serve as the special Armen McOmber, Esq., who will be joined by headliner of the 103rd anniversary of the Prof. Nvair Beylerian, remarked on the pro- Armenian Genocide at the Times Square gram’s theme of “Truth, Justice and Commemoration on Sunday, April 22. Recognition.” Hosted annually by the Knights and “For over a century we remember and honor Daughters of Vartan, the commemoration the one and a half million victims of the serves as an opportunity to share in remem- Armenian Genocide and we continue our brance of the 1.5 million Armenians massacred efforts towards worldwide recognition,” said by the Young Turk government between 1915- McOmber. “The annual Armenian Genocide 1923 and to spread awareness of the first geno- Commemoration in Times Square brings cide of the 20th century. together thousands of human rights supporters The diverse program features top elected offi- and is invaluable to our community and the cials who underscore their efforts in Congress world at large.” in their push towards genocide recognition, as As a member of the diaspora who maintains well as renowned scholars and artists. deep ties to his heritage, Berberian looks for- ward to a strong and resilient future for Armenians, both in the homeland and in the Diaspora. “As we continue to commemorate the Armenian Genocide, we do so not as vic- tims, but as advo- cates of hope and peace.” The 103rd Armenian Genocide Commemoration is Armenian Genocide Commemoration in Times Square, New York (Photo credit: Anahid Kaprielian) organized by the Mid-Atlantic chapters Longtime Armenian Genocide recognition supporter New York Senator of the Knights and (www.anca.org), the Armenian Council of Armenian Youth Federation (AYF-YOARF), Chuck Schumer (Photo credit: Anahid Kaprielian) Daughters of Vartan America and the Armenian Democratic League Armenian youth organizations and university (www.kofv.org), an - Ramgavars. Armenian clubs. international Participating organizations include the For more information, visit, “Times Square is the business and enter- Armenian fraternal organization headquartered Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, http://www.kofv.org/main/april222018 tainment capital of the world,” said Berberian. in the United States, and co-sponsored by the Prelacy of the Armenian Church of America, www.april24nyc.org, www.armenianradionj.net, “It’s an extraordinary step for my nation to have Armenian General Benevolent Union Armenian Missionary Association of America, www.theforgotten.org, www.armenian-geno- an event of this scale that amplifies the (www.agbu.org), the Armenian Assembly of Armenian Catholic Eparchy for U.S. and cide.org, www.twentyvoices.com. Armenian cause.” America (www.aaainc.org), the Armenian Canada, the Armenian Church Youth Berberian will debut a special song during his National Committee of America Organization of America (ACYOA), the –Taleen Babayan performance, titled Hayer Jan, which spreads the message of united Armenians. He will sing

singer Elie Berberian two additional songs, including the emotional folk melody Horovel by Komitas. Emphasizing the importance of Armenian Genocide remembrance on both “moral and his- torical levels,” Berberian says it’s paramount to teach the new generation “the strength of our ancestors who fought to keep their religion.” “As descendants of genocide survivors, we are advocating our history to the world in the face of denial.” Bryan Ardouny, the executive director of the Washington-based Armenian Assembly of America, who serves as the commemoration’s official media liaison, elaborated on the event’s historical significance over the past 30 years “standing together in Times Square united against genocide denial and its consequences.” Ardouny noted the attempts of the United States to prevent the Armenian Genocide and aiding those who survived. “Given this proud chapter in America’s his- tory, we strongly encourage all people of good- will to join us in marking this important occa- sion as we commemorate the Armenian Genocide and continue our collective efforts to prevent future genocides.” Serving as Master of Ceremonies of the com- S A T U R D A Y , A P R I L 1 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS Toros Mangassarian Named Eastern Diocese’s 2018 ‘Church Member of the Year’

MANGASSARIAN, from page 5 water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see more ways than one. talked little but accomplished a lot. And like galvanized and the parish unveiled its church if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For “I met His Holiness Karekin I [Sarkissian], of many of his contemporaries, he does so with a in White Plains, NY, in 1998 — more than two when two of them meet anywhere in the world, blessed memory, on a few occasions when he humble demeanor. decades in the making. Mangassarian was see if they will not create a New Armenia.” was a young priest in Lebanon,” said Toros, “It’s a privilege, not an obligation, for my named as one of the church’s godfathers. Reflecting on those words, Mangassarian who remained in touch with him throughout father to give back to the Armenian Church and “Toros is generous, kind-hearted, community,” said his daughter Gabriela. friendly, hospitable, deep-thinking and “ is at the core of the good-hearted,” said Kasparian, a close Armenian people, and he believes that family friend who baptized the preserving the Christian faith goes hand- Mangassarian children. “He has been a in-hand with preserving the Armenian parishioner of mine for a long time and identity.” has been helpful from the very begin- As for being awarded the Diocese’s 2018 ning.” “Armenian Church Member of the Year” While Mangassarian has been active distinction, to be bestowed on him during in his parish church, on a Diocesan level the annual Diocesan Assembly banquet, he has contributed to the Annual held this year on Friday, May 4, and host- Appeal, Legacy Endowment Fund and ed by his home parish of St. Gregory the the new St. Nersess Armenian Seminary Enlightener, Mangassarian says: “It is an campus in Armonk, NY. honor. But more importantly it is a lesson to my children, for them to follow in my A Certain Mystic Aura footsteps, and for me to pass the torch Mangassarian backs many initiatives, onto the next generation.” including the Armenian General That lesson has been heeded by his Benevolent Union (AGBU), admiring its own children, who are all “incredibly global reach. He also contributes to proud.” Armenia Fund, tying back to his love for “My father has proven the importance his homeland, which he visited with his of preserving the Armenian identity family for the first time in 2016. through past, present, and future,” said “You feel proud to be Armenian when Gabriela. “We must make sure to carry on you are in the homeland,” he said, not- the messages of our ancestors, focus on ing that while visiting Echmiadzin, he embracing our current values, and ensure felt “a certain mystic aura that contin- that the Armenian Church and communi- ues to attract people for centuries.” ty are preserved and embraced for genera- Mangassarian said he felt equally tions to come.” moved when he visited the Armenian Toros Mangassarian The 116th Diocesan Assembly will Genocide Memorial in Armenia, where take place May 3-5, with the awards ban- he read his children that same Saroyan quet on Friday, May 4, all at the passage with its famous words: “I should like to said: “I’m supporting the Armenian Church for the ensuing years. “He always supported me Renaissance Westchester Hotel, in West see any power of the world destroy this race, the future. I want my children to be proud of and was a big inspiration for me.” Harrison. In addition to Mangassarian’s tribute, this small tribe of unimportant people whose their heritage and to continue to be involved Of all the lessons the late catholicos taught him, Dr. Stephen Smith (of the USC Shoah wars have all been fought and lost, whose struc- throughout their lives.” the one he remembers the most is: “Don’t lie to any- Foundation) will be honored as this year’s tures have crumbled, literature is unread, music In addition to his family, a certain clergyman one; but most importantly, don’t lie to yourself.” “Friend of the Armenians.” A special award will is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. who would eventually become Catholicos of All be bestowed on Nazar and Artemis Nazarian, in Go ahead, destroy Armenia. See if you can do it. Armenians was a moving force behind A Privilege, Not an Obligation conjunction with the 50th anniversary of St. Send them into the desert without bread or Mangassarian’s desire to serve his church in Mangassarian comes from a generation that Vartan Cathedral. 8 S ATURDAY, A PRIL 1 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS

Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) Expo at St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School

WATERTOWN — This year, St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School (SSAES) expanded its one-week long Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) Expo to a month-long event, focusing on various activities including coding, robotics, engineering design and math challenges. The month ended with a science fair when parents were invited to view their children’s projects that involved: Life Cycle Investigations and Chicken Hatching (K), Study of Bird Beaks and How Their Shape Affects their Diet (Gr. 1), Study of Matter (Solid-Liquid-Gas) (Gr. 2), Study of Weather and Meteorological Predictions (Gr. 3), Building of Simple Machines (Gr. 4), Environmental Science, in col- laboration with the Avedisian School in Armenia (Gr. 5). “The STEM Expo allows for collaborative learning which is key to developing highly-desirable 21st-century skills such as creativity, critical thinking, communication and collaboration,” said Houry Boyamian, the principal at SSAES. Founded in 1984, St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School (SSAES) has distinguished itself with its bilingual curriculum, academic strength, devoted staff and low stu- dent-to-teacher ratio. St. Stephen’s is fully accredited by the Association of Independent Schools in New England (AISNE), the accrediting body for independent elementary schools. AISNE has commended the school for “creating an environment where all the students love to read and appear committed to academic excellence” and for recruit- ing a remarkably talented and dedicated staff.” To learn Grade 4 students presenting their Simple Machines more about SSAES, visit www.ssaes.org

Grade 3 students Presenting their Meteorological Predictions Grade 2 students with their research on Matter with Teacher Erica Lauria

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PHILADELPHIA — The Armenian Assembly to participate in the internship programs the of America (Assembly) will be honoring Life Assembly offers in Washington, D.C. and Trustees Peter and Irene Vosbikian with the Yerevan, Armenia. Global Humanitarian Award at the Philadelphia “Peter and Irene represent the very best of Celebration on Saturday, April 28 at the our values and ideals. Their passion for National Constitution Center. Armenian issues knows no bounds, and their The Vosbikians are longtime members of the steadfast commitment to the Assembly over the Assembly, and continue to be leading figures in decades is truly remarkable,” Armenian advocacy and philanthropy. Peter Vosbikian Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny was on the Board of Directors from 2000-2006, said. “The Philadelphia Celebration will not and served as chairman in 2002 and 2003. He only honor the Vosbikians, but is also an oppor- also served on the Board of Trustees and the tunity for Young Professionals, Assembly intern Executive Committee from 2007 through 2009. alumni, and our friends in the community to During his Chairmanship, he encouraged more connect with one another and enjoy a fun-filled delegations of public policy makers, and evening.” trustees and member mission trips to visit Additionally, the couple has been major Armenia and Artsakh, especially for young donors to the Armenian Sisters Academy in Armenian Americans. Radnor, Penn. and the Armenian Prelacy. They They have contributed to many different pro- support many other causes, most importantly gram areas, especially the Terjenian-Thomas the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, and St. Assembly Internship Program. The Vosbikians Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. have previously hosted interns in their summer Both were born in Philadelphia and grew up home in New Jersey and encouraged students in nearby neighborhoods in Pennsylvania. It

Irene Vosbikian, Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), and Peter Vosbikian

CORDIALLY INVITES YOU TO A IOCESE OF THE RMENIAN HURCH OF MERICA ASTERN wasn’t until college, at Temple University in band’s parents. D IS MINENCE ARCHBISHOP C HAJAG ARSAMIANA (E RIMATE) H E A K B , P Philadelphia, where they first met. On She was fascinated by the hardships endured November 8, 1964 the couple was married and by Peter Vosbikian’s parents. She spent countless eventually had four children, Paul, David, Terry, hours with Peter’s father listening to the night- and Mary. mare he experienced in Turkey prior to escaping the Armenian Genocide. This resulted in her first novel, titled Bedros, which was originally pub- CELEBRATION OF A LIFE OF SERVICE! lished in 1983 then re-published in 2013. In 2015, she read passages from her book during one of the Assembly’s annual Members Meeting in Boca Raton. She signed copies for guests who pur- chased the book, with all proceeds benefitting the Armenian Assembly. HONORING HIS PRESENCE TO Not long after, Irene authored the book The ELCOME IS OLINESS AREKIN W H H K II Carnation Tablet, based on the life of her father UPREME ATRIARCH AND ATHOLICOS OF LL RMENIANS Rudolph and his tragic death in 1944. The S P C A A Carnation Tablet was actually the diary that her ON THE TH NNIVERSARY OF HIS RDINATION TO THE RIESTHOOD 60 A O P father kept during World War II. He made entries into this diary several times a week up ELEBRATE WITH EV ATHER AMPRE OUZOUIAN C R . F M A. K until the time of his death. Peter Vosbikian joined the family business after graduating college in 1963. Quickie ¶ RIDAY AY Manufacturing Corporation was in the business DOORS TOF THE S, ANCTUARYM 11, 2018OPEN AT 5:30 of manufacturing and marketing household cleaning tools. He became chairman and presi- RASHAPAR ERVICE O CLOCK Irene Vosbikian signing her book Bedros at the ¶ dent of the company in 1971. When he retired H S 6:00 Assembly’s annual Members Meeting in Boca in 2004, company market share had grown to CHARLES AND NEVART TALANIAN CULTURAL HALL Raton, Florida in 2015 the number one position in the US.

ELEBRATION ANQUET O CLOCK Today, the couple resides in Moorestown, NJ C B 7:15 At the very same time, the Armenian Sisters surrounded by their four children, their respec- 145 BRATTLE STREET, CAMBRIDGE MASSACHUSETTS of the Immaculate Conception arrived in tive spouses, and 11 grandchildren. Philadelphia to open a new Armenian school. If interested in becoming a sponsor for the OLY RINITY RMENIAN HURCH OF REATER OSTON Prior to the opening of the school, Irene evening, contact Assembly Development H T A C G B Vosbikian visited the Sisters every week in Director Nazanee Topian at [email protected]. ADVANCE RESERVATIONS REQUIRED FOR THE BANQUET BY APRIL 30 order to learn the . Having RSVP by Friday, April 16. HOLY TRINITY CHURCH OFFICE, 617.354.0632 mastered Latin in High School, Irene Vosbikian To learn more about the Philadelphia Celebration, visit www.aimhye.com or the OR LOG ONTO WWW.HTAAC.ORG/CALENDAR/EVENT/525/ learned very quickly and within two years she RSVP was able to read, write, and speak Armenian. Armenian Assembly of America Facebook Page. She did this primarily to converse with her hus- Funds raised will support the children at the Muratsan Chemotherapy Clinic of Yerevan State Medical University and homeless individuals and families of the region surrounding Holy Etchmiadzin under the auspices of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and at the request of Father Mampre. Re/Max Agent Noune Karapetian Earns Annual Sales Production Award

BELMONT, Mass. — Noune Karapetian, with “Noune Karapetian has been an integral Re/Max Leading Edge, has qualified for the member of our team and is more than deserv- Re/Max 2017 100% Club Award, which honors ing of this very prestigious award,” said Paul successful agents who have earned at least Mydelski, founder and chairman of Re/Max $100,000 in commissions in the past year. Leading Edge. “Winning this award is a tremen- Karapetian has been working in the real dous accomplishment. Karapetian continues to estate industry for more than eight years and raise the bar in real estate, making us, and this has extensive experience in residential sales community proud.” where she helps buyers and sellers realize their In addition, Karapetian actively supports real estate dreams. Among Karapetian’s Armenian Relief Society and Foundation for achievements are Seniors Real Estate Specialist Belmont Education. Karapetian is also a classi- Certificate, Re/Max Executive Club Award in cally trained soprano who has sung with Opera 2016 and Quality Service and Ruby Awards Companies and in concerts throughout New from Century 21 Adams KC before she joined England, including leading roles with Granite Re/Max Leading Edge. State Opera in NH and Opera Boston. 10 S ATURDAY, A PRIL 1 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Bedrosyan to Lecture on Islamized Armenians in Watertown

LECTURE, from page 1 viving. the construction of school, highway, and water This was the first Armenian church reconstruc- Bedrosyan will also be the keynote speaker at Bedrosyan’s speech will lead to discussion of infrastructure projects in Armenia and tion project allowed in Turkey since 1915, fol- the Massachusetts State House commemora- many issues raised by the new reality of the hid- Karabakh, projects in which he also participat- lowed by the successful return of several prop- tion the same morning, where he will speak den Armenians, such as ‘Who is an Armenian?’ ed as civil engineer in the 1990’s. Two notable erties belonging to the church. briefly on related issues. Bedrosyan is a civil engineer, writer and con- engineering projects were the water distribu- He is also a writer with dozens of articles Hundreds of thousands of Armenian posted in English, Armenian and Turkish orphans were left behind in Turkey after media. In the US, he regularly contributes the 1915 Genocide, who were forcefully to the Armenian Mirror-Spectator and the assimilated, Islamized, Turkified and Armenian Weekly. His articles deal with Kurdified in state orphanages, military Turkish-Armenian issues, the newly emerg- schools or Turkish and Kurdish homes. ing phenomenon of Islamized hidden But these orphans did not forget their Armenians and the history of thousands of Armenian identity and secretly passed it Armenian churches left behind in Turkey on to the next generations. after 1915. Now, a hundred years after the With the emergence of hidden Armenians Genocide, hidden Armenians started following the reconstruction of the Surp emerging in different regions of Turkey, Giragos Church, he helped organize Armenian openly revealing, their original roots language classes for them. In cooperation with and identity. The most significant trigger the Armenian Ministry of Diaspora, he for this new phenomenon was the recon- arranged several trips to Armenia from differ- struction of the Surp Giragos Church in ent regions of Turkey for hundreds of Diyarbakir/Dikranagerd, which acted Islamized hidden Armenians who found the like a magnet helping the hidden courage to return to their original Armenian Armenians come together, support one roots and identity. another and return to Armenian culture, In April 2015, as part of the worldwide language and Christianity. Several trips Armenian Genocide Commemoration to Armenia, organized by Project events, he again chose to give a concert at Rebirth, in cooperation with the the Surp Giragos Church in Diyarbakir, Armenian Ministry of Diaspora, further Turkey, attended by 1000 people, mostly encouraged the hidden Armenians to hidden Armenians. The event became not come out. only a commemoration of the genocide but There is now a vast network and sup- the rebirth of a people which survived the port mechanism connecting the hidden genocide. Armenians together through Project He is the founder of Project Rebirth, Rebirth. They need all the support they Raffi Bedrosyan plays the piano at the renovated Surp Giragos Armenain Church in Dikranagerd (Diyarbekir) which continues to help Islamized hidden can get, as there have been many diffi- Armenians return to their original culties, dangers and threats against them Armenian roots, language, and culture from a hostile government, neighbors, employ- cert pianist, living in Toronto, Canada. Born in tion network in Stepanakert, capital of under difficult circumstances in Turkey. He ers, sometimes their own families, but surpris- , Turkey, he has been actively involved Karabakh, and the -Stepanakert highway works as the Manager of Engineering at the ingly, even the Armenian Church. The clashes in Armenian issues ever since he settled in joining Armenia to Karabakh. City of Toronto, Canada. between the repressive Turkish government Canada to pursue engineering and music stud- In 2013, he helped organize the reconstruc- Bedrosyan’s talk will begin at 7 p.m. at and Kurdish militants for the past two years ies. He has given numerous benefit concerts in tion of Surp Giragos Armenian Church in Charles Mosesian Cultural and Youth Center- have made the situation even worse, with the Toronto as well as in New York, Detroit, Diyarbakir/Dikranagerd in Turkey, the largest Keljik Hall at St. James, 465 Mount Auburn expropriation and closure of the Surp Giragos , Vienna and . He has donated Armenian church in the Middle East, which was Street, Watertown. For more information, email Church, but the hidden Armenians keep on sur- proceeds from his concerts and two CDs toward lying in ruins after being destroyed in 1915. [email protected]. S ATURDAY, A PRIL 1 4 , 2 0 1 8 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R 11 COMMUNITY NEWS

Cambridge-Yerevan Sister City Association to Sponsor Panel Discussion on 3D Printing

ARLINGTON, Mass. — The Cambridge- engineering/researcher at Matter Wave Yerevan Sister City Association (CYSCA) Physics Lab, Institute for Physical has organized a panel discussion on 3D Research, National Academy of Sciences, printing: the wave of the future. The event Yerevan, Armenia. Azizbekyan has been is co-sponsored by the National invited to Cambridge by CYSCA specifical- Association for Armenian Studies and ly for this event. Research (NAASR). The five other panelists will include local This event is being held as part of the 3D experts: Jennifer Milne, Formlabs, annual Cambridge Science Festival on Somerville, a manufacturer of 3D printers Thursday, April 19, 7-9 p.m. at the in Somerville, Germany, Japan and China; Adam Green, Einstein’s Workshop, Burlington, a hands- on STEAM learning center; AJ Perez, NV Bots, Boston, a man- ufacturer of 3D printers found- ed by a team of MIT engineers; Chris Templeman, Garage Makerspace (NERD), Microsoft, Cambridge, their official outlet for experimental projects. Jack Keverian of Peabody will offer an overview of 3D printing. The discussion will cover the education, application, manu- facture of 3D printers and is intended for the general public. Since its inception, 3D printing has been innovative in various industries such as biomedical, Dr. Hrayr Azizbekyan manufacturing, industry and socioculture. Those attending can learn about efforts being made both in the United States Armenian Cultural Foundation, 441 Mystic and Armenia, in terms of manufacturing St. The moderator will be Berge Ayvazian, and education. senior industry analyst and consultant, Admission is free and the public is invit- Wireless 20/20. ed. Refreshments will be provided after the The panel of scientists will feature an program. For questions or more details, expert from Armenia on 3D printing, Dr. contact Alisa Stepanian at Hrayr Azizbekyan, head of [email protected]. 12 S ATURDAY, A PRIL 1 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Mass. State House Commemoration of Armenian Genocide Takes Place, April 20

BOSTON, from page 1 Prior to the main event at the State House, The twin commemorations are jointly orga- guests are invited at 9 a.m. to the fourth floor nized for the first time this year, coordinated by gallery to see an exhibit of Scott Sutherland’s two young and dedicated chairmen, Michael photographs of the metal art of Armenian- Demirchian and Saro Sakaian of the American machinist and craftsman Abraham Massachusetts Armenian Genocide Megerdichian (on display April 17 to 20). They Commemoration Committee. This is an oppor- also will be offered a light breakfast. The formal tunity for area Armenians to come together in commemoration starts at 10:30 a.m. After its memory of one of the most important histori- conclusion, a light reception will be given, at cal tragedies of the 20th century, the repercus- which there may be prominent surprise guests sions of which continue to haunt us today. meeting the audience. At the State House, Raffi Bedrosyan will tell On Saturday, April 21, the youth commemo- the story of the Armenian orphans left behind ration at Armenian Heritage Park on the Rose in Turkish state orphanages, state military Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway will begin at 3 schools and Turkish and Kurdish homes, who p.m. It includes speakers Muradian and editor were forcefully Islamized, Turkified and of the Armenian Weekly Rupen Janbazian, and Kurdified. It will be the story of these orphans, who secretly kept their Armenian roots and passed them on to the next generations despite all pressures for assimila- tion. It will be the story of the grandchildren of these orphans, who now show the courage after 100 years to openly reveal their original Armenian roots and return to their Armenian identity, lan- guage and culture. It will be the story of the trig- R Mean gering events which helped the hidden Armenians come out again, as well as the diffi- musical performances by rapper R-Mean and culties and challenges facing them in a harsh the Zankagner Performing Arts Ensemble led environment, surrounded by a hostile state, by founder Hasmik Konjoyan. neighbors, employers and even their own fami- Rap artist R-Mean, of Armenian descent, was lies. born in Los Angeles and raised in Amsterdam. Bedrosyan, a civil engineer, writer and con- He later moved to California to pursue his pas- cert pianist living in Toronto, Canada, helped sion for music while also obtaining his organize the reconstruction of Surp Giragos Doctorate of Pharmacy from Loma Linda Church in Diyarbakir/Dikranagerd, the first University. His song Open Wounds is dedicated such reconstruction and return of property to those affected by the Armenian Genocide project in Turkey, and gave the first Armenian and sparked the Open Wounds 1915 move- piano concert there since 1915. He is the ment to spread awareness about humanitarian founder of Project Rebirth, which helps causes through the power of hip-hop music, Islamized Armenians return to their original urban fashion, and social media. Some well- Armenian roots, language and culture. known supporters of Open Wounds include Nerkararyan is a graduate of the Komitas System of a Down, Capital Cities, The Game,

Zankagner Performing Arts

State Conservatory in Yerevan with a 2008 and Post Malone. master’s degree in vocal performance from Complimentary transportation will be pro- Azusa Pacific University. She has performed in vided for both events by the Knights of Vartan many operatic roles and also often sings Ararat Lodge. Buses will be provided to and Armenian repertoire. from the State House on Friday, April 20. They State Rep. David Muradian, who serves on will depart in Watertown from the ACEC and several committees and also is a member of the St. James Armenian Church, and in Cambridge Knights of Vartan, will serve as the master of from Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, ceremonies at the State House. During the cer- at 8:30 a.m. The buses will depart Boston short- emony, the nationally important Boston-area ly after the reception, around 1:30 p.m. English-language Armenian newspapers, the For the Armenian Heritage Park, buses will Armenian Mirror-Spectator and the Armenian be provided from the same locations, departing Weekly, will be honored with certificates for at 2 p.m., and leaving shortly after 5 p.m. their editors, respectively Alin K. Gregorian and To reserve a spot for either bus e-mail Rupen Janbazian. Armenian clergy, [email protected] with all names in the Homenetmen scouts and the children of St. party, preferred location, and the event attend- Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School have ing by Monday, April 16. For more information, roles in the ceremony, as do various visit the group’s Facebook page, Massachusetts politicians. Two recipients of https://www.facebook.com/MAGenocideCom the George Keverian Memorial Scholarship will memorationCommittee/ be announced. LIKE US ON FACEBOOK S ATURDAY, A PRIL 1 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 Arts & Living Prelacy’s Musical Armenian National Armenia Thrills Institute Holds Exhibit on Critical Audiences at 35 Role of YMCA in

By Florence Avakian Armenian Relief

WASHINGTON — The Armenian National NEW YORK — It was a unique musical event Institute (ANI) launched a new 24-panel digi- to celebrate a special anniversary. Musical tal exhibit displaying the role of the YMCA Armenia 35, held at Weill Recital Hall at and American relief work during the first Carnegie Hall, on Sunday, March 18, had all the republic of Armenia (1918-1920). The exhibit ingredients of a thrilling celebration – inspiring focuses on John Elder and James O. Arroll music by professional artists, recognition of a who arrived in Yerevan, Armenia in January special anniversary and a tribute to a dedicated, 1918 to open a YMCA center. As with digital beloved individual. exhibits previously released by ANI, American Presented by the Armenian Prelacy (Eastern), Relief in the First Republic of Armenia 1918- Prelate Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, and the 1920, subtitled “John Elder and James Arroll Prelacy Ladies Guild, it was in celebration of the in Yerevan, , Sevan & Etchmiadzin,” is 35th anniversary of Musical Armenia, and fea- freely downloadable from the ANI website tured pianist Hrant Bagrazyan and composer (www.armenian-genocide.org). Mary Kouyoumdjian whose dramatic, innova- Neither Elder nor Arroll had anticipated tive works were performed by Jeffrey Gavett being stranded as the only Americans left in (baritone), Timo Andres (piano), and members the country’s capital city with all communica- of the Hotel Elefant ensemble. tion to the outside world cut off when the The concert was dedicated to one of the frontline faltered. World War I was still raging Prelacy’s Rita (Lulu) Tatevossian who served at the time and Allied forces were in retreat the Prelacy Ladies Guild for many years, and on the Caucasian front. The November 11, was a passionate promoter of Musical Armenia. 1918 Armistice that ended the global conflict Prelacy Vicar General Bishop Anoushavan was many months away, crucial months dur- Tanielian, representing Choloyan who was out ing which the very existence of the Armenian of the country, welcomed the crowd with Levon people hung in the balance. Tatevossian, son of Rita Tatevossian, calling her By the time they left Yerevan in August “one of the dedicated pillars of the Prelacy.” Sahan Arzruni 1919, John Elder and James O. Arroll had Before starting his performance, pianist Hrant become responsible for the entire operation Bagrazyan quietly bowed his head for a minute set up by US-based charities that had earlier in contemplation. His program included three sent emergency aid and volunteer workers to composers very different from one another. Spectacular Concert in Armenia. As John Elder wrote on January 16, Arno Babadjanian’s Six Pictures for Piano, 1919: “One year in Yerevan and what a year it though highly improvisational, is replete with has been. Had anyone told me a year ago that Armenian folk-nuanced melodies, changing Celebration of St. Vartan in addition to running a YMCA, I would be in rhythms, and colorful picturesque images. charge of factories employing 7,500 people, Requiring a pianist of fearsome specialized Cathedral 50th Anniversary orphanages with 350 children and a 120 bed skills, Bagrazyan showed his prowess as a tech- hospital, I would have thought them crazy.” nical wizard, his fingers dancing over the keys, ANI Chairman Van Z. Krikorian said: “The and his body and facial expressions reflecting stellar example of American humanitarianism his emotions. The music ranged from the shat- By Florence Avakian by Elder and Arroll continues to be emulated tering and stormy Improvisation to the lyrically to this day. They were pathfinding pioneers beautiful Folk Song, and Sassoun Dance. NEW YORK — The 50th anniversary of the Diocese of the Armenian Church who traveled all the way to Armenia during a Johann Sebastian Bach’s Sheep May Safely (Eastern) will be celebrated in grand style on the weekend of Saturday, May 5, and very difficult time. All the relief workers who Graze from the Hunting Cantata which was Sunday May 6, with the Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II presiding. went to Armenia after the 1988 earthquake, originally written for a birthday celebration, has One of the memorable events of this occasion will be a spectacular concert on and the Peace Corps volunteers who contin- been arranged for different instruments. This the evening of May 5, in St. Vartan Cathedral, organized by pianist Sahan Arzruni, ue every year to extend their helping hand are piano transcription by Egon Petri, reflected who was asked by the Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian to plan the event. following John Elder’s and James O. Arroll’s Bagrazyan’s virtuosity, as did his interpretation Arzruni recently reminisced, with memories flooding in of the building’s erec- superb example. Armenians and Americans of Maurice Ravel’s Mirrors, a richly dark, moody tion in the 1960s. “I remember the double-intersecting arches during the con- alike are proud to share this chapter of work replete with melancholy. struction, as well as the pyramidal dome, consisting of the drum and the cone — remarkable service to those in need.” Following a lengthy ovation, the pianist to the two unique features distinct to Armenian church architecture,” he said. The exhibit reconstructs the story of the delight of the audience, shared Komitas’ St. Vartan Cathedral “is a replica of the seventh-century Saint Hripsime Church near superhuman efforts undertaken by John Armenian Dance as an encore, inflecting it with in Echmiadzin, named for St. Hripsime, one of the first martyrs of the Armenian Elder and James O. Arroll to rescue its joyous Armenian feeling. Church, along with abbess Gayane and 35 other nuns,” he explained. “Hripsime Armenians from the many perils they faced Following intermission, four compositions by was a Roman noble woman who fled to Armenia to escape the amorous advances during the 1918-1920 independent Republic Mary Kouyoumdjian embodied her interest and of the Roman emperor, Diocletian.” of Armenia. The exhibit relies upon John involvement with significant somber pages in Especially beautiful, Hripsime was also pursued by Armenian King Drtad. When Elder’s own words from his published journal, Armenian history. With each tragic saga, she refused her advances also, she was punished by being roasted alive, he said. along with original records that he personally Kouyoumdjian painted vivid and creative musi- Arzruni’s memories also include that of Catholicos Vasken I coming to New saved from the time of his service, and the cal images reflecting the emotional power of York, and elevating to the rank of archbishop in 1968 the-then Primate of the east- photographs that he made and captioned. each story. ern Diocese, Bishop Torkom Manoogian, who had played a pivotal role in the con- Elder and Arroll arrived as two enthusiastic Providing the musical interpretations were struction of St Vartan Cathedral, the first in North America. young men dedicated to the purpose of sus- guest artists, pianist Timo Andres, baritone According to Arzruni, during the inaugural service on April 28, 1968, the local taining morale among soldiers enduring long Jeffry Gavett, violist Gillian Gallagher, flutist Komitas choir had sung. An off-shoot of the original choir, established in 1910 by campaigns and treacherous conditions as the Katie Cox, cellist Maria Bella Jeffers, clarinetist Komitas, the New York branch was formed by Isahak Aprahamyan, Onnig Hepsen Great War kept grinding on, year after year, Isabel Kim and violinist Andie Springer. and Dr. Arthur Misyan in 1958. Often Arzruni played the organ, for he had been without end. They departed as two celebrated Aghavni (Doves, 2009) resonates with the the regular organist of the original Komitas choir in Istanbul from 1961 to 1964 heroes who stood by the Armenian people at happiness of life for a group of women before before coming to New York. the fateful hour. John Elder wrote on May 26, the genocide, and the subsequent horror and 1918, as Ottoman Turkish forces advanced to Plans for Special Concert loss. Everlastingness from Gorky (2015), is an the outskirts of Yerevan: “You never can tell aria written on the life and death of renowned This special concert that has been planned for Saturday evening, May 5 will what may happen. Just as the end seems at painter Arshile Gorky — his childhood memories entail a program of sacred Armenian music. The acclaimed soprano Isabel hand the pendulum swings the other of Armenia, his mother’s death from starvation Bayrakdarian who is noted for her interpretive authenticity of sharagans (a.k.a. way...After a two-day battle at Sardarabad, the during the Genocide, and his life in America Armenian canonical hymns)will sing without accompaniment a number of them, Turks have been completely routed.” With the with its series of tragic events. Lyricist Royce Arzruni detailed. decisive battle won, two days later, on May 28, Vavrek described the song as a “fever dream as “The first composers from the eighth century were women – Sahakdukht, 1918, Armenia declared independence. Gorky’s memories consume him.” Khosrovidukht. In fact, they were the first women composers ever in the common The only Americans in Yerevan at the time, A Boy and a Makeshift Toy from Children of era,” Arzruni revealed, adding that therefore “it is appropriate to have a woman Elder and Arroll witnessed momentous events Conflict (2015), is based on a young refugee chanter.” and the unfolding of a heart-wrenching playing in a train station filled with Albanian see ANNIVERSARY, page 17 humanitarian disaster as the ravages of war refugees waiting to be transported to another were revealed once the fighting stopped. A see PRELACY, page 14 see YMCA, page 15 14 S ATURDAY, A PRIL 1 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING USC Thornton Friends of Armenian Music Celebrate 39 Years on May 6

LOS ANGELES — In recognition of 39 years steadfast support of all our programs and scores and books by the generous donations of and study for many years. of commitment in promoting and supporting endeavors. At the luncheon, we will be honor- the Armenian community. The entire collection Donations for the luncheon are $60.00 for Armenian musical heritage at the University of ing our Past Presidents in acknowledgement of has been catalogued and available for research adults and $30.00 for students. Southern California (USC) Thornton School of their years of devoted service.” Music, a celebration luncheon will be held on Guests will also enjoy a musical program per- Sunday, May 6, 2018 at 1 p.m. at the Louvre formed by Armenian professional artists who Banquet Hall, 1767 N. Vermont Avenue. This are graduates of the USC Thornton School of event will be hosted by the Board of Directors Music and were recipients of the USC of the USC Thornton Friends of Armenian Thornton Friends scholarship awards. This lun- Music and under the auspices of Dean Dr. cheon affords guests the opportunity to recog- Robert Cutietta and Assistant Dean of nize their musical talent, ability and profes- Advancement, Dr. Phoenix Delgado. sionalism. Irene Sassounian, president of the USC In 1984, with donations from friends and Thornton Friends of Armenian Music, states, supporters, the USC Friends of Armenian “We look back with pride on our years of asso- Music Scholarship Fund was established and ciation with the USC Thornton School of each year the Scholarship Endowment Funds Music which was established in 1979 for the continue to present awards to an average of purpose of advancing the knowledge, preser- eight recipients each year. Another accom- vation and presentation of our rich Armenian plishment was the launching of the USC musical heritage. Our accomplishments would Armenian Music collection in the Doheny not have been possible without the dedicated Music Library in 1985. Through the years the Board of Directors of USC Thornton Friends of Music at the USC University Club. leadership of our Past Presidents and their library has been enriched with musical notes, Prelacy’s Musical Armenia Thrills Audiences at 35

PRELACY, from page 13 members. awarded an artist diploma. In the US, he Lebanese civil war. I wanted to be on stage writ- camp. And, Sea of Two Colors (2012), reveals a Welcoming the guests, Tanielian thanked the received a master’s degree in music from the ing my own music about things that I care portrait of Komitas before and after the artists for “their interpretation and spirit” and Cleveland Institute of Music, and currently is deeply about, to give voice to those who are no Genocide when he writes, “I have seen a black called the concert “very unique” because of the pursuing his doctoral degree in piano perfor- longer here. Arts are a powerful medium to do sea, and all around was white. The waves inclusion of a composer among the performers. mance from Michigan State University. He so.” crashed but the two did not mix. Who has ever He also paid tribute to the Musical Armenia was awarded a Bronze Medal at the Aram Kouyoumdjian has a master’s degree in film seen a sea of two colors?” from Andouni committee members who “continuously choose Khachaturian International Piano scoring and multimedia from New York (Homeless). the best among the best.” Competition in 2007, First Prize at the University, and a master’s degree in composi- Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra tion from Columbia University where she is pur- International Young Artist Competition in suing her doctorate. She has received commis- 2014, and First Prize at the San Jose sions from the Kronos Quartet, Carnegie Hall, International Piano Competition in 2015. He International Contemporary Ensemble, has given concerts in Armenia, Belgium, Brooklyn Youth Chorus, WQXR, the Nouveau Poland and the U.S. Classical Project, Music of Remembrance, the For Kouyoumdjian, the concert was “special, Los Angeles New Music Ensemble, among oth- but rare, to have performed for an Armenian ers. Her work has been performed at Carnegie audience. My music is inspired by my back- Hall, Lincoln Center, the Museum of Modern ground. My parents came here as a result of the Art, and several music festivals.

FRIENDS OF THE ARMENIAN CULTURE SOCIETY

67TH ANNUAL presents ARMENIAN NIGHT AT THE POPS SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2018 8PM SYMPHONY HALL, BOSTON Pianist Hrant Bagrazyan

• • At the conclusion of the concert, all per- For pianist Hrant Bagrazyan, the experience formers acknowledged the standing ovation, of performing at Carnegie Hall was the “ulti- as Levon Tatevossian came onstage and mate honor. You are in that holy place where greeted each one with flower bouquets. The there is history in every corner of the building. celebration continued at the Prelacy head- To know that I performed where idols have quarters where the performers joined com- played. . .”, he said, his voice trailing off. munity leaders and members of the Musical Armenia-born Bagrazyan studied at Armenia committee and Prelacy Ladies Guild Yerevan State Conservatory where he was

HAIG HOVSEPIAN,

Featuring BOSTON POPS ORCHESTRAviolin Winner of the 2017 BostonKEITH Symphony LOCKHART, Orchestra Concerto Competition

and with conductor

also featuring...

Hotel Elefant Ensemble

1 3 1:33 PM S ATURDAY, A PRIL 1 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 ARTS & LIVING Armenian National Institute Holds Exhibit on Role of YMCA in Armenian Relief

YMCA, from page 13 Walter George Smith, who traveled to Armenia year elapsed before a new crew of relief workers on behalf of the American Relief reached Armenia to lighten the burden they Administration. Both were members of promi- shouldered. In the meantime, their efforts and nent families. Smith was married to Elizabeth accomplishments had become legend among Drexel, whose uncle, banker and philanthropist admiring Armenians and fellow Americans at Anthony Drexel, founded Drexel University in home. Philadelphia. Smith became the most vocal The YMCA digital exhibit is the fifth such American Catholic advocate of the Armenian exhibit developed by ANI based on American people at the time. documentation of the Armenian Genocide. It “The Armenian National Institute thanks the follows upon other educational material devel- Elder family for supporting the research under- oped for the centennial of the Armenian taken to develop the exhibit, and for permitting Genocide, including the four large exhibits dis- our organization to continue to honor the mem- playing hundreds of historic photographs. ory of such a committed humanitarian,” stated These exhibits include: Witness to the ANI Director Dr. Rouben Adalian. “At the height Armenian Genocide: Photographs by the of the conflict in the Caucasus when other relief Perpetrators’ German and Austro-Hungarian workers chose to evacuate, John Elder refused to Allies ;The First Refuge and the Last Defense: leave fearing that tens of thousands more The Armenian Church, Etchmiadzin, and the Armenians would die of starvation if the relief Armenian Genocide ; The First Deportation: programs were discontinued. He is credited in The German Railroad, The American Hospital, providing relief for 15,000 Armenian orphans. and the Armenian Genocide; Iconic Images of Such selfless heroism must be recognized.” the Armenian Genocide (also available as a Gertrude Pearson Adalian added: “I also want to thank Dr. slideshow) and Survivors of the Armenian Christina Maranci, professor of Armenian Art Genocide. and Architecture at Tufts University for lending The exhibit displays 95 images, 64 from John and Mabel Farrington. Mary Kifer, whose life dent of Grinnell College in Iowa, who witnessed her expertise. Dr. Andrew Anderson of the Elder’s photo collection, 8 contemporaneous was cut short after leaving the Caucasus, the horrific conditions in Armenia firsthand on University of Calgary graciously extended per- records and documents, and 4 maps. With 32 improbably found romance while conducting behalf of the American Committee for Relief in mission to reproduce the very high quality map quotations from Elder’s journal authenticating relief work in Armenia. Her story parallels “A the photographs, along with introductory and Farewell to Arms” before Ernest Hemingway explanatory text, the exhibit opens a window wrote his WWI era tragedy. into life during the first year of the newly inde- Other American personalities in the region pendent Armenian republic in 1918. The exhib- appearing in the exhibit include F. Willoughby it includes the entire set of photographs Elder Smith, US Consul in Tiflis, who supported the attributed to his time in Armenia. efforts of the relief workers; Robert McDowell, Several American relief workers are also men- who was at the front when the Turkish forces tioned in the exhibit, including Reverend Ernest broke through and invaded Yarrow, Gertrude Pearson, F. Tredwell Smith, Alexandropol/Gyumri; Dr. John H.T. Main, presi-

John Elder, left, with Tredwell Smith in Yerevan

the Near East; missionary Grace Knapp; and depicting the situation in the Caucasus in 1918. John Mott, longtime president of the American I thank as well the staff at the YMCA Archives YMCA, who, with the encouragement of his for retrieving critical information about the pro- friend President Woodrow Wilson, dispatched tagonists of this exhibit.” young Americans wherever they could lend civil- Adalian continued: “The YMCA exhibit ian support behind the front to men in combat. should be viewed as a continuation of the his- John Elder was particularly happy to wel- torical reconstruction provided in a previously come two Pennsylvania natives like himself, issued ANI exhibit and titled, The First Refuge Children in the government orphanage Pittsburgh businessman Howard Heinz, and and the Last Defense: The Armenian Church, president of the American Bar Association Echmiadzin, and the Armenian Genocide. That exhibit documented the extent of the spillover consequences in Eastern Armenia, then part of the Russian Empire, and of the atrocities com- mitted in Western Armenia in the Ottoman Empire in 1915. The YMCA exhibit is a com- pelling reminder that the aftermath of the Armenian Genocide continued to unfold over the course of many years and spread across Eastern Armenia as well with every advancing step of the Turkish armies. The evidence gath- ered by John Elder demonstrates that was not spared the genocide perpe- trated by the Young Turk regime. He wrote on January 16, 1919: ‘Among the refugees it has been a holocaust.’” The exhibit concludes with US President Herbert Hoover’s tribute to the remarkable role of the YMCA pair who risked going to Armenia in the thick of World War I. The exhibit marking the centennial of the founding of the Armenian republic also extends appre- ciation to the Peace Corps volunteers today who are following in Elder’s and Arroll’s foot- steps under the leadership of US Ambassador to Armenia Richard M. Mills, Jr. who happened to be the State Department’s first Armenia desk officer when Armenia regained indepen- dence in 1991. 16 S ATURDAY, A PRIL 1 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING CC AA LENDARLENDAR

MAY 19 — Hai Guin Scholarship Association Annual MASSACHUSETTSCONNECTICUT mation, email [email protected]. APRIL 21 – Annual Procession and Raising of the Luncheon & Fashion Show, Saturday, 11:30 a.m., at APRIL 21 — Connecticut Commemoration of the 103rd Armenian Flag at Lowell City Hall in commemora- Montvale Plaza, Stoneham. Fashions by Soft anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Saturday tion of the 103rd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Surroundings of Chestnut Hill, MA. Tickets: $60 per per- April 21, 2018. House Chamber at the State Capitol. 210 Procession to be led by the Lowell Armenian-American son. Please call Lisa at 781-729-6333; Becky at 508-651- Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT at 11:00 a.m. Speaker: Veterans Honor Guard. Participants should meet at the 8893;or Marilyn at 978-818-9098 for tickets. Taner Akcam, PH. D. Professor of History, Clark corner of Merrimack and John Sts. in Lowell at 9:30 a.m. JUNE 1-2 — Armenian Food Festival Sponsored by the University. Topic: Armenian Genocide: Killing Orders and Sponsored by the Armenian National Committee, Hye Pointe Church Women’s Guild, 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 Denialism. Reception to follow the commemoration. Merrimack Valley (ANCMV) with the participation of all p.m. Armenian Apostolic Church at Hye Pointe, 1280 Please arrive at 10:30 a.m. to allow time to clear securi- area Armenian Churches and Organizations. Boston Post Road, Haverhill. Chicken Kabob, Losh Kabob, ty and be seated by 11:00 a.m. April 22 — Sunday, free Buses from Watertown, 9:30 and Kheyma Dinners, Armenian Delicacies including a.m. from the Armenian Cultural and Education Lahmejoon, Cheese Beoreg, Spinach Pie, Tourshi, MASSACHUSETTSFLORIDA Center, 47 Nichols Ave, and Worcester 10 a.m., Rt-146 Cheoreg, Kataif, Paklava, and many more delicious items. & Mass pike Park & Ride to Times Square, For more information call the church at (978) 372-9227. JANUARY 20-17, 2019 — Armenian Heritage Cruise for the 103rd Armenian Genocide Commemoration. JUNE 6 — Tea & Tranquility, Armenian Heritage Park on XXII 2019, Western Carribean Cruise aboard of Royal Organized by Knights of Vartan @ Times Square, New The Greenway, Boston, Wednesday, 5-6:30 p.m. Meet & Carribean’s Allure Of The Seas. Traveling to Nassau / York City 2-4 p.m. Bus rides complements of Knights and Greet! Enjoy Tea & Desserts hosted by MEM Tea Imports Cozumel / Roatan / Costa Maya. Cabin Rates starting Daughters of Vartan Lodge #1. and The Bostonian Hotel. Walk the Labyrinth. For first-time from US $949 / person based on Double Occupancy, APRIL 28 – Trinity Talent Showcase, 7 p.m., doors walkers introduction to walking a labyrinth at 5:30 p.m. including Port Charges and ACAA registration fee. open; 7:30 p.m., Showcase begins; Holy Trinity RSVP appreciated. [email protected] Government taxes of $137.45 are additional. Armenian Armenian Church of Greater Boston, 145 Brattle St., JUNE 9 — The Friends of Armenian Culture Society will Entertainment, Armenian Cultural Presentations, Cambridge MA. All invited to an evening of entertain- host the 67th annual Armenian Night at the Pops Armenian Festival Day, Tavlou and Belote Tournaments ment featuring talent from the Holy Trinity Church com- on Saturday, at 8 p.m. at Symphony Hall in Boston. tal- and much more. Call Travel Group International @ 1-561- munity; Robert Clarke, magician and juggler; and music ented violinist Haig Hovsepian. A winner of the 2017 447-0750 or 1-866-447-0750 Ext.108, contact person by the Black Sea Combo. Cabaret Table Seating: $20 per Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Concerto Competition and Janie person/$100 for table of 6 max. (RSVP deadline April a rising sophomore at the Cleveland Institute of Music, 15); Auditorium seating: $10 in advance; $15 at the Hovsepian will appear as soloist with the Boston Pops ILLINOIS door. For further information or to reserve online, log Orchestra under the direction of Keith Lockhart. He will onto https://www.eventbrite.com/e/trinity-talent-show- perform the Sibelius Violin Concerto in D-minor. The Pops APRIL 15 — Book presentation by Adrienne Alexanian case-tickets-43801836472, or call the Holy Trinity Church will present Dance to the Movies with Dancing Celebrity (editor) on her father’s memoir Forced into Office, 617.354.0632. Pros, So You Think You Can Dance top finalists, Genocide: Memoirs of an Armenian Soldier in the MAY 5 — Saturday, Kentucky Derby Watch Party, Fun and singing stars from American Idol and The Voice. Ottoman Turkish Army, Sunday, 3 p.m. sharp. The Illinois and festivities to support Armenia Tree Project, At the Tickets $95, $70 and $35, available at: Holocaust Museum and Education Center 9603 Woods elegant/historic Gore Place in Waltham. 5:00 pm. Tickets www.FACSBoston.org Drive Skokie, Il. 60077—-RSVP (847) 967-4800. There are available via www.ArmeniaTree.org/KentuckyDerby JUNE 28 — Under a Strawberry Moon, Armenian no other books in literature on this aspect of the MAY 5 – ANNUAL MEETING & LUNCHEON, Armenian Heritage Park on The Greenway, Boston, Thursday, Genocide. The book also contains rare documents and International Women’s Association (AIWA). Meeting, 8:30– 9:30 p.m. Meet & Greet! Moonlit Labyrinth Walk. pictures which will be shown during a power point pre- 9:30 a.m.; Luncheon, 12 noon. Speaker: Patti Fletcher, Enjoy chocolate-dipped strawberries, hosted by Vicki sentation. Book signing during reception. author of Disrupters: Success Strategies from Women Lee’s and Ice Teas, hosted by MEM Tea Imports. RSVP Who Break the Mold. Alumnae Hall, Wellesley College, appreciated. [email protected] MASSACHUSETTS Wellesley, MA. Info & Reservations: info@aiwainterna- JULY 7 — Save the date! Armenian Church of Cape Cod tional.org or 617-926-0171. second annual Kef Time dinner and dancing at the APRIL 14 — Saturday, St. James Great Gatsby Gala! A May 5 — Celebrate Public Art during Artweek on Cape Club, 125 Falmouth Woods Road, North Falmouth. Roarin’ 20s Celebration! Live Jazz & Armenian Music, Saturday at the Park, Armenian Heritage Park on Leon Janikian Band with DJ and special appearance by Passed Hors D’oeuvres, Mezza and Dessert Stations and The Greenway, Boston, 1 p.m., World Labyrinth Day: Harry Minassian. Details to follow. more. St. James Armenian Church – 465 Mt. Auburn Walk As One in peace & harmony with people in cities JULY 18 — Tea & Tranquility, Armenian Heritage Park Street, Watertown, 8 p.m., Tickets $100. Purchase online and towns worldwide including the labyrinth in Gyumri. on The Greenway, Boston. Wednesday, 5- 6:30 p.m. at www.stjameswatertown.org or contact [email protected]. At 12:45 p.m., introduction to Walking a Labyrinth, 1:30 Meet & Greet! Enjoy Tea & Desserts hosted by MEM Tea APRIL 15 – Vase Painting, Wine & Unwind, 5 pm - Reception to View the 2018 Configuration of the Imports and The Bostonian Hotel. Walk the Labyrinth. For p.m., Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall, Holy Abstract Sculpture. Remarks: Sarah Baker, editor-in-chief, first-time walkers introduction to walking a labyrinth at Trinity Armenian Church of Greater Boston, 145 Brattle Art New England magazine. Introduced by Lucas Cowan, 5:30 p.m. RSVP appreciated. St., Cambridge MA. Vase painting led by artist Arevik Public Art Curator, Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy. [email protected] Tserunyan, entertainment, food and wine. All proceeds Tea & Desserts, hosted by MEM Tea Imports & Eastern AUGUST 15 — Tea & Tranquility, Armenian Heritage to benefit medical outreach for the Karahunge and Lamejun Bakers. RSVP appreciated. Park on The Greenway, Boston, Wednesday, 5-6:30 Shirak regions in Armenia. Donation: $35; limited seats. [email protected] p.m. Meet & Greet! Enjoy Tea & Desserts hosted by MEM To reserve a seat, call/text: Amalia, 617.669.7444; MAY 6 — “Celebrating 400 Hundred Years of Armenian Tea Imports and The Bostonian Hotel. Walk the Marianna, 617.966.1339; or Naneh, 857.389.8362. American Heritage: 1618-2018” Exhibition and the Labyrinth. For first-time walkers introduction to walking a Sponsored by Watertown Armenian Club and Holy Trinity launching of Armenian Legacy in America: A 400- labyrinth at 5:30 p.m. RSVP appreciated. Armenian School. Year Heritage by Dr. Hayk Demoyan in an illustrated [email protected] APRIL 19 — “3D printing: the wave of the future. Come talk. Other speakers include Robert Mirak, Barbara J. SEPTEMBER 16 — Sunday Afternoon at the Park for and learn about efforts being made in Armenia and Merguerian and Nubar Afeyan. Sunday, 3 p.m. Families & Friends. Armenian Heritage Park on The the U.S. Sponsored by the Cambridge-Yerevan Sister City Admission free and open to the public. Book sale and Greenway. 2-4 p.m. Enjoy Boston Hye Guys Ensemble Association (CYSCA) with co-sponsorship by the National reception to follow. Organized by Armenian Cultural with Ron Sahatjian, clarinet; Joe Kouyoumjian, oud; Art Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR). Foundation, co-sponsored by the Amaras Art Alliance, Chingris, percussion. RSVP appreciated. 7 p.m. At the Armenian Cultural Foundation, 441 Mystic and National Association for Armenian Studies and [email protected] St., Arlington. Research, 441 Mystic Street (Route 3), Arlington. Tel. APRIL 20 — Raffi Bedrosyan of Toronto (781)-646-3090 [email protected] NEW JERSEY lecture: “Islamized Hidden Armenians of Turkey - MAY 11 — Welcome His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Living Victims of a Genocide,” organized by the Tekeyan Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, to a SEPTEMBER 30 — Save the date! Armenia Fund USA Cultural Association and St. James Armenian Church of Celebration of a Life of Service: Rev. Mampre A. and Ardzagang Armenian TV are proud to present Watertown, Friday, 7 p.m., at St. James Charles Mosesian Kouzouian on the 60th Anniversary of his ordination to Artash Asatryan and Band, guest singer Grisha Asatryan, Cultural and Youth Center, Keljik Hall, 465 Mount Auburn the priesthood. Under the auspices of the Diocese of the from Armenia! The concert is dedicated to the Armenia’s St., Watertown. For more information, emailtcadirec- Armenian Church of America (Eastern), His Eminence and Artsakh’s Independence Celebration. Don’t miss the [email protected] Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate. Holy Trinity performance by the son and grandson of the legendary APRIL 20-21 — Commemorating the 103rd anniversary Armenian Church of Greater Boston, 145 Brattle Street, Armenian singer Aram Asatryan. Proceeds will benefit of the Armenian Genocide, first at the State House, Cambridge. Hrashapar Service in Sanctuary, 6 p.m. All Fruitful Artsakh Project. 4 p.m. Location: Bergen PAC, 30 on Friday, April 20, 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., Boston. A free are invited to attend. Celebration Banquet, 7:p.m., in the N Van Brunt St, Englewood. reception will follow. Then on Saturday, April 21, a Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall, by advance paid reservation, RSVP deadline April 30. For an invitation Commemoration at the Park, 3 to 5 p.m. Further details NEW YORK will follow. For more information, visit or further information, http://www.htaac.org/calen- [email protected]. dar/event/525/ or call the Holy Trinity Church Office, APRIL 21 - MAY 13 — Off-Broadway production by Pan APRIL 21 — Boston Armenian Genocide 617.354.0632. Asian Repertory Theatre of Joyce Van Dyke’s play, Commemoration, "United Against Genocide" orga- MAY 18-19 —Armenian Memorial Church Annual Fair, DAYBREAK: the lyrical story of two Armenian women nized by the Boston Armenian Genocide Committee, Armenian Memorial Church, 32 Bigelow Ave., friends, survivors from 1915, who are transported with Saturday April 21st from 3-5 pm at the Armenian Watertown, Friday, May 18, 5-8 p.m., Saturday, May 19, their families into the 21st century future. Performances Heritage Park. Buses will be provided from St. James, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Armenian kebab meals served, Armenian at the Beckett Theatre (on Theatre Row), 410 W. 42nd Watertown and Holy Trinity, Cambridge. For more infor- delicacies, silent auction CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE S ATURDAY, A PRIL 1 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 17 ARTS & LIVING Spectacular Concert in Celebration of Recipe St. Vartan Cathedral 50th Anniversary ANNIVERSARY, from page 13 a suite by Alan Hovhannes titled Sanahin, who Following the sharagans, there will be an was deeply influenced by his memories of a visit Corner instrumental work, Prayer of St. Gregory by to the 10th-century monastery of the same Alan Hovhaness, an excerpt from his name. “Etchmiadzin” opera. This special arrangement The concert will conclude with excerpts from by Christine Vartanian Datian will be performed by Haig Mardirosian, organist the Komitas Divine Liturgy conducted by Prof. and dean emeritus of Temple University, along Hovhannes Mirzoyan who will be arriving from with young clarinetist Narek Arutyunian. Armenia to conduct a 16-member professional Avocado, Tomato and Basil Salad Hayren, by well-known composer Tigran male choir. Mansourian, will follow performed by Sato Starting this concert will be an ensemble of INGREDIENTS: Moughalian on the alto flute, with Arzruni 120 children singing the Yegmalian Hayr Mer, 2-3 large ripe avocado, pitted, peeled and diced accompanying on the piano. Hayren is a and the Hayrabedagan Maghtank dedicated to 2 medium ripe tomatoes, cut into wedges or 11/2 cups halved grape or cherry toma- medieval poetic form — couplets with a single the Vehapar. The children will come from three toes coherent theme — perfected by Nahapet local Armenian schools – Holy Martyrs, 1 cup firmly packed chopped fresh basil Kouchak, one of the first Armenian Brooklyn, and the Hovnanian Schools. 1 cup celery, including tops, diced 1 cup red or yellow bell pepper, diced or sliced ashoughs. Following the concert, a reception will take 1 medium red onion, sliced thin Organist Haig Mardirosian will then perform place to which all are invited. 4 or 5 green onions, diced 8 oz. fresh mozzarella or Jack cheese, diced 1/4 cup radishes, sliced 8 cups assorted lettuce, romaine, endive, bibb, or green leaf Fresh basil leaves, minced parsley, and Armenian or Greek olives as garnish Toasted slivered almonds as garnish

DRESSING: 2/3 cup olive oil (to taste) 1/3 cup fresh lemon or lime juice or balsamic vinegar 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon or crushed dried mint Sea or kosher salt, crushed red pepper flakes, black pepper, paprika to taste

PREPARATION: Combine dressing ingredients in a medium bowl or glass container, check season- ings, cover and chill before serving. Sprinkle avocado with lemon juice. Place choice of salad greens in large bowl. Put avocado, tomato, chopped basil, celery, bell pepper, and red and green onions on top. Add cheese and radishes and toss with some salad dressing. Garnish with basil leaves, parsley, olives, and toasted almonds. Serve with extra dressing on the side and garlic bread or fresh rolls. (Note: 1 pound cooked medium to large peeled, deveined shrimp or 2 cups diced cooked chicken may be added to this salad.) Serves 4. *Christine's recipes have been published in the Fresno Bee newspaper, Sunset magazine, Cooking Light magazine, and at http://www.thearmeniankitchen.com/ Saint Hripsime Church in Armenia, the original model for St. Vartan Cathedral ADAA and Anteaus Present FROM PAGE 16 St., New York, Tuesdays through Sundays; weekend matinees. Discount tickets for seniors, students and groups. For tickets and information: www.telecharge.com or ‘We Have Heroes’ call (212) 239-6200. For discount tickets: www.telechargeoffers.com or call (212) 947-8844. Or contact the theatre: [email protected], (212) 868-4030. APRIL 22 — The 103rd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide will be commem- GLENDALE — The Armenian Dramatic Arts orated in Times Square, New York on Sunday, from 2-4 p.m. in an event sponsored Alliance, in partnership with Antaeus Theatre by the Knights & Daughters of Vartan. The program will feature elected officials, aca- Company, will present a special evening to com- demics and artists, including a special appearance by Elie Berberian. For more infor- memorate the 103rd anniversary of the mation visit http://kofv.org/. Armenian Genocide: “We Have Heroes,” Sunday, April 22, 6-8 p.m., at the Kiki and David MASSACHUSETTSPENNSYLVANIA Gindler Performing Arts Center in Glendale. The event will shine a light on the works of APRIL 28 — Join the Armenian Assembly of America for its Philadelphia living Armenian composers: Robert Celebration at the National Constitution Center on Saturday, starting at 6 p.m. Amirkhanian, Loris Tjecknavorian and Charles The Armenian Assembly will be honoring longtime members and Life Trustees Peter Aznavour. Their compositions will be performed and Irene Vosbikian. The evening’s entertainment will feature Kevork Artinian by Salpy and Sossi Kerkonian, a flute and harp Entertainment and his Band. To learn more about the Philadelphia Celebration, please duo, and The Greg Hosharian Trio and per- visit www.aimhye.com. Please RSVP by Monday, April 16. formers Jade Hykush and Mariam Vardani. There will also be a screening the short film, MASSACHUSETTSRHODE ISLAND Song of a Warrior, written by Shauna Vartanian Charles Aznavour APRIL 28 — The Armenian Martyrs’ Memorial Committee of Rhode Island Presents Cocktails & Conversation with Chris Bohjalian on Saturday, 3-5 p.m. at the Marriott Providence, 10 Orms Street, Providence, RI. Join Chris Bohjalian, NY and directed by Von Kochar, who will also be Times best-selling author of The Flight Attendant, in Conversation with RI’s own directing the evening’s program. This film illus- Robin Kall of “Reading with Robin.” Tickets: $40 per person Includes hors d’oeuvres, trates the legacy of survivors like George a cocktail, and a goody bag. Order tickets online at www.ammri.org or call Joyce Mardikian and his involvement with the Yeremian 401-354-8770. R.S.V.P. deadline Friday, April 20 or Esther Kalajian 401-885- Displaced Persons of WWII who have also 9116. rebuilt their lives in a new world. The program APRIL 29 — The Armenian Martyrs’ Memorial Committee will commemorate the will be produced by Bianca Bagatourian. 103nd Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide at 12:45pm at North Burial “On April 24, 1915, the first wave of artists Grounds, Branch Avenue, Providence. Religious services will be held with three local and intellectuals were rounded up in the Armenian churches and clergy. Federal, state and local politicians. Keynote speaker Ottoman capital of Constantinople and slain,” will be Chris Bohjalian. His work has been translated into more than thirty languages, Bagatourian noted. “On April 22, 2019, we and three of his novels have become movies. We invite the entire Armenian commu- reclaim these people and the spirit of their nity to join us and remember our Holy Martyrs and survivors of the 1915 Genocide. artistry with We Have Heroes.” For info- [email protected] or visit our website www.ammri.org Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of MAY 18 — Book presentation by Adrienne Alexanian (editor) of her father’s memoir the Armenian Church Western Diocese, will Forced into Genocide: Memoirs of an Armenian Soldier in the Ottoman Turkish Army. begin the evening with an invocation. A recep- 7 p.m. Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Church, 70 Jefferson St., Providence. (401) 272- tion will follow the performance. 7712. Book signing during reception to follow. All proceeds to be donated to the church. Limited tickets will be free to the public. For questions or sponsorship opportunities, contact Natalie Rose at [email protected]. Loris Tjecknavorian Sponsorship deadline to receive tickets and ben- efits is April 16. 18 S ATURDAY, A PRIL 1 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

COMMENTARY Mirror Armenia Beckons Tourists with Spectator Christianity and Night Clubs the end of April and all one-way tickets cost 250 euros and it is By Edmond Y. Azadian still cheap and not every day. And the average price for a one- way ticket is 350 euros. Then I looked for options from and the ticket cost 130 euros.” EstablishedEstablished 1932 1932 Every time I return from a trip to Armenia, I find the flight The same disparity exists in hotel accommodations. And every An ADLAn Publication ADL Publication full of Asian and European travelers. I often have wondered tourist will make that calculation and Armenia will lose its com- what attracts those visitors to Armenia. A few random questions petitive edge. The statistic demonstrates how that competitive- reveal that many people visit Armenia to learn about its ness is lost. Thus, last year, 220,000 Iranians visited Armenia, Christian history. That, of course, would have been a dignified which was a 16-percent rise from 2016, yet 322,000 Iranians vis-

EDITOR cause had it been the only reason. There is no doubt that Pope ited Georgia and 362,000 visited Azerbaijan during the New Alin K. Gregorian Francis’ visit and his courageous statement about the Armenian Year (Now Ruz) at the start of spring. Genocide put Armenia on the tourist map. One would think that Armenia suffering from high unem- ASSISTANT EDITOR But going from the sublime to the ridiculous, Kim ployment should have made itself more affordable to world Aram Arkun Kardashian’s visit in 2015 also has created tremendous interest tourism but that is not the case. The only captive audience that

ART DIRECTOR in that tiny country tucked away in the Caucasus Mountains in Armenia has is the diaspora, because for any price, they will not Marc Mgrditchian a different audience. fly to Tbilisi or Baku, but head to Yerevan directly. We may also be loath to admit that Kardashian’s statements The modern airport in Yerevan, which offers one of the most about the Armenian Genocide have, perhaps, been as equally enchanting arrivals for passengers, is run by Eduardo effective in generating awareness about this historic wrong as Eurenkian, and it charges high landing fees for foreign carriers. the volumes of serious academic publications on the subject. That fee is passed on to the traveling public. SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: As ironic as it may sound, that predicts what triggers the inter- As far as service industries are concerned, all employable peo- Edmond Y. Azadian est of other people. ple cannot find jobs. The conditions set by employers in the Another flow of tourists into Armenia comes from Iran. The tourism industry could be considered criminal in other civilized CONTRIBUTORS: Muslim tourists from that Florence Avakian, Dr. Haroutiun country have the least Arzoumanian, Philippe Raffi Kalfayan, interest in Armenia’s Philip Ketchian, Kevork Keushkerian, Christian heritage; , Hagop Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian instead, the source of their interest in Armenia CORRESPONDENTS: is their own closed society Armenia - Hagop Avedikian which enforces rigorous Boston - Nancy Kalajian moral codes, restricting New York/New Jersey - Taleen people from enjoying the Babayan social freedoms of an Berlin - Muriel Mirak-Weissbach open society. Contributing Photographers: Armenia’s Christian her- Jirair Hovsepian itage is a recent discovery even for its own people. In today’s world, many coun- tries filter their politics The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published weekly, except two weeks in July and the first through religion. Even in week of the year, by: America, the Bible Belt has been a staunch sup- Baikar Association, Inc. porter of President Trump, 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 regardless of his frivolous Telephone: 617-924-4420 romps (allegedly) with FAX: 617-924-2887 adult actresses, several www.mirrorspectator.com divorces and out-of-wed- E-Mail: [email protected] lock dalliances. The Bible For advertising: [email protected] does preach understand- ing and compassion, and Mary Magdalene is more virtuous than- countries. For example, many businesses advertise openings for many others who were socially superior to her. attractive female applicants younger than 35. Here we find gen- One of the few benefits of the Soviet system was that people der discrimination along with age discrimination, and on top of were not discriminated against based on their faith. The com- that, the insinuation of physical experience which borders on bustible mixture of religion and politics did not exist. That is why sexual inuendo. SUBSCRIPTION RATES : formerly the Muslim populations of the Soviet republics were Today, there are 22,000 Syrian Armenian refugees in Armenia. not attracted politically to Muslim countries, despite some By the government’s admission, they have introduced a new cul- attempts by Turkey and Saudi Arabia to entice them. ture in restaurant industry and new work ethic standards in U.S.A. $80 a year By the same token, Armenia’s religion was not visible during other industries. I happened to dine at one of the tiny restaurants operated by Canada $125 a year the Soviet period and only now in the post-independence stage is staging a comeback. In the process, Western popular culture Armenians from Aleppo. The food was above average and the Other Countries $190 a year has inundated Armenia, making it attractive for Muslim tourists prices were moderate. It was owned by two partners, one work- from Iran. ing with his wife, the other with his mother. When I asked how When Armenia became independent, its amateur rulers of the they fared, they complained bitterly about the tax collectors. © 2014 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator day shortsightedly privatized most of the factories, dismantling They said, “They don’t let us breathe. They are watching us Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA its industrial infrastructure, and selling it as scrap metal to Iran daily. There is very little after we give them their share.” and additional mailing offices. and Turkey. As Armenia was not endowed with natural This is where the economic strangulation of the country resources, it had to depend on information technologies (IT) and begins; that system will never allow the creation of a large, sta- ISSN 0004-234X tourism. The latter has yet to be developed fully in order to serve ble middle class, which is the economic backbone of any society. as a lifeline for the economy. Some cosmetic dispensations are publicized for the refugees but the taxman is everywhere to fatten himself and his supervi- POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Those two avenues for economic development can overcome Armenian Mirror-Spectator, 755 Mount Auburn the blockade of the country, unlike other products which need sors, no matter what the repercussion for Armenia’s economy. St., Watertown, MA 02472 export routes. When a small restaurant owner has to suffer from bribery and Other than the editorial, views and opinions As a tourist destination, Armenia is not competitive. Since its corruption, one can imagine on what level bribery is practiced expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily independence, Armenia’s citizens have been gravitating to at large. reflect the policies of the publisher. Turkey and Georgia, because resorts in their own country have Business does not recognize patriotism and capital will flow proved to be beyond their means. It is less expensive for an where there is a healthy atmosphere for economic development. Armenian family to spend a week in Antalya, Turkey, or Batumi, However, many Armenian venture capitalists, who could invest Georgia, flight included, than head to Sevan Lake, 35 miles from in safer countries, try to invest in Armenia, driven by a stubborn Copying for other than personal use or the capital. patriotism. But their counterparts in the country do not feel internal reference is prohibited without We had to wait for a Russian-Israeli blogger, Alexander anywhere near the same level of patriotism and concern for the express permission of the copyright Lapshin, who gained fame after being kidnapped and incarcer- country’s economic development. owner. Address requests for reprints or ated in Azerbaijan for visiting Artsakh, to reveal to us this Armenia’s economic ills begin from that small restaurant in back issues to: anomaly in Armenia’s tourism industry. downtown Yerevan and climb up to the peak of the pyramid. He says one-way fare from Israel to Yerevan costs 180 euros, The day that restaurant thrives, the way for Armenia’s middle Baikar Association, Inc. whereas from Israel to Tbilisi, Georgia, it costs 86 euros. class will be paved. Thus, when tourists arrive, they will have 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472- “In days I was searching for a ticket from Yerevan to for more choices and the locals, more money. 1509 S ATURDAY, A PRIL 1 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 19 COMMENTARY

by Turkey,” according to the Jordan Times. Tremblay reported that “at the end of December, Turkey Surprisingly, Turkey consented to renegotiate the Free acquired a 99-year lease from Sudan for Suakin Island, Trade Agreement which was signed in 2011. This was a depar- increasing Turkey’s presence in the Red Sea. This move has ture from Turkey’s usual aggressive tactic to threaten and unnerved the countries that identify themselves as ‘the Arab bully both friends and opponents to submit to its wishes. Anti-Terror Quartet’ (Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and My Turn The government of Jordan should be commended for its Bahrain). Turkey’s relations with African nations are flour- tough stand in defense of its interests, despite the fact that, ishing. Not everyone is happy about such developments, and By Harut Sassounian in recent months, several developments had strengthened this could cause problems for Turkish-Jordanian relations.” Turkey-Jordan relations. Both countries vehemently criticized Prof. Tremblay described the fourth challenge as financial: President Trump’s recent decision to relocate the US “Turkey wants Jordanian markets but faces roadblocks posed Why Turkey Accepted Jordan’s Embassy to from Tel Aviv. On February 21, the two by Gulf countries. Since March 2016, Turkey and Jordan have Demand To Revise Their Free countries also signed a military cooperation agreement. been trying to plan, without success, a maritime route Furthermore, Turkey had agreed to “exempt 500 Jordanian between Turkish ports (Iskenderun) and Jordan’s port of Trade Agreement? goods from customs duties,” according to the Al-Monitor Aqaba to reach out to Gulf markets. Yet without political com- news website. promises, economic cooperation does not seem sustainable in Before the recent turmoil in relations between Turkey and Prof. Pinar Tremblay, in an Al-Monitor article analyzed the the region. Turkish Airlines restarted direct flights March 19 several countries in the Middle East, Europe and the United four factors that would impact the renegotiation of the between Istanbul and Aqaba. Intriguingly, also in March, the States, Syria and Jordan had signed a Free Trade Agreement Turkish-Jordanian trade agreement. Saudi crown prince was in Cairo discussing the proposed and visa-free travel with Turkey hoping to benefit from its The first obstacle is the displeasure of Saudi Arabia, UAE multibillion-dollar King Salman Bridge to link Egypt and growing economy. and Egypt with Turkey for supporting their antagonist Qatar. Saudi Arabia through the entrance of the Gulf of Aqaba; Relations between Syria and Turkey quickly deteriorated Saudi Crown Prince Muhammed bin Salman went as far as some see this as a reaction to the Aqaba flights and the mar- starting in 2011 when Turkey supported Islamic Jihadists calling Turkey a member of the “Triangle of Evil” along with itime route project. During his March 12 visit to the Jordanian undermining the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Islamic militants and Iran! The anti-Turkish posture of Saudi capital of , the UAE foreign minister reportedly Earlier this year, going a step further, Turkey brazenly invad- Arabia, UAE and Egypt puts pressure on Jordan to be more promised to help Jordan with its various economic challenges ed Northern Syria, occupying the town of Afrin and announc- cautious in its relations with Turkey. The reason Turkey is try- and establish stronger regional ties. Turkey believes these ing the intention to expand its invasion. ing to accommodate Jordan is to break out of its isolation developments are behind Jordan’s suspension of the free Consequently, the mutual trade agreement and visa-free from major Sunni Arab countries. trade agreement. Jordanian business people and analysts con- travel between Turkey and Syria were cancelled. Recently, The second obstacle is most Sunni leaders’ hostility cur that the UAE and Saudi Arabia had a hand in the sus- Jordan suspended its own trade agreement with Turkey, after towards Iran. This antagonism spills over the resentment of pension decision.” warning repeatedly that it was one-sided and benefited Turkey by Saudi Arabia, UAE and Egypt due to persistent Tremblay concluded that “Turkey desperately needs to Turkey much more than Jordan. Turkish exports to Jordan in Turkish relations with Iran. Turkey is trying to boost its rela- diversify its opportunities in foreign policy. Repeated mis- 2016 amounted to $710 million, whereas Jordan’s exports to tions with Jordan, because of its need for allies in the Arab takes and costly failures have significantly limited Turkish Turkey totaled only $102 million. world. In recent years, Turkish President Erdogan has aspired foreign policy options in the past. In the past decade, Jordan pledged to reactivate the agreement if Turkey to become the leader of Sunni Muslims rivaling Saudi Arabia, Turkey’s ambitions and rhetoric have not matched its capa- agreed to certain revisions, including “the Turkish side’s con- the home of Islam’s two holy sanctuaries: Mecca and Medina. bilities and achievements. Yet in regard to the free trade sent to protection measures Jordan will design to protect The third obstacle is Saudi Arabia’s desire to spread its agreement with Jordan, Ankara is not only determined but local industries, increasing Turkish technical assistance to influence over the Arab world opposing Turkish expansionist also well-organized. If Turkey can overcome the obstacles Jordan as stipulated by the FTA [Free Trade Agreement], and policies. That is why Saudi Arabia and Turkey are competing outlined, a free trade agreement revision would indeed be a reconsidering the ‘strict’ rules of origin specifications applied for the friendship of the Kingdom of Jordan, among others. win for Ankara.”

In Memoriam: Karekin I Hosepian, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia (1867-1952)

The Turks soon entered Kars in October head- from the Sardarabad Battle. The “Antasdan” ser- wrote in his Memoirs that both General By Father Zaven ing to the fortress, while the population flew to vice was held first in front of the City Hall, and Piroumian and Governor Stepan Ghorghanian Arzoumanian, PhD the valley called Dzor in the direction to soon they entered Kars and were welcomed by were severely blamed for not coordinating their Alexandrapol. his compatriot General Taniel Piroumian, both efforts which resulted in the surrender of Kars During those trying days Bishop Hovsepian, sons of Karabagh. Piroumian was also involved without resistance. On behalf of the Armenian Church and one of the first graduates of the Kevorkian in the Sardarabad Battle, earning the Medal of Following their defeat, the Turks began Nation the year 2017 will mark with deep grat- Seminary of Holy Etchmiadzin and a great Senior General, and now assigned as the guard rounding up Armenians for harsh labor. itude the 150th birthday (1867-2017), and the patriot, was in Kars to help his persecuted of the garrison of the castle in Kars. Other Many could not take the hardship, and died. 65th anniversary of the passing (1952-2017) of flock, like he did heroically two years earlier in Generals were defending Armenia, namely, Bishop Karekin resisted privately and visited His Holiness Karekin I Hovsepian, the Eminent 1918 on the front lines of the Battle of Nazarbekian in Yerevan, Silikian in the orphanages and the hospitals; he was Catholicos of Cilicia (1943-1952). I am humbled Sardarabad. His Eminence, who late in his life Alexandrapol, and Dro (Drastamad Ganayan) in able even to conduct worship services in the to dedicate this tribute as a grateful student at elevated to the throne of the Cilician Sourmalu with their respective officers. Armenian churches of Kars to comfort his the Seminary of the Catholicosate (1949-1954), Catholicosate as Catholicos Karekin I, began desperate flock. under the blessings of this great churchman. his heroic mission from Alexandrapol, after Bishop Karekin Hovsepian in Kars The Catholicos passed away while I was about receiving the blessings of Catholicos Kevork V Arriving in Kars, the Bishop performed the An Armenian Ancient Manuscript to embark on the second year of the of All Armenians (1911-1930). Holy Mass on the first Sunday in the presence It is hard to believe how in those critical and Theological Faculty. The brave and brilliant Bishop Karekin soon of the Armenian military and civic officers, fol- trying days for Bishop Karekin to follow up and headed an impressive procession of the priests lowed by a special service for the military review a 13th century Armenian parchment Bishop Karekin Hovsepian and dignitaries of the four local churches, him- forces. General Piroumian gave orders to his manuscript, a large volume of a Lectionary, On September 22, 1920 the Turkish army self vested in full episcopal attire, staff and cross compatriot to ride the horse and visit the kept with the Erznkatsian family of Kars. The invaded Sarighamish, Gaghzevan, and in his hands, marched from St. Asdvadzadzin orphanages and the hospitals of the city to com- parchment manuscript was written and kept in Surmalou, as the Armenian inhabitants flew to church of the city heading to the City Hall, wear- fort those in need. He witnessed masses leaving the Monastery of Akoulis. The large volume rep- Kars and found refuge in the fortress for safety. ing on his chest the Medal of Honor received Kars for Dzor, and above all, the desperate resented a Church Lectionary for daily moves General Piroumian was about to take, Scriptural readings devoted to the feast days asking the Bishop, and I quote from his later according to the Armenian Church Calendar. LETTERS published Memoirs, saying, “Your Grace, one The ancient manuscript was the possession of thing you should try, to personally announce physician Erznkatsian, inherited from his wife’s from the top of the fortress that we are ready to grandfather as a legacy to his granddaughter. surrender”. The order, as much as shameful and The manuscript could have been captured by Kudos to Overview of ADL Role in First Republic demeaning, had to be followed. The Bishop, the Turks on the way from Kars to Dzor, had it To the Editor: with two military officers, Col. Vahan Der not been hidden by Doctor Erznkatsian. Dr. Arshavir Gundjian provided a very good overview (“ADL Proudly marks the May Arakelian and a military pilot, went up the 2018 Centennial of Armenian Statehood” Mirror-Spectator, March 31). fortress to fly the white flag at the risk of their The Bishop’s Captivity In my mind, which is not as informed and yearning for solid elucidation, the Ramgavars lives. All three were arrested and taken to the Bishop Hovsepian had hard time as a captive did not really embrace the Armenian state in 1918,and I hope did not collaborate with Turk colonel. Bishop Karekin transferred in Kars, despite his many appeals to return to the Bolshevik Armenians who acted in the interest of everything but Armenia. General Piroumian’s orders: “We are defeated Armenia. His appeals fell on deaf ears, and even I hope the Ramgavars then ,did not cooperate in any way with the Bolsheviks who and came to announce that we are surrender- he was subject to investigation that led him to were in euphoria with the Russians and Ataturk ripping Armenian lands in the name of ing,” asking for mercy for the infants and the prison with many others. Soon he was exiled to international socialism . orphans who were trapped in Dzor and save Sarighamish and was able to go as fugitive and This review is good, the Ramgavar role during the Cold War is well taken. their lives. His wishes were met, and both return to Kars. The final ,definitive comprehensive ,and no stones unturned history of the first repub- Piroumian and the Bishop were allowed to take At age 53, finally Bishop Karekin’s odyssey lic needs to be written ASAP. the endangered Armenians to Kars. ended when he escaped on January 19,1921 by the permission of the deputy governor of –Vagheenag Tarpinian, MD Kars Surrendered New Jersey Sarighamish, telling him he was a photogra- The most demeaning and embarrassing sur- pher and that his cameras were left in Kars, ask- Editor’s Note: As the reference article indicates, the ADL fully embraced the First render of the city took place on October 30, ing if he could return and bring them. Arriving Republic and served on its first cabinet. As far as collaborating with Bolshevik, it is a con- 1920. Bishop Karekin had carried the orders in Kars, the Bishop found refuge in the troversial fact that the ADL press has often criticized the February uprising of 1920 most reluctantly, saying, “It is hard to find in American Armenian orphanage where he against the Bolshevik rule while the Joghovertagan (Popular) Party, which was the east- the history of nations such an embarrassing stayed until the orphanages moved from Kars ern wing of the ADL, actually supporting the uprising by the ARF. Armenian history is defeat. It would have been better to give our to Soviet Armenia, among them the true hero too complicated to judge in hindsight with simple conclusions. lives in front of the castle by thousands in Bishop Karekin Hovsepian, disguised, arrived in defense of our homeland, than to escape Alexandrapol. Finally, in July 1921 the Bishop ignobly to save our skins.” Bishop Hovsepian arrived safely in Holy Echmiadzin. 20 S ATURDAY, A PRIL 1 4 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR

President Sargsyan Meets with Acting Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta Armenian EyeCare Project Plans

ROME (Armenpress) — After the signing of the Book of Honorary Guests of the Military Second Annual Armenian Adventure the cooperation agreement between Armenia Order of Malta: NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — Last sum- Opening of the Gyumri Regional Eye and Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of “It’s a great honor for me to be hosted in the mer the Armenian EyeCare Project hosted Clinic as well as meet-and-greets with the Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta Palace of the ancient spiritual Order of Rome. I a special 25th anniversary trip to Armenia physicians, staff and others behind the on April 5, President of Armenia Serzh am grateful for the warm and friendly recep- for friends, donors and physicians, many of Project. Sargsyan met with Grand Master of tion. Our relations coming from historical times whom were visiting their motherland for In addition to all day tours and evening the Sovereign Order of Malta Giacomo dalla are full of demonstrations of mutual respect the first time. The Armenian Adventure entertainment, the project’s all-inclusive Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto. and support. I am convinced we will continue to was such a great success Sargsyan thanked for the reception of the deepen the relations between Armenia and the that the Project is plan- Armenian delegation in Military Hospitaller Sovereign Military Order of Malta in the same ning a second trip this Order of Malta and recalled with warmth the spirit for the benefit of all of us.” year from September 19 first visit of the Grand Master to Armenia. A cooperation agreement was signed through October 3. According to Serzh Sargsyan, that visit opened between Armenia and the Sovereign Military Friends and donors are a new page in the relations of Armenia and the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of invited to join the Order of Malta. Rhodes and of Malta. The agreement was EyeCare Project for a The Armenian President and the Grand signed by Armenia’s foreign minister Edward once-in-a-lifetime trip. Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta mutu- Nalbandian and Grand Chancellor of the Order Highlights of the trip ally emphasized that there is great potential for of Malta Albrecht von Boeselager. include historical day development in the relations of Armenia and The agreement aims at promoting the joint tours of ancient monas- the Order of Malta. activity in healthcare and humanitarian teries and breathtaking At the end of the meeting Sargsyan wrote in spheres. landscapes; evening entertainment including Guests on the Eyecare Project tour enjoy an al fresco lunch. a special Welcome Party at the iconic Megerian Carpet Factory in Yerevan, a Gala with din- package includes hotel accommodations ner and dancing at the rooftop Radisson at the five-star Grand Hotel in Yerevan Blu restaurant overlooking the capital city, and at the Vallex Garden Hotel in a weekend trip to Karabakh, a special Stepanakert in Karabakh; all meals; in- Armenian Independence Day celebration country transportation; airport transfers; and much more. tour guide and translator; and much Guests joining the trip will also get the more. The cost of the trip is $4,600 per opportunity to learn more about the couple and $3,000 per person, plus the EyeCare Project and observe how the cost of airfare. organization provides eye care through- For reservations and more information out the country. The group will visit on this trip, including photos and video of many of the Project’s programs including last year’s tour, guest testimonials and a the Mobile Eye Hospital, Center of full itinerary of this year’s program, visit Excellence for the Prevention of www.eyecareproject.com/armeniatrip. Childhood Blindness and the Grand Deadline to reserve is August 15, 2018.