MAY 17, 2014 MirTHErARoMENr IAN -Spe ctator Volume LXXXIV, NO. 43, Issue 4337 $ 2.00 NEWS IN BRIEF The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 One Armenian Killed, Celebrating Another Injured in Aleppo Survival: ALEPPO, Syria (Armenpress) — An Armenian man, Raffi Hekimian, was killed here on April 29, accord - ing to sources here. Additional information about Harvard Pays Tribute to Survivors his death has not been made available yet. Of Holocaust, as Well as Armenian The source also informed that on April 30, Armenian Khajak Zhamkochian was injured after And Rwandan Genocides his residence sustained damage from rockets. He is a student at Karen Jeppe national college. By Alin K. Gregorian Armenian Flag Set on Mirror-Spectator Staff Fire in Baku on Shushi CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — A program at Liberation Day Harvard University on April 27 commemo - rated the painful legacies of the Armenian, BAKU — On May 8, the day Armenia celebrates the Rwandan and Jewish people, as it celebrat - liberation of Shushi in Artskah, the flag of Armenia ed their survival and resurrection. was set on fire by the participants of the event at The program, organized by the Harvard the “Alley of Martyrs,” Azeri sources reported. Azerbaijani website Haqqin.az reported that the Foundation and the Carr Center for From left, Kim Kardashian, Genocide survivor Yevnige Salibian and her granddaugh - event was organized by the so-called “Karabagh Human Rights Policy of the Harvard ter, Talin Bahadarian Kennedy School, took place on Yom Liberation Organization,” and the flag was burned HaShoah , or Holocaust Remembrance Day, by one of the women. at the university’s Science Center. On 8-9 May, 1992, the NKR Self-Defense Forces, The speakers representing the three com - Shoah Foundation Gala Honors under the command of Arkady Ter-Tadevosyan lib - munities linked their common histories of pain, erated Shushi, from whose elevated position the but stressed the need for education as the Obama for Human Rights Work Azerbaijani troops were opening fire at the civilians means for preventing such tragedies. The sto - of the capital, Stepanakert. ries were harrowing, but so were the demon - Genocide Survivor Yevnige Salibian Guest of Honor strations of personal strength and integrity. Armenian Genocide The program included scholars as well as LOS ANGELES (Combined Sources) — survivors from each nation. The Ambassadors for Humanity Gala on May Museum Planned in As there are few Armenian Genocide sur - 7 celebrated the University of Southern vivors now, Artyom Geghamyan, a fellow at California (USC) Shoah Foundation’s 20th Buenos Aires the Carr Center, read a brief excerpt from anniversary and honored President Barack BUENOS AIRES (Agencia Prensa Armenia) — The Kerop Bedoukian’s memoirs, The Urchin: Obama for his commitment to human rights. city of Buenos Aires will donate a property to the An Armenian’s Escape. The words wove Celebrity guests and entertainment indus - Armenian community for the construction of an frightful images of death and cruelty, which try heavyweights were out in force in sup - Armenian Genocide Museum, according to caused most of the listeners, as well as the port of the foundation, which works to pre - Undersecretary for Human Rights and Cultural reader, to wince: the images of a child try - serve the testimonies of survivors of the Pluralism Claudio Avruj. ing to nurse at the breast of his mother Holocaust and other genocides. Avruj in an interview stressed the importance of already dead from starvation in the desert; Liam Neeson, star of “Schindler’s List,” the project “that joins the efforts of both Buenos the rape of young girls as well as the deci - began the ceremonies on Wednesday evening Aires and Argentina” to recognize the Armenian sion of many to choose certain death rather by recalling the impact of that Holocaust film Genocide and added that it is an initiative that will than indignity. and how it led director Steven Spielberg to benefit both the Armenian community and people Carla Garapedian, the director of the found the Shoah Foundation. Conan O’Brien President Obama with Steven in general. Armenian Genocide documentary was the night’s emcee. Spielberg Carolina Karagueuzian, director of the Armenian “Screamers” and several other films, spoke see SHOAH, page 9 National Committee of Buenos Aires, said that about United Nations Ambassador “this will be a collective project that will show the Samantha Power’s book, A Problem From struggle of the Armenian community in the coun - Hell: America and the Age of Genocide . try to keep the memory of the Armenian Genocide “Power’s book broke the paradigm in the California State Assembly Recognizes Artsakh alive”, and also “a space for reflection on genocidal way we think about genocide — because it practices and the importance of respect for human talked about all the genocides in the 20th SACRAMENTO — The California State Committee passed AJR 32 on Tuesday by a rights.” century, as one repeating problem, one Assembly, on May 8, by a vote of 70-1, rec - vote of 9-1, with one abstention, setting the Last April 24 a similar project was launched in repeating crime. Genocides recur because ognized the independence of the Nagorno stage for California to become the fifth Uruguay, with the presentation of the Armenian the international community has allowed Karabagh Republic (Artsakh). Specifically, state to adopt such legislation. Genocide Museum Foundation coordinated by them to recur,” Garapedian said. AJR 32, encourages and supports “the Assembly Member Mike Gatto (D- the Ministry of Education and Culture together She credited the book with inspiring Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’s continuing Burbank) introduced the bill in January, with Uruguayan Armenian organizations in the “Screamers,” and said the book not only efforts to develop as a free and independent along with co-authors: Assembly Members country. see HARVARD, page 16 nation.” The California Assembly Rules Katcho Achadjian (R-San Luis Obispo), Raul Bocanegra (D-Pacoima), Cheryl R. Brown (D- San Bernardino), Ian Calderon (D-Whittier), Matt Dababneh (D-Encino), Brian Nestande Hollande Says Recognition of Genocide Vital (R-Palm Springs), Kristin Olsen (R-Modesto), INSI DE and Jim Patterson (R-Fresno). YEREVAN (RFE/RL and Armenpress) — Visiting French President François “We commend the California Assembly Hollande reaffirmed in Armenia that recognition of the Armenian Genocide is neces - for today’s decisive vote affirming the right sary. “I always try to see positive side in this signs and this the case at the present of Artsakh to develop as a free and inde - Year Up moment too. But of course in my pendent nation,” stated Assembly Western opinion the central issue is that Region Manager Aline Maksoudian, who the massacres must be called as was on hand to witness the historic vote. Rules genocide,” he said at a press con - “Today’s action is particularly significant to ference here with President Armenian-Americans who welcome this Page 10 Serge Sargisian, referring to the strong expression of American values,” statement by Turkish Prime Maksoudian added. “We want to extend Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan our appreciation to Assembly Speaker John on April 23. “A solution is neces - Perez for his support and recognize the INDEX sary and that is the recognition dedicated efforts of State Assembly Arts and Living ...... 11 of the Genocide.” Members Mike Gatto, Scott Wilk, Adrin Armenia ...... 2 He reaffirmed his willingness Nazarian and Katcho Achadjian.” Community News...... 4 President Serge Sargisian and French President to participate in the commemo - California has become the fifth US state Editorial ...... 14 François Hollande ration dedicated to the 100th — after Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine International ...... 3 see HOLLANDE, page 3 and Louisiana — to recognize the indepen - dence of Nagorno-Karabagh. 2 S ATURDAY , M AY 17, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia Tekeyan Centre Fund Olympiad Winners Announced YEREVAN — It is the fourth year that Tekeyan Centre Fund has organized a contest of knowledge — Tekeyan President Receives Olympiad — where Tekeyan students Daniel Barenboim from Armenia and Karabagh compete to be the best and get prizes. Year by YEREVAN (Armenpress) — On May 13, President year the project becomes more and Serge Sargisian received legendary pianist and he more popular and expands both its current conductor of the Berlin State Opera Daniel reach and disciplines. This time, apart Barenboim, who was in Armenia within the frame- from the Armenian Language, work of Yerevan Perspectives International Music Literature and Mathematics, upon the Festival. His orchestra performed later that night. advice of UK Ambassador to Armenia Sargisian welcomed Barenboim and praised the Kathy Leach, the fund included in the Yerevan Perspectives festival which brings promi- competition one more discipline that is nent musicians to the country and in turn exposes the English Language. 70 Olympiad both Armenians to the visiting artists as well as participants were the 8th and 9th giving the artists a chance to learn about Armenia. graders from Yerevan, Gumri, Stepanavan, Karbi and Berdzor. Presidents of Armenia, The goal of the project is to con - HM Ambassador Kathy Leach, TCF Board member Alan Kutchukian, TCF Director tribute to education of Tekeyan stu - Armen Tsulikyan with the Olympiad winners. France Attend Concert dents, to encourage them to deepen their knowledge of the native and for - YEREVAN (Armenpress) — This week President eign languages as well as of natural sci - (deputy director of the college Mathematics Serge Sargisian of Armenia and his French coun- ences. The Olympiad is also a good “Usmunk”), Arus Margaryan from First Prize /tablet/ Isahak Varosyan; terpart, Francois Hollande, attended the jubilee opportunity for students to establish Yerevan State University, the expert in Second Prize /camera/ Narek 90th anniversary concert of singer Charles strong ties with other schools and to the English Language, and Anahit Poghosyan; Third Prize /multifunctional Aznavour in the Karen Demirchyan Sport and make good friends. Gevorgyan, the expert in Maths (a speaker/ – Nelli Margaryan; Honorable Concert Complex. The competition was held at Tekeyan school teacher) awarded certificates to Mention Prize /Encyclopedia, 5 vol - The last concert by the legendary singer took Centre and was followed with a recep - participants with high marks. umes/ – Vladimir Hakobyan; place on March 15 in Tel Aviv’s Nokia concert hall. tion and cultural program. This year the TCF Director A. Tsulikyan awarded Certificates, Elen Sukiasyan, Hasmik Charles Aznavour (Shahan Vaghinak fund offered all the participants and the the honorable mention prize and the Martirosyan and Tigran Gevorgyan Aznavouryan) was born in Paris in 1924 to a fami- teachers to visit the Theatre of Young third prize. Among the guests present English Language ly of Armenian migrants Mikayel and Knar First Prize /tablet/ – Gohar Aznavouryans. Hovhannisyan; Second Prize /camera/ During a career that has lasted over 70 years, he Gayane Kurdyan; Third Prize /multifunc - has appeared in over 60 films, composed over 1,000 tional speaker/ Diana Levonyan; songs and sold over 100 million records worldwide. Honorable Mention Prize /Encyclopedia, 5 volumes/ – Syuzanna Igityan; Certificates, Milena Sahakyan, Zvart Armenian-Russian Sedrakyan and Shushanna Atoyan Troops Joint Parade GUMRI (Armenpress) — For the first time in the his- tory of Gumri, on May 9, Armenian and Russian Freedom House troops held a joint military parade. The military units of the Armenian Armed Forces of Shirak Report: Armenia region and the military units of the 102nd military Drops Point in base of the Russian Armed Forces based in Gumri Tekeyan students having a test at the Olympiad took part in the parade dedicated to the 69th Media Freedom anniversary of the Victory of the Great Patriotic War. Spectator where they enjoyed “The was Alan Kutchukian, TCF Board mem - YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow) — The entry of the victory flag in Gumri’s Artist,” a play by Alexander Shirvanzade. ber, who awarded the second prize. In Freedom House human rights “Vardanats” square heralded the start of the The award ceremony for the his speech the trustee emphasized the organization’s latest survey puts parade. The commander of the parade was the Olympiad took place at Tekeyan Centre importance of education which is to be Armenia 134th among 197 coun - Chief of Staff of Russia’s 102nd military base, Col. on the same day. Leach attended the got in early age. He was pleased to learn tries in freedom of the press. Aleksey Avdeev, and the parade was received by the ceremony, among other guests from that Tekeyan students were smart and According to Freedom House Deputy Chief of Staff of the joint Armenian-Russian Armenia and Karabagh. intelligent and strived hard to get new experts’ assessment, Armenia Armed Forces Col. David Aghajanian The ceremony began with a welcome knowledge and to succeed. Kutchukian remains in the group of countries speech from TCF Director Armen also praised the hard work done by with a non-free media. Each year Tsulikyan who extended his deepest con - teachers daily and their devotion to Freedom House human rights NKR, Armenia gratulations to all the participants and school. Thanks to them students record - defenders evaluate the condition Presidents Partake in particularly to the winners. As he men - ed new achievements. of the press by giving special tioned the Fund succeeded in bridging The first prize for awarded by points to each country, and the Shushi Liberation Armenia and Karabagh and created a Ambassador Kathy Leach who entirely more points a country has the strong Tekeyan team that was achieving approved the fund’s Olympiad. She was more problematic the condition of Anniverary Programs great success year by year. The Director convinced that such kind of activity press in the country is. In this also thanked all the TCF trustees and secures high-quality education which is regard in 2012 Armenia was given SHUSHI (Armenpress) — On May 9, Nagorno benefactors whose support and care important for the nation to progress. 65 points. Last year Armenia sig - Karabagh President Bako Sahakyan and Armenian enable the fund to realize its projects. While speaking about Armenian chil - nificantly improved, receiving 61 President Serge Sargisian took part in events com- Special thanks were addressed to HM dren, Leach assured those assembled points. In the 2014 report, how - memorating in Shushi and Stepanakert Victory Ambassador and the competition jury, that they were vital to the future and ever, Armenia stepped back, get - Holiday, the Day of the Artsakh Republic Defense for their kind cooperation. that she is doing her best to deepen ting 62 points. Army and the 22nd anniversary of the liberation of Tsulikyan’s speech was followed with Armenian-British relations for the bene - According to the report, among Shushi. In the Stepanakert Memorial Complex, the the experts’ opinion on the results of fits of the young generation. the three South Caucasus coun - two Presidents of the two Armenian states laid a the competition, and Anahit Avetisyan, The principal of Berdzor Tekeyan tries Armenia holds the middle garland and flowers to the monument paid tribute the expert in the Armenian Language School, Anahit Kosakyan, on behalf of position – not as “free” as to martyrs that perished in World War II and the all five Tekeyan schools thanked the Georgia, but more “free” than Artsakh liberation war. On the same day, Sahakyan fund for supporting them and imple - Azerbaijan. (With Georgia being and Sargisian visited Shushi where they lay gar- menting such projects which contribute the only one to get a ranking of lands and flowers to the pedestal of the Tank mon- to the education of children. having a free press.) ument and to the monument of Defense Minister Tekeyan Olympiad award ceremony Head of Yerevan Press Club Vazgen Sargisian. concluded with a concert presented by Boris Navasardyan explains The two presidents next visited an exhibition in Tekeyan students. Armenia’s one-point regress by the city, during which Sahakyan presented the The following students were awarded the presidential elections in the Grigor Lousavorich order to Sargisian for exem- certificates and prizes in various cate - country, which according to him plary services rendered to the Nagorno Karabagh gories: were problematic, and during Republic. Armenian Language and 2013 this formed a political Karabagh’s second president, Arkady Literature monopolistic situation which in Ghoukasyan, Primate of Artsakh Diocese of the First Prize /tablet/ Laura its turn affected the limitations of Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop Pargev Parsadanyan; Second Prize /camera/ press freedom. Martirosyan, Armenian National Assembly speaker Susanna Tadevosyan ; Third Prize “In this case Armenia’s mem - Galoust Sahakyan, NKR National Assembly speaker /multifunctional speaker/ Arman bership to Customs Union must Ashot Ghulyan, Premier Ara Haroutunyan and Khangeldyan; Honorable Mention also be considered, we enter such other guests participated in the programs. /Encyclopedia, 5 volumes/ Irina an environment where freedom of Little acrobats from Stepanavan at the Chakhoyan; certificates, Diana speech is not a priority,” said Olympiad award ceremony Levonyan, Aghavni Hakobyan and Yeva Navasardyan. Yeshilbashyan S ATURDAY , M AY 17, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 INTERNATIONAL Silencing Dialogue: Arrests of Azeris in Turkey International News Causes Concern among Armenian Counterparts In Baku Hollande Mirkadirof is one of the authors of Azerbaijan. I think that not only the By Gayane Mkrtchyan their program, and participated in presidency of such a country in Reaffirms France’s internet-conferences broadcasted on European Council, but also its mem - publicdialogues.info website as well. bership is not honoring to such an Commitment to YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow) — The His arrest was criticized by Human organization,” Nalbandian said. Resolution of NKR recent arrests of an Azeri journalist Rights Watch and Freedom House Against Violation of Law NGO head and of a couple engaged in social international agencies. Mirkadirof’s Larisa Alaverdyan said that events Conflict advocacy in Turkey has caused con - arrest was followed by the arrests taking place in Azerbaijan are results cern among civil society organizations Leyla Yunus, director of the Peace of anti-Armenian policy led by BAKU (Armenpress) — France has always taken ini- in Armenia whose goal has been to and Democracy Institute, and her hus - President Ilham Aliyev which increas - tiatives aimed at the settlement of the Nagorno- create Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue. band, historian and conflict analyst, es hatred toward Armenians. “There Karabagh conflict, said French President Francois Rauf Mirkadirof, a reporter for Arif Yunus, as suspects related to are many shortcomings in each coun - Hollande during a meeting with Azerbaijan’s Zerkalo newspaper of Baku was Mirkadirof case. try’s policies led by the country gov - President Ilham Aliyev, as reports APA news arrested on April 18 in Ankara and Leyla Yunus has said that the ernments. And these shortcomings agency. deported to Baku. The reporter is recent events in Azerbaijan are aimed are being spoken about by reporters, “My visits to Azerbaijan and Armenia are efforts accused of providing Armenian spe - at silencing the rare remaining advo - NGOs. Azerbaijan is experiencing a aimed at the settlement of the conflict. With cial agencies military information of cates in the country. The arrests come political degradation which is created Azerbaijan and Armenia France has friendly rela- state secrecy from 2008 to 2009. as Azerbaijan, this week, takes up by Aliyev and his political elite,” says tions, we cannot choose one of the two countries. Azeri investigators claim that European Council presidency, prompt - Alaverdyan. We have proposed a new approach to resolve the Mirkadirof provided sensitive informa - ing comment from Armenia’s Minister President of the Yerevan Press Club conflict: by organizing a meeting of the Presidents tion to Laura Baghdasaryan, chief of of Foreign Affairs Eduard Nalbandian Boris Navasardyan said that the arrest of Azerbaijan and Armenia. France has always Region research center. Since 2005 during a meeting of the National of Leyla and Arif Yunus is an evidence come up with such initiatives,” said Hollande. He Region research center has collabo - Assembly of Armenia. of the Azerbaijani government’s inten - stressed that France, as a co-chair of the rated and realized various programs “We are well aware that display of tions to highly restrict legal organiza - Organization for Security and Cooperation in with “Peace and Democracy” institute hatred, intolerance and discrimination tions’ activities in the country. Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group, bears a major respon- in Baku. According to Baghdasaryan, towards Armenians is usual in “Azerbaijani’s special agencies’ posi - sibility. “We will continue these negotiations in tion isn’t conditioned by the advo - Armenia. In France efforts are being made aimed at cates’ collaboration with Armenian the settlement of the conflict by stage, which testi- partners, but rather by an attempt to fies about the existence of the trust,” noted Recognizing Armenian Genocide Is Moral endanger legal organizations’ activi - Hollande. Imperative for Jews, Knesset Speaker Says ties in Azerbaijan in general. This means it’s more of an internal issue. Kurd Politician JERUSALEM (Jerusalem Post) — Armenians to be killed. The Baku political regime restricts Israel must recognize the suffering “Whoever thought of the Final attempts to establish any kind of dia - Apologizes for Kurds’ of the Armenian people, Knesset Solution got the impression that, logues. Moreover, such activities are Speaker Yuli Edelstein said Tuesday when the day comes, the world will put under the threat of retribution,” Role in Genocide at a discussion of the Armenian be silent, like it was about the Navasardyan said. Referring to the ISTANBUL (Armenpress) — A member of the Genocide. Armenians. It is hard for me to for - Azerbaijani advocates’ arrests co-chair European Democratic and Peace Majlis, as well as In response to a motion to the give other nations for ignoring our of the OSCE Minsk Group James the Kurdish liberation movement, Rozhden agenda by MK Zehava Gal-On tragedy and we cannot ignore anoth - Warlick in his Twitter mini-blog writes Yalderem, did not see sincerity in the statement of (Meretz), Edelstein said, “this discus - er nation’s tragedy. That is our moral that the US supports programs direct - the Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Tayyip sion does not blame any modern obligation as people and Jews,” ed towards establishing an environ - Erdogan made on April 23. In the Prime Minister’s country, rather it shows that we iden - Rivlin said. ment of trust and mutual understand - speech Rozhden Yalderem looked for the word tify with the victims of the massacre Tourism Minister Uzi Landau ing between the peoples of Azerbaijan “genocide” but did not find it, he said. This, he and its terrible outcome. responded to the motion in Foreign and Armenia. Since 1997 Internews noted, made him angry. Edelstein added, “We cannot deny Minister Avigdor Liberman’s place, NGO has realized various projects “We need to call things by their names and give history and hold back human values saying that as Jews and Israelis, there together with the Azerbaijani side. Its an answer for the crime carried out a century ago. out of diplomatic or political cau - is a moral obligation to recognize director, Nune Sargsyan, said that I did not see a big change in Erdogan’s statement. tion.” human tragedies, including the throughout the years they have creat - If he does not utter and say the word “genocide” Gal-On called for the government Armenian Genocide. ed a space where they both could that they fulfilled, that is not a change for us. In to recognize the Armenian Genocide When the discussion ended, the speak about the conflict, the develop - his statement Erdogan said that the Armenians before its 100th anniversary next motion was moved to the Knesset ment of the two countries and possi - martyred during the First World War, it is not a big year. Foreign Affairs and Defense ble dialogue. “Whether we want it or change in the position of Turkey,” Yalderem said. “As a nation that experienced the Committee, as opposed to the not, socially and culturally we are He added that the ideology is led by the national- Holocaust, we cannot continue to Knesset Education Committee as quite close. It’s very dangerous to get ists in Turkey and today’s state policy of Turkey is ignore the Armenian genocide Gal-On had proposed. completely isolated from each other; built on that ideology. because of irrelevant considera - Gal-On accused Liberman of send - the enemy’s character will become Yalderem notes that Europe’s Democratic and tions,” she stated. ing MK Shimon Ohayon (Likud stronger, there will be fewer connec - Peace Majlis operates on the public basis. 57 orga- According to MK Reuven Rivlin Beytenu) to make sure the motion tions and human ties. And this way we nizations are in the list of the structure, Majlis has (Likud Beytenu), the Jewish People was moved to the classified commit - will not come to a peaceful resolution, more than one million members. were “next in line” after the tee in order to “bury” it. the experience of understanding each The fact of the Armenian Genocide by the other will degrade,” said Sargsyan. Ottoman government has been documented, recog- nized, and affirmed in the form of media and eye- witness reports, laws, resolutions, and statements by many states and international organizations. The complete catalogue of all documents catego- Hollande Says Recognition of Genocide Vital rizing the 1915 wholesale massacre of the Armenian population in Ottoman Empire as a pre- HOLLANDE, from page 1 this scenario.” Armenian relations, expanding and meditated and thoroughly executed act of genocide anniversary of the Genocide. Hollande arrived in Yerevan late on May strengthening of cooperation between is extensive. Hollande also spoke about the eco - 12 after a visit to Baku and talks there Armenia and France. nomic issues in the region. He said it with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Hollande also paid tribute to Misak would be possible for Armenia to enter In Baku, he said that his tour of the Manouchian, the French Resistance Armenia Has Place in into an association agreement with the South Caucasus region is aimed at pro - leader during World War II. A park in European Union, EP European Union despite Yerevan’s plans moting a settlement to ongoing dis - Yerevan was named in his honor during to join a Russian-led Customs Union. putes between Azerbaijan and Armenia Hollande’s visit. “I thank all of you that Deputy Says Speaking on May 12 in Yerevan, over Nagorno-Karabagh as well as terri - you are here on this rainy day to pay Hollande said the EU would be able to torial disputes over Georgia’s breakaway tribute to the memory of France’s YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Armenia could be inte- accept a “specific model for Armenia.” regions. national hero, poet and active partici - grated into the European Union earlier than a But he said Brussels and Yerevan He said that France supports the “ter - pant in the Resistance Movement, Misak series of other countries which realize integration must work together, and that it would ritorial integrity of countries and the Manouchian,” said Sargisian. processes now, according to European Parliament be “compulsory” to “yield” on issues resolution of conflicts within their terri - Hollande told the crowd that Deputy Inaki Irazabalbeitia Fernandez. By his related to the Russian-led Customs torial integrity.” Manouchian, having narrowly escaped assessment, Armenia has a great place with its civ- Union, which currently includes Russia, “The visit to the Caucasus is not aimed the Genocide, took refuge in France. ilization and values in the European Union but at Kazakhstan and Belarus. against anyone,” he said. “Our purpose is “But a few years later chaos reached this moment several factors hamper its integration “Europe must accept an agreement to contribute to developing relations France and he took up arms for the free - into the European Union. about an association with Armenia and between Europe and independent part - dom of the country that had given him During a meeting with journalists on May 5, Armenia can go with a trade-commercial ners. We don’t want to prevent someone shelter. Manouchian was a foreigner in Fernandez noted the first obstacle is Armenia’s union with Russia,” Hollande told from cooperating with anyone.” France, but he liberated France. We do membership in the Customs Union andits renounc- RFE/RL. “It’s not a problem for me. It Sargisian awarded Hollande the not forget his sacrifice,” said Hollande. ing the Association Agreement. will be possible to have the two issues Order of Glory medal for his significant After completing talks with Armenian [but it is] compulsory to yield about the personal contribution to the develop - officials in Yerevan on May 13, Hollande commercial union. We must work [on] ment and strengthening of French- left for Tbilisi on May 13. 4 S ATURDAY , M AY 17, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Community Ne ws

Khoren Bandazin Receives Medal for Going FAR Service to Armenia In Armenia NEW YORK — It was a farewell ceremony organized by Armenia Fund USA in honor of ]NEW YORK and YEREVAN — Arto Khoren Bandazian’s close friend, Ambassador Vorperian, FAR’s project director, has been Garen Nazarian, the permanent representative leading the FAR Young Professionals Trip of the Republic of Armenia to the United (YPT) since its inception 19 years ago. This trip Nations. Yet to the delight of many guests and takes a small group of young people just on the dignitaries in attendance, the guest of honor verge of their professional careers through turned the tables by taking a few moments to Armenia and the surrounding regions. The par - present Bandazian with the Republic of ticipants spend an incredibly busy 14 days visit - Armenia Presidential Award. ing historic and geographic landmarks, discov - The UN ambassador, who would be leaving ering the concrete benefits of some of the FAR his post at the UN and returning to Armenia programs, and meeting with their Armenian shortly after the farewell ceremony, opened his young professional counterparts in the hopes presentation by saying, “Khoren, we finally of forging lasting relationships. have an opportunity to publically thank you, my In the two decades since the YPT began run - friend, for your dedication and compassion and ning, the local and diasporan Armenian com - to thank you, in the presence of our reverend munities have undergone monumental changes. clergy, the members and leaders of the The YPT has changed as well to adapt to the Armenian community, and the Nagorno- shifting dynamics and demographics of its par - Karabagh representative who is present ticipants and beneficiaries. For instance, this here…to present you with 20th Anniversary of year’s FAR-led trip will offer choices for those Himnadram commemorative Medal, an award young professionals on a tight schedule: in addi - from the President Serge Sargisian and to tion to one week in Armenia, they can extend thank you for your service to the nation.” their trip with another week in Turkey and Earlier in his remarks, the beloved Nazarian Istanbul or Nagorno Karabagh. Yet, YPT’s func - expressed his appreciation for Armenia Fund tion and directive have remained largely intact. USA, of which Khoren Bandazian has been YPT alumna and Ayo! project manager Tatevik chairman since 2011. “Armenia Fund has Khoja-Eynatyan sat down with Vorperian to 102-year-old Dikran Tavitian cuts the cake. touched so many lives and has reached so many find out how the YPT can be so open in some families in Armenia and the Republic of of its details, yet so steadfast in its mission. Artsakh,” stated Nazarian. “When establishing The YPT started in 1995. What are the the Fund more than two decades ago, we all biggest changes you’ve seen in the way partic- came together in defense of our self-determina - HMADS Celebrates ipants approach the experience of visiting the tion. Now we can reaffirm that we are united land of their roots? again, under the auspices of Armenia Fund, to It’s interesting, I think we’re reaching a tip - ensure and bolster that unalienable right.” Friends’ Anniversary, ping point in momentum now. In our first years After eight years of service as the secretary of doing the YPT, it was almost exclusively with the board of directors of Armenia Fund USA, American Armenians who were either sec - ond or third generation, and had very little per - Grandparents Day sonal connection with Armenia. Up until the early ’90s, Armenia was in many ways a very BAYSIDE, N.Y. — On Saturday, May 3, the school family celebrated 20th closed country, and it was just beginning to Anniversary of the Friends of Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School (HMADS) at the open up after Soviet rule and the Karabagh Woodbury Country Club in Long Island. war. To these first participants, Armenia was a Hovannes Malikyan, the chairperson of the Friends of HMADS, welcomed the bit of a mythical place that they had only heard guests, acknowledged the presence of New York State Assembly Woman Nily about at home or in church. More recently, they Rozic, extended special thanks to the members of the Friends, and proceeded to had heard of the “dark years” in Armenia and a short program. Friends of HMADS for more than 20 years have secured finan - the earthquake relief efforts, but generally, cial stability and security for the school. there had been relatively little contact between Arek Nisanyan the co-chair of the event along with Maro Jamgotchian, acknowl - Armenians and the diaspora. Even something edged the presence of former benefactors of the Annual Gala Booklet. Present as simple as flying there was complicated then, Khoren Bandazin were: Edward and Carmen Gulbenkian, Noubar and Ann Mahdessian, Hratch and which is why FAR took great initiative to plan Negdar Arukian, Nichan and Christine Tchorbajian. everything and really take care of a lot of the arrangements for these first few groups. Bandazian assumed the chairmanship. Today, of course, things are very different. To this position, Bandazian brought a wealth There is so much information being passed of executive experience gained in his profes - back and forth through the Internet. It’s really sional life as well as many other Armenian orga - a huge resource. Thanks to live-streaming, for nizations and causes with which has associated example, diasporans anywhere can go to a web - himself since his youth. site like CivilNet and actually see what’s hap - He had served on various committees orga - pening in Armenia as it occurs. So many YPs nized by the Armenian Diocese and the today have much more of an understand - Armenian Prelacy, such as the 1,700th ing about what is going on in Armenia. Of Anniversary of Christianity in Armenia commit - course, they still have a strong interest to see tee. He also served on the board of St. the kind of legendary side of Armenia: Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church of Noravank, Tatev, these things. But I notice Ridgefield, NJ. In 2007, he chaired Armenia much more in today’s groups of YPs the desire Fund USA’s fifteenth anniversary gala at the to dive in, to interact with the people and the United Nations, to raise much needed funds in organizations working to improve life for support of the organization’s efforts. Armenians. On a parallel track, he has built a successful Are most of the participants still first time career as a real estate attorney. He recently visitors to Armenia? rejoined the firm of Winne, Banta, I would say that it’s still the first time visiting HMADS youngsters perform for grandparents. Hetherington, Basralian & Kahn in New Jersey Armenia for the majority. Certainly the number as a principal. of return visitors is growing, though. I think In its public announcement, the firm also Nisanyan invited the principal of the school, Zarmine Boghosian, to introduce these return visitors choose to join the YPT mentioned that Bandazian is “active as a leader the evening’s benefactor Virginia Hekimian, the chairperson of the HMADS because they realize it can put them in contact in the Greater New York Armenian community, Annual Gala Booklet 2014, who dedicated her donation in memory of her broth - with things they wouldn’t otherwise get the donating his time to improving the lives of the er Harold E. Hekimian. Boghosian called the HMADS Class of 2014 to present a chance to find or see. The trip is long enough people living in Armenia.” bouquet of flowers to Virginia Hekimian. to be comprehensive and to see many of the April has been an auspicious month for Hovannes Malikyan was pleasantly surprised when on behalf of the school famous landmarks, but not too long to require Bandazian as he continues to serve as board Nurhan Adarian, the founder of the Friends of HMADS, presented to him a paper an overly burdensome time commitment, which chairman of Armenia Fund USA and as chair - see HMADS, page 5 is important as many of our Young man of Eastern Region Armenian Genocide Professionals are just that: professionals who Centennial Committee. see FAR, page 7 S ATURDAY , M AY 17, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 COMMUNITY NEWS HMADS Celebrates Friends’ Anniversary, Grandparents Day

HMADS, from page 4 Keane. Class mothers prepared a lavish breakfast. weight from Tiffany’s in appreciation of his 10 The entertainment was by the students of years of service as the chairperson of the HMADS Hye Bardez, Nursery, Kindergarten Friends of HMADS. Adarian also acknowledged and Grades 1-6. They all took the stages in the most generous benefactor of the school groups to the delight of the audience presented Irwin W. Uran, who had enriched the school’s poems and songs dedicated to Grandparents. Scholarship Endowment Fund with a $1 mil - Students sang happy birthday as the Great- lion donation back in 1996. Grandfather of the year, Dikran Tavitian, 102, After Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan’s opening joined all those born in May along with the prayer and blessing, the night continued with youngest audience, 6-month-old Dakota Rose enthusiastic entertainment by Elie Berberian Bekian, daughter of Adam Bekian, HMADS and his band. Class of ’95. The grandparents were very impressed and Honoring Grandparents touched by the presentation of their beloved On Tuesday, May 6, the Church hall was grandchildren; they lovingly supported the packed with the presence of HMADS school with their generous donations. At the ABMDR donor-recruitment drive at the Yerevan State Medical University. Grandparents, great-grandparents, community At the conclusion of the event grandparents volunteers and special guests. Representing the were invited to visit their grandchildren’s class - ABMDR Holds Recruitment Drive at office of Assembly woman Nily Rozic was Megan rooms. Yerevan State Medical University

LOS ANGELES — On April 25, the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR) took part in a Yerevan commemorative event dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide. Organized by the Yerevan State Medical University, the commem - oration, which was held on the university’s campus, raised public awareness of the Registry’s mission and comprised a donor-recruitment drive. ABMDR participated in the event with the slogan “Help Save a Life.” The program included appearances by several speakers and a presentation about the Registry’s work, followed by a large-scale recruitment effort. At the conclusion of the event, 361 attendees, including students and members of the university’s faculty and administration, registered as potential bone marrow stem cell donors. “The response has been absolutely wonderful,” said Dr. Frieda Jordan, president of ABMDR. “How moving and beautiful it is to see so many young people honor the mem - ory of Genocide victims by registering as potential bone marrow stem cell donors, for a chance to help save a fellow Armenian’s life!” Also during the program, the audience was familiarized with a recent ABMDR mile - We love Our Grandparents stone, namely the advances the registry has made in the harvesting and cryopreserva - tion of cord-blood mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). As it was detailed during the pre - sentation, in 2014 ABMDR has teamed up with Biostem of Greece to establish a cord- blood bank at the registry’s Stem Cell Harvesting Center in Yerevan. Following the birth of a child, stem cells are harvested from the cord blood and subsequently pre - served for the life of the subject, for potential utilization in autotransplantation and other life-saving procedures.

Virgina Hekimian_with some members of the HMADS committee 6 S ATURDAY , M AY 17, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR OBITUARY Robert H. Nahigian

WALTHAM, Mass. — Robert H. Nahigian of Nardolillo Funeral Home Waltham, formerly Belmont died on April 25. Est. 1906 Born on August 16, 1941 in Malden, he was the son of the late Robert and Beatrice John K. Najarian, Jr. (Masoian) Nahigian. Rhode Island’s Only Licensed Armenian Funeral Director He was the husband of Holly (Cox) Nahigian for 50 years. He was the father of Kristan 1278 Park Ave. Cranston, RI 02910 (401) 942-1220 Murphy of Lynnfield, Laurie Nahigian of 1111 Boston Neck Rd. Narragansett, RI 02882 (401) 789-6300 Watertown and Paul Nahigian of South Boston. www.nardolillo.com He was the grandfather of John Shea, Jr. He was the brother of Gloria Khederian of Waltham. He was in the food industry for more than 40 years and the owner of Food Service Sales from 1979 to 1995. He retired in 2006 and enjoyed winters in Florida with his wife, Holly. He was a passionate golfer. He was a member of the Oakley Country Club in Watertown for GF UiNrEaRgAoL sHiaOMn E more than 25 years. He played countless rounds James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC of golf and even had claim to three hole-in-ones. Mark J. Giragosian His family was always his first priority. He pro - Robert Nahigian Funeral Counselors vided unwavering love and constant support of 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 his children. He lived for his 2-year-old grandson. www.giragosianfuneralhome.com Services were held at St. James Armenian Wakefield, MA 01880 or the Dana-Farber Church, Watertown, on Monday, May 5 Interment Marathon Challenge, 10 Brookline Place West, was in Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge. 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445. Expressions of sympathy may be made in his Arrangements were made by the Giragosian memory to The Angel Fund, 649 Main Street, Funeral Home. Telephone (617) 924-7400 Aram Bedrosian Stepan Ayanian Funeral Home, Inc. BRIGHTON, Mass. — Stepan Ayanian, 89, of nieces, nephews and other relatives. Brighton, formerly of Watertown and He was the proprietor of Mrs. Richards Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 Rochester, NY, died on April 16. Tailoring in Needham and the longtime owner MARION BEDROSIAN Born in of Steve’s Custom Tailoring in Rochester. 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET Kessab, Syria, he Funeral services were held on April 19 at St. PAUL BEDROSIAN was the husband James Armenian Church, Watertown. Interment WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN of the late Araxie was in Ridgelawn Cemetery, Watertown. (Kuftedjian) Expressions of sympathy may be made in his Ayanian. He was memory to Kessab Educational Association of Edward D. Jamakordzian, Jr. d/b/a the father of LA, for Kessab Humanitarian Relief Fund, P.O. Sara Helen Box 1507, Reseda, CA 91335 or to the Ayanian of Alzheimer’s Assoc., 480 Pleasant St., Brighton and Watertown, MA 02472. Edward D. Jamie, Jr. brother of Kessab Educational Association of LA, for Bedros Ayanian, Kessab Humanitarian Relief Fund, P.O. Box Funeral Chapel Zabelle 1507, Reseda, CA 91335 or to the Alzheimer’s Serving the entire Armenian Community Kalemderian and Association, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA Any Hour • Any Distance • Any Location the late Boghos 02472. Call (718) 224-2390 Toll Free (888) 224-6088 Stepan Ayanian Ayanian. He also Arrangements were made by the Giragosian leaves many Funeral Home. Bus. Reg. 189-06 Liberty Ave., Hollis, NY 11412 Consultation Office: 217-04 Northern Blvd., (Suite 23), Bayside,NY 11361 Souren Khatchadourian

FORT LEE, N.J. — Souren Khatchadourin, Dalita Yegavian, the daughter of the late 88, of Fort Lee, died on Sunday, April 27, sur - Hermine and Haroutune Yegavian. rounded by his family. He was an industrialist who successfully built He was born in Aleppo, Syria, on August 15, the first zipper and waistband factories in the 1925 to the late Nectar and Manuel Middle East. He also was a partner in MKS, an Khatchadourian. import/export company, managed jointly with He was a graduate of the Armenian his older brother, Hovsep Khatchadourian. Evangelical College in Beirut, Lebanon, and In 1983, he immi - received a bachelor’s degree in business admin - grated to the US, istration from the American University of where he estab - Beirut. On September 26, 1954, he married lished residence. He leaves his wife, Dalita, and two married chil - dren, Jacques and Elizabeth M. Anita Anserian of River Edge, NJ and Kefeyan Mano and Aline Khatchadourian of Souren Khatchadourian BELMONT, Mass. — Elizabeth M. Kefeyan of Manhasset, NY. He Belmont died on April 26. is also survived by She was the sister of Sgt. John Kefeyan, his grandchildren, Sylvia and her husband Boston Police Dept., retired, and Adrienne Andrew Cooper, Lia and Raffi Khatchadourian; Kefeyan, both of Belmont and the late H. great-grandchildren Adam and Ryan Cooper; Michael Kefeyan. brothers Noubar Dorian and Zohrab She was the daughter of the late John M. and Khatchadourian; sisters-in-law Sirvart Yegavian, Nevart Kefeyan. She is survived by many loving Rosette Kilajian and Lois Khatchadourian and cousins, relatives and friends. 14 nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by She was the staff director for the Committee his brother Hovsep and sister Olivia Bakamjian. on Rules for the Office of the Speaker of the A memorial service was held at St. Leon House of Representatives in the Massachusetts Armenian Church, Fair Lawn, NJ, on April 30. State House. She was a member of the Holy A religious service was held at the church on Trinity Women’s Guild. May 1, followed by a graveside service at the Services were held at Holy Trinity Armenian George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus. Church, 145 Brattle St., Cambridge on In lieu of flowers, donations may be made the Wednesday, April 30. AGBU Souren Khatchadourian Memorial Fund Expressions of sympathy may be made in her for humanitarian relief assistance to Syrian memory to Holy Trinity Armenian Church. Armenians (AGBU, Souren Khatchadourian Arrangements were made by the Giragosian Memorial Fund, 55 East 59th St., NY, NY Funeral Home. 10022.
S ATURDAY , M AY 17, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS

Over the years, the YPT itinerary has something or someone being “Armenian” added NKR, eastern Turkey and Javakhk, transcends these borders, and to see this for Going FAR in Armenia Georgia, to its sites visited. Can you com- yourself in these regions is very revealing. ment on how you think these particular Ideally, how would you like YPT alumni to places have enriched the program? be involved in the program after they trav- FAR, from page 4 as flexible as possible so we can adapt it to Like I mentioned before, the NKR is a very el? have professional responsibilities. One of the the needs of the participants each year, and exciting place right now. Each year we go Obviously, it will be different for every indi - best things about the YPT, though, is that we to what’s occurring in and around Armenia in back, there is so much progress made. In vidual. Since we try to make each trip unique have the flexibility to customize the trip each any given year. For example, last year we many ways, this is really the frontier of to the group of participants, each person gets year to fit the specific interests of the group. were originally planning for part of the trip Armenia. Eastern Turkey is a much more something different out of their trip. Our sin - We can help to put them in contact with their to go through Turkey, but this was immedi - sobering place to visit, but no less important. cere hope, though, is that they find and cul - professional counterparts in Armenia and ately after some incidents of violence along Armenian history has its dark pages, and tivate some new relationship with Armenia, hopefully foster a new relationship. the Turkish-Syrian border. So we decided to these must be remembered and honored. It’s whether it is with someone or some organi - What do you think FAR’s YPT offers that change the plans just a few weeks before the a defining part of Armenian culture, and any zation in Armenia, or other participants they other cultural heritage programs do not? trip to replace the days in Turkey with a trip cultural heritage trip would be incomplete meet on the trip. It’s their generation now We take a lot of effort to make sure the trip to Artsakh. The participants loved it, and it without this side of our history. that can have the most impact, and their is especially beneficial to young profession - actually gave the whole trip a different feel - Visiting Georgia can be powerful as well, huge enthusiasm can spark very positive als. Of course it’s important to show these ing. Instead of looking to the lands Armenia because it gives our participants a chance to change in Armenia. If we can give them at young people their roots and the deep histo - lost, we visited the land Armenia is building, see how much we share with our neighbors. least one point of entry into that potential, ry in Armenia, but we don’t stop just with a where some of the most exciting develop - We have some of the same problems that we will be happy. Hopefully from there, it tour of landmarks and historical sites. A large ment is happening. need to be addressed. All of these regions grows into a life-long connection. part of the trip is seeing firsthand the many This is just one small example of our flexi - show our participants that Armenia is not (To find out more about the FAR Young projects FAR has implemented around the bility with the trip. Our priority for flexibility limited to its physical borders. The idea of Professionals Trip, visit www.farusa.org/ypt.) country. Many of our participants have par - is also the reason we ask the participants to ents or relatives or friends that have donated arrange and fund their own travel to and to FAR in some capacity, and we feel it’s from Armenia. This way, they have the choice extremely important to show exactly how tan - to come before the trip, or stay longer and gible the benefits of our programs can be. explore more of Armenia on their own terms. Armenian Memorial Church Annual The majority of our YPs tell me at the end As long as we make sure the YPT is a kind of that their strongest experiences were visiting catalyst for these young people, we consider Fair to Take Place June 6 and 7 our Children’s Center or our soup kitchens it a success. But we don’t want to dictate the or construction projects. They really come experience too much. WATERTOWN — The Armenian Memorial Church of Watertown will hold its Annual face to face with the problems that What do you want participants to come Fair Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7 (rain or shine). On Friday, from 5 to 8 p.m., Armenians face, and some of the solutions to away with after traveling with FAR? the church will serve dinners and desserts. The entire fair will be open on Saturday, those problems. Ultimately, our hope is that I think our YPT helps these young people June 7 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The selection will also include traditional and vegetarian these young people who are just entering to discover their own Armenia. We do not Armenian meals. Visitors may eat at tables under the tent or may purchase take out their careers find a way to integrate their pro - impose a specific Armenia on them; we help orders. fessional energies with the desire for a better them to discover what is in the country that The entire fair features an Armenian delicacies table, a silent auction and craft tables. Armenia. makes it, or does not make it, their mother - In addition, this year an indoor yard sale will feature an array of items. Do you anticipate any major changes in land. Of course we want our participants to The women of the church who are known for their fine cooking have been preparing future years of the program? feel like they have discovered more of their the Armenian delicacies. They recently held an all day mante making session, producing At the moment, we don’t expect to make heritage and their roots. But this can be done hundreds of the petite Armenian dumpling-like treats. They will be featured on the major changes, but that is only because we on trips with any number of other organiza - baked goods table along with many other baked specialties. can’t tell the future! We try to keep the YPT tions, as well. What we really hope for is that Carol Koundakjian Trio of Marlborough is chairing this year’s committee which our participants begin to understand some of includes Arpie Ashjian of Waltham, Adrine Beurklian of Watertown, Marilyn Coughlin the problems Armenians still face, and above of Needham, Arpy Haleblian of Belmont, Christine Mekjian and Bette Ohanian of all that they can be an integral part of the Watertown, Azniv Nigoghosian of Waltham, Gregg Ohanian of Woburn, Vicky Tomasian solutions through their professions. Our par - of Belmont and Roberta Vanderkeyl of Watertown. Angel Parseghian of Belmont, pres - ticipants are always fantastic, intelligent, and ident of the Ladies’ Aide, is chairing the delicacies table. caring people and it’s frequently just a matter While the fair is the largest fundraiser of the year, the church sets aside 10 percent of getting them in the same room as someone of the proceeds to benefit a worthy charity. This year’s funds will be donated to the else who shares their professional passions. Syrian Relief Fund through the Armenian Missionary Association of America. We really hope that our participants come The Armenian Memorial Church is located at 32 Bigelow Ave. The Church is wheel - away from the trip with new relationships chair accessible. and connections with the Armenian people.

Entertainment Fridays and Saturdays

Reporter Wanted

The is Armenian Mirror-Spectator seeking an assistant editor, working 20-25 hours a week. The ideal candidate should have a good grasp of journalism and be will - ing to cover a variety of subjects. Some editing will also be required. Salary commensurate with experi - ence. Send resumes and writing samples to [email protected]. 8 S ATURDAY , M AY 17, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School Holds STEM Expo

WATERTOWN — This year St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School (SSAES) expand - ed its one-day Science Fair to a weeklong STEM Expo (April 7-10) as part of its ongoing STEM program. The STEM program, which was launched at the school in 2011, creates and sup - ports a culture of inquiry-based teaching and learning that excites and inspires SSAES stu - dents in the fields of science, technology, engi - neering, and math. “The STEM Expo focuses our students on a particular STEM topic and allows for collaborative learning which is key to developing highly desirable 21st century skills such as creativity, critical thinking, communica - tion and collaboration,” said Houry Boyamian, principal at SSAES. Leading up to the STEM Expo, students worked on group projects grounded in every - day life. These real-life applications of math and the sciences were framed by SSAES teachers such that students had an opportunity to explore and reason about different options rather than look for one right answer. “Our goal is to inspire students, stimulate their imagination and curiosity, and encourage them to become life-long learners,” said Dr. Above, students in Grades 4 and 5 Right, stu - Sevan Ficici, SSAES STEM committee chair dents meet some exotic friends. since 2011.

their evolution. experiment with Grades 4 and 5 that isolated Dr. Sally Vanerian-Gengozian, affiliated with DNA in the context of cancer research. Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the VA Students in Grades K-5 presented their Boston Healthcare System, delivered an inter - Science Fair projects and those in Grades 3-5 active presentation on germs and hand washing were interviewed by the STEM committee on The SSAES STEM Team, from left, Dr. George Haleblian, Kimberly Kamborian, Dana Cinar, Principal for Preschool and Kindergarten students. their projects. Houry Boyamian, Dr. Sally Vanerian-Gengozian, Margarit Belorian and Dr. Sevan Ficici Dr. Hagop Youssoufian, executive vice presi - To learn more about SSAES, please visit dent of Progenics Pharmaceuticals, led an www.ssaes.org.

Many activities and programs were held dur - ing the week leading to the STEM Expo. Yelena Bisharyan, PhD, senior scientist at Tetragenics, led a week-long student experi - ment on growing bacterial culture with Grades Sponsor a Teacher in Armenia and Karabagh 2014 3, 4 and 5. At the end of the experiment, each class gathered and presented their data, com - paring results to their preliminary prediction. Alissia Apinian Margios, from the Institute Since its inception in 2001, TCA’s ‘Sponsor for Integrative Nutrition, led an interactive pre - sentation for K-5 students allowing students to a Teacher’ program has raised over $563,000 differentiate and make food choices that pro - mote good health. and reached out to 4,464 teachers and Curious Creatures, Inc. delivered an interac - tive presentation featuring exotic animals from school workers in Armenia and Karabagh. around the globe to encourage respect and appreciation for animals and their habitats. Dr. Ara Nazarian, assistant professor of ortho - £ pedic surgery at Harvard Medical School deliv - ered a teaching session on joint motion and bio - K Yes, I want to sponsor teachers in Armenia and Karabagh to continue mechanics to students in Grades K-5. helping them to educate the children, our future leaders. I would like to have Alik Apelian, sales engineer at Keyence the teacher’s name and address. Corporation, presented an interactive program, K $160 K $ 320 K $ 480 K other $ for Grades 3-5, on microscopes, their use and ————————— Name Address City State Zip code Advertize Tel: Make check payable to: Tekeyan Cultural Association – Memo: Sponsor a Teacher 2014 in the Mail your check with this form to: TCA Sponsor a Teacher MIRROR 5326 Valverde, Houston, TX 77056 Your donation is Tax Deductible. S ATURDAY , M AY 17, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 COMMUNITY NEWS Shoah Foundation Gala Honors Obama for Human Rights Work

SHOAH, from page 1 to children and they’re learning to hate early.” The affair at the Century Plaza Hotel began Nearing the end of his talk, he said: “I have with cocktails amid displays of Shoah’s work. this remarkable title right now: president of the Guests then adjourned to the ballroom for din - United States. And yet every day when I wake ner, official ceremonies and a stirring perfor - up and I think about young girls in Nigeria or mance by Bruce Springsteen of The Promised Land and Dancing in the Dark. There was no shortage of laughs as O’Brien tackled, among other subjects, traffic jams resulting from presidential visits. “I know you left Washington six hours ago, but I left Burbank seven hours ago,” he said to the president. Among the guests was Armenian Genocide survivor Yevnige Aposhian Salibian, who had fled Aintab at age 7 in 1921. The evening culminated in President Obama’s speech. “The work of this foundation, the testimonies of survivors like those with us tonight, also remind us that the purpose of memory is President Barack Obama with Steven Spielberg not simply to preserve the past. It is to protect the future,” Obama said. “We only need to look at today’s head - children caught up in the conflict in Syria, lines: the devastation of Syria, the murders and when there are times in which I want to reach kidnappings in Nigeria, sectarian conflict, tribal out and save those kids. … I think, drop by drop conflicts, to see that we have not yet extin - by drop, that we can erode and wear down guished man’s darkest impulses. There are these forces that are so destructive — that we some bad stories out there that are being told can tell a different story.” “We were greeted warmly at the lobby entrance by Dr. Stephen Smith, executive direc - tor of Shoah and were guided through the crowds by their lovely director of development, Sylvia Moskovitz, who welcomed grandma, hug - ging her and holding back tears while telling her how honored Shoah was to have her attend the event,” wrote her granddaughter Talin Bahadarian. “As our names were checked off the list by Secret Service, lo and behold one very famous Kim Kardashian approached. Kim immediately greeted Grandma and gave her phone to the security guard to take a picture of the two of them…a picture now made famous Kim Kardashian with Genocide survivor Yevnige Salibian by her post on Instagram with the heading “I’m sitting next to the most inspiring 100-year-old Armenian Genocide survivor,” a picture “liked” by over 370,000 people in less than 24 hours.” Host Conan O’Brien also asked for a picture with Salibian to send to his Armenian assistant. They spoke briefly, she tousled O’Brien’s hair and made him laugh. The event raised a record-breaking $4.3 mil - lion. (A story from the Los Angeles Times as well Conan O’Brien with Yevnige Salibian as one from Talin Bahadarian were combined for this report.)

Vartan Matiossian to Speak on Previously Unreported Operation Nemesis Participant at NAASR Lecture

BELMONT, Mass. — Dr. Vartan Matiossian moved to the United States. He graduated from will give a lecture titled “Code Name Haiko: the University of Buenos Aires and has a PhD Discovering the Last Unknown Participant in in history from the Academy of Sciences of Talaat Pasha’s Liquidation,” on Thursday, June Armenia, with the Armenian community in 5, at 7:30 p.m., at the National Association for Argentina from its beginnings until 1950 as his Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) subject. He currently lives in New Jersey and is Center , 395 Concord Ave. the executive director of the Armenian National In 1921 the mastermind of the Armenian Education Committee, at the Armenian Prelacy Genocide, Talaat Pasha, was killed in a Berlin in New York. street by a young avenger, Soghomon Matiossian is the author of five books in Tehlirian. This was the main act of Operation Armenian, including a biography of writer Nemesis, planned and partially carried out Gostan Zarian (1998), a history of the Armenian between 1919-1922 to redress justice for the communities in Latin America until 1950 (2005), Armenian people that had been denied by tri - a collection of travelogues about Armenia bunals. In his memoirs, published in Armenian (2005), a biography of the Oriental dancer (1953), Tehlirian unveiled many of the details of Armen Ohanian (coauthored with Artsvi his actions. For security reasons, he introduced Bakhchinyan, 2007), and a collection of studies, his immediate on-the-ground collaborators with book reviews, and essays on Armenian literature pseudonyms: Hazor, Vaza and Haiko. Haiko (2009). He has translated and published 15 hitherto has remained unidentified. books from Armenian into Spanish and English. While waiting for the day that archival mate - Admission to the event is free (donations rial will yield more information about him, a appreciated). The NAASR Bookstore will open lucky hunch and a painstaking collection of at 7:00 p.m. The NAASR Center is located data from the Armenian press and secondary opposite the First Armenian Church and next literature has allowed Matiossian to identify by to the U.S. Post Office. Ample parking is avail - name and to outline the life and activities of able around the building and in adjacent areas. “Haiko.” The lecture will begin promptly at 7:30 p.m. Matiossian was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, More information about the lecture is avail - and lived in Buenos Aires until 2000, when he able by e-mailing [email protected] 10 S ATURDAY , M AY 17, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS ‘60 Minutes’ Elevates Chertavian to National Prominence

and Manifest Destiny while looking to the future of promis - By Tom Vartabedian ing students coming to his attention. “If you were good enough, you simply had to attend his alma mater [Bowdoin] which he considered a Valhalla of BOSTON — He grew up in nearby Lowell, the son of a den - enlightened education,” he said. tist and dental hygienist, trying to make his own way in the Chertavian began his career on Wall Street as an officer of business world. the Chemical Banking Corporation. He moved on to become Today, Gerald Chertavian is riding his own crest as a social head of marketing at Transnational Financial Services in entrepreneur, founder and CEO of a nutmeg called “Year London, then co-founded Conduit Communications in 1993. Up,” an extensive one-year education and training program In short order, he fostered its growth to $20 million in that serves low-income young adults between the ages of 18- annual revenues and some 130 employees in London, 24. Amsterdam, New York and Boston. He helps 2,100 young adults every year, including blacks, Within five years, Conduit ranked as one of England’s Hispanics and the downtrodden; visited 63 countries includ - fastest-growing companies before Chertavian cut the cord ing Armenia; written a best seller, and compiled a resume and turned his full attention to social entrepreneurship. that reads like a “Who’s Who.” In 2000, he founded Year Up, a one-year education and pro - As if his fame had not already been great, a recent appear - fessional job training program for urban young adults. The ance on CBS’s “60 Minutes” has vaulted him over the top. program combines hands-on skill development, college cred - The segment showed the value of Year Up both to the its and corporate internships designed to promote such qual - young adults in the program as well as to corporate partners ities as effective communication, leadership and teamwork. such as JP Morgan Chase and American Express. Most impor - In the inaugural year, 22 students began classes in down - tantly, the 20-minute segment had impact on changing per - town Boston. Since then, the organization has served more ceptions of what talent looks like today by showing urban than 4,000 students and partnered with more than 200 major young adults as valuable assets — skilled, motivated, resilient corporations across the country. employees. Gerald Chertavian Just last year, three major awards have come his way, Year Up’s communications firm, Tager & Company, intro - including one from the White House for being “a champion duced the idea to a story editor at “60 Minutes,” who rec - of change.” Mount Ida College presented him with an ommended it to a producer after hearing about the program’s local schools, plying the neighborhood playgrounds and Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. impact and scalability, as well as Chertavian’s best-selling stomping around local ball fields. Looking back on his Armenian side, a grandfather immi - book, A Year Up: Helping Young Adults Move from Poverty His dad, Levon, was the son of Armenian immigrants and grated here in 1917. Following a stint in the wool mills, he to Professional Careers in a Single Year . became a dentist while his mom, Joyce, was employed as a den - became a cobbler, working seven days a week for decades Chertavian was interviewed by Morley Safer following a tal hygienist. The family has been supportive of Armenian char - while putting four children through college. year of preparation for the show. They filmed in four differ - ities. A tiny beach cottage at Seabrook, NH, has been a family “I learned the value of hard work from my Armenian her - ent sites: Boston, New York, Bay Area and Miami while inter - get-away. itage as well as the constant quest for knowledge,” viewing two CEOs and three Year-Up graduates that were Gerald graduated summa cum laude from Bowdoin College Chertavian proudly admitted. impacted by Chertavian. The segment aired January 26 and with a degree in Economics, later earning a master’s with As to the future, Chertavian is looking ahead with gusto, got immediate results. honors from Harvard Business School. He and his wife Kate working to scale up his program through community college “A CEO of a Fortune 500 company saw the segment and (Smallwood) live in Cambridge with their three children. partnerships and other channels to be able to serve 100,000 immediately called us up to participate in our program,” said “My brother Lee and I were schooled early in dad’s uncom - young adults annually over the next decade. Chertavian. “His company will sponsor 100 interns a year at promising work ethic,” he recalls. “Beginning at 12 or 13, we “For me, this is a matter of social justice,” he pointed out. $24,000 an intern.” always had summer jobs and the money went straight into a “I believe that young adults deserve opportunity and that the Who is Gerald Chertavian and what makes him such a hot savings account.” country needs to better utilize its human capital. This has commodity in the world of business dynamics? Chertavian went on to say how a history teacher at Lowell been my dream for decades and I feel lucky to help it come It’s the case of a local boy who’s made good, attending High inspired him with his lectures on Jacksonian Democracy true.”

St. Thomas Parishioners Honored for Lifetime of Exemplary Service

A sweet moment occurred when his role model, and said the parish youth are By Madlen E. Setian Aline Arslanian expressed words of blessed to have Anoushian as their pastor. He love and gratitude to her grandpar - noted that the pastor attends the basketball ents, Gregory and Mary Ann games and cheers on the teams with enthusiasm. TENAFLY, N.J. — On Palm Sunday, April 13, Saraydarian, and her great-uncle and Andrew Martaiain also paid tribute to his moth - the St. Thomas Church celebrated the 49th great-aunt Richard and Martha er and remembered his father, who he said “is anniversary of its consecration. Archbishop Saraydarian. looking down on us and is humbly very proud.” Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the As Palm Sunday is designated as The brothers’ touching remarks received a stand - Armenian Church of America (Eastern), partici - ACYOA Day in the Eastern Diocese, ing ovation from the audience. pated in the Divine Liturgy, delivered the homily Arianna Cruickshank and Elsa Anoushian expressed appreciation to Jack and and presided over the celebratory dinner. Kadajyan of the St. Thomas ACYOA Sylva Torosian; to Arman and Lisa Torosian; to This year, the Palm Sunday services at St. chapter presented Anoushian with a everyone involved in the successful Palm Sunday Thomas had a special significance. At the con - $1,000 donation to the parish. cake sale; to program M.C. Mary Cruickshank; to clusion of the Divine Liturgy, Gregory and Mary The presentation of the annual “St. chefs Andy Ouzoonian, Milt Palakian, Shahe Ann Saraydarian and Richard and Martha Thomas Award” was another high Jebejian; and to all the volunteers. He also Saraydarian received the ”St. Nersess point of the banquet. Anoushian fond - thanked Nazik Sesetyan, a teacher of the Shnorhali” Medal, bestowed on them by Mr. and Mrs. Gregory and Mary Ann Saraydarian and Mr. ly described the work of recipients parish’s Kirikian Armenian School, for giving Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of and Mrs. Richard and Martha Saraydarian received Douglas and Andrew Martaian, prais - Aline Arslanian help in preparing her tribute to All Armenians, for their 40 years of devotion and the ”St. Nersess Shnorhali” Medal. ing Douglas for his dedication to the her grandparents. dedicated service to the Armenian Church. Sunday School, and Andrew for serv - Barsamian said he was happy to join the St. St. Thomas pastor the Very Rev. Papken ing on the altar as sub-deacon. Thomas parish on its 49th anniversary, and Anoushian solemnly read the encyclical from A Palm Sunday celebratory banquet followed the The pastor also enthusiastically mentioned remarked about all the youth at St. Thomas — a sign Holy Echmiadzin that recognized the honorees. services. The proceedings began with an invocation that both brothers have served as St. Thomas that the parish parents and grandparents are bring - It was followed by the medals presentation cere - by the Primate, followed by a short requiem prayer basketball coaches for more than 30 years, and ing up a wonderful new Armenian generation. He mony, conducted by Barsamian. offered by Anoushian for the soul of Ankine announced with great pride that under their conveyed blessings on all the award recipients, not - It would be hard to describe the level of dedi - Akelian, in whose memory, Jack and Sylva Torosian guidance this year all three St. Thomas basket - ing that each one is a humble, dedicated exemplary cation and extent of contributions from this had donated the banquet expenses. ball teams — senior boys, junior boys, and girls — member of the Armenian Church. remarkable family over the past 40 years. From Mistress of Ceremonies Mary Cruickshank won the ACSA championships. leadership work on the Parish Council, and as invited Dr. Levon Capan of the St. Thomas Anoushian remembered the devotion of Diocesan delegate, to serving on the Kirikian Parish Council to offer the welcoming toast. Douglas and Andrew Martaian’s parents, Celia Armenian School Executive Committee; from Capan thanked the Torosian family for their hard and the late Ara Martaian, who sang in the choir chairing and serving in church organizations, to work and sponsorship of the dinner, and thanked each week. He said that the sons have followed generous financial donations; from creating chef Andy Ouzoonian and his team as well as the in their parents’ footsteps. events and activities to benefit the church, to ACYOA. He also congratulated this year’s St. Douglas and Andrew expressed appreciation offering help on any level-including cooking pic - Thomas Award recipients, Douglas and Andrew for the award and thanked the pastor the parish nic barbecues, helping in the kitchen, and other - Martaian, and the St. Nersess Medal recipients. council. Douglas paid tribute to his mother’s love wise making themselves available to the service The entertainment portion of the program fea - and the example of his grandparents, who sur - of their fellow parishioners. tured a short concert by the children’s orchestra vived the genocide, read the Bible, and attended The Saraydarian family’s dedication extends to ensemble. Musicians Shant and Garo church every Sunday. With emotion Douglas Armenia as well. Their numerous benevolent Amerkanian, Victoria and Matthew Bourghol, remembered his father Ara: “My involvement at activities in the motherland have included open - and Shahe Jebejian performed under the direc - St. Thomas would not have been what it is today “St. Thomas Award” recipients, brothers Douglas ing the Saraydarian family home to many chil - tion of Diana Bourghol. Matthew Bourghol per - without the gentle push from my father,” he said, and Andrew Martaian with Very Rev. Papken dren who sustained injuries in the catastrophic formed a solo piece on the violin, and Cindy “and I accept this honor in his memory.” Anoushian 1988 earthquake in Armenia. Mutafoglu played classical guitar. Andrew Martaian commended his brother as S ATURDAY , M AY 17, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 Arts & Living

Winners of Hamazkayin Picture-Perfect Eastern USA Minas and Kohar Tölölyan Prize in Gala for Project Contemporary Literature Announced SAVE

WATERTOWN — The Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society of Eastern By Tom Vartabedian United States announced recently the winners of the second Minas and Kohar Tölölyan Prize NEWTON, Mass. — What’s in a photo? Well, if in Contemporary Literature. Aida Zilelian was it was taken in 1946 inside a Watertown building chosen for The Legacy of Lost Things , and called Kondazian Coat Factory, plenty. Arto Payaslian (Vaun) was chosen for his col - The picture shows Armenian immigrant lection of poetry, Isinglass . employees and perhaps children of those Zilelian is a fiction writer whose stories have refugees sitting around tables filled with liba - appeared in numerous journals and several tions and what appears like mezza plates. anthologies. Her first novel, The Hollowing The people are wearing smiles for the most Moon , was one of the first runners-up of the part and the look of Armenia reflected in their Anderbo Novel Award. Her second novel, The eyes. The photograph was supplied by Janet Legacy of Lost Things , is about an Armenian Marina Abrahamyan (far left) and Susanna Kirakosyan, the two Armenian pianists, with organizer Eduard Aghayan (far right) and Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian after the Khozozian Shemligian from Mashpee and served family who immigrates to Queens, New York, concert in Albany, NY. as a centerpiece for a Project SAVE gala May 8 and their struggles to assimilate to the at Karoun Restaurant in Newton. American culture. The Legacy of Lost Things Supporters gathered at this eatery to was recently exchange conviviality, much like that image accepted for taken nearly seven decades prior. publication Armenian Pianists Pictures don’t lose their value. They simply punc - (Bleeding Heart tuate and define our existence as Project SAVE Publications) Executive Director Ruth Thomasian explains. They and is slotted Mesmerize at Albany are our link between the past and the future. for release in The evening was more than a glass of Chablis July. and hors d’oeuvres, but a prelude to Project Vaun’s first Concert SAVE’s 40th anniversary next year and a chance book of poems, to celebrate 39 years of success — all of it under Capillarity , was Thomasian’s eagle-eyed watch. published in ALBANY, N.Y. — On an April Saturday afternoon in downtown Albany, NY, the In attendance was a cadre of volunteers, 2009. His new mesmerizing sounds of the piano were heard by nearly 250 people who attended a including 87-year-old Sophie Tolajian, a poster book, Isinglass , piano concert performed by two Armenian artists. child for her generation. As she said, “the plea - is forthcoming Marina Abrahamyan and Susanna Kirakosyan, professional pianists and teachers sure is all mine.” in 2015. His at Komitas Yerevan State Conservatory and Tchaikovsky Music School in Yerevan, On hand were a number of familiar people most recent CD, Armenia, as well as laureates of the International Contest Festival, flew in for their from the community. Greeting them at the door “The Cynthia first appearance in the United States. The concert was held at the Lewis Swyer was Karoun owner John Eurdolian, who opened Aida Zilelian Sessions,” was Theater in The Egg, Center for Performing Arts, in Albany. his landmark restaurant 38 years ago. released last “The Armenian community in the Capital District was blessed to have had the Not only did he throw open the doors of his year. He is the opportunity of having two world-class pianists perform in our own backyard. The premises for Project SAVE, but he donated the poetry editor at Glimpse Journal and recently repertoire was well planned and included many well-known selections,” shared mezza plates. moved to Yerevan, where he is a professor of Ralph Enokian, a music instructor himself. He continued, “I was impressed with “I don’t know how that woman does it,” he English Literature at the American University how well the performers were able to play long lyrical lines ( Claire de lune and said, pointing to Thomasian. “All these years, of Armenia. Oblivan ) with such delicacy, but at the same time, played with energy and strength keeping a tradition like this going with limited The annual Minas and Kohar Tölölyan Prize when the music called for it, as in Masquerade and Hungarian Dances . resources and meager quarters. It’s been the ulti - in Contemporary Literature recognizes the The concert, held on April 26, was dedicated to the martyrs of the Armenian mate mission — a labor of love!” work produced by talented writers working in Genocide with proceeds benefiting Syrian relief. The organizer of this event, Eduard Eurdolian also offered a few words of public North America. The prize is intended to encour - Aghayan, explained his inspiration to bring this to the Capital district. “I used to wisdom when it came to the formalities. Both he age new work in all the major genres of literary sponsor concerts in Armenia and I wanted to organize something nice for the local and Ruth hung up their shingles around the production, as they are currently understood in Albany community after being here for seven years.” same time and have shared a friendship ever North America. “Anyone who may have missed this concert given by these super talented since. And each of them pursued their own cause Works in Armenian pianist, Susanna Kirakosyan and Marina Abrahamyan, really missed an — an insatiable appetite to feed the soul through Armenian, amazing tribute to our 1915 martyrs. What an honor it was for our community to food and photography. English, French be able to enjoy such a wonderful performance,” expressed Isabel Kubikian, who “Alone, no one can save the Armenian her - and Spanish are came with her husband and nine-month-old daughter. itage,” Thomasian pointed out. “Together we can considered, as The pianists performed mostly duets but also some solo pieces by well-known make a difference.” long as the composers, including Armenian composers Babajanian, Harutunian and Artem Thomasian has taken her show on the road, authors are of Khachatur. appearing in Troy, NY, and Hartford, Conn., for Armenian “I’ve heard some of the songs performed several times on a CD or Radio but I’ve Genocide commemorations and a lecture series. ancestry and/or never experienced the music as I did during the concert. Watching the emotion, An exhibit is planned next April in Mission Hills, the work has an expression and movement of the pianists was captivating and moving. Several times Calif., called “Light before Darkness: Armenians Armenian I found myself experiencing chills going down my spine as I watched them execute in the Ottoman Empire.” theme or their pieces seemingly effortlessly,” said Jonathan Dadekian, who also shared the see GALA, page 12 revolves around experience with his wife and young daughter. His thoughts were repeated by oth - TOM VARTABEDIAN PHOTO an Armenian ers of multiple generations who were in attendance. topic. Alice Semerdjian, a local piano instructor, assisted Aghayan in organizing this The primary event. “They played beautifully,” she passionately shared, adding, “It was much over - purpose of the due for the Armenian community to have authentic Armenian music performed.” Arto Payaslian (Vaun) prize is to Semerdjian praised Aghayan for initiating and bringing this concert idea to encourage and fruition. “It was simply a beautiful event.” Semerdjian is credited with making offer recognition arrangements with The Music Studio and the Artist Pianos of Albany to have the through the award and through the ensuing two pianists rehearse there leading up to the concert. Additionally, Semerdjian’s publicity those who wish to write about own students assisted on stage as invaluable page-turners to the pianists. Armenian themes and topics. There is also a Beth Geragosian introduced each musical presentation while Rev. Stepanos financial award of $1,500 per winner associated Doudoukjian, parish priest of St. Peter Armenian Church of Watervliet, provided with the prize, donated by Edward and Vergine opening and closing remarks. Misserlian of San Francisco. Feeling overwhelming pride after attending the concert, Mary Panjarjian shared, The jury judging all submissions consists of “I am not a pianist by any measure, but I did appreciate the two high-caliber pianists Dr. Sima Aprahamian (Montreal), Dr. Vartan who gave us such an inspiring performance. It was a real blessing to see such a live Matiossian (New York/New Jersey), Gourgen concert in our hometown, by two professional artists who are so accomplished and Arzoumanian (California), Yervant Kotchounian yet so humble to come to Church on Sunday to worship with us in commemoration (California) and Prof. Khachig Tölölyan of the Armenian Genocide of April 24, 1915.” (Connecticut). Contact St. Peter Armenian Church to find out how to host talented Armenian Project SAVE Executive Director Ruth Thomasian The winners of the Prize were announced at pianists in the community. shares a microphone with Karoun Restaurant Hamazkayin’s Annual Pan Gathering on May 3 owner John Eurdolian at a Cocktails & in Chicago. Conversation social May 8 in Newton, MA 12 S ATURDAY , M AY 17, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING Fresno State Armenian Studies Program, College Newspaper Anniversaries Celebrated

With previous editors and staff members in By Marine Vardanyan attendance, the audience enjoyed listening to their recollections, and viewing “ Hye Sharzhoom , a Retrospective,” a presentation of FRESNO (Hye Sharzhoom) — A special the newspaper’s cover pages throughout the moment arises each year for the faculty, stu - years. dents, and supporters of the Armenian Studies Editor Vahe Messerlian (1984-1985) stated Program. It is an occasion that serves as a that Hye Sharzhoom had “done an outstand - reunion, a celebration, and a reflection on the ing job of showcasing the successes of the successes of the program. The 26th annual Armenian Studies Program and the Armenian Armenian Studies Program Banquet took place Students Organization, keeping up with cur - on Sunday, March 2, at the Fort Washington rent events, and presenting the richness of our Golf & Country Club. culture and heritage.” Former editors Arakel The Armenian Studies Program has much to Arisian (1997-1998) and Tamar Karkazian be proud of. It has succeeded in not only offer - (2010-2013) also recounted the high points of ing students a minor in Armenian Studies, but their tenure as Hye Sharzhoom editors. has an array of achievements that includes the The Armenian Studies Program recognized establishment of the only university-published the contribution of nine Hye Sharzhoom edi - Armenian student newspaper in the United tors who were present at the banquet, present - States. “ Hye Sharzhoom is a unique publica - ing them each with a plaque and a book, pub - tion that represents our program and the stu - lished by the Armenian Series of The Press at dents, to the campus and to the community,” Fresno State. From left,Dean Charles Boyer of the Jordan College of Agriculture, Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian, said Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian. Hye The Armenian Studies Program was honored Fresno State President Dr. Joseph Castro and Mary Castro, Dr. Sergio La Porta, and Dean Vida Sharzhoom ’s 35th anniversary was a focal part to have Fresno State President Dr. Joseph Samiian of the College of Arts & Humanities of the evening’s celebration. Castro and his wife, Mary Castro, in attendance. Joseph Castro is a first-generation college grad - uate and a Valley native, and his position as the President outlined his ideas and his vision of Studies scholarships. Graduating senior head of the university “gives a fresh look upon the bright future that awaits Fresno State. “In Andrew Esguerra spoke of his outstanding Picture Perfect Gala what a university is,” said Dr. Sergio La Porta short, I want to work with all of you to make memories while a student at Fresno State. in his introduction. “It’s not an institution...it’s Fresno State the very best university of its kind Special recognition was also given to the exec - For Project SAVE an organic, dynamic place where people come that it can be here in the nation,” said Castro. utive officers of the Armenian Students alive in ways they never thought.” The Armenian Studies Program also wel - Organization. Each student felt a sense of pride GALA, from page 11 Although he is in only his first year as Fresno comed Dr. Vida Samiian, dean of the College of and achievement as they were recognized and In recent weeks, she joined the Armenian State president, Castro is already familiar with Arts and Humanities, who addressed the audi - received certificates of recognition from the Genocide Education Committee of Merrimack and impressed by the Armenian Studies ence. Armenian Studies Program. Valley at Wilmington High School and Program and its contribution to Fresno State She said, “The Armenian Studies Program The evening ended with those in attendance Northern Essex Community College in and the community at large. “I sense how does so much with two faculty members, showing their appreciation for the Armenian Haverhill, educating those students through important the Armenian Studies Program is for Barlow Der Mugrdechian and Sergio La Porta, Studies Program and all that it has achieved. her visual displays. Prior to that, she was in the campus, for the community, and for the who are amazing, and do the work of 10 facul - Guests left the banquet with a gift of books Newton at the Photographic Historical Society nation. I would like to compliment everyone ty. Many of you in the audience are the product from the Armenian Series of The Press at of New England with a program titled, who has helped to build this incredible of our Program. We could not have accom - Fresno State, along with photos taken in the “Historical Memory through Photographs.” Program.” plished what we have with the Program without photo booth during the reception. Office assistant Suzanne Adams has been on Castro also voiced his support for the you. Through your presence and your support, With more than 10 Armenian Studies site for several years as a self-proclaimed “adopt - Armenian Studies Program and the community together we have the best undergraduate Programs and endowed chairs in the United ed Armenian.” Like Thomasian, she is a for the initiative to construct an Armenian Armenian Studies Program in the United States, Fresno State’s Armenian Studies Simmons College graduate and complements Genocide Memorial on campus, which would States…I also would like to congratulate the Program is the top undergraduate Program in the organization quite nicely. make Fresno State the first university to have students who make all of us so proud with their the country. “Ruth has turned ordinary history into some - such a memorial. achievements.” “It is only through the support of the com - thing extraordinary,” Adams noted. “Her appre - “Where else should that be but here at The banquet continued with recognition of munity, and those of you in attendance this ciation toward ordinary Armenians is just as Fresno State,” stated Castro. The audience was graduating seniors, students with minors, and evening, that this success is possible,” said Der provocative.” filled with excitement and anticipation as the students who were recipients of Armenian Mugrdechian. S ATURDAY , M AY 17, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 ARTS & LIVING

! CC AA LLEENNDDAARR ChChefsefs PartyParty foforr OurOur Park!Park! BenefBenefitit fforor thethe OnOngoinggoing CCareare ooff ththee Arrmenianmenian HeritageHeritage Park,Park, GreenwayGreenway MASSACHUSETTS

Boston Chefs ppresentresent sisignaturegnature MAY 21 — Chefs Party for Our Park! Benefit for the Armenian Heritage Park’s Ongoing Care., Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Royal dishesdishes inspiredinspired bbyy pparents,arents, mentorsmentors Sonesta Hotel Boston, Cambridge. Celebrate with Boston’s Top grandparentsgrandparents foforr yyouou to eenjoy!njoy! Chefs presenting signature dishes inspired by parents, grand - parents or mentors for you to taste while you mix, mingle and Ana Sortun, Oleana,Oleana, Sofra,Sofra, SaSarmarma enjoy. Advanced Reservations required. To receive the einvite, Andrew Hebert, TTraderade email [email protected] Andrew Yeo, Nathan Kibarian MAY 24 — 96th anniversary celebration of Armenian Independence sponsored by Lowell “Aharonian” ARF, 6 p.m., ThThee Ritz-CarltonRitz-Carlton St. Gregory Church, 158 Main St., North Andover; dinner, enter - Brian Dandro, ArtBar,RoyalArtBar,Royal SSonestaonesta tainment and speaker, Baku pogrom survivor Anna Turcotte, Brian Poe, Poe'sPoe's KiKitchen,tchen, TipTip TaTapp author, Nowhere, a Story of Exile. $20 adults, $10 students. Room,Room, EsEstelle'stelle's MAY 29 — Friends of Holy Trinity 1000 Club Spring Dinner Dante de Magistris, DanteDante and Drawing, 6:30 p.m., Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall, Holy Trinity Armenian Church, 145 Brattle St., Cambridge. il CCasaleasale Everyone is invited to a losh kebab and pilaf dinner followed by Gerard Tice, PParker’s,arker’s, OmniOmni PParkerarker the monthly drawing at 8 p.m., plus five additional cash prizes. Jeffrey P. Fournier, 51 LiLincolnncoln “One-time” numbers will be sold the night of the dinner. Special WaWabanban KKitchenitchen offer: purchase five “One-time” numbers for $20 and save $5. Jody Adams, RRialto,ialto, TTraderade Chance to win a One-Year 1000 Club Membership for those attending dinner. Dinner tickets on sale at the door; donation, The documentary “Finding Zabel Julia Brant, NNorthorth 226,6, MillenniumMillennium $7.99. For further information, contact the Church Office at Yessayan” will be shown at the BostonianBostonian 617.354.0632, or email [email protected]. Watertown Public Library, 123 Main St., Seta Dakessian, Seta'sSeta's JUNE 5, 2014 – Avak luncheon, noon, St. Gregory Armenian at 7 p.m. on June 12. The film inspired the Vicki Lee Boyajian, Jason Reed Church, 158 Main St., North Andover, MA; speaker, US Army translation of two books by the ground - ViVickicki Lee'sLee's Major Felix Gregorian, “To America With Love,” on his pending breaking author, the only woman who fifth deployment to the Middle East. WITHITH Mark E. Mooradian was rounded up on April 24, 1915, along JUNE 6, 7 — Armenian Memorial Church Annual Fair, open MEMMEM TeaTea Imports,Imports, KKarnakarnak FFarmsarms with fellow intellectuals. For more infor - Friday from 5 to 8 p.m., serving kebab meals, entire fair open Bob Lobel, MasterMaster ooff CCeremonieseremonies Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Armenian meals served all day. mation, call the Armenian International Armenian delicacies bake sale, silent auction, craft fair, indoor Women’s Association at 617-926-0171 or Wednesday, May 21, 2014 yard sale. Armenian Memorial Church, 32 Bigelow Ave., contact them at their email address, [email protected] Watertown, wheelchair accessible. Admission free. For informa - tion, call 617-923-0498. Royal Sonesta Hotel Boston JUNE 12 — “Finding Zabel Yessayan,” the documentary that MichaelMichael Medeiros,Medeiros, GeneralGeneral MManageranager inspired the translation of two books by groundbreaking Ottoman Jim AAnello,nello, DirectorDirector ofof CCateringatering Armenian author, Zabel Yessayan, will be shown at the Watertown Public Library, 123 Main St., 7 p.m. For more information, contact RSVP [email protected] or call 617-926-0171. JUNE 16 – The Gregory Hintlian Memorial Golf Tournament Boston Harbor. Reserve the date, additional details to follow. For AdvanceAdvance ReservationsReservations required.required. sponsored by Holy Trinity Armenian Church at Marlborough information about ATP’s programs, visit www.ArmeniaTree.org Online:Online: ArmenianHeritagePark.orgArmenianHeritagePark.org h Country Club, Marlborough; 9:30 a.m., registration; 11 a.m., By mmail:ail: ForFor SponsorSponsor FForm,orm, ememailail “Shot Gun.” Join us for a day of golf - player’s fee: $175 RHODE ISLAND [email protected]@armenianheritagepark.org (includes hospitality, lunch, dinner, green & cart fees, prizes and gifts) or just dinner and a social evening ($50 per person). JUNE 13 — 100 Anniversary of the Sts. Sahag & Mesrob or cacallll 617617 8803.878503.8785 Limited to 128 players. Tournament and tee sponsorships avail - Armenian Church, under the auspices of Archbishop Khajag able. RSVP deadline, June 9. To register or for further informa - Barsamian, Primate, Diocese of the Armenian Church of America tion, contact the Holy Trinity Church Office, 617.354.0632, or (Eastern), 7 p.m. Concert in celebration of a century of faith, GrGratefulateful aappreciationppreciation ttoo tthehe RoRoyalyal SSonestaonesta email [email protected] hope and faith, featuring soloists from Armenia, New York, HoHoteltel andand tthehe ChChefsefs fforor hhostingosting thethe BenefitBenefit SEPTEMBER 26, 27 — Armenians and Progressive Politics Massachusetts, Rhode Island, the Amrenian Chorale and Conference returns to Boston. Keynote speaker will be Noam Orchestra of Rhode Island, under the direction of Maestro Chomsky. Details to follow. Konstantin Petrossian at the new Saint Mary and Saint Mena NOVEMBER 8 — Armenia Tree Project’s 20th Anniversary Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, 2433 Scituate Ave., Cranston. Celebration. Reception and dinner at the Grand Atrium of the Spiritual and traditional Armenian music, also, premier of songs John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse overlooking the composed especially for this event. Free and open to the public.

ACF Releases Genocide Memoir ArmenianArmenian HeritageHeritage ParkPark on thethe GreenwayGreenway BoBoston.ston. MaMassachusettsssachusetts ARLINGTON, Mass. — Genocide Survivors, from his hometown of Arlington, to national Community Builders: The Family of John and Armenian organizations as well as hospitals and A r temis Mirak is the story of two Armenian sanitaria overseas. His wife, Artemis (née orphans uprooted from the homes in the old Aramian), not only assisted her husband’s efforts Ottoman Empire by the Genocide of World War but while he was away during World War II, One who began a family in the New World, raised their four children and inspired them to acquitted themselves with distinction in a for - seek higher education and achievement. eign land, and set an example of courage and The history is also a study in acculturation, achievement in their Armenian and non tracing the evolution of the family from its immi - Armenian communities. grant origins to heights of financial success in the The family history was written by their oldest US. It also highlights the tensions of the second son, Dr. Robert Mirak, author of Torn Between generation caught between the Old World on the Two Lands: Armenians in America, 1890 to one hand, and the New World on the other. It World War I (Harvard University Press, 1983). At also shows how the children and grandchildren of its center is Zaven Mirakian (who became John the founders carried on the family traditions of Mirak) a restless, ambitious and talented business service especially to the Armenian community in person who from a humble start built an impres - the United States and in Armenia. sive and innovative automobile enterprise (Mirak Published by the Armenian Cultural Chevrolet and affiliates) for which he was recog - Foundation, the study with illustrations is avail - nized locally and nationally. He also succeeded in able at the ACF, 441 Mystic Street, Arlington, MA major real estate developments in Greater 02474 and at the National Association for Cover of Genocide Survivors, Community Boston. At the same time he donated both his Armenian Studies and Research, 395 Concord Builders: The Family of John and Artemis Mirak time and resources to an endless list of charities Avenue, Belmont, MA 02478. 14 S ATURDAY , M AY 17, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

COMMENTARY THE ARMENIAN Mirror Soviet-Era Ghosts Revisit Armenia

Spectator Despite the revelation of those documents, there are still By Edmond Y. Azadian people who believe that it would be appropriate to dedicate a monument to Mikoyan. Among them is the information security expert and prolific blogger Tigran Kocharyan, As if there was a shortage of problems in Armenia, who says that he does not understand why some people recently a new topic was introduced into the national dis - are “opposed to the project.” EstablEisshteadbl1is9h3e2 d 1932 course. On April 30, the Yerevan Council of Elders “One should not be afraid of a monument,” Kocharyan approved the initiative to erect a monument dedicated to told ArmeniaNow. “The best solution would be erecting a An ADALnP AuDblLic Patuiobnlication Anastas Mikoyan, spearheaded by the ruling Republican monument to both Mikoyan brothers.” (Anastas Mikoyan’s Party (with council member Hayk Demoyan, director of the brother, Artem, was a prominent warplane designer Genocide Institute Museum dissenting), followed by responsible for many of the famous MIG military aircraft.) EDITOR Prosperous Armenian party. He continued, “Mikoyan was a controversial character, Alin K. Gregorian The opposition Barev Yerevan Party voted against the but he was a statesman of global significance. He was the measure. president of the USSR Supreme Council, the founder of ASSISTANT EDITOR The initiative seems to be the consequence of the resur - Gabriella Gage light industry and he stopped the third world war from tak - gence of Soviet era values in Russia, with its fallout in ing place during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.” ASSOCIATE EDITOR Armenia. His contributions were very significant to the Soviet Aram Arkun President Vladimir Putin’s domestic and foreign policy Union, but one would be hard-pressed to find any contri - initiatives require a psychological environment where butions to Armenia. ART DIRECTOR Marc Mgrditchian Russia’s glorious past is revived and emulated. Many commentators argue that it would have been futile In a recent TV interview, while comparing value systems to stand up against Stalin’s policies; anyone could dared in Russia and the West, Mr. Putin referred to the bombs oppose Stalin did so at his own risk, meeting certain death. dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and commented that But Afyan asked caustically, “Then where was SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: had the Soviet Union acquired the atomic bomb before the [Mikoyan’s] world-saving diplomatic skills which had avert - Edmond Azadian end of World War II, most probably Stalin would not have ed the third world war?” CONTRIBUTORS: used it against Japan, which by then was already defeated. One can compare Heydar Aliyev, who was a Politbureau Florence Avakian, Dr. Haroutiune This Soviet-era hero worship has also permeated member during the Soviet era and how he was able to Arzoumanian, Taleen Babayan, Prof. Armenia’s political culture, where some politicians are try - depopulate the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic, which Vahakn N. Dadrian, Diana Der ing to restore luster to Stalin’s associates, this time around was 60-percent Armenian in the 1920s. He was able to Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, Kevork Anastas Mikoyan, certainly, a great statesman who was devise repressive measures to make life unbearable in Keushkerian, Sonia Kailian-Placido , instrumental in the development of the Soviet Empire, yet Nakhichevan and any outburst of discontent was discount - Harut Sassounian, Mary Terzian, Hagop whose contributions to Armenia and Armenians remains ed as an expression of Armenian nationalism, punishable Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian questionable. That is why the decision has triggered an under Soviet law. The same policy was applied also to peo - CORRESPONDENTS: intense debate in the media. ple in Karabagh, but Aliyev could not achieve his dream in A young and talented journalist, Hovik Afyan, comment - that territory before the collapse of the Soviet Union. Armenia - Hagop Avedikian Boston - Nancy Kalajian ing in Azg weekly, wrote sarcastically that we have yet to The majority of the Armenian population lives below the Philadelphia - Lisa Manookian see a monument dedicated to the soldiers who delivered subsistence level, and would not like to see any public Berlin - Muriel Mirak-Weissbach Karabagh to us while we are proposing to erect a monu - funds diverted toward monuments, regardless of pro or Contributing Photographers: ment to a statesman who delivered Karabagh to the Azeris. con sentiments in this case. Jacob Demirdjian, Harry Koundakjian, Jirair This treasonous charge has been corroborated by scholar - When Lenin’s monument was removed from the central Hovsepian ly research, unfortunately. square in Yerevan, historians and writers believed that only Mikoyan stands accused in history as Stalin’s henchman General Andranik’s monument deserved to replace it on and executioner, even to his people, upholding the inter - that ornate marble pedestal. But the beautiful pedestal was ests of the Soviet regime above those of his people. dynamited imprudently when Hampartzoum Galstyan was The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published weekly, except two weeks in July and the first Anthropologist Hranoush Kharatian has unearthed doc - mayor. Today, a huge screen has replaced the monument, week of the year, by: uments which reveal the role played by Mikoyan during the where news and commercials flash by 24 hours a day. Baikar Association, Inc. critical years of the First Republic of 1918-1920, in advo - Perhaps that appropriately defines the current national cating the annexation of the Armenian regions of ideology of the regime more than any other monument. 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 Karabagh and Zangezour to Azerbaijan. Shahan Shahnour has stated that four symbols mark the Telephone: 617-924-4420 Indeed, during those years, the Karabagh Assembly had four peaks of the veneration of the Armenians: the Church, FAX: 617-924-2887 held seven convocations voting for independence. With the Ararat, Komitas and Andranik. www.mir rorspectator.com intervention of the British government, the Assembly had Andranik’s ashes were transferred with great fanfare E-Mail: editor@mirrorspectator .com consented to accept temporarily Azerbaijan’s tutelage, from Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris to Yerablur in For advertising: [email protected] waiting for the Treaty of Sevres (August 10, 1920) which Yerevan, to rest for eternity with the heroes of Karabagh. would determine the destiny of that territory. Documents A respectable move, yet still an indignity in Shahnour’s have proven that at that period, Mikoyan intervened with estimation, a move he did not live to witness. the Central Committee in Moscow and said that Armenians Andranik is a pan-Armenian hero. His birth in Western SUBSCRIPTION RATES : voluntarily choose to join Azerbaijan. Armenia, however, has denied him that status in Armenia. Another scathing document refers to the 1937 purges And the Soviet system entrapped Armenia’s population in throughout the Soviet Union. In a Kafkaesque perversion, its parochial values. Therefore, it is not surprising when U.S.A. $80 a year Stalin and his henchman would assign quotas for each con - the debate rages about Mikoyan’s memory and statue, Canada $125 a year stituent republic for potential “enemies of the people.” while Andranik does not inspire any such spirited debate. First the punishment was determined, then the number of Incidentally, history has also recorded cases of Byzantine Other Countries $190 a year the punishable individuals was decided and after that, the emperors of Armenian extraction, who, if anything helped “guilty” parties were arbitrarily discovered and executed. bring down the kingdoms of Armenia, the last one to fall In the fall of 1937, Stalin had commissioned Mikoyan, being the Cilician Kingdom to Mamelukes, after being © 2014 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator Malenkov and Beria to travel to Armenia to find the “ene - undermined by Byzantine policies. Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA mies of the people” and execute them. To ingratiate him - When the ghosts of Soviet era disappear from the hori - and additional mailing offices. self to Stalin, Mikoyan proposed to increase the assigned zon, we can see the future clearer. Great symbols define quota in Armenia by 700 people. A document signed by great national ideologies. When we are emancipated from ISSN 0004-234X Stalin, Molotov, Kaganovitch, Chubar and Loginov states our parochialism, perhaps we can find the genuine truth POSTMASTER : Send address changes to The that 2,000 people in Armenia had been executed, among and install Andranik’s memory and statue on its rightful Armenian Mirror-Spectator, 755 Mount Auburn them prominent writer Axel Bakunts. pedestal. St., Watertown, MA 02472 Other than the editorial, views and opinions expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily reflect the policies of the publisher. LETTERS

Copying for other than personal use or The Christian Spirit internal reference is prohibited without express permission of the copyright owner. Address requests for reprints or To the Editor: back issues to: Confession is an essential sacrament of the Christian faith. It cleanses the soul of the guilty of past sins, and restores one to God’s grace. This has made Christianity a religion not just of blind devotion, but one of hope. It is apparent that Turks don’t accept this process of cleansing one’s Baikar Association, Inc. soul. They would rather carry the stigma of their ancestor’s guilt through perpetuity rather than say a mea culpa on behalf of those ancestors, 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 thus providing salvation for all Turks, past and present, and closure for those who mourn the dead victims. –Berge Tatian Stoneham, Mass. S ATURDAY , M AY 17, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 COMMENTARY

In 2010, the Armenian Film Foundation and J. Michael old Armenian Genocide survivor.” Within few days, her Hagopian signed a historic agreement with the Shoah posting received close to 400,000 “likes” and almost 5,000 Foundation to digitize, preserve, and disseminate filmed comments on Instagram, and 110,000 “likes” on her face - interviews with survivors and witnesses of the Armenian book page. Genocide. Last month, 400 digitized copies of the Despite repeated references to the Armenian Genocide My Turn Armenian testimonies were delivered to USC Shoah from the podium, President Obama did not make any direct Foundation’s Institute for Visual History and Education. references to Armenians or the Armenian Genocide in his By Harut Sassounian By the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide on April 24, 18-minute speech — nor was he expected to do so! 2015, the Armenian testimonies, after they are translated, However, the President made indirect references to geno - subtitled, and indexed, will be made available along with cides other than the Holocaust, without specifying them: Obama Listens to Repeated eyewitness accounts of the Holocaust and other genocides • “I want to say a special word to the survivors who are References To Armenian to 50 institutions (including the US Holocaust Museum) in with us this evening, not just of the Holocaust, but as 30 countries. Steven [Spielberg] noted, survivors of other unimaginable Genocide at Shoah Gala Nearly 100 Armenian-Americans attended the May 7 crimes.” gala, raising more than $100,000 for the Armenian collec - • “If the memories of the Shoah survivors teach us any - On May 7, I attended a very impressive benefit gala at tion at Shoah. During the evening’s program, several thing, it is that silence is evil’s greatest co-conspirator. And the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza hotel in Los Angeles, cel - speakers made references to the Armenian Genocide. it’s up to us — each of us, every one of us — to forcefully ebrating the 20th anniversary of the USC Shoah Spielberg was the first to announce that the Armenian condemn any denial of the Holocaust.” Foundation, which archives the testimonies of survivors Genocide testimonies were to be included in the Shoah • “You [Spielberg] …documented the experience not and witnesses of the Jewish Holocaust, the Armenian, archives. A video shown to the attendees featured several only of the Holocaust, but of atrocities before and since…. Cambodian and Rwandan genocides, and the 1937 Nanjing photographs of J. Michael Hagopian, genocide survivor To you and everybody at the Shoah Foundation, and for all Massacre. Paul Andonian, and Armenian deportees on a death march. that you’ve done, for setting a light, an eternal flame of tes - Internationally acclaimed Oscar-winning director Steven Shoah Foundation Executive Director Stephen Smith also timony, that can’t be extinguished and cannot be denied, Spielberg, after filming Schindler’s List, established the spoke about the Armenian Genocide, acknowledging the we express our deepest gratitude.” Shoah Foundation to collect and preserve the personal presence of Yevnige Salibian, a 104-year-old Genocide sur - Armenians do not need to press President Obama to accounts of survivors and other witnesses of the Holocaust. vivor from Aintab. Banquet host comedian Conan O’Brien, explicitly refer to the Armenian Genocide. Another US In 2006, the Shoah Foundation became part of the after acknowledging Mrs. Salibian’s presence from the President, Ronald Reagan, has already acknowledged it in University of Southern California and currently holds podium, walked over to her table when the gala ended and his Presidential Proclamation of April 22, 1981. It is unnec - 52,000 video testimonies in 34 languages, representing 58 had a picture taken with her. essary to insist that every US President make the same countries. It is the largest archive of its kind in the world. As an honored guest, Salibian was seated next to TV acknowledgment year after year. President Obama may The gala was attended by President Obama who received celebrity Kim Kardashian. The following day, Kardashian consider using the term Armenian Genocide not for the the Ambassador for Humanity award. Also in attendance were posted on social media her photograph with Salibian, sake of Armenians, but to uphold his own integrity by keep - Samuel Jackson, Octavia Spencer, Barbra Streisand, Liam adding the following message: “Honored to be at the USC ing the solemn pledge he made as a presidential candidate. Neeson and Bruce Springsteen who performed two of his Shoah Foundation event to support Armenian Genocide Only then could he fully qualify as an Ambassador for poignant songs, Promised Land and Dancing in the Dark . testimonies. I’m sitting next to the most inspiring 100-year- Humanity. Forgotten Ottoman Legacy: Armenian Intellectuals

them. Nesim Ovadya Izrail notes that well-edu - a stone. Gomidas’ release. Izrail says that there is evi - By Nesim Ovadya Izrail cated Armenian intellectuals were mostly Zabel Yesayan: She was an Ottoman- dence suggesting that Edip worked hard to engaged in writing and journalism in Çankiri. Armenian intellectual who lived in Üsküdar, ensure that he would be released, concluding Overall, this group of Armenians could be Istanbul. She was born in the Silahtarbahçe that she worked all her connections to this ISTANBUL (Today’s Zaman) — The Young properly called intellectuals. The people who neighborhood of Üsküdar in 1878. In her auto - end. He returned to Istanbul after a while, but Turks and the Young Ottomans are the most were placed under arrest included high-level biography, Silihdari Bardezneri (The Gardens most of his friends were dead. Izrail says: popular Ottoman intellectuals. Namik Kemal, bureaucrats and bankers as well as politicians, of Silihdari), where she narrates her childhood “Germans are proud of Beethoven; and Turkey Ibrahim Sinasi, Ziya Pasa and Abdullah Cevdet local administrators and mayors. memories, it is possible to get a good descrip - would have been associated with Gomidas. But are renowned intellectuals who are considered Izrail further argues that 174 Armenian tion and depiction of the Üsküdar of that time unfortunately, Turkey is remembered with a Young Turks. These are names we are familiar intellectuals were executed without a trial and to experience the mindset of Istanbul in Gomidas who lost his mind because of what he with; however, there are also some leading fig - after four months of detention. The remaining the 1880s. She was the first Armenian woman had to deal with in his country.” ures most of us do not remember: Ottoman- 76 were released on the orders of the central to study literature and philosophy at the Levon Larents: Born in Samatya in 1875, Armenian intellectuals. One of these intellec - government. Sorbonne. She witnessed the Adana massacre Larents graduated from Robert College, a pri - tuals attempted to translate the Quran and Here are some of these intellectuals: in 1909. Yesayan compiled her observations in vate high school in Istanbul. He had a short the Seerah (biographical texts on the Prophet Krikor Zohrab: journalist, parliamentarian, another book, Averagnerun Meç (Amid the life; Larents was a journalist, writer and inter - Muhammad) into the Armenian language; university professor. Zohrab was elected after Ruins) which was translated into Turkish. preter. A supporter of the pro-Armenian another tried to launch a Western-style music the pronouncement of the second constitu - Most of her essays addressed to women are col - Hunchak Party in his youth, Larents became a school. Some of them were deputies in tional monarchy as an Istanbul deputy; he was lected in a compilation, “Isbasman Sirahin skilled journalist and interpreter; he was fluent Parliament, whereas others were members of one of the Armenian representatives of the Meç” (Waiting Room). Her novel “Gedz in French and English. In 1911, he translated the Committee of Union and Progress. But all Committee for Union and Progress in Hancarner” (Phony Geniuses), in which she the Quran and the biography of Prophet were Ottomans. And, sadly, they were taken to Parliament. Zohrab, one of the most active sarcastically criticizes Armenian intellectuals, Muhammad into the Armenian language. He either Çankiri or Ayas after massive arrests on members of Parliament, was famous for his was never completed because of pressure from was placed under arrest while he was translat - April 24, shortly before the mass deportation. eloquent speeches. He addressed a large audi - male intellectuals. She was a socialist and an ing Rumi’s seminal work, “Mesnevi.” He was Here are the stories of these Armenian intel - ence in Turkish on July 31, 1908 in the Taksim anti-militarist. She invited the Ottoman people only 33 when he was taken from Ayas to a lectuals. Municipal Garden. He ended his speech saying: to live in peace. She was never complicit in rural area in Ankara, where he was killed. The Deportation Law was adopted on May “We have different religions; but we do have nationalist propaganda and asked her readers Dr. Dikran Allahverdi: He studied medicine 27, 1915. The bill, which formally entered into the same path. And that path is the road to to forget about her nationality and religion. in Berlin and Vienna; his work on typhoid force on June 1, was specifically designed to freedom.” These remarks suggest that Zohrab However, despite this, she was listed among fever was remarkable. Allahverdi, who was facilitate the deportation of the Armenian was an Ottoman. He was not a nationalist; he those who would be arrested on April 24. charged with containing a cholera epidemic in communities of the Ottoman state; thousands was a pro-Ottoman intellectual. He supported Yesayan was the only woman on the list; she Bandirma and Edincik, brought it under con - of Armenians were relocated under the provi - the idea of promoting different identities on fled to Bulgaria. However, in 1937, she was trol in a very short time. He was an ardent sup - sions of the law. Even though the bill was the basis of a common Ottoman identity. He placed under arrest for publishing anti-Soviet porter of the Committee for Union and adopted on May 27, April 24 is marked as worked to foster brotherhood between propaganda during Stalin’s rule and exiled to Progress and served as chairman of the Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day by Armenians and Turks. For this reason, he Siberia. There is no precise information on Pangalti Branch of the Association of National Armenians around the world. Interior Minister defined himself as both a Turk and an when and how she died. Defense created by the committee. Pangalti Talat Pasha ordered the arrest of leading Armenian. He had a lot of friends, including Gomidas Vartabed: Born in Kütahya, was a predominantly Armenian neighborhood Armenian figures on that day. Armenian intel - Talat Pasa, the most powerful man of the time. Vartabed is one of the most important musical in Istanbul. Armenians were generally cool to lectuals, writers, artists, teachers, lawyers, doc - According to Izrail, both were Freemasons. artists in this country. He was the first non- this association; however, he made a generous tors and deputies were arrested in their homes During the massive wave of arrests on April European musician to be admitted into the donation to the association, which attracted early on April 24 and taken to detention cen - 24, Zohrab, like Erzurum deputy Vartkes International Music Association. At an early the attention and appreciation of the Turkish ters. The arrests spread to other provinces Serengülyan, was comfortable, feeling no pres - age, he compiled folk songs that he heard from press. But this leading committee member was within a few days. Nesim Ovadya Izrail, author sure at all. But this did not last long; while hav - his classmates from different parts of Anatolia. arrested on April 24, 1915 and sent to Ayas as of the book 24 April 1915 Istanbul, Çankiri, ing dinner and playing cards on June 2 at the In 1896, he moved to Berlin to study music. a criminal. He was later released, but things Ayas, Ankara, recalls that initially, 197 intel - Cercle d’Orient, a social club and restaurant, After his return, he continued his work com - were never the same for him. He died in 1930 lectuals were put under arrest. Then an addi - Zohrab got up to leave, and Talat also stood up piling folk music in different cities in Anatolia. in Istanbul. tional 53 were taken into custody. Ninety-two and kissed him on the cheek. Surprised, He performed in concerts in Istanbul, trained Born in Adana, Arisdekes Kasparyan was a people considered major criminals were impris - Zohrab asked why; Talat said he had wanted to musicians and recorded compilations. He occu - lawyer who practiced law in Galata, Istanbul. oned in Ayas; the remaining 158 were taken to do so. This is known as a kiss of death, pied a special place among the Ottoman intel - He is also known for his works on law. Çankiri and released, but they were not because that same day, Talat signed the papers lectuals of the time because of his talent in Kasparyan, who wrote Kavanin (Sources of allowed to leave the town. Armenians who for the arrest of Zohrab and his deportation to music. He started preparations to found a Law), Cüzdan-i Kavanin-i Osmaniye (A were forced to live in the town rented apart - Diyarbakir. Talat was aware that this simply Western-style music academy. However, he was Treatise on Ottoman Laws) and Hukuk ments there. There were doctors, dentists, meant death. Despite their friendship, Talat sent into exile before he could realize his Müsaviri (Legal Adviser) is also known for his pharmacists, lawyers, architects, engineers, sci - did not hesitate to make this move. Zohrab dream. It is reported that Ottoman intellectu - opposition to nationalistic movements and entists, clerics, actors and teachers among was killed in Urfa; his head was smashed with als, particularly Halide Edip, tried to secure see LEGACY, page 16 16 S ATURDAY , M AY 17, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR

Harvard Pays Tribute to Survivors of Holocaust, Armenian and Rwandan Genocides

HARVARD, from page 1 — and future husband — had also survived process was hastened, with certain radio sta - human condition. I don’t know what makes a sought out what happened in so many coun - though he had lost his entire family, and the tions inciting violence by broadcasting the Waitstill Sharp or a Martha Sharp rearrange tries in the 20th century, but “what didn’t hap - two married after she finished high school in names of Tutsis and some suggesting that the their molecules.” pen. No one stopped those genocides. No one Hungary. Eventually she and her husband Tutsis had tails or were cannibals. Joukowsky said, “They were humanists. They stopped the mass murder.” made their way to the US, where they had He did end on an upbeat note, suggesting, viewed all of humanity as their friends. It The Ottoman process of finding just the three children and thriving careers. “Rwanda is on a course to normalcy. Its biggest comes from their Unitarian background.” right pretext for ordering the extermination of She concluded her talk by speaking about asset: our traditional values.” The country, he The film, available on the website of Facing the Armenians under the cover of World War I, the need for Tikkun Olam , a Hebrew phrase noted, is “playing its rightful part in the soci - History and Ourselves, is used for educational Garapedian said, set the tone for the Nazi gov - which means healing the world. ety of nations.” purposes. ernment in Germany doing the very same to its Aliza Loft, a PhD candidate in sociology, An abridged version of the documentary, The final speaker, Dr. Zachary D. Kaufman, a Jewish population during World War II. next spoke about her grandparents, all four of “Two Who Dared: The Sharps’ War,” was lecturer at Yale’s Department of Political The organized killings were done fairly open - whom were Holocaust survivors. She spoke of shown. Dr. Charlie Clements, co-executive pro - Science, said Hitler was “one of the first com - ly, to the point that the New York Times fre - how strongly it affected her to see pictures of ducer of the film, as well as the executive direc - parative genocide commentators drawing quently covered the stories of the deaths or the people “with faces that look like mine,” endure tor of the Carr Center for Human Rights lessons from the past.” tales of the survivors of the desert crossings. such tragedies. “I feel a personal responsibility Policy, presented an overview. The film docu - He had encouraging words about the future President Woodrow Wilson, she noted, spear - for keeping their stories alive. I try to learn ments the lives of the young Unitarian minis - of Rwanda, from where he said he had recently headed raising $117 million in the US and from the past to make the future as humane as ter, Waitstill Sharp, and his wife, Martha, who returned. Among the positive changes are its around the world to help the survivors, in the possible,” she said. undertook the mission of helping refugees in high GDP growth rate of 8 percent, reduction process funding Near East Relief. Tying into the theme of the evening linking Prague starting in 1939, at the outset of World in infant mortality and having the highest per - The crimes were recognized at the time and the commonalities of the horrors endured by War II. The two young Wellesley residents centage of women parliamentarians. In addi - as punishment Turkey was to give up part of its the Jews, Rwandans and Armenians in different eventually performed deeds of incredible dar - tion, he said that the Rwanda tribunals were land. parts of the world with very similar experi - ing and courage, rescuing Jewish children from the first to get guilty pleas with regard to geno - “The intention of the United States and the ences, she recited Hitler’s famous quote, in France, Germany and Czechoslovakia, eventu - cide and that it was the first time that a head of international community was clear. We would which he justified starting the Holocaust by ally receiving the title of Righteous among the state had been found guilty of rape and murder. not stand idly by. We would punish a nation – saying, “Who, after all, speaks today of the Nations at Yad Vashem. The film captured the “We often neglect to pay sufficient attention Turkey — for its crimes against humanity. The annihilation of the Armenians?” integrity of these young parents as they left to ‘upstanders,’ as Samantha Power calls fact that this resolve slowly melted away — that, Chantel Kayiesi, a Rwandan genocide sur - their children behind in the safety of the US to them,” Kaufman said. “Each of us can play a too, is the story of the 20th century,” vivor, spoke about her horrific experiences, but help save children facing certain death in role in raising awareness. We should demand Garapedian said. one single statistic sent a chill through the hall: Europe. The pictures of the young rescued chil - more from our media and religious institutions. She also explained why many Armenians “It is still a shock to know that more than 1 dren were contrasted with their present selves We should be upstanders. Today we are all were disappointed with President Obama for million died in 100 days.” and their feelings were still as raw as when Armenians, Jews and Tutsis.” not using the word “genocide” in his April 24 Her husband was “killed by someone he con - they were children. Dr. S. Allen Counter, the director of the message, instead opting for “one of the worst sidered a friend,” and her mother’s arms and The director of the film — the Sharps’ grand - Harvard Foundation and a professor of neurol - atrocities of the 20th century.” “Both descrip - legs were bound before a grenade was thrown son — Artemis Joukowsky, was present, as was ogy at the Harvard Medical School at the out - tions are true. But one takes us down the road into her house. Her father experienced a more (through Skype) documentarian Ken Burns, set of the program expressed his delight in towards justice and retribution. One of those merciful death by paying for a bullet. “At least who served as the film’s executive producer. being able to organize the program with words leads us towards international law, the he had a clean shot,” she said. Burns said, “The film is a wonderful example Clements. Genocide Convention, reparations and the true “We lost faith in humanity and in our fellow of how one person can make a difference. We To view “Two Who Dared,” visit path towards healing and forgiveness. The Rwandans. We gained fear,” she said. “The cannot wait around for others to take charge.” www.twowhodared.com or crime with no name. We know what to call it same people who killed our families were He added, “I am always amazed at the https://www.facinghistory.org/ now. You know what that word is. Turkey released from jail and became our neighbors knows. And the president knows, too.” again,” she said, highlighting the incredible Speaking as a survivor of the Holocaust was logistics in the aftermath of the Hutu majority’s Dr. Anna Ornstein, the author of My Mother’s attempted extermination of the Tutsi minority. Eyes: Holocaust Memories of a Young Girl. “We smiled and said things were OK,” she The 87-year-old renowned psychiatrist was expressed. “It is the price for peace and harmo - born in Hungary and eventually was deported ny.” to Auschwitz along with her mother. She added, “Sometimes you want to put “Young Jewish men were taken to labor down the burden that is in our hearts. We get camps to help the German war effort,” she said. tired of being stoic.” Special New That was the fate of her two bothers, who at On a more positive note, she concluded, “To ages 20 and 22 were sent to such camps and you all, to our friends, let us continue to advo - never seen again. cate for our survivors. Let us pledge never Ornstein spoke about living in a small vil - again and mean it.” lage, in a house filled with books and music. Francis K. Gatare, a master’s student at the Subscriber Offer With the rise of the Nazis, the Jews were soon Harvard Kennedy School, spoke about family gathered in temporary ghettos. “My mom, dad, members who were killed in Rwanda and sug - for the Mirror-Spectator 96-year-old grandmother and members of my gested that the plan by the Hutu majority to extended family were sent to Auschwitz. My exterminate the Tutsi minority did not come The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is offering a special deal this mother held my hand for a year practically at about without warning after the death of the camp,” she said. President Juvénal Habyarimana, as many have spring to new readers. The offer, valid now through May 31, 2014, She spoke about losing her father, “a very gen - suggested. The process, he said, had taken will give new subscribers a chance to get the newspaper for the tle, kind and sweet man who died in a shower time. For example, there had been government- that poured poison gas on him instead of water.” issued identity cards that showed the ethnicity reduced price of $60 for She and her mother were rescued by of the cardholder or markings on the homes of one year, instead of the Russian troops in May 1945. Anna’s boyfriend minorities. In the wake of his death, the regular $80. If a new sub - scriber gets two new sub - Forgotten Ottoman Legacy: Armenian Intellectuals scriptions, the price for one year will be reduced to LEGACY, from page 14 same roof. The audience included famous sentiments among Armenians. But he was Turkish nationalists Hamdullah Suphi $55 for each new subscrip - also one of those who were sent to Ayas. Tanriöver, Mehmet Emin Yurdakul and Halide tion. Kasparyan was one of the 54 Armenian intel - Edip Adivar. Papers of the day described the lectuals who were killed in Ankara. speech as touching and influential, and report - All payments (by credit Armenian intellectuals in Turkish ed that it brought the audience to tears. nation-building Turkish intellectuals frequently visited Gomidas card or check) should be Ottoman Armenian intellectuals were sup - at his home in Pangalti. received by May 31, 2014. portive of nation-building efforts in Turkey. Another example is Kelekyan, chief columnist Izrail says: “Given that we are aware of of Sabah daily of the time, who delivered a To take advantage of this Armenian intellectuals who defended Turkish speech at a political rally organized by nationalism, without the Armenian massacres Committee of Union and Progress members in offer, mail payment to: in 1915, there would have been many Armenian Sultanahmet Square on the eve of the Balkan intellectuals promoting Turkish nationalism War. Izrail says: “It was Diran Kelekyan who The Armenian Mirror- and nation-building.” Such intellectuals include delivered one of the most enthusiastic and Spectator Gomidas Vartabed and Diran Kelekyan. nationalistic speeches to encourage the Ottoman Gomidas performed a concert at the Military state to enter the war and defended the reacqui - 755 Mt. Auburn St. Academy in Istanbul in 1912 for the veterans sition of the lands that were previously lost in the Watertown, MA 02472 who were injured in the Battle of Tripoli. He Balkans in his columns. If history had been writ - was praised in the Turkish press. Gomidas, at ten differently, he would have been remembered Please put “New Spring an event organized by the nationalist Turkish as a nationalist intellectual who would promote Subscriber” in the memo sec - Association, delivered a famous speech where Turkish nation-building.” Kelekyan, who also he emphasized strong ties of friendship and taught political history at Istanbul University, tion of the check. brotherhood between different peoples and was one of the people who were arrested on Call (617) 924-4420 or email [email protected] for more information. nations sharing a common culture under the April 24; he was murdered in Sivas.