OCTOBER 20, 2012

THE ARMENIAN

Mirror -Spe ctaItn Ouor Mirror -Spe ctatror 80th Year Volume LXXXIII, NO. 14, Issue 4259 $ 2.00 NEWS IN BRIEF The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 US Ambassador Armenian Plane Concerned over En Route to Syria Armenia Fund Marks Oskanian Charges Grounded, Searched YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — US Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern says criminal charges filed In Turkey 20th with Rousing Gala against former Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian are “bad for justice and democracy in ANKARA (Reuters) — Turkey ordered an Armenia.” Armenian plane flying to the Syrian city of The National Security Service summoned Aleppo to land and searched its cargo on Oskanian on October 8, formally charging him with Monday, October 15, Ankara’s latest move misappropriation of $1.4 million donated by a US to prevent its airspace being used to supply philanthropist to Oskanian’s Yerevan-based Civilitas the Syrian military. Foundation in late 2010. The plane was allowed to continue on its Oskanian denies the charges, calling them politi - way after the search in the eastern Turkish cally motivated and aimed at derailing his chances city of Erzerum confirmed it was carrying for a Prosperous Armenia Party victory in the humanitarian aid as stated by Armenian February 2013, presidential election. officials, a Turkish deputy prime minister Heffern stated that the timing of the charges said. against Oskanian was “troubling” and called on the Turkey forced down a Syrian airliner that Armenian government to “live up to its commit - had come from Moscow last week, and said ments to the systematic, fair, and transparent imple - it had found Russian munitions on board mentation of the rule of law.” destined for Syria’s armed forces. NATO-member Turkey has become From left, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian and Istanbul Church Snubs increasingly assertive in challenging Syrian Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan President Bashar al-Assad in the face of Government’s growing tensions along the border and banned all Syrian aircraft from its airspace NEW YORK — The stage was set for a grand celebration, as the Armenia Fund Compensation Offer in the wake of that incident. USA 20th Anniversary Gala commenced on Saturday, September 29 at ISTANBUL (Hetq) — The Gedikpasa Armenian “The plane was ordered to land and it Manhattan’s Gotham Hall. Located at the intersection of old world substance and Protestant Church in Istanbul has snubbed a finan - was inspected. It was clear that the decla - digital-age functionality, the space proved worthy of the A-list participants. cial compensation offered by the Turkish Finance ration was correct and the plane was given On a clear night illuminated by a Harvest Moon, the seeds of celebration, plant - Ministry for a building seized by the government permission to take off,” Deputy Prime ed over one year ago, came to fruition. decades ago that now belongs to a third party. Minister Bulent Arinc told reporters. By 7:30 p.m., the cocktails were flowing freely in the Oak Room, a mezzanine The Turkish government has offered 147,000 A Foreign Ministry spokesman said Turkey encased in rich wood paneling and overlooking the Grand Ballroom. Once the fes - Turkish lira ($82,253) for the four-story church had the sovereign right under the Chicago tivities moved downstairs, the official program began in earnest with mezzo-sopra - building that once housed an orphanage. convention on civil aviation to require planes no Solange Merdinian singing the American and Armenian national anthems. The church had the building appraised at crossing its airspace to make a “technical see GALA, page 8 555,000 Turkish lira ($304,000) and has asked that landing” but did not say whether this right the government review its offer. would be exercised in future. Armenia confirmed it had known the Last week’s decision to force down and Erdogan repeated on Monday Ankara’s plane would be searched. search the Syrian plane travelling from charge that the airliner was carrying mili - Yerevan, Baku “The landing of the airplane in Turkey Russia infuriated Moscow and Damascus. tary equipment. The packages seized from was planned and it was carried out accord - Russia has said there were no weapons on the plane bore the name KBP Instrument Exchange Warnings ing to a previously-reached agreement. The the plane and that it was carrying a legal Design Bureau, a Russian weapons manu - YEREVAN (Hetq) — In response to a statement airplane is delivering humanitarian aid to cargo of radar equipment. But Foreign facturer, and the recipient was the Syrian made earlier this week by a senior Armenian army Syria,” Armenian Foreign Ministry Minister Sergei Lavrov later said the incident Defense Ministry, he said. official that Yerevan is capable of launching missiles spokesman Tigran Balayan said. would not hurt the countries’ “solid” rela - “The material (being exchanged) against a potential enemy within a range of 300 Aleppo has a sizeable ethnic Armenian tions. between these two institutions, which is kilometers and more, a spokesman for Azerbaijani’s minority. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip now in our hands, is definitely warfare Defense Ministry claimed that Baku could strike material,” Erdogan said. “There is no rea - any strategic facility in Armenia. son to contort this by calling it radar equip - Maj.-Gen. Artak Davtyan, who heads the ment or something else. In any case, radar Operations Department of the general headquar - Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem material is used for the purpose of war.” ters of the Armenian armed forces, told reporters see PLANE, page 3 that such missile-attack scenarios were included in Dies after Lengthy Illness recent strategic command exercises in Armenia. This week, according to the APA news service, Col. Eldar Sabiroglu, a spokesman for Azerbaijan’s Rev. Papken Defense Ministry, returned the threat. By Arthur Hagopian “The enemy should understand that the new mis - Maksoudian Dies at 103 sile systems of the Azerbaijani armed forces can strike any strategic facility of Armenia,” Sabiroglu JERUSALEM — Clouds scud Champion of Armenian reportedly said. across the Jerusalem sky, carry - ing aloft with them the hopes Sacred Religious Traditions and aspirations of the city’s tiny ARLINGTON, Mass. — Rev. Papken community of poets, artisans Maksoudian, 104, a survivor of the mas - and dreamers, the Armenians. INSI DE sacres of Adana As they pause in their daily of 1909 and the labor to mourn the passing of Armenian their spiritual leader, Genocide of Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, Exploring 1915, died on Armenian Patriarch of October 15, 2012 Jerusalem, on October 12, many at home. wonder what the future holds Genocide Maksoudian for them and for their church. and his wife, Page 11 The death of the 93-year-old Yeretzgin patriarch who called himself, The late Patriarch Torkom Manoogian Azadouhie, were poetically, TAM or Shen-Mah, is instrumental in bound to have a profound founding and impact not only on the life and times of the Armenians of Jerusalem, but on the Rev. Papken INDEX supporting the Armenian diaspora as well. Maksoudian Arts and Living ...... 11 Tekeyan Cultural Armenians all over the world regard Jerusalem, the city of Christ, as their second Armenia ...... 2 Association’s holiest sanctuary after Echmiadzin, although it wasn’t the quest for religious reju - Community News...... 4 Vahan Tekeyan School Auxiliary Editorial ...... 14 venation that first brought ancestors people to Jerusalem: they had arrived with the Committee, which helped needy children of International ...... 3 see MANOOGIAN, page 10 the Vahan Tekeyan School in Lebanon. see MAKSOUDIAN, page 16 2 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 20, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia Oskanian’s Legal Defense Team to

Russian Humanitarian Seek Dismissal of Case Against Him Center to Be Established YEREVAN (News.am) — Attorney dismissal, he said. dant in a criminal lawsuit. Tigran Atanesyan announced during a Reflecting on the actions taken by the On May 25, the NSS had filed a crimi - In Armenia press conference Tuesday that he will pre - Prosecutor General’s Office, Atanesyan nal lawsuit on charges of money launder - sent a formal petition for the dismissal of noted that its representatives present the ing. YEREVAN (news.am) — Armenian National Security the criminal lawsuit filed against his conclusions and the charges without The NSS Press Center stated that an Council Secretary Arthur Baghdasaryan, who was client, Vartan Oskanian, the Civilitas regard to evidence. Nonetheless, he said investigation is underway in connection in Moscow on a working visit, on Tuesday met with Foundation founder, former foreign min - he will continue to pursue the dismissal with selling the 100-percent shares of the Russian Federation (RF) Security Council ister and Prosperous Armenia Party par - of the case by legal means. Huntsman Building Products Company Secretary Nikolai Patrushev. liament member. The National Security Service’s (NSS) for around $2 million, without informing Following their private talk, the two sides’ repre- Atanesyan argued that the criminal Department of Investigation has brought Armenia’s tax authorities of the deal. sentatives met, during which they exchanged views on charges brought against his client are formal charges against Vartan Oskanian. Additionally, Oskanian is charged with the current situation in the Collective Security Treaty linked with political developments, and On October 2, the National Assembly misuse of charitable donations estimated Organization (CSTO) zone as well as on regional and not with actual data. In such a case, these voted in favor of the Prosecutor General’s at $1,135,000 and transferring this international security. As a result of the talks, charges would be subject to immediate petition to include Oskanian as a defen - amount to the private bank accounts of Baghdasaryan and Patrushev signed a protocol. Oskanian and Board of Trustees member On the same day, Baghdasaryan met with Tigran Karapetyan, for their private use. Vladimir Puchkov, Russia’s Minister of Emergency According to the NSS, the Civilitas had Situations to establish a joint humanitarian center not presented a report on the $2 million in Armenia. Head of Russian-Armenian allocated for charitable purposes. In addition, Baghdasaryan met with Sergei The Civilitas Foundation was founded Ivanov, the chief of staff to the president, dis- in 2008 by Oskanian. After joining cussing the military partnership between Armenia Group Endorses Sargisian Prosperous Armenia Party prior to the and Russia. May 6 parliamentary elections, Oskanian YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — On Monday, record, but said Sargisian possesses no relinquished his post as the foundation’s a Kremlin-friendly businessman leading “magic wand” to rapidly improve their chairman. German Scholarship the largest Armenian community orga - plight. Program Welcomes nization in Russia voiced his support Incidentally, Sargisian attended and for President Serge Sargisian’s bid for delivered a speech at the WAC congress Armenian Students reelection. on Monday, where he stressed the New Hyatt Hotel to Ara Abrahamyan said the governing Diaspora’s importance to the country. YEREVAN (Armenpress) — From March to July, body of his Moscow-based World The WAC began in 2003 as an off - Open in Yerevan select Armenian students will have the chance to Armenian Congress (WAC) officially shoot of Abrahamyan’s Union of study the German National Assembly, thanks to the endorsed Sargisian at a weekend meet - Armenians of Russia. Russian President Next Spring German International Parliamentary Scholarship ing in Yerevan. Vladimir Putin personally attended the (IPS) program. YEREVAN (Hetq) — Hyatt Hotels “We have no other [presidential] can - WAP’s founding congress in Moscow to Corporation has announced plans to The program allows participates to communicate didates yet. Nobody has nominated show his support for the Armenian- with German political figures and participate in the build a 96-room hotel adjacent to [their candidacy,]” he said during a born tycoon’s attempt to create a glob - Republic Square. Slated to open in democratic decision-making process. Scholarship WAC congress. al pan-Armenian organization. holders will work in the offices of Bundestag mem- spring 2013, the new Hyatt Place Asked whether he and his group have The Armenian government’s reaction Yerevan will feature a fitness center, an bers of parliament and study at one of the Berlin considered backing an opposition can - to the initiative was less than enthusi - universities. open market, a restaurant and a bar. didate, Abrahamyan stated, “You can’t astic, with former president Robert “We are proud to develop the first A representative of the Bundestag, Wolfgang become president in two months. You Kocharian openly expressing misgiv - Byornzen, said of the program: “One of the goals of Hyatt Place hotel in Armenia,” said need a serious preparation for becom - ings about the idea of placing all major Samvel Sargsyan, chairman of the the 21st century is to struggle for democratic val- ing president.” Diaspora communities under a single ues and announce the democracy all over the Board, Ginekar Limited Liability The tycoon added that the WAC umbrella structure. Leading Armenian Company. “The Hyatt Place brand is a world. I believe that all the efforts should be invest- decided to endorse the incumbent pres - organizations in the US and Western ed to strengthen and deepen the interplanetary unique and refreshing concept, and we ident in recognition of his policy on the Europe have also questioned the WAC’s believe that this will be a very success - relations of Armenia and Germany. It will be a new Nagorno-Karabagh conflict, pursuit of intentions. impetus for the development of tourism as well as ful hotel serving business and tourist greater international recognition of the Abrahamyan announced on Monday visitors to the Armenian capital.” economic and cultural ties. Armenian students 1915 Armenian Genocide and efforts to that the WAC has decided to move its always show satisfactory results, as they are very The new hotel will be the third Hyatt bolster Armenia’s ties with its world - headquarters from Moscow to Yerevan establishment under development in active, perceptive and industrious. All those who wide Diaspora. He admitted that many in response to Diaspora allegations that have worked with students from Armenia are very Europe, joining Hyatt Place Amsterdam Armenians are dissatisfied with their the congress is furthering the Kremlin’s Airport and Hyatt Place Zurich Airport. pleased and have expressed their willingness to government’s socioeconomic track agenda. cooperate with them in future, so this program is very important for us.” The Bundestag covers all living and travel expens- es, including monthly scholarships for students. In the past six years, 24 Armenian students have received this scholarship to study in Germany. Austrians Receive Awards in Armenia YEREVAN (news.am) — Armenia’s Education and Science Minister Armen Ashotyan welcomed a group of representatives from Austria’s Ministry of Education, Science and Culture this past Tuesday. Ashotyan expressed his hope that the Austrians’ visit to Armenia will strengthen Armenian-Austrian ties. “Thanks to each and every one of you for your efforts to make our country become more cogniz- able in Austria, to support the Armenological stud- ies and to keep a special focus on the Nagorno- Karabagh Republic,” Ashotyan said to his guests Former Austrian official, Alois Söhn, stated that the main objection of the delegation’s visit was to better acquaint themselves with Armenian history President Serge Sargisian, third from right, and Italian Defesen Minster Adm. Giampaolo Di Paola, to his right, met in and culture. Yerevan on Tuesday. Austria’s former federal minister of education, science and culture, Elisabeth Gehrer, underscored the importance of strengthening Austrian- Armenian collaboration in the fields of education, Armenian President Hosts Italian Defense Minister science and research. At the end of the meeting, Ashotyan awarded YEREVAN (Armenpress) — President of Armenia Serge Sargisian hosted Italy’s Minister of Defense Adm. Gehrer and Söhn with the Armenian Education and Giampaolo Di Paola on October 16. Sargisian greeted Di Paola and his delegation and stressed that Armenia valued Science Ministry’s highest honor, the Gold its multilateral relations with Italy. Commemorative Medal, for their contribution to Both men expressed their appreciation for the centuries-old ties between the two peoples. science and their pro-Armenian activities. Di Paola said he knows much about Armenian history and culture through the Mkhitarian library and monastery on St. Lazarus Island in Venice. S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 20, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 INTERNATIONAL 15th Year of AGBU Demirdjian Center’s Summer International News Day Camp Draws Record Number of Attendees

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Another season sary. program. Lida Giritlian, who has been Armenian Minister of of educational programs, activities and Since its founding in 1997, the AGBU sending her two children to the camp Diaspora Concludes outings has come to an end as the Demirdjian Center’s camp has nearly for five years, commented, “We, as well Armenian General Benevolent Union tripled its attendees, reaching a record- as other parents, whether AGBU-affiliat - Visit to Iran (AGBU) Demirdjian Center’s Summer high enrollment of 165 youth this sum - ed or not, have always felt that the Camp, the very first Armenian day camp mer. Each year, camp has a different Demirdjian Summer Day Camp will YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Minister of Diaspora of in Lebanon, celebrated its 15th anniver - educational theme. This year’s theme, cater to our children’s needs. Whether Republic of Armenia Hranush Hakobyan visited through Armenian language and cultur - Iran earlier this month to take part in events dedi- al studies, sports activities, field trips or cated to the 21st anniversary of the Armenia’s inde- environmental and social awareness pendence. In addition, Hakobyan met with Iranian- campaigns, our children get what they Armenian figures. want during the summer — a lot of fun According to the Ministry of Diaspora, Hakobyan with their old and new friends, as well visited Tehran’s first Armenian church, St. Gevorg. as the care and excellent attention of She then visited the Elbis Ferehyan kindergarten, the greater AGBU family.” where she acquainted herself with its 70-year his- As in years past, the campers volun - tory and present activities. teered their time by organizing two com - During her visit to the Armenian National munity bake sales. Proceeds directly ben - Primacy, Hakobyan was accompanied by the efited the libraries of the local AGBU Ambassador of Armenia to Iran Grigor Arakelyan, schools, the Boghos K. Garmirian along with Embassy of the Republic of Armenia Elementary School, the Levon G. staff. In the hall of National Primacy, Primate of Nazarian Elementary School and the the Armenian Diocese of Tehran, Archbishop Tarouhy-Hovagimian Secondary School, Sepuh Sargisyan, greeted Hakobyan. each of which fosters academic excel - Minister of Islamic Culture and Primacy, Seyed lence in their graduates. Muhammad Husani, also welcomed Hakobyan. Talar Partyian, whose sons have been The AGBU Demirdjian Center’s Summer Camp celebrates its 15th anniversary, which attending the AGBU Demirdjian Hungarian Armenians to saw a record number of 165 youth enrolled. Center’s Summer Camp for the past six years, praised the community service Sue for Safarov’s initiatives, which also benefit the “The Magic of Books,” was in honor of Lebanese Red Cross. Crediting the Extradition Amnesty Issues Rights the 500th anniversary of Armenian camp’s emphasis on Armenian cultural YEREVAN (Armenpress) — The National Council of printing. Campers learned about the heritage, Partyian stated, “As a parent I Ethnic Armenians in Hungary plans to file a legal Plea to Rihanna, United Nations Educational, Scientific can only say that this camp is the best claim against the Hungarian government for the Shakira Ahead of Azeri and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), venue for my boys to experience the decision to transfer Azeri murderer Ramil Safarov which has paid tribute to this anniver - Concerts AGBU community. They enjoy attend - to Azerbaijan. The head of the council, Sevan sary and named Yerevan the “World ing the camp and have gained so much Sarkisian, noted that the charges include abuse of Book Capital of 2012.” BAKU (Reuters) — Human rights from the variety of opportunities. They power and bribery, according to daily Blikk. There From the start of camp this year, the group Amnesty International urged are actively involved in community ser - are an estimated 3,500 to 30,000 ethnic Armenians youth were divided into groups corre - pop stars Rihanna and Shakira on vice, which exposes them to important living in Hungary, the daily reported. sponding to five distinct book genres: Friday to open their eyes to recent AGBU values. I am proud and satisfied Armenia suspended diplomatic relations with biographies, comics, encyclopedias, fairy arrests of journalists, bloggers and knowing that they are forging new Hungary on August 31 when convicted murderer tales and pop-ups. Each allowed the stu - activists in Azerbaijan, ahead of their friendships with other Armenians, Ramil Safarov was extradited and pardoned in dents to deepen their understanding of performances there this month. speaking their language, reading, danc - Azerbaijan. their cultural heritage. They had the Both ended up performing on ing and singing Armenian songs.” opportunity to share their knowledge October 13 and 14. The culminating event of the camp during a special visit to the Amnesty and Sing for Democracy was Fiesta Night, featuring special Kapur to Make Catholicosate with Aram I, Catholicos said in a joint letter that it wanted to performances by all the campers, gar - of the Great House of Cilicia, who has Film on Armenian draw the singers’ attention to nering applause from family and declared 2012 the “Year of the human rights and freedom of speech friends. Together in the AGBU Armenian Book.” The catholicos was Genocide? issues in Azerbaijan. Demirdjian Center, campers and sup - impressed with the campers’ knowledge “Both singers should be aware of porters not only celebrated this past BOMBAY (New York Daily News) — Noted Indian of Armenian history, as well as their the situation in the country post- summer, but the 14 years that had director, Shekhar Kapur, recently said he might be enthusiasm for Armenian literature. Eurovision,” the letter said, referring preceded it. A reunion is already tempted to make a movie on the 1915 Armenian Parents, too, were pleased with the to the singing contest in the Azeri planned for the winter. Genocide. capital of Baku in May, which “Going to Yerevan. Is there an Armenian commu- spurred protests and rallies by nity in India? Going to Armenia to study massacre Azeris demanding democracy. of Armenians in 1915 and perhaps make a film on Authorities in Baku arrested it later,” tweeted Kapur this week. dozens of protesters in May and have since arrested several journal - ists and political activists. Karadzic Denies Bosnia International rights groups often War Crimes have criticized Azerbaijan for curb - ing public dissent, while the govern - THE HAGUE (Belfast Telegraph) — Former ment in Baku says Azerbaijanis Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic has claimed enjoy full freedom of speech. he was a peace-lover in an address to his trial for “Amnesty International believes crimes against humanity. that the Azerbaijani government He cast himself as a “mild man, a tolerant man” should afford all artists, journalists, who tried to prevent war and then worked to activists and ordinary citizens the reduce casualties in the bloody 1992-95 Bosnian right to express themselves freely conflict, as he opened his defense in his long-run- without fear of reprisal. We hope ning genocide trial. Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, meets with youth of the AGBU Karadzic was given 90 minutes to make a state- that you share our belief,” said the Demirdjian Center’s Summer Camp at the Catholicosate to discuss the many facets of letter to Rihanna and Shakira. Armenian literature. ment on his role in the war that left an estimated 100,000 dead. Karadzic told the judges he was a reluctant play- er in the violent break-up of Yugoslavia. “I did everything humanly possible to avoid the war ... I Armenian Plane en Route to Syria Grounded, Searched In Turkey succeeded in reducing the suffering of all civil- ians.” PLANE, from page ? Turkish planes from flying over its ter - The increased conflict has fuelled fur - Prosecutors have painted a starkly different pic- He also downplayed Russian requests ritory. ther refugee flows across Syria’s bor - ture of Karadzic during months of witness evi- for information. The confrontation between Turkey ders, with many fleeing to Turkey. dence, portraying him as a political leader who “Russia wants information from us. and Syria has escalated in the last two The Turkish disaster management masterminded the persecution and murder of They don’t need to ask us, they can just weeks because of cross-border shelling, agency (AFAD) said on Monday there Muslims and Croats. ask the respective bureau. It’s clear with Ankara retaliating after five were now 100,363 Syrians at more than Karadzic still faces 10 more charges, including from the consignment note,” he told a Turkish civilians were killed when a a dozen camps. one genocide count relating to the Srebrenica mas- news conference. Syrian shell hit a Turkish border town. Turkey has said it will struggle to sacre. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet The bloodshed inside Syria has wors - accommodate more than 100,000 and Davutoglu said at the weekend that ened markedly in the past two months has urged the United Nations to build Turkish airspace had been closed to although neither government nor rebels refugee camps in a safe zone within Syrian planes. Syria also banned have been able to gain a decisive advantage. Syria’s borders. 4 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 20, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Community Ne ws

UCLA to Host Cambridge Conference to Parish Honors Mark 500 Years Past, Looks to Of Armenian The Future

Printing CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Parishioners of Holy Trinity Church of Cambridge gathered on LOS ANGELES — From November 10 Sunday, September 30, to honor the church’s to 11, the Richard Hovannisian Endowed 50-year history on Brattle Street and to pay trib - Chair in Modern Armenian History at ute to the memory of the 27 members who UCLA will host an international confer - comprised its original Building Committee. ence titled “Port Cities and Printers: Five Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Centuries of Global Armenian Print” in Diocese of the Armenian Church of America honor of Prof. Richard Hovannisian. (Eastern), celebrated the Divine Liturgy and From its origins in Venice in 1512, the presided over the banquet and program follow - history of early modern (1500-1800) ing services. Armenian print culture was closely entan - During the Divine Liturgy, Barsamian gled with that of port cities, initially in ordained Armen Skenderian to the diaconate. A Europe and subsequently in Asia. In fact, native of Iraq, Skenderian has been serving as virtually every Armenian printing press a sub-deacon at Holy Trinity Church for 10 before 1800 was established either in or years, following in the example of his late father The ribbon-cutting ceremony close to port cities, and the few that were who was a longtime deacon at the Armenian not, owed their existence to ongoing rela - Church in Baghdad. tions with port locations. Yet, despite the In his sermon, the Primate spoke about the obvious relationship between ports and important role of the laity in the Armenian printers, their synergetic relationship has Bone Marrow Registry Church, and noted that God calls each of us to thus far largely eluded scholarly atten - serve the church in different ways. tion. Convened on the quincentenary of Following services, parishioners gathered for the printing of the first Armenian book, Holds First Walk of Life a banquet, where through a series of reflections this conference explores the intimate offered by the descendants of the original relationship between port cities and Building Committee they paid homage to the printers in the rich history of global generation that laid the foundation for Holy Armenian print culture. In New England Trinity Church. The conference will be convened by Dr. Charles Talanian began the program by toast - Sebouh D. Aslanian, the holder of the WATERTOWN — The Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR) held its ing the parish’s five decades of achievement. Richard Hovannisian Endowed Chair of first walkathon in New England, drawing the support of the Armenian community Talanian is the grandson of the late Nishan Modern Armenian History at UCLA, and and local organizations. Walk of Life, which took place in Watertown, on September 22, raised $10,000, including $3,000 from the Dana Farber Cancer Institute of Boston, a longtime partner of ABMDR. According to the organizing committee, the registry continues to receive contributions from walkathon participants. “We are very pleased with the turnout and the enthusiasm the walkathon has generated in our community and among our supporters,” said ABMDR Board member Alvart Badalian. More than 100 participants started their walk from the Armenian Cultural and Educational Center on Nichols Avenue, where committee member Rubina Varjabedian welcomed everyone and thanked them for their participation. “As you know, our mission at the reg - istry is to help save lives — lives of our loved ones, who are struck by leukemia or sim - ilar blood disorders,” she said. “I know firsthand what it means for a family to go Archbishop Khajag Barsamian ordains Armen Dr. Sebouh D. Aslanian through the pain and agony of Skenderian to the diaconate. such a disease,” Varjabedian continued. “That is why my hus - is co-sponsored by the UCLA Department band and I have made a com - Semonian, the godfather of Holy Trinity of History, the UCLA G. E. Von mitment to remain engaged in Church who gave a toast at the church’s conse - Grunebaum Center for Near Eastern activities such as the walkathon cration banquet in 1961. Studies, the UCLA Center for Medieval today.” She then invited Very Rev. Raphael Andonian of the Holy Cross Armenian Kyle Anderson remembered the contribu - and Renaissance Studies, the UCLA Catholic Church and Rev. Arakel Aljalian, pastor of St. James Armenian Church, to tions of his grandmother, Irene Irene Kolligian, Center for 17th- and 18th-Century offer prayers before starting the walk. at whose suggestion the Armenian community Studies, the National Association for see WALK, page 7 purchased the property in Cambridge on which Armenian Studies and Research Holy Trinity Church was built. (NAASR), and is made possible by a grant Judith Basmajian, the daughter of the late by Mark Chenian. Gen. Sarkis Zartarian, spoke about her father’s The conference will kick off with a chairmanship of the Building Committee and keynote address on the topic of the his - expressed her gratitude to the generation of tory of books and reading in the early visionaries who helped to preserve the modern Atlantic world, not directly relat - Armenian heritage in the Boston area. ed to Armenian print history, at Royce Nancy Kolligian spoke on behalf of the Hall 314 on Friday at 5 p.m. Starting on Kolligian family, whose members have been Saturday at 9:15 a.m., scholars of instrumental in the life of the parish for Armenian print and book history will decades. hold back-to-back panels on various Guest speaker Rev. Laura Everett, the execu - aspects of Armenian book history rang - tive director of the Massachusetts Council of ing from the topic of the crucial shift Churches, congratulated the parish on this from manuscript to print culture in the milestone. She reflected on the way in which early decades of the 1500s to the rela - Christian churches complement each other as tionship between merchants, ports and the body of Christ, stressing that each one has printers, as well as the social and cultur - a special tradition of worship. al role of print technology in shaping the Rev. Vasken Kouzouian spoke about the arc of Armenian history. parish’s trip to historic Armenia in 2010, which The Saturday and Sunday panels will kicked off the 50th anniversary celebration. be held at Rolfe Hall 1200 on the UCLA The Erebuni Armenian School Team The journey included stops in Kharpert, Van campus from 9:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. The con - and Erzerum — the cities which the Holy ference is free and open to the public. Trinity Church founders once called home. see ANNIVERSARY, page 6 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 20, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 COMMUNITY NEWS St. James Armenian Church Celebrates 65th Annual Bazaar

bazaar featured a silent auction, various raffles, Raphalian and Nancy Kassabian, By Gabriella Gage a farmer’s market, an attic treasures table and began planning this year’s bazaar Mirror-Spectator Staff various vendors, including Alex and Ani jewel - just weeks after the 2011 one had ry. The menu featured the traditional Armenian been completed. “It’s a wonderful dishes, shish kebab, chicken kebab, losh kebab, venue to bring everyone together WATERTOWN — St. James Armenian Church kheyma and eetch, boereg, yalanchi, porov as one church family,” Kassabian hosted its 65th annual bazaar in Keljik hall on kufteh and the perennial best-seller, manti . shared. October 12 and 13. As in previous years, the Co-chairs of the bazaar committee, Sandy In order to bake and freeze the vast quantities of baked goods, such as cheese and spinach boereg, choereg , tahini bread, nazook, simit , apricot and apple squares, bourma , and the ever-popular, paklava , the Women’s Guild began preparing in July, drawing up a bak - ing schedule that intensified as the event drew closer. With every facet of the church organization partaking in the fes -

Kitchen staff hard at work at annual bazaar

St. James Armenian Church

Nancy Kassabian, co-chair of the bazaar committee

tivities, there was a conscious effort to pass along traditions by bringing together old and new generations. Kassabian noted the importance of youth involvement in the bazaar, along with “the dedicated older generation coming in to teach the younger generation important tra - ditions.” One such youth, Mary Cimen, remarked, “I always really like doing it,” as she volunteered alongside friend, Aurora Kantarjian, manning this year’s Sunday school bake sale table. Sunday School Bake Sale manned by (Back): Mary Cimen, As of this writing, a baking sched - Marcia Alabachian; (front) Shant Cimen, Aren Cimen, ule has likely been drawn up for Lauren Hutchinson next fall.

First Armenian Church’s Bazaar Set for October 20 BELMONT, Mass. — The annual fall harvest children’s activities are available and a small bazaar returns to the First Armenian Church of donation is requested. In addition, there will Belmont on Saturday, October 20 from 12 to 8 be a farmer’s market, with sales benefiting p.m. in the Nahigian Fellowship Hall. orphans in Armenia and Lebanon, as well as The attending can enjoy hand-made pas - church donations to local food banks. All are tries and traditional Armenian dishes pre - welcome to attend. pared by church members, as well as frozen The First Armenian Church is handicap dishes available for take-home purchase. The accessible and parking is available. For more marketplace will offer various household information, visit the church website, goods and “gently used” books. Supervised www.firstarmenianchurch.org.

For Reservations Please call (617) 610-9399

Volunteers work behind the scene to make the bazaar happen. 6 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 20, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Cambridge Parish Honors Past, Looks to Future

ANNIVERSARY, from page 4 “We prayed in what remains of their church - es and we felt their spirit standing with us,” he said. “And above all, we thanked God that at least some of them made it to Boston to start again.” He added that the building committee was aided by “the unspoken champions of our church” — the many men and women who worked together to organize fundraisers, plan, and execute the project. “Their voices are call - ing us to do no less than they did, so that new dreams and new hopes are realized,” he con - cluded. James Kalustian, chair of the church’s Trust Fund, encouraged the community to support the church’s growth by contributing to its matching fund campaign. Rev. Mampre Kouzouian, who served as the parish pastor from 1977 to 2002, shared his memories of parish life, and encouraged the young generation of parishioners to carry for - ward the legacy of the church’s founders. During the banquet, parishioners also rec - ognized the outgoing Parish Council mem - bers. The banquet was chaired by Sheryl Panjian. Barsamian closed the program with a prayer. “This is a parish with a proud history behind it,” he said. “And more importantly, it is a place Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and Fr. Vasken Kouzouian with altar servers at Holy Trinity Church. where several generations of our people have found strength and inspiration, in the warm embrace of a supportive community, and under in 1923 when Armenian immigrants to the suburbs, the community decided to relocate the the community had completed the church’s cul - the loving eyes of God.” Boston area purchased an Episcopalian Church church. tural center, and two years later, on September Holy Trinity Church began forming in the on Shawmut Avenue in Boston. As the parish They purchased two acres of land on Brattle 17, 1961, the newly built Holy Trinity Church 1880s and established its first house of worship grew, and as parishioners began to move to the Street in nearby Cambridge in 1954. By 1959, was consecrated.

Former Holy Trinity Choir Members Invited to Join Bible Study Classes Choir in Singing Divine Liturgy on November 4 CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — A reception to cele - Church, first located on Shawmut Avenue, brate the centennial of the Holy Trinity Boston, was consecrated in 1923. Visiting Do You Need God in Your Life? Armenian Church Choir will be held on Sunday, Armenian clergymen were called upon to serve November 4, in the Charles and Nevart the religious needs of the community, and ser - We Would Like To Invite You To Come And Join With Talanian Cultural Hall of the church complex, vices were held using the facilities of local Us and Attend Our ‘Excellent’ Bible Study Classes. at 145 Brattle St., following church services. Episcopalian churches. Classes are held on the 2nd and 3rd Tuesdays of each month in the social hall of the church and led by Rev. Dr. Avedis Boynerian PROGRAM Social Time: Coffee, chorag and cheese 6:30-7:00 P.M. Bible Study Class 7:00 – 8:00 P.M. Armenian Memorial Church, 32 Bigelow Avenue, Watertown, MA Call us at 617-923-0498 and let us know if you are planning to attend. You will be greatly enriched.

Holy Trinity Armenian Church Choir with Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and Rev. Vasken Kouzouian Telephone (617) 924-7400 Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian, who was pas - Serving on the Centennial Celebration Aram Bedrosian tor of the church from 1974 to 1976, will pre - Committee are Chair, Deacon Gregory side, as the parish recognizes the 65th Krikorian, Rose Aznavorian, Grace Boyajian, Funeral Home, Inc. Anniversary of his ordination. Robert Dulgarian, George W. Haroutunian, All past choir members are invited to join the Arpie Kouzouian and Helen Krikorian. Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 Choir on Sunday, November 4, in the singing of Father Vasken A. Kouzouian, pastor, invites the Divine Liturgy. Requiem Service will be the community to join them at this complimen - MARION BEDROSIAN held for all deceased members of the Holy tary reception on Sunday, November 4, to cele - 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN Trinity Choir. brate the archbishop’s anniversary and to WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN The Holy Trinity Armenian Church Choir was honor all past and present members of the Holy founded in 1912, before Holy Trinity Armenian Trinity Armenian Church Choir.

DENNIS M. DEVENEY & SONS Cemetery Monuments GF UiNrEaRgAoL sHiaOMn E Specializing in James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC Armenian Designs and Lettering Mark J. Giragosian Funeral Counselors 701 Moody St. Waltham, MA 02543 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 (781) 891-9876 www.NEMonuments.com www.giragosianfuneralhome.com S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 20, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS Bone Marrow Registry Holds First Walk of Life in New England

WALK, from page 4 The 2.2-mile walkathon took the participants through historic streets of Watertown, includ - ing Mount Auburn Street, to the town center, where they joined the ABMDR table at the Watertown Faire on the Square, held at Saltonstall Park. The annual fair, which attracts thousands of visitors and features numerous vendors and organizations, was a great finale for Walk of Life. Commenting on the success of the event, Arlette Yegumians, a member of the Armenian Business Network (ABN) Executive Committee, said, “The ABN was proud to participate in the first Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry walkathon in New England, a fun and extreme - ly well-executed event for a very worthy cause. We hope none of us ever needs to be on the receiving end of this organization’s good work, but we are fortunate they are around, should any one of us need their life-saving services.” As noted by the organizing committee, youth participation was an important factor in the event’s success. “This walkathon is a great opportunity to teach the young generation to be active in the community and to be a part of a greater good through involvement,” said Armine Medzoian, principal of the Erebuni Armenian School, who led a team of 11-12-year- A scene from the post-walkathon event at Saltonstall Park old students at the walk. Along their trek, par - ticipants made brief stops at the gates of St. Stephen’s and St. James Armenian churches, ABMDR support group during her closing where youths placed flowers at the Genocide- remarks at Saltonstall Park. “Berd Bears are memorial monuments. handmade by the women of Berd village, as The walkathon program included the presen - part of a wonderful program run by the Berd tation of awards for exceptional team effort. Women’s Resource Center Foundation.” The awards comprised specially-made teddy Subsequently Melkonian presented the Most bears dressed in commemorative T-shirts and Funds Raised Award to the ABN Team, and the award ribbons. “Our awards for the two win - Biggest Team Award to the Belmont High ning teams come from the village of Berd in School Armenian Club, in recognition of the Armenia,” announced Tamar Melkonian of the large turnout of its members.

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LicensedF inu Nnewe Yrorak la ndC Nhewa Jperseey l 217-04 Northern Blvd., (Suite 23), Bayside, NY 11361 Service any hour, (718) 224-2390 or toll Members of the ABMDR support group, from left: Marilyn Bazarian, Artemis Melkonian, Tamar any distance free (888) 224-6088 Melkonian and Arax Badalian. Armenian Americans Host Reception at DNC

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Armenian Americans held a reception this past September for dele - gates and guests at the Democratic National Convention (DNC). The reception was held at the Marriott Center City, steps away from the Staples Arena, where delegates from across the nation gathered to nominate President Barack Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden. The reception was co-hosted by DNC Ethnic Outreach Director Jeff Marootian from Washington, DC, and Anthony Barsamian from Massachusetts. The event featured South Carolina Democratic chair and political com - mentator, Richard Harpootlian. The event preceded a rousing speech by for - mer President Bill Clinton and Massachusetts Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren. Warren and Sen. Scott Brown are locked in hotly-con - tested race for US Senate in Massachusetts. Warren met with Armenian Americans at the convention and affirmed her support for aid to Armenia and Artsakh (Nagorno Karabagh) and full affirmation of the Armenian Genocide by the Senate and US Government. To date, Brown has not signed on as a co- sponsor of Senate Resolution 399, affirmation of the United States Record on the Armenian Genocide. Both Republicans and Democrats in Massachusetts have made inquiries into why Brown has not supported the resolution and have yet to receive his support on the pending legislation. 8 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 20, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Armenia Fund Marks 20th with Rousing Gala

GALA, from page 1 He developed the metaphor further, positing As gala host, attorney Mark Geragos offered that, “I often say that, founding their own warm words of welcome. True to form, his homes in different parts of the world, Armenians breezy charm did not disappoint. Keynote established thousands of little Armenias…. But Speaker Eduard Nalbandian, Armenia’s foreign today, the common home of the Armenian peo - minister, brought an appropriate level of gravi - ple is called Armenia. Many peoples and nations tas to the tribute, while French-Armenian enter - have...failed to keep their house, so that they do tainer Patrick Fiori, in his US premiere, electri - not have such home today. But we have.” fied the room. Nalbandian also addressed some sensitive A recurring theme throughout the evening issues, commenting that “regardless of how the was how the nation-building mission of Armenia Armenians live in different parts of the world,” Fund USA transcended divisions and cut across he said, “in a modest hut or luxurious mansion, generations. The 300 guests in attendance foreigners judge us by the resistance, beauty attested to this fact, as they came from all com - and safety of the house called Armenia. Today munity and institutional affiliations. foreigners follow how Armenians have built As Geragos observed in his opening remarks, their home. Most of them are friends, but there “It doesn’t matter if you are from the Prelacy or are also those who want harm. They are not Diocese, the AGBU or Assembly, or any other many. I do not think they are more than two,” organization. You can check all that at the he said, clearly referring to Azerbaijan and door,” he proclaimed. Turkey. In a letter of congratulations from New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Armenia A European Super Star Fund USA was again cited as a unifying force on No sooner did Fiori take the stage, than the the community level. “The Fund’s efforts have audience members realized they were in the also benefited Armenian Americans, especially presence of pop royalty. He opened with an those across the five boroughs, and have united unexpected detour to another time and place these individuals in a common purpose,” the let - Khoren Bandazian, left, with Emcee Mark Geragos with a mesmerizing rendition of Les Montagnes ter stated. D’Armenia. He then followed with a series of A congratulatory statement from Serge poignant love ballads like Si Tu Revenais and Je Sargisian, the president of Armenia and the Vesna Markarian and committee members required in Karabagh, they called Armenia Ne Serai Jamais. When it came to Belle, the sig - chairman of the Board of Trustees of the All- Kristine Toufayan Casali, Alex Karapetian, Aline Fund. When Agriculture development became nature song from his days in the French musical Armenian Fund, took the unity theme to the Markarian and Lorig Setrakian mobilized the paramount, they called Armenia Fund. They tell “Notre Dame de Paris,” Fiori stepped down into large presence of young profession - us what they need and we respond in kind,” he the audience and serenaded a glowing Lucie als. concluded. Bandazian seated next to her husband Khoren Speaking of funding, Mark Bandazian recognized the invaluable contri - — the mastermind behind Fiori’s benefit perfor - Geragos, who is a member of the All- butions of his predecessors, former chairmen mance that night. Armenian Fund board of trustees, Berj Setrakian, Hagop Kouyoumdjian, Kevork The enchantment continued punctuated with assured donors that their contribu - Toroyan and Raffi Festekjian and acknowledged a prelude performed on the duduk by Fiori, fol - tions are appropriately distributed. Hirair Hovnanian, Louise Simone Manoogian, lowed by Dele Yaman”as an introduction to “To those who ask, ‘well is the George Pagoumian, Sarkis Acopian and “count - C’est un pays que je ne connais pas (“It’s a coun - money going to get there?’ I can tell less others” who had gone above and beyond try that I do not know”). you that I have been there repeated - the call. ly and I’ve looked at the projects. I It was Irina Lazarian, the affiliate’s executive can tell you that we’ve got an out - director, who emerged as hero for her management side accounting firm that goes and of the many moving parts an extravaganza celebra - actually does the construction quali - tion like this one entails. Bandazian thanked her Hirair Hovnanian at the event ty. And I can tell you that the money “both personally and on behalf of the board of direc - is used and benefits the Armenians tors” for her “tireless commitment, hard work and who are there,” he declared, adding dedication over the many years.” next order of magnitude — the relationship that, unlike most organizations, only eight per - Reducing two decades of achievement down between diaspora and homeland, and “the com - cent of the funds raised go to administrative to its simplest terms is no easy feat. Yet the mon dream of living in a prosperous and power - costs. anniversary organizers managed to effectively ful motherland.” In turn, the message from When Armenia Fund USA Chairman Khoren define the core mission in the simple but pow - President of the Republic of Karabagh Bako Bandazian stepped up to the podium, he took a erful slogan, “Building A Homeland Built to Sahakyan characterized it as the “trinity of few moments to describe the original vision Last.” These words really hit home, however, in Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora.” the short film presented midway in the program. Frank Lautenberg, US Senator of New Jersey, In a refreshing departure from commemora - sent a statement attesting to the unity that tive videos of the past, this high-quality produc - Armenia Fund USA is now enjoying with the tion featured an ensemble of professional actors Nazar Nazarian, with Ambassador Garen international development community at large. and an inventive, fast-paced interplay of imagery Nazarian behind him He properly commended the Fund for its “focus and space. on rural communities” which “further strength - Alex Kalognomos, Anne Bedian, Armen ens Armenia’s population.” Armirkhanian, Inga Stamboltyan, Marty By pouring his heart and soul into each and Armenia’s Permanent Representative to the Papazian and Silvy Kas, all up and coming every number, Fiori made a visceral, palpable United Nations Garen Nazarian also noted the American-Armenians working in the film indus - connection with the audience. fund’s growing relationship with the global com - try, had volunteered their time and talent to Fiori explained why he felt compelled to come. munity by announcing that, “as part of its broad - explain why and how the affiliate was established “I had performed in Armenia several times and, er efforts to engage international agencies in and expound on its four key initiatives vital to each time I returned, I would notice how much eradicating global poverty, Armenia Fund has national rebirth, namely infrastructure, educa - progress had been made because of organiza - entered into a partnership with UN entities, tion, community life and healthcare delivery. tions like Armenia Fund.” including United Nations Development Program Directed by Roger Kupelian, written by Kathryn At various pauses in the program, Geragos, and United Nations Children’s Fund, which is Manuelian, produced by Sona Stamboltsyan, with who will be hosting the Armenia Fund beginning a promising cooperation in effectively cinematography and editing by Garen Mirzoian Thanksgiving Day Telethon for the 10th year targeting rural development.” plus original music by Greg Hosharian, the film and personally sponsored a table at the event, Unity also extended to the religious realm, was well received. It can now be viewed online via encouraged the guests to “put their own imprint with the presence of Archbishop Khajag Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian the Armenia Fund USA website. on the future of the homeland” by sponsoring Barsamian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese Markarian reminded the audience how, dur - an Armenia Fund project. (Eastern), performing the invocation, and ing its first campaign for winter relief back in He turned their attention to the commemora - Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the behind the founding of the Hayastan All 1992, Armenia Fund USA managed to raise $21 tive booklet, which included a catalog of naming Armenian Apostolic Church of North America, Armenian Fund. It was “a global effort to chan - million in just one week. He quoted from an arti - opportunity projects in both Karabagh and delivering the benediction. nel diasporan resources into Armenia in a strate - cle published in the well-respected British mag - Armenia. Giving levels start as low as $1,000 to The event was largely underwritten by The gic manner. And given the strength of the azine The Economist, which said that, “The fund pre-hospital equipment for one ambulance Hirair and Anna Hovnanian Foundation, in addi - Armenian community in the United States, the international community needs not to object and go up to $350,000 for a complete water tion to co-sponsors from the local business com - leaders in Armenia looked to us.” strongly but rather help to safely reopen the delivery system for one village in Karabagh. munity, including: Acopian Power Supplies; Then Bandazian pointed out how all the activ - nuclear power station in Armenia, because By evening’s close, Geragos happily reported Brach Eichler, LLC; Cullari, Carrico, Soojian, ities of Armenia Fund over the last 20 years mir - Armenians, if able to collect 21 million in one that several pledges had already been made, Bruke, LLC; Estreich & Company, Inc.; Harvest rored that of Armenia. “When it became appar - week, will do it on their own.” with more on the way. Levon S. and Laura Song; Michael Aram; The Tiger Buying Group; ent that Armenia needed a lifeline to connect to Nalbandian centered his keynote speech on Ariyan pledged $2,500 to fund an art classroom Toufayan Bakeries, Worldwide Express and its brothers and sisters in Karabagh, they called the true meaning of homeland, both internally at the Abovian School in Shushi, while Victor anonymous. Armenia Fund; and we built the Goris- and externally. He explained that the word Zarougian and his wife, Judith Saryan, decided As honorary chairs of the gala steering com - Stepanakert Highway. When Karabagh needed Armenia itself literally means “Home of the to fund a new computer center at Mardakert’s mittee, Ambassador Tatoul and Anna Markarian an artery to traverse its mountainous landscape, Armenians” and “That Home has passed Vaghuhas School at the $10,000 level. and Ambassador Garen and Nana Nazarian did they called Armenia Fund; and we built the through the tests of centuries. Sometimes it was To learn more about the 20th Anniversary their part to widen the circle of distinguished North-South Highway, the ‘backbone of taken away from us. But today we are the own - Gala and view the gallery of photos and video guests, while Gala Committee Chairperson Artsakh.’ When new healthcare facilities were ers of that Home.” clips, go to www.armeniafundusa.org. S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 20, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9

Seventh Annual AGBU YP City Escape Weekend

NEW YORK — Young professionals hoping to leave behind the hustle and bustle of the city got their wish at the end of this summer during the 7th annual Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) City Escape weekend. The event, which was initiated by the AGBU Young Professionals of Greater New York (YPGNY) in 2006, has since grown significantly in popularity. This year, YPGNY co-hosted City Escape with the AGBU Young Professionals (YP) groups of Montreal and Philadelphia. By joining forces, they drew 40 participants from their respective cities, as well as from Boston and Washington, DC, to AGBU’s Camp Nubar in the scenic Catskill Mountains. The participants arrived at Camp Nubar on Friday, August 24. The camp’s vast grounds and state-of-the-art facilities made it the ideal venue for a weekend of outdoor activities, including an early morning 10K run, nature hikes and swim - ming, as well as basketball, hockey, soccer and volleyball games that brought everyone to the courts. Tina Hagopian of Philadelphia was one of the dozens of YP’s who enjoyed socializing with her peers around both picnic tables and camp - fires. As she commented, “The YP groups put together a won - derful couple of days and a fun itinerary. It was nice for those of us who attended Camp Nubar in the past to relive our expe - rience as adults, and it was even better seeing those that had - n’t been to camp enjoying it as much as they did.” For many of the YP’s who are also Camp Nubar alumni, the weekend was nostalgic, especially as they celebrate the camp’s 50th anniversary this year. Greg Basralian, a tri-state area native, was introduced recently to the YP network, and Campfire is always one of the highlights of the AGBU YP City Escape weekend. remarked, “This was the first YP event I’ve attended, and, from the moment I arrived through the rest of the weekend, I felt so welcomed by everyone. I made friendships in three YPGNY Chair Alexis Halejian stated, “It was an honor hav - broad appeal. As she shared, “In Brazil we don’t really have a days that I know will last a lifetime. ... It was wonderful to find ing YP Montreal and YP Philly co-host our annual City Escape camping culture, and City Escape was my first camping expe - a group of such hard-working individuals. The event was well- to Camp Nubar. It doesn’t get much better than meeting and rience. It was a very pleasant weekend. Not only did I enjoy planned and the execution was even better - all of the groups reconnecting with young professionals from across the world, Camp Nubar’s incredible countryside, but I had the chance to worked together in perfect harmony. My only regret is that I surrounded by the beauty of the Catskill Mountains. We hope mingle with new people. Being the only participant from over - did not attend a YP event sooner, but I look forward to my this weekend tradition only continues to grow year after year.” seas, I was warmly embraced by the YP family and I would further involvement with YPGNY.” Marianna Mekbekian, a Brazil native, said the event has gladly come back next year.” St. Stepanos Church Marks 25 Years

ELBERON, N.J. — On Sunday, October 7, passing. A world-class business leader, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Hovnanian was the founding chairman of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America Fund for Armenian Relief, spearheading the (Eastern), visited St. Stepanos Church of Eastern Diocese’s outreach and development Elberon, as the parish marked the church's effort to the Republic of Armenia following the 25th anniversary and honored Sirvart 1988 earthquake. He was also a supporter of Hovnanian, who with her late husband, Kevork causes in the greater New York area. Hovnanian, built the church in memory of his A committee of parishioners, led by Amanda parents in 1987. Haytaian, organized an evening gala at the Barsamian celebrated the Divine Liturgy with Oyster Point Hotel in Red Bank, NJ, to honor the assistance of the Very Rev. Mamigon his wife, Sirvart Hovnanian. Attendees included Kiledjian, Dr. Edgar Housepian, vice chair of the Fund for parish pas - Armenian Relief; U.S. Congressman Frank tor. In his Pallone Jr.; and Susan Doctorian-Kyrillos, wife sermon, the of New Jersey state senator and US Senate can - Primate didate Joe Kyrillos. reflected Aida Kado, chair of the St. Stepanos Church upon the sea - Parish Council, welcomed guests and invited son of the speakers to convey messages of congratulations Holy Cross to Sirvart Hovnanian. and his Ara Hovnanian, the son of Mr. and Mrs. recent expe - Hovnanian and chair and CEO of Hovnanian rience cele - Enterprises, spoke about his mother’s nurtur - brating the ing role in the Hovnanian family and recalled Divine how she supported her husband as the family Liturgy at set down roots in America. Holy Cross Barsamian spoke about the strength of the Ara Hovnanian raises a glass Church of Hovnanians’ commitment to each other. “It was to his mother. Aghtamar, a partnership that extended to every aspect of during the life and will always stand for me as a beautiful Diocese’s example of the tenderness of the Christian September pilgrimage to historic Armenia. sacrament of marriage,” he said. “It was as part - He also spoke on the generations of ners that Mr. and Mrs. Hovnanian became a Armenian faithful who have born the cross with force for progress, compassion and dignity in devotion and humility. It was in this spirit that the Republic of Armenia.” the late Kevork Hovnanian built the St. Pallone read the Congressional citation issued in Stepanos Church, Barsamian said. her honor. “A dedicated and loving wife and moth - “While he was unquestionably a man of gen - er, Sirvart Hovnanian truly exemplifies what it is to US Rep. Frank Pallone presents Sirvart Hovnanian with the Congressional citation issued in her honor. uine stature in American life and a great figure in live the American dream,” he said. Armenian life on an international scale, to this Doctorian-Kyrillos read a resolution passed parish Kevork Hovnanian was a true father: a by the state Senate congratulating the parish late husband, Kevork,” she said. their faith and their love of our community — man of gentleness and love, of wonderful good on its 25th anniversary. “St. Stepanos Church Kiledjian said that the parishioners of St. that have helped us to flourish.” humor and touching tenderness to those around has grown from its humble beginnings to its Stepanos Church share a close bond, and work The program also included a performance by him,” the Primate said. “He built this church as present vital and dynamic state due to the together to continue the legacy established by the Arev Children’s Choir. In addition to his beautiful memorial to his parents.” steadfast devotion and tireless commitment of Kevork Hovnanian. “We are not a large parish, Haytaian, the organizing committee was com - A requiem service followed the Divine Liturgy many dedicated persons, both religious and lay, but we are a great one,” he said. “It’s not num - prised of Rose Froonjian, Sylva Terjanian, Diane on the occasion of the third anniversary of his including Sirvart Hovnanian and her beloved bers that have made us great. It is our people — Pekmezian, Aida Kado and Ashkhen Tadevosian. 10 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 20, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem Dies after Lengthy Illness

MANOOGIAN, from page 1 affairs have proved successful, to a degree. conquering armies of Tigranes II, a full century “Much still remains to be done,” as one clerical before the birth of Jesus. source confided. They had stayed, settled and prospered, and A perennial diplomat, Manoogian meticulously bequeathed to this immortal city an invaluable maintained smooth relations with both sides of legacy of ingeniousness, creativity and vitality. the political divide in the country. The aura of Jerusalem would never be what it is today without charisma that enveloped him and his standing in the variegated trove of Armenian contribution, the Armenian world, could have very easily among them the city’s first printing press and pho - secured him the highest accolade the church tographic studio. could ever grant: Catholicos (supreme head) of All When Manoogian ascended the throne of St Armenians. But although he served as locum James as the 96th Armenian Patriarch of tenens following the death of Catholicos Vazken I, Jerusalem, he reburnished and reinforced the he felt he would never leave Jerusalem. indelible stamp Armenians have left on the city. He was the son of a people that had endured And following in the footsteps of illustrious pre - and survived wars and cataclysms, but who had decessors like the legendary Baron Der and not let that pain turn their hearts into stone. Gregory the Chainbearer, he set in motion a new Manoogian will be buried on October 22, in the era of glasnost and perestroika, qualities in dire Armenian cemetery on Mount Zion, just outside need at the time. the towering walls of the Old City, mere weeks Among his most memorable achievements are after the Armenian Church mourned another of the computerization of the Patriarchate’s records, its princes, Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, Primate the overhaul of its filing, accounting and database of the Armenian Diocese of Australia and New systems and the renovation of dilapidated priestly The late Patriarch Torkom Manoogian in a procession in Jerusalem Zealand. quarters. Who will be the 97th Armenian Patriarch of Caught up in the refreshing breezes his advent Jerusalem? had launched, life in the moribund Armenian articles, newsletters and press releases over the Towards the end of his early schooling, tentative No one will know, until election day, which is enclave, which occupies more than one sixth of years. yearnings for something spiritually loftier became supposed to take place 40 days after his passing. the Old City, took on a new, invigorated meaning. Manoogian had come home. His destiny had insistent, assailing his waking and sleeping hours, Messages of condolence poured in. Karabagh There was a feeling of almost tangible euphoria driven him from the deserts of Mesopotamia to demanding satisfaction, and ultimately guiding President Bako Sahakyan said, “His Beatitude in the wake of his election, and there were many the golden domes of Jerusalem, on a journey of him in the direction of Jerusalem. Archbishop Manoogian had a huge contribution who wistfully wished he had come earlier to devotion and dedication, in the service of the He was ordained celibate priest in 1939 and to strengthening the Armenian Apostolic Church, Jerusalem. Armenian Church to which he gave his all. remained in the city until 1946 when he traveled consolidating the Christian faith as well as devel - To keep the Armenian diaspora well informed A prolific writer, his most recent oeuvre was a to the US, only to return a few years later. oping interchurch relations. He also had a valu - about the Patriarchate and about Jerusalem, he translation of Shakespeare’s sonnets into Ten years were to pass before America called able input in preserving the Armenian national set up a press office (and asked this correspondent Armenian. again. But this time he reached its shores as identity, maintaining the Motherland-Diaspora to head it), which churned out a steady stream of But his favorite topic was what he called the Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian ties, promoting international recognition of the “impossible love.” Church. Armenian Genocide, and truthfully representing “It’s the ability, nay, the gift, He was elected patriarch of Jerusalem on March the Artsakh issue. Please, accept my deep and sin - to be able to love your enemy, 22, 1990. cere condolences. In this difficult hour, the people to forgive love those who hate Throughout his life, Manoogian garnered and authorities of the Nagorno-Karabakh you and would do you ill,” he numerous honors and tributes, both from reli - Republic share with you the pain and sorrow in explained to me. gious and lay institutions, among them the US connection with this irretrievable loss.” A gifted musician, he became Statue of Liberty Medal. A statement posted on the website of the the acknowledged authority on He nurtured a keen interest in ecumenical Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of the Armenian nation’s greatest affairs and has been instrumental in helping main - America noted that Archbishop Khajag musical genius, Komitas. tain the spirit of brotherly relations between the Barsamian, the Diocesan Primate, had asked I remember visiting him two various religious institutions in Jerusalem. (In the parishes of the Eastern Diocese to conduct a years ago, when he was in the US, he had also served on the Board of the requiem service in the Patriarch’s memory on initial stages of Parkinson’s, National Council of Churches of Christ). Sunday, October 14. and sitting silently for long min - Manoogian had dreams of not only revitalizing According to the Diocese statement, “Prior to utes, waiting for him to speak. Armenian Jerusalem, but also expanding and rein - his election as Patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop He had great difficulty finding forcing the Armenian presence here. One of his Torkom served for a quarter-century as Primate of the words until I broached the most ambitious plans was to construct a hostel for the Eastern Diocese. To thousands of people subject of his book on Komitas. pilgrims on land owned by the Patriarchate, but it across this country — not only in our parishes, but The moment he heard the never got off the drawing board — city hall had in the surrounding society — he was the vigorous, name, his face lit up and he other plans of its own. compassionate, always impressive face of the launched into an impassioned Manoogian will be remembered as a caring Armenian Church of America. He was also the discourse. shepherd and reformer. Under his tenure, the beautiful, poetic voice of our people, advocating in Manoogian was born on Patriarchate workforce almost quadrupled: there a principled and forceful way for our concerns and February 16, 1919, in a refugee were more employees within the confines of the aspirations, while embodying the great Armenian camp near the sand-enshroud - Convent of St. James, seat of the Jerusalem civilization that had bestowed works of profound ed Iraqi town of Baqoubah. As Patriarchate, than there were people living there. art and spirituality on world culture. As we mourn a child, he attended a school in And he made sure that paychecks were dis - his passing, we are consoled in the knowledge that Baghdad, the capital, where bursed on time, a welcome departure from past Archbishop Torkom’s gentle soul has found rest Armenians who had sought practices. and peace in the welcoming arms of our Risen refuge from the Turkish mas - When Manoogian arrived on the scene, he dis - Lord, whom he loved and served with such dis - The late Patriarch Torkom Manoogian in a formal photo sacres, had established a com - covered chaos. His unrelenting efforts to instill a tinction in life.” munity. sense of order and accountability into patriarchal (Additional material used.)

Dance to Benefit Dagley Children Raises Funds and Spirits

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — What a legacy Rev. As a surprise to the guests, Sona and Sarkis Haroutiun (Randy) and Yeretsgin Patty Dagley Dagley, the children of the late couple and the have left the community. stars of the program, flew in from Detroit, On September 22, more than 300 people of where they live. Sona Dagley is a freshman at all ages gathered at Holy Trinity Armenian Michigan State University and Sarkis Dagley is Church to celebrate that legacy at a dance orga - a high school freshman. The children live with nized by Becky Megerdichian, sister of the late their aunt, Sharon Dardarian, sister of the late Rev. Haroutiun Dagley. The event was not only Yeretsgin Patty Dagley. The children warmed a tribute to Rev. Haroutiun Dagley and his wife, the hearts of all the attendees at the dance, all Patty, both of whom died before their time, but of whom took part happily in the program. also was a benefit for a fund established for the The Dagley children as well as Megerdichian children. extended their thanks to those who have sup - All the musicians for the dance contributed ported the children by donations. their time, which led to an especially fun Donations may still be made out to Dagley evening. In fact, there were so many musicians Children Memorial Fund, c/o 875 that there were four different sets, each with Massachusetts Ave., Suite 45, Cambridge, MA From left, Sarkis Dagley, their aunt, Becky Megerdichian, and Sona Dagley. different players. 02139-3067. S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 20, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 Arts & Living

Save the ArQ Akçam Says Turkish Donates Lab Archives Show Equipment to the Genocide Planning Armenian School By Central Of Jerusalem Government

CHICAGO — The organization Save the ArQ By Alin K. Gregorian provided Sts. Tarkmanchatz Armenian Mirror-Spectator Staff Secondary School, in the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem, with all the necessary equipment for its science laboratories, including chemistry, CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — A capacity audience biology and physics. This is part of Save the gathered to hear Prof. Taner Akçam speak ArQ’s commitment to enhance its educational about his most recent book, The Young Turks’ level so that the students of Sts. Tarkmanchatz Crime against Humanity: The Armenian may have access to the most current tools Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing in the worldwide. Within the sphere of education, the Ottoman Empire, at the John F. Kennedy Janette Khalarian and Margar Yeghiazaryan long-term objective of Save the ArQ is to create School of Government at Harvard. the best educational environment for the chil - Akçam is the only scholar of Turkish descent dren of the community. who chairs an Armenian studies department Rev. Norayr Kazazian, dean of Sts. and one of only a handful of Armenian Tarkmanchatz School, conveyed his gratitude Dudukner Ensemble Genocide scholars researching in the Turkish to Save the ArQ for their donation and archives. He has mined the archives extensively, expressed his willingness to cooperate with the with his latest book significantly contributing organization to undertake the necessary pro - Performs in Providence to the field. jects for the advancement of the school. “At the risk of sounding immodest, this is a Mary Hoogasian, chair of the organization, first in many ways,” Akçam said of the book, elaborated that the latest donation is part of PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Under the sponsorship of Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Armenian noting that he is presenting new theses to larger educational projects which Save the ArQ Church Cultural Committee, Amaras Art Alliance, Urartu Society and Armenian explain the Genocide. He said there are two regards as a primary concern for the Armenian Music Festival of Rhode Island, the Dudukner Ensemble, from Armenia, presented a issues: what happened and why did it happen. Quarter’s prosperity. program of Armenian sacred music in the Church sanctuary and Armenian folk and “As to why,” he said, “We still have a long way “Prioritizing education as one of the most popular songs and dance music in the Egavian Cultural Hall on September 26. to go.” critical aspects in order to sustain Jerusalem’s The duduk is a double-reed instrument with ancient origins, said to be dating back The latest book is based on more than 600 Armenian Quarter has allowed Save the ArQ to 1,500 to 3,000 years. It is indigenous to Armenia as it dates back to the reign of King documents from the Ottoman archives. There explore different avenues to build the best Tigran the Great, 95-55 BC. Earlier instruments were made of bone or cane while are two contradictory views, he explained. schooling system for these children. Yes, we today it is made mainly from aged apricot wood. The instrument’s body also has dif - were fortunate to raise the funds needed to ferent lengths depending on the range of the instrument and region. The performer uses air stored in his cheeks to keep playing while inhaling air into his lungs. The most important quality of the duduk is its ability to express the dialectic and mood of the Armenian language. In 2005, UNESCO proclaimed the Armenian duduk music as a “masterpiece of the intangible heritage of humanity.” As part of their East Coast tour, the Dudukner Ensemble performed to a capacity crowd in their Providence debut. They were welcomed by Cultural Committee Director Konstantin Petrossian and Parish Council Chairman John Kazarian. The founder of the ensemble and principal duduk player is Georgy Minasian and the artistic director is Tatyana Minasyan. Other members of the group are Khosrov Mnatsakanyan, alto duduk; Tigran Avetisyan, bass duduk; Mher Mnatsakanyan, clar - inet and baritone duduk; Artak Asatryan, tenor duduk; Georgy Minasian Jr., baritone duduk; and Hovhannes Avetisyan, clarinet and manager of the ensemble. Prof. Taner Akçam Performing with the Dudukner Ensemble were soloists Margar Yeghiazaryan, from Yerevan, and Janette Khalarian, originally from Armenia and now living in the Boston area. Following the liturgical portion of the concert in the Church Sanctuary, Rev. Armenians who suggest that the Ottoman Shnork Souin praised the performers and remarked how “listening to the sounds of archives cannot be trusted because they were the duduk was like hearing the woodwinds blowing our sacred melodies from our fabricated by those in power, either during beloved Armenia through the heavens to our country and to our shores.” Ottoman or Turkish Republic rule, and Turks During the intermission, the audience descended from the Church Sanctuary to who deny the Genocide and suggest that only the Egavian Cultural Hall for the second part of the concert. With the change in Ottoman and Turkish sources can be trusted mood from the sacred to the festive sounds of Armenian folk music, the performers while any Armenian or Western material on the delighted their audience who clapped rhythmically with the familiar tunes. Genocide is suspect. see DUDUK, page 12 With this new work, Akçam said he hopes to prove that “Ottoman material shows us the same information as the German, American and Sts. Tarkmachatz School British archives. It is different material on the same perspective.” Akçam used papers from the Interior replace outdated or nonexistent science lab Ministry, including various branches of its equipment, but this is one small feat in the big - General Directorate and the Cypher Office. The ger picture. We need to ensure that these chil - role of the latter, he said, was “very important.” dren receive the best education because only The office was established in 1913, with the through success, will this community survive. “pure purpose of [encrypted] telegraphic com - Education is not only the key for each individ - munication between the central office and the ual child to have the a chance at a higher edu - provinces.” cation; it is the eye-opener — the future — for the The authorities encrypted the information, Armenian Quarter’s very own existence,” said and believing they had developed a foolproof Hoogasian. method, freely discussed their plans within the According to Mihran Der Matossian, director documents. of the educational committee of the school, this Other documents found by Akçam included a latest contribution helped the students conduct telegram from the Education Ministry to the specific science experiments. “The lab equip - Interior Ministry on June 26, 1915, regarding ment donation that included more than 30 the fate of Armenian children — soon to be pieces is an essential step for the students to orphaned — who would need assimilation. understand not only the theoretical aspect of These documents are still intact, Akçam said, the scientific subjects, but also the practical and anyone interested can freely access them. aspect,” said Der Matossian. For several years, David Ayriyan on kemancha (right) and Georgy Minasian on duduk He spoke about documents from the same Der Matossian has played a crucial role in archives dating to March 1, 1915, in which the reforming and restructuring the curriculum for authorities spelled out the Genocide policy. the school. “Talaat [Pasha] used his home as a private see ArQ, page 12 see AKCAM, page 13 12 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 20, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING Ararat-Eskijian Museum Presents Lecture ALMA to Host Lecture by Author On Armenian Postal History

Shahkeh Setian on October 21 MISSION HILLS, Calif. — Private collector Erzerum, Mamuret-ul-Aziz, Diarbekir, Sivas, Bitlis Jack Kifedjian will present an illustrated postal and Van prior to 1914. Beginning in 1915, postal WATERTOWN, Mass. — On Sunday, October 21, author Shahkeh Setian will discuss her history lecture Sunday, October 21, at 4 p.m. items from the six Armenian vilayets began to book, Humanity in the Midst of Inhumanity, at the Armenian Library and Museum of This event will be hosted by the Ararat-Eskijian decrease, with items sent by Armenians in the America (ALMA) at 2 p.m., as part of her New England book tour. Her book examines the Museum located in Mission Hills. region eventually disappearing entirely. A similar Armenian Genocide with special emphasis on Turkish Muslims who saved Armenian lives, The presentation will focus on postal items trend has also been documented in the vilayets of risking their own lives and that of their families. sent from different Ottoman provinces, or Adana and Allepo, after the withdrawal of the Included in her book are 16 stories that were submitted by descendants of Armenian sur - vilayets, that were populated by Armenians. French forces from Cilicia in December 1921. vivors who were saved by Turkish Muslims. Setian’s message to people of Armenian descent Ottoman period postal materials illustrate The postal artifacts to be presented at is that they have a moral imperative to pub - postage usages, rates, markings, and allow his - Kifedjian’s lecture help provide insight into the licly honor such heroes. She cautions that it torians to examine the correspondences of social and economic activities of Armenians is overdue and is in danger of being lost in Armenians during the period. during this period. the fog of history and in the passage of time. According to Kifedjian’s research, there was For more information contact the Ararat- She will ask audience members who have greater postal activity in the Armenian vilayets of Eskijian Museum. similar stories to submit them to her, not to publish them, but to include them in a list of remembrances to be displayed at an appro - priate location at a later date. Setian earned a doctorate in education from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She taught at Springfield College and Artsakh University, and designed and taught a class at Cape Cod Community College titled, “The History of Genocide: Using the Armenian Genocide as a Case Study.” The daughter of Genocide survivors, Setian lived for a year in post-war Artsakh as an inde - pendent volunteer. The Cape Cod resident is the mother of three and grandmother of five. Cover of Humanity in the Midst of The event is free and open to the public. by Shahkeh Setian Inhumanity ALMA is located at 65 Main St.

Save the ArQ Donates Lab Equipment

ArQ, from page 11 This is where we would like to create another Greater changes are anticipated for Sts. program teaching these children through web Tarkmanchatz School in the near future. Said classrooms. Truly, how amazing would it be for Hoogasian, “Save the ArQ would like to bridge these kids to be taught by an exceptional teach - the educational system by creating different er halfway around the world? Ultimately, the programs. A ‘teach abroad’ program at Sts. goal is to make sure these kids are challenged Tarkmanchatz will give teachers worldwide the and taught at the same level as the best educa - opportunity to live with such an amazing com - tional systems in the world.” munity inside the Armenian Quarter. However, In the coming months, Save the ArQ is orga - we realize that not every remarkable teacher nizing a number of fundraising events as well as will have the opportunity to take a year off from a series of lectures in the Midwest and the West their current position in order to live abroad. Coast for the support of the Organization. Through intensive lectures, panels, and fundraising events Save the ArQ intends to propagate the noteworthy aspects — both his - Dudukner Ensemble torically and presently — pertaining to Jerusalem’s Armenian Quarter. Performs in Providence For further information or support, visit the group’s website at www.savethearq.org. DUDUK, from page 11 One of the highlights was the introduction of Georgy Minasian’s boyhood friend, David Ayriyan, accompanying him on the keman - cha, another ancient instrument, to the tune of folk song Noobar Noobar . Accompanying Sponsor a Teacher in Armenia and Karabagh 2012 them on the piano was Petrossian. A kemancha solo by Ayriyan playing com - poser Babajanian’s Elegia also had Petrossian accompanying on the piano. Since its inception in 2001, TCA’s ‘Sponsor Khalarian and Yeghiazaryan, dressed in tra - ditional Armenian costumes, sang solo and a Teacher’ program has raised over $518,000 duets of Armenian folk and love songs with the Dudukner Ensemble. and reached out to 4,064 teachers and A standing ovation followed the encores and the incredible evening concluded with school workers in Armenia and Karabagh. Souin leading the crowd in the Hayr Mer (Our Father). The concertgoers were then treated to a buffet prepared by the Urartu £ Society and the church’s Cultural Committee. K Yes, I want to sponsor teachers in Armenia and Karabagh to continue — MJW helping them to educate the children, our future leaders. I would like to have the teacher’s name and address. K $160 K $ 320 K $ 480 K other $ ————————— Name Address City State Zip code Tel:

Make check payable to: Tekeyan Cultural Association – Memo: Sponsor a Teacher 2010 Mail your check with this form to: TCA Sponsor a Teacher 5326 Valverde, Houston, TX 77056

DUDUKNER at Church Sanctuary Your donation is Tax Deductible. S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 20, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 ARTS & LIVING Akçam Says Turkish Archives Show Genocide Planning by Central Government

AKCAM, from page 11 and were relocated in the Christian-majority ber.” That number, he said, was deemed to be was published in April. post office. He could send telegrams from his Anatolia region, home of the Armenians. “5 to 10 percent” of the general population Akçam, born in Ardahan, is the holder of the home,” he said, including many directly spelling Beginning in 1913, he said, the non-Muslim and no more than that. If they formed a bigger Robert Aram, Marianne Kaloosdian and out the genocidal policies. In fact, he noted that population of Anatolia was referred to as share, the Ottoman authorities suggested, Stephen and Marion Mugar Chair in Armenian in a 1982 interview only published in 2010, “tumors” that needed to be removed, and there - they would be less easily governable. Thus, the Genocide Studies at Clark University, Talaat’s widow revealed that the interior minis - fore the government embarked upon a “radical officials conducted demographic surveys to Worcester. ter used the more secure home telegraph line restructuring of Anatolia’s demographic char - find out the percentage of Armenians in vari - to order the deportation of the Armenians. acter.” ous locales in Anatolia. For example, in the Similarly, Akçam said that there is informa - In other words, the Christians, including the Kayseri Province, 49,947 Armenians were reg - tion about the ethnic cleansings of the Greeks, Armenians, Greeks and Assyrians, were istered. Most were deported to Aleppo, University of Michigan- village by village. removed and the non-Turkish Muslims were Damascus and Mosul and the population was Dearborn Presents Akçam said there was a direct correlation relocated and dispersed among the Turkish reduced to 5 percent. In the Eastern between reform movements in the Ottoman era Muslims to take their place. Provinces, the policy was “not a single Exhibition on History of and the start of mass killings; the first waves of Akçam said the removal policy was first tried Armenian was allowed to remain there.” The the Genocide started in 1894, while the reform out on the Greek minority. The Ottoman gov - Armenians were deported to Der Zor and by Armenian Book Printing government came into power in 1895. The gov - ernment came to an agreement, albeit illegal by the beginning of 1916, a second wave of the ernment sent out representatives to assess the the standards of international law, with Genocide started, during which an additional DEARBORN, Mich. — The Armenian population and wherever those representatives Romania, Bulgaria and Greece and enacted a 200,000 Armenians were killed in the Syrian Research Center of the University of Michigan- went, Akçam said, killings took place. population exchange in 1913. provinces in order to maintain the numbers Dearborn, has collaborated with the Alex and He offered some historical context, explaining The Committee for Union and Progress below 10 percent. The authorities, he said, Marie Manoogian Museum of Southfield, to that the period immediately preceding the main (CUP), he said, which was in charge, would never expected as many to survive the forced present a joint exhibit celebrating the legacy of wave of the Genocide occurred at the end of the draw up plans for such removals and extermi - marches in the desert. five centuries of Armenian-language book print - Balkan wars of 1912-1913, during which the nations nationally but would later present them In a letter from Talaat to Cemal Pasha on ing, from 1512 to 2012. Ottoman Empire had lost more than 80 percent as the spontaneous actions of local populations October 7, 1916, he specified the need to rid Armenian book printing first developed out - of its European territories and more than 70 throughout the empire. Cilicia of Armenians, as they, he stressed, were side the traditional homeland, instead taking percent of its European population. The demographic policy was then used on so attached to the land and considered it a cen - root in Italy during the Renaissance. Since In return, hundreds of thousands of Muslims the Armenians, with the plan to reduce the tral part of their heritage. then, Armenian-language books have been pub - migrated to the Ottoman lands from Europe Armenian population to a “governable num - The Young Turks’ Crime against Humanity lished in countries on every continent save Antarctica. In the United States, home to about one million Armenian Armenians, the first Armenian-language book dates back to 1857. In Michigan, home to a 40,000-strong Armenian- American community, Armenian-language book printing dates back to 1916. C A LENDAR The exhibit of more than 40 historical books C A LENDAR and periodicals opened on Thursday, October 18, and will run through November 16. The exhibit will be on the first floor of the Mardigian Library with an opening day recep - tion beginning at 6:30 p.m. The keynote speak - CALIFORNIA er will be Levon Avdoyan, Armenian and Georgian area specialist, from the Library of NOVEMBER 17 — Haigazian University Trustees Banquet in Congress, who will discuss “The Three Eras of Honor of Joyce Philibosian Stein, Ellis Island honoree, Sheraton Armenian Literature.” Universal Ballroom, Los Angeles. Social hour, 6 p.m., dinner, 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call (323) 456-8031 or joyceabdu - Light refreshments will be provided. [email protected]. For more information, contact the Armenian Research Center of the University of Michigan- Dearborn. MASSACHUSETTS OCTOBER 17-25 — Muriel Mirak-Weissbach book presentation of Madmen at the Helm: Pathology and Politics in the Arab Spring , on four dates: • OCTOBER 21 — Armenian Cultural Foundation, 441 Mystic St., Arlington, Sunday, 3 p.m. For information, (781) 646-3090; and • OCTOBER 25 — Robbins Public Library, 700 Mass. Ave., Arlington, Thursday, 7 p.m. OCTOBER 20 — The Fall Harvest Bazaar, Saturday, from 12 noon to 8 p.m. The First Armenian Church, 380 Concord Ave., Belmont. Handmade choreg, manti, Armenian pastries and more. Grilled kebab all day. Browse the Marketplace. All are welcome. Info, www.firstarmenianchurch.org or call 617-484-4779. OCTOBER 25 — K. George and Carolann S. Najarian Endowed Lecture on Human Rights. Speaker: Ambassador Edward P. Djerejian, founding director, James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, Rice University and former US ambassador to Israel (1992- 1994) and the Syrian Arab Republic (1988-1991). Faneuil Hall, Boston. Thursday, 7 p.m. An endowed public program of Armenian Muriel Mirak-Weissbach is making several Heritage Park. Free and open to the public. OCTOBER 27 — Saturday, AWWA Annual Luncheon Auction, stops around the state to support her most Burlington Marriott, 11 a.m. Silent Auction and bidding, $50 per per - recent book, Madmen at the Helm: Entertainment Fridays son. Contact [email protected] or call JoAnn Janjigian at Pathology and Politics in the Arab Spring . and Saturdays 781-329-4398. She will make a stop at the Armenian NOVEMBER 1 — An Evening with the AUA Administration Team. Cultural Foundation, 441 Mystic St., American University of Armenia (AUA) president, Dr. Bruce Arlington, on Sunday, October 21, at 3 p.m., Boghosian to speak, along with top university administrators to and at the Robbins Public Library, also in review AUA’s academic and institutional accomplishments during its Arlington, at 7 p.m. on October 25. 20 years of operation in Armenia and the strategic plans that will shape the future of the university. Armenian Library and Museum of America, 65 Main St., Watertown, 7:30 p.m.

NEW JERSEY NOVEMBER 17-18 — Musical theater presentation by TCA Mher Megerdchian Theatrical Group, Yervant Odian’s “Love and OCTOBER 21 — Hye Doon (Armenian American Suppor t and Laughter” (Ser yev Dzidzagh), directed by Krikor Satamian, with Educational Center), 35th Anniversary Celebration, with the par - more than 20 actors participating. Dwight Englewood High School, ticipation of Akh’Tamar Dance Ensemble of the Hye Doon, Arev Englewood Cliffs, 8 p.m. on Saturday and 4 p.m. on Sunday. $25, Armenian Folk Ensemble of Hamazkayin of Boston, Sunday, 3:45 $35, $50. For tickets, call Marie Zokian or Noushig Atamian. p.m. Bergen County Academics, 200 Hackensack, NJ 07601. All net NOVEMBER 18 — Join the TCA Mher Megerdchian Theatrical proceeds to benefit the Hovnanian Armenian School. Tickets: $50, Group Cast Par ty to celebrate “Love and Laughter.” Special hon - $35 and $25. For tickets, call Sonya Bekarian, (201) 315-5916; Juliyet oree, Karnig Nercessian, one of the founding members of the TCA Tabibian, (201) 233-0326; Nivart Arslan, (201) 475-0224; Maral Mher Megerdchian Theatrical Group. St. Thomas Armenian Church, Kalishian, (845) 729-1888; Maral Kaprielian, (201) 289-6486; Lina East Clinton Ave. & 9W, Tenafly. 8 p.m. Donation: $30. BYOB. For Bakhtiarian, (732) 299-1120; Linda Gezdir, (201) 394-6310 or the tickets, call Marie Zokian (201) 745-8850, Maro Hajakian (201) 934- school, (201) 967-5940. 3427 or Noushig Atamian (718) 344-5582. 14 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 20, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

T HE A RMENIAN COMMENTARY Mirror- A Vital Moment for Jerusalem

how well their interests will be represented in Jerusalem. By Edmond Y. Azadian Another interested party is the See of Antelias, which still holds Spectator captive the Diocese in Iran, despite the demise of the Cold War, to undermine the authority of the Holy See at Echmiadzin. The divi - Holy places, which were meant to be lands of peace, have proven sion in the Armenian Church continues and the clergy in Antelias to be some of the most tortured regions of the world. And believe that every setback for Echmiadzin will help the cause of the Armenians, with their traditional penchant for inhabiting troubled Cilician See. areas, have shared the plight of Jerusalem for more than two mil - Turkey has already frozen the situation at the Istanbul Established 1932 lennia. It is believed that Armenians settled in Jerusalem during the Patriarchate by allowing a clergyman of whom they approve to take An ADL Publication reign of Tigranes II, who had claimed Jerusalem, at one time, to be over, undercutting the influence of the Holy See in that jurisdic - part of his vast empire, during his reign 95 to 55 BC . tion. But the Armenian monastic order in Jerusalem, the Brotherhood After Archbishop Torkom was incapacitated, the Brotherhood

EDITOR of St. James, dates back to the sixth century. convened on January 30, 2012, and assigned Archbishop Nourhan Alin K. Gregorian As Armenians have shared the perilous saga of Jerusalem with Manougian to provisionally run the affairs of the Patriarchate, until the religious orders of other faiths, they have been fortunate over the election of a successor. ASSISTANT EDITOR the years to have amassed real estate as well as religious, scholarly At this time, the Brotherhood is scheduled to convene on Friday, Gabriella Gage and artistic treasures. Kings, princes, intellectuals and ordinary pil - October 19, to elect a locum tenens (deghabah), until a successor grims have endowed the St. James Monastery with immeasurable Patriarch is elected 40 days after the death of the late Patriarch. ASSOCIATE EDITOR treasures, believing that the Brotherhood will act as custodians of Whoever is elected locum tenens can control the developments Aram Arkun those treasures, rather than owners. But human weakness some - and steer the election in a direction of his choosing. ART DIRECTOR times has played a more prominent role than faith by those in The holy places are governed by a set of rules called the Status Marc Mgrditchian charge, thereby compounding the internal problems of the Quo, promulgated during the reign of Ottoman ruler Sultan Abdel- Patriarchate with problems created by outside forces. Majid. Successive governments have abided by the dictates of the With the loss of His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian Status Quo. The Armenian Patriarchate has its own internal SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: on October 12, 2012, of blessed memory, the Brotherhood and the bylaws, which allow only the membership of the Brotherhood to Edmond Azadian Patriarchate face new challenges which come with the succession participate in the elections. Outwardly, this may sound rational, procedures. because it bars interference from outside forces, especially govern - CONTRIBUTORS: Archbishop Manoogian served for 22 years as Patriarch, having ments in charge of Jerusalem in any given period. But historically, Florence Avakian, Elizabeth Aprahamian, been elected on March 22, 1990. governments have been involved, whether directly or indirectly, in Daphne Abeel, Dr. Haroutiune Arthur Hagopian, in his heart-warming tribute, has covered lov - the outcome of the election. One blatant example in recent memo - Arzoumanian, Taleen Babayan, Prof. ingly the legacy and the achievements of the late Patriarch. ry of such interference was when the Jordanian authorities deport - Vahakn N. Dadrian, Diana Der Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, Kevork Unfortunately, most of his good works enumerated in the article ed the elected Patriarch, Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan, and ushered Keushkerian, Sonia Kailian-Placido , were overshadowed by the problems emanating from the in Archbishop Yeghishe Derderian to the throne. While the move Harut Sassounian, Mary Terzian, Hagop Patriarchate. He was certainly an intellectual, an accomplished was illegal, Archbishop Derderian proved to be a super diplomat, Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian scholar like his namesake, Patriarch Torkom Koushakian, but he navigating the Patriarchate skillfully among the interests of the was not known for being an efficient administrator or a believer in Israelis, Palestinians and Jordanians. (In fact, the elected Jerusalem CORRESPONDENTS: delegating responsibilities to competent subordinates or profes - Patriarch cannot take office until his election is approved by the Armenia - Hagop Avedikian sionals. That is why some valuable properties were lost during his Jordanian and Israeli authorities.) Boston - Nancy Kalajian administration and the succession process has turned into a guess - Unfortunately, the Brotherhood’s bylaws have traditionally Philadelphia - Lisa Manookian ing game. proven to be a firewall against the influence of well-intentioned Contributing Photographers: The Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem is a monastic order Armenian parties and even against the influence of the Mother See Jacob Demirdjian, Harry Koundakjian, Jirair serving as custodians of holy places, along with the Greek of Echmiadzin. Hovsepian Orthodox, Roman Catholic as well as the Syriac and Coptic Indeed, during the last convocation, the two delegates from Churches. The compound of the Armenian Patriarchate covers one Echmiadzin were not allowed to attend the convocation to read the sixth of the Old City; in addition, the Patriarchate owns property message of His Holiness. Instead, the message was read by one of The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published outside the compound. To this day, the outside world has not been the members of the Brotherhood. And this arrogance was justified weekly, except two weeks in July, by: informed of the Patriarchate’s real estate holdings and perhaps no “because those two delegates were not members of the Baikar Association, Inc. insider has full knowledge of the Patriarchate’s wealth either. But Brotherhood.” 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 the world Armenian community has to extend a helping hand every Who will be elected locum tenens is anyone’s guess. Prominent Telephone: 617-924-4420 time a desperate appeal is issued by the Patriarchate. and experienced clergy have refused to put their candidacy for - FAX: 617-924-2887 The Jerusalem Patriarchate, with all its treasures and wealth, has ward, leaving the floor open to younger clergy who need to prove attracted the attention of many parties. Every time Israel and the their competence on the job. God forbid, if the wrong candidate www.mir rorspectator.com Palestinians engage in negotiations over the future of Jerusalem, musters the votes, as the very destiny of the Jerusalem Patriarchate E-Mail: editor@mirrorspectator .com the Armenian Patriarchate is on the table because it occupies such will be in jeopardy. For advertising: [email protected] a piece of historic real estate. In addition to the Israelis and the As the saying goes, war is too important a business to be left to Palestinians, Turkey is vitally interested in its fate, particularly in the generals; similarly, Jerusalem is too important a center to be left view of the archival materials pertaining to the Genocide. The to the 20-30 clergymen, some of whom have chosen the vocation Greek Patriarchate has proven to be a perennial thorn in the side by default. SUBSCRIPTION RATES : of their Armenian counterpart, pursuing an aggressive policy of As we see, the pitfalls and challenges are enormous. Only a wise trampling Armenian rights in holy places, sometimes generating conclave can measure the historic importance of the moment and farcical stories during Easter or Christmas. All these forces are vig - cast their votes for the best interests and the survival of the U.S.A. $80 a year ilantly focused on the election of the next Patriarch, to find out Patriarchate, over individual ambitions. Canada $125 a year

Other Countries $190 a year One Man’s Opinion Square. It is here, in the heart of New York Vartan, SOAR and the Tekeyan Cultural © 2011 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator City, that the Knights of Vartan, accompa - Association. Consideration could also be given Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA nied by a panoply of Armenian institutions to the Inter-Communal Committee and PAND, and additional mailing offices. and organizations, will sponsor an event that as well as any others that may have been inad - has inspired an audience of thousands, cap - vertently omitted. By George S. Yacoubian Sr. ISSN 0004-234X tured national and international attention. The common denominator for all those that POSTMASTER : Send address changes to The Both the Eastern Diocese and the Eastern participate would be an assessment (perhaps Armenian Mirror-Spectator, P.O. Box 302, Perhaps 30 months remain before our unre - Prelacy will likely close their contiguous with consideration given to our youth groups) Watertown, MA 02471-0302 quited mission to appropriately commemorate churches while instructing their faithful to to create a general fund, with the sum to be Other than the editorial, views and opinions the 100th anniversary of the Armenian support this cosmic event and all that follows. determined at the founding meeting by all those expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily Genocide is launched. In 2015, Armenian Saturday, April 25, 2015, provides a unique who wish to participate. Perhaps a goal of eflect the policies of the publisher. Martyrs’ Day will fall on a Friday, providing the opportunity to demand official recognition $50,000 could be set. While this sum might Armenian Community of Greater Delaware from our government and redress of our griev - appear optimistic to some, and pessimistic to Valley (as well as elsewhere) a full weekend to ances, whether it be through restoration, resti - others, contributions from the conscientious as pay homage to our hallowed martyrs. It is rea - tution or reparations. well those incurred if PAND agrees to allocates sonable to assume that our five churches — in One suggestion is the formation of an ad- its proceeds from 2013 to 2014 (a gesture that concert with the Philadelphia Inter-Communal hoc committee comprised of no less than 16 might well impact their New Year’ Eve atten - Committee — will schedule an April 24, 2015, organizations under one umbrella in order to dance), would help ensure that whatever end Copying for other than personal use or ecumenical liturgy, not withstanding whatever commemorate Armenian Martyr’s Day in a goal is agreed upon is successfully reached. internal reference is prohibited without manner that will not only compliment, but What must be emphasized is that only an express permission of the copyright occurs in New York city. Hopefully this liturgy owner. Address requests for reprints or will take place at a familiar facility large enough bridge the Friday and Sunday events. Invitees effective, well-orchestrated and adequately back issues to: to accommodate the anticipated audience, and could include the ACYOA, ADL (ARCA), financed outreach campaign will validate a Baikar Association, Inc. be followed by a program reflecting both the AGBU, AGBU YP’s, AMAA, the ARF (ANC), centennial commemoration memorializing all Armenian Genocide Walk Committee, ARS those that perished. 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 solemnity of the occasion and the renaissance of the Armenian ethnos. North, ARS West, Armenian Sisters’ Academy, (George Yacoubian is a resident of Sunday, April 26 will focus on Times AYF; Hamazkayin, Homenetmen, Knights of Philadelphia.) S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 20, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 COMMENTARY

he indicated that there was a similar relationship between decide. Self-determination for the people in Nagorno- Armenia and Iran, panelist Harut Sassounian challenged Karabagh is the critical issue. I have no doubt that they the accuracy of that statement. Berman withdrew his state - want independence and that’s where I’d like to see the ment, acknowledging that he was not aware of such “ongo - process headed, but we are in a negotiation process that ing relationship between Iran and Armenia.” the government of Armenia and the government of My Turn Sherman objected to the US sale of weapons to Azerbaijan have agreed to.” Azerbaijan: “We should not be providing any military aid to Sherman retorted: “I agree with Howard [Berman]. It’s By Harut Sassounian Azerbaijan, period, and based on what happened in for the people of Artsakh to decide whether they’re an Hungary and based on how this murderer was treated independent country. They’ve decided! They are — and its when he returned to Baku, we should not be conducting time for Howard to acknowledge that Nagorno-Karabagh is Rival Congressmen Agree on NATO exercises knowing that perhaps the next soldier, who an independent republic.” Artsakh’s Independence And Aid is hit with an axe in the head and killed, might very well be Regarding Hungary’s extradition of the Azeri axe mur - an American soldier.” derer to Azerbaijan, Sherman was certain that this action To Syrian Armenians Berman later stated, “We want to make sure that would “affect our military relationship with Hungary…. Armenia is secure and that the people of Nagorno- Several days ago, I sent a letter to the Secretary of State In this third and final article on the debate organized by Karabagh get to determine their own future. … Azerbaijan, and Secretary of Defense saying that Azerbaijan should cer - the Armenian National Committee of America, Western with its resources, ends up getting stuff they don’t finan - tainly be suspended from this kind of military coopera - Region, Congressmen Howard Berman and Brad Sherman cially need, for security threats they don’t really have, tion.” answered questions from panelists Harut Sassounian and because of their economic clout.” Berman added that, “every single NATO country, and Ara Khachatourian on the safety of Syrian Armenians, the When asked why most of the aid allocated by Congress that includes Hungary, has now an obligation to suspend Safarov scandal, the independence of Nagorno Karabagh for Artsakh was being withheld by the State Department, Azerbaijan from participation in partnership for peace (Artsakh) and Israel’s arms sales to Azerbaijan. Sherman stated: “I’ve requested language to be included in activities until this wrong is righted.” Sherman acknowledged that some of the opposition ele - the foreign operations appropriations bill to require USAID In his closing statement, Berman promised to continue ments in Syria “are extremely hostile to Christians in to actually spend money on humanitarian development for fighting “for the US recognition of the Genocide as we Syria.” He warned that there would be “consequences for the people of Artsakh, for the people in the Republic of approach the 100th anniversary. It’s not just my commit - not treating with respect the human rights of the Christian Nagorno-Karabagh, and I’m pleased to report that the com - ment as a congressman, but as a Jew whose own people suf - minority.” mittee has included that language in its report.” fered its own genocide. Because the world ignored yours, I When asked what specifically Congress could do to assist Questioned on the need to recognize Artsakh’s indepen - will continue to fight for the rights of the Armenian Syrian Armenians, Berman stated, “There are direct USAID dence, Sherman said, “I think Nagorno-Karabagh is an Church and Armenian people who live in Turkey…. I’ll fight relationships, and there are more covert kinds of ways to independent state, period. It’s time to put an embassy in for the right of self-determination and well-being of the peo - ensure that the Christian communities in Syria are being Stepanakert. Nagorno-Karabagh is a state because that’s ple of Artsakh which was part of the ancient kingdom of sustained and are being helped.” what its people have clearly indicated they want.” Armenia.” Berman expressed his concern about Israel’s sale to Berman, on the other hand, was a little more cautious, Sherman concluded the debate by pledging: “I’m with Azerbaijan of more than one billion dollars of sophisticat - saying, “The people of Los Angeles don’t get to decide for you seven days a week, and with your help, I’ll be there ed weapons which could be used against Armenia. When Nagorno-Karabagh, the people of Nagorno-Karabagh get to with you seven days a week for another 20 years!” The case for Vartan Oskanian: An open letter

n recent months, as the campaign moved to Los Angeles with his family, Yet, to Vartan, the challenge was precisely dynamic, prosperous, and genuinely plural - of persecution against the head Vartan and a group of like-minded friends, the point, as the one thing which mattered istic republic. Furthermore, the Civilitas of the Civilitas Foundation, for - including myself, founded the Armenian to him was that he knew he could — and Foundation has become a source of inspi - mer foreign minister of Armenia, International Magazine (AIM). Envisioned must — be of help to the homeland, in ration and hope for thousands upon thou - and member of Parliament Vartan as the Time magazine of the Armenian whatever capacity. sands of Armenian citizens, youths in par - Oskanian persisted with all its media, AIM soon became a household After moving to Yerevan with his family, ticular, who take their cues from the foun - I viciousness and absurdity, my name, offering in-depth reporting and Vartan began to work for the Foreign dation to advocate civic discourse, wide- reaction to the unfolding political analyses of current affairs, with a special Ministry and within a short few years was ranging democratic reforms, and grass - farce has alternated between disbelief, out - focus on two historic developments: entrusted with the ministry’s top position. roots economic empowerment. rage and sadness. Artsakh’s war of liberation and the inde - As foreign minister, Vartan Oskanian car - So why is Vartan Oskanian, one of On a personal level, one feels pain for a pendence of ried out a pro - Armenia’s most forward-thinking and cer - dear friend targeted by a political appara - Armenia. gressive man - tainly most reform-minded public figures, tus intolerant of any form of dissent, let By 1992, date which com - now being made the target of a veritable alone criticism expressed by a former when AIM prised Armenia’s crusade by the country’s oligarchic pow - administration member. In a larger sense, already was accelerated polit - ers-that-be? The answer, of course, is pro - one feels pain for Armenia itself, in view of regarded as one ical and econom - vided by the question. the Armenian government’s seeming of the world’s ic integration I believe that today every voice of dissent inability to prove itself worthy of its own most respected into the world in Armenia, every single action which pro - principles of democracy, justice and fair - Armenian news community, bet - motes free speech, better democratic insti - ness. publications, ter relations tutions, and economic empowerment of I have known Vartan Oskanian since Vartan both with neighbor - the masses, is as precious and irreplaceable 1973. We met that year as students at the served as its edi - ing states and as the most priceless national resource Yerevan Polytechnic Institute. The friend - tor-in-chief and international imaginable. There is no future for Armenia ship that almost instantly developed continued his powers and the without these voices — unless we all resign between us was more akin to the bond of studies, at the pursuit of an ourselves to an Armenia forging ahead as a brotherhood, particularly given our com - Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, equitable peace process. pluralistic state in name only. monalities. from which he earned a graduate degree. Vartan’s public service following his By writing this open letter, my hope is Both Vartan and I were sons of the dias - It was at this juncture that Vartan tenure as foreign minister has been and that people everywhere will join me in pora, raised with an impassioned vision of resolved to put his abilities directly at the continues to be as significant and far- protesting against the false accusations service to community and homeland. More service of our fledgling independent repub - reaching. The Civilitas Foundation, which leveled against Vartan Oskanian. With our than a matter of mere idealism, that vision lic. His life in Los Angeles and his job at he established in 2008, is much more than united stance, we must remind the govern - was rooted in a certain existential credo. AIM , had all the makings of a comfortable, a conventional think tank. It offers innova - ment of Armenia that the victim here is not The values we were instilled with propelled prosperous future, while the idea of public tive yet common-sense programs designed just Vartan Oskanian per se, but democra - us to get a good education, work hard, but service in an Armenia gripped by severe to foster democracy, development, and cy itself, and that the world is watching. also, ultimately, help contribute to the economic hardship and political uncertain - regional peace, with an overarching –Vartan Karaoghlanian vitality of Armenian culture, engage in ty could scarcely be considered appealing. emphasis on helping Armenia become a Burbank, Calif. processes which would lead to a better future for the Armenian nation. Despite the fact that he came from a well-to-do family, which meant he had the option of studying in Europe or elsewhere, Notice to Contributors Vartan sought to obtain his university edu - The welcomes articles, commentaries daytime telephone number. cation in Yerevan. That’s because he want - Armenian Mirror-Spectator and community news from our readers. In order to assure the accurate — Deadline for submission of all articles and advertising is noon on the ed to experience the full complement of and timely publication of articles submitted, please note the following Monday of the week of publication. the Armenian heritage up-close, at the cul - policies: — Photos will be published without charge at the discretion of the edi - tural heart of the worldwide Armenian — All articles submitted should be typed, double (or triple) spaced and tors and art director. Photos will be returned only if a self-addressed community, where Armenian was spoken printed in a type size large enough to be clearly legible (10 point or and stamped envelope is included. everywhere you turned and theaters and larger). Submissions that do not conform to these specifications will be — The will publish only one article about an upcoming organiza - M-S concert halls were filled to the rafters week assigned lowest priority. tional event. For major special events, exceptions may be made only after week. Above all, Vartan, like so many — Articles sent by fax are acceptable, and e-mail submissions are by special arrangement with the editors. of us, yearned to dedicate himself to com - encouraged. — Telephone numbers, ticket prices and other details (at the discretion munity activism. — All submissions should include the name of a contact person and a of the editors) will not be included in press releases. His first opportunity in this regard came in the late 1980s, when, after having 16 S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 20, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Armenia: Diaspora Investors Ready to Move on?

investors. corruption of Armenia’s judicial system has State Revenue Committee. By Gayane Abrahamyan Reports vary about how large a stake diaspo - reached a point when it’s simply impossible to One advocacy group for Diaspora Armenians ra investment holds in Armenia’s Gross run a business there.” argued otherwise. The main stumbling block Domestic Product of $18.17 billion, the lowest Edmond Khudian, a real estate investor from for diaspora investors, claimed Chamber of YEREVAN (Eurasia.net) — Business investors in the South Caucasus; estimates range from Glendale, Calif., has similar complaints. Advocates Vice President Nikolai Baghdasarian, from Armenia’s far-flung diaspora, a key engine “60 to 70 percent” to as little as 10 percent. In 2010, Khudian filed a lawsuit against his a member of the Initiative Group for the for the South Caucasus country’s sluggish But, given the diaspora’s strong networks, two Armenian partners, Eduard Yesaian and Protection of Diaspora Armenian Investors’ economy, increasingly are expressing frustra - keeping those investors happy is key. “Profit, Vladislav Mangasarian, in Arin Capital, a con - Rights, occurs when individuals in the elite tion with what they describe as Armenia’s cor - while at the same time building the country of struction business, for allegedly embezzling abuse their ties to the state bureaucracy. rupt judicial system and state bureaucracy. The our dreams,” President Serge Sargisian urged funds from the company and forging his signa - “Documents are forged and through these government, for its part, asserts that it pro - Diaspora Armenians in London on July 31. ture on documents for the sale of apartments in ‘legal’ documents everything is seized and motes favorable conditions for diaspora In interviews with EurasiaNet.org, though, a 13-story building in downtown Yerevan that appropriated, and when the [diaspora] investor some diaspora investors claim that such appeals had already been sold to diaspora buyers. turns to the courts, fake bankruptcy is fail to materialize into reality. When the company declared bankruptcy, the declared,” claimed Baghdasarian. “Diaspora Armenian businesspersons are initial diaspora buyers were unable to reclaim International monitors long have chastised Rev. Papken Maksoudian, leaving Armenia to avoid total bankruptcy,” the $4 million they had paid for the flats. Armenia for a judiciary system that allegedly said Valerie Ashkhen Gortsunian, founder of In 2010, Khudian filed a criminal case against does the executive branch’s bidding and for Champion of Armenian coffee importer and popular retailer, Le Café de Arin Capital, but claims that the company’s widespread corruption among government Religious Traditions, Dies Paris, which employs 50 people in Yerevan. director, Yesaian, has not been called in for bureaucrats. The 2012 US Department of State As part of a divorce from her husband, questioning and that his own fingerprints have Human Rights Practices Report identified cor - MAKSOUDIAN, from page 1 Armenian jazz drummer Vazgen Assatrian, not been taken to test his accusation of forgery. ruption as “a serious problem.” From 1952 to 1974, he served as the pastor Gortsunian lost control over her company in “No action has been taken to investigate “Officials frequently engaged in corrupt prac - of Holy Trinity Armenian Church in Cambridge. 2007 when a Yerevan court awarded Assatrian those deals, because they have powerful spon - tices with impunity, and authorities took limit - He was the predeceased in death by his wife, half of the property rights in Le Café de Paris. sors in the top,” he said in reference to Yesaian, ed preventive measures,” the report found. Azadouhie (Kassabian) Maksoudian; son Hagop The decision was made despite a marriage con - whom he described as a friend of President Armenia’s courts, meanwhile, are expected “to Maksoudian; grandson Ralph Alexander tract, signed in France, which defined Serge Sargisian’s brother, Levon. find the accused guilty in almost every case.” Highgas and daughter-in-law Yeretzgin Agnes Gortsunian as the sole owner of the business, Levon Sargisian, a former member of parlia - But Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobian Maksoudian. she said. ment for the ruling Republican Party of is convinced that Armenia’s diaspora still He leaves his son, Very Rev. Krikor Faced with a “huge” 80-million-dram fine Armenia, has denied the acquaintance. believes in the government’s sincerity. “Those Maksoudian of Arlington and daughter Arpie (about $200,000) for unpaid taxes — a fine Contacted by EurasiaNet.org about Khudian’s cases will not affect the overall sentiment” of Maksoudian Highgas of Peabody; grandchildren Gortsunian said should be applied to the com - charge of deliberate negligence, the General diasporan investors toward Armenia,” she told Papken Maksoudian and his wife Jill; Toros pany itself rather than her personally — she said Prosecutor’s Office case investigator Tigran EurasiaNet.org. Maksoudian and his wife Emily Murphy; Arpie she eventually had to sell her remaining half- Harutiunian responded that “[i]t’s my business “The issue here is not about trust, but, rather, Beaman and her husband Ralph; and William stake in Le Café de Paris. when to call in someone for questioning.” [the] economic profitability” of individual Highgas III and his wife Elizabeth; great-grand - Reasons for why the court did not honor the “This case needs more time than the diaspo - investments, Hakobian stressed. children Armen, Vaughn and Maritza terms of Gortsunian’s alleged marriage con - ran thinks,” Harutiunian said, hanging up the Economy Minister Tigran Davtian agrees, and Makdsoudian, Isobel and Olivia Maksoudian, tract were not immediately available. phone. said that “serious investors” take into consider - Briana and Alexander Beaman and William Gortsunian charges that her ex-husband, a Similar scenarios have marked the invest - ation “weighty international ratings” that show Highgas IV and Ava Faith Highgas. prominent musician, used “bribes, acquain - ments of several other Diaspora Armenians, supposed improvements in Armenia’s business A Divine Liturgy will be celebrated and funer - tances, connections with the top” to secure the leading to the loss of sums ranging from a few climate, and “macroeconomic data” that shows al service will be held at St. James Armenian ruling. Assatrian declined to comment to hundred thousand dollars to a few million. 8 percent growth in the first five months of Church, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, on EurasiaNet.org about the case. Senior officials have been quick to absolve 2012, rather than individual cases” of bad Saturday, October 20 at 9 a.m. Relatives and Gortsunian, who moved back to France from the government from any blame for the failed investments. friends are invited to attend. Interment will fol - Yerevan this January, said that she “ended up investments. In general, the losses of diaspora “Naturally, we don’t want our compatriots to low at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Arlington. leaving Armenia empty-handed” after investing investors are “not massive, and the state isn’t at leave Armenia in disappointment, but not every - Expressions of sympathy may be made in his roughly $2 million into the company since 1995. fault, but rather some deceitful people and body can succeed in business,” said Davtian. memory to St. James Armenian Church. “If the president makes promises, offers Diaspora Armenians’ lack of knowledge about Next week’s issue of the Mirror-Spectator will assurances for us to come and invest, he has to Armenia’s legislation,” asserted Armen (Gayane Abrahamyan is a reporter for carry a more detailed appreciation. ensure fair competition as well,” she said. “The Alaverdian, deputy chairperson of Armenia’s ArmeniaNow.com in Yerevan.)

University of Southern California. Davis places Gould amongst 20th-century Canadian intel - The Meaning of He had an intense telephone friendship with Gould in the last lectuals who thought about communications and mass years of his life, when Page was working as a music critic in New media, from Harold Innis to Marshall McLuhan and York. “The Internet was made for Glenn Gould,” says Page, “and Northrop Frye. I am just sorry he never got to play with it.” People have sometimes quipped that Gould is Canada’s Elvis, Glenn Gould Instead, others will be doing some playing for him. Filmmaker the musical figure whose star burns even brighter after death, Atom Egoyan, for example, is contributing an outdoor installa - and Davis sees more than a joke in the comparison: “Elvis rep - TORONTO (Globe and Mail) — If Glenn Gould were alive now, tion that features a giant version of a child’s tin-can-and-string resented a huge swath of American culture. Gould represented he would be celebrating his 80th birthday, posting to his blog, device, because he is most interested in Gould’s experiments Canadian culture of the period — McLuhan, Frye — publicly releasing another podcast and figuring out how to license down - with sound. “I was surprised by his early decision accessible but brilliant. In the US, it was the loads of his recordings. Or maybe he would just be hunkered to go digital, to manipulate his recordings, to showman; here, it was modest brilliance.” down at the piano playing the work of a dead European com - make the studio his art form,” says Egoyan, who Of course, Gould was never modest about his poser when not hiding remembers, as a boy in Victoria, listening to talents — and not always right in his predictions. out at classic Toronto Gould’s CBC Radio broadcasts about music, cul - “He was wrong on a lot of things,” Page says By Kate Taylor diner Fran’s, eating ture and technology. of his old friend. “He used to say the concert rice pudding. Of course, Gould’s career predated digital would die out by the year 2000 and the record The multifaceted recording, and Egoyan knows that the musician’s company would rule.” Gould is a kind of Rorschach test for Canadians. Would you like painstaking splicing of his own recordings in the Today, as performers who have lost recording to see him as a digital prophet, the forward-looking recording studio was done using analog technology. The income to downloading rely on concerts to artist and broadcaster who called for a democracy that would slip of the tongue is telling, for many of the par - make a living, it’s fair to express some skepti - elevate the audience to the level of the performer and who pre - ticipants perceive Gould, who died in 1982, as dig - cism about an unbridled enthusiasm for Gould’s dicted our mash-up culture? Or perhaps you prefer the child of ital in spirit if not in fact, a wholly contemporary technological vision. If Gould the visionary pre - WASP Toronto, the control freak who obsessed over the quali - artist. dicted a more democratic musical future, what ty of his recordings, partisan of Bach and Schoenberg. They point out that the classical pianist’s inter - would Gould the control freak have made of “You have to get beyond the cliché he was just a rebel,” says est in the work of pop singer Petula Clark fore - Glenn Gould admirers sampling his recordings to create con - Canadian pianist and music producer Chilly Gonzales. “There saw the current blurring of the line between high temporary pop tunes (as one young radio DJ is were moments he played into the caricature and there were a art and pop culture. They note he argued that doing for the UT event) or downloading music lot of moments when he was extremely conservative.” recorded music was not a snapshot of a performance but rather for free? Gonzales was one of many participants at a University of a separate art form that would eventually be recognized as such, “My guess is that he was a good enough businessman, you Toronto (UT) gathering last month to mark the 80th anniver - just as film had been recognized as separate from theatre. And would have probably paid for his downloads,” Page says. “He sary of Gould’s birth. It is the forward-looking Gould who is most of all, they celebrate how Gould, extrapolating from the would have figured out something. He had an interesting and mainly on display at the event — titled “Dreamers, Renegades, way the home hi-fi listener could fiddle about with the volume, unconventional brain.” Visionaries: the Glenn Gould Variations” — which is infused with treble and bass, predicted a more democratic, more interactive The paradox of Gould was that behind the musical brilliance the belief that Gould not only predicted but would also heartily relationship between the recording artist and the audience. and technological precision was always the fragile human ele - endorse our interactive culture of downloading, sampling and “He could talk about things that seemed like sci-fi at the time ment, the lonely man who spent hours on the phone with a few remixing. but turned out to be the remix culture,” says jazz composer and close friends who describe him as generous and funny. He is not “Glenn now could spend the morning working on a piece, pianist Ron Davis, co-artistic director of the UT event. easy to box in. “He offers so many ideas to take off from. He’s record it in the afternoon, and send it out to his admirers in the Specifically, Gould advanced the notion that recording artists this protean figure,” Egoyan says. evening. I think he would probably have been a blogger and he would one day offer listeners the building blocks to create their In those meticulous recordings, above Gould’s analytical would definitely have gotten rid of the record company,” sug - own musical experience rather than presenting them with fin - piano music, you can sometimes hear the lyrical sound of a man gests Tim Page, a professor of music and journalism at the ished recordings. humming as he plays.