MARCH 16, 2019 Mirror-SpeTHE ARMENIAN ctator Volume LXXXIX, NO. 34, Issue 4578 $ 2.00 NEWS The First English Language in the United States Since 1932 INBRIEF Putin, Pashinyan Appeals Court in Rejects Spokespersons Meet in Sergio Nahabedian’s Suit against ADL (Armenpress) — Armenian Prime Minister ’s spokesperson Vladimir (Azg) — On February 20, the Court of Republic of Armenia, be changed. Karapetyan in Moscow on a working visit, met with Appeals of the Republic of Armenia rejected an The same individual in February 2018 had applied President Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry appeal by Sergio Nahabedian of Argentina against to a court of general jurisdiction of the city of Peskov, according to the embassy. Armenia’s the Democratic Liberal Party (ADL) of Armenia. Yerevan, which by its decision of December 13, 2018 Ambassador to Russia Vardan Toghanyan also took Nahabedian, representing himself as the completely rejected the plaintiff’s case. The rejection part in the meeting. “Chairman of the Democratic Liberal Party,” had of the plaintiff by the Appeals Court confirms explicit- During the meeting various issues regarding submitted a protest to the court demanding that the ly that the claims of the plaintiff and his “executive” to be cooperation between the press services of the two name, coat of arms and seal of the Democratic Liberal legal heirs of the ADL founded in in 1921 are sides were discussed. Particularly, the sides Party, which are recorded in the bylaws of the party and baseless attempts to change the bylaws of the party which addressed the partnership between the press ser- ratified by the appropriate governmental body of the have been legally registered in Armenia. vices of the Armenian PM’s office, the Kremlin and the Russian government, and the coverage of events taking place within the framework of the Armenian-Russian relations. Karapetyan and Peskov agreed to hold regular ’s Armenian Church Leader consultative meetings that will contribute to exchange of experience and strengthening of ties in the news sectors. On the same day, Karapetyan also Patriarch Mutafyan Dies met with editors of leading Russian news media. New US Ambassador (Armenpress, AP) — gy in Memphis, Tenn. Meets with Government Patriarch Mesrob II, the leader of the On May 13, 1979, he was ordained to Armenian Apostolic Christians in Turkey, priesthood and was commissioned pastor Officials died on March 8. He was 62. of Kınalıada, one of the Prince Islands in Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency said the Sea of Marmara in Istanbul. Between YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Minister of Nature Mesrob Mutafyan, the 84th Armenian 1979 and 1981, he continued his theologi- Protection Erik Grigoryan on March 11 had a Patriarch of Constantinople, died Friday at cal studies in Jerusalem. meeting with new US Ambassador to Armenia Istanbul’s Armenian Surp Pirgic hospital On September 21, 1986, Mesrob Lynne Tracy. where he was being cared for. He had been Mutafyan was elevated to the rank of a The minister welcomed the delegation led by incapacitated since 2008 because of early Bishop in Echmiadzin, Armenia. From the ambassador and congratulated Tracy on onset of dementia. 1982 to 1990, he coordinated the ecumeni- assuming her diplomatic mission in Armenia. Mesrob was elected Patriarch in 1998, cal relationships of the Patriarchate. He Grigoryan introduced the ministry’s future replacing the late Karekin II. He withdrew attended the Pontifical University of St. visions on solving environmental issues and from his duties in 2008 and Archbishop Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome, expressed confidence that the bilateral coopera- Aram Atesyan was appointed as the acting Italy in 1988-1989. Archbishop Mesrob Mutafyan tion will further expand by involving new areas. patriarch for the Armenian community see MUTAFYAN, page 5 In her turn the US Ambassador thanked for which numbers an estimated 70,000. the reception and wishes. She reaffirmed her Mutafyan graduated from the country’s readiness to continue and expand the American High School in Kornwestheim partnership for solving environmental issues. near Stuttgart in Germany. From 1974 to She also met with Deputy Prime Minister 1979, he studied philosophy and sociolo- Mher Grigoryan, who congratulated Tracy on assuming the position of the ambassador. He noted that the Republic of Armenia attaches great importance to the future deepening and UK Armenian Council development of relations between Armenia and the US. Holds Reception for Thanking him for the reception, Tracy said, New Armenian “Mr. Grigoryan, I am confident that by today’s meeting with you, a series of straightforward, Ambassador Kirakossian open and effective dialogue that will allow Armenia and the United States to build stronger LONDON — A reception in honor of ties of partnership and cooperation is launched”. , the newly appointed During the meeting the sides exchanged views ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to on the opportunities of creating favorable invest- the Court of St. James, organized by the ment environment in Armenia and prospects for Armenian Community Council of the the development of the Armenian-US coopera- (ACC), took place on Marc Davie Baer (left) and Umit Kurt tion. March 7, at the Medical Society of London, Lettsom House. Over 100 dignitaries representing grass- roots organizations and the Armenian INSIDE Church attended the reception. In his open- Life After Babylon ing speech, Chairman of the ACC Arman Abrahamian welcomed the ambassador and introduced him to the community pledging HANNOVER, Germany — People of Jewish or Armenian heritage know that they support and cooperation. share a painful history, one that deprived them of statehood and forced them into Meet Miss see AMBASSADOR, page 20 life in the diaspora over centuries. In view of this shared, but differentiated experience, the European Center for Jewish Music (EZJM) and the German-Armenian Society (DAG) joined to organized a sympo- sium at the Cultural Center in Hannover, from February 24-27. Page 10 By Muriel Mirak-Weissbach Titled “We Will Live After Babylon: Special to the Mirror-Spectator Armenian and Jewish Historical Experience between Expulsion, Exile and Destruction,” the three-day conference INDEX presented a vast spectrum, highlighting the diversity as well as the similarities in Arts and Living ...... 12 their historical experience. Scholars from all over the world joined in panels to Armenia ...... 2,3 exchange views on diaspora and minority issues, the Genocide and Holocaust as a Community News...... 6 breach of civilization, their commemoration and reception, and the relationship Editorial ...... 18 Ambassador Arman Kirakossian with Dr. between the two communities today. International ...... 4,5 Hratch Kouyoumjian vice-chair of the Armenian Community Council of the UK see BABYLON, page 4 2 S ATURDAY, M ARCH 1 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia

President, Prime Minister, Send Letters of Condolence to Ethiopian Leader YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Armen Sarkissian sent a condolence message to Sahle-Work Zewde, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia on the occasion of the airplane crash at the airport of Addis Ababa. “I learned about the crash of the plane flying from Addis Ababa to Nairobi on March 10 with great sor- row. At this difficult moment I express my deepest condolences and sympathies and wish the families and friends of the victims strength and patience.” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also sent a letter of condolence. “I extend my deepest condolences and support to the families and relatives of all the victims, wishing patience, strength for overcoming this tragedy,” he said. The Boeing 737 en route from Ethiopia’s capital of Addis Ababa to Kenya’s Nairobi crashed on Sunday morning near Debre Zeit in central Ethiopia. The Armenia’s Ambassador to the Holy See Karen Nazaryan presents his credentials to Francis. plane lost contact six minutes after takeoff, the air- line said. There were 149 passengers and 8 crewmembers on board the plane. There are no survivors in the crash. Ambassador to Vatican Nazaryan Meets with Pope March 11 was declared a mourning day in VATICAN CITY (Armenpress) — proclaiming St. Gregory of Narek as states and addressed his wishes to the Ethiopia. Armenia’s Ambassador to the Holy See Doctor of the Church further strength- citizens of Armenia, Cathlicos of All Karen Nazaryan on March 9 presented ened the bridge of unity and faith and the country’s political his credentials to Pope Francis, the encouraging and supporting all leadership. Armenian Sapper Armenian Foreign Ministry reported. Armenians living in Armenia and On the same day, Nazaryan had a pri- During the meeting, Nazaryan on abroad. He expressed his willingness to vate meeting with Secretary of State of Wounded In Syria behalf of the citizens and new leader- make all efforts to ensure the constant the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro ship of Armenia, conveyed warm greet- expansion of inter-state ties in different Parolin during which they discussed the YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — One of the Armenian dem- ings to the Pope, stating that Armenia sectors. bilateral agenda and mutual partner- ining officers recently deployed to Syria has been always remembers his historic visit. He Pope Francis welcomed the Armenian ship, as well as touched upon the seriously wounded while clearing landmines near expressed his gratitude for the princi- authorities’ plan to further develop the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement Aleppo, officials reported on March 8. pled stance of Pope Francis regarding bilateral ties with the Holy See. He process and the regional developments. According to Armenia’s Center for Humanitarian the recognition of the Armenian wished the new ambassador a produc- Parolin conveyed his warm greetings Demining and Expertise (CHDE), the sapper (or Genocide. tive diplomatic mission to further to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol deminer) hit an improvised explosive device and was Nazaryan used the chance to say that strengthen the ties between the two Pashinyan. rushed to hospital on Thursday. “According to our information, his right foot was amputated,” Nazeli Elbakian, a spokeswoman for the center overseen by the Armenian Defense Ministry, said. “Doctors now describe his condition as stable. He Mediators Say ‘Reducing Tensions’ Key will be transported to Armenia,” said Elbakian. She refused to identify the injured officer. The officer was among 83 Armenian army medics, Ahead of Armenian-Azerbaijani Summit sappers and other servicemen who were sent to Syria on February 8 in what the Armenian military YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — such efforts. At the same time, the Co- Final Act, including in particular the described as a humanitarian mission coordinated International mediators brokering a Chairs reiterate the critical impor- non-use or threat of force, territorial with Russia. peaceful solution to the protracted tance of reducing tensions and mini- integrity, and the equal rights and Russian troops stationed in Syria were tasked with Nagorno-Karabakh conflict have mizing inflammatory rhetoric. In this self-determination of peoples.” protecting the small Armenian contingent and pro- urged the leaders of Armenia and context, the Co-Chairs urge the sides “It also should embrace additional viding it with logistical assistance. to refrain from statements to refrain from statements and actions elements as proposed by the The United States, which has been highly critical and actions “suggesting significant suggesting significant changes to the Presidents of the Co-Chair countries of the Russian military presence in Syria, criticized changes to the situation on the situation on the ground, prejudging in 2009-2012, including: return of the the Armenian deployment on February 13. ground” ahead of their summit talks the outcome of or setting conditions territories surrounding Nagorno- “We do not support any engagement with Syrian expected soon. for future talks, demanding unilateral Karabakh to Azerbaijani control; an military forces, whether that engagement is to pro- In a statement published on the changes to the format without agree- interim status for Nagorno-Karabakh vide assistance to civilians or is military in nature,” Organization for Security and ment of the other party, or indicating providing guarantees for security and the U.S. State Department said in a statement. “Nor Cooperation in ’s (OSCE) offi- readiness to renew active hostilities,” self-governance; a corridor linking do we support any cooperation between Armenia and cial website on March 10, co-chairs of the mediating troika said. Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh; future Russia for this mission.” the Minsk Group Igor Popov, of Pashinyan and Aliyev traded accu- determination of the final legal status Armenian officials downplayed the criticism, say- Russia, Stephane Visconti, of France, sations in their public statements ear- of Nagorno-Karabakh through a legal- ing that U.S.-Armenian relations will not deteriorate and Andrew Schofer, of the United lier this month just days after the ly binding expression of will; the right because of it. States, welcomed the commitment of U.S., Russian and French mediators of all internally displaced persons and In a February 8, the Defense Ministry in Yerevan Armenian Prime Minister Nikol co-chairing the OSCE Minsk Group refugees to return to their former cited “the severe humanitarian situation” in Aleppo Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President announced that the two leaders had places of residence; and international and “written requests from the Syrian side.” It also Ilham Aliyev to meet soon under the agreed to meet soon for further talks. security guarantees that would pointed to the existence of an Armenian community auspices of the co-chairs. Speaking in parliament on March 6, include a peacekeeping operation.” in Syria. The three said that working closely the Armenian prime minister dis- In their statement the Co-Chairs fur- with the two countries’ foreign minis- missed ’s offers to grant ther stressed their view that “these ters, they “have been making prepara- Karabakh a high degree of autonomy, principles and elements must be the tions for this important leaders’ meet- insisting that “the people of Nagorno- foundation of any fair and lasting set- Artsakh Soldier Killed ing,” which will be the first direct con- Karabakh have a right to self-determi- tlement to the conflict and should be By Fellow Officer tact between Pashinyan and Aliyev nation and must be able to exercise conceived as an integrated whole.” conducted under the Minsk Group that right.” The Azerbaijani leader “Any attempt to put some principles (news.am) — A soldier has been auspices. claimed, for his part, the day before or elements over others would make it arrested in Nagorno-Karabakh on suspicion of killing The co-chairs stressed the impor- that “Yerevan is not showing a serious impossible to achieve a balanced solu- a fellow soldier on March 12. tance of “maintaining an environment desire to conduct substantive negotia- tion,” the mediators said. Earlier, military officials in the Nagorno-Karabakh conducive to productive discussions tions and is trying to impede a “The co-chairs are prepared to meet had reported that the young conscript, Karen and continue to assess positively the Karabakh settlement by all means.” with the leaders and foreign ministers Karapetyan, had sustained a fatal gunshot wound at recent lack of casualties on the front Referring to “some contradictory of Armenia and Azerbaijan at any an outpost in the northeastern direction of the line lines.” recent public statements on the sub- time, and call on the leaders to of contact with Azerbaijan. “The Co-Chairs also welcome some stance of the Minsk Group process,” resume negotiations in good faith at initial steps being taken in the region the Co-Chairs reiterated that “a fair the earliest opportunity,” Popov, to prepare the populations for peace and lasting settlement must be based Visconti and Schofer emphasized in and encourage the sides to intensify on the core principles of the Helsinki their joint statement. S ATURDAY, M ARCH 1 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 ARMENIA Attack on Critical Blogger Investigated

YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Law-enforcement detained on the spot but set free a few hours dents actively participated in the revolution. port the group’s stated efforts to make the authorities on Monday, March 4, pledged to later. The Armenian police said afterwards that By contrast, Malyan has been very scathing (YSU) administration investigate an overnight attack on a video blog- they are “preparing materials” for an inquiry. about the dramatic regime change in the coun- more accountable to students. OSF therefore ger highly critical of Armenia’s government, The Office of the Prosecutor-General report- try. He regularly attacks Prime Minister Nikol cannot bear responsibility for, let alone order, which was reportedly carried out by a youth ed later on Monday that it has opened a formal Pashinyan and other government officials and any other actions taken by Restart, said group at loggerheads with him. criminal case in connection with the incident. It pours scorn on their supporters on his Minasyan. The blogger, Narek Malyan, was confronted said the investigation will be conducted under Facebook page. Restart has been campaigning for the dis- outside his home in downtown Yerevan by an article of the Criminal Code dealing with Incidentally, Pashinyan was quick to con- missal of YSU’s long-serving rector, Aram members of the group called Restart shortly “hooliganism.” demn the assault. “Any attempt to solve issues Simonyan, since last year’s “velvet revolution” after midnight. A YouTube video of the incident Malyan, who worked until last year as an in Armenia through violence must meet with a in Armenia in which its members actively par- showed the Restart leader, Davit Petrosyan, and adviser to former police chief Vladimir tough legal reaction,” he said in a statement. ticipated. By contrast, Malyan, has vocally several other men forcibly carrying Malyan Gasparyan, described the assault as a “kidnap- “In the New Armenia all those who follow the opposed Simonian’s sacking and accused the along an adjacent street before being stopped ping attempt” and blamed the Armenian logic of violence, deceit and spread of lies act rector’s foes of acting on Soros’s orders. by police officers. branch of US philanthropist George Soros’s against Armenia, against democracy and Minasian dismissed those allegations, insisting Petrosyan posted the video on his Facebook Open Society Foundations (OSF) for it. He said against the people.” that her organization is not involved in the gov- page, writing: “There are moments in life when that Restart is financed by the OSF. The latter The Armenian branch of US billionaire ernment-backed efforts to oust the YSU chief. you can’t choose between the good and the bad did not immediately react to the accusation. George Soros’s Open Society Foundations “Any suggestion that Open Society and just have to listen to your conscience.” Malyan linked the incident to his vocal efforts (OSF) on Tuesday condemned a violent attack Foundations-Armenia aims to weaken Yerevan In a statement, Restart said it wanted to to prevent the sacking of the long-serving rec- on an Armenian anti-government blogger while State University or undermine Rector Aram throw Malyan into a trash container. Petrosyan tor of Yerevan State University (YSU), Aram strongly denying responsibility for it. Simonian are ludicrous, offensive, and untrue,” likewise explained that he and his comrades Simonyn, which is sought by the government. OSF-Armenia also decried broader “false alle- read a separate statement issued by OSF- tried “put the garbage in its place” in response The former police official last week staged a gations” about its activities in the country Armenia. to what he called Malyan’s offensive and slan- lone protest at a meeting of YSU’s supervisory made by individuals and groups critical of the The statement also condemned the attack on derous statements about their activities. board that narrowly failed to fire Simonian. current Armenian government. Malyan, while saying that it resulted from “false Malyan, Petrosyan, and four other men were Restart has on the contrary been campaigning The OSF-Armenia director, Larisa Minasyan, allegations about our work and the work of our for the controversial rector’s ouster since last confirmed that Restart recently received a grantees.” “We condemn any personal attack of year’s “velvet revolution” in Armenia. The youth $20,000 grant from her organization. But she this kind as well as those who promote false- group comprising current and former YSU stu- insisted that the funding was only meant to sup- hoods in an attempt to divide us,” it said. Few Women In Armenian NATO Caucasus Special Rep. Visits Armenia YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Foreign Minister Armenia, the approaches and principled posi- of Armenia received on tion of the Armenian side in the peaceful set- Government March 11 James Appathurai, NATO Secretary tlement of the Karabakh conflict. General’s Special Representative for the At a press conference on March 11, Caucasus and Central Asia. Appathurai responded to several questions. YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Armenia’s new lead- Mnatsakanyan saluted the visit of the NATO When asked if NATO has taken a position on ership has had trouble recruiting women for official in the sidelines of the “NATO week” in Armenia sending a humanitarian delegation to high-ranking state posts, a senior lawmaker said Armenia. The two reaffirmed their commitment Syria, he reponded: “NATO has no official posi- on Friday, March 8, commenting on a continu- for cooperation in the sidelines of the Armenia- tion on this issue. We discussed that issue the ing lack of female presence in the government. NATO Individual Partnership Action Plan Foreign and Defense Ministers of Armenia. I lis- Armenian women have traditionally held few (IPAP). tened to their argumentation over the situation. ministerial or other senior positions in the exec- The two sides praised the approval of the We clearly understand the political and human- utive branch. This situation has hardly changed National Action Plan 2019-2021 for the imple- itarian incentives of Armenia to lend a helping since last year’s Velvet Revolution that brought mentation of the provisions of the UN Security hand to that community.” younger and more progressive individuals to Council resolution 1325 “Women, Peace and A group consisting of humanitarian de-min- power. Security” by the . ers, doctors and specialists ensuring their safe- Only one member of Prime Minister Nikol Appathurai welcomed Armenia’s active par- ty, a total of 83 people, departed from Armenia Pashinyan’s current cabinet, Labor and Social ticipation and contribution to the establish- for Syria’s Aleppo on February 8 aimed at pro- Affairs Minister , is a woman. ment of international peace, noting that such viding professional humanitarian support to the Pashinyan’s first cabinet formed in May 2018 actions contribute to the enhancement of locals. had two female ministers. One of them, Lilit James Appathurai, NATO Secretary General’s Armenia’s reputation as an important partici- Later President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian Special Representative for the Caucasus and Makunts, now leads the parliamentary group of pant of international security. received Appathurai, who again stressed that the ruling My Step alliance. Central Asia, left, with Foreign Minister of At the request of Appathurai, Mnatsakanyan Armenia is a firm and reliable partner of the Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan Speaking on International Women’s Day, a presented the foreign policy priorities of NATO. public holiday in Armenia, Makunts insisted that the new authorities have tried hard to appoint more women to run ministries but have so far been thwarted by conservative public atti- tudes. 111 From Around the World Become “Nothing works out artificially,” she told reporters. “If you force a person to do things she doesn’t want to do, the quality of that work will suffer and we won’t get want we want to see Aurora Goodwill Ambassadors in the social sense.” “There are many [female] professionals. It’s YEREVAN — The Aurora Forum announced Ambassadors is crucial in making the Aurora Technology (FAST). “We truly believe the exper- just that social and political pressure [on them] this week that 111 person from political, acad- Forum a platform to inspire the next generation tise and professional achievements of the is extremely strong,” said Makunts, who served emic, entertainment, and business sectors to take the leap toward achieving meaningful, Goodwill Ambassadors will help make the as culture minister until January. Many women around the world have joined the Aurora sometimes disruptive, change.” Forum a success and position Armenia as a hub refuse to take up senior positions at the urging Forum as Goodwill Ambassadors. The 2019 Aurora Forum coincides with a spe- for scientific, technological and socio-economic of their husbands and other relatives, she Aurora Forum Co-Founders Noubar cial moment in Armenia’s history. Last year’s development in the region. Aurora Forum will explained. Afeyan, Vartan Gregorian, and Ruben non-violent transition of political power put serve as the epicenter of creativeness and inno- “Especially in the regions, it’s quite hard to Vardanyan welcome the Goodwill Armenia in a global spotlight by demonstrating vation assembling some of the greatest find women familiar with local problems for Ambassadors as luminaries of Aurora’s vision how a nation with an educated workforce and thought-leaders and luminaries in science and leadership positions,” said Tsovinar Vartanian, to promote innovative and effective approach- commitment to peaceful means can push for a technology from all over the globe.” another female parliamentarian representing es to advancing positive social change in national change. Armenia’s “Velvet The list includes writer Peter Balakian, phil- My Step. Armenia and beyond. Revolution,” combined with its location at the anthropist Nicholas Aznavour and chess grand- Women make up almost one-quarter of The inaugural Aurora Forum to be held in crossroads between East and West and its rich master Levon Aronian. Armenia’s 132-member parliament elected in Armenia, October 14-21, will bring together cultural heritage led to The Economist’s desig- The Goodwill Ambassadors were announced December, a record-high percentage in the thought-leaders and change-makers from nation of Armenia—one of the world’s smallest on March 10, marking the fourth anniversary of country’s post-Soviet history. Twenty-three of Armenia and across the world to facilitate dis- countries in landmass and population—as the the founding of the Aurora Humanitarian the 32 female deputies are affiliated with cussions, share knowledge, and experience edu- Country of the Year in 2018. The Aurora Initiative - the founder of the Aurora Forum Pashinyan’s bloc. One of them, the 25-year-old cational and cultural activities in the sectors Forum will harness this momentum to high- along with IDeA Foundation, FAST, Scholae Sona Ghazarian, is the youngest member of the spanning from health to technology to educa- light the possibilities of social change and the Mundi Global Educational Platform, UWC National Assembly. tion to arts to ecology to humanitarianism. The solutions that can be developed by combining Dilijan International College, and Ameriabank. Makunts, 35, said that attracting more Aurora Forum is made possible with the coop- national and international efforts and resources The October 2019 Aurora Forum’s events in women to politics in the socially conservative eration of various organizations in Armenia and to advance humanity. Armenia will consist of various activities pre- country has proved just as difficult. globally. “There is no greater time to convene and cel- sented by each of these organizations. Makunts made clear that the authorities will “We are proud to have established a network ebrate the disruptors, the thinkers and the To see the full list visit https://auro- continue to seek greater female presence in the of people who have made real impact on the innovators in Armenia and across the world,” raprize.com/en/aurora/detail/14024/111- higher echelons of political and administrative world in their particular field,” said Vartan said Armen Orujyan, the CEO of the prominent-individuals-from-around-the-world- power. Gregorian. “The role of the Goodwill Foundation for Armenian Science and became-aurora-forum-goodwill-ambassadors- 4 S ATURDAY, M ARCH 1 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR INTERNATIONAL International News Life After Babylon Joint Meeting Held

Between Armenian, BABYLON, from page 1 minority in Southeastern Turkey. He times, on various levels, return.” In a Artskh Leaders argued that local memory, in the workshop, Cohen would later present Between Annihlation, absence of recognition on a state level, the basic genres of songs sung in STEPANAKERT (Mediamax) — “Artsakh is ready Dispersion and Revival may favor the emergence of “mnemonic Moroccan and former Ottoman lands. to continue its constructive contribution to estab- Following welcoming remarks on cells of resistance,” against denialist Jewish musicians in the diaspora lishment of lasting and durable peace in the region,” behalf of the sponsoring organizations state narratives. faced the question of how to deal with President of Artsakh said on Monday by Prof. Sarah Ross (EZJM) and Dr. traditional Jewish songs, as a way of at the joint session of the National Security Councils Raffi Kantian (DAG), historian Dan Learning from the Language of seeking and confirming identity, as of Armenia and Artsakh in Stepanakert. Diner from the Hebrew University in Music musicologist Heidy Zimmerman demon- “This is the first time we discuss the most impor- Jerusalem delivered the keynote on One most intriguing facet of the pro- strated in a talk on three compositions, tant, primary matters for our two republics, our Imperial Remnants: Minority, Nation- ceedings related to the role of music. all based on Fritz Mordechai homeland. We have highlighted the importance of a State and Genocide, which laid out the Philip V. Bohlman, from the University Kaufmann’s small collection, “The Most national agenda and I am absolutely certain that our conceptual parameters for the proceed- of Chicago and the Hannover College Beautiful Songs of the Eastern Jews” joint session will facilitate creation of that agenda. ings. for Music, Drama and Media, turned to (Die schönsten Lieder der Ostjuden). The priorities listed in that agenda are unchanged. I The diaspora was at the center of the music in an effort to grasp the reasons In the music of Armenian survivors, believe we all agree that the international recogni- symposium, and to present the why Jewish and Armenian histories songs have served as means of dealing tion of the has always been and Armenian experience, renowned histori- have unfolded as parallel courses. To with the theme of loss of the homeland will remain the priority,” said Sahakyan. an Richard Hovannisian from UCLA understand what he calls the “architec- and exile. Elke Hartmann from the Free The attendees reiterated that ensuring security had been invited. In his broad overview, ture of expulsion, the geography of exile University in Berlin, explored the long and status of Artsakh is the exclusive priority for he presented the consequences of the and the flight from destruction,” he lis- tradition of the Armenian song poet, both Armenian states. They also attached impor- and its effects on tened very closely to the two musical stretching back to the 12th century, and tance to formation of the atmosphere of peace, intro- life in the diaspora, on the one hand, traditions together, examining five his- the unique symbolic language therein duction of risk reduction and incident prevention and the impact on those who lived in torical moments cohabited by the two developed. After the 1915 genocide, mechanisms and confidence-building measures, as it Soviet Armenia, on the other. Following cultures. He began with biblical texts, many songs were updated, while others was agreed at the summit of Dushanbe and prior to irreparable destruction of the Armenian the confluence of Jewish and Christian were detached from their original con- it during those in Vienna and St. Petersburg. way of life in most of their former terri- metaphor, then moved to the music of texts and reinterpreted; today they are tories, the Armenians in the diaspora the diaspora and into the modern era, understood as allegories of the genocide sought to maintain their collective iden- before reaching the post-modern experience. Hartmann traced this tradi- Iran and Russia Discuss tities in the community, and nurtured moment in the current century. tion through the lens of the experience Connecting Power Grids hopes of returning to the homeland one A researcher from the same universi- of violence, loss and longing for a home, day. They did gradually heal economi- ty, Miranda Crowdus spoke on the role analyzing songs of survivors, in tradi- Across South Caucasus cally and socially, despite the toll taken of collective memory in recent popular tional songs, in wartime songs and in by assimilation. With the collapse of the music genres in Israel, drawing on her the music that developed in the new YEREVAN (Arka) — Iranian Energy Minister Reza , the perspective emerged original research. She focused on pieces colonies of the diaspora. Ardakanian discussed with his Russian counterpart for an independent Armenian state in dealing with the Jewish experience, with In 2015 to mark the centenary of the Alexander Novak by telephone the prospect of con- 1991, which offered the opportunity for particular stress on the role of collective genocide, it was music that played the necting the two countries’ power grids through the an exceptional national revival, if the memory in the construction of group leading role. It served as an “invitation territory of Azerbaijan, Georgia or Armenia, Russian opportunity was properly utilized and identity and cohesion. Taking examples to mourn with,” as Sylvia Angelique news agency TASS reported on Tuesday, March 12, developed. from contemporary Jewish popular Alajaji, from Franklin & Marshall referring to the official website of the Ministry of How the trauma of genocide affected music, she showed how performers College, put it. She examined the con- Energy of Iran. the identity of survivors was the subject draw on and illustrate simultaneous certs organized throughout 2015 as The ministers agreed also to hold a three-day meet- of a paper by Harutyun Marutyan. states of dispossession and collective meditations, acts of remembrance that ing of the bilateral intergovernmental commission in Traumatized survivors often saw them- memory. She applied her term “con- served to evoke and construct past trau- Tehran and Isfahan, which is scheduled for June 16. selves as victims, “slaughtered sheep,” verging dispossessions” to describe the mas. These concerts, which included The parties also decided to organize a conference on an identity which intellectuals sought to temporary unification brought about in pieces by Western European composers the economic and trade cooperation between Iran overcome. This led to the Knesset’s the process of music-making by the evo- alongside those by Armenians, engaged and the North Caucasus on May 15 in the Iranian changing the memorial day into a date cation of collective memories and col- in musical discourses that broadened capital. that honors heroes as well; in the lective experiences of trauma. forms of cultural exchange, and posed In February, the Russian ambassador to Iran, Armenian case, the reference is still to Musicologist Dorit Klebe examined the question not only of how to com- Levan Jagaryan said the US sanctions would not genocide victims. Yet, the speaker the influences of Armenian musical ele- memorate the genocide but who is affect the cooperation between Russia and Iran in noted, it was the memory of the geno- ments on Ottoman-Turkish urban and being invited to join in the mourning; the energy sector and the implementation of the cide that instigated the struggle for courtly songs. The subject of her specif- and, what it means to be an Armenian. signed contracts. democratic progress during the 1988- ic investigation was a series of early First of all, it concerns the construction of four 1990 revolution and led to the creation sound documents in the Aleppo Life in a Minority power units of the Sirik thermal power plant by the of the Third Republic. province. These wax cylinder recordings Two papers addressed the issue of Russian side in the Iranian province of Hormozgan. And through the recent Velvet contain songs sung by a 12-year-old what it is like to live as a member of a According to him, Moscow is satisfied with the Revolution, the process of reshaping Armenian boy in Turkish and were minority and how it affects one’s sense dynamics of development of energy cooperation the culture of remembrance has pro- made in Aleppo, which was character- of identity. Laurence Ritter, a sociolo- between the countries. gressed further. This was the subject ized by a diversity of ethnic and reli- gist from Paris, presented results of her of research presented by Öndercan gious minorities, among them field study conducted between 2007 Baku Starts Military Muti from the Humboldt University of Armenian and Greek Christians, and and 2010 on converted Armenians liv- Berlin. In a series of interviews with Oriental and Sephardic Jews. Thus ing in Turkey. Armenian scholar Arpine Exercise Ahead of young Armenians (aged 19-35) in these recordings, and others she inves- Maniero (Armenian State Pedagogical Turkey, Armenia, , Germany tigated, provide material to analyze the Institute and Academy of Sciences of Planned Talks and France in 2015, the research team different cultural components of the Armenia) looked into the experiences of asked how family memory had been music, as to repertoire and composi- Armenian and Jewish students attend- BAKU(RFE/RL) — Azerbaijan has launched large- transmitted and how the genocide tional method. Klebe demonstrated ing German universities at the begin- scale military maneuvers ahead of an expected first affected their daily lives and political some aspects of the multi-ethnic cultur- ning of the last century. meeting between President Ilham Aliyev and new attitudes, including the way in which al environment and possible influences Ritter’s field study dealt with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. they commemorated the genocide. of specific elements of Armenian music, Armenian Genocide survivors and their Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry said on March 11 that Muti reflected on the process through the “tetrachord system” as well as per- descendants who had been forced to up to 10,000 troops, 500 tanks, 300 missile systems, which the Velvet Revolution of 2018 formance parameters such as vocal style convert to Islam. She and her col- aircraft, and other military equipment will take part in has changed the political order and and intonation. leagues found that the experience of the five-day exercises. cultural and social norms. This has As Judith Cohen, a Canadian ethno- Hrant Dink and Fetiye Çetin served as Armenia’s Foreign Ministry said the drills “do not been reflected in the mode of com- musicologist, pointed out, exile takes catalysts for such “hidden” Armenians contribute to the creation of an environment conducive memoration and the critique by many forms: it can involves entire com- to research and rediscover their family to peace.” young Armenians of an identity based munities, families and individuals, and histories. In her presentation she No date has been decided yet for the meeting on victimhood. can involve vast dimensions in time and explored the distinction between hidden between Pashinyan and Aliyev. Other aspects of the theme of identi- space. Whether associated with expul- and Islamized Armenians, in light of Internationally mediated negotiations helped forge a ty among survivors came to light in sion or not, it is always associated with case studies of families, and reported on cease-fire in the region, which is not always honored, talks by Daniel Gerson from the memory, and sometimes, with return. changes that have occurred over the but have failed to produce a lasting settlement of the University of Bern, and David Leupold Cohen illustrated this concept through past decade, without losing sight of the conflict. from the Humboldt University in Berlin. a presentation of Sephardic, specifically dangers inherent in the currently tense James Appathurai, the NATO secretary-general’s spe- Gerson examined the experience of Judeo-Spanish (Ladino) songs of exile, situation in Turkey, with respect to this cial representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, Holocaust survivors in Switzerland, in expulsion, memory and return. It turns tenuous “awakening” of silenced welcomed Armenia’s new approach toward easing ten- the context of a travelling exhibition on out that there are more songs about Armenians. sions with Azerbaijan over the disputed region. the subject which had met with contro- specific circumstances than about col- In Maniero’s lecture, what was strik- “We are encouraged by the fact that the new govern- versy, regarding the implications of the lective movements, and romantic ele- ing was the extent to which Armenian ment is making new efforts in the political process,” appellation, “Swiss Holocaust ments may intervene, but Cohen moot- and Jewish students engaged in study Appathurai said a news conference in Yerevan on March Survivors.” Leupold discussed the limits ed that “behind every song of personal within German and Russian academic 11. of Turkey’s policy of memory regarding exile, there is an awareness of collective institutions and circles had to fight for the genocide, on the basis of a study of exile, expulsion, subsequent wanderings their national identities, against the local memory among the Kurdish and new homes, memory and, some- see HERITAGE, page 5 S ATURDAY, M ARCH 1 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 INTERNATIONAL Turkey’s Armenian Church Leader Patriarch Mutafyan Dies

MUTAFYAN, from page 1 Mesrob was born Minas Mutafyan in In 1993, he was elevated to the rank of Istanbul in 1956. He was ordained in 1979 fol- archbishop to serve the diocese of Prince lowing studies in Germany and the United Islands. From 1997, Mutafyan acted as the States. vicar general of the Armenian Patriarchate of Preparations for the election of a new patri- Turkey. (See related editorial on page 18.) arch for Turkey were expected to begin after Following the death of the then Armenian a 40-day mourning period. Patriarch of Turkey Karekin II Kazanjian, Last year, the Turkish government inter- vened to halt elections at the patriarchate, on the grounds “that the necessary conditions for the electoral process had not been met” and that Mesrob was still alive. Despite the Turkish- Armenian community’s demand for new elec- tions, the Turkish gov- ernment has always rejected the holding of Archbishop Mesrob Mutafyan with then Pope Benedict an election, citing a 1863 National In this October 21, 2005 file photo, Patriarch Mesrob II, the spiritual leader of Turkey’s Armenian Constitution article that Orthodox community, holds his dog in Istanbul. Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency said Mesrob Mesrob Mutafyan was elected on March 16, prohibits new elections if an incumbent patri- Mutafyan, 62, the 84th Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople, died Friday, March 8, 2019 at 1998 to serve as the temporary leader of the arch is alive. Istanbul’s Armenian Surp Pirgic hospital where he was being cared for. (Associated Press) Church. In 2015, Mesrob Mutafyan was retired by Mesrob Mutafyan was elected the 84th the synod because of his illness. Armenian Patriarch of Turkey on October 14, The synod sent a request to the Istanbul government said it doesn’t recognize holding an election of the 85th Armenian 1998. Governorate asking permission to hold new Bekchyan as patriarchal vicar and that new Patriarch of Constantinople. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan elections. In 2017, a new church assembly elections cannot be held because Mutafyan is The funeral ceremony will be held on and other Turkish officials called Atesyan to was convened to begin the process of orga- still alive. Sunday, March 17 at Kumkapi Mother offer their condolences. nizing elections. Archbishop Karekin Eventually Bekchyan left Turkey, and Church at 10 a.m. Patriarch Mutafyan’s body Garo Paylan, a member of the Armenian Bekchyan was elected locum tenens – or Atesyan continued serving as vicar. However, will be buried in Sisli Armenian Cemetery. A community and a legislator in Turkey’s par- patriarchal vicar. a large part of the local Armenian community commission was established to organize the liament said on Twitter: “Patriarch Mutafyan After many months of work, however, the was unhappy with Atesyan’s tenure. ceremony. Turkish President Recep Tayyip will remain in our minds as a memorable spir- Turkish government declared they do not rec- After Mutafyan’s death, it is expected that Erdogan and other Turkish officials called itual leader.” ognize the church assembly’s decisions. The the Patriarchate will begin the process of Atesyan to offer their condolences.

Kishon’s “Israeli satires.” These were humorous of how historical memory can be sustained and Remembrance in the Field of Tension between Life After texts, bestsellers also in Germany, which were justice attained for the Armenians’ ordeal dur- Empty Promises and Ritualization.” It was a initially seen as contributing to reconciliation ing World War I. statement made by German Federal Chancellor between Germans and Jews. Later his stories In the academic world, there is still a gap Angela Merkel during her visit to Yerevan last were accused of having dissolved guilt and between historiography of the Holocaust and August that framed the concept. “The suffering Babylon shame. In the 1990s, Kishon, himself a survivor, research into the genocide of the Armenians, as of countless Armenians must not and will not began to integrate his personal experience into Christin Pschichholz from the University of be forgotten,” she said. “Germany will make its HERITAGE, from page 4 his humorous poetry. It is this aspect of his Potsdam demonstrated. Her comparative study contribution.” Those who debated the ways and pressures to be considered part of the dominant work that Körner was the first to investigate, considered the effects of discussion about ter- means for Germany to do this included Ulla national elites at the time. Not only students with the conclusion that Kishon was a political minologies (intention, genocide), which are Jepke, Bundestag member for the Left Party but also professors they interacted with dis- author and a pessimistic “humanist.” often subjected to political conditions, the influ- (Die Linke), Micha Brumlik, retired professor in played prejudices and ignorance regarding Marc David Baer of the University of Chicago ence of the discipline of Genocide Studies, the education department, Goethe University in Armenians, for example, by stating that most introduced an unusual approach to denialism, which is still young, the integration of sur- Frankfurt, Herbert Schmalstieg, former Lord Armenians were engaged in trade, etc. The case in a paper on the way Ottoman Jewish histori- vivors’ accounts and the influence of the Mayor of Hannover and Raffi Kantian of the of the Russian students entailed prejudices of a ography has treated the subject. By portraying Armenian and Jewish diasporas on the respec- German-Armenian Society. political nature, expressed by consular officials Jewish-Turkish relations in an idealized form, tive fields of research. in Leipzig, for example, regarding Russian characterized by harmony, conviviality and a The Role of the Arts youth studying there. More than a comparison, common purpose, historians have thus painted Teaching the Genocide Literature, music and cinema utilize different the study dealt with the socialization of these a rosy picture that excludes contradictory If future generations are to maintain and artistic means to transmit a message, as speak- two groups from the Soviet Union, who com- details and silences counternarratives. Baer transmit an understanding of these past cata- ers illustrated in diverse presentations. plained of discrimination in their homelands, views this dominant utopian narrative as a strophes, so as to ensure they not be repeated, Conference attendees had the opportunity to while fighting in Germany against prejudice, or reflection of fear and anxiety at what had befall- education is paramount. Thus the question of experience the power of art, during film show- anti-Semitism. en others, and an attempt to be accepted by how to address these themes in the classroom ings of “From Ararat to Zion” (2009) and “The The impact of the Armenian genocide on the Muslims. had to be featured. Roy Knocke, a research Key from Spain: The Songs and Stories of Flory perceptions of Zionists during the First World In contrast, Hervé Georgelin from the assistant at the Lepsiushaus Potsdam, led a Jagoga” (2000). A special treat was offered in a War was the subject addressed by Avital Ginat. National and Kapodistrian University of , workshop on the Armenian genocide, in which theatrical production of “Das Märchen vom let- She presented partial results of her doctoral presented a work that represents a “rare per- he presented materials that the Lepsiushaus zten Gedanken” (The Story of the Last research at the School of Jewish Studies and ception of both Jewish and Armenian suffer- has developed for use in upper secondary edu- Thought), based on the novel by Edgar Tel Aviv University. In her view, the Armenian ing.” This is an 800-page handwritten autobio- cation, and has been tested in practice. The Hilsenrath, performed by the ZAKHOR ensem- genocide constituted a turning point in the atti- graphical fragment by Zaven Biberyan (1921- workshop aimed at teachers and illustrated how ble. Hilsenrath, who died recently, was a Jewish tude of the Zionists toward the Ottoman 1984) that focuses on his ordeal as a young the teaching materials allow educators to survivor who told the story of the Armenian Empire, and shifted the balance in their orien- non-Muslim conscript during World War II in a approach the subject from different perspec- Genocide in the form of a fable related by the tation towards the British, while generating forced labor battalion. The presentation shed tives. storyteller Meddah to the Armenian Thovma empathy for the Armenians. Although censor- light on the uniqueness of this work, in the Michael Stach, a student trainee at the Khatisian. ship at the time makes documentation difficult, author’s awareness of the collective loss suf- State Seminar for Didactics and Teacher The final concert was a unique event, which she found that as rumors about the massacres fered by the Armenians as well as the Jewish Training in Heidelberg, conducted a work- brought together Armenian and Jewish musi- began to arrive, anxiety increased as the people. shop on genocide and human rights as topics cians for the first time. Two Jewish and two Ottomans continued their policy of deporting Cinema is a powerful tool in shaping percep- in teaching. His approach differed from that Armenian ensembles presented songs from Zionist activists from Palestine. The mood tions, and misperceptions. Lawrence Baron, for- of Knocke, in that he located the topics in the home and exile in very different styles. Opera turned against the Turks and Zionists saw the merly at the San Diego State University and the context of artistic-creative subjects. This singer and cantor Assaf Levitin, accompanied war as an opportunity to reorganize the region. author of many books on cinema, spoke about involves the use of texts, pictures or pieces of by pianists Naaman Wagner, performed songs Ginat touched on the differences within the “persistent parallels” in films about the music as means to point out individual per- of the Sephardic Jews in the , Zionist movement regarding their cultural ori- Armenian genocide. He traced the process spectives on moral-ethical questions and in compositions by Alberto Hemsi, and the Trio entation to Germany or Britain and the contro- through which the Turkish campaign of denial shed light on the causes, connections and Kramim/Zaks presented folk-style music in con- versies around the reaction to the Armenian enabled Holocaust films to establish the cine- effects of these topics from various view- trast. The Armenian bard Stepan Gantralyan genocide. matic iconography and tropes employed in sub- points. In the workshop he presented teach- sang of the homeland and exile with his own sequent films about the Armenian Genocide. ing materials, especially for artistic-creative chansons and works of other Armenian song- Genocide in Literature and Cinema He showed clips from films like “The Forty subjects, and devoted special attention to the writers, accompanied by guitarist Emil Literary works have played an important role Days of Musa Dagh” (1982), “Karot” (1990), role of the teacher in the process, with regard Georgiev. And the ensemble INDIVIDUAL from in the culture of remembrance and in the “Ararat” (2002) and “The Lark Farm” (2007). In to competency and the sensitivity required to Yerevan made its German debut with Armenian attempts at denial as well. Birgit M. Körner of his concluding analysis of “Army of Crime” deal with the theme. folk music. The title of the final concert was a the University of Basel examined treatment of (2009) and “Remember” (2015), which deal A round table discussion concluded the con- statement: “We did not stand lamenting at the the Holocaust and the genocide in Ephraim with the anti-Nazi struggle, he raised the issue ference, on the theme, “Culture of rivers of Bablyon.” 6 S ATURDAY, M ARCH 1 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Community News

Helen Evans to Remembering Be Featured St. Vartan Speaker at Tufts Genocide Mamigonian Commemoration LOS ANGELES — The inherent spirit and resolve of St. Vartan Mamigonian was trans- MEDFORD, Mass. — Tufts University, ported centuries from the golden plains of the Darakjian-Jafarian Chair in Armenian Avarayr in historic Armenia to the commanding History, the Department of History, the St. Leon Cathedral in Burbank, where 50 Armenian Club at Tufts University, and the Armenian-American youth conveyed their com- National Association for Armenian Studies mitment to God and the Armenian Church dur- and Research (NAASR) will sponsor the ing the inaugural Faith and Motherland cere- Commemoration of the Armenian mony on Tuesday, February 26. Genocide at Tufts on Thursday, April 4, at The evening’s symbolic service allowed a 7 p.m. The Tufts event will feature a lec- moment of pause and clarity for the young ture by Dr. Helen C. Evans, Mary and church members, who live in an increasingly Michael Jaharis Curator for Byzantine Art, daunting and pressure-filled society, and Metropolitan Museum of Art, titled strengthened their bonds to their faith and Very Rev. Daniel Findikyan and the other members of the clergy at St. Vartan national identity during the Feast of Sts. “Medieval Traditions of Commemoration.” Cathedral (Albin Lohr-Jones Photo) The commemoration and lecture will Vartanantz. They drew power from the bravery take place in Goddard Chapel on Tufts’ of the martyr, who made the ultimate sacrifice Medford campus. A reception will follow in of giving up his life in order to protect the the Coolidge Room in nearby Ballou Hall. Christian identity during the Battle of Avarayr Parking is available in the Dowling Garage, St. Vartan Cathedral Honors in 451 AD. The ceremony blossomed at a rele- 419 Boston Ave., and in designated on- vant time — when the pursuit of maintaining street areas. Its Heroic Namesake the Christian faith in today’s complex world — In the wake of the successful exhibit remains paramount. “Armenia!,” Evans, Mary and Michael NEW YORK — On Thursday, February 28, the Eastern Diocese of the The encouraging and supportive atmosphere, Jaharis Curator for Byzantine Art at the Armenian Church of America commemorated the Feast of Vartanantz with a led by Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate Metropolitan Museum of Art, will speak at Divine Liturgy service and dinner program held at St. Vartan Armenian of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Tufts on the Armenian belief in the power Cathedral in New York. Church of , also included a num- of memory using works recently on display Rev. Vartan Joulfayan, pastor of the St. Mary Church of Hollywood, Fla., cel- ber of priests from various parishes who stood ebrated the badarak. Diocesan Primate the Very Rev. Daniel Findikyan, cathe- alongside the youth. Following Divine Liturgy dral vicar Very Rev. Mesrop Parsamyan, Diocesan vicar Very Rev. Simeon and a fervent sermon by Fr. Hovel Ohanyan, Odabashian, Diocesan Sacred Music Instructor Very Rev. Mamigon Kiledjian, pastor of the St. Vartan Armenian Church in and Rev. Daniel Karadjian (of St. Stepanos Church, Elberon, NJ) all participated in the service. Seminarians from St. Nersess Seminary served on the altar, while the St. Vartan Cathedral Choir sang under the director of Khoren Mekanejian, with Florence Avakian accompanying on the organ. Following the Divine Liturgy, a dinner program was held in the Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium with the participation of the Mid-Atlantic Knights and Daughters of Vartan, featuring Arpi Nakashian, of the Diocese’s Creative Ministries department, as the evening’s keynote speaker. In her stirring remarks, Nakashian recalled how St. Vartan Mamigonian, the leader of the Battle of Avarayr, led 66,000 Armenian fighters against a vastly more powerful Persian force in A.D. 451. “Since the hearts of our saints are revived through us, as the living stones of our church, we have a responsibility: to keep breathing for our church,” she said. The Astghikner Junior Vocal Ensemble and Yerevan Dance Ensemble, both of the St. Gregory Mission Parish of Brooklyn, under the direction of Maria Sahakyan, performed in honor of the occasion. Dr. Helen Evans Knights of Vartan member Edward Barsamian served as the evening’s master of ceremonies. Grand District Representatives Dr. Edward Sanossian (Knights of Vartan) and Seta Izmirliyan (Daughters of Vartan) offered reflections on the in the “Armenia!” exhibition at meaning of the occasion and the continuing role of the Knights and Daughters Metropolitan Museum. Medieval monu- of Vartan in promoting community life. ments offer exceptional testimony to a Findkyan closed the evening with thoughts about the moral victory won by long tradition of commemoration through Armenians following their material defeat at the Battle of Avarayr. Their tenaci- colophons in manuscripts and inscriptions ty to retain their faith, even in the face of armed opposition, eventually resulted Young people at the Faith and Motherland cere- on church facades, reliquary containers, (in A.D. 484) in the Persian empire’s recognition of the Armenian people’s right mony textiles, and doors. Commemorative art to practice Christianity without impediment. has preserved memory, cultural tradition, and identity for the Armenians through Oakland, California, who delivered the com- wars, invasions, and displacement. pelling message to the next generation to follow Previously she co-curated the Morgan the heroic and valiant efforts of St. Ghevont Library and Museum’s 1994 exhibition, and St. Vartan, they approached the altar as “Treasures in Heaven: Armenian Derderian addressed them directly. Illuminated Manuscripts.” At the “Today is a very historic day in your life and Metropolitan Museum, she curated “The in the life of the Western Diocese,” said Glory of Byzantium (843-1261) in 1997, Derderian, who fulfilled the vow he made dur- “Byzantium: Faith and Power (1261- ing the January ACYO Assembly in San 1557)”in 2004, and “Byzantium and Islam: Francisco to establish a new mission in the life Age of Transition” (7th-9th century) in of the Armenian Church that “guides, inspires 2012. Karekin II, Catholicos of All and empowers us so we may renew our bap- Armenians, presented her with the Order tismal vow to be true Christians and to entrust of Saint Sahak–Saint Mesrop at the open- our lives to the hands of God.” ing of the exhibition “Armenia!” and the Although the nation’s first fight for Great House of has presented her Christianity took place 1,500 years ago, with the Mesrop Mashtots and Queen Derderian said the Armenian Church and the Zabel awards and most recently with the Diaspora still faces challenges, though in a dif- ferent capacity. “Spirit of Armenia.” Very Rev. Daniel Findikyan follows Armenia’s Ambassador to the United Nations More information about the lecture is Mher Margaryan (Albin Lohr-Jones Photo) “We are not fighting persecution but many available by contacting NAASR at other obstacles in order for us to remain devot- [email protected]. ed to our Christian faith,” he said. Recognizing the youth as “wise, intelligent see VARTANANTZ, page 9 S ATURDAY, M ARCH 1 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS Cruise Combines Armenian Heritage with Caribbean Sun

lenges of licensing, importing and developing By Barbara Haroutunian the business of a US Corporation whose pri- mary operations are based in the Dominican Republic. MIAMI — More than 1200 Armenians board- •Armenians in and the ed Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas in Mediterranean was presented by Archbishop January, for the Armenian Heritage Cruise Khoren Toghramadjian from Cypus. XXII, sponsored by the Armenian Cultural •Armenian Comedian Vahe Berberian had Association of America, Inc., sailing from Miami, the audience roaring with laughter. for a week. Ports of Call included Nassau, •The Armenian Relief Society (ARS) spon- Bahamas, Cozumel, Mexico, Roatan, Honduras sored a program where members and friends and Costa Maya, Mexico. from all over the world were invited. Armenians came from all over the world: •The Knights and Daughters of Vartan were Argentina, Australia, Canada, England, France, on board and highlighted their recent Veratarts Germany, Greece, Lebanon, Uruguay, Sweden, Hayrenik Mission III trip to Armenia in Switzerland and of course, the United States. September 2018. Presented by Avak Sbarabed Each guest received an AHC tote bag. For seven Dr. Gary Zamanigian and Avak Dirouhi Diana days everyone found themselves enjoying good Tookmanian. The Presentation music, good food, meeting new and old friends included members and friends from all around aboard a mega ship. the world. This year, on board was Archbishop Khoren The Armenian Heritage Cruise is the only Toghramadjian, Prelate of Cypus, who each event in the world that brings Armenians morning conducted divine Liturgy. For those together for a week of cultural, educational, guests who needed a little help on the dance religious and social experiences. The AHC floor, Margo Kaftajian taught traditional hosts individuals and makes welcome all Armenian Dances like the Shourch Bar, Armenian charitable organizations, providing Tamzara, Haleh and many others. Guests par- Armenian tri-color outfit utilizing our nation- upcoming film projects – “Bloodless”, a docu- activities on a national and international ticipated in Backgammon and Belote al colors of red, blue and orange! mentary film about the 2018 peaceful revolu- level for the betterment of the Armenian Tournaments under the direction of Antranik For the second time, AHC hosted a tion of Armenia; and “Titanic Love”, a docu- nation and people worldwide. The Armenian Boudakian. A well-stocked AHC Bookstore was Continuing Medical Education (CME) Seminar mentary film about the. Armenian survivors Heritage Cruise has become a respected pro- open each day supplying all kinds of unique for health care professionals and dentists. The aboard the Titanic was well received. gram working under the guidance of the Armenian merchandise. There was a special registrants were able to attend specific medical •This year’s Armenian Business Networking Armenian Cultural Association of America, table set up for the Armenian Heritage Tour classes to obtain ongoing accreditation under Program featured Valot Atakhanian, one of the Inc., a Registered US 501(C)3 non-profit orga- 2019 going to Armenia and Karabagh on the auspices of Columbia University. The lec- founders of DAV Cigars, who led a presentation nization. September 19-October 3, 2019 with Maro tures were conducted by renowned authorities about the boutique Cigar business and the chal- Assadourian, the ACAA liaison. The ACAA in health care who have made a major contri- Hospitality desk was open each day to assist bution to improving education and increasing passengers with all their needs. the standards of health care in Armenia. The . The evenings were filled with great music program featured Dr. Samuel S. Badalian MD, for both listening and dancing by Harout Dr. John P. Bilezikian MD, and Dr. Lawrence V. Pamboukjian, Kevork Artinian and Khatchig Najarian MD. Jingirian. Each day there were lectures and programs On opening night there was a Welcome about relevant Armenian topics, including: Aboard Presentation hosted by Margo Kaftajian •Anahid Yeremian presented on The Cosmic and Maria Tavitian who announced the high- Ray Division in Armenia, Scientific Excellence lights of the week’s special events. on a Global Scale. The days at sea were spent attending the •Armenian Genealogy: Tracing Your many cultural presentations, or simply pool side Armenian Family Roots – George Aghjayan to enjoy the beautiful tropical weather. Guests •Dr. Taner Akçam did a presentation on his participated in a vast array of Armenian activi- ground-breaking book, Talat Pasha’s Telegrams ties, as well as the ships’ offerings, or just spent and the Armenian Genocide. the day relaxing in their luxurious staterooms. •A presentation by Bared Maronian of his

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The Cultural Stepanian, Anesthesiologist Committee of the Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Sunday, June 23, 12:00 noon - Dr. Stephen S. Armenian Church presents a special series of Kasparian, Obstetrician-Gynecologist programs: “Meet with Armenian Doctors— Sunday, September 22, 12:30 pm - Dr. Martin Questions and Answers.” Members of the com- Papasian, Ear, Nose & Throat munity are invited to these sessions to learn Sunday, October 20, 12:30 pm - Dr. Herman from the doctors. Ayvazyan, Internal Medicine Sunday, March 17, 12:30 pm - Dr. Robert All Sessions to be held at: Hanoian Hall, 70 Janigian, Ophthalmologist Jefferson Street, Providence, RI, 02908 Sunday, April 7, 12:30 pm - Dr. Raffi Calikyan, Admission is free. Call the church office or Pulmonologist e-mail: [email protected] for future infor- Sunday, May 5, 12:30 pm - Dr. Sevak mation.

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OBITUARY Marriages That Thrive: An Ashkhen Alice Seferian Invitation from the Kouzouians pains that awaited us. We were newlyweds with WATERTOWN — Ashkhen Alice Seferian Anthony and Alice began raising their By Fr. Vasken and a lifetime of adventure ahead, overflowing with of Watertown, died peacefully at the family just down the street from where they Yn. Arpi Kouzouian faith, hope and love. To us, that is the basis of Armenian Nursing Home in Jamaica Plain, were married. A daughter and three sons our marriage. Marriage is a journey, setting out Mass., on Monday, February 4, aged 91 would bless them with many accomplish- and walking together, hand in hand, inviting years. ments, including college degrees. They CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — This summer we will Jesus Christ to walk with us and embrace our Born in 1927 to parents Vartan and Mari would also provide more blessings with nine celebrate 25 years of marriage. Over the years, we love and marriage, then, now, and for the rest (Zaroukian) Baharian in Athens, Greece, and grandchildren and a great-grandchild. have often thought back to our wedding day. Our of our lives. the last surviving member among her five Perhaps taking a cue from her restaurant- wedding took place in Yn. Arpi’s home parish in Twenty-five years after the driver’s comment, siblings, she was named after the first owner father, Alice was a wonderful cook Toronto, Canada, and included many guests from our marriage has given him our response. Our Christian Armenian Queen, Saint Ashkhen and provided her family, friends and guests Fr. Vasken’s home parish who traveled to be a marriage is centered on Christ and in His Love (c. A.D. 300). with delicious meals of both traditional part of that special day. Our wedding day, as is for us as a couple, united by His blessing. The Ashkhen’s family fled their homes in the Armenian and common American foods and true for all couples, was an unforgettable day, world around us may have thrown obstacles and Hadjin and Adana areas of historic Armenia delicacies. Some argue that she worked filled with joy, love, family and friends. A beauti- roadblocks along the way, and from time to time (now Turkey) as a result of the tragic impact cooking-magic in what she produced from ful start to a relationship that began on a mission they may have taken us off course, but God has of the Armenian Genocide of 1915. Her par- her small kitchen. trip to Armenia two years earlier, one that we blessed our lives in ways that only we know, and ents’ families were victims of earlier pogroms Alice was an active Christian at St. James know was truly designed by God. in ways that the world around us cannot dimin- against in the 1890’s — Armenian Apostolic Church. Her involve- As the day of celebration came to a close, a ish. With trust in God’s faithfulness, and our faith- her mother Mari experienced life in an ments in the parish and Armenian commu- blessed marriage sacrament and joyous wedding fulness to each other, we face the world without orphanage in Adana. nity were many and varied. She was a regu- reception, we collapsed into the limo that we had fear, and with the trust that we stand together . . Aided by American Protestant lar at worship services, a member of the arranged to drive us to the . as one . . . united by the Missionaries, the Baharians, then a family of Women’s Guild, and helped with parish airport to begin our honey- blessing of God, filled with four, were able to survive the Armenian Bingo. Serving on different committees, moon. As we got underway, abundant faith, hope, and Genocide. They then made their way to the Alice was at the ready to assist with projects the driver started in with his love. port city of Lavrion, Greece, and soon after with great energy and commitment. She own marriage story, “I was On Saturday, March 30, to Athens where they joined other Armenian gave countless hours to help make the annu- married once, it was a disas- the Armenian clergy of the refugees in the D’ghrouti neighborhood al Bazaar a success – participating in derev ter, thank God we divorced, Greater Boston area, unite community. (grape-leaf) picking excursions in early sum- marriage is tough . . .” We to offer a second Marriage Growing up in Athens, the family grew to mer, and particularly as the Tourshi Lady - both looked at each other, Seminar, entitled, eight members. Ashkhen’s father Vartan ensuring the succulent pickled vegetables somewhat stunned, some- “Marriages That Thrive,” “Agha” operated a neighborhood restaurant were plentiful and worthy to be part of any- what caught off guard, and with guest speakers Drs. adjacent to the family home. He was known one’s dinner table. most definitely speechless. Paul and Virginia Friesen, to be generous to those in need. Her mother Occasionally, she would also worship at The real world seemed to be from Home Improvement the Armenian Protestant Churches in trying to find a way to shat- Ministries. As a follow up to Watertown and Belmont. ter the bliss of our hours-old marriage. Not know- last year’s successful marriage seminar, where 66 As a teacher and superintendent of the St. ing how to respond to the driver’s discouraging couples attended and found an evening devoted James Armenian School, Alice demonstrated words, we simply spent the remainder of the drive to just them and their marriage, the conversation a love of her Armenian heritage and provid- hand-in-hand, looking into each other’s eyes, tun- will continue by focusing on establishing and ed a serious dedication to teaching/learning ing out the world around us. We knew we were maintaining marriages that last. The Friesen’s for hundreds of students. in love. We knew our families loved and encour- present in an entertaining and engaging way, As her four children became older, Alice aged us. And we knew that God loved us. Our life helping couples to look inward and devote time devoted more time to her parish Church. together, as one, was just beginning. to their most important relationship, their own She, together with then-pastor the Rev. After 25 years of marriage, we can still look marriage. Dajad Davidian, of blessed memory, began into each other’s eyes and tune out the rest of the The couples event includes an Armenian buffet one of the first formally organized, staffed, world, because the joy of our wedding day, and dinner, live Armenian Music, and candid conver- Armenian Church Social Service Programs the oath we made to each other and before God sation. It is being hosted this year, at the Holy in the Armenian Church Diocese. Alice on that day, has been both our guiding light and Trinity Armenian Church, 145 Brattle St. The delighted in helping immigrants and others our refuge. cost is $100 per couple. We encourage the cou- in the community navigate the various local To be honest, looking back on our wedding ples of the Greater Boston area to join us and and state services available and transition to day, as a young couple, we were completely devote this evening to their marriages. We look a new culture. Her multiple-language fluency naïve. We had no idea what would happen in forward to experiencing the evening together. enabled her to quickly endear herself to the days and years ahead, about the joys and those in need. This also carried over to work in the Watertown Public Schools with non- English speaking parents grateful for her help. She also worked as a translator for the Mari was a devout Christian who often U.S. Department of Justice Boston ENNIS M. EVENEY & ONS would lead Bible study sessions as well as Immigration Court. D D S read various newspapers to those who gath- Long after retirement, many Armenian Cemetery Monuments ered in her home and restaurant, particular- immigrants that she helped in time of need ly those less-literate. Some of the poorer identified themselves to Alice’s children and Specializing in young men in the neighborhood would come explained the many ways her social worker Armenian Designs and Lettering for handouts from the restaurant, and Mari expertise assisted during very difficult days was known for her kindness and for giving after arriving in America. Indeed, Alice 701 Moody St. Waltham, MA 02543 out ample portions. From a very young age, remembered the living examples of her par- Ashkhen knew loving and kind parents who ents in helping others. In her own way, and (781) 891-9876 www.NEMonuments.com demonstrated such qualities to others. with equal meaning, she honored her par- Ashkhen attended American Protestant ent’s memory in caring for others. She was Schools and earned her European that same kind and loving person. Baccalaureate. Fluent in Armenian, Greek, Ashkhen Alice Seferian is survived by a Turkish, and English, as well as a working daughter, Cynthia Marie Magarian and her knowledge of German and French, she was husband Deacon James of Tyngsborough; awarded a scholarship to attend Schaeffler three sons: James Hagop and his wife Lisa of College in Cleveland, Ohio, to become a Wayland; Alan Vartan and his wife Marlene F UNERAL H OME social worker. But love of family gave her Giragosian of Lexington; Daniel Benjamin and his wife James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC pause to contemplate the scholarship oppor- Colleen of Reading; nine grandchildren and Mark J. Giragosian tunity and a 5,000-mile life-changing journey one great-grandchild; and many nieces and Funeral Counselors to America. nephews. She is also survived by a sister-in- 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 However, Ashkhen had a passion for edu- law, Nora Kalajian. www.giragosianfuneralhome.com cation, adventure, and understood the spe- She was predeceased by her husband of cial opportunity that attending college might 56 years, Antranig Anthony Seferian, and provide. Having her older sister, Shnorig, her siblings Shnorig, Hranoush, (both born who was married to Benjamin Margosian, liv- in Adana of historic Armenia) Asadour, Telephone (617) 924-7400 ing in New Jersey helped make the thought Anahid, and Hagop, all born in Athens, of leaving her family a little easier to accept. Greece. During a college semester break Ashkhen Arrangements were on Thursday, Aram Bedrosian visited with her sister and met Antranig February 7 at the Giragosian Funeral Home, Anthony Seferian of Watertown. Their with the services at St. James Armenian Funeral Home, Inc. romance quickly bloomed and he convinced Church. her to transfer to “Seferian College,” and to A 40th day Requiem Service / Karasoonk Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 use the name “Alice”. They were wed at Hokehankisd Bashdon is planned for Saint James Armenian Apostolic Church in Sunday, March 17 at Saint James Armenian MARION BEDROSIAN Watertown on November 2, 1952. Church in Watertown. 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN S ATURDAY, M ARCH 1 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 COMMUNITY NEWS Remembering St. Vartan Mamigonian

VARTANANTZ, from page 6 Western Diocese and remember those before us and enriched young leaders in the life of the who gave their lives for their Christian faith and Diocese,” Derderian exemplified their connec- for their motherland.” tion to their forefathers who brought the As the youth held burning candles, signifying Armenian Church of America to life, from one the light within each of them, they made a coast to the other, when the institution was offi- pledge out loud to revive their Christian faith. cially established by Catholicos Mkhrtich Derderian presented every individual with a cer- Khrimian (Khrimian Hayrik) in 1898. tificate and a gift, opening channels of commu- “After a century, we continue to be a living nication and solidifying his or her distinct rela- tionship to the Armenian Church. “February 26 is a historic day,” said Derderian. “It is the day that a new spiritual army has been born.” The youth were touched by the ceremony and the chance for a plat- form to become engaged and viable members of the Armenian Church. “The oath we took, besides being a promise to God, was also a promise to ourselves and a way of finding ourselves in the Christian world,” said Manuel Nazarian, a student at the The services at the Faith and Motherland program University of California, Riverside, who expressed his grat- itude to the St. Leon Armenian California State University Northridge, who is who “threatened our faith and motherland.” Cathedral and Derderian. “The studying psychology. “In remembrance of those martyrs, we as mem- ceremony overall was very influ- “I am blessed to be part of this unforget- bers of the Armenian Apostolic Church are facing ential and proved to us, the table moment that reaffirmed my faith in similar circumstances in today’s world,” said Kasian. youth, that we can achieve great- Christ and reconnected me to my mother- “It was an honor and a blessing to participate in ness by following the Bible and land,” she said. this historic event, organized by Archbishop by spreading God’s word.” Deacon Nareg Kasian, also a college student, Derderian and the Western Diocese ACYO, that will The lessons of St. Vartan and reflected on the continuous fight of Armenians be a tradition for generations to come.” the heroism he portrayed to pro- to safeguard their Christianity against those -Taleen Babayan tect the Armenian Christian faith was not lost on the participants, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western who understand the responsibili- Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, with two ty of carrying on this mission in young students the present day. “I give my word to God and A Celebration of Hope and Gratitude our Church that I will always community in the Diaspora because our forefa- ARMONK, N.Y. — On Saturday, May 18, St. Findikyan, a 1989 St. Nersess graduate, will remain close to our religious roots,” said Hagop thers kept their Christian faith,” said Derderian. Nersess Armenian Seminary will host a cele- be consecrated as a bishop by Karekin II, the Karaian. “Since Armenians were the first nation “It is a master key to succeed in life and to help us bratory banquet titled “Hope and Gratitude” to Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All to accept Christianity as their religion, I am understand our Christian and national identity.” honor the Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and Armenians, at the Mother Cathedral of Holy obligated to continue what my ancestors start- He acknowledged the role they, too, will play the Very Rev. Daniel Findikyan as the past and Echmiadzin on May 12. Findikyan is the first ed and I am thankful to Archbishop Derderian in strengthening the future of the Armenian present St. Nersess board presidents. clergyman born in America to serve as a dioce- and his dedication to bring more of our Church, culture and community when one day The event, to be held at the Old Tappan san primate and president of the St. Nersess Armenian youth closer to our roots.” they create their own families and collectively Manor in Old Tappan, NJ, will also celebrate board of directors and only the second The Faith and Motherland ceremony was “move mountains.” the seminary’s history and future throughout American-born clergyman to be elevated to the seen as a “historic movement in the lives of our “St. Vartan’s soul is in each of you,” he said. the evening. St. Nersess Seminary remains a rank of bishop. “We are also appreciative to Fr. youth” for Anush Minasyan, a student at “We dedicate our lives as soldiers of the center of learning and inspiration for its Daniel, as a past seminary dean and current alumni, students, clergy and youth for the professor, for strengthening the seminary acad- past 58 years. emically,” Chevian added. Barsamian was the seminary’s board of direc- To celebrate their successes and to express tors president for 28 years. During his tenure, the seminary’s gratitude to Archbishop he guided the seminary through five deans and Barsamian and Findikyan for helping the semi- ordained 25 St. Nersess graduates into the holy nary reach its spiritual and educational goals, a priesthood. He also was instrumental in leading commemorative booklet is being published for the relocation of the seminary from New the May 18 event. All proceeds will go directly Rochelle to Armonk, NY. “We are so grateful to St. Nersess Seminary and its mission. for his belief in the mission of the seminary and Those interested in donating towards the his confidence for our future, which has guar- booklet or attending the event may contact anteed our success today,” commented the Rev. Lynn Beylerian, event co-chair, at lynnbeyler- Mardiros Chevian, dean. [email protected].

Tom Peretzian and Son Plan to Open Double T’s Tavern in April in Marlborough, Mass.

burgers, fries and standard pub fare with “a lit- By Jonathan Phelps tle Armenian twist,” including Armenian pizza. “We are going to keep it as simple as we can,” Peretzian said. MARLBOROUGH, Mass. (MetroWest Daily) Board members said they were glad the pair — A father and son won Licensing Board invested in the vacant property near downtown. approval for a liquor license to open a tavern in “I’ve known Tom for a while and I am very the spot of the former Sully’s Pub. confident he will do a great job running this The board voted 3-0 in favor of the license establishment in town,” said member Gregory last week. Mitrakas. Tom Peretzian and his son, T.J., decided to While the address is technically 11B Florence the name the spot Double T’s Weed Street St., the front faces Weed Street. Lost Shoe Tavern after conducting a poll on Facebook. Brewing and Roasting Company is also expect- The Florence Street space was most recently ed to open soon on the same street. O’Hearn’s Tavern, which was only open for a T.J. Peretzian turned 24 recently. short time. Sully’s closed in 2015. “The idea is to get something up and running “We are trying to put something back in town for him, to leave a legacy in the city of that’s been missing for a long time,” Peretzian Marlborough,” Tom Peretzian said. told the board. He worked at a bartender at The restaurant is expected to open shortly Allora Ristorante on Lakeside Avenue for eight after final approval from the state Alcoholic years before it abruptly closed a few weeks ago. Beverages Control Commission. The Peretzians LIKE US ON FACEBOOK The new tavern will specialize in steak tips, hope to be open by next month. 10 S ATURDAY, M ARCH 1 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS

University of Nebraska provide their athletes to descent and after having four sons moved to the high school level since there is a lack of Minnesota, where he served as chief of surgery knowledge and resources there. for the University of Minnesota Medical School Najarian had never entered a pageant before for many years. the contest but did continue to All four boys played football in college and do some modeling while at the university. then professionally. Lex’s oldest uncle Jon was About three years ago, she said, a friend of hers a linebacker for the Chicago Bears for a little told her about the Buckle, a men’s and while and stayed in Chicago to become involved women’s clothing store based in Kearny, Neb., in the stock market and the Chicago Board about two hours west of Lincoln. She inter- Options Exchange. Lex’s father Peter is the viewed there to become an online model and youngest of the four siblings, and after playing was also asked to be a fit model. She went twice football, including with the Tampa Bay a week to Kearny to do this for about a year and Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings and a half, and only recently at the end of October Sacramento Surge, moved to Chicago and start- 2018 stopped working for them. She also has ed trading stocks with Jon in the early 1990s. occasionally done some modeling and photo- They started several financial companies shoots for pageants. together and sold the online brokerage firm One of Najarian’s friends had competed a few TradeMonster to Etrade in 2016 for $750 mil- years earlier in a pageant and suggested it to lion. Both brothers are contributors to CNBC her as a great platform through which to devel- on the “Fast Money” halftime show and the op an online training and fitness business. This “Fast Money” financial investing show in the made sense to Lex so although there were only a few months before the pageant weekend she decided to enter it. Not only did she win the title but she also received the Overall Interview Award and Most Photogenic Award. She is now getting ready to compete for the title of Miss USA 2019. Najarian on her paternal side comes from a well- Miss Nebraska Lex Najarian known Armenian family originally from Kharpert (Harput). Her great-great- grandfather, Lazar Vies for Miss USA 2019 Najarian (1860-1953), donated $20,000 in 1952 from the US via the Connecticut and did some shoots for a yoga Armenian General By Aram Arkun and fitness company in New York. However, Benevolent Union to help Mirror-Spectator Staff nothing really came of it, she said, “because I buy a building in Aleppo. decided I wasn’t really that interested in it at This became the site of the that time of my life.” AGBU Lazar Najarian LINCOLN, Neb. — Lex Najarian was crowned She was working part time and went to School in 1954. It was as Miss Nebraska USA in January 2019 and school part time, but after the gap year reap- turned into a high school now is preparing to compete in the Miss USA plied to colleges and decided on the University in 1959 and renamed as pageant while promoting health-related causes of Nebraska in Lincoln. Her track work paid off the AGBU Lazar Najarian- Lex Najarian dear to her heart. because she ended up high jumping for one Calouste Gulbenkian Najarian grew up in very sports-oriented envi- year at the University of Nebraska. Central High School, and ronment because of her father’s and uncles’ She studied psychology at the university and it continues its mission to the present. evenings. early careers in football. She said, “I thought graduated in 2017. Her goal, she said, is to use In 1905, Lazar’s son, Garabed Lazarus (1884- Uncles David and Paul Najarian owned a that I wanted to be a professional tennis player her background for sport psychology. She said, 1940), came to the United States. Garabed and Popeye’s Chicken franchise in southern for a very long time. With sports being so preva- “I would love to someday own my own gym, his wife Siran moved to Oakland, Calif., where Minneapolis for many years, which has been lent in my life and my uncles’ and dad’s success with a holistic approach to athletics, and incor- they had three boys. The middle son, John sold now. Paul passed away from ALS in 2014 it seemed achievable. I played tennis for about porate sports nutrition and sports psychology Sarkis (born in 1927), became a famous sur- after a three-year battle. David now owns a gym into the physical training aspects of becoming geon. in Oak Park Heights, Minn. elite in your sport.” In addition to a sports psy- Lex explained: “My grandfather ended up Lex had various Armenian friends as well as chologist and sports nutritionist, she would becoming a transplant surgeon and became relatives while growing up in Connecticut. She hire coaches specialized in various sports, and interested in the medical field because his said that while her grandmother was 100 per- help high school athletes from about 15 to 19 father was very sick when he was growing up cent Swedish the only Swedish dish she would years old, to hone their skills so that they could and he passed away at a young age. And this led make was Swedish meatballs. She learned compete at the college level. my grandfather to go to the University of Armenian recipes from her mother-in-law and She said that she wants to bring the great California Berkeley. He played football there always made dolma, paklava and various other staff support for training, nutrition, injury pre- and he also studied medicine.” He became a pio- Armenian foods. Lex said, “We would always vention and everything that goes into the men- neer in kidney, pancreas and liver transplants. have Armenian food at family gatherings.” Lex’s tal side of a sport that colleges like the He married a nursing student of Swedish continued om next page

Lex Najarian as Miss Nebraska USA

12 years, from the time I was 4 to 16. I played in high school and loved it.” Born in Western Springs, Illinois, Alexis Nicole Najarian grew up in Connecticut and went to New Canaan High School there. However, she thought she was better suited for track when she got to the age to apply to colleges. She switched to become a high jumper and a triple jumper for the track team and just played tennis for fun. She modeled briefly when living in Connecticut and took a gap year after graduat- ing high school in 2012, intending to model in New York City. She did some local work in S ATURDAY, M ARCH 1 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 COMMUNITY NEWS from previous page win, she would give her Miss Nebraska title to uncle David and her aunt have a restaurant in her runner-up, and if not, keep it for a full year. Minnesota where they are trying to incorporate As Miss Nebraska, she began to focus on some Armenian recipes, according to Lex. spreading awareness of Lyme disease, she said, In Nebraska, unlike Connecticut, she said “because I am now realizing how big my voice there are very few Armenians. She said, “I is and how big of an audience I have. My mom don’t think I have come across very many at suffered from Lyme disease. She has had it for all during my time here. I have lived in Lincoln about 20 years now but was only diagnosed 3 for about six years. Any time I see somebody years ago when we moved to Minnesota. I shift- with the last name ending in -yan or -ian, I ed gears because I realized that while I have my always ask, are you Armenian. I always look whole life to pursue everything I want to do in for those.” She added, “I am really happy and fitness and health, this is a critical year where I proud to be part of a community that is so can make a real difference for the Lyme disease

we feel is healthy and beautiful and makes us other events coming up. feel good. It is up to each individual to decide She already went to Dallas and Austin for to be strong enough to accept the results no some boot camps and to pick up her gowns for matter what. Of course it is easier said than Miss USA in late January and early February, done.” and at the end of March has another such She had been working as a sales associate for camp. There, she does mock interviews, reads Orangetheory Fitness in South Lincoln, Neb. about current events, pop culture and US his- after graduating the university but in February tory, and practices walking and photo shoots. It decided to take a break to focus fulltime on is run by WME-IMG (William Morris Endeavor- preparation for the next pageant as well as trav- International Management Group), a talent el and appearances. She will be speaking to management group which puts on the national middle school girls at a yoga studio in a few pageant. The VanBros organization helps pre- Alexis Najarian with her parents Lisa and Peter weeks about female empowerment and feeling pare all the candidates from six states, includ- confident about their bodies. In April she will ing Nebraska, for the latter, as well as runs their participate in an autism walk, and has some state pageants. proud of our culture.” community by advocating for proper diagnoses As far as Lex knows, no one in her family has and treatment processes.” traveled to the Republic of Armenia. She said, She said that the pageant process might be “I would love to visit Armenia. I would love to difficult but, she said, “We have all chosen to bring everyone in my family and make it a big enter these competitions so I think that it is family trip. We have had two or three family just a matter of being mentally prepared. We all reunions in the past with my dad, brothers and know we are going to be judged and it is very grandparents. It would be a really cool thing to subjective judging. Some think skinny is beau- have an Armenian family reunion in Armenia.” tiful, some people think strong is beautiful, oth- In a few months, Najarian will go compete at ers think having more body fat is beautiful. I Miss USA, the national pageant. If she were to think it is up for us as women to do whatever

Najarian family reunion in 2011, with Dr. John Najarian in middle of back row

The four Najarian brothers in 2011 at a family reunion 12 S ATURDAY, M ARCH 1 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Arts & Living

REVIEW: Mansurian in Context: UCLA Honors Composer On 80th Birthday

By Nestor Castiglione

LOS ANGELES — Since at least the death of Stravinsky, the composer has become an anonymous figure in the West, whether through willful academic seclusion on their part, or neglect by lazy happenstance on the part of listeners. Few people today outside the ever narrowing factions of classical music lovers would probably recognize a John Adams Laurence- or Philip Glass walking down their street. Quite a number would probably be surprised to learn Anahit that the profession of “classical composer” is still alive, even sought after by some. Mekhitarian In some corners of the world, however, the role of composer still carries a powerful aura The Mediator between for people. As violinist Movses Pogossian mentioned in Armenian and Belgian Music his prefatory remarks to UCLA’s tribute to the composer last Wednesday, the 80-year-old Tigran Mansurian enjoys the status of celebri- By Artsvi Bakhchinyan ty in his native Armenia, with passersby regu- larly seeking autographs and selfies from him. Special to the Mirror-Spectator Soloist Suzanne Waters (soprano) His reputation there was built upon his YEREVAN/BRUSSELS — Dear neo-Romantic film Laurence, let’s start our conversation scores, which seem with your father. Before knowing you, I to stand at a remove read much about Arpag Mekhitarian, Lark Pays Tribute to from the concert the eminent Egyptologist, who was also works that have car- involved in research and ried his name was active in community life in Belgium. Agbabian with Brahms abroad. Or do they? My father was born in Egypt in 1911 Something of the and died in Belgium in 2004. His own par- sensuality, the ents were born in : my grandfa- Concert earthy directness of ther, Digran Mekhitarian (1875-1922) was those soundtracks born in Tokat and died in Egypt; my can be heard dis- grandmother, Repega Djigamian was PASADENA, Calif. — A monumental and moving concert by the Lark Musical tantly echoing in Tigran Mansurian born in Marzevan (1896-1945) and died in Society, featuring Johannes Brahms magnum opus, took place on Saturday, March the masterpieces of Egypt at the end of the Second World 2, at the Ambassador Auditorium, under the auspices of the Armenian Missionary his maturity. War. After the death of my grandfather, Association of America (AMAA) and dedicated to the memory of Dr. Mihran Within the same composer there thrives the the family came to Belgium in 1925, I Agbabian. Armenian, the Russian, and the European cos- think (mother Repega and the three boys, Conducted by the Vatsche Barsoumian, the program, titled “A Promise of Hope,” mopolitan, fusing those three into a single Arpag, my father, Bared who died earlier, centered around Brahms’s German Requiem, a 19th-century classical masterpiece inimitable voice which remains one of the most and Mekhitar who died in 2013). My and was performed by the LARK compelling of our age. father met my mother, Aimée Briggen, in Mastersingers, the LARK Orchestra His String Quintet, which was performed in Switzerland in 1954, and she came just By Taleen Babayan and soloists Garineh Avakian (mezzo- the US for the first time on Wednesday night, afterward to Belgium to marry him. Special to the Mirror-Spectator soprano), Suzanne Waters (soprano), took scattered shards evoking Armenian folk I would like to talk about my own expe- and Edward Levy (baritone). The com- musics, and reassembled them in startling ways rience and how I got in touch with position, written in German, was com- that were more IRCAM than Ijevan. Armenian culture little by little. Even my posed by Brahms between 1865 and 1868 at the age of 30, and was a critical work Against a backdrop of works by Schnittke, father never spoke in our family in the that launched his professional career as an influential composer. Silvestrov, and Pärt, Mansurian’s art was during our childhood; The theme of hope and comfort for the living was relevantly timed with the revealed to be as much a product of his own however, we were regularly in contact with advent of Easter as the libretto conveyed passages from the Bible’s Old and New originality, as they were of a generational shift the Armenian community in Belgium. My Testaments, compiled by Brahms himself. The religious atmosphere heightened the felt by him and his peers. Each drew from the parents had good Armenian friends and I spiritual ambiance of the evening as Gwen Gibson, pastor of the HRock Church, liturgical past in order to express things that remember our visits to them and the plea- which holds services in the Ambassador Auditorium, opened the program’s are startlingly modern in the secular present. sure taken by my father from talking in the remarks. Emblematic of this was Mansurian’s Agnus Armenian language, including, of course, “This is our home and it is our delight to share the stage with Lark Musical Dei, one of his most immediately gorgeous with my uncle Mekhitar, his brother. They Society,” said Gibson of the Ambassador Auditorium, referred to as the “Carnegie chamber scores. A quartet of clarinet, violin, were always talking in their mother lan- Hall of the West.” “As a multi-generational and multi-ethnic church, it is our plea- cello, and piano wordlessly intone liturgical guage when they were together. sure to host this performance.” words, transcending the barriers of faith, yet We had at home a lot of books on Kenneth Kevorkian, chairman of the organizing committee, expressed gratitude quietly proclaiming the that life is more than Armenian culture and my father wrote for the audience’s attendance, while reflecting on the recent passing of Agbabian. the sum of what we can see and touch. The also some books on Armenian art, espe- As co-founder of the American University of Armenia, Agbabian was a dedicated bold pianism of Artur Avanesov at the UCLA cially on medieval miniatures. I remember individual who generously gave to the Armenian people, from the homeland — performance imbued a carnality altogether dif- also that my father, even though he was establishing its first Western style academic institution — all the way to California, ferent from the ethereality of Steven not a believer, took me to the church at where he effectively participated and impacted myriad cultural, religious and Vanhauwaert’s performance with Dilijan earlier Christmas and Easter because of his posi- humanitarian organizations. this year, augmenting further this quality of tion in the Armenian community (and “We are saddened by the loss of our former board member,” said Kevorkian. “He Mansurian’s music being perched delicately mostly also because he found the liturgy was a guiding inspiration for all of us and we dedicate tonight’s concert to him and between the earthly and celestial. so beautiful). At that time we did not have his memory.” At the end of the concert, the composer an Armenian church in Belgium but there He thanked the Lark Musical Society and highlighted its accomplishments and expressed his thanks to the audience via was a liturgy [conducted] twice a year in advancements over the last three decades under the direction of its humble founder, Skype, followed by all of Schoenberg Hall Brussels. This constitutes for me very Vatsche Barousmian, “a man who never wants to be recognized.” singing Happy Birthday in reply. Mansurian’s deep and moving memories. We were Following the opening prayer delivered by Reverend Vatche Ekmekjian, pastor of 80th birthday is not merely a celebration for going to some other meetings in our Hay the Immanuel Armenian Congregational Church, the audience was enlivened by the Armenian music, but for music as a whole. His Doun (Armenian House) in Brussels. sacred pieces of Brahms’s German Requiem, as well as the German composer’s art is and will continue to be part of the patri- see MEKHITARIAN, page 14 see LARK, page 17 mony of great music, a birthright of any ready listener as much as Beethoven and Brahms. S ATURDAY, M ARCH 1 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 ARTS & LIVING Krikor Balakian’s The Ruins of Ani Published By Rutgers University Press

NEW YORK — The Ruins of Ani published in Today, Ani is a popular tourist site in Turkey 1910 in Constantinople has just been published for with many of the Armenian churches partially the first time in an English edition — the translation restored and supported by the World Monument by Peter Balakian and Aram Arkun, with an intro- Fund, but the city has been falsified in its presen- duction by Balakian. The edition includes the 33 tation by the Turkish government in order to original black and white photographs taken by erase Armenian history in the wake of the Balakian in 1909 and a dozen Armenian Genocide. This color images take by Peter timely publication raises Balakian in the past decade. questions about the preserva- The Ruins of Ani is the tion of major historic monu- only monograph on the his- The Ruins of Ani: A Journey to ments in the face of post- tory and legacy of Ani in Armenia’s Medieval Capital and its atrocity campaigns of cultur- print today. A unique combi- Legacy. al erasure, and about the eth- nation of history, art criti- ical ownership of Ani in the cism, and travel memoir, Krikor Balakian; Translated and with post-Armenian Genocide Balakian’s book charts the an introduction by Peter Balakian with impasse. The book has historic pilgrimage made Aram Arkun Rutgers University Press: already received critical there in 1909 with a clerical New Brunswick, New Jersey and praise from major scholars: retinue led by Catholicos London, December, 2018. “A remarkable and invaluable Matteos II. Balakian docu- study,” Robert Jay Lifton; ments carefully the Armenian 174 pages, 45 color and black “breathes new life into a cru- founding, building and and white plates. cial yet neglected source,” decline of Ani. Christina Maranci; “His eye From the 10th to the 13th on the ancient capital is centuries, the city of Ani was mournful and creates new the capital of the Armenian Bagratuni kingdom, depth post genocide,” Donna-Lee Frieze; “under- and a leading city of trade on the silk road and scores forcefully how central cultural destruction renowned for its architecture and arts and crafts. was and is in the unfolding of that crime against Balakian argues the cathedral at Ani is the fore- humanity,” Jay Winter. runner of the European Gothic style, and that the The young vartabed Krikor Balakian published dozens of other Armenian churches and buildings his first book just a few years before his arrest on there were landmarks in Armenian and world civ- April 24 in Constantinople at the outset of the ilization. From the eleventh century on Ani was Armenian Genocide, after which he wrote his epic conquered by Seljuks, Mongols, Georgians and survivor memoir Armenian Golgotha. This new Kurds and by the 15th century Ani had been translation by Aram Arkun and the author’s great- ruined by pillage and earthquakes and abandoned nephew, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Peter until the excavations of the archeologist Wilhelm Balakian, eloquently renders the book’s vivid Marr in the 1890s. Its ruins have remained a sym- descriptions and lyrical prose into English. Peter bol of cultural accomplishment that looms large in Balakian’s new introduction explores Ani’s con- the Armenian imagination. tinued relevance in the 21st century,

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Tekeyan Cultural Association Metro Los Angeles Chapter Presents

New Material AN EVENINGFeaturing OF COMEDY II

Special Guest HAROUT SOGHOMONIAN MARO AJEMIAN

Saturday, May 4, 2019 7:30 PM Cocktails • 8 PM Dinner • 8:30 PM Program Phoenicia Restaurant (Upper Hall) • 343 N. Central Ave., Glendale, CA Admission • $80 • www.itsmyseat.com/tekeyan Contact • [email protected] for group seating (12 per table) Tickets must be pre-purchased • No tickets will be sold at the door facebook.com/TekeyanLA TekeyanLA @TekeyanLA 14 S ATURDAY, M ARCH 1 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING

composers. In 2015 I wanted to play a program played also at this occasion a piano piece with elec- very interested in his pedagogical orientation that The Mediator with the young generation of Armenian com- tronic music of Franck-Christoph Yeznikian, a is intimately linked to his entire musical produc- posers and I had the chance to receive scores from composer from the French diaspora. tion. In that way I always provide training in con- Between Armenian some of them (Vache Sharafyan, Arthur Avanesov, I am sure that all of that music may have a place temporary music for piano teachers in Belgium. Arthur Akhshelyan, Aram Hohannissyan, Davit in international musical life. My contribution is on I also suggested to J. L. Fafchamps to compose And Belgian Music Balasanyan). In the same period, I asked Belgian a small scale, but now Belgian composers are also a new piece for duduk and piano, like a rediscov- composers to write new piano music, in their style involved in Armenian musical life because they are ery, a re-reading of this Armenian instrument so MEKHITARIAN, page 12 of course, but in the spirit of Armenia. invited to come and give some lectures and mas- emblematic, and I am really curious to discover My parents were very involved during the 1980s My first concert was for the commemoration of ter classes as part of the Crossroads Festival. This what can this new sonorities association be in his and later with the Armenian newcomers from the genocide centennial, and I received a great year we will come to Armenia for the third time, music. Turkey and Armenia. They never imposed on us piece from Claude Ledoux (Saveurs de pierre et de this time with Jean-Luc Fafchamps (after Claude I have also a new project with F. C. Yeznikian, to be in concrete action in Armenian activities, but miel), and afterwards from Jean-Pierre Deleuze Ledoux in 2017 and Jean-Pierre Deleuze in 2018). with his electronic music in the world of R. we knew about their actions in social life for (Hayastan) and Jean-Luc Fafchamps (Feuillets Please tell us about your upcoming projects. Schumann in which I will play alternately some Armenian newcomers. There is still a social center d’Arménie). It helped me to enter deeper in I am continuing to prepare some programs to Schumann’s pieces. with the name of my father (Centre social Armenian musical culture through those echoes play in May 2019 in Armenia with Belgian, And in the pedagogical mode, I was asked to Arménien Arpag Mekhitarian). The last thing is from outside. After this concert in Brussels I had Armenian and other contemporary composers … prepare a publication of current new Belgian also that I began to practice the piano, and my the opportunity to come to Armenia for playing as and I will play this program also in Brussels. repertoire for young pianists I explored during the father received the works of Armenian musicians. part of the Crossroads Festival created in 2017 I am also preparing a lecture on Kurtàg’s music. last years with my own students and with other I have everything and step by step I learned some thanks to the young Quartertone association. I I met Kurtàg many times a few years ago. I was colleagues. of the music of Komitas and other Armenian com- posers. The music fans of Yerevan had the opportuni- ty to listen your piano recitals twice. You prefer playing avant-garde pieces, often with nontradi- tional interpretations (for instance, playing on piano strings, singing or using multimedia). Do you think that over time piano playing should experience some changes? Recipe I think we need, and it is our duty as musicians, to be open to the new ways the composers offer us. But it is not why we have to deny the past. I love Bach, Schubert, Beethoven, Schumann, Debussy… and many other composers. But the liv- ing music of today is the music composed today, Corner and there is still a gap between that music and the audience. Music creation is always in evolution, changing, offering new ideas of playing our instru- ment, how to use new technology. It will never by Christine Vartanian Datian stop and it is really fascinating to listen to the always new possibilities created by the composers. That’s not why I appreciate all new music but as a professional I feel this interest, curiosity and the Mixed Vegetable Salad with duty, as I said before, to be of service to the today’s composers. And I can say more: it is a real chance Tahini Lemon Dressing to be in contact with them because it is the real lively music and they can explain what they wish, INGREDIENTS what they mean, and what they have the urgency 5 cups loosely packed green leaf lettuce, spinach or arugula, to say in their works. torn into bite sized pieces I taught the piano for many years and the most 1 1/2 cups cherry or heirloom tomatoes, halved important thing for me was really the personal 1 cup finely diced cucumber, seeded expression and wellbeing of my students with the 1 cup garbanzo beans, washed and drained music they played. In that way, meeting the 1 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley Hungarian composer György Kurtàg through his 1 cup finely chopped mint leaves Jàtekok collection was for me a great experience, 1 cup grilled eggplant or zucchini, diced not only as he is a lively contemporary composer 1/2 cup diced or sliced white or red onion but as a possibility to know what is essential in 1/4 cup Kalamata or black olives, halved playing music. Of course we need technical knowl- 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds, optional edge of our instrument and of music theory, but 2 roasted red or green bell pepper, diced the most important thing is to know the sense, the 6 radishes, finely chopped deep meaning of the sounds we are listening to 6 green onions, white and green parts, finely chopped and we are playing. In that way Kurtàg offered us 1 large avocado, diced or sliced a lot of possibilities to explore and to test what 2-3 white or whole-wheat pitas musical meaning we can apply to every music and every composer throughout the ages and different Kosher or sea salt and pepper countries. Music is our internal experience of life. 1/2 teaspoon sumac The sound we produce has to be inhabited by the Olive oil depth of our inner search. Lemon wedges You always played Armenian composers’ 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts, optional, to garnish works. Do you share the opinion that Armenian folk music and its interpretation are not that PREPARATION suitable for piano? For instance, while com- Toast the pita bread until crisp but not browned. Heat 3-4 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan. Tear pita bread into pieces, and place in the heated menting on Arno Babajanian’s performance of oil. Fry briefly until browned, tossing. Season with salt, pepper and 1/2 teaspoon of sumac. Remove the pita chips from the heat and place on paper his own Elegy, famous American pianist towels to drain. Norman Krieger wrote that Rachmaninoff sure- Assemble the salad ingredients in a large bowl by layers of vegetables or toss together in a bowl. Drizzle with Tahini Lemon Dressing and season ly would dislike both the composition and per- with salt and pepper. formance. Do you think he was right? Top with the toasted pita chips and pine nuts, if desired, and serve with extra dressing and lemon wedges on the side. I cannot speak in Rachmaninov’s place of course, *Homemade cooked falafels, diced chicken, beef or lamb kebobs, or diced leftover Armenian kufta may be added to this salad, as well as chopped nor for Norman Krieger. I will never adopt a strict baked or grilled chicken or turkey. limited view. I think each instrument can be the Serves 4-6. good instrument for playing every music, if there is a good spirit in the playing of the musician. TAHINI LEMON DRESSING INGREDIENTS: The best compliment I received one day when I 1/2 cup tahini, or a little more was playing Komita’s Dances on the piano is that 3-4 tablespoons olive oil you could not hear the sound of the piano but 2 large cloves garlic, minced or crushed something fairer, like a traditional music sound. Of 1/4 cup water course it was because of the fantastic musical writ- 2 scallions, coarsely chopped ing of Komitas, but I think in our playing we have 2 tablespoons minced flat-leaf parsley to seek always to suggest the right and deep spir- 1/4 teaspoon sea or Kosher salt it of something fundamental, the deep feeling of Juice of 1 large lemon, more to taste what the music means. Pinch of cumin and sumac You are among those rare musicians of the , or rather, world musicians PREPARATION of Armenian origin, who keeps under the spot- Whisk all ingredients in a bowl for a few minutes until combined or place in a blender or food processor and blend thoroughly until very smooth. Check light the oeuvre of contemporary Armenian seasonings, adding more tahini, salt, olive oil or lemon juice for a smoother consistency. composers. Do you think they can have a certain Use dressing immediately or store (sealed) in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. place in contemporary piano music scene? My knowledge of contemporary Armenian com- *Christine's recipes have been published in the Fresno Bee newspaper, Sunset magazine, Cooking Light magazine, and at https://www.thearmeni- posers begun only few years ago. For many years ankitchen.com/ I was interested in Belgium in contemporary musi- cal compositions, but not especially in Armenian S ATURDAY, M ARCH 1 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 ARTS & LIVING CC AA LL EE NN DD AA RR

MASSACHUSETTSARIZONA Cosponsored with Abril Bookstore, 415 E. Broadway, MARCH 24 — Luncheon and Book Talk featuring Glendale. For tickets, call Abril 818 243-4112. Senator Lou D’Allesandro of New Hampshire, spon- APRIL 15 — Genocide Awareness Program featuring Introductory remarks by Artistic Director Professor sored by Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Greater Boston presenters Prof. Taner Akçam and Prof. Barlow Der Movses Pogossian. Performing a world premiere of and the Trinity Men’s Union, 12:30 p.m., Charles and Mugrdechian. Dr. Akçam will discuss the Amrenain Tekeyan songs by the Los Angeles-based composer Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall, Holy Trinity Armenian Genoicde including his evenidence of Turkish denials Artashes Kartalyan, commissioned by the Tekeyan Church, 145 Brattle St., Cambridge. Senator D’Allesandro which he covers in his latest book, Killing Orders. Der Cultural Association, and masterworks by Komitas, will be discussing the book about his extraordinary career Mugrdechian’s topic will be Genoicde in the 21st Khachaturian, Mirzoyan, Hovhannes, and Schubert. For in politics, Lion of the New Hampshire Senate and Century: Turkey and Armenia. Monday, 1 p.m. Scottsdale more information, email [email protected]. Thoughts for Presidential Hopefuls. Donation for lunch: Community College, 9000 E. Chaparral Road, Scottsdale. APRIL 28 — Christina Maranci, “The Art of Armenia: An $8. Tickets on sale at the door. Books available for pur- Admission is free and open to the public. Dr. Akçam will introduction,” at the Ararat-Eskijian Museum. Co-spon- chase. For information, contact the Church Office, sign copies of Killing Orders following the program. sored by the Ararat-Eskijian Museum and the National 617.354.0632, or www.htaac.org/calendar/event/652/. Speakers are sponsored by St. Apkar Armenian Apostolic Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR). MARCH 28-29 — Graduate Student Conference, Church. 4 p.m. “Entangled Encounters: Antiquity and Modernity in MAY 4 and MAY 5 — 2nd Feminist Armenian Studies Armenian Studies,” at Harvard University. Co-sponsored MASSACHUSETTSCALIFORNIA Workshop: Gendering Resistance and Revolution, at by the Hrant Dink Memorial CMES Fund and the National the University of California, Irvine. Co-sponsored by the Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR). MARCH 23 – Book presentation by Adrienne G. National Association for Armenian Studies and Research Christina Maranci, Tufts University; David Zakarian, Alexanian, editor of her father’s memoir, Forced (NAASR)/Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Lecture Series Oxford University; Marie-Aude Baronian, University of Genocide: Memoirs of an Armenian Soldier in the on Contemporary Armenian Topics. Michigan and Sylvia Alajaji, Franklin & Marshall College 5 Ottoman Turkish Army. Saturday, 2 p.m. Calabasas MAY 5 — Mathew Karanian, “The Armenian Highland: to 7 p.m. Fong Auditorium, Boylston Hall, Harvard Yard, Library Multipurpose Room. 200 Civic Center Way, and the First Armenian Republic of Cambridge. Calabasas. Special Guest – Councilman James Bozajian 1918,” 4 p.m.at the Ararat-Eskijian Museum, 15105 MARCH 31-APRIL 14 — Needlelace Workshops at the RSVP [email protected]. Reception and Mission Hills Road, Mission Hills, CA. Co-sponsored by Armenian Museum. Join us for this unique opportu- book sale/signing will follow presentation – proceeds the Ararat-Eskijian Museum, Kharpert Cultural nity to continue the tradition of Armenian needlelace! donated to the library. Association, and the National Association for Armenian Taught by Textile Curator Susan Lind-Sinanian, these MARCH 24 – Book presentation by Adrienne G. Studies and Research (NAASR). three sessions are a unique opportunity to learn intricate Alexanian, editor of her father’s memoir, Forced into MAY 19 — The Tekeyan Cultural Association of the regionaltechniques that were passed down through gen- Genocide: Memoirs of an Armenian Soldier in the United States and Canada Presents the 2019 North erations from mother to daughter. All materials are sup- Ottoman Turkish Army, Sunday, 2:30 p.m. Museum of American tour of the VEM Ensemble of the UCLA plied so just show up ready to learn techniques practiced Tolerance. Co-sponsored by the Armenian General Herb Albert School of Music, Danielle Segen, mezzo- by Armenian women for centuries. Examples from the Benevolent Union, the Armenian International Women’s soprano, Ji Eun Hwang, violin 1, Aiko Richter, violin 2, Museum’s textile collection will provide inspiration as you Association, National Association for Armenian Studies Morgan O’Shaughnessey, viola, Jason Pegis, cello. 7:30 find your voice by sewing edgings on linens. Have and Research and the Armenian Assembly of America. p.m. Tekeyan Cultural Association Los Angeles Chapter Armenian needlelace at home? Bring them in to share 9786 Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. RSVP (310) 772-2505. Book Cosponsored with Abril Bookstore, 415 E. Broadway, your family story! Sundays, 3–5 p.m. Adele & Haig Der sale/signing will follow presentation – proceeds will be Glendale. Introductory remarks by Artistic Director Manuelian galleries, 3rd floor. Cost: $90, Members dis- donated Professor Movses Pogossian. Performing a world pre- count: $60. 65 Main St, Watertown. MARCH 28 – Book presentation by Adrienne G. miere of Tekeyan songs by the Los Angeles-based com- MARCH 31 — The Tekeyan Cultural Association of the Alexanian, editor of her father’s memoir, Forced into poser Artashes Kartalyan, commissioned by the Tekeyan United States and Canada Presents the 2019 North Genocide: Memoirs of an Armenian Soldier in the Cultural Association, and masterworks by Komitas, American tour of the VEM Ensemble of the UCLA Herb Ottoman Turkish Army, Thursday, 7 p.m., Glendale Khachaturian, Mirzoyan, Hovhannes, and Schubert. Albert School of Music, Danielle Segen, mezzo-soprano, Downtown Central Library, With support from the Tekeyan Cultural Association, Pasadena-Glendale Ji Eun Hwang, violin 1, Aiko Richter, violin 2, Morgan Armenian National Committee of America. 222 East Chapter, TCA Beshgeturian Center, 1901 North Allen O’Shaughnessey, viola, Jason Pegis, cello. BOSTON Harvard Street, Glendale. RSVP (818) 548- 2021. Book Ave., Altadena. For more information, email tcadirec- Sunday, March 31, 1 p.m.cosponsored with Holy Trinity sale/signing before and after the presentation – pro- [email protected]. Armenian Church, 145 Brattle St., Cambridge. Free ceeds will be donated admission. Introductory remarks by Artistic Director APRIL 4 and 7 — Alessandro Safina, will bring in his MASSACHUSETTSFLORIDA Professor Movses Pogossian. Performing a world pre- pop-opera to the US during his upcoming concert tour miere of Tekeyan songs by the Los Angeles-based com- in April. He also performed for the Pope, sang duets with APRIL 11 — One of the opera world’s hottest stars, poser Artashes Kartalyan, commissioned by the Tekeyan Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman, and Rod Stewart. Alessandro Safina, will bring in his pop-opera Cultural Association, and masterworks by Komitas, Safina when he performed Elton John’s “Your Song” with rhythms to USA during his upcoming concert tour in Khachaturian, Mirzoyan, Hovhannes, and Schubert. For actor Ewan McGregor for the Oscar-nominated sound- April. Safina appeared with Elton John, Cher and Jennifer more information, email [email protected]. track of “Moulin Rouge.” Safina will be accompanied by Lopez for Queen Elizabeth’s 73rd Royal Variety APRIL 1 — St James Men’s Club Dinner Meeting - social Victor Espinola and the Forbidden Saints. The tour will Performance. He also performed for the Pope, sang hour and mezza at 6:15 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m., St also feature Armenian Duduk Soloist and Classical duets with Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman, and Rod James Armenian Church Charles Mosesian Cultural and Clarinetist Mher Mnatsakanyan and Bassist Hova Burian Stewart. Americans first became familiar with Safina Youth Center - Keljik Hall, 465 Mt. Auburn Street, will take part. Official FaceBook Page: https://www.face- when he performed Elton John’s “Your Song” with actor Watertown, MA. This meeting will be celebrated as a book.com/ AlessandroSafinaUSA/ Official Promo Video: Ewan McGregor for the Oscar-nominated soundtrack of “Father, Daughter, and Son” evening. Speaker Steven https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=DHHKpxTCSSY “Moulin Rouge.” Safina will be accompanied by Victor Biondolillo is a pioneer in the fields of public health and The performance will be held at City National Civic in San Espinola and the Forbidden Saints. The tour will feature human services marketing, and special-event fundraising. Jose on Thursday, April 4. (Times 8:00-9:30pm) Armenian Duduk Soloist and Classical Clarinetist Mher “Rethinking Teambuilding.” Mezza and a Losh Kebab & https://www1.ticketmaster.com/event/1C005554CB5A Mnatsakanyan and Bassist Hova Burian. Official FaceBook Kheyma Dinner $17/person. Ladies invited. For addition- 7778 Dolby Theater in Los Angeles on April 7. (Times Page: https://www.facebook.com/ al information call the St James Church office at 617-923- 8:00-9:30pm) https://dolbytheatre.com/events/details/ AlessandroSafinaUSA/ The performance will be held at 8860 or call Hapet Berberian at 781-367-6598. alessandro_safina Fillmore Miami Beach in Miami (Times 8:00-9:30pm) APRIL 4 — Tufts Armenian Genocide Commemoration, https://www1.ticketmaster.com/alessandro-safina-with- Thursday, 7 p.m., featuring a lecture by Helen Evans, victor-espinola-the-forbidden-saints/event/ MASSACHUSETTS “Medieval Traditions of Commemoration.” Co-sponsored 3B005546FA735928 by the Darakjian Jafarian Chair in Armenian History, the April 7 — Heghnar Watenpaugh, “The Missing Pages: FEBRUARY 20 – MARCH 30 — The Armenian Museum History Department at Tufts University, Tufts University, The Modern Life of a Medieval Manuscript from is offering a six-week art program for children of all the Armenian Club at Tufts University, and the National Genocide to Justice,” Sunday, 4 p.m., at the Ararat- backgrounds ages 7-14. The program’s classes are Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR). Eskijian Museum. Co-sponsored by the Ararat-Eskijian Drawing and Painting, Collage, and Pottery Decoration. APRIL 4-June 6 — SAVE THE DATE. First Thursdays: Museum and the National Association for Armenian Students will find inspiration among the objects on dis- Jazz at the Armenian Museum. Featuring the John Studies and Research (NAASR). play in the galleries, and study global influences on Baboian Quartet. Thursday, April 4 from 7–9 pm, APRIL 22 — 7:30 p.m.: Hans-Lukas Kieser, “Talat Pasha: Armenian art and culture. Full information can be found Thursday, May 2 from 7–9 pm, Thursday, June 6 from 7– Father of Modern Turkey, Author of Genocide,” at at https://www.armenianmuseum.org/events/winter- 9 pm. Armenian Museum of America, 65 Main St, the Ararat-Eskijian Museum, 15105 Mission Hills Road, studio-classes. Session 1, Wednesdays, 3:30–5:30 pm, Watertown. Mission Hills, CA. Co-sponsored by the Ararat-Eskijian February 20–March 27; Session 2, Saturdays, 1–3 pm, APRIL 5 — Friday, City of Smile Boston Friends will host Museum, Nor Serount Cultural Association, February 23–March 30 an evening to benefit children with cancer in Educational and Cultural Society, and the National MARCH 21 — Book Presentation of English translation Armenia. Special guest Anna Hakobyan, the City of Smile Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR). of Andranik Tzarukian’s Letter to Yerevan, translated Charitable Foundation’s Honorary Chair, wife of Armenia’s APRIL 27 — The Tekeyan Cultural Association of the by Tatul Sonentz-Papazian and Rupen Janbazian, at the Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, at the Westin Waltham United States and Canada Presents the 2019 North Armenian Cultural and Educational Center (ACEC), 47 Hotel for her inaugural visit to Boston. The City of Smile American tour of the VEM Ensemble of the UCLA Herb Nichols Ave. Watertown, 7:30 p.m. Co-sponsored by Charitable Foundation is based in Armenia providing finan- Albert School of Music, Danielle Segen, mezzo-soprano, Hamazkayin Armenian Cultural and Educational Society cial support to children with cancer. In addition, the foun- Ji Eun Hwang, violin 1, Aiko Richter, violin 2, Morgan of Boston, ARF Sardarabad Gomideh, the Press, dation is dedicated to training doctors to provide the best can- O’Shaughnessey, viola, Jason Pegis, cello. 7:30 p.m. and the National Association for Armenian Studies and cer care in treating oncological and hematological diseases. Tekeyan Cultural Association Los Angeles Chapter Research (NAASR). CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE 16 S ATURDAY, M ARCH 1 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING CC AA LENDARLENDAR

Gulesserian. At Harvard University. Co-sponsored by the town.org/ armenia. MASSACHUSETTS NAASR/Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Lecture Series JULY 17 — Tea and Tranquility. Armenian Heritage on Contemporary Armenian Issues, AGBU YP Boston, Park on The Greenway, Boston. Wednesday from FROM PREVIOUS PAGE and the Harvard Armenian Students Association. Further 4:30-6 p.m. Meet & Greet. Walk the Labyrinth. Enjoy To learn more, visit www.cityofsmile.org. Tickets-$150 each. details to follow. refreshing ice teas, hosted by MEM Tea Imports and For reservations, contact [email protected] MAY 3 – 117th Diocesan Assembly Gala Banquet – V. dessert. Introduction to walking the labyrinth, mindful 617/921-8962 or [email protected] 781/883- Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, Primate, presiding. Boston and meditative walking at 4:45pm. RSVP appreciated 4470. Deadline to RSVP is March 22. Tickets will not be Marriott Burlington. Hosted by St. James Armenian [email protected] sold at the door. Cocktail Reception/Cash Bar - 6:30pm, Church in Watertown. Save the Date – Details to Follow. AUGUST 14 — Tea and Tranquility. Armenian Heritage Dinner and Program - 7:30 p.m. MAY 4 — Celebrate Public Art two-part program dur- Park on The Greenway, Boston. Wednesday from APRIL 7 — “Vaping 101: A Seminar for Parents,” spon- ing ARTWEEK BOSTON. Armenian Heritage Park on 4:30-6 p.m. Meet & Greet. Walk the Labyrinth. Enjoy sored by the Parent Partnership of Holy Trinity The Greenway, Boston. Saturday at 1 p.m. World refreshing Ice Teas, hosted by MEM Tea Imports and Armenian Church of Greater Boston, 12:30 pm-2 pm, Labyrinth Day: Walk as One. Join people in cities and dessert. Introduction to walking the labyrinth, mindful Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall, 145 Brattle towns in 35 countries world-wide walking in peace and and meditative walking at 4:45pm. RSVP appreciated Street, Cambridge. All are invited to an educational ses- harmony including Argentina, Armenia, Australia, [email protected] sion designed to help parents and caregivers learn more Belgium, , Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, AUGUST 22 — Under the August Moon. Armenian about the effects of the dangerous epidemic of teen vap- England, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Heritage Park on The Greenway, Boston. Thursday ing. Presenters are Carlene Newell, Health Lithuania, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, from 7:30– 9 p.m. Delightful evening for supporters, Educator/Tobacco Specialist, Karen Koretsky, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, Scotland, South Africa, partners & friends featuring fabulous signature dishes, Community Coalition Director, Arlington Youth Health Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay and USA followed hosted by anoush’ella and the Berklee Jazz Trio. RSVP and Safety Coalition, and Cindy Sheridan Curran, by reception to view the 2019 configuration of the appreciated [email protected] Arlington High School Truancy Officer. Admission free; abstract sculpture , hosted by Eastern Lamejun Bakers SEPTEMBER 18 – SAVE THE DATE! InterContinental light refreshments served. RSVP by April 5 to Director of and MEM Tea Imports. RSVP appreciated hello@armeni- Hotel, Boston. Extraordinary Benefit for Armenian Youth Ministries at [email protected]. For information, anheritagepark.org. Heritage Park’s Endowed Fund for Care. log onto http://www.htaac.org/calendar/event/667/ MAY 6 — Irina Ghaplanyan, “Post-Soviet Armenia: The SEPTEMBER 22 — Sunday Afternoon for Families and APRIL 7 — Annual Reconfiguration of the Abstract New National Elite and the New National Friends. Armenian Heritage Park on The Greenway, Sculpture Armenian Heritage Park on The Greenway, Narrative,” at the AGBU Center, 247 Mt. Auburn St., Boston. 2:00pm-4:00pm. Wonderful afternoon with The Boston. Sunday at 7:00 am. Coffee & Conversation from Watertown, 7:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Hye Guys Ensemble featuring Ron Sahatjian and Joe 8:00am -9:00am. A crane lifts and pulls apart the two NAASR/Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Lecture Series Kouyoumjian. Hoodsies, Face Painting and more RSVP halves of Abstract Sculpture, made of steel and alu- on Contemporary Armenian Issues. Further details to fol- appreciated [email protected] minum, to create a new sculptural shape. The annual low. OCTOBER 19 — The Vosbikians are coming to the reconfiguration is supported by the Park’s Charles and MAY 10 — Lenny Clarke & Friends. Fundraiser to ben- Merrimack Valley. The Armenian Friends of America Doreen Bilezikian Endowed Fund. Rain date: April 14. efit the Armenian Apostolic Church at Hye Pointe proudly present their Annual HYE KEF 5 Dance, featuring RSVP appreciated – [email protected] Building Fund. 8 p.m. The Armenian Apostolic Church at The Vosbikians. The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, April 11 — Jonathan Conlin, “Mr. Five Percent: The Hye Pointe, 1280 Boston Road, Bradford. Andover, MA. Tickets Purchased before 9/13/19 will Many Lives of Calouste Gulbenkian, the World’s Mezze/Appetizers are Included & Cash Bar. Call Dro include the Great Venue, Outstanding Buffet, The Richest Man,” at the AGBU Center, 247 Mt. Auburn St., Kanayan at 978 828 5755 or Stephanie Naroian at 978 Vosbikian Band and 5 Free Raffle Tickets Adults $75.00 Watertown. Presented by the National Association for 835 1636 for tickets or tables and packages are avail- & Students 21 & under $65 Specially priced AFA Rooms Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR). 7:30 p.m. able. Tickets will only be sold in advance, not at the door. available through 9/17/19. For Tickets and more infor- Details to follow. MAY 15 — The Tekeyan Cultural Association and the mation, Contact: Lu Sirmaian 978-683-9121 or Sharke’ APRIL 12 — Massachusetts State House annual Armenian General Benevolent Union will present a lit- Der Apkarian at 978-808-0598 Armenian Genocide Commemoration, 10 a.m. to erary evening with writer Aris Janigian, author of Visit www.ArmeniaFriendsofAmerica.org 12.30 p.m. Reception to follow. Boston. Bus transporta- Waiting for Lipchitz at Chateau Marmont, Bloodvine and NOVEMBER 16 — St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary tion free from Watertown to State House. Deadline April Riverbig, among others, with discussant author, poet School 35th Anniversary Celebration. 6:30 PM 8 to register. [email protected] and editor Susan Barba. 7.30 p.m., AGBU Building, 247 Cocktail Reception, 7:30 PM Dinner and Program. The APRIL 24 — Armenian Heritage Park Armenian Mount Auburn Building. Free, reception to follow. Books Westin Waltham - Boston, MA $150 per person. Genocide Commemoration, 7 to 9 p.m. Bus transporta- will be on sale. tion available. Reserve by April 22. MAY 19 — SAVE THE DATE! Concert at the Armenian MICHIGAN [email protected] Museum. Concert to celebrate the 150th anniversary of APRIL 24 — Save the Date! “In the Shadow of the birth of Komitas Vardapet and poet Hovhaness MARCH 27 — The Tekeyan Cultural Association of the Branches: Diana Apcar/Berjouhi Kailian. The Tumanyan. Sunday, 2-4 p.m. US and Canada Presents the 2019 North American Armenian Museum. In recognition of Armenian MAY 19 — “International Food Festival – A Taste of tour of the VEM Ensemble of the UCLA Herb Albert Genocide Remembrance Day. 6–8.30 pm. The Armenian the World,” presented by the Women of Holy School of Music, Danielle Segen, mezzo-soprano, Ji Eun Museum presents a new exhibition in the Adele & Haig Trinity, Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Greater Boston, Hwang, violin 1, Aiko Richter, violin 2, Morgan Der Manuelian galleries that explores the intertwined 12:30-2:30 p.m., Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural O’Shaughnessey, viola, Jason Pegis, cello. Wednesday, lives of diplomat Diana Agabeg Apcar (1859–1937) and Hall, 145 Brattle Street, Cambridge. Join us to sample March 27, 8 p.m. Cosponsored with Music Guild of St. artist Berjouhi Kailian (1914–2014). The Armenian authentic cuisine from 9 countries: Armenia, Iran/Persia, John Armenian Church Recreation Center, 22001 Museum wishes to engage in meaningful dialogue Lebanon, Greece, France, Russia, Brazil, China and Italy. Northwestern Hwy, Southfield. Free admission. around this solemn subject that permeates Armenian Donation: $15 adults; $10 children 12 and under. Tickets Introductory remarks by Artistic Director Professor experience around the world. Candlelight viewing of the on sale at the door. For further information, contact the Movses Pogossian. Performing a world premiere of galleries followed by a discussion of the traumatic effects Holy Trinity Church Office, 617.354.0632. Tekeyan songs by the Los Angeles-based composer of the Genocide to remember the victims, survivors, and JUNE 1 — Armenian Food Festival, Saturday, 11:30 Artashes Kartalyan, commissioned by the Tekeyan individuals who chose to intervene. a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Armenian Church at Hye Pointe, Cultural Association, and masterworks by Komitas, APRIL 25 — Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Greater 1280 Boston Road, Haverhill. Chicken, Losh Kebab, Khachaturian, Mirzoyan, Hovhannes, and Schubert. For Boston Presents The Dr. Michael and Joyce Kolligian Kheyma, and Dolma Dinners. featur- more information, email [email protected]. Distinguished Speaker Series: Anthony Ray Hinton, ing Spinach Pie, Lahmajoon, Cheese Beoreg, and more. Author of The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Pastries Paklava, Kadayif, Cheoreg and morePlus NEW JERSEY Freedom on Death Row, “Surviving Criminal Justice in Activities for the Children, White Elephant Table, Gift America.” Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall, 145 Basket Raffles. MAY 18 — St. Nersess Armenian Seminary invites you Brattle Street, Cambridge MA 02138. Reception and JUNE 12 — Tea and Tranquility. Armenian Heritage to Hope & Gratitude, a celebration honoring book signing to follow talk. Open and free to the public. Park on The Greenway, Boston. Wednesday from 4:30 Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and Bishop-elect Very Rev. For further information, contact the Holy Trinity Church p.m. -6 p.m. Meet & Greet. Walk the Labyrinth. Enjoy Daniel Findikyan. 6:30 p.m. Old Tappan Manor, Old office, 617.354.0632, email [email protected], or log refreshing Ice Teas, hosted by MEM Tea Imports and Tappan, NJ. For more info on reservations and booklet onto www.htaac.org/calendar/event/622/. dessert. Introduction to walking the labyrinth, mindful sponsorships, please go to www.stnersess.edu. APRIL 27 – SAVE THE DATE! Hai Guin Scholarship and meditative walking at 4:45pm. RSVP appreciated OCTOBER 25 — Honoring Dr. Taner Akçam. Abajian Association 2019 Spring Benefit Luncheon. Belmont [email protected] Hall St. Leon Armenian Complex, Fair Lawn. Country Club. Saturday, 11:30 a.m. Sip, Shop and JUNE 27 — Under a Strawberry Moon. Armenian Sponsored by Knights and Daughters of Vartan, Under Support! Featuring Fashions and Pop-Up Shop by St. Heritage Park on The Greenway, Boston. Thursday at the Auspices of Primate Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan. John. Please contact Christine Berberian 978-500-1116 8:30 p.m. Meet & Greet. Moonlit Labyrinth Walk. or Andrea Garabedian 978-618-3030 to reserve your Luscious Chocolate Dipped Strawberries, hosted by vicki NEW YORK tickets ($65 each). lee’s and refreshing Ice Teas, hosted by MEM Tea MARCH 18 — “Women as Agents of Sustainable APRIL 30 — Panel, “Bucking the Trend? Why Is Imports and the fabulous Berklee Jazz Trio. RSVP appre- Peace: From Revolution to Governance.” Presented Armenia Moving Towards Democracy When ciated [email protected] by the Armenian International Women’s Association. Authoritarianism is on the March Worldwide?” (provi- JUNE 28 – July 10 – St. James Armenian Church 7th United Nations, Church Center of the UN, Second Floor. sional title), , 7:30 p.m.: featuring Anna Ohanyan Pilgrimage to Armenia. Led by Fr. Arakel Aljalian. Join Featuring Mary Galstyan, member of Parliament from (Stonehill College), Dmitri Sotiropoulos (Visiting Scholar, us and Discover the Land of our Ancestors. All are wel- Amrenia; Dr. Anna Ohanyan of Stonehill College; Alex Center for European Studies, Harvard), and Valerie come. Registration deposits due March 1; Full Payment CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE Sperling (Clark University), moderated by Lisa due April 1. For full details visit www.stjameswater- S ATURDAY, M ARCH 1 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 17 ARTS & LIVING Lark Pays Tribute to Agbabian with Brahms Concert

LARK, from page 12 two other well-known pieces, Song of Fate and Alto Rhapsody, that also seek to capture the human spirit. A pre-concert lecture by Doris Melkonian, who holds a Master of Arts in musicology from UCLA, shed light on the inner workings of the composi- tions as well as Brahms’s deep interest in Martin Luther’s German Bible, which translated the holy scriptures into the ver- nacular and its influence on the young pianist and composer. Throughout the seven movements, which ranged from dra- matic moments to softer ones, Brahms thread alternating verses from the Bible that touched upon death, life and life after death. The catalyst of the creation was the eternal rest of his mother and may have also been rooted in the passing of his mentor, com- poser Robert Schumann, nine years earlier. “It is an incarnation of the promise of eternal life that is the anchor of our faith in the living Lord, Jesus Christ,” said Barsoumian, who is the founder and director of the Lark Musical Society. “As brass hits brass and fire engulfs fire in the and as man’s inhumanity to man once again unfolds in abundance, we are again reminded of how trivial is all earthly glory and how pitiful is man in his pursuit of withering earthly

The performers take a bow at the conclusion of the moving concert

scale performances, which in the past have included Beethoven’s a pleasure to give back to a community that has helped raise, Choral Symphony, Anton Bruckner’s tripartite Te Deum, and educate and support me throughout my years of study.” Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem. The joint AMAA/Lark Musical The stirring performances of the chorus, soloists and orches- Society concert has become an annual tradition. tra took the audience on a soulful journey that concluded in a Soloist Garineh Avakian Attracting talented musicians of all backgrounds, the LARK peaceful and transcendental manner. Musical Society, which has staged more than 300 concerts for “Our committee gracefully dedicates this performance to all the general public, maintains meaningful ties with its perform- who have lived and witnessed the faith that so magnificently pleasures.” ers, in particular Dr. Garineh Avakian, assistant professor of transforms their being,” said Kevorkian, a member of the Board The Lark Musical Society was established 30 years ago when voice and choral music at Pierce College, who performed “Alto of Directors for the AMAA, a non-profit charitable organization Barsoumian invited a group of Armenian-American musicians, Rhapsody” as a soloist, hitting every emotional note. that serves as the missionary arm of the Armenian Evangelical teachers and community leaders to connect their community “Being the first graduate of the Lark Conservatory, it was a churches worldwide. “This concert was one of the most moving with superior artistic programs and performances. The vision of great honor to be asked by Baron Vatsche to perform in such a experiences I have ever had and as the music permeated my body its initial mission has flourished over the years and the organi- setting,” said the award-winning Avakian, whose students and and soul, I felt as if I was going to heaven on the wings of an zation now consists of educational opportunities, concert series, colleagues from Pierce College attended the performance. angel.” choirs, publications and a conservatory, in addition to its large- “Singing Brahms is both soothing and strengthening and it was

Institute on Turkey, and the National Association for will be divided between CASP and the Vanadzor Old Age NEW YORK Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR). 7 p.m. Home in Armenia. Donation $35.00. For reservations APRIL 28- Sunday at 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Armenian please call Ann Ayrassian 401-529-5210. FROM PREVIOUS PAGE Genocide Commemoration at Times Square, NYC Sardar, chief innovation office of Civicus and moderator Sponsored by : Knight & Daughters of Vartan, AGBU, ADL- TEXAS Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte, author and human rights Ramgavars. Armenian Assembly of America, ANCA and advocate. 10.30 a.m. For info, Armenian National Council APRIL 4 — Book presentation by Adrienne G. Alexanian, www.aiwainternational.org/AIWAUN. editor of her father’s memoir Forced into Genocide: MARCH 28 — Ara Sanjian, “Unwelcome Topics in OHIO Memoirs of an Armenian Soldier in the Ottoman Turkish Armenian Diaspora Historiography,” at Columbia Army. Thursday, 6:30 p.m. Holocaust Museum Houston. University. 7 p.m. Co-sponsored by the Columbia APRIL 28 — Book presentation by Adrienne G. Co-sponsored by Armenian Church of St. Kevork, 9220 University Armenian Center, Armenian Society of Alexanian, editor of her father’s memoir, Forced into Kirby Drive (Suite 100), Houston, Texas. RSVP (713) 527- Columbia University, the National Association for Genocide: Memoirs of an Armenian Soldier in the 1604. Book sale/signing will follow presentation – pro- Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR)/Calouste Ottoman Turkish Army, Sunday 2 p.m. Maltz Museum of ceeds will be donated Gulbenkian Foundation Lecture Series on Contemporary Jewish Heritage. In co-sponsorship with St. Gregory of Armenian Issues, and Research Institute on Turkey. Narek Church and Armenian Cultural Group, 2929 MASSACHUSETTSCANADA APRIL 9 — Alessandro Safina, will bring in his pop-opera Richmond Road Beachwood, Ohio 74122 rhythms to the US. Safina will be accompanied by Victor RSVP [email protected] or (216) 593-0575. Book sale/sign- MARCH 29 — Tekeyan Cultural Association of the US and Espinola and the Forbidden Saints. The tour will feature ing during reception following the presentation – pro- Canada Presents the 2019 North American tour of the VEM Armenian Duduk Soloist Mher Mnatsakanyan and Bassist ceeds will be donated Ensemble of the UCLA Herb Albert School of Music, Danielle Hova Burian will take part. Official FaceBook Page: Segen, mezzo-soprano, Ji Eun Hwang, violin 1, Aiko Richter, https:// www.facebook.com/AlessandroSafinaUSA/ RHODE ISLAND violin 2, Morgan O’Shaughnessey, viola, Jason Pegis, cello. Official Promo Video: https://www.youtube.com/ Wednesday, March 27, 8 p.m. Cosponsored with Music Guild watch?v= DHHKpxTCSSY The performance will be held at MARCH 17 — The Cultural Committee of the Sts. Sahag of St. John Armenian Church Recreation Center, 22001 Beacon Theater in New York. (Times 8:00-9:30pm) & Mesrob Armenian Church, Providence, present a Northwestern Hwy, Southfield. Free admission. Introductory https://www1.ticketmaster.com/alessandro-safina-with- special series of programs: “Meet with Armenian remarks by Artistic Director Professor Movses Pogossian. victor-espinola-the-forbidden-saints/event/ Doctors—Questions and Answers”. Learn about keep- Performing a world premiere of Tekeyan songs by the Los 3B005546FA735928 ing healthy! Sunday, 12:30 p.m. - Dr. Robert Janigian, oph- Angeles-based composer Artashes Kartalyan. Friday, Tekeyan APRIL 10 — Wednesday, 7 p.m., Jonathan Conlin, “Mr. thalmologist, Hanoian Hall, 70 Jefferson St. Free admis- Center, 825 Manoogian St., St. Laurent, Canada. For tickets Five Percent: The Many Lives of Calouste Gulbenkian, sion. call 514-747-6680. For more information, email tcadirec- the World’s Richest Man,” at Columbia University. Co- MARCH 30 — Saintly Women’s Day dedicated to the [email protected]. sponsored by the Columbia Armenian Center and the Three Women from the Holy Gospels, hosted by the Calendar items are free. Entries should not be National Association for Armenian Studies and Research Women’s Guild of Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Armenian Church, longer than 5 lines. Listings should include con- Providence, 70 Jefferson St. 10:00 a.m. greeting of (NAASR). tact information. Items will be edited to fit the APRIL 18 — Sato Moughalian, “Feast of Ashes: The Life guests, 11:00 a.m. Worship Service in Sanctuary followed space, if need be. A photo may be sent with the and Art of David Ohannessian,” at Columbia University. by a Lenten Luncheon in the Egavian Cultural Center.. Co-sponsored by the Columbia Armenian Center, Research Guest speaker Dr. Fotini Dionisopoulos, DMD. Proceeds listing no later than Mondays at noon. 18 S ATURDAY, M ARCH 1 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

COMMENTARY Mirror Turbulent Journey Ahead after Spectator Patriarch’s Death passed away, Vicar General Archbishop Aram Ateshian was By Edmond Y. Azadian visiting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Diyarbakir at Sourp Giragos Armenian Cathdral. That was indeed a sym- bolic coincidence, since that very church symbolizes the EstablishedEstablished 1932 1932 The long-expected end finally arrived for Archbishop embattled life of Archbishop Mutafyan and his own Armenian Mesrob Mutafyan on March 8, at St. Purgich Hospital, where An ADLAn Publication ADL Publication people. It was first confiscated by the Turkish government, he had been in a vegetative state for more than a decade. then given back to the Armenian community, rebuilt by the To say that he had suffered much in his short life is an Armenians and local Kurdish mayor and then destroyed once understatement. He was an erudite scholar and an indepen- again when the Erdogan government launched a campaign of dent-minded member of the clergy. He influenced Istanbul extermination against the Kurds. EDITOR Alin K. Gregorian Armenian life during his active years and even later, when he At that very moment, a pious and kind-hearted Erdogan had lost contact with the world around him. was there to help the second post-destruction renovation of ASSISTANT EDITOR Prominent Armenian writer and editor Robert Hadedjian the church. At that moment, vintage Erdogan was at work, Aram Arkun rightfully remarked that he impacted community life more Tweeting his condolences to Mutafyan’s family and to the when he lay unconscious than when he was in full command Armenian citizens of Turkey in the Armenian! ART DIRECTOR Marc Mgrditchian of his mind and body, because so many controversies arose as While the Patriarch lay unconscious in his hospital bed, the a result of his incapacitation. Armenian community was given the runaround by the He occupied a twilight zone for the Armenians in Turkey; Turkish authorities, who successfully divided the community he was not well enough to tend to his responsibilities as the in the wake of the Patriarch’s incapacitation. One group spiritual leader of the community, nor was he dead to allow applied to the government to elect a new Patriarch while SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: another proposed the elec- Edmond Y. Azadian tion of a co-adjutor Patriarch to help the inca- CONTRIBUTORS: pacitated Patriarch, with- Florence Avakian, Dr. Haroutiun out pushing him out of Arzoumanian, Philippe Raffi Kalfayan, office. Philip Ketchian, Kevork Keushkerian, After years of delaying Harut Sassounian, Hagop Vartivarian, tactics, both applications Naomi Zeytoonian were declined. In the CORRESPONDENTS: meantime, Archbishop Armenia - Hagop Avedikian Aram Ateshian managed to Boston - Nancy Kalajian have himself “elected” Los Angeles - Taleen Babayan vicar general by a pliant Berlin - Muriel Mirak-Weissbach clergy council. In the process, four can- Contributing Photographers: Jirair Hovsepian didates emerged and the Turkish government tried to play them against each other, but the parties The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published agreed amongst them- weekly, except two weeks in July and the first selves to elect Archbishop week of the year, by: Karekin Bekjian, Primate Association, Inc. of Germany, as locum 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 tenens. The Turkish gov- Telephone: 617-924-4420 ernment refused to recog- FAX: 617-924-2887 nize the community’s www.mirrorspectator.com choice and instead recog- E-Mail: [email protected] nized Ateshian as the head For advertising: [email protected] of the Patriarchate, because the latter had served his “brother,” President Erdogan, well; a brazen member of the cler- gy who has surrounded SUBSCRIPTION RATES : the cutting of the Gordian knot and enable the election of a himself with a coterie of builders, real estate magnates and successor. bankers who have been cannibalizing the properties when the The community went through hell to figure out a succes- government has been returning to the community. All these U.S.A. $80 a year sion plan, and the Turkish government did its best to scuttle parties who have vested interests in this arrangement will not any progress in that arena. let Ateshian go anywhere. For almost 10 years now, Ateshian Canada $125 a year Archbishop Mutafyan was elected to the Patriarchal throne has been acting as Patriarch and that is how the Erdogan in Istanbul on October 14, 1998 and for more than 10 years, Other Countries $190 a year administration wishes to impress upon the Armenian com- he served his community with dedication, developing ecu- munity that there is no other choice than Ateshian. menical ties with other communities and faiths. In the meantime, the community leader, Bedros Shirinoglu, His charismatic persona attracted many young people to Erdogan’s messenger to the Armenian community has been © 2014 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator the religion of their ancestors, despite his antiquated moral whispering to some ears that it is not right to oppose the gov- Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA principles. ernment’s wishes. and additional mailing offices. His relations with the Turkish state was more challenging. With the elimination of Archbishop Bekjian, who is up He had to walk on a tightrope to please the authorities, while ISSN 0004-234X there in age, and bitterly frustrated, the remaining candidates trying to preserve the interests of his flock. He willingly are Archbishop Ateshyan, Bishop Sahag Mashalian and allowed the Turkish government to use him as a political tool Bishop Sebouh Chouldjian, Primate of Gougark, in Armenia. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The when he lobbied against the passage of Armenian Genocide As far as community sympathies are concerned, the most eli- Armenian Mirror-Spectator, 755 Mount Auburn bills at different countries’ legislatures or when he advocated St., Watertown, MA 02472 gible candidate is Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, who has an for Turkey’s admission into the European Union. important position in Europe, at the Vatican, and he is not a Other than the editorial, views and opinions That kind of behavior antagonized the world Armenian expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily candidate. reflect the policies of the publisher. community, yet it did not buy him any security from the gov- Bishop Chouldjian is too Armenian to be acceptable to the ernment. He received death threats and his headquarters was Erdogan administration, which has already made its choice bombed. obvious. Despite their misgivings, the two Catholicoi and the It is believed that the breaking point of his mental and phys- local Armenian community have been treating Ateshyan with ical health came at Hrant Dink’s funeral. Although he had deference, assuming that he will be forced to occupy the chosen a very different path in dealing with the Turkish Copying for other than personal use or Patriarch’s seat, one way or another. internal reference is prohibited without authorities, Dink’s assassination shook him to the core. Erdogan’s authoritarian rule has incarcerated more than express permission of the copyright Perhaps that was the moment when he experienced the trans- 350,000 scholars, journalists, jurists and members of the mil- owner. Address requests for reprints or formation of the priest in Arpiar Arpiarian’s novel, Garmir itary, and he has been thumbing his nose at the world. back issues to: Jamuts (The Crimson Offering). But from that point on, there Therefore, to impose a docile clergyman on the Patriarchal was no recovery for him, as his physical and mental health throne will not present a challenge to the sultan. Baikar Association, Inc. deteriorated inexorably. While the journey ahead for the Istanbul Armenians will be 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472- On March 8, at exactly 12.15 p.m., when the Patriarch turbulent, let the Patriarch rest in peace. 1509 S ATURDAY, M ARCH 1 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 19 COMMENTARY

the Associated Press. This was the first ever evangelical dele- $64,594 in unpaid child support he owed to his third wife for gation to visit the Muslim Shiite nation. The Rabbi described the care of their 19-year-old son. Rabbi Schneier was expelled Azerbaijan as “the most beloved and respected Muslim coun- in June 2015 by the Rabbinical Council of America for breach- try in the eyes of the Jewish American community,” reported ing the code of ethics by carrying on an extramarital rela- Trend, an Azeri news agency. Schneier spoke at an event in tionship. In June 2010, the Rabbi announced to his congre- My Turn the U.S. Congress last year celebrating the close friendship gation that he was suffering from “bipolar disorder.” between Azerbaijan and Israel. According to Wikipedia, “under pressure from his congre- By Harut Sassounian The group of 12 U.S. evangelical pastors met President gation for his multiple divorces and philandering, Schneier Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, the foreign minister, Muslim resigned in 2016 from his pulpit position at the Hampton Sheikhs, local church leaders, and Israel’s ambassador. Rabbi Synagogue, which he had founded in 1990. Congregants had Rabbi Schneier Takes Evangelical Schneier told the Associated Press that President Aliyev threatened to withhold pledges and payments until he left the Pastors On a Propaganda Tour of “announced during the delegation’s visit that the country’s synagogue.” first-ever Jewish cultural center would be built in Baku with The New York Post reported that after cheating on his Azerbaijan Kosher dining options and a hotel to accommodate Jewish third wife, Rabbi Schneier in 2006 married Tobi Rubinstein, guests.” Schneier heads the Foundation for Ethnic “a sexy worshipper,” who became wife No. 4. “In 2010, Tobi For several years, the government of Azerbaijan and its Understanding based in New York and founded the Hampton hired a private investigator who turned up explicit photos of diplomats overseas have gone to great lengths to win over Synagogue in Westhampton Beach, New York. As a sign of her husband and Gitty Leiner, a then-30-something worship- Jews worldwide, American Jewish organizations, and Israel. their cozy relationship, Azerbaijan’s national airline flies per, getting hot and heavy in the Holy Land on what Schneier Azerbaijan is simply copying Turkey’s sinister behavior that directly to Tel Aviv and President Aliyev hosted Israel’s prime had told his wife was a routine business trip. Marriage No. 4 until recently wooed Jewish organizations in the United minister in 2016. ended in divorce soon after.” The Rabbi ended up marrying States and Israel’s government to block the passage of a con- Not surprisingly, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar Gitty Leiner in 2013 — wife No. 5. The couple had a child in gressional resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide. Mammadyarov took advantage of his meeting with the evan- 2014, “but then in 2015, Schneier was caught dining out in Many Jewish groups ended their immoral cooperation with gelical leaders to disparage Armenia and distort the facts of Queens with sexy young Simi Teitelbaum” who became his Turkey, after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan began the Artsakh conflict. He said, “the recent statements of the sixth wife in 2017! Interestingly, the Post reported that making anti-Semitic statements and threatening Israel. Armenian leadership highlighted that such statements under- “Schneier explained away his unholy extramarital hookups by Just like Turkey, Azerbaijan’s outreach to Jewish organiza- mine the peace process.” saying he was mentally ill and seeking treatment.” tions and Israel is based on the typical anti-Semitic belief that Pastor Adam Mesa, who leads the Abundant Living Family Rabbi’s ex-wife Toby Gotesman told the Post: “When I left Jews control American politicians and it is therefore in Church in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., told the Associated him, he was making $800,000 … that included a $500,000 Azerbaijan’s interest to be on the good side of ‘powerful’ Jews. Press that it was his first time in a Muslim-majority country. salary, plus hundreds of thousands in additional compensa- According to the Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz, “many countries The pastor said he was encouraged to take part in the trip tion, including mortgage payments on his 5,000-square-foot nurture their relationship to Israel in hopes of finding favor because of Azerbaijan’s stance supporting Israel and interre- Westhampton Beach home, said to be valued at around $3 with influential American Jewish organizations who will in ligious efforts. “It’s incredible that a Muslim-majority country million.” turn speak well of them to the U.S. government.” is the one that has to actually lead the charge on religious dia- Rabbi Schneier’s visit to Azerbaijan last week was not his Furthermore, Azerbaijan’s pro-Jewish efforts are based on logue and community and solidarity.” first. He has been there several times in recent years on pro- the fact that it purchases billions of dollars of modern Rabbi Schneier confirmed to the Associated Press the polit- paganda tours. One wonders if the Rabbi has received any weapons from Israel. In return, Azerbaijan sells a large ical agenda behind the religious group’s visit: “from a politi- compensation from President Aliyev for his ‘valuable’ ser- amount of oil to Israel. There have been also intelligence cal point of view, listen there is no question you know that vices. His multiple trips to Azerbaijan makes the Rabbi look reports that Azerbaijan has provided Israel with several bases Azerbaijan is looking to strengthen its relationship with the more like a lobbyist for Azerbaijan than a religious figure! on its border with Iran, should Israel decide to attack Iran’s U.S. administration, with the United States Congress. Israel is I would urge Armenian evangelical church leaders to con- nuclear facilities. very much a conduit to that.” tact the 12 pastors who visited Baku last week in order to The latest example of the collaboration between American As in the case of Rep. Alcee Hastings, Azerbaijan seems to counter the propaganda they were fed against Armenia and Jewish leaders and Azerbaijan is the visit to Baku on March have picked another disgraced individual to disseminate its Artsakh. I would also like to know if these pastors and 3-8 by a group of U.S. evangelical pastors led by New York- propaganda. The 60-year-old Rabbi Schneier has been mar- Rabbi Schneier came back from Baku with suitcases full of based Orthodox Rabbi Marc Schneier “to promote interfaith ried six times, the last on March 2017. In February 2018, the the usual Azeri “gifts” of caviar, rugs, and other valuable dialogue and highlight cooperation with Israel,” according to State of Florida ordered Schneier to pay $5,000 a month for items.

creation by way of the “free will” and courage He has given bilities for today’s society, individually and collectively. GREAT LENT 2019: us in the first place. This responding process, our firm St. Nersess the Graceful promise, is no less than helping ourselves following the initial Especially in his 24-verse daily prayer known as “I confess divine absolution. with faith,” our 12th century great theologian and hymnolo- Confession gist St. Nersess the Graceful has implicated quite often the Confessing Hearing sins read in the nine verses of the confession form, requirement of actions taken by the individual as follow-up to the confessor by all means promises silently not to repeat the confession of his sins. Asking God for his “holy awe” he them, lies, gossips, slanders, curses, theft, and “all such sins”. commits himself to be most cautious as to what he hears, what He will understand that “returning to God” is a process total- he sees, where he goes, and what he says, instead of leading And ly his own, especially during Lent when certain foods and him astray to ways of iniquity. Or, naming Jesus as the “wis- enjoyment in social life are limited to the minimum by his per- dom of the Father,” the believer puts himself before God ask- sonal resolution. The “divine image” must be re-established in ing wisdom to speak, think, and work “all the time”, and stay us and strengthen us to promise actions beyond the formal away from evil thoughts, words and deeds, thus confirming Promising confession, with the assurance that both, confession and the principle of confession and its prayerful response with a promise complement each other effectively. Obviously, the con- firm promise. In another verse St. Nersess moves the believer fessor and only him becomes the subject of those sins, com- closer to God who says “may my conscience and physical sins By Father Zaven Arzoumanian, PhD mitted or not, as much as they are listed in the first person sin- be forgiven,” not letting everything on God and shun respon- gular, for each individual personally. sibility, but praying that “I may stay away from every bad Two Directions The response “I have sinned against God” must be a con- habits and head toward God with good habits,” requiring This year Great Lent began on Monday March 4, and viction rather than a statement, imminent with the assurance strong will and determination for lucrative labor as a response behooves on us to clarify the balance between the formal con- not to fall again. On the contrary, hearing the absolution on to the divine absolution of sins. fession and its effective promise in lucrative action to be taken behalf of God repeated by the priest should not by any means In his touching hymn known as Daradzyal (“spreading the by the believer. He not only goes through the formal suggest “an opportunity” for the next confession. There can be arms and the feet on the Cross”), St. Nersess alludes the entire Confession, but in return he also makes a firm resolution and no bargain with God thinking “today I will not sin, but not sure hymn to personal efforts, claiming that our hands and feet are promise in action to honor the forgiveness offered by God, for tomorrow.” Theological and philosophical theories sound “replacing” those of our Lord on the Cross, especially our namely not to repeat sinful deeds as much as humanly possi- instructive and academic, not for the average believer howev- “walking feet” as he says, thus maintaining responsibility to ble. The healing therefore becomes a gradual progress in two er, who needs simply the Gospel of Christ to find real peace. work and walk according to His ways. Next, the Saint specifies directions, one from above, and the other from the recipient Parables and Miracles that the Church is the functioning Body of Christ on earth “in addressed to God Almighty. The process is not and should not The simple messages of the Lord in His parables and mira- place” of the Cross, and the faithful are performing actively be a passive process, if we want fruitful and permanent results cles are accessible to the Christian believer, such as the para- and paying the “price” of their sinful lives sincerely and vicar- from the God-given absolution. A subjective understanding is bles of the Pharisee and the tax collector, and the Prodigal iously from “the blood and water issued from the side of the just as essential, otherwise to depend only on the divine pro- son, and many others, where the fall is corrected by a return Lord”, the first for the Communion Cup, and the second for nouncement “May God grants you forgiveness” with no follow- after a sincere self-examination. While praying, the Pharisee Baptism in the Font, the two essential Sacraments of the up action to justify, will reduce the Sacrament of Absolution praised himself only to degrade himself, not even to remain Church. to formality and habit. where he was, but adding more sins as detected by Jesus, while The Church Breviary We all hear the sins listed in those nine stanzas of the con- the tax collector realized his sinfulness fully and asked only for This is the book that contains the seven daily services, the fession form each Sunday. Not only those numerous and appli- God’s forgiveness. The parable of the prodigal son is more Mid-night, Morning, Mid-day, Evening, Sunrise, Peace, and cable sins named there are feasible, but hopefully believers do striking, a return after wasting his father’s money, and the wel- Rest services. In all of them we read those canonical psalms, confess them sincerely from the heart and mind, realizing that coming reception by the same father, with open arms and prayers, hymns, litanies and hymns, geared toward the basic it is not occasional, nor reasonable to leave all the weight on great joy, who saw him leave his house and now returning with relationship between God and men through the Most Holy God and sit back and feel comforted. Dutiful believers have to repeated requests of forgiveness. Trinity. They suggest commitments such as “we ask Thee, O help themselves as they assist God’s immense care and love for The same in the miracles that Jesus performed, all of them Lord, that the daily labors of Thy servants may be acceptable mankind, in truly eliminating sinful behavior by way of a conditioned first and foremost by a genuine faith, and then by by Thy divinity as just and God-pleasing works”. In another strong will and determination, as also by getting involved in the forgiveness of sins before the actual miracle took place. prayer, the worshipper asks God to accept his daily labors “not charitable activities. The paralytic man asked to be healed, and Jesus forgave his as worthless, but worthy to reach His divinity.” In all, the One should not take advantage of the divine favor thinking sins first, and then told him to get up and take his mattress Church and Christ through the Holy Spirit may accept their that one has the chance for a next confession. There is no bar- and walk. Or, the deaf and the speechless man who actions against their sins as remedies, not to be denied by the gain nor is there an easy way out. There is a “price” to pay, approached him in faith and asked if he can be healed. He was Heavenly Father. This becomes another source to confirm the since man was created by God “according to His image” that healed after his sins were forgiven, was able to speak correct- reciprocal effectiveness of repentance as response and promise tells us there is a spark of light directly from the Creator God ly, and above all to acknowledge the Person who healed him. to evaluate the remission of our sins. that will help us return the human “assistance” to the divine These and many others contain ample messages and responsi- I conclude my Lenten address reminding our faithful to take 20 S ATURDAY, M ARCH 1 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Denied Accreditation, Two German Journalists Leave Turkey

ISTANBUL (DPA) — Two German journalists anything they reported. have left Turkey after their press credentials “I don’t think it’s about anything I have writ- were not renewed. Berlin has condemned the ten,” Seibert told DW. “I think it’s a message to decision as unacceptable, saying journalists the Western press. They need a scapegoat or should be allowed to do their work unhindered. two or three, and I was one of the unlucky Thomas Seibert, a reporter for the Berlin- ones.” based Tagesspiegel daily, and Jörg Brase, a German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on correspondent for public broadcaster ZDF, Saturday said on Twitter it was “unacceptable” flew to Germany on Sunday, March 10, after that German correspondents could not do their jobs “freely” in Turkey. In an inter- view with Ambassador Kirakossian surrounded by Primate Bishop Manukyan and the members of the Tagesspiegel, he said Armenian Community Council of the UK denying the journal- ists their right to report was “incompat- UK Armenian Council Holds Reception for ible with our under- standing of press free- New Armenian Ambassador Kirakossian dom.” At a press confer- AMBASSADOR, from page 1 ence in the ZDF stu- Kirakossian in turn thanked the ACC for organizing the reception and for the warm wel- dio in Istanbul before come. He said he is committed to developing ties between Armenia and the UK and he their departure, both looked forward to the support and collaboration of all. He likened Armenia to a building reporters criticized which will grow taller when and if we all add to it brick by brick. He said he welcomes any the actions of the action that is Armenia-centred (hayasdanagentron) since a strong, secure and prosperous Turkish government. Armenia is the anchor of all the Diaspora. After seeing how Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, the Primate of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the UK they could control and Ireland, then took the floor. His message was one of collaboration and cooperation between the Church, the Embassy and the Armenian Community Council; the three, he con- Thomas Seibert and Jörg Brase domestic media, authorities appear to cluded, are the new trinity which we all cherish. be trying to intimidate The speeches were followed by a cocktail reception to provide the Ambassador with an their accreditation to work in Turkey was not foreign media as well, according to Brase. opportunity to meet members of the community. renewed. “There is hardly any critical [domestic] Kirakossian is a career diplomat and historian. He has represented Armenia in various They were told by the relevant authorities in reporting, at least not in state media,” Brase capitals including Washington, Athens and Vienna, and in various international organiza- Ankara about a week ago that their applica- said. “Now they are trying it with international tions such as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Between 1991 and tions for new press cards had not been media, but I cannot imagine the plan will work.” 1994, he served as First Deputy Foreign Minister and from 1992 to 1993 as acting foreign approved. Brase said he was considering moving to minister. In 2005, he was reappointed Deputy Foreign Minister. He has been accredited at “[I] have not been given any reason why my Tehran since the Iranian government had given various times to , , , and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. application to extend my press credentials was him the necessary paperwork to live there. He He is the author of numerous scholarly articles and books on Armenian studies both in denied,” Brase told DW. “Turkey also has a had been working in Turkey since January 2018. Armenian and in English. He is well traveled and as such is an expert on the Armenian Diaspora. press law that I have not broken — at least as far ZDF is planning on taking legal action He has received accolades and medals from various countries and organisations, which as I am aware.” against the decision. Brase said he and Seibert include the TCA Haigashen Ouzounian Prize in 2004 for his studies on the “Armenian Massacres in 1894-96.” Seibert said the decision to force them out of want to continue reporting on Turkey, if neces- HK the country may not have even been because of sary from abroad.