That Jazz Is a Risky Choice As a Career, and Is Constantly Reevaluating Her Goals for the Present, Near Future, and the Long Run

DECEMBER 5, 2015 Mirror-SpeTHE ARMENIAN ctator Volume LXXXVI, NO. 21, Issue 4415 $ 2.00 NEWS INBRIEF The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 Hayastan All-Armenian Armenia’s President Attends Paris Climate Summit Fund’s 18th Telethon PARIS (Public Radio members suggesting Raised $10,378,465 of Armenia) — On that it should not be Monday, November 30, simply about good YEREVAN — Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s world- President Serge intentions but clear-cut wide Telethon 2015 raised $10,378,465 in pledges Sargisian participated at and strong political mes- and donations. The amounts raised at the telethon, the 21st Conference of sages to ensure that safe with the theme “Our Home,” will be used to con- the Parties to the United future of the humanity struct single-family homes for families in Nagorno Nations Framework has no alternative. Karabagh who have five or more children and lack Convention on Climate During his speech, adequate housing, as well as to implement special Change. The conference, Sargisian stressed that projects adopted by the benefactors. which is presided over by climate change threat- Toward the realization of the projects, the worldwide France, is being attended ens all states equally, affiliates of the fund have been carrying out a multitude by the heads of state and regardless of their size of public-awareness and fundraising campaigns during representatives from 150 or level of development. the year, including phone-a-thons, radio-thons, a charity countries and by thou- Even though Armenia’s concert and fundraising dinners. sands of delegates. share in global emis- The Hayastan All-Armenian Fund continues to At the beginning of sions is not large and accept donations and pledges. the meeting, delegates does not exceed two observed a minute of President Serge Sargisian addresses the Climate Change Convention in Paris. hundredth of a percent, silence in tribute to the according to the Russian Lawmakers memory of the victims of Sargisian Armenia Propose Bill the November 13 terrorist attacks in Paris. tions on the gravest challenge faced by the attaches great importance to the need for According to the organizers, the presence human kind – disastrous change of climate, combining the efforts of all countries to Criminalizing Genocide of numerous world leaders at the Paris with no delay there will be adopted a address this issue and as a developing Conference in the wake of these tragic groundbreaking decision. nation has committed herself to contribute Denial events proves that when it comes to con- The Final Agreement of the Conference to this global endeavor. MOSCOW (RFE/RL) — A group of Russian law- fronting challenges presented to the entire will be adopted on December 11, with see SUMMIT, page 2 makers have submitted a bill to parliament on hold- humankind, civilization and solidarity are ing to account anyone who denies that the 1915 stronger than barbarity. killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turkish forces In their opening remarks the President was a “genocide.” of France Francois Hollande, the Minister 100 Lives, NEF Come Together for Scholarships The leader of Russia’s opposition, A Just Russia of Foreign Affairs of France Laurent Party, Sergei Mironov, said on November 25 that Fabius, who is presiding over the meeting, for 100 Students from Middle East the bill proposes a fine of up to 500,000 rubles UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Prince (more than $7,500) for any denial of the Genocide. Charles of Great Britain and other speakers NEW YORK — The announced plans for a The move by Russian lawmakers was made a day stressed the importance of the 21st coming together of two $7 million scholarship By Alin K. Gregorian after the Turkish air force shot down a Russian jet Conference for the future of planet Earth likeminded organiza- program which will ben- Mirror-Spectator Staff near the Syrian-Turkish border. and humanity and noted that today people tions, including the efit 100 students from from all over the world are looking at Paris, Near East Foundation the Middle East. expecting that as a result of the delibera- and 100 Lives, has led to the recently Both parties are happy with the collabo- Gephardt Signs Capitol ration, which according to Shant Mardirossian, chairman of the Near East Counsel Deal for Turkey Foundation, is the first time that the two WASHINGTON (Politico) — Capitol Counsel has groups, born 100 years apart as a result of a rich new deal to represent Turkey, as a sub- the same events — the Armenian Genocide contractor for Gephardt Group Government — will collaborate. Affairs. At a $32,000 monthly rate, Capitol “Our hope is to continue the collabora- Counsel’s tasks include to “develop and utilize tion with 100 Lives,” Mardirossian said. contacts at the State and Defense Departments, The third party to this collaboration is and the National Security Council to convey the United World Colleges (UWC), which has seriousness of the genocide issue and the poten- 15 schools across the world, including its tial threat it poses to the US/Turkey relation- latest one in Dilijan, Armenia. ship,” according to newly filed Justice see SCHOLARSHIPS, page 6 Department documents. The addition of Capitol Counsel appears to boost Turkey’s bench on the Republican side: Former Rep. Jim McCrery (R- United Armenian Fund La.) leads the account. Turkey hired Gephardt Group, led by former Majority Leader Dick Ends Humanitarian Gephardt (D-Mo.), in March for $1.7 million, with subcontractors getting monthly fees of $32,000 Shipments to Armenia for Dickstein Shaprio, $7,500 for Brian Forni, GLENDALE — The Board of Directors of $15,000 for Lydia Borland, and $40,000 Soprano Tigranuhi Howhannisyan performing with Diana Sahakyan the United Armenian Fund (UAF) for Greenberg Taurig. announced that the non-profit organiza- tion was ending its operations on Germans Celebrate Paruyr Sevak November 30, following the death in June of its main benefactor, Kirk Kerkorian, pre- INSIDE WIESBADEN, Germany — The saying goes that “there is no more beautiful ceded by the closing down of his Lincy woman than the Armenian language.” If that is the case, German author Jochen Foundation. Mangelsen writes, then the two After 26 years of providing humanitarian women who have just published a new aid to Armenia and Artsakh, the five major All that By Muriel Mirak-Weissbach German translation of poems by Armenian-American religious and charita- Special to the Mirror-Spectator Paruyr Sevak “have tackled a really ble organizations that formed the UAF audacious task.” It is an adventure, he have decided to concentrate their attention Jazz goes on, not only for the translators and resources on other projects that they but for the reader who encounters this language “full of secrets, surrealistic sponsor and fund in Armenia and the Page 9 images, dreams and dreamlike playfulness.” Mandelsen, who has published on the Diaspora. Armenian Genocide, made these remarks in his introduction, or rather, “greet- The leaders of UAF member organiza- ings,” to the new book. tions expressed their gratitude to Indeed the slim volume, Paruyr Sevak: And It Pierces My Soul: 24 and 4 Poems Kerkorian for his generosity, who through INDEX Armenian-German published by Schiler Verlag in Berlin, is a huge achievement. his Lincy Foundation, contributed tens of Arts and Living ...... 9 The sub-title symbolically recalls the tragic date of 24.4, or April 24, 1915, when millions of dollars over the past quarter Armenia ...... 2 the leading members of the intelligentsia were rounded up in Constantinople, century to fund the UAF’s operations, Community News...... 4 arrested and almost all put to death. Heide Rieck, a prize-winning German author including the shipment of hundreds of mil- Editorial ...... 14 International ...... 3 see GERMANY, page 16 lions of dollars of relief supplies to Armenia and Artsakh by air and sea. see UAF, page 6 2 S ATURDAY, D ECEMBER 5 , 2 0 1 5 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia Armenia Hosts Thunderstorms and Elementary Particle Actress Varduhi YEREVAN — Understanding how lightning is initiated within thunder- Varderesyan Dies clouds is probably one of the biggest mysteries in atmospheric science. The YEREVAN (Panorama.am) — Armenian actress relationship between thundercloud Varduhi Varderesyan died aged 87, Panorama.am electrification, lightning activity, and learned from Armenian Culture Ministry. the generation of radio waves is not A government commission will be set up for orga- completely understood. A promising nization of the funeral of the actress. window into this area of research is the Varderesyan was born in 1928 in Bucharest. In study of the interaction of thunder- 1946 she moved to her historic homeland – Armenia. storms, lightning, and cosmic radiation She studied at the studio of Leninakan Drama (so-called Thunderstorm ground Theatre after Mravyan (now Vardan Ajemyan Drama enhancements – TGEs). Theatre in Gumri). To discuss these high-energy atmos- In 1958 Varderesyan started to perform on the pheric phenomena, a conference on stage of Sundukyan Theatre in Yerevan. Thunderstorms and Elementary Particle Acceleration (TEPA) was held Chronic Hepatitis B and at the Nor Amberd International TEPA 2015 guests touring CRD Aragats research station cosmic ray particle detector array Conference Center of the Yerevan C Affects Armenia’s Physics Institute (YerPhI) in Armenia in October. The Cosmic Ray Division ferent conditions and with different events within a few tens of nanosec- Population (CRD) of YerPhI and Skobeltsyn instruments. Armenian physicists sug- onds. On October 7, for the first time, gested that sensors developed by other TGE particle fluxes and lightning were YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Armenian Republic is Institute of Nuclear Physics of Moscow State University organized the work- groups be installed at Armenia’s captured on a millisecond time scale on considered a medium prevalence area in terms of Aragats high altitude research station the CRD particle detectors on Mt. hepatitis B and C. 2-3 percent of Armenian popula- shop; YerPhI and the Armenian State Committee of Science sponsored the where intense thunderstorms occur Aragats, allowing researchers and con- tion Chronic Hepatitis B carrier and about 4 percent during spring and autumn. ference attendees to look at the fine carries hepatitis C virus. Armenian Youth Fund conference. Thirty scientists and stu- dents from the United States, Japan, The Cosmic Ray Division of YerPhI details of thunderstorm activity. passed “Get tested, treated and prevent it” titled pro- has installed new electronic systems on Young scientists and graduate students ject in the frames of European Research Initiative France, Germany, Israel, Russia and Armenia attended. Mt. Aragats, including electric field studying at Armenia’s Cosmic Ray Division over HIV and hepatitis. Manager of the project monitors and particle detectors. These conducted much of this research. Also Narine Mezhlumyan informs that Europe declares Discussions included the effects of cosmic radiation on lightning initiation, instruments are synchronized with GPS these young scientists played a major role HIV Research Week for already several years which systems to correlate the timing of in organizing this conference. purpose is to provide the people with message that the emission of radio waves, and fluxes informs about the necessity of researching over HIV, of subatomic particles from thunder- to learn about the condition, to prevent it is possible clouds. Scientists analyzed and debated and if one is a virus carrier, he/she must get treat- the results of experimental observa- ment and prolong his/her life. tions and computer models of these The Department of Armenian Youth Fund report- and other phenomena. ed in the frames of “Get tested, treated and prevent The workshop participants agreed it” project AYF regional centers passed awareness that it would be useful to compare the events in all regions from November 20-27 in local vast amount of experimental data col- educational institutions. lected by laboratories in Armenia, Japan, Slovakia and the USA under dif- Azerbaijan Fires 6,000 Shells Towards Armenia Armenia’s President YEREVAN (Armenpress) — In accordance with the operative data of the Defense Army of the Nagorno Attends Paris Climate Karabagh Republic, within November 22-28 the Change Summit adversary violated the ceasefire regime around 300 Some of the participants at the TEPA 2015 conference in front of CRD’s Nor Ambert times in the line of contact of Karabagh with SUMMIT, from page 1 research station Azerbaijan. He said, “The Armenian national During this period, more than 6,000 shots were position was reflected in the ‘Plan of fired from different caliber weapons including HAN- Actions defined at the National Level’ 17 grenade launchers in the direction of the adopted by our Government. It is built Armenian Assembly Presents Armenia Armenian frontier troops. As “Armenpress” was upon the following principles: informed by the Press Service of the Defense “First, global emissions of the green- And NKR with 6 Mine Detecting Dogs Ministry of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic, the house gases shall be limited at the frontier troops of the Defense Army are in complete threshold, which would keep the tem- YEREVAN — Armenian Assembly of infrastructure projects. control of the situation along the entire frontline and perature increase below the two America presented Armenia and the Also last month, HALO Trust director confidently carry out their combat duty. degrees Celsius. Nagorno Karabagh Republic with six Andrew Moore and HALO Trust USA “Second, we shall adopt an approach mine detecting dogs (MMD). executive director Tom Faust sat down Armenia Ready to that is “general but differentiated,” and Armenian Assembly of America board with Assembly staff in their headquar- take into account the varying degree of member Annie Totah and executive ters to discuss current projects and Deepen Ties with the current and historical responsibility director Bryan Ardouny attended the accomplishments on the ground in of the numerous countries. Marshall Legacy Institute’s (MLI) 18th Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh. Denmark “Third, the responsibility and burden- Annual Clearing the Path Gala where “Most Armenian Americans are sharing for limiting the emissions of they met with officers, supporters, and unaware that there is a landmine prob- YERVAN (Armenpress) — Ambassador of Denmark to greenhouse gases shall be distributed activists for the K9 Demining Corps lem in Nagorno Karabagh and that the Armenia Christian Dons Christensen (residence in by taking into account the rights of the Campaign. MLI’s K9 Demining Corps per capita accident rate is among the Kiev) presented his credentials to President of contemporary and future generations Campaign seeks to improve the quanti- highest in the world — higher even than Armenia Serge Sargisian on November 27. to utilize the climate resources. ty and quality of mine detection dogs Cambodia and Afghanistan,” stated Sargisian congratulated the ambassador on assum- “And, finally, not to do anything that (MDDs) in countries all over the world. HALO USA executive director Tom ing the office and wished him a successful stint. would make the developing countries “As a lifetime partner of the Marshall Faust. “We are grateful for the Sargisian stressed that Armenia is ready to deepen to slide back,” Sargisian said. Legacy Institute’s demining project, Armenian Assembly’s help to raise its relations with Denmark both in bilateral and mul- “Armenia stands ready to undertake and our decades-long support of HALO awareness of this important humanitar- tilateral formats. He praised the expansion of the a commitment of a quantitative limita- Trust initiatives in Armenia and ian issue. HALO’s aim is to clear all legal framework in different sectors of the two coun- tion to the increase of the emissions of Nagorno Karabakh, the Assembly is minefields in Karabakh so that the peo- tries, mutual high level visits, deepening of interpar- greenhouse gases,” he conlcuded. pleased with the results achieved to ple who are most affected by the land- liamentary relations as well as close cooperation in date and is committed to seeing current mine threat can leave behind this dead- the framework of international structures. projects completed in the years to ly and forgotten legacy of war and live Sargisian thanked Denmark for the assistance it come,” stated Assembly Board Member safer and more productive lives,” Faust provided in the implementation of democratic Correction Annie Totah. said. reforms. He also emphasized that the Armenian peo- In 2002, the Assembly became one of Since 2000, HALO Trust staff has ple appreciated Denmark’s support in the organiza- A letter by Mary Ann Kibarian the first participants of MLI’s K9 cleared almost 90 percent of all land- tion of the ecumenical service dedicated to the cen- which appeared in the November Demining Corps Campaign and spon- mines in Nagorno Karabagh, resulting tennial of the Armenian Genocide held in 21 issue of the Armenian Mirror- sored six MDDs for Armenia. The in 66,718 acres of cleared land to be Copenhagen Cathedral on April 19, as well as the Spectator “Where Do We Go accomplishments of the Assembly-spon- used by local residents. statement adopted by Denmark parliament. The lat- From Here?” responded to sored MDDs include clearing landmine In 2013 alone, HALO Trust ter, as Sargsyan is convinced, is a serious step toward Noubar Afeyan’s open letter to areas in Armenia along its border with employed 175 staff in Karabagh and recognition process of the Armenian Genocide. the community and not to the UN Azerbaijan that is today used for farm- cleared more than 370 acres of land as Secretary General. ing, grazing and other agricultural ini- part of their “Landmine Free Artsakh” tiatives, as well as transportation and initiative. S A T U R D A Y , D E C E M B E R 5 , 2 0 1 5 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 INTERNATIONAL International News Thousands Mourn Murdered Kurdish Lawyer Tahir Elci, Funerals Held for 2 Policemen Also Killed Istanbul Hosts Book Presentation on German DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (Reuters) — on November 28 showed officers sional gunfire and explosions heard. Thousands of people have gathered being shot at from inside a cab. HDP deputies and leaders of Role in Genocide for the funeral of Tahir Elci, a Another video shows plainclothes Turkey’s local bar associations gath- ISTANBUL (PanARMENIAN.Net) — Istanbul host- Kurdish lawyer and human rights police shooting at two men running ered at the funeral, where a casket ed on December 2 a presentation of the book activist gunned down in Diyarbakır, in the direction where Elci was draped in red and adorned bright yel- Genocide Complicity: Germany’s role in the which has been at the center of believed to be. low flowers was carried by a dense Armenian Genocide, by German journalist and months of violence. Funerals were Elci, who died after speaking to jour- crowd. writer Jurgen Gottschlich. also held for the two policemen nalists, was facing trial for saying Members of the Diyarbakir Bar The volume unveils the story of how Germany – killed in the attack on November 28. the banned Kurdistan Workers party Association stood in front of the hos- which wanted to establish a strong presence in the The Turkish prime minister, Ahmet (PKK) was not a terrorist organization, pital from where the body was taken East during the WWI – lured Turkey into the war. Davutoglu, said on November 29 that as the government describes it. He had, holding a banner stating: “We will The German officers who served in the Ottoman the gun found next to Elci’s body was however, denounced PKK violence. not forget you,” in Turkish and army, characterized Armenians as spies and traitors. the same weapon used in the attack Hundreds of people have been Kurdish. And when the forced deportations of Armenians on the police officers, as he vowed to killed since a ceasefire between the Four investigators have begun turned into genocide, the German government catch the killers. PKK and Turkish security forces col- work to determine whether the death thought it was a “harsh, but productive measure.” But Selahattin Demirtas, co-chair of lapsed in July, reigniting a conflict in was an assassination or the result of According to the author, Germany turned a blind eye the pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic which 40,000 people have died since crossfire. to the diplomats and clergy members’ concerns about party (HDP), cast doubt on whether it began in 1984. Elci’s brother Ahmet was con- the atrocities perpetrated against the Armenians. those responsible would be exposed. Elci’s killing was likely to fuel fur- vinced that the lawyer had been a tar- “Our skepticism is fair as so many ther unrest in Turkey’s mostly get: “My brother is not our first mar- similar sufferings have taken place on Kurdish southeast. tyr and neither will he be the last,” he Armenia Participating in our land in this past,” he said at the A curfew had been called in the said at the funeral. “As a Kurdish funeral. “We were never able to say Sur district of Diyarbakır where the intellectual, he was slain by the state. Mexico Book Fair goodbye to them with our minds at killing took place. Security forces We have seen this state murdering MEXICO CITY (PanARMENIAN.Net) — For the ease thinking those responsible will continued operations to drive back Kurdish intellectuals throughout the first time, Armenia will participate in the be caught.” the youth wing of the PKK, removing history. But we will not give up and Guadalajara International Book Fair, which this year Police surveillance footage released barricades and trenches, with occa- we will win.” is being held November 28 through December 6. Armenia’s participation was made possible through cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and Armenian Embassy in Mexico. At the event, the country is represented with more Russia Says Cork Hosts Photographic Exhibition than 180 books, published not only in Armenia, but also Argentina, Uruguay, Spain, the United States Turkey ‘Shot Commemorating Armenian Genocide and France. Dedicated to the centennial of the 1915’s mas- CORK, Ireland (Irish Times) — It was memorating what happened to their sacres, Armenia’s pavilion introduced a number Down Plane described by US President Theodore family antecedents in those dark times of Genocide-themed books to the Mexican readers, Roosevelt as “the greatest crime of the from 1915 to 1918 and the people of public and university libraries, the Foreign Ministry For IS Oil’ war” and now the Armenian geno- Cork can share in that remembrance by press office reports. cide which began in 1915 has been com- visiting and viewing the exhibition in Guadalajara Book Fair has been held since 1987 memorated with a special exhibition of Cork City Library,” he said. MOSCOW (AFP) — Russia has and is considered to be the biggest South American photographs at Cork City Library. According to Lynch, the panels of accused Turkey of shooting down its and world’s second largest event of its kind. “The Iconic Images of the Armenian photographs depict the various warplane near the border with Syria Genocide” – officially opened by Lord aspects of the genocide, including exe- in order to protect its oil trade with Mayor of Cork, Cllr Chris O’Leary — cutions, massacres, deportations and the Islamic State (IS) group. Genocide Centennial features a series of old photographs starvation of Armenians within the Speaking at international talks on cli- which depict the genocide of 1.5 mil- Ottoman Empire by the Young Turk Marked in Baghdad mate change in Paris, Russian lion Armenians living in what is now movement. President Vladimir Putin called the BAGHDAD (PanArmenian.net) — In commemora- present day Turkey. “Together these photographs recre- downing of the plane a “huge mistake”. tion of the Armenian Genocide, Baghdad hosted on One of the organizers, Jimmy ate a sense of the terror exercised by Turkey has denied any ties to IS November 26 a performance in Arabic, titled “The Lynch explained that the exhibition has the Young Turk regime and reveal the and is part of a US-led coalition car- Armenian Genocide before the Court.” been put together by the Armenian extent of the dispossession and decima- rying out air strikes against the mili- Based on the play “All Rise, Court Is in Session” community in Ireland to mark the cen- tion of the Armenian people in their his- tant group. by Perch Zeytuntsyan, the event was organized by tenary of the genocide and it is based toric homeland,” said Lynch. The Turkish government has Homenetmen (Armenian General Athletic Union and on an original project by the Armenian “With panels displaying photographs refused to apologize for the incident. Scouts) and the Armenian Mixed Youth Association, National Institute and Armenian organi- of survivors, rescued women, homeless One Russian pilot was killed and Armenian Foreign Ministry’s press office reports. zations in the US. children and refugees, the scale and the other rescued following the Armenia’s Ambassador to Iraq Karen Grigoryan, “In Ireland we rightly remember what depth of the uprooting of the Armenian crash on 24 November. Turkey says representatives of political and public circles, clergy happened in World War I in places such people is revealed,” said Lynch. the jet entered its air space — an members attended the event, which was covered by as Gallipoli and Suvla Bay where many Many of the images were taken in accusation Russia denies. local media outlets. Irish suffered and died but we should the teeth of a strictly enforced ban on Russia has been carrying out air also be aware of what happened photography by the Ottoman authori- strikes in Syria, targeting rebels in Armenia – this is an important and ties and the collection represents pho- against Syrian President Bashar al- Pope Francis ‘Hopes to emotional year for the Armenian com- tographs that survived and were scat- Assad, including IS. munity in Ireland and worldwide. tered across several continents before Visit’ Armenia Next Year Turkey is a vehement opponent of “They will be remembering and com- being brought together, he added. Assad and has been accused of turn- PARIS (PanARMENIAN.Net) — Speaking at the UN ing a blind eye to jihadist fighters climate summit in Parish, Pope Francis said he crossing from its territory into Syria. planned to visit Mexico and hoped to be able to Until a few months ago, Turkey was visit Armenia in the coming year. Francis said he has reluctant to play an active role in the promised the patriarchs of Armenia that he would coalition against IS. However, in August Russia Bans Soros’ Open Society Group visit, no date has been discussed though. it allowed the US-led coalition to begin MOSCOW (Public Radio of and would add the two groups to “But I am old and these trips are heavy,” he said. using its airbase at Incirlik. Armenia) — The Russian Prosecutor Russia’s list of undesirable foreign The UN climate conference in Paris is most likely Russia has imposed sanctions on General’s Office has recognized organizations. humanity’s last chance to thwart global environmen- Turkey over the downing of the George Soros’s Open Society Prosecutors launched a probe tal disaster, the Pope Francis said on Monday, plane, including restrictions on Institute and another affiliated orga- into the activities of the two orga- November 30, warning the world was “at the limits imports of Turkish food and an end nization as undesirable groups, ban- nizations – both sponsored by the of suicide,” Reuters reports. to visa-free travel. ning Russian citizens and organiza- well-known US financier George Francis, who visited Kenya, Uganda and the IS earns much of its money from tions from participation in any of Soros – in July of this year, after Central African Republic, also said the continent was illegal sales of oil — however, Turkey their projects, Russia Today reports. Russian senators approved the so- “a martyr of exploitation” by wealthy countries who has staunchly denied that it is In a statement released on called “patriotic stop-list” of 12 want its natural resources and try to impose Western involved in the trade. November 30, prosecutors said the groups that required immediate values instead of concentrating on development. “We have every reason to think activities of the Open Society attention over their supposed anti- The pope’s last stop in Africa was the Central that the decision to shoot down Institute and the Open Society Russian activities. Other groups African Republic, one of the continent’s poorest our plane was dictated by the Institute Assistance Foundation on the list included the National nations. He made an unscheduled stop at the coun- desire to protect the oil supply were a threat to the foundations of Endowment for Democracy; the try’s only pediatric hospital, where doctors told him lines to Turkish territory,” Putin Russia’s Constitutional order and International Republican Institute; that they did not have oxygen and that most of the said at a news conference in Paris national security. They added that the National Democratic Institute; children there were destined to die of malnutrition or on Monday. the Justice Ministry would be duly the MacArthur Foundation and malaria. He said Russia had received more informed about these conclusions Freedom House. information to show that IS oil was passing through Turkish territory. 4 S ATURDAY, D ECEMBER 5 , 2 0 1 5 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Community News

Provocative Talk by Sisters, Educators Dr. Roberta Erivne Honored by AIWA On Gregory of Narek Chicago Chapter

Romantic Poems CHICAGO — On Saturday, September 26, the Chicago Affiliate of the Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA) hosted a luncheon By Florence Avakian at the historic Union League Club to celebrate the accomplishments of Prof. Ann Lousin and NEW YORK — The erotic love poem, Song of Prof. Leona Mirza. The two educators are sisters Songs was the subject of a fascinating and and lifetime members of AIWA. They have been provocative lecture by Dr. Roberta Ervine, on leaders in their respective professional fields as Tuesday evening November 3. It was sponsored well as in the Armenian community for many by the Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information years. Center of the Diocese of the Armenian Church Lousin teaches commercial law and Illinois (eastern). constitutional law at the John Marshall Law The Armenian scholar was introduced by the School in Chicago. She has served on the staff Zohrab Center Executive Director, the Very of the Speaker of the Illinois House of Rev. Daniel Findikyan, as “an unparalleled spe- Representatives, including two years as cialist of the Cilician period.” Ervine, he said, Parliamentarian of the House. She is a founding has studied for several years in Jerusalem with member of the Armenian Bar Association and Archbishop Norayr Bogharian, late curator of has served it in several capacities, including manuscripts for Jerusalem’s St. James three years as Chair from 1995 to 1998. Mirza is Monastery, and with the late Bishop Guregh a professor of mathematics education at North Kapikian, Armenian Overseer of the Status Quo Park University. For several years, she was also in the Holy Places. While there, she taught the director of the Institute for International Armenian studies at both Jerusalem’s Holy and Cultural Studies at the University. Mirza Translators’ Academy, and the Hebrew Robert Aram Kaloosdian signing his book served as the president of the Chicago Chapter University. Currently, she is professor of of The Armenian General Benevolent Union Armenian Studies at St. Nersess Armenian from 2006 to 2009. Seminary, and concentrates on the history of One hundred and fifty people were in atten- the Armenians in Jerusalem and medieval Armenian Assembly Features dance to honor the two. Before the commence- Armenian literature and spirituality. ment of the program, guests enjoyed several In her talk, Ervine presented her recent Author Robert Aram Kaloosdian at musical selections by professional oud player English translation from the Armenian of St. Mark Gavoor. Following welcoming remarks Gregory’s commentary in her new book, The Boston Holiday Reception from AIWA Chicago President Greta Blessing of Blessings, and focused on how the Doumanian-Harley, Samuel Der-Yeghiayan, a monk from Narek urges the reader to “rethink ARLINGTON, Mass. — Earlier this month, the New England Regional Council of federal judge of the US District Court for the the Armenian Assembly of America hosted the Annual Holiday Reception featuring a Northern District of Illinois, reflected on the his- book presentation and signing by Assembly board of trustees vice chairman and coun- tory of the Armenian community and com- selor Robert Aram Kaloosdian, author of Tadem My Father’s Village, Extinguished mended the honorees for their achievements. During the 1915 Armenian Genocide at the Armenian Cultural Foundation. Shortly afterward, Lousin and Mirza each took The program began with opening remarks by Assembly board member Lu Ann the stage and spoke fondly about growing up in Ohanian who welcomed the audience to the event. Following Ohanian, Assembly an Armenian-American family in post-World War board president Carolyn Mugar introduced Kaloosdian commending his tireless II Chicago. They praised their parents’ emphasis dedication and work on behalf of the Armenian people. on education, which led each of them to pursue Kaloosdian’s work, which differs from other Armenian Genocide narratives, graduate studies and subsequently, careers in serves as a microanalysis of a specific village named Tadem. Kaloosdian’s non-fic- academia. Before the conclusion of the program, tion book is about real people and events that occurred during the Armenian Chicago Affiliate Founder and Advisor Sonya Genocide throughout the Armenian provinces of eastern Turkey. His work com- Doumanian presented the honorees with ceram- prises a collective history of eyewitnesses told with extraordinary detail in order ic artwork made by Armenian artisans in to preserve the memory of Tadem. This particular village may not have been in a Jerusalem. war zone, but its disappearance stands as a testament that religious hatred and The luncheon was a tremendous success for racial prejudice can be more destructive than weapons of war. the Chicago Affiliate. The luncheon committee “Originally I chose Day Is Done, as the title of the book, which invokes the lyrics members included Greta Doumanian-Harley and of Taps performed at military funerals. At the very end of my writing I shared the Houri Gueyikian (co-chairs), Svetlana Arakelyan, title with my family, and my granddaughter turned to me and said ‘but grandpa, Sonya Doumanian, Shaghig Danielle Galian, it’s not done.’ She said ‘for me you have made Tadem come alive and I will forev- Gloria Hachikian, Samantha Kyrkostas, er know Tadem.’ She had a sort of reverse analysis and that was truly inspiring Christina Markarian, Ruzanna Tantushyan, for me,” Kaloosdian said during his presentation. Mariam Tatosian, and Tamar Wasoian. Through Dr. Roberta Ervine Assembly board co-chairman Van Krikorian concluded the presentation by its efforts, the committee raised $5,500 for the acknowledging members and supporters in the audience. He thanked them for Women’s Support Center in Yerevan, Armenia. their steadfast support and for helping the Assembly advocate on behalf of the how we imagine God, love, sex, and the divine Armenian American community. intimacy into which he invites his creatures.” It Following the presentation Kaloosdian provided and signed copies of his books was the object of intrigue and intense study by for the guests. the early church fathers East and West, she said, including the great 10th century Armenian mystic, St. Gregory of Narek. Opening her talk with the poetry of graphic love, she read, “How fair and pleasant you have become, O Lover, delectable maiden! You are stately as a palm tree, and your breasts are like its clusters. I say I will climb the palm tree and lay hold of its branches. Oh, your breasts are like clusters of the vine, and the scent of your breath like apples, and your throat is like the best wine that goes down smoothly, gliding over lips and teeth. . .” “This tenth century mystic, St. Gregory of Narek, now declared a doctor of the Church by Rome, is one of the most beloved and revered figures in all of Armenian spiritual and literary From left, Armenian Assembly Massachusetts State Chair Herman Purutyan, Board history,” she noted. So what place does a piece Co-Chair Anthony Barsamian, Board President Carolyn Mugar, Board Co-Chair From left, Mariam Tatosian, Sonya Doumanian, of love-poetry, “replete with sensual and erotic Van Krikorian, and Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, with Assembly vice chairman Houri Gueyikian, Prof. Ann Lousin, Professor imagery, have in Scripture. Surprised inquiry is and counselor Robert Aram Kaloosdian Leona Mirza, Greta Doumanian-Harley, an underlying principle of all Armenian interac- Christina Markarian, Gloria Hachikian and tions with Scripture.” Shaghig Danielle Galian see POEMS, page 5 S ATURDAY, D ECEMBER 5 , 2 0 1 5 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 COMMUNITY NEWS

ASA Annual Journalism Program Accepts Movember: Fundraising for Syrian Armenians Applications for 2016 BELMONT, Mass. – Ari Janessian of Ani Catering tried a different way to raise money for Armenians in Syria. It may not be the typical way, but it seems to work. He grew a mus- WARWICK, RI — At its annual convention in Dr. Michael G. Mensoian, a member of the ASA Inc tache, and adopt- June 2015, the Board of Trustees of the Armenian Board of Trustees who oversees the program. ed a retro look. Students’ Association of America, Inc. (ASA Inc.) “The Armenian Weekly and the Armenian He called his announced it is again sponsoring two journalism Mirror-Spectator are two of the leading English-lan- campaign, “Stash internships in partnership with the Armenian guage newspapers in the United States and Canada for Syria,” and Weekly and the Armenian Mirror-Spectator. keeping our community informed of developments followed the In making the announcement, Brian locally as well as in Armenia and the Diaspora example of peo- Assadourian, Chairman of the ASA Inc Board of through their print and online editions.” ple who have Trustees remarked that “The ASA is proud to once Applications for the ASA Inc Journalism grown mustaches again make these internships available and to con- Internship are now available and may be down- for men’s health tinue our mission begun 105 years ago of providing loaded at http://www.asainc.org. Applications and other causes financial assistance and professional mentoring to must be submitted no later than Friday May 20, in November qualified students of Armenian heritage.” 2016. Candidates must have completed at least (which conse- Participants in the six week internship program their sophomore year of college by May 2016. quently is called will receive a weekly stipend of $150. Interns will Currently enrolled graduate students are also eligi- Movember). work either under the supervision of Nanore ble. Janessian has a Barsoumian, editor of the Armenian Weekly or Alin Since its establishment 105 years ago the personal connec- K. Gregorian, editor of the Armenian Mirror- Armenian Students’ Association of America, Inc tion to the cause. Spectator. The offices of both newspapers are locat- has encouraged the educational pursuits of Though born ed in Watertown, Massachusetts. Armenians in the United States by providing finan- e l s e w h e r e , “The Internship provides a valuable opportunity cial assistance in the form of scholarship grants, pro- Janessian was for students of Armenian heritage to have hands-on fessional opportunities through internships, and fel- baptized in experience as a member of the editorial staff” noted lowship through social and educational activities. Aleppo, and both his parents are Aleppo natives. As of the morn- St. Thomas Food Holiday Bazaar December 5 and 6 ing of December 1, he has raised $5,635 from 128 people in 26 days through a fundraising website. The majority of the donors have been under 30 years old. TENAFLY, N.J. — The St. Thomas Armenian ed vendors, some booths are still available by The website is https://www.gofundme.com/StashForSyria. Food festival and Holiday Bazaar will take place calling the church office. — Aram Arkun this year on Saturday, December 5, from noon Entertainment will include a children’s to 8 p.m., and Sunday, December 6, from noon clown performing fun magic tricks with a live to 6 p.m. The Food Festival and Bazaar will rabbit and face painting at 4 p.m. followed by take place on church premises located at the Santa Claus at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Provocative Talk by Dr. Roberta Erivne On corner of East Clinton Avenue and Route 9W, December 5. On Sunday, December 6, the well- in Tenafly, NJ. The Bazaar is held indoors; known Antranig Dance Ensemble will perform admission and parking are free. traditional Armenian and International Folk Gregory of Narek Romantic Poems Authentic Armenian and Middle Eastern Dances POEMS, from page 4 ies,” Gregory told Gurgen. “There is nothing foods will be available continuously. In addi- There is also a “White Elephant” booth for She revealed that it is the only work he wrote more honorable on earth than the love of a tion, the gourmet booth will offer homemade, those who like exploring vintage and non-vin- that used none of the “justly famous inexpress- man and a woman.” This is high praise, Ervine scrumptious delicacies and pastries. All foods tage treasures and value-priced merchandise. ible emotional experience he had of the Divine. commented, for the married state of sexual may be enjoyed on premises or packaged for A variety of valuable raffle prizes such as It is the only work he wrote involving no origi- union, in a time when clerics, and monastics “take-out” convenience. You can also enjoy hand-made Oriental Rug, 32” TV’s, Notebook nal poetry. And it is his earliest written work,” especially, are commonly supposed to have your dining experience in our spacious halls Computer, Apple iPod, etc., will add to the she explained. spurned the joys and the ties of human love. while listening or dancing to Armenian & a excitement of the two-day event. The winners It was Prince (later, King) Gurgen-Khachik of But there is more to the Song of Songs than variety of music provided by our DJ. will be announced at the raffle drawing on Vaspurakan, “the highly ambitious scion of a even the most “sublime human love. It is the A variety of vendor booths, including jewelry, Sunday afternoon during the bazaar. ruthless, highly ambitious dynasty” which on Love of loves, the love to God, a passion that toys, books, handcrafts and boutique gift items For more information or directions call the one hand, built a religious complex, but also our emotionally impoverished culture today for pre-Christmas shopping will present a wide church office or visit the church website at “instigated more than one bloody, treacherous might find inappropriate.” selection of exciting merchandise. For interest- www.stthomasarmenianchurch.com. and fratricidal Armenian civil war. And a broth- Though it is beautiful to have an emotional er of Gurgen gave away half of Armenia’s tradi- relationship with God, Ervine said, “there is yet tional territory to the Byzantine empire, a greater love.” Gregory says to Gurgen, “live because of a verse he read in the Bible one day.” into your relationship with all your heart and 7(.(<$1&8/785$/$662&,$7,212)*5($7(51(:<25. Gregory, who like Gurgen was in his 20s, soul and mind and strength — be the Bride, and must have had a considerable reputation as a then listen with all your soul’s ears to what 7&$0+(50(*(5'&+,$17+($75,&$/*5283 scholar and a sober-minded monastic for God, the Groom says to you because God’s love Gurgen to ask him “What does 3528'/<35(6(17 all this erotic effusiveness  mean, and why is it in the Bible? And why is it called the Song of Songs?” This pinnacle of Songs “expresses something about the  God of gods, the Lord of lords, the King of kings, the Blessing ÌK of blessings; it is his Holy of holies in some way,” Ervine related. “So the Blessing of Blessings — the Song of Songs,  is their summation. It tops them all, singly and together,  the essence of all of them. In  Gregory’s estimation, the Song St. Gregory of Narek of songs IS the Holy of biblical )HDWXULQJ holies that both contains and gives access to the Lord of lords. The love it takes us higher and higher forever. The Song of depicts with a capital L is more loving that all Songs hot only belongs in the Bible, it is the .HYRUN$UWLQLDQ other loves, and more holy than the holiest of pinnacle of the Old Testament.” It is a reminder :LWK-LP.]LULDQ all imaginable things.” that humans are made to “be passionately loved *HRUJH7HEUHMLDQ Being groomed to become king, Gurgen was a and to love passionately in return with all their  military and political being, and married. Gregory heart, soul, mind and strength.” DQG*XHVW3HUIRUPHU told him to enjoy the literal meaning of the Song Therefore, Gregory informed Gurgen that 5DII,P$662<$1 of Songs which is a “celebration of marital and there was nothing strange for the idea that mar- sexual love, of the miraculous and awesome ried love should be enshrined in the pages of  warmth that a couple feels towards each other, sacred scripture. This was a commentary not to transforming the two into one. The Song of just look on the display of love, but to dare to 6$785'$< Songs can be read and identified by people in grow in love, an invitation to experience loving '21$7,21 love everywhere,” the Armenian scholar declared, and being loved by God as fully and completely '(&(0%(5 :,7+0(==(&$6+%$5 adding, “As a universal experience, romantic love as possible. SP is one of the most readily accessible paths to a The Blessing of Blessings, Gregory of Narek’s )25&+,/'5(1 81'(5 deeper knowledge of God, and the finest, deepest Commentary on the Song of Songs, translated 67 7+20$6$50(1,$1&+85&+ )RU7LFNHWVSOHDVHFDOO realities of human nature.” into English by Ervine, is available for purchase (VVH['ULYH 0DULH=RNLDQ   Married love, she continued, is “one of life’s in the bookstore of the Diocese of the 7HQDIO\1- 7DODU6HVHW\DQ6DUDI,DQ   greatest, and potentially most divine, myster- Armenian Church, 630 Second Ave. 6 S ATURDAY, D ECEMBER 5 , 2 0 1 5 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS 100 Lives, NEF Come Together for Scholarships for 100 Students

SCHOLARSHIPS, from page 1 sent to any country the committee feels would ing relatives or funds. including the State Department. “They will The 100 students that will be selected for suit the student or give him or her the most “Many were able to succeed in life because absolutely continue funding it so that the peo- scholarships go through a process where the exposure to something new. Near East Relief gave them the skills to read ple in the region will stay” and receive the help. local UWC college committee, composed of a Afeyan initially announced the scholarship and wrote or vocational training such as carpet “Our supporters have been very loyal. You core of alumni from five countries — Lebanon, program at the NEF Centennial event on weaving,” Mardirossian said. now have to double down and not pull back,” Iraq, Egypt, Palestine and Syria — select stu- October 28. The organization changed its name to Near he added. dents from a pool of applicants. The commit- “By providing crucial access to education, we East Foundation when the work with the “Syrian refugees are victims twice over. They tees will assess the financial need of the stu- are fleeing from danger and treated as if they dents as well as their capabilities. are part of it,” he explained. “We in the The program, which will begin in 2016, will Armenian community have to remember that be administered by the Scholae Mundi we were accepted as Christians in Muslim coun- Foundation. tries and that our diaspora started there, UWC Dilijan College, a collaborative project through the generosity and support of these of individuals and organizations, has been Muslim communities.” implemented by the educational initiatives Afeyan concurred, adding that the “commu- foundation Scholae Mundi and Initiatives for nity in the Middle East when we had nowhere Development of Armenia (IDeA) Charitable else to go. The kids in these countries would Foundation. Among the school’s Founding not have a range of education opening their Patrons are the Co-Founder of RVVZ eyes to people with completely different experi- Foundation, entrepreneur and philanthropist ences. It is an intellectual exchange that fits our Ruben Vardanyan, who is Chairman of the message. It is the perfect partnership [with Board of Founding Patrons of UWC Dilijan NEF].” College, Co-Founder of RVVZ Foundation and He stressed that NEF is trying to help the Chair of the Board of Governors of UWC Dilijan stricken stay in their home countries and not College Veronika Zonabend, Deputy Chairman The UWC Dilijan College leave. He added that the group does not work of the Executive Board at Rusnano with refugees in the US or Europe. Management Company LLC Vladimir Avetissian Afeyan is based in Armenia now, working and his wife Anna Avetissian, President of RD truly hope to be able to provide these children Armenians concluded in 1930. NEF now has for 100 Lives. With a bachelor’s from Yale in Group Gagik Adibekyan, Managing Partner and opportunities to have the successful future they operations in Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco, West 2012, she worked in marketing before focus- CEO at Flagship Ventures Noubar Afeyan and deserve-much like the extraordinary work the Bank, Mali, Armenia and Jordan, Sudan and ing exclusively on the Armenian Genocide his wife Anna Afeyan, and Director General at NEF has been committed to these past hundred Syria. commemoration this spring. She joined the ISD Corporation Oleg Mkrtchan. years,” she said at the program. “We are continuing work in terms of devel- IDEA Foundation and works for 100 Lives. Armine Afeyan, daughter of 100 Lives co- The first recipients of the scholarship will be opmental work within these nine countries,” This coming spring, the organization will founder Noubar Afeyan, said that the UWC edu- enrolled in UWC schools in 2016. Mardirossian said. In particular, he added, host the awards ceremony for the three nom- cational program is “unparalleled.” The stu- The minor details for the collaboration are micro-economic development is encouraged inated individuals or groups. They will come dents who would be lucky enough to be accept- still under discussion, Mardirossian said. “The especially for women, as well as helping vulner- to Yerevan, she said, where the final decision ed in the program will be able to have access to objective is for the NEF through local offices, able populations deal with healthcare. will be made. to work with refugees and to pro- About 35 percent of the funding for NEF “100 Lives initiative is all about giving thanks vide candidates.” comes from various US governmental agencies, in a big way,” Armine Afeyan said. The students selected will be ages 16 to 18, and thus attend the last two years of high school Telephone (617) 924-7400 in one of the UWC schools around the world, maybe even Aram Bedrosian Armenia. Thus, 10 to 12 students a year will be enrolled. According to Mardirossian, Funeral Home, Inc. with having two years of such an international education under Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 their belts, the students would MARION BEDROSIAN have a pretty good shot at getting 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN into elite colleges of their choos- WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN ing. NEF is operating in countries where there is a dire need. On the day of the interview on November Shant Mardirossian 20, an attack on Mali had just ENNIS M. EVENEY & ONS happened, a country where NEF has its largest operation, D D S an education level that is exceptional, she Mardirossian said. Cemetery Monuments added. “NEF was founded in 1915 by a group of As for the UWC School in Dilijan, she said American business, religious and civic leaders Specializing in that this year the school will have its inaugural as a response to the [Armenian] Genocide,” Armenian Designs and Lettering graduating class. The school, she said, is part of Mardirossian said. the “holistic effort to develop the entire The organization was founded to help 701 Moody St. Waltham, MA 02543 region.” Armenians and during its first 15 years, while it (781) 891-9876 www.NEMonuments.com “It is an interesting world class education in was known as Near East Relief, it helped an area they might not have seen” on their own, Armenians as well as Greeks and Assyrians dur- she said. ing the final days of the Ottoman Empire. He Part of the education is to “mix everyone noted that the organization built many orphan- together,” meaning that if you apply, you can be ages to house the children left bereft of any liv-

United Armenian Fund Ends Its GiragosianF UNERAL H OME James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC Humanitarian Shipments to Armenia Mark J. Giragosian Funeral Counselors UAF, from page 1 many generous donors who contributed large 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 The UAF was formed shortly after the devas- quantities of vital goods and supplies to the www.giragosianfuneralhome.com tating 1988 earthquake in Armenia to provide UAF ever since 1989. The Board also com- much needed humanitarian aid to the destitute mended the UAF staff — President Harut survivors in the earthquake zone. But, after the Sassounian and Administrative Assistant collapse of the Soviet Union and the blockade Nouritza Abujamra — for their dedicated ser- of Armenia by Turkey and Azerbaijan, the UAF vice to the organization and the needs of the decided to expand its mission to include the people in Armenia and Artsakh. entire population of Armenia and Artsakh. In the past 26 years, the UAF has delivered Over the years the UAF acquired, shipped to Armenia and Artsakh a total of $720 million and distributed all types of relief supplies, worth of relief supplies on board 159 airlifts including medicines and medical equipment, and 2,260 sea containers. agricultural equipment, seeds, computers, The UAF is the collective effort of the books, toys, winter clothing and shoes to hos- Armenian General Benevolent Union, pitals, clinics, schools, orphanages and hun- Armenian Missionary Association of America, dreds of charitable organizations throughout Armenian Relief Society, Diocese of the Armenia and Artsakh. Armenian Church of America, and Prelacy of The UAF Board of Directors thanked the the Armenian Apostolic Church of America. S ATURDAY, D ECEMBER 5 , 2 0 1 5 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS AGBU Holds Film Screening by Young Filmmakers at Lincoln Center

NEW YORK — On November 20, the AGBU Performing Arts Department and the AGBU Young Professionals of Greater New York (YPGNY) held a film screening titled “6 Short Films” at the Amphitheater at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center at Lincoln Center. The sold-out event featured films by six recipients of the AGBU Performing Arts Fellowship. The films included “The Frame” by Ophelia

AGBU Performing Arts Department Director Hayk Arsenyan at 6 Short Films

Harutyunyan, “Adrift” by Alik Barsoumian, “They Were Afraid Of Us” by Jesse Soursourian, “After Water There Is Sand” by Saro Varjabedian, “Caregivers” by Viktorya Post-screening question and answer session with (left to right) Alik Barsoumian, Ophelia Harutyunian, Jesse Soursourian, Marge Kyrkostas-Tellelian, Aleksanyan and “The Last Film” by Martiros Martiros Vartanov and John Joseph Gallagher Vartanov. Harutyunyan, a filmmaker based in New York and Armenia, presented a short film about when I got the acceptance letter, I still wasn’t right now. It is a great pleasure to present one vision, and you live honestly inside that poetry, acceptance and letting go: “Being born and sure I could find enough money to attend the of the first films I made at Columbia at the and do your best to share that with the world, raised in Armenia, I couldn’t even dream about school. The AGBU Performing Arts Fellowship great Lincoln Center.” you cannot lose.” studying at an institution like Columbia. Even helped me realize my dream and get where I am The screening was followed by a question and The AGBU Performing Arts Department answer session moderated by actor John Joseph (PAD) introduces Armenian art to diverse audi- Gallagher, best known for his work in “Meet the ences and connects young Armenian artists Parents,” “Darjeeling Limited” and “Law and worldwide: “All these years we have been show- Order.” In his opening remarks, Gallagher com- casing the musicians who have received the mented on the essence of filmmaking: “You can AGBU Performing Arts Fellowships in music, never lose when you express the honesty of but we also have filmmakers who receive these your heart. And if you spend your life express- same grants, so we decided we need to not only ing the honesty of your heart, it really doesn’t support, but promote their work in a non- matter what Universal Studios thinks of you. It Armenian venue,” said Hayk Arsenyan, director matters what you think of you. If you find that of the AGBU Performing Arts Department. 8 S ATURDAY, D ECEMBER 5 , 2 0 1 5 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Near East Foundation Celebrates Centennial

By Florence Avakian

NEW YORK — The Near East Foundation (NEF) is the oldest nonsectarian international development organization in the United States and it celebrated its hundred years of existence in grand style on October 28, at the elegant Cipriani, before a sold out crowd of nearly 400. NEF started as a temporary committee, the American Committee for Armenian and Syrian Relief, known later as the Near East Relief. This organization was created to assist the mil- lions of refugees who had survived the Ottoman Empire’s atroc- ities during and after the First World War. One such refugee was 8-year-old Mari Libarian of Aintab, who had lost her parents in 1915, and was left an orphan with her six siblings, ages 2 to 15. As the Libarian children wandered in the Syrian desert, with- out food, water or shelter, they survived by eating grass and sell- ing their parents’ jewelry for food. With Turkish soldiers hunting for pretty girls, they marched from village to village, facing dis- ease, frostbite and starvation. Meanwhile in New York City, thousands of miles away from the Armenian Genocide, in the offices of Cleveland H. Dodge, a group of concerned American business, religious and civic lead- ers, at the urging of US Ambassador to Constantinople Henry Morgenthau, and President Woodrow Wilson, sprang into action. On October 28, the descendants of Armenian Genocide sur- vivors honored the families of the philanthropists who organized to save, protect and educate thousands like Mari Libarian and her siblings. Mari found refuge and protection in an American NEF Country Directors receiving a standing ovation from the audience. orphanage in Kilis, later settling in Aleppo, Syria and eventually immigrating to Queens. And one of those proud grandchildren of Mari Libarian was Assyrian people. Since then, the Near East Foundation has East who offered food and shelter to the refugees of the Shant Mardirossian who is currently the Chairman of the Near always had a Dodge family member on its Board of Directors, Armenian Genocide a century ago, a $7 million Scholarship East Foundation’s Board of Directors, and the Centennial Gala’s including the current Vice Chairman Johnson Garrett. Fund to benefit 100 at-risk children from the Arab Middle East The evening also included a trailer from the soon-to-be- was announced. It was proudly presented by Armine Afeyan, released documentary titled, “They Shall Not Perish: The Story daughter of 100 LIVES co-founder Noubar Afeyan. NEF will of Near East Relief” and a short video presentation which relat- facilitate this scholarship as a part of its larger mission to deliv- ed the century of service that the NEF has rendered in nearly 50 er education, community organization and economic develop- countries. Dedicated NEF President Dr. Charles Benjamin explained that in 1930, the organization changed its emphasis from relief towards long-term social and economic development. Today, he noted, the NEF works with the most disadvantaged and vulnerable people in Armenia, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Mali, Morocco, the Palestinian Territories, Senegal and Sudan. He explained that the four-year brutal conflict in Syria has resulted in four million men, women and children fleeing Syria’s borders, with 1.1 million in Lebanon and 600,000 in Jordan. “To survive, these refugees resort to harmful strategies such as beg- ging, survival sex and child labor,” he stated. Currently NEF is helping 5000 Syrian, Iraqi, Lebanese and Jordanian families rebuild their economic security and restore their livelihoods. “Through the generosity of the Dodge Foundation and other donor agencies, we are now halfway toward our goal of raising $4 million to fund this relief effort,” Benjamin said. NEF is also Armine Afeyan announcing the 100 Lives – Near East Foundation NEF Chairman Shant Mardirossian presenting the Centennial working with the Armenian Assembly to “extend refugee reset- Scholarship Initiative. Founders Award to William Rueckert, President of the Cleveland tlement programs for Syrian-Armenians fleeing the Syrian war H. Dodge Foundation. and those who are taking refuge in Armenia.” Servicing this gallant effort, Dr. Benjamin paid tribute to the ment throughout the Middle East and Africa. (See related story on Co-Chair, who welcomed the large crowd, and related the heart- work of 20-year NEF President Chuck Roberts; former NEF pres- Page 1.) warming story of his family’s profound link to this organization. ident Alex Papachristou; Arpine Baghdoyan who works against NEF Centennial Gala Co-Chair Linda K. Jacobs who has been a Echoing the words of Armenian writer and Near East Relief 30-year devoted worker for the NEF, emphasized the “unique orphan Antranig Zarougian, Mr. Mardirossian referred to a gen- nature of the NEF and what it does for people.” She and Andrew eration of survivors, as “people without a childhood”. He then Hapke accepted the “Citizen Philanthropy Award for the late Violet paid tribute to other organizations which had also helped, Jabara Jacobs, a first generation Lebanese-American, who gifted the including the AGBU, Armenian Relief Society (then the NEF with a very generous donation, “a turning point for the NEF.” Armenian Red Cross), the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, the Closing the inspirational evening, United Nations Senior Howard Karagheusian Commemorative Corporation, the Advisor Gillian Sorensen extolled the vision of the NEF Armenian Missionary Association of America, the Cilician See in founders. “They set a high bar at the UN for one of thousands Antelias, Lebanon and the Echmiadzin Mother See in Armenia. of NGO’s in the world body. We were all refugees once,” she A highlight of the evening was the presentation of medals of noted, and was critical that the US is taking in so few of the gratitude to the family members of the Near East Relief heroes, suffering Syrian refugees. Reflecting the feelings of so many by descendants of those rescued by this noble organization. gala attendees, she declared, “The NEF for one hundred years Honorees included Jessie Maeck, great-granddaughter of has led by example. I look forward to the next hundred President Woodrow Wilson; Alan Hoover, great-grandson of NER years,” she said to a standing ovation. member President Herbert Hoover; Robert Morgenthau, great- A bottle of olive oil made together by Palestinians and Israelis grandson, and Pam Steiner, great-granddaughter of US through the NEF flagship “Olive Oil Without Borders Project” was Ambassador Henry Morgenthau; Ron Miller, grandson of 20-year given to all attendees of the NEF Centennial Gala. NEF Director E.C. Miller; and, John Kerr, grandson of Stanley Dignitaries attending the Gala included Armenia’s Ambassador and Elsa Kerr, and great-grandnephew of Marion Kerr. John Kerr NEF President Dr. Charlie Benjamin along with NEF Board mem- to the US, Tigran Sargsyan, Mali’s Ambassador to the US Tiena was accompanied by his cousins Dorothy and Margie Jessup. ber Linda Jacobs and Andrew Hapke after having accepted the Coulibaly, Armenia’s Ambassador to the UN Zohrab Mnatsakanian, Presenting the medals in memory of their family members Citizen Philanthropy Award on behalf of the late Violet Jabara Mali’s Ambassador to the UN Sekou Kasse, Egypt’s Ambassador who were rescued by the NER were NEF Board member Carol Jacobs. and Consul General Ahmed Farouk Mohamed Tawfik, Jordan’s Aslanian and her daughter Leslie Aslanian Williams; NEF Board First Secretary to the US Sonia Sughayar, Armenia’s Genocide member Haig Mardikian and his son John Mardikian; NEF legal Museum Executive Director Hayk Demoyan, NEF’s President counsel Arman Kuyumjian and his father Dr. Jirair Kuyumjian; domestic violence in Armenia; Anis Tarabey who helps refugees Council members Frank Wisner, former US Ambassador to Zambia, Leslie and Steven Malott; and this journalist, Florence Avakian. in Jordan and Lebanon; Yacoube Deme who daily with his staff Egypt, India and the Philippines, and James Steinberg, former The special Centennial Founders Award was presented to the confronted Al Qaeda and Touareg jihadists; Mahmoud Bchini Deputy Secretary of State under President Obama. Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation and accepted by William R. who created youth councils in Morocco; Salah Abu Eisheh who Members of the clergy present included Primate of the Armenian Rueckert. In September 1915, Cleveland Dodge created a com- with a team brought Palestinians and Israelis together in an NEF Diocese (Eastern) Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Prelate of the mittee to help the Armenian people who were being massacred. olive oil project; and Musa Gismalla who brought together com- Armenian Prelacy (Eastern) Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, The group became the Near East Relief, and as its treasurer, he munities in Darfur to increase economic productivity. (Musa was Executive Director of the Diocesan Krikor and Clara Zohrab Center covered all the committee’s operating expenses so that every dol- prohibited to travel to the US by the Sudanese Government). Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan and retired pastor of the White lar raised would go directly to relief. This led to the first move- New Venture with 100 Lives Plains St. Gregory the Enlightener Armenian Church Rev. Fr. ment of citizen philanthropy, aiding the Armenian, Greek and As an expression of deep gratitude to the people of the Middle Karekin Kasparian. S ATURDAY, D ECEMBER 5 , 2 0 1 5 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 Arts & Living

Pianist Kariné Poghosyan Gracie To Perform in Benefit for Tchaikovsky Music School

NEW YORK — The Armenian-American Terzian pianist Kariné Poghosyan will be paying trib- ute to Ludwig van Beethoven with a birthday celebration that will also benefit the Armenia New Jazz Vocalist Fund USA’s Tchaikovsky School Renovation in Yerevan, Armenia. This celebration will take Makes Her Mark place on Beethoven’s birthday, Wednesday, December 16 at 7 p.m. at the Armenian Evangelical Church located at 152 East 34th Street. Poghosyan will be performing By Aram Arkun Beethoven’s 32 Variations in C minor, Woo 80, Mirror-Spectator Staff and his Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major, Op. 73 (“Emperor”) with the Anahit Chamber NEW YORK — Romance is on Gracie Terzian’s Players, an ensemble comprising current and mind, or at least in her songs. Her sinuously sen- former Manhattan School of Music students, suous singing takes listeners through poetry conducted by Kyle Ritenauer. and music to a world of love and heartbreak. The Opening remarks will be given by young, talented songstress and performer has Ambassador Zohrab Mnatsakanyan of the made her mark in the world of jazz with her first Permanent Mission of Armenia to the United EP (extended play recording), “Saints and Nations. Poets.” It quickly became the number 3 jazz Poghosyan said, “As an Armenian-American album on iTunes and the number 23 jazz album artist, I find that it is my duty to lend support on the Billboard jazz charts, and has garnered to this vital cause to rebuild the Tchaikovsky excellent reviews. Terzian wrote or co-wrote all Music School in Yerevan. This school, where so six songs. many young Armenian musicians begin to She lives in the Astoria section of New York learn their art, is responsible for classical City, and says that it feels like home now, per- music to not only survive in Armenia, but for it haps due to a retro feel, and with all the modern to thrive as well.” jazz music being created there. A product of a This concert is being made possible by northern Virginian childhood, her father, jour- Armenia Fund USA, Eastern Region Affiliate; nalist and writer Philip Terzian, provided her the Armenian Evangelical Church of New with a first exposure to jazz. She danced and York; as well as support from an anonymous acted from a young age, and at the end of high donor. school learned acrobatics, which was useful for Musical talent abounds in Armenia where theater. the Arts are revered and important to daily life, She studied at the University of Virginia at especially classical music. The country is home Charlottesville, where she acted, sang with a Komitas’ death mask to just one government-funded classical music jazz group and began writing jazz lyrics. She school, the Tchaikovsky Music School. This started a collaboration with Wells Hanley, her institution, which is Armenia’s mecca for jazz piano teacher, and soon became a master of young musicians and their musical education, the harp ukulele. She said, “I think it was when is in desperate need of funding. Renovation is I started having a desire to write music that I got Komitas Vartabed vital to meet the state-of-the-art demands more serious about practicing instruments.” required to train a new generation of musical- Terzian often accompanies herself while (1869-1935) ly gifted Armenian youth. For classical music singing. She related that “it can be a little diffi- to survive in Armenia, it is essential for this cult. It depends on how comfortable I am with institution to be on par with other world-class the song and how much I’ve sung it and played His Eternal Legacy Beckons from music schools in Europe and the United it. I do have to practice when I do it.” States. Terzian does not mind occasionally perform- The estimated date of completion for the ing jazz standards, putting her own stamp on The Homeland reconstruction of the Tchaikovsky Music them, but ultimately she wants to present her School is for September 2016. Following, Armenia Fund USA plans to invest in new own creations. If she cannot come up with a new “Komitas never composed an opera, symphony, ora- arrangement, or add something different to a By Ruth Bedevian musical instruments, master classes and inter- standard, she feels there is no point in doing it torio, or concerto, yet he accomplished something national student exchange programs. since people will prefer the original. She said, “I Lisa Stepanian, Armenia Fund USA’s execu- YEREVAN — As our group much greater. He laid the foundations of a national definitely am far more interested in writing new tive director, points out that, “Armenia Fund approached the entrance to the music culture, purifying Armenian music of all for- music and doing new compositions.” USA believes that this one-of-a-kind institution recently established (January 29, Writing a song each time can be different. She eign influences. Komitas has thus been rightfully rec- is well worth the large-scale investment — rea- 2015) Komitas Museum-Institute explained that “Sometimes I will write a song son enough why the project is and will be the in Yerevan, Armenia, I immediate- ognized as the “father of Armenian classical music.” see TERZIAN, page 11 focus of many fundraising appeals while this ly recalled Serouj Kradjian’s After the Genocide, nothing was left to compile or dilapidated structure transforms into a gleam- poignant observation. The muse- compare, let alone preserve for future generations; ing contemporary landmark. We are very excit- um, located in Komitas Park ed to collaborate with the Armenian Komitas had come forward in the 11th hour to across from the Pantheon where Evangelical Church and the Permanent Komitas’ remains were the first to redeem a vital characteristic of a 4,000-year-old civi- Mission of Armenian to the UN presenting this be buried in 1936, truly celebrates lization that was eventually uprooted from its cradle.” beautiful evening of classical music with this 19th-20th century composer, Kariné Poghosyan. ‘The piano keys are black (Carnegie Hall Playbill, October 2008 singer, ethnomusicologist, choir and white, but they sound like a million colors “Reverend Gomidas” by Serouj Kradjian) conductor, and clergyman’s life, in your mind,’ a quote by Maria Crista Mena. talent and priceless gift to the Kariné Poghosyan, a well-known Armenian Armenian people and ultimately to the world. When we count from the time of his pianist, brings the quote into reality with her arrival at Gevorkyan Seminary in Echmiadzin in 1881 until his arrest, victimization exquisite performance.” and subsequent trauma in 1915 by Turkish authorities at the onset of the Poghosyan has been praised for her ability Armenian Genocide, we stand in awe at his abundant 34-year period of prolific work to get to the heart of the works she performs. which transcends the Armenian homeland and resonates throughout the entire She made her orchestral debut at fourteen world of music — a universal language that touches all hearts and souls. playing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1, and Designer/Artist Alberto Torsello and Project Coordinator Vardan Karapetyan her solo Carnegie Hall debut at 23, and has have created an impressive permanent collection professionally and thematically since gone on to win numerous awards as well organized that is displayed throughout eight rooms on two stories. It contains a as performing in some of the world’s most concert hall and enough room to hold temporary exhibitions. The permanent mem- prestigious concert halls. Recently, she helped orabilia, spaciously designed to encompass the life and work of Komitas, his inner organize the “Requiem and Resurrection” con- emotional life and music theory, also interweaves a rich Armenian folklore heritage. cert in commemoration of the 95th Captions and wall descriptions are in both Armenian and English languages. Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide at the Technology has enhanced carefully preserved photos from the archives of the Saint Vartan Armenian Cathedral in New York. Charents Museum of Literature and Arts and displays them in slideshows on large During the 2014-15 season, Poghosyan made see KOMITAS, page 10 her Washington, DC, debut, in addition to her Gracie Terzian Toronto, Canada debut where she gave the see BENEFIT, page 12 10 S ATURDAY, D ECEMBER 5 , 2 0 1 5 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING Komitas Vartabed Legacy Beckons from the Homeland

KOMITAS, from page 9 An unforgettable display of artwork by Grigor flat screens. There are photos of the teachers at Khandjyan, illustrating scenes from verses in Gevorkyan, choir groups of students that Paruyr Sevak’s emotive ode to Komitas, “The Komitas taught and a moving display of pho- Unsilenceable Belfry” (Anlreli Zangakatoun), tographs from his travels throughout the rural intrigued me. A search for an English transla- areas where he collected and documented tion was in vain, however. According to scholar, ancient folk songs. After first performing con- educator and translator, Dr. Vartan Matiossian, certs in the Caucasus, he later took his choirs to “The poem follows Komitas’ life from his birth Paris, Berlin, Berne, Geneva, Venice and other to his death, and intertwines it with the histor- European centers, where he gave lectures and ical destiny of the Armenian people.” A copy of performances. Komitas became the first non- Komitas’ death mask (the original is in Venice) European member of the International Music and a belfry suspended numerous feet above Society of his time. An illustrated map showing was the last exhibit to view and tied into the his extensive travel is digitally displayed. theme of Paruyr Sevak’s poem. Komitas graduated with a doctorate degree In 2013, President of Armenia Serge in musicology from the Friedrich-Wilhelm Sargisian made the decision to establish the University in Berlin (present-day Humboldt Komitas Museum-Institute, the Board of University of Berlin — Berlin’s oldest university, Trustees of the Hayastan All Armenian Fund founded in 1810). His diploma is on display as transmitted the building to the state and by is a handwritten one from Richard Schmidt, 2015 with funding from the Pyunik and Luys with whom he studied at the conservatory. It Foundations, the dream was realized. was Schmidt who encouraged him to both cul- Today a state-of-the-art museum and institute tivate his interest in folk music and continue his emerges as a gem among the museums of studies of Western music. Armenia to make known to all the world the As we viewed concert programs, personal The tortured Vartabed’s autobiography contributions of the father of Armenian music! belongings and correspondence, and art ren- Our visit was fortuitous as we caught an out- dered to share the culture from which Komitas standing performance by the Geghard Vocal was bred, I felt him beside me, imparting his developments which are likely to have a signifi- feast and taught hymns from Mesrop Mashtots Ensemble in the concert hall which was a fit- dreams, feelings. Strains of familiar Komitas’ cant influence in the national and international and Sahak Partev. We have monthly lectures ting climax to the afternoon’s experience, send- melodies softly enhanced the ambience. The museum field.” It is impressive to know that it and Saturday singing workshops. Other work- ing us off with echoes in our hearts. The museum generates a genuine personal touch. has been visited as recently as August 2015 by shops include lullaby singing for couples and essence of the dearly beloved Vardapet is now Two years ago I had the privilege to view a very one of the jury members, Dr. Jan Gerchow, a parents, music improvisation, and so on.” unveiled for visitors from every walk of life to small collection of memorabilia at the Charents historian from Germany and is a possible con- It was a heart-warming sight to hear the chat- see, touch and feel. Museum of Literature and Arts. It was interest- sideration. ter of schoolchildren as groups as young as 8 *** ing, but here in this newest museum that graces Khatchadourian continued: “Concerts and years old were filing through the rooms. In The melody from the Hymn of National the city of Yerevan, with the sounds of his educational programs [of which I am in charge] these rooms present and future generations will Blessing – Amen Hayee – which Komitas com- music echoing through the halls, Komitas came are regularly scheduled. The concert depart- grow up with physical images and opportunity posed as a first-year student at Gevorkyan alive to me! ment has chosen Tuesdays to schedule con- to acquaint themselves with their national Seminary (1891) and whose classmate, Arshak Our guide, Nairi Khatchadourian, informed certs. So every Tuesday we have classical, heroes. No dust will cover the past for them! Tashjian, created the lyrics, continues to fill the Upon entering the first room, we viewed a Armenian faithful. “Hear the voice that pours timeline which put into perspective Komitas’ forth from every Armenian’s heart, O God. Give life and activity. We moved on to many displays, long life to our Patriarch, long days to the including Komitas’ handwritten autobiography Father of the Armenians. Lord, always keep dated 1908 and viewed his personal flutes and unshaken the Mother See which you yourself the grand piano that the philanthropist, have established.” Alexander Mantashian, gifted him. (He also (This article was originally published at the underwrote his tuition for his studies in Berlin.) Armenian News Network [www.groong.org].)

The front entrance of the musem uus in fluent English that Komitas Museum- sacred or folk music concerts with local and Institute participated in the European Museum international artists. The concerts start at 7 of the Year (EMF) Award 2016. “The EMF p.m. As for the educational programs, we sched- Judging Panel is looking for enterprise and ule them on Fridays or Saturdays at 5 pm. In innovation that enhances the public quality of October we had an educational program on the the museum. The judges seek to identify new Holy Translators Feast where we discussed the

admissions.aua.am *Calculated using the average cost of Fall 2016 tuition for international students [email protected] enrolled in AUA’s undergraduate programs and the average cost of 2014-2015 for events in your area visit tuition and fees of public four-year in-state and out-of-state, private nonprofit, The exhibition dedicated to Paruyr Sevak and his poem for Komitas admissions.aua.am/recruitment-tour and for-profit universities per bit.ly/YVIk4T. S ATURDAY, D ECEMBER 5 , 2 0 1 5 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 ARTS & LIVING

Terzian is Armenian on her father’s side, with New Jazz Vocalist Makes Her Mark his ancestors originally from Sepasdia (Sivas). There are some relatives who ended up in Syria with whom her father has kept touch. She has learned about Armenian history, and said that TERZIAN, from page 9 about the words a lot. I jot down interesting Terzian looks to jazz artists not only for their “at the very least, I would like to learn basic really quickly and it will take me one day. phrases or words on my cell phone or paper. I ability to make good music. She said, “I also conversational Armenian.” In the realm of Sometimes it will take me months going jot notes in my journal everywhere I go, so that really look up to people who have a reputation music, while not that familiar with the corpus through different lyrics, seeing it is not right.” when I am ready to sit down and write lyrics I for being good and kind. … I also admire people of Armenian folk or jazz music, she knows the Though many people think of jazz as a field have material to pull from. I find sometimes who work hard. People who are nice and hard- work of some individual musicians, and has like classical music, with most of the famous reading or watching plays are good sources of working are the people I admire the most.” been listening recently a lot to jazz pianist compositions written by people who are no inspiration.” She watches at least one or two She performs at a lot of events and parties Tigran Hamasyan’s work. longer alive, Terzian said, “I think there is a lot plays a week, and mines the dialogue. now, and often sings jazz standards or cover As a child, Terzian recalls, her family went to of room for new jazz to be made and there are She uses a lot of rhyming and alliteration. As songs. While she has temporarily created vari- a limited number of Armenian events or gath- a lot of jazz artists making new work.” she writes lyrics, she said, “I will sing it out loud ous bands or backup groups, she often plays erings, periodically visiting to the Armenian Furthermore, she continued, “you can hear to see how it sounds without thinking what it with a lot of different people. Sometimes she Church and an Armenian bazaar in jazz influences on a lot of modern day music, means.” She also thinks about how the mean- also does backup singing for other musicians. Washington, DC. However, the last name especially in hip hop. I think jazz is alive and ing will come across. Terzian occasionally has sung songs in Terzian always led Armenians to start up con- well. You just have to seek it out and find it.” “I’m not trying to necessarily teach people Spanish, French and Portuguese (for Brazilian versations with her and ask if she is Armenian. She observes that there are a lot of new any obvious lessons from my lyrics intentional- jazz music). She studied Spanish in high school Furthermore, she said, there is a “camaraderie” forms or subgenres of jazz that are currently ly,” she stated. “I may share lessons that I have and college, but for the other languages usual- of sorts because of the shared dark history of being born or have yet to be born. Though she learned for myself in my music…I hope that my ly finds a friend fluent in them to correct her the Armenian Genocide. Terzian declared, “I is not herself consciously trying to create such music helps people or that they do learn things pronunciation. feel connected to my ancestors and family, and a subgenre, she said, “I do think about making through it …The most important thing is that it She used to pick and choose online when she what they went through. I pay respect to them. music that sounds new, and coming up with speaks to them in some capacity.” listened to music, and accepts that it is an era for Even though I live a very American life, I would things that people have not heard before, with She listens to a lot of different genres of musicians of releasing singles. Nevertheless as a really like to go to Armenia soon and spend a new quality to them. I think that a lot of times music, which, she thought, all contribute some- musician, she now hopes people will buy whole some time there.” when people do create a new subgenre of music thing to her work. She said, “On a day to day albums. She prefers to present her original music Terzian said that she really enjoys recording they don’t do it intentionally.” basis, I listen most to jazz and hip hop, but I on her albums, not to perform music that she her work, as well as doing live performances. She composes and writes in a spontaneous also listen to some rock music and folk music. I herself did not write. For her EP, Terzian said, “I She interned in a recording studio in New York manner. She said, “The melodies come into my listen to some electronic music as well. I’d say wanted it to flow like an album, so that if you put while in college, and worked there a while after- head, and I just write them down. It naturally for the stuff I am writing, pop and jazz and it on at the beginning, it would just play wards as an engineer. happens. Sometimes I start playing around with maybe folk music influenced me the most.” She through…It is nice to have a consistent feel or She finds that unlike pop music, where youth a chord progression I hear in my head, and then does write music that is not jazz, and, she said, story which does not change the mood too is a great advantage, in jazz good music stands a melody comes out of that chord progression.” “I am definitely interested in experimenting much. The people who take the time to listen out so that there are also successful artists who Her lyrics, she said, are usually drawn from with other genres and cross-blending them, and from start to finish will have an experience into emerged later in life. Nonetheless, she said that real life experiences. She explained, “I do think singing in different ways as well.” which there was some thought placed.” there is an advantage to being youthful in your image, particularly for a female singer. So far, Terzian has been performing individu- al shows up and down the East Coast. She said, “I really want to tour because there are a lot of cities where people online say, come to San Francisco, or whatever, and I want to go to San Francisco soon.” However, it is complicated logistically and financially must be well planned, so it may take a year or two to arrange. Recently, she has been able to support herself through music and composing, though some- times she still has to supplement this with odd jobs on the side. She gets commissions to com- pose songs for shows, films or individuals, as well as payment for performing shows. She gets paid a small fee when people down- load her songs online, but it is true that if you look for it, almost anything can be gotten for free online. With the digital revolution in music distribution, Terzian said that “you have to come up with more creative ways to make money. I am not exactly sure of all the ways yet. I think that musicians do have to accept that this is the way things are going now unless stricter laws are set.” Some possibilities might be advertisements, sponsorship and writing music for shows. She enjoys both making music and market- ing it afterwards, but added, “The marketing and business side can get tiring. It is a distrac- tion from creating. There is a reason why artists have managers who handle the business side for them.” Nevertheless, at present, she has a publicist but not a manager. She responds to fans on social media as quickly as possible, though it can be all-con- suming. She said, “If I don’t respond, it is because I don’t have the time or didn’t see it. I am appreciative any time somebody reaches out to me.” Terzian recognizes that jazz is a risky choice as a career, and is constantly reevaluating her goals for the present, near future, and the long run. One day she may wish to do more acting in the theater again. However, her next imme- diate goal is a new album. She said, “I usually set everything aside to focus on one [project] at a time. It is … what I want to be thinking about all day and all night, and it requires that much time.” She is writing a lot of new songs from which she will pick out what works best for the album. In comparison with her first one, she wanted to try a different approach. She said, “I think I want to have more of a dynamic story line and arrangements in my songs, and have it be a little more of a journey going to different places, but still in a cohesive way.” Terzian has an upcoming performance at Club Bonafide in New York City on December 17 at 10 pm. Clips of her songs are posted on YouTube, and she has her own website, graci- eterzian.com. 12 S ATURDAY, D ECEMBER 5 , 2 0 1 5 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING Mary Balian Releases New CD, ‘Hooysus Es’

LOS ANGELES — Singer/songwriter Mary world, to great impact. Balian has released her second CD of Armenian Balian has performed internationally, includ- Recipe Christian contemporary music. Hooysus Es ing in Armenia and across California, most (You Are My Hope) is now avail- able on CD. Digital downloads on ITunes will be available in Corner December. The album is a compilation of modern worship songs and hymns, by Christine Vartanian Datian as well as original songs written by Balian and her colleagues. Hooysus Es was produced by Lamb and Eggplant Meatball Gilbert Hovsepian and sponsored by the Armenian ministry organi- zation, Bashde.org, with additional Pita Sandwiches support by individual donors and participating artists. Eggplant always seems to have a love-it-or-hate-it audience. But “even people who claim they Mary Balian is an Armenian- don't like eggplant love these easy meatballs,” says Christine Vartanian Datian. You can use American singer/songwriter a small ice cream scoop to shape these meatballs quickly. whose repertoire includes pop, world, dance, and contemporary INGREDIENTS Christian music. She is a gradu- 2 cups chopped eggplant ate of UCLA and CSUN and is 1 1/2 pounds ground lean lamb or beef involved in ministry in the Los 1 egg, lightly beaten Angeles Armenian Evangelical 1/2 cup chopped white onion community with her husband, Manny recently in a November concert in Los Angeles 1/3 cup minced flat-leaf parsley Saghbazarian, with whom she has two daugh- with her producer and songwriting partner, 1/4 cup pine nuts ters. In her album dedication, Balian expresses Gilbert Hovsepian, who is recently and miracu- 1/4 cup Italian-style dried bread crumbs her deepest gratitude for her family and friends lously recovered from a severe motorcycle acci- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese who have made her music ministry possible. dent. Completing this album was a blessing 1 tablespoon fresh minced garlic Balian’s first album, Bashdenk, was a power- and victory for both artists. 3/4 teaspoon sea salt ful release, which saw thousands of copies used For more information visit www.mary- 3/4 teaspoon fresh-ground pepper for Armenian youth ministries around the balian.com or [email protected]. 3/4 teaspoon dried basil and 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano 2 cups marinara sauce 1 teaspoon Worcestershire 6 pocket pita breads (5 in. wide), cut in half Erevan Choral Society’s Christmas Bell pepper rings and red onion rings (optional) PREPARATION: Holiday Concert on December 13 1. In a large bowl, mix the egg, lamb, eggplant, onion, parsley, pine nuts, bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, pepper, basil, and oregano. CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Ushering in the With composer and Erevan music director 2. Shape the mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls and place them 1-inch apart in an oiled 12- by Christmas season, the Erevan Choral Society Konstantin Petrossian conducting, this year’s 17-inch baking pan. and Orchestra of the Holy Trinity Armenian concert will feature the vocal quartet from The 3. Bake meatballs in a 425° oven until they are well browned, about 20 to 25 minutes. Church of Greater Boston will celebrate its 48th Bostonians, and soprano Knarik Nerkararyan. 4. Spoon out and discard any fat from pan. Stir in the marinara sauce and Worcestershire, year with their annual Christmas Holiday In attendance that evening will be Ambassador scraping up browned bits from bottom of pan and turning meatballs to coat. Bake until Concert on December 13, at 7 p.m., in the Zohrab Mnatsakanayn, Armenia’s Ambassador sauce is steaming, 3 to 5 minutes longer. to the United Nations. 5. Spoon meatballs into a bowl and scrape sauce over them. Spoon meatballs and sauce Nouné Karapetian, Roselin into pocket breads and tuck in bell pepper and onion rings, if desired. Osser, Michael Calmés and Philip Lima are four members of The Serves 4-6. Bostonians, a repertory company of outstanding vocal and instru- Go to: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/lamb-eggplant-meatball-pita-sandwiches mental artists founded in 2003 by singer and impresario Richard To see more of Christine’s recipes, go to:http://www.myrecipes.com/search/site/Datian Conrad. orhttp://www.thearmeniankitchen.com/ The concert is a gift to the com- munity, but those interested in Christine Vartanian Datian is a native of Fresno, California and now lives in Las Vegas. supporting the Erevan Choral She is a graduate of California State University, Fresno (CSUF), and holds a Master of Society may make contributions Arts Degree (MA) in Mass Communications. She has been published in Sunset and to Holy Trinity Armenian Church Cooking Light magazines for over a decade. Church Sanctuary of Holy Trinity Armenian with a direction that the contribution is to ben- Church, 145 Brattle St. efit the Erevan Choral Society.

Pianist Kariné Poghosyan to Perform in Benefit for Tchaikovsky Music School

BENEFIT, from page 9 Ballet Transcriptions,” was released on the Canadian premiere of Alan Hovhannes’s NAXOS label this past April and has been Piano Concerto Lousadzak. Other perfor- accepted in the first round submission for a mance highlights included solo recitals in Grammy nomination. Montgomery, New York, and Richmond, Va., Ritenauer, born and raised in Macedonia, as well as performing Khachaturian’s Piano Ohio, received both his Bachelor of Music Concerto with the Greater Newburgh (NY) and Master of Music degrees from Symphony under the baton of Woomyung Manhattan School of Music where he stud- Choe. ied orchestral percussion and was a con- Poghosyan’s musical studies began in her ducting student in the School’s native Yerevan in Armenia at the School of Contemporary Performance Program the Arts No. 1, continuing at Romanos studying with Jeffrey Milarsky. In addition, Melikian College and the Komitas State he has studied conducting at the Pierre Conservatory. After moving to the United Monteux School in Hancock, Maine, where States in 1998, she received her BM, summa in 2013 he led a 100th anniversary reading cum laude, from California State University in of Le Sacre du Printemps. Northridge under Françoise Regnat, and her Ritenauer is also an active freelance per- MM and DMA degrees at Manhattan School cussionist in New York City and serves as of Music under Arkady Aronov, completing Principal Percussionist of the Hudson Valley her DMA in a record-breaking two years with Philharmonic. This year, he performed the a thesis on Aram Khachaturian’s works for world premiere of William C. White’s piano. She is currently based in New York, Kariné Poghosyan Percussion Concerto with the Youth where she teaches at the Manhattan School Orchestra of Prince William and the Hudson of Music. Valley Philharmonic. Poghosyan recently returned from a tour to Aram Khachaturian featured on her CD, Embassy (Vienna) and at the Khachaturian To purchase tickets visit Vienna, Austria and Yerevan, Armenia, where “Khachaturian Original Piano Works and House Museum (Armenia). This CD, www.aecnyc.org/events or she performed to rave reviews the music of Ballet Transcriptions,” at the Armenian “Khachaturian Original Piano Works and www.facebook.com/armeniafundusa. S ATURDAY, D ECEMBER 5 , 2 0 1 5 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 ARTS & LIVING CC AA LENDARLENDAR

ety of traditional Armenian and Western sacred and hol- MASSACHUSETTS iday music. The public is warmly invited to attend this complimentary concert which is a gift to the community. DECEMBER 5 — Lowell ARF “Aharonian” Gomideh For further information, contact the Holy Trinity Church 120th anniversary celebration, 6:30 pm, Kazanjian office, 617.354.0632, or email [email protected]. Memorial Pavilion, Sts. Vartanantz Church, 180 Old DECEMBER 31 — St. James 2016 New Year’s Eve Celebration. Westford Road, Chelmsford; dinner and program; Entertainment by Arthur Apkarian and Band from Armenian National Committee Freedom Awards to James Montreal. Save the date, details to follow. St. James Armenian Milinazzo, former Lowell mayor; Daniel Varoujan Church, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown. Hejinian, noted artist; David Boyajian, journalist/Armenian activist; Community Service Awards to Kathy Cryan-Hicks, Chelmsford Public Library; The NEW JERSEY Lowell Sun newspaper; Jennifer Doaks, Chelmsford High instructor; musical oud performance by Datev Gevorkian; DECEMBER 5 and 6 — St. Thomas Armenian Church of donation, $50 adults, $15 students; reservations, Armen Tenafly will sponsor its annual Food Festival and Jeknavorian, (978) 256-2538 or [email protected]. Holiday Bazaar on Saturday and Sunday December 5 & DECEMBER 6 — The Greater Worcester Armenian 6. Hours are Sat. 12 - 8 PM, Sun.12 - 6 PM. Traditional Chorale presents a special Christmas Concert led by Kebabs, Armenian Gourmet Foods and Homemade Artistic Director and Conductor Konstantin Petrossian, Desserts will be available both days. Other attractions Sunday, 1:30 pm, with a fellowship at 12:30 p.m., at Holy include Vendor Booths, Armenian Bookstore & Artifacts, On December 7, Aram Arkun, historian Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, 635 Grove St., Jewelry, Raffles, Music, “White Elephant” booth and a Worcester. Admission is free. Soprano Knarik and executive director of the Tekeyan Tavloo tournament. Entertainment includes a Clown- Nerkararyan is the guest soloist. For additional informa- Cultural Association, as well as assis- magician, face painting and Santa Claus for kids on tion call 508-963-2076. tant editor of the Armenian Mirror- Saturday at 4pm. On Sunday, the ANTRANIG Dance Ensemble will perform also at 4 PM. Church is located at DECEMBER 7 — Aram Arkun, Historian and Executive Spectator, will be the guest speak at the corner of E. Clinton Avenue & Rt. 9W, (174 Essex Director of Tekeyan Cultural Association and Assistant the St. James Men’s Club. The topic will Editor of the Armenian Mirror Spectator will be the Drive). For more information call 201/567-5446. speaker at the St. James Men’s Club. Topic will be be “Zeytun: The Armenian Eagles’ “Zeytun: The Armenian Eagles’ Nest.” Losh Kebab and Nest.” A traditional Armenian dinner RHODE ISLAND Kheyma Dinner Social Hour (mezza) 6:15 p.m. Dinner 7 will be served. The program will stat at p.m. $14 per person. St. James Armenian ChurchCharles 6:15 p.m., with dinner at 7 p.m., at St. DECEMBER 5 — The Cultural Committee of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Church in Providence pre- Mosesian Cultural & Youth Center - Keljik Hall 465 Mt. James Armenian Church’s Charles Auburn St., Watertown. Ladies welcome. sents “Silent Night, Holy Night” Christmas Concert fea- Mosesian Cultural and Youth Center, DECEMBER 10 — Christmas Open House, 6-11 p.m., turing The Armenian Chorale of RI, with special perfor- with talk at 7:30 by Christina Maranci, “Vigilant Powers: Keljik Hall, 564 Mount Auburn St., mances by Joanne Mouradjian, Gohar Manjelikian, Debra Three Churches of Early Medieval Armenia,” at NAASR, Watertown. Ladies are welcome. Pjojian and Junior Choir - Saturday, 6:30 p.m. in the 395 Concord Ave., Belmont. Contact NAASR at 617-489- Church Sanctuary. Light refreshments following concert - 1610 or [email protected] more information. 20% off all Donation $10. Those attending the Christmas Concert on-site purchases. will receive $10 off the admission to the ACYOA dance !! DECEMBER 13 – St. James 84th Anniversary Name Day Sanctuary, Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Greater DECEMBER 5 — ACYOA ANNUAL HOLIDAY KEF, Celebration & Banquet Honoring Raffi & Carol Boston, 145 Brattle St., Cambridge. Founded by the Very Saturday, Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Church Cultural Center. Yeghiayan, Parishioners of the Year. Save the Date, Rev. Fr. Oshagan Minassian (1930-2008), and now under 70 Jefferson St., Providence. 8:30 p.m. Music by Mal details to follow. St. James Armenian Church, 465 Mt. the direction of Composer Konstantin Petrossian, Music Barsamian, Jason Naroian, KenKalajian, Brian Ansbigian, Auburn St., Watertown. Director and Conductor, the concert will feature the David Hoplamazian. Mezza. $25. Adults $15. Students. DECEMBER 13 — Christmas Holiday Concert – Erevan Vocal Quartet from the Bostonians, and Knarik For More Information, call Christina 401-256-2686 or Choral Society and Orchestra, 7 p.m., Church Nerkararyan, Soprano. The program will consist of a vari- Greta 401-556-0771

Tickets on Sale Now for AGBU NYSEC’s 8th Annual Performing Artists in Concert

NEW YORK — The AGBU New York Special from the Shanghai Music Conservatory, and rare performances of works by the 10th the concert’s ensemble of musicians as their Events Committee’s (NYSEC) Performing Monash University of Melbourne, the Juilliard century Armenian poet and monk Grigor gift and sign of respect to the centenary of the Artists in Concert is fast approaching and tick- School and Cologne High Institute of Music. Naregatsi, including readings of his poetry and Armenian Genocide. ets are available now. The 8th annual event will The evening’s program will feature a diverse a poem by Daniel Varoujan. This year’s concert Tickets for the benefit concert are on sale take place on Saturday, December 5 at 8 p.m. array of Western classical and Armenian com- will conclude with Gomidas’ “Tsiternak” (swal- now. Seats are available in the orchestra and at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York. This year’s concert, “Melodies of Hope,” in honor of the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, will bring together young musicians from Armenia, Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Macedonia, Portugal and United States to pay tribute to the fact that Armenian music and culture are alive and thriving in 2015. The musicians in this year’s ensemble include: Arpine Azatyan (violin), Sona Barseghyan (piano), Vasko Dukovski (duduk and clarinet), Luke Ratcliffe Khachaturian (piano), Artur Mouradian (violin and viola), Talin Nalbandian (mezzo-soprano), Astghik Poghosyan (violin and artistic director), Tamara Sevunts (actress and poet) and Amy Tcheupdjian (cello). Arpine Azatyan (violin), Sona Barseghyan (piano), Vasko Dukovski (duduk and clarinet), Luke Ratcliffe Khachaturian (piano), Artur Mouradian (violin and viola), Each musician participating in Talin Nalbandian (mezzo-soprano), Astghik Poghosyan (violin and artistic director), Tamara Sevunts (actress and poet), Amy Tcheupdjian (cello) the concert has received an AGBU Performing Arts Fellowship, which has supported his or her training at posers. Along with lesser-known pieces by low in Armenian and a symbol of hope and front balcony for $65 and in the rear balcony some of the world’s most prestigious institu- Sharafyan and Saryan, guests will also be freedom), arranged by Yang Yi and the stu- for $35. To purchase tickets through Carnegie tions. This year’s ensemble includes graduates treated to more popular Western classical hits dents of the Shanghai Music Conservatory for Hall, visit www.carnegiehall.org. 14 S ATURDAY, D ECEMBER 5 , 2 0 1 5 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

COMMENTARY Mirror Global Reverberation of the Refugee Problem

bin Laden was gleefully shooting at Soviet MIG fighters in Spectator By Edmond Y. Azadian Afghanistan through US supplied Stinger Missiles, who could have imagined that he could turn to the West as his target, set- ting his sights on the World Trade Center? Migration has been the destiny of the Armenians. We have a A humanitarian drama is being enacted in Europe as the tragic history of forced migration. Of course, the most spectacu- Syrian refugees try to cut the barbed wire fences on Hungary’s lar migration which would end all subsequent migration was in border and walk through the Chunnel from the European main- EstablishedEstablished 1932 1932 the aftermath of the 1915 Genocide, which uprooted the bulk of land to England. the Ottoman Empire’s Armenian population from its historic Many countries have set up quotas to receive the refugees, An ADLAn Publication ADL Publication homeland and scattered them around the world. That experience with the most generous being Germany. France is next in line, haunts every Armenian and has been transferred from genera- despite the threat of political backlash by ultra-rightist Marine tion to generation, so much so that every time we see refugees Le Pen, who aspires to take over the presidency, playing on the behind barbed wire, every time a boat full of refugees sinks in xenophobic fears of the population, already heightened because EDITOR the open sea, their plight touches a very sensitive chord deep of the recent attacks. Alin K. Gregorian within us. Canada will receive 25,000 Syrian refugees, but President

ASSISTANT EDITOR The current flood of Syrian refugees inundating the Middle Obama’s pledge to admit 10,000 refugees has already led to Aram Arkun East, Europe and even North America is the result of a manmade Congressional action to stop them, which he has vowed to veto. humanitarian tragedy which certainly could have been averted Polls indicate that 53-56 percent of the US population is ART DIRECTOR against admitting more Muslim refugees. Who do these Syrian Marc Mgrditchian and today it calls for urgent attention and action. Admitting or denying refugees has outgrown its humanitarian refugees look like? Somebody answered: the biological father of scope to become a political, social, economic and psychological Steve Jobs, who was indeed a Syrian immigrant. Imagine if problem. Ancient fears and suspicions have been rekindled and Albert Einstein were on the German ocean liner St. Louis with they find their expression through political actions and reac- 937 passengers, almost all Jewish, when the ship was turned tions. away from the port of Miami to return to Europe. More than a SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: Edmond Azadian Fifty percent of Syria’s population has become refugees quarter of the passengers later died in the Holocaust. through the brutal civil war, overflowing into neighboring coun- President Frank D. Roosevelt was suspicious that some Nazi CONTRIBUTORS: tries; individual countries, the EU and the UN have all been spies were able to creep in amongst the Jewish refugees and thus Florence Avakian, Dr. Haroutiun mobilized to address this vital issue of global magnitude. he restricted their entry to the US. Arzoumanian, Taleen Babayan, Diana As during the Armenian Genocide and the Jewish Holocaust, In the aftermath of World War II, Jewish immigration, perhaps Der Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, the powers that be could intervene and stop the carnage today, more than any group, transformed America culturally, scientifi- Kevork Keushkerian, Harut Sassounian, but they do not. If we look at history, in Germany’s case, it even cally and philosophically. In a way, they transferred Europe’s Hagop Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian colluded with the Ottoman government. Later on, it set up best traditions to the US. CORRESPONDENTS: humanitarian programs to win the gratitude of the victims and President Roosevelt’s anti-immigrant phobia turned him also survivors. Today some of the countries posing as benefactors are against the Japanese minority in the country. Indeed, through Armenia - Hagop Avedikian Boston - Nancy Kalajian the main cynical instigators of the tragedy. This case was stark- an order of his, 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry living on Philadelphia - Lisa Manookian ly exposed at a heart-wrenching event in Paris, when Eric the West Coast were rounded up and detained without charges Berlin - Muriel Mirak-Weissbach Ouzounian, the father of Lola Ouzounian, one of the victims of during World War II. They were sent to brutal internment camps November 13’s attack on the Bataclan music venue, refused to throughout the duration of the war. Of course, the US govern- Contributing Photographers: Jacob Demirdjian and Jirair Hovsepian take part in a memorial service dedicated to the memory of the ment extended an apology to the victims of that policy and they victims and blamed the French government for the attacks in an were compensated financially later. article published by Huffington Post. In particular, he wrote: Today’s fears may have some justification: some bad apples “France conducted a disastrous policy in the Near East for many may cross the borders with the legitimate refugees, who are vic- The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published years. Nicolas Sarkozy violated the UN Security Council resolu- tims of terrorism escaping the very same terrorists that have the weekly, except two weeks in July and the first tions banning all kinds of interventions by land in other coun- West in their sights. Almost 30 governors, mainly Republicans, week of the year, by: tries, sent troops to Libya to topple Qaddafi, and joined the coali- have expressed positions against admitting refugees to their Baikar Association, Inc. tion against the head of Syria Bashar al-Assad, when these coun- states, but immigration is governed by federal policy. 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 tries were not France’s enemies. … Recent presidents have acted President Obama said, “When I hear folks say that well, maybe Telephone: 617-924-4420 with inconceivable frivolity, led by shortsighted vision. But this we should just admit the Christians but not the Muslims, when FAX: 617-924-2887 isn’t the only facet of the political world’s responsibility.” I hear political leaders suggesting that there would be a religious www.mirrorspectator.com The blame can equally extend to the US and the UK but espe- test for which person who’s fleeing from a war-torn country is E-Mail: [email protected] cially Turkey. Yet, Turkey is being rewarded for its role in the admitted, when some of those folks themselves come from fam- crime. In fact, Turkey trained and armed ISIS criminals and sent ilies who benefited from protection when they were fleeing polit- For advertising: [email protected] them across the border into Syria to commit their beheadings ical persecution, that’s shameful. That’s not American. That’s not and murderous rampages which resulted in the exodus of Syrian who we are. We don’t have a religious test for our compassion.” citizens into neighboring countries. Immigrants founded this country and it cannot turn against its Lebanon has admitted more than one million Syrian refugees raison d’etre. Ten thousand refugees represent a mere drop in which is almost equal to one-fourth of its population. Jordan has the bucket in the ocean of 350 million. SUBSCRIPTION RATES: admitted more than 600,000, while Turkey was forced to admit United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon criticized the 1.8 million refugees, which would not have sought asylum, had border controls in a call for Europe to respond to the refugee cri- Turkey not poked the hornet’s nest and created unrest in their sis with “compassion, solidarity and shared responsibility.” U.S.A. $80 a year home country. Armenia has demonstrated that compassion by welcoming Turkey has helped the refugees flood the European mainland 17,000 refugees from Syria, ranking third in Europe in terms of Canada $125 a year to created panic. The ruse was successful as EU countries gath- admitting refugees. The director of European Friends of ered in Brussels on Sunday to beg Ankara to slow or to stop the Armenia Eduardo Lorenzo Ochoa writes in an article that Other Countries $190 a year flow of refugees, rewarding it with very generous deals. Turkey “Armenia shows Europe how to welcome refugees.” Most of the has been awarded $3.2 billion in assistance to its refugee pro- Syrian refugees in Armenia are of Armenian descent but there gram. The bigger bonus was that Chancellor Angela Merkel of are also Yezidis and Assyrians who have made Armenia their © 2014 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator Germany softened her position and the EU promised to begin home. Mr. Ochoa concludes his remarks with the flowing state- Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA the stalled negotiations with Turkey for the latter’s admission ment: “Armenia’s approach to the current crisis is a direct con- and additional mailing offices. into the European Union. Of course, there was a more global pol- tinuation of this praiseworthy tradition, and proves that ISSN 0004-234X icy at play behind these magnanimous gestures. Turkey stood to Armenia is fully and undeniably part of European community be isolated in its standoff with Russia and these policy changes values.” symbolize the allies’ solidarity with Turkey. A recent wire story Although Armenia upholds European values, the European POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The from Russia has President Putin suggesting that the Turkish Union has no plans to support refugees in Armenia, after send- Armenian Mirror-Spectator, 755 Mount Auburn ing $3.2 billion to Turkey for the same. St., Watertown, MA 02472 authorities shot down the Russian plane bombing ISIS — help- ing curb the terrorist strongholds — to protect ISIS as Turkey A word needs to be said about countries which have con- Other than the editorial, views and opinions tributed to the turmoil in Syria by arming the terrorists: Saudi expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily gets cheap oil from them, which they in turn steal from Iraqi reflect the policies of the publisher. pipelines. Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain have admitted zero refugees President Erdogan had duped the West to be tolerant to their although their bloodstained signatures are on the destiny of bombing Kurdish targets in Syria and Iraq, under the guise of those refugees. fighting ISIS. His irresponsible adventure of shooting the Nadim Houry, Human Rights Watch deputy director for the Russian military aircraft brought the NATO allies reluctantly Middle East and North Africa, has called those wealthy coun- tries’ inaction in the face of the Syrian crisis “shameful.” Copying for other than personal use or together to his rescue. It looks like in both cases, the tail is wag- internal reference is prohibited without ging the dog. These refugees did not choose on their own to rush to Europe express permission of the copyright While getting into these foreign policy adventures, President and to America. They were living — well indeed — in a stable and owner. Address requests for reprints or Recep Tayyip Erdogan is nurturing a time bomb at home. All the we can add, prosperous country until the West decided a regime back issues to: terrorist cells that have been incubating in Turkey will eventual- change was necessary. ly mature and turn against him because they do not consider The moral of the story is do not bomb and destroy stable coun- Baikar Association, Inc. Erdogan and his party sufficiently fundamentalist with regard to tries and then feign charity for the victims. 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472- Islam, practicing the extreme form of that religion. When Osama 1509 S ATURDAY, D ECEMBER 5 , 2 0 1 5 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 COMMENTARY

ment took several retaliatory measures that would have a • Shooting down Turkish planes and helicopters that devastating effect on Turkey’s economy: cross Syria’s or Armenia’s airspace, in view of such incur- • Banned the import of Turkish products. Trade between sions in the past. the two countries amounts to a whopping $33 billion annu- On the diplomatic front: ally, making Russia Turkey’s second largest trading partner. • Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov cancelled his My Turn • Refused the entry of Turkish businessmen into Russia. pre-planned trip to Turkey last week. Sixty of them were detained upon their arrival in Moscow • Putin refused to take Erdogan’s phone calls and reject- By Harut Sassounian last week and sent back to Turkey. ed his request for a meeting during their Paris visit. • Lifted the visa-free travel of Turkish citizens to Russia as • The Russian President called off the planned Summit of January 1. Meeting with Erdogan in St. Petersburg on December 15. Erdogan Shot Himself in the Foot • Forbade hiring new Turkish workers — currently • The Russian Duma (Parliament) is considering a law that By Shooting Down the Russian Jet 200,000 live with their families in Russia — and cancelled would criminalize denial of the Armenian Genocide: 300,000- multi-billion dollar construction contracts with Turkish 500,000 Ruble penalty and three-year imprisonment. Leaders around the world have been pandering to Recep firms. • Some Russian politicians have even called for the liber- Tayyip Erdogan for years, trying to win him over to their • Ordered Russian travel agencies not to send tourists to ation of Western Armenia from Turkish occupation and the side. They flattered the Turkish President so much that the Turkey, depriving that country of billions of dollars in establishment of free Kurdistan with its capital in Diyarbekir! lavish compliments went to his head. As the self-appointed income. Since 4.5 million Russians visited Turkey last year, It appears that President Putin will not easily back down Grand Sultan of the neo-Ottoman Empire, Erdogan started Russia is the second largest source of foreign tourists. after the treacherous Turkish attack on the Russian jet. He meddling in the internal affairs of neighboring countries, and • Imposed higher customs duties on imports from and has no choice but to react harshly to show the world that he jailing scores of his own citizens who dared to point out that exports to Turkey. won’t allow anyone to attack Russians with impunity. Putin the Sultan is naked! • Under consideration is the cancellation of three major described the Turkish action as a “stab in the back from the The first leader to be duped by Erdogan was Syria’s projects: 1) Selling natural gas to Turkey as Russia supplies accomplices of terrorists” and sternly warned of “severe con- President Bashar Al-Assad whose ill-considered honeymoon over half of that country’s needs; 2) Building Turkey’s first sequences.” with Turkey turned into an endless nightmare, devastating nuclear power plant, worth over $22 billion; and 3) Erdogan has finally bitten more than he can chew! He is his country. The next head of state to part ways with the Constructing a multi-billion dollar natural gas pipeline from foolishly confronting a nuclear power with a leader deter- Turkish dictator was President Al-Sisi of Egypt. Israel’s Prime Russia to Turkey. mined to go to great lengths to teach the arrogant Turkish Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has still not fully learned his President Putin has also taken several military steps since President a lesson he will not soon forget. lesson, carrying on a baffling love-hate relationship with the downing of the Russian jet: If indeed Sultan Erdogan is counting on NATO to defend Turkey. Erdogan almost succeeded even in tricking • Boosted the Russian military presence in Syria — on the his reckless adventure, he is sadly mistaken. He cannot mis- Armenia’s leaders with the deceptive Armenia-Turkey ground, in the air, and off the Mediterranean coast. represent the shooting down of a Russian jet as an attack on Protocols. Ironically, Armenia’s interests were saved by none • Bombed pro-Turkish terrorist groups in the region Turkey, and then seek protection by hiding under NATO’s other than Erdogan’s junior partner, President Ilham Aliyev where the Russian jet was hit and two Russian airmen killed. skirts! of Azerbaijan, who killed the deal with his persistent self-serv- • Destroyed hundreds of Turkish trucks, some of which Regrettably, Turkey has become a major liability for NATO. ing objections. were transporting weapons to the rebels in Syria, and others The Turkish President’s irresponsible behavior over a minor The latest world leader to discover Erdogan’s fiendish carrying oil bought from ISIS and smuggled into Turkey. incursion risks dragging all NATO members into a larger con- nature is Vladimir Putin, after losing a military jet and two Russia may take additional military measures against flagration. NATO should seriously question the wisdom of Russian airmen to a Turkish attack under the guise that the Turkey in the near future: harboring a terrorist state in its midst that can trigger yet plane had crossed Turkey’s airspace for 17 seconds! • Arming Kurdish militants in Iraq, Syria and within again a grave international incident with far reaching conse- Within days of this tragic incident, the Russian govern- Turkey. quences for the entire world!

journalist lamented the continuing de facto ent Islamic State units by private individuals. Egypt’s Nasser. Starting in 1962, the Saudis set “sympathies” in Saudi Arabia for the jihadists. This money, as we have established, comes up institutions to combat Nasserite Pan- Wielding On November 8, the issue emerged explicitly in from 40 countries and there are some of the Arabism and secularism, first the Muslim a prime time Sunday television program, called G20 members among them.” (Though he did World League (1962) then the Organization of “Terra X.” The feature on “Lost Worlds – not name names, it is known that Saudi Arabia Islamic Conference (OIC), now known as the Destroyed Cultural Heritage in the Orient” pre- is a member of the G20.) Then, he added: “I’ve Conference for Islamic Cooperation. With mas- The sented the tragic chronicle of the destruction shown our colleagues photos taken from space sive financing at the time from Salman Bin Abd of ancient sites by the barbaric IS, from Mosul and from aircraft which clearly demonstrate al Aziz al Saud, who is today king, they built and Hatra to Aleppo and Palmyra. In a central the scale of the illegal trade in oil and mosques, schools, cultural centers and offered segment, Daniel Gerlach, a well-known journal- petroleum products.” The photos showed a scholarships to universities (like the University ist and Arab expert, told viewers that the prece- “motorcade of refueling vehicles” which of Medina, 1961), to indoctrinate Muslims with Weapon dent for IS’s rampages against all pre-Islamic “stretched for dozens of kilometers, so that Wahabism. In 1972, the Wahabite theologians cultural heritage was to be found in the process from a height of 4,000 to 5,000 meters they were integrated into the state bureaucracy. leading to the establishment of Saudi Arabia as stretch beyond the horizon.” This raised the Muslim students from all over the world, from an entity. In the 18th century, the fanatical Ibn question, why, if such columns are visible from the Arab states, North Africa, across Central Of Truth ‘Abd al-Wahab (1703-1787), who claimed to overflying aircraft, no one in the anti-IS coali- Asia, Pakistan, India and East Asia, would return to the principles of early Islam (Salaf), tion had bombed them. The following day, the come to study and, after graduation, return rejected the veneration of graves of leading New York Times reported, “U.S. Warplanes home to spread Wahabism. Hermann reports Muslims (including companions of the Strike ISIS Oil Trucks in Syria” … for the first that “since its founding in 1961, about 45,000 By Muriel Mirak-Weissbach prophet), denounced luxury and ostentation. time. Significantly, Putin called for support religious cadres from over 160 countries have He joined forces with the Saud tribe to con- from the US and Europe in the fight against IS, studied at the Islamic University.” In addition, quer most of Arabia. The pact he sealed with but also from “Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran.” the Saudis have founded schools and universi- As politicians in Berlin debate the relative tribal leader Muhammad bin Saud decreed that Perhaps encouraged by this highly effective, ties worldwide to spread the “true Islamic iden- merits and dangers of Germany’s possible he, representing the political power, would albeit not-so-diplomatic intervention by the tity.” active military engagement in the war theatre combat “unbelievers” while al-Wahab would Russian president, Rainer Hermann, a German There were two challenges in 1979, against so-called Islamic State (IS), a number of function as the leader in religious matters. The Middle East specialist, decided to blow the Hermann writes, that impacted this process. public figures have taken up a precious weapon resulting state, the Emirate of Diriyah, was the whistle, laying out the whole story in a full-page One came from the Iranian revolution, the to wage in this conflict. This is the weapon of predecessor to the Kingdom named after the feature in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. other, from a radical preacher Juhayman al truth. Instead of calculating the numbers of Saud tribe, which adopted Wahabism (or The FAZ is a journal of record in Germany, Otaybi, who occupied the mosque in Mecca ground troops that might be required, and who Salafism) as its state religion. As Gerlach relat- comparable in impact to the New York Times and denounced the Saud dynasty as corrupt. might provide them – considerations made in ed, and actors reconstructed on screen, the and Washington Post in the U.S. Hermann, The Saudi royals capitulated and the most rad- cheerful amnesia regarding the catastrophes early Saudi Wahabites ravaged all religious who had peppered his earlier articles with ical form of ideology became supreme. At the wrought by similar conflicts in Afghanistan and monuments in the area, not only pre-Christian vague references to the Saudi factor in IS, pre- same time, Saudi institutions, like the World Iraq – several journalists and political figures temples and churches, but also Islamic sites, sented on November 27 the most complete pic- Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY, 1972) and have preferred to expose the forces behind the whether mosques or sites commemorating ven- ture to date of the phenomenon. an International Islamic Relief Organization IS menace, in hopes of paralyzing the continu- erable figures. The same point had been made Entitled “The Breeding Ground of Terror,” (IIRO, 1978), started supporting terrorist ing financial, logistical, military and ideological by Navid Kermani, a leading Islamic scholar the feature begins bluntly: “Saudi Arabia groups. They were buttressed by Islamic satel- support that has made IS a formidable agency. and prize-winning author in Germany. In a exports above all two products: oil and Islam. lite stations and websites. When Fahd became The central focus of their exposé is Saudi speech in late October, Kermani had pointed Saudi oil is the lubricant for the world econo- king in 1982, Hermann writes, some saw him Arabia, its royal family and state institutions as out that people who are shocked by the IS’s my, but Saudi Islam is a danger to world as a modernizer. But he financed 1500 well as private foundations and individuals. desecration of cultural sites simply do not peace.” For a half century, he goes on, the mosques, 2200 schools, and over 200 Islamic Although the history of the genesis and growth know that the early Wahabites had wrought Saudis have used their petrodollars to finance cultural centers. A print shop named after him of IS is complex, and many cooks have been the same destruction in Saudi Arabia. a mission to spread this “intolerant” and “back- issued 138 million (!) copies of the Quran, in 20 brewing the deadly stew, the Saudi connection Outside Germany, a decisive contribution to ward” brand of Islam, against all other Muslims languages. Some of the Saudi-backed opera- is the most vital to guaranteeing IS its ability this process came from Moscow. As Russian and non-Muslims. This “Saudi offensive created tions have been investigated in the wake of ter- to operate with impunity. Were the multi- President Vladimir Putin reported in a press the theological and ideological breeding rorist attacks, and some even shut down. But faceted Saudi support lines to be severed, the conference at the conclusion of the G20 meet- ground for today’s terrorism in the name of the belief structure and the IS terrorists who task of paralyzing IS militarily would present ing, he had given his colleagues evidence of Islam.” Though Hermann writes that, since the embrace it, are still at large. no serious obstacles to those currently who exactly the IS backers are. Although he Saudi Kingdom has also been threatened by IS, When the Saudis were asked what they engaged against it. To sever these support could not share the detailed intelligence infor- it may not finance the terrorists directly, might contribute to help Europe overcome the lines, they first must be identified, named, and mation with the journalists, he did assure them nonetheless “it is the creator of this monster, refugee crisis, they declined to offer invitations acknowledged in the public domain. that he had briefed the meeting on two impor- since IS is a particularly violent continuation of to welcome refugees. (Nor, it must be said, are In Germany it began with scattered com- tant factors – finances and oil routes — and in Wahabite Islam.” Syrian refugees eager to resettle in Saudi ments, often almost parenthetical, in press minute detail. “I provided examples,” he said, Tracing its history, Hermann presents the Arabia, and for good reason.) The Saudis said reports on the conflict, whereby this or that “based on our data on the financing of differ- Saudi offensive as a Cold War move against see TRUTH, page 16 16 S ATURDAY, D ECEMBER 5 , 2 0 1 5 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR

Evening of Classical Music Germans Celebrate Paruyr Sevak integrity. By Florence Avakian Among the well-known opera favorites sung GERMANY, from page 1 Yerevan-born singer who has completed were two which received dramatic and colorful of 12 books, including drama, poetry, her studies in Frankfurt, opened the pre- performances, Puccini’s Vissi d’Arte from prose and essays, worked on this project sentations with a song by Komitas, a com- NEW YORK — St. Vartan Armenian “Tosca” by Zakaryan, and Bizet’s Gypsy Song for two years together with Agapi poser whose life played an important part Cathedral was aglow with enchanting musical from “Carmen” by Meikhanedjian who strode Mkrtchian, an Armenian author of numer- in Sevak’s work. Other pieces performed selections on Saturday, October 17, by three onto the stage with the message that every ous volumes of short stories and poems, in were compositions by Romanos Melikyan artists originally from Armenia. They included woman is Carmen. both German and Armenian. Mkrtchian, and Melik Mavisakalyan. Accompanying two leading soloists of the St. Vartan Cathedral Several popular Neapolitan songs and who studied in Yerevan, Jena and her on the piano was Diana Sahakyan, a Choir, mezzo-soprano Hasmik Meikhanedjian Broadway favorites sung with flair by the two Frankfurt and teaches German literature in prize-winning musician, also from Armenia and soprano Anahit Zakaryan, and pianist-com- singers ended the concert, and brought the Wiesbaden, was recently honored in and working in the Frankfurt area. Further poser Hayk Arsenyan. audience to its feet in a standing ovation, with Yerevan by the Armenian Writers Union musical offerings by Komitas, Ruben With more than 200 in attendance, the first several flowers bouquets showered on the three with the Vasdakovor order, as an author of Hakhverdyan and Aram Khachaturyan half of the program featured a group of well- artists. came from the very young known Armenian songs, with the second half Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian paid tribute to Arpi Nazaryan, who has focusing on international classical composers, the singers and pianist, and expressed apprecia- won prizes as a soloist on and on and off Broadway popular favorites. tion to Khoren Mekanejian, the Very Rev. the transverse flute. The concert began with Komitas’ Chinar es, a Mamigon Kiledjian, dean of St. Vartan Lisa Berkian- classical love song, sung with heightened emo- Cathedral which sponsored the concert, and Abrahamian recited in tion by the two singers. It was followed by the the generosity of the Dadourian Family Armenian, her mother beautiful Parandzem’s Aria from “Arshak II”, a Foundation which made the concert possible in tongue. Berkian- powerful tribute by a wife to her kind and lov- memory of the late Haig Dadourian. Abrahamian is also the ing husband, sung passionately by Hasmik Meikhanedjian is a graduate of both author of a book on her Meikhanedjian. the Armenian State Pedagogical University, and late husband, Ara Berkian, Kanachian’s Oror, a musical prayer by a Yerevan’s State Conservatory, in both music who was an architect, mother asking God to protect her child has and conducting. She has been a soloist with the sculptor, painter and phi- always been a beloved favorite, and was sung State Radio and TV Chamber Choir of Armenia, lanthropist. She wrote her with a bell-like, heartfelt voice by Zakaryan, one and has performed in festivals and concerts thesis on Sevak, her of the best performances of this touching lulla- throughout Europe, the former Soviet Union, favorite poet, a fact which by. Another all-time favorite was and in the New York metropolitan area. helps explain the particu- Meikhanedjian’s stirring rendering of Zakaryan is a graduate of Armenia’s State lar power of her delivery. Melikian’s Vart with its varied moods, with the Music Conservatory, and has been a soloist at Presenting the German rose pleading to not pluck it, and then express- the Armenian State Opera, the Academy Choir translations were three ing regret after it has been picked. of Armenia, and the Armenian Female Choir, members of a poetry- Yerk Dzovin (Song of the Sea) was an impres- and was one of the founders of the Armenian lovers society, the sive ballad composed by St. Vartan Cathedral Youth Opera Theater. She has performed Dichterpflänzchen (which choir director Maestro Khoren Mekanejian at throughout the Soviet Union, and Europe, and has been performing in age 26, and received a powerful interpretation in the New York metropolitan area. the region for over 20 by Hasmik Meikhanedjian who commented that Pianist-composer Arsenyan debuted with years), Hartmut Borcher, it had melted into her being when she first the Armenian National Philharmonic Lisa Berkian-Abrahamian Gabriele Liebig and Lutz heard it. Orchestra at age 11, and was soloist with the Schauerhammer. And Tigranian’s Finale from the “Anoush” Radio France National Philharmonic Sometimes the poem opera reflected the passion of Anoush who Orchestra at age 17. Since then, he has per- outstanding merit. The book concludes was recited first in German, then in already crazed, jumps off the rocks into the sea. formed in recitals in the U.S., Canada, the with two appreciations from Armenian Armenian; and sometimes, the Armenian Zakaryan intensely relayed her desperation and Soviet Union, Europe, South America and the scholars, literary critic Ani Pashyan, and came first. This way, bilingual Armenians in anguish. Middle East. He is an avid explorer of various Prof. Samuel Muardyan, from the Yerevan the audience (who probably were the Noted pianist-composer Hayk Arsenian who experimental projects with dance, drama and State University Chair for Armenian majority) could appreciate the quality of accompanied the singers throughout the con- the visual arts. Currently he teaches at New Literature. the German version, while the Germans cert, offered a nuance-filled performance of York University Tisch School of the Arts, and The translators have succeeded in pro- could develop an ear for the rich sounds of Three Preludes (Op. 32) by Rachmaninoff, dis- is a member of the French Society of Authors ducing a work that is rigorously faithful to the Armenian. Among the poems selected, playing his technical and interpretative virtuos- and Composers, with two collections of his the original, in content and rhythm, yet at some developed philosophical themes, like ity, and playing these demanding works with original works published in Paris. the same time poetically effective in “The One-eyed” and “Sand a Leopard”, German. This was demonstrated with great others treated human relations and love, power during a musical reading of selec- like “One of us.” Still others pondered the tions on November 20 at the Literaturhaus meaning of life and death, as in “One Meets in Wiesbaden, Wielding The Weapon of Truth Germany. The event at this meet- TRUTH, from page 15 the jihadists represents a major obstacle to any ing place for writ- they would be happy to finance the building of attempt to defeat the terrorists. If the anti-IS ers, housed in the 200 (!) new mosques in Germany. Just one day coalition partners were serious, they would con- beautiful, historic after Hermann’s exposé of the Saudi-IS con- front the Saudis, yes, even threaten a rupture in Villa Clementine, nection appeared, the same FAZ hosted an diplomatic relations, to dry up the financial was a benefit interview with Cem Özdemir, leader of the flows, and cut off logistical and military sup- evening sponsored Green Party and member of Parliament. He too port. As for abolishing the hideous Wahabite by the Mirak- had no hesitation in stating that Saudi Arabia ideology – that belief structure which has been W e i s s b a c h and other Arab Gulf states are the “ideological rightly compared to fascism – that may indeed Foundation, sources” for this perversion of Islam. “The take longer. But if the immediate military threat which supports Saudi Wahabism is not a part of the problem,” can be crushed, that will open the way to defeat- Armenian youth he said, “it is the source and cause.” Özdemir ing its ideology. in education, rejects any Saudi offers of “missionary help” in On December 1, the news broke that Putin including musical building mosques in Germany. Rather, he pro- named another name: Turkey. He said he had education. The posed that the German government should proof that “oil from the deposits controlled by participants who undertake a fundamental review of its econom- Islamic State militants enters Turkish territory recited poems ic relations with Riyadh. “For me, the jihadism on [an] industrial scale.” Turkish complicity donated their tal- which is reinforced by Saudi Arabia, is a form of with IS has been no secret. Now it is a political ents to the cause, Agapi Mkrtchian fascism. That is, as we have seen in Paris, an issue. And that is all for the good. and Dinges & existential threat to our society.” Frick printers pro- The truth is indeed the most potent weapon. (Muriel Mirak-Weissbach is a regular contrib- duced beautiful posters and flyers as their in Life by Chance” and “Dying (or: To Although Saudi Arabia is not the sole creator utor to the Mirror-Spectator. She is an author contribution. Die).” A good example of the poet’s sense and sponsor of IS, its continuing support for and philanthropist and lives in Germany.) Although unfortunately illness prevent- of irony came in “I Am Going Crazy.” ed co-author Heide Rieck from attending, Several dealt with the homeland and the Agapi Mkrtchian presented the book pro- fate of Armenians, a dominant theme in ject and gave an overview of Sevak’s life Sevak’s works, for example, “The Mother’s Paylan Greets MPs in Turkish Parliament in Armenian and work. She stressed the fact that Sevak Hands,” and, as a triumphant finale, “We ANKARA (Ermenihaber.am) — Exclaiming The Armenian MP strongly criticized the was not only a poet, but also a literary Are Few, But We Are Called Armenians.” “Parev tzez,” Armenian MP Garo Paylan greet- authorities. “There is dust on the state ‘three scholar and translator. Although he is the The recitation of this last beloved poem, ed his colleagues at the Turkish Parliament in fingers thick.’ Our duty is to clean the dust, most beloved poet for Armenians, young both in the original and in translation, Armenian, according to the Turkish newspaper instead of hiding it. We covered up the murder and old, he is unfortunately not very well moved many to tears. Its final line (in Milliyet. of Hrant Dink, which led to the reoccurrence of know abroad. It is in an attempt to make English translation) is: “We are. We shall Addressing the parliament, Paylan, from the the crime. Another ‘dove of peace’ — Tahir Elci, his art and ideas available to a German pub- be, and we shall become even more.” Arpi opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), was killed,” Paylan said. lic that this new translation has come into Nazaryan’s concluding flute solo sang a referred to the killing of Kurdish lawyer and “Like Hrant Dink, Elci was committed to fighting being. lyrical reflection on this proud, yet modest human rights activist Tahir Elci in Diyarbakir. for the sake of peace, brotherhood and democracy. Tigranuhi Howhannisyan, a young assertion of Armenian identity. He compared Elci with Armenian journalist Both were killed. And this is the result of the dust Hrant Dink, calling him a “dove of peace.” that has covered the state,” he said.