MARCH 9, 2013 MirTHErARoMENr IAN -Spe ctator Volume LXXXIII, NO. 34, Issue 4279 $ 2.00 NEWS IN BRIEF The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 Armenia Will Establish Obama Congratulates Armenian President Embassy at Holy See YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Armenia announced on WASHINGTON (ArmeniaNow) — United two countries and to build your March 7 plans to open an embassy at the Holy See. States President Barack Obama has sent a legacy as a leader who solidifies According to the Armenian Ministry of Foreign message to his Armenian counterpart, Armenia’s reforms and furthers Affairs, deepening relations with the Vatican is of Serge Sargisian, with congratulations on the cause of peace for your people critical importance because of the See’s spiritual his winning reelection in a process still and the people of your region. and political influence. being disputed by the local opposition. “You can be assured that the “Establishing an embassy at the Holy See is of In a letter released by Sargisian’s press United States, as Armenia’s crucial importance as it will give a new impetus to office, Obama reaffirmed Washington’s stat - enduring friend and partner, cooperation. Establishment of an embassy will ed desire to deepen relations with Armenia stands with you in working to make bilateral works more coordinated and during his second term. achieve these worthy goals.” focused, as well as promote the activation of the “I would like to congratulate you on your The Central Election Holy See’s participation in works aimed at mainte - reelection as President of the Republic of Commission last Monday certified nance of Armenia cultural values all over the Armenia. I look forward to continuing our Sargisian as the official winner of world,” stated the ministry in a press release. work together as we both begin our second the February 18 presidential elec - Diplomatic relations between Armenia and the terms,” wrote Obama. President Serge Sargisian and President Barack tion with nearly 59 percent of the Vatican were established on May 23, 1992. “As we move ahead, I would like to build Obama pictured together on August 4, 2012, during vote. The runner-up, Raffi Sargisian’s visit to the US. on the strong ties between our countries Hovannisian, who officially polled and peoples, and to further expand our close to 37 percent of the vote, Mediators Discuss partnership. We remain strongly committed which requires meaningful movement disagrees with this tally, insisting that he to Armenia’s development and look to your toward a settlement that provides lasting has been robbed of a victory with what he Karabagh Issue leadership to promote continued improve - peace and security. We also want to contin - describes as a fraudulent ballot. PARIS (ArmeniaNow) — Armenian Minister of ments in democracy and the economic ue our work to promote the eventual nor - Hovannisian, who has staged public Foreign Affairs Eduard Nalbandian met with the co- reforms that will present opportunities to malization of Armenian-Turkish relations. protests since February 20, has also dis - chairs of the Organization for Security and both the people of Armenia and the “Your reelection presents opportunities missed the mostly positive evaluation of the Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group, Igor Americans looking to invest in a valued to advance the relationship between our see OBAMA, page 2 Popov, Jacques Faure and Ian Kelly, and the per - partner with significant potential. We will sonal representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in- continue to strongly support progress in Office Andrzej Kasprzyk on March 3 to discuss the Nagorno-Karabagh peace process, issues relating to the process of settlement of the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict. The sides reportedly addressed the proposal Presidential Runner-Up made by the co-chairs during the previous meeting on confidence building measures. An agreement Takes His Case to was reportedly reached at this latest meeting. Nalbandian noted that during the previous two Constitutional Court meetings between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani side not only failed YEREVAN (Reuters) — Armenia’s main to publish the texts of the joint press releases that opposition party said on Monday the coun - had been agreed upon, but also presented com - try’s president had rigged the result of a ments which had no relation to the content of the February poll and it called on the discussions. Constitutional Court to rule that it had He reiterated that Armenia will continue the been the winner. efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution of Incumbent President Serge Sargisian the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict. was declared the victor with 58.6 percent of the vote, against 37 percent for opposition BOSTON — On March 3, members of the ADL District Committee leader Raffi Hovannisian. of US and Canada paid a visit to a veteran member of the orga - Heffern Promotes “We demand to register the people’s vic - nization and current secretary of the Tekeyan Cultural tory and to declare Raffi Hovannisian Association Central Board, Dr. Nubar Berberian, at his residence Closer Ties Armenia’s president,” Hovsep in Waltham. The ADL members were in the area to meet with the Khurshudyan, spokesman for the Heritage YEREVAN (Armenpress) — US Ambassador to Party, told reporters after submitting an staff of the ADL District Committee and the Armenian Mirror- Armenia John Heffern emphasized the strength of appeal to the court. Spectator . Above, from left, are, Arsen Demirdjian (member), Dr. Armenian-American ties during a recent tour of US The court has 10 days to issue its ruling. Nubar Berberian, Edmond Azadian (co-chairman) and Dr. Armen Armenian communities. Armenia’s Central Election Commission Demirjian (treasurer). “My message to the American-Armenians is as see HOVANNISIAN, page 2 follows: Armenian-American ties are strong. Our aim is to help Armenia to have success as a demo - cratic, prosperous and secure country, and we per - form our task by encouraging internal reforms, cre - WATERTOWN — Kelly Stuart is not only a ation of opportunities and options and by fixing Uncovering Paradoxes: playwright; she is a fearless storyteller who Armenia’s sight on the West. The embassy and its immerses herself in the complexities of the partners encourage internal reforms in political, human condition. Along with teaching economic and social spheres.” Playwright Kelly Stuart’s courses at Columbia’s School for the Arts (SoA), Stuart has traveled to Turkey nine Narrative Journey times to explore various facets of life there — culture, music, struggle and hope. INSI DE The Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance By Gabriella Gage (ADAA) recently awarded Stuart the third Mirror-Spectator Staff Biennial William Saroyan Prize for Playwriting for “Belonging to the Sky,” a Seeroon lyrical duet of monologues by Sabiha Gokçen (Ataturk’s adopted daughter) and assassinated journalist Hrant Dink. The In LA $10,000 grand prize was announced and presented at ADAA’s awards event on Page 10 December 8 at the Pasadena Playhouse. see STUART, page 12

INDEX Arts and Living ...... 10 Armenia ...... 2 Community News...... 4 Editorial ...... 13 International ...... 3 Kelly Stuart during a visit to Ani 2 S ATURDAY , M ARCH 9, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia Color-Coding the Post-Election ‘Barevolution’ Heritage Party member David gality and lawlessness [and] against By Gayane Mkrtchyan Sanasaryan says in movements such as anarchy. Hence, this is a struggle for this both the appearance and the con - the sake of the unity of the Armenian Black Sabbath’s Iommi tent are important; however, he does nation.” Writes Eurovision Song YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow) — not relate those symbols to either the During the same rally, popular song- Following the “Orange” (Ukraine) and orange revolution or the revolution of writer Ruben Hakhverdyan said, “What YEREVAN (Ultimateguitar.com) — Black Sabbath “Rose” (Georgia) revolutions of the past roses, and believes that “barevolution” is this, why should someone from a guitarist Tony Iommi has written the Armenian decade, the post-February 18 election is a good name, especially since it is remote Azeri province come and lead entry to this year’s Eurovision song contest. movement known as “Barevolution” is popular among the youth. us?” The reference was regarding the The song titled, Lonely Planet, performed by the viewed by some as Armenia’s own One of the stark differences in this fact that Sargisian is a native of Dorians, was selected in a national Armenian vote, “orange” or “apricot” revolution. movement is that Hovannisian has not Karabagh, formerly part of Soviet and will appear in the live Eurovision semifinals on Ruben Hakobyan, head of the directed insults or hate speech against Azerbaijan. The social networks and May 14 and 16. The final vote will take place on Heritage Party faction, said Armenia is President Serge Sargisian, whereas Ter- media exploded with outrage after the May 18. going through an electoral revolution Petrosian’s speeches in 2008 were rife comment. Iommi’s role as a songwriter alongside lyricist and does not want to call it “orange.” with sharp criticism, accusations and Sanasaryan said of the incident, Vardan Zadoyan had been kept secret until now. “It is an electoral revolution in offensive language against the authori - “Raffi is guiding the movement… they Iommi has traveled to Armenia several times and Armenia; let anyone [assign] any color ties. are simply looking for a blunder to has worked alongside friend and Deep Purple to it they want,” he said. “In no way does this mean conces - immediately strike a blow against him.” singer Ian Gillan to aid the country since the 1988 Nonetheless, participants of the ral - sion or humility. He [Hovannisian] says Badalyan is convinced that the cur - earthquake. lies who have joined the post-election ‘you have lost and must admit your rent post-election movement is no Iommi and the rest of Black Sabbath will release movement, have orange ribbons tied defeat.’ It is a new culture to us. And threat to the official outcome. a new album,“13,” in June. around their arms. Along with the apri - Raffi’s ‘barev’ has been a more impor - According to him, the “presidential elec - cot-color “barevolution” — otherwise tant sociological survey than all the tion” is over and settled. known as the revolution of greetings — other types,” Sanasaryan said. Sanasaryan counters this stance Help From TV Needed to the oppositional movement under Raffi During the public rallies five years when he said, “The pulse of the move - Make Literature Popular Hovannisian’s leadership has intro - ago, Ter-Petrosyan attempted to sepa - ment is beating steady. Raffi does not duced new political technologies into rate Karabaghis [native of Nagorno want to take the road of confrontation, YEREVAN (Armenrpess) — Contemporary the political field of Armenia. His “side - Karabagh], and kept pointing out his but I believe that if all the means are Armenian literature is presentable and competitive, walk” campaign was followed by post- own Musa Ler roots (historical site of exhausted, blocked by the authorities, according to the Writer’s Union of Armenia election visits to the provinces, open-air Armenian resistance during the 1915 there will be a confrontation. Our citi - President Levon Ananyan, who made the comments press conferences and speeches by Genocide. This opposition is, however, zens cannot tolerate the fact that their during a press conference last week. young civil activists — elements of pub - focused on erasing that distinction, votes have been pocketed. The authori - He said gains are being made in the popularity of lic involvement not seen in previous making a point that an Armenian is an ties are not too happy with this method literature and further advances should be made. Armenian campaigns. Armenian no matter where he or she of struggle — an atmosphere of love and Ananyan suggested, “It is also of vital importance Armen Badalyan, expert in political was born. warm greetings — when more and more to have a TV broadcasting hour dedicating to mak- and election technologies; however, Last week during a rally, assistant to people keep joining us. As soon as the ing literature popular as it will help the new gen- said the application of such political the rector Gevorg Melkonyan called authorities feel they are losing, they will eration to return to literature.” tools is pointless if an overall political troops from Akhalkalaki (Georgian- resort to a clash.” process is missing. Armenian students of Samtskhe- Armenian Visitors Boost Comparing the opposition under first Javakheti) to help deal with the protest - president of Armenia and leader of the ing students who had joined the civil Yerevan to Host Turkish Tourism Armenian National Congress (ANC), movement. Regarding this incident, Levon Ter-Petrosian, five years ago to ANC faction member Nikol Pashinyan YEREVAN (PanArmenian.net) — Narekavank Tour today’s movement, Badalyan told said, “We will not allow [them] to put a Benefit Concert LCC founder and Turkologist Armen Hovannisian said,“The difference is not between the distinction between Artsakhtsis [same recently stated that Armenian tourism in Turkey tools, but rather the content of the as Karabaghtsi] and Hayastantsis For Young has yielded positive results in the interstate rela- struggle. In 2008, too, there were peo - [native of Armenia], or Akhalkalaktsis tions and is helping create an atmosphere of coop- ple who wore orange ties; now it’s not [historical Armenian city, now part of Leukemia Patient eration between the two countries. ties, but arm-ribbons. Does it change Georgia], or Ijevantsis [city in Armenia]. “The larger the flow of Armenian tourists to anything? The thing is that in 2008 it I am Yerevantsi as much as I am YEREVAN (Hetq) — A benefit concert [their] historic homeland, the greater [amount of] was quite clear what Ter-Petrosyan Karabaghtsi or Akhalkalaktsi. Our peo - will be held for 3-year-old leukemia attention Ankara [pays] to those areas,” said wanted, whereas it is not clear today ple has never fought one against anoth - patient, Nelly Petrosyan, on March 13, 7 Hovannisian, citing restoration of Armenian monu- what Raffi wants.” er, our struggle is against violence, ille - p.m. at the State Puppet Theater. ments behind the growth of Armenian pilgrims. The event has been organized by the “In the light of growing tourist flows, local “Help Armenian Children” NGO, with authorities of Van stressed the need to hold a dis- assistance from the Yerevan State cussion on plans to [further facilitate tourism,” he Puppet Theater. Singers from the said. Presidential Runner-Up Takes His “Bard” club will participate. Director of Narekavank Tour Ashot Nelly Petrosyan has withstood nee - Soghomonian, in turn, said that the development of Case to Constitutional Court dles and various treatments by doctors a tourism industry was of chief concern to the for the past 20 days. She was recently HOVANNISIAN , from page 1 lowed Sargisian’s initial election in 2008. Turkish government. diagnosed with acute leukemia and was (CEC) said last month there were no Another candidate, Andrias A direct Yerevan-Van flight will become available scheduled to receive her first dose of legal violations during the vote that Ghukasyan, who went on hunger strike on April 3. chemotherapy this week. could have influenced results. at the start of the campaign to protest “I don’t know what I feel,” said the International election monitors said against the organization of the vote, child’s father, Albert Petrosyan. “I did - March 5 Marks Birthday the poll was an improvement from pre - also submitted a complaint to the n’t understand why this happened. I vious ones but that it still lacked real Constitutional Court. couldn’t speak about it without getting Of Vazgen Sargisian competition after some of Sargisian’s Armenia’s CEC said last month there teary-eyed. Afterwards, the doctors said adversaries decided not to run, fearing were no legal violations during the vote YEREVAN (PanARMENIAN.Net) — March 5 marked there was hope and that the illness the results would be skewed. that could have impacted results. the 54th birthday of the late Armenian military could be treated. So I pulled myself Since the February 18 poll, the oppo - Hovannisian, a US-born former for - commander, Vazgen Sargisian. together. I decided to do whatever was sition has organized a series of rallies in eign minister of Armenia, submitted 70 Sargisian was born in Ararat, in 1959. He gradu- needed to save my child. There are Yerevan. complaints to the electoral commission, ated from the Armenian State Institute of Physical many expenses and matters to contend Investors worry over any signs of insta - which said last week that the docu - Culture in 1979 before working as a physical edu- with. I can’t afford to be weak,” Albert bility in the South Caucasus state, where ments were based neither on facts nor cation teacher in a village school in Ararat. From Petrosyan said. 10 people were killed in violence that fol - legal evidence. 1983 to 1986, he was the Communist Youth League He has already placed the family leader at the cement factory in Ararat. house and car for sale. He works as a From 1986 to 1989 he headed the publicity cashier and driver. Now, he has no time department of the Garun (Spring) literary monthly Obama Congratulates Armenian President for work. in Yerevan. But the Armenian national movement Yolan Hematology Center’s of the late 1980s saw him abandon this role as he OBAMA, from page 1 respect for fundamental freedoms. That Children’s Division plan on treating flung himself headlong into political life. vote given by international observers as assessment is particularly welcome as Nelly, but if there is a need for a bone He organized and led the “Mahapartner” special well as congratulatory messages sent to Armenia seeks to take forward its rela - marrow transplant, the child will have battalion during the Nagorno Karabagh liberation Sargisian from different world leaders, tionship with the European Union. I’m to be sent to Europe or Israel. struggle. In 1992-1993 and 1995-1999 he served as including Russian President Vladimir sure that your officials will now be look - “She points to her knees and tells me Armenia’s defense minister. After the 1999 parlia- Putin and European Commission ing at how to respond constructively to ‘Dad, it hurts here.’ I can’t watch her mentary election, Sargisian and Armenia’s former President Jose Manuel Barroso. any recommendation that the interna - like that. I have to leave the hospital. I Communist leader, Karen Demirchian, formed a UK Prime Minister James Cameron in tional observer mission might make.” don’t know what else to do. My wife coalition and won a majority, with Sargisian becom- his message said, “Congratulations on US Secretary of State John Kerry had sees it all, how Nelly cries when given ing prime minister. A few months later, both men, your reelection as President of the congratulated Sargisian five days an injection. It’s painful for my wife to along with several others, were assassinated. Republic of Armenia. The presidential before. witness all that. I have to control my Sargisian received the Hero of Artsakh and elections of February 18 marked anoth - Remarkably, Sargisian received no emotions and get down to the business National Hero of Armenia titles. er step forward in Armenia’s democrat - congratulatory message from Obama’s of saving my child,” Albert said. ic development, international observers predecessor, George W. Bush, when he Tickets range from 1,000 to 5,000 judged that they were generally well- became president in similarly disputed drams. Donations for Nelly may be administrated and characterized by circumstances in 2008. directed to the family. S ATURDAY , M ARCH 9, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 INTERNATIONAL From Stone Dreams to Nightmare: International News Embattled Author to Leave Azerbaijan Number of Kidnapped Armenians in Aleppo on of two Azerbaijani men who By Julia Hakobyan try to protect their The Rise Armenian neighbors during ALEPPO (Armenpress) — According to information the Sumgait and Baku from the Syrian Armenian First Aid Body for BAKU (ArmeniaNow) — The novel by pogroms in the closing years Emergencies, more than 90 Aleppo Armenians have the Azerbaijani writer Akram Aylisli on of the Soviet Union. The already been kidnapped during this year of ongoing Armenian-Azerbaijani relations will not novel also includes a descrip - clashes. only cost the 75-year-old writer his pres - tion of violence by ethnic The press secretary of the Armenian National idential award and pension, it will force Azeris against Armenians Prelacy in Aleppo, Jirair Reisian, told Armenpress him to leave his homeland. Azeri media during the 1920s. that fortunately the majority of these victims have reported that the author intends to The novel — which been released. The number of wounded Armenians leave his Azeri home due to safety con - describes the cruelty of exceeds 87. The number of Armenian casualties is cerns for him and his family. Azerbaijanis against around four-dozen. “My works are not published and my Armenians — provoked pub - The overall death toll in Syria recently surpassed plays are not performed. My future here lic anger and numerous 70,000. The number of Syrian refugees has reached is impossible. I made the decision to Akram Aylisli threats against Aylisli in 940,000. leave the homeland and move to broth - Azerbaijan, soon after it was erly Turkey,” Aylisli said. published. Protests were Aylisli’s Stone Dreams tells the story held in several Azerbaijani cities The writer said that that the purpose demanding Aylisli’s exile from the coun - of the novel was to send a message to Orhan Pamuk Vies for try and the writer’s books were burned. Armenians, in particular, to the Suspect in Assaults The pro-government Yeni Musavat Party Armenians living in Nagorno Karabagh, Independent Foreign has offered a reward of $12,000 to any - that Azerbaijani people see their mis - Fiction Prize On Armenian one who “cuts off the writer’s ear.” takes. “Time has not yet completely sep - Aylisli’s wife and son were fired from arated us, let us look together [so that ISTANBUL (Today’s Zaman) — Turkish Nobel laure- Women in Samatya their jobs. By a presidential degree the we may live] together,” said the writer, ate author, Orhan Pamuk, has been listed as a can- writer was stripped of all government adding that now it is the turn of didate for this year’s Independent Foreign Fiction Arrested awards, including the “People’s Writer” Armenian writers to recognize their Prize for his sophomore novel, Silent House. The title and his monthly presidential pen - country’s mistakes. ISTANBUL (Hurriyet book tells the stories of family members on the eve sion of $1,270. “I now call on the Armenian writers DailyNews) — A Turkish court of the 1980 coup d’état in Turkey. Armenian and Turkish intellectuals, to tell the truth about the Khojaly geno - decided to charge and arrest a 38- Pamuk, who won the award in 1990 for White as well as the US State Department, cide and other mass murders. Do not year-old man with charges of Castle and was short-listed for the prize in 2011 for have issued statements, condemning blame the people for the wars. [People “intended murder,” Dogan news The Museum of Innocence, is among 15 writers, harassment directed at the writer and are] guilty who use wars to enrich them - agency has reported. including Syrian writer Khalid Khalifa, presently in urging Baku authorities to stop the per - selves,” Aylisli said. The suspect, identified as M.N., contention for the 10,000 pounds sterling prize. secution campaign. Human Rights Armenian expert on geopolitics of the is a Turkish citizen of Armenian Khalifa made the list for his third novel, In Praise Watch, in particular, said that the gov - South Caucasus, Anjela Elibegova, said origin and was detained as a sus - of Hatred, which was banned in Syria due to its ernment of Azerbaijan is making a that the purposeful hatred toward the pect in five attacks, one of which political content. The book focuses on a girl whose mockery of its international obligations author is partly conditioned by the resulted in death. The suspect lives life is affected by events that took place during the on freedom of expression. “This is Azeri’s “wag the dog” policy, adding, alone and allegedly committed the Syrian regime’s suppression of the Muslim shocking, particularly after Azerbaijani “Armenian thematic is a zero risk action assaults for theft, according to Brotherhood in the 1980s. officials flocked to Strasbourg last for the government of Azerbaijan to unnamed sources. Pamuk’s Silent House, which was published in month to tout the government’s human divert attention from the really serious M.N. was detained by the police Turkey in 1983, was translated into English in rights record at the Council of Europe,” problems in the country.” on March 2 after one of the vic - 2012. said a Human Rights Watch representa - Elibegova said the novel also pro - tims identified him. A judge in an The short list for the prize, consisting of only six tive. voked fury and criticism because it pre - Istanbul court decided the arrest novels, will be announced on April 11. Jury mem- Aylisli, meanwhile, accused sented the national leader, Heydar of the suspect who was set to send bers — Boyd Tonkin, literary editor at The Azerbaijani intellectuals of cowardice Aliyev (the father of the acting presi - to Metris prison later. Independent, internationally-acclaimed Turkish and indifference to the public debate dent Ilham Aliyev,) in unflattering light On December 28, 2012, Maritsa author Elif Shafak, translator Frank Wynne, crit- about his novel. and contained accusations of organiz - Küçük was stabbed seven times ic/writer Gabriel Josipovici and editor Jean Boase- “They have always supported my posi - ing the Armenian massacres. before her throat was slit at her Beier — will determine the winner in May. tion. However, they cannot openly Thomas de Waal of the Carnegie home in Samatya. Two other Launched in 1990, the Independent Foreign express their opinions because they get Endowment, said the publication of the attacks were carried out in the Fiction Prize honors both the author of a novel salary from the state. The freethinking novel is a brave act by Aylisli, but unfor - same month against elderly that is in translation in the United Kingdom and part of society is openly on my side. tunately, instead of encouraging Aylisli Armenian women in the Samatya the translator of it. Each year, the prize is divided Even a group of writers from Turkey as a brave citizen, the Azerbaijani gov - and Bakirköy districts as well. between the author and the translator. supported me. But not one politician in ernment subjected him to pressures and One of the women, 87-year-old Azerbaijan has called me,” Aylisli said. burnt his books. Turfanda Asik, lost an eye, while the other woman was robbed and Georgian PM Apologizes severely injured. Most recently, 84-year-old Sultan For President’s Akyar was attacked in Samatya, after which she underwent eye Vienna Hosts Rallies on ‘Irresponsible Remarks’ surgery. The blood on an envelope TBILISI (PanArmenian.net) — Georgian Prime found in Maritsa Küçük’s bag Sumgait Massacre Anniversary Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili apologized to the inter- belongs to M.N., the agency said, national community for President Mikheil adding that the women who sur - VIENNA, Austria (Panorama.am) — tos and documents on the Sumgait Saakashvili’s “recent irresponsible statements.” vived the attacks in Samatya iden - In the hall of the Armenian Apostolic pogroms committed in 1988 and there “The government of Georgia continues its efforts tified M.N. as the assailant. Church of St. Hripsime with the sup - was a presentation on the German and for speeding up the country’s European and Euro- However, the evidence found in port of the Armenian Embassy in Austrian media’s reaction to those Atlantic integration, for the restoration of its terri- the attack against Vehbiye Ö., 80, Austria an event was held on the events. torial integrity and providing peace in the region. who was severely wounded in the anniversary of Sumgait pogroms and Hymns of Armenia and Austria were Our task is to fulfill honestly the obligations Sisli district of Istanbul, did not the 25th anniversary of the Artsakh presented, works by Armenian com - towards the European Union and the NATO, rein- match with suspect M.N., the movement. On February 24, posers were performed and fragments force relations with our friends, Azerbaijan, agency said. Police are continuing Archimandrite Ter Petrosyan Tyrant of from the film about Sumgait pogroms Armenia, Turkey and Ukraine and thus put forth their investigation to find the Sisli the Armenian Apostolic Church of St. were shown. steps for normalizing relations with Russia,” said suspect. Hripsime held liturgy in commemora - After the event, more than 100 rep - Ivanishvili in a recent statement. After the suspect’s blood sam - tion of the victims of the massacre. resentatives of the Armenian-Austrian “In addition, the recent irresponsible statements ples matched the blood found in Armenian Ambassador to Austria organizations held a silent march and activities of the president run counter to the Maritsa Küçük’s bag, he was ques - Arman Kirakosian, Artashes towards the central area of Vienna, course of the Georgian government to the afore- tioned again. In his second ques - Geghamyan and Khachik Stephansplatz, where protest was mentioned directions, tarnish the country’s inter- tioning, he gave a detailed testi - Harutyunyan participated in the organized with large number of national prestige and create more domestic and for- mony about the incidents, accord - Parliamentary Assembly works and posters, flags of Armenia and eign problems to the new government. We are sin- ing to the daily. M.N., detained also attended the event. Nagorno-Karabagh and patriotic cerely sorry that the heads of the friend govern- twice before for theft, previously A witness of the Artsakh movement, songs. ments were put in inconvenient situation as well as worked at tea houses as a cleaner Herbert Maurer, and a member of the On February 26 to 29, 1988, mass the representatives of the international organiza- but had been unemployed for Austrian-Armenian community, pogroms of civilians organized in the tions, for which I apologize to them on behalf of some time. Hambardzum Harutyunyan, were city of Sumgait in the Azerbaijani Georgia’s government,” he added. Police said that M.N. had been among the speakers. Members of SSR, accompanied with unprecedent - stalking his victims before carry - youth organizations and Austrian soci - ed brutal murders, violence and pillag - ing out the attacks. ety and media were also in attendance. ing against the Armenian population There was also an exhibition of pho - of the city. 4 S ATURDAY , M ARCH 9, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Community Ne ws

SOAR’s Colorado Berd Native to Speak About Fear of Azeri Chapter Continues Incursions in Border Area Its Support for BOSTON — Rev. Aram Mirzoyan, spiritual leader of the Berd region of Tavush Province, in Warm Hearth the northeast of Armenia, is visiting US Armenian-American communities during the DENVER — The Society for Orphaned month of March to tell his community’s story of Armenian Relief’s Colorado Chapter (SOAR- spiritual revival and to help bring awareness to Colorado) recently sponsored its fourth annual their struggle for survival. January Art Show to raise awareness and funds He visited St. Gregory the Enlightener for the Warm Hearth group home in Armenia, Church in Haverhill on March 8 and is sched - which services adult orphans with special uled to perform the service at St. James Church needs. More than $3,700 was raised, bringing a in Watertown as well as speak at on March 10. total of approximately $12,000 raised over the He is scheduled to visit several churches in past four years. The full amount will be used for California as well. the art program at Warm Hearth and will pro - Berd is a town with a population of 8,000 sur - vide the residents with art supplies and voca - rounded by 16 villages. The region has a 186- tional teachers who can support them in their kilometer border with Azerbaijan, a four-hour artistic work. drive from Yerevan. Azeri snipers regularly During the event, SOAR-Colorado President shoot at civilian targets inside the Armenian Maria Stepanyan expressed her gratitude for border and even engage in unprovoked border the Colorado-Armenian community’s continued incursions, killing and frightening Armenians support of the program. to abandon their homes. The people living in “Over the years, we have sent a message to this picturesque the world that we are working, each in our region with Bishop Karamian consecrating the Holy Altar small way, to improve the lives of those who suf - alpine meadows, fer needlessly. We are blessed to have family and mountain friends who have been walking this path with ranges, ravines, us for the last four years, and we thank you for Boston-Area Family Renovates rivers and pris - your generosity and your open hearts,” tine spring Stepanyan said. water don’t Warm Hearth is the first long-term group Church in Armenia want to aban - home in Armenia, committed to providing don their home - homes to Armenian orphans with disabilities WATERTOWN and LERNANIST, Armenia — Saturday, October 27, 2012 was a land and have and mental illnesses who have outgrown other memorable day for the residents of Lernanist village in Armenia’s Kotayk Province. endured severe orphanages where they were initially place. After 80 years, on the feast day of the Twelve Holy Doctors of the Universal hardships over Warm Hearth’s organic approach focuses on Church, the Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church there reopened its doors before the faith - the last 20 “providing its residents with a loving and nur - ful. Bishop Arakel Karamian, Primate of the Diocese of Kotayk, assisted by sever - years. Rev. Aram Mirzoyan turing environment, as it provides for their al local clergymen and Deacon Zakar Hachikian of Greater Boston, performed the The 16,000 vocational development and addresses their consecration service and celebrated the Divine Liturgy. Hundreds of villagers inhabitants of social, physical, mental and spiritual needs.” along with local government officials attended the church services as well as the the region were The home aims to foster the notion of com - banquet that followed. On this joyous occasion, a traditional blessing of madagh cut off from their Christian religion since early munity integration which honors culture and service took place and several villagers and guests were baptized. Soviet times, when the original St. Gevork tradition while respecting the dignity, fulfill - Lernanist (known as Verin Akhta until 1978) is located near Hrazdan, with a pop - Church in Berd was destroyed by the commu - ment and independence of its residents. Care is ulation of approximately 4,000, who are primarily made up of the descendants of the nist regime in the early 1920s. individualized, allowing residents to live as inde - settlers from the historic western Armenian province of Van. Those early settlers Mirzoyan, a young, devoted clergyman, and a pendently as possible, as they contribute to built the chapel of Sourp Hagop. However, with the influx of more refugees in the native of nearby Chinari village, is overseeing their community. aftermath of the massacres and ethnic cleansing policies carried out by the succes - the final stages of construction of a new St. Founded by Natalie Bryant-Rizzieri, who also sive Ottoman governments in Western Armenia, it becomes necessary to build a larg - Gevork Church in the town of Berd, which was serves as its executive director, Warm Hearth er edifice. Consequently, on the grounds of Sourp Hagop, the construction of the begun in late 2011 with the blessing of the opened its doors in 2006 to its first group of Sourp Asdvadzadzin Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II. eight long-term residents from Kapan, Armenia. Church started on March Major funding for the construction of the As a former Peace Corps volunteer in Armenia 25, 1892 and the newly church was made possible by a bequest from from 2003-2005, Bryant-Rizzieri worked closely built church was consecrat - Fresno native John Stevens, who had visited with the initial residents of Warm Hearth at an ed on August 25, 1906. Berd and saw that they needed a church. orphanage in the town of Kapan. The idea for Sourp Asdvadzadzin was Therefore, he included in his will a major dona - Warm Hearth originated out of her friendship closed by the Soviet author - tion to build the church. with the orphans with special needs and the ities in 1932. The sanctuary With enough funds to begin the project, realization that they were destined for the gov - was initially used as a grain Mirzoyan began the construction of the church, ernment-run psychiatric institutions. storage facility and starting starting with the consecration of the founda - Oversight and management is provided by the in 1970s, it was converted tion in May 2012 by Archbishop Yeznig, the reli - Friends of Warm Hearth, established in 2005 into a function facility gious leader of Tavush Province. Completion is and its sister partner, the Jermik Ankyun where local events and wed - Deacon Zakar Hachikian and his wife, Gayane, with expected in 2013. Foundation, established in 2008. (Jermik ding receptions took place. Bishop Karamian But to complete the project Mirzoyan needs Ankyun is the Armenian translation for Warm Under the orders of the additional funding, some of which he has raised Hearth.) communist government, the from former Shamshadin natives, now in As Warm Hearth began to reach out to an holy altar and bell tower of the church were destroyed, while the interior and exte - Moscow. He is also working to secure the safe - extended community of orphaned and aban - rior of the church as well as the courtyard sustained heavy damage. ty of the villagers living directly on the haz - doned individuals with disabilities, the home Several years ago, at the request of Karekin II, the Catholicos and Supreme ardous border. realized that it needed a local non-profit dedi - Patriarch of All Armenians, Deacon Zakar and his brother Deacon Varoujan Mirzoyan is not only concerned with the spir - cated exclusively to the vulnerable population it Hachikian of the Boston area decided to finance the renovation of the Lernanist itual development of the community, but also served. church. As part of this project, a new altar and bell tower were built, the roof and its economy, with 80-percent unemployment, in As Warm Hearth moves forward over the next windows were replaced, interior and exterior walls and the foundation were rein - part due to Azeri aggression and the blockade five years, its focus is to build a sustainable forced while the concrete church floor was completely replaced with a stone one. of the borders. model that can be replicated in Armenia so that Local artists were able to restore the icons painted on the walls of the church. Catholicos Karekin II and Archbishops more individuals can be served outside of insti - In addition, the church was provided with a new Russian made bell, icon for the Khajak Barsamian and Hovnan Derderian, pri - tutional settings. Individuals with disabilities are Holy Altar, new liturgical items, vestments, books, furnishings and oriental rugs. mates of the Eastern and Western Armenian still often institutionalized and stigmatized. The entire project was dedicated to the memory of the Hachikian brothers’ late Church of America, respectively, have blessed Warm Heath supporters hope to break that stig - father, Krikor Hachikian. On this occasion, Karamian placed a memorial stone this project and urge their parishioners to sup - ma and provide better care for these individuals. above the main entrance of the church. port Mirzoyan with donations to complete this SOAR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization Since the official opening of the Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church, services and church as a sign of solidarity with the 16,000 dedicated to providing humanitarian relief to sacraments have been performed at the parish on a regular basis. Bishop villagers in the Berd region. American- orphaned Armenian children and adults. Karamian has appointed an interim pastor for Lernanist while Karekin II will Armenians are not being called upon to make Working with a donor base and a network of ordain a new priest for the parish in the near future. the sacrifices of the brave folks of the Berd partners, SOAR distributes clothing, education - By this coming fall, the Hachikian brothers expect the completion of their next region who defend the frontiers, but they can al supplies, medicine and other essential church renovation project, a seventh-century church in Talin region of Armenia. help with critically needed tax deductible dona - resources to orphaned Armenians throughout This project will be dedicated to the memory of all those Armenians who were mar - tions payable to the Diocese of the Armenian the world. tyred by Turkey between 1894 and 1923 in the province of Pontic Amasia. Church, 630 Second Ave., New York, NY 10016. To learn more about SOAR, visit For further information contact Eva http://www.soar-us.org/. Medzorian, [email protected]. S ATURDAY , M ARCH 9, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 COMMUNITY NEWS

Fresno State Programs for March Include Lecture by Sona Haroutyuunian, Talk by NKR Rep. Avetisyan FRESNO — Dr. Sona Haroutyunian, the 10th What difference does reading genocide litera - duction by Italy, Spain, Belgium, France and State campus. Henry K. Khanzadian Kazan Visiting Professor ture in translation make? And finally, in what the European production company Eurimages. Robert Avetisyan, Permanent Representative of Armenian Studies at California State ways have these translations contributed to the Haroutyunian is a graduate of Yerevan State of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic to the University, Fresno, will give her second lecture awareness of the genocide in their given coun - University, where she received her master’s and United States, will make his first visit to the on “The Theme of the Armenian Genocide in tries? Exploring the impacts these translations later her PhD in philology. She received her sec - Fresno area to give a presentation on the 25th Translation” at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March have had in their given countries, there will also ond PhD in linguistics at the University of anniversary of the Karabagh Movement on 14. This is one of a three-part series of illustrat - be examine the reader reactions following their Venice, where she has been a professor of Friday, March 22, at 7:30 p.m. The presentation ed public lectures on the theme of the respective publications in various languages by Armenian language and literature since 2001. will be held in McLane Hall, Room 121, on the Armenian Genocide. presenting exclusive interviews with some of Along with teaching, Haroutyunian has also Fresno State campus and is co-sponsored by Her first lecture, February 25, focused on the the translators. During the lecture the directed her skills towards working as the cul - the Armenian National Committee of America- literary genre as an instrument, which brings metaphorical relationship between memory and tural advisor to the ambassador of Armenia in Central California. The lecture is funded in part greater attention to the historical phenomenon translation will also be examined. Italy, and the Italian and Armenian website by the Leon S. Peters Foundation and the of the Armenian Genocide. The third lecture, to be held at 7:30 p.m. on coordinator and translator for the Armenian Bertha and John Garabedian Foundation. In the second lecture, Haroutyunian will both Wednesday, April 10, will focus on the theme of Embassy in Italy. The people and government of the Nagorno explore and problematize the power of transla - “The Armenian Genocide in Cinema” and will The lecture is free and open to the public and Karabagh Republic (Artsakh) are celebrating tion related to the Genocide as an instrument of deal with the Italian directors the Taviani broth - will take place in the University Business the 25th anniversary of their National cultural, historical and linguistic interaction. ers and their film, “Skylark Farm,” a co-pro - Center, A. Peters Auditorium, on the Fresno Liberation movement. In 1988 the people of Artsakh raised their voices for freedom and dig - nity and in opposition to any government that rules by despotism. Artsakh’s path was chal - lenged by various ordeals and the people ASA Students Participate in Opening Ceremony of Sheriff’s Inauguration refused to allow these obstacles to break their will and determination. Avetisyan will give a historical background By Katrina Menzigian about the establishment of the Republic of Karabagh and then discuss its current status and the challenges facing the country. LEXINGTON, Mass. — On February 13, stu - In February 2009, by NKR President Bako dents from the Armenian Sisters’ Academy Sahakyan appointed Avetisyan to his post in the (ASA) participated in the opening ceremonies US. for the inauguration of the 30th High Sheriff of Since 1997 NKR has maintained a represen - Middlesex County, Peter J. Koutoujian. ASA stu - tative office in Washington, DC. dents led the assembled dignitaries and offi - The lecture is free and open to the public. Free cials, along with friends and family, in the parking is available in all campus parking lots. singing of the United States national anthem and participated in the pledge of allegiance. “Our students were very excited to witness and be part of this important aspect of Massachusetts civic life. These children saw Dr. Marchese to Speak at how our society passes power from one individ - Ararat-Eskijian Museum ual to the next and how the rule of law is struc - tured,” stated Mayda Melkonian, vice principal, MISSION HILLS, Calif. — Dr. Ronald ASA. Marchese will present an illustrated lecture on Students ranged in age from 8 to 11, repre - “Treasures of Faith: Sacred Objects from the senting grades 3-5. While many of the students Armenian Churches of Constantinople,” on know Koutoujian as a parent at the ASA, many Elementary students from the Armenian Sisters’ Academy stand on stage with the Massachusetts Sunday, March 10, at 4 p.m. at the Ararat- learned how the school community is tied to Honor Guard at the inauguration of Sheriff Peter Koutoujian. Eskijian Museum, Hasmik Mgrdichian Gallery, the broader world around them. Present at the 15105 Mission Hills Road. ceremony were dignitaries such as sheriffs from The lecture is sponsored by the Ararat- other counties, church leaders, and members of The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office, established in Cambridge. Additionally, its office operates the Eskijian Museum and the National Association the Massachusetts Honor Guard. 1692, is one of the oldest law enforcement agen - Sheriff’s Office of Civil Process, the Cambridge for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR). “It was very cool to see the troopers and offi - cies in the United States. The Middlesex and Lowell Community Counseling Centers A reception will follow the lecture. cers carry in the various flags and banners. We Sheriff’s Office provides care, custody and con - and numerous community service and crime Marchese is professor of ancient history and felt it was a very serious ceremony and that we trol of both sentenced inmates and pre-trial prevention programs. archaeology at the University of Minnesota, were part of it made us all excited,” observed detainees at the Middlesex House of Correction The ASA is currently holding open enroll - Duluth, and has spent the last several years doc - Sevak Glorikian, a third-grade student. in Billerica and the Middlesex Jail in ment for the 2013-2014 academic year. umenting the rich cultural history of the Armenians in Constantinople by studying the works of arts that those Armenians produced. He received his PhD from New York University and has had a distinguished career in archaeolo - gy, having conducted research at the Plataiai Archaeological Excavation in Greece and at Tel Dor in Israel. He is the author of numerous arti - cles and book chapters in the field and the co- author with Marlene Breu of Splendor and Spectacle: The Armenian Orthodox Church Textile Collections of Istanbul (Çitlembik Ltd., Istanbul, 2010). He has authored several other books on art and weaving.

Entertainment Fridays and Saturdays 6 S ATURDAY , M ARCH 9, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS

Armenian Bar Association Hosts Annual Networking Event TCA Arshag Dickranian

LOS ANGELES — On Saturday, February 9, The event was co-chaired by Armenian Bar “Learning about different career opportunities School Banquet to Take the Armenian Bar Association and Board of Governors’ Executive Board Member, and networking with established attorneys Southwestern Law School’s Armenian Law Membership Development Committee Co- and judicial officers provides an invaluable Place on March 22 Students’ Association jointly hosted the sec - Chair and Student Affairs Committee Chair learning opportunity for our students,” LOS ANGELES — The 32nd Annual ond annual Networking and Information Hovanes Margarian and Southwestern Law Gharakhanian said. Banquet of the Tekeyan Cultural Event for Law Students — a panel presentation School Vice Dean and Professor of Legal “We are very proud of the generational link Association (TCA) Arshag Dickranian and networking event tailored to educate, Analysis, Writing & Skills and Director of the that is being cultivated and established by the School will be held on Friday, March 22, at inform and empower future Armenian attor - Externship Program Anahid Gharakhanian. collaboration of Southwestern Law School, 7 p.m., at the school’s Walter and Laurel neys. The event was attended by more than 50 Following the panel presentations, students led by its visionary Vice Dean and Armenian Karabian Hall. law school students and 20 attorneys. spoke with all of the panelists and practicing Bar member Anahid Gharakhanian along with The honorees of this year’s event are Ara The program consisted of brief presenta - attorneys in attendance through a series of the scores of volunteer Attorneys on behalf of and Julia Aghishian. Ara Aghishian, a promi - tions by a panel of 15 attorneys from various seven-minute speed-networking sessions. “The the Armenian Bar Association,” said Garo nent attorney, was a member of the Board of fields of legal practice including, but not limit - Armenian Bar Association aims to bridge the Ghazarian, chairman of the Armenian Bar Trustees of TCA Arshag Dickranian School ed to, prosecution/criminal defense, govern - gap between the established and future gener - Association. and currently serves as the president of ment, corporate/in-house, entertainment, fam - ation of attorneys by fostering mentorship and The Armenian Bar Association welcomes all Hayastan All Armenian Fund’s US Western ily, civil litigation, public interest and the judi - employment opportunities. Often times the law school students and attorneys to become Region. Hie wife works as a volunteer ciary. Among the panelists were Jacqueline students are too caught up in their education involved with the association through volun - teacher at Dickranian School and teaches Chooljian, US federal magistrate judge, Andre and overlook the vital need to network and teering on upcoming projects and attending first grade as well as at the high school. Manssourian, of Orange County Superior develop such connections. This event is par - events. Those interested in becoming more The annual banquet is a traditional event Court and Armenian Bar Board of Governors’ ticularly effective because it provides the stu - active may contact Margarian at hov - of the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), Executive Board Members Sara Bedirian and dents an opportunity to connect one on one [email protected]. To renew your annu - which brings together the large circle of Saro Kerkonian. with all of the speakers,” stated Margarian. al membership, visit www.ArmenianBar.com. parents, teachers, students, alumni and guests dedicated to the success of the school. The event also allows students endowed with artistic gifts to present their talents individually or collectively. Richard Hovannisian to Lecture on Smyrna Catastrophe For more than 30 years, the Arshag BOCA RATON, Fla. — Prof. Richard G. Studies and Research (NAASR). The Armenian Genocide in Perspective; The Dickranian School has been instituting a Hovannisian will present an illustrated lecture, September 2012 marked the 90th anniversary Armenian People from Ancient to Modern diverse and comprehensive educational pro - “The Smyrna Catastrophe, 1922-2013,” on of the Smyrna Catastrophe when much of the Times; Remembrance and Denial; Looking gram. The event is one of the most impor - Sunday, March 31, at 1 p.m., at St. David city, the second Backward, Moving Forward; and The tant fundraising functions in support of the Armenian Church, 2300 Yamato Road. The pro - largest in the Armenian Genocide: Cultural and Ethical school. gram will be co-sponsored by St. David Church Ottoman Empire, Legacies. He was the first holder of the Tickets are at $75 for adults and $50 for and the National Association for Armenian was destroyed by fire Armenian Educational Foundation Chair in students, which may be acquired by con - during the final Modern Armenian History at UCLA and cur - tacting the school office at (323) 461 – phase of the Greco- rently serves as Distinguished Chancellor’s 4377 or PTO Chairwoman Armine Turkish War. The Fellow at Chapman University in Orange Gasparyan at (323) 428 – 4747. ABN Hosts Speaker and calamity, a part of County and Distinguished Visiting Lecturer at For more information visit the school’s the final phase of the the University of California, Irvine. website www.dickranianschool.org. Networking Event Armenian Genocide, marked the end of a CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The Armenian strong Christian Prof. Richard Hovannisian Business Network (ABN) will host a networking presence in the his - event Tuesday, March 12, 7 p.m., at the Terrace Nardolillo Funeral Home toric Aegean coastal Room of the Sheraton Commander Hotel. The regions and turned hundreds of thousands of Est. 1906 event will feature guest speaker, Todd Patkin, Greeks and Armenians into refugees. who will present his “Great Insights on In this illustrated lecture, Hovannisian will dis - John K. Najarian, Jr. Succeeding in Life and Business,” followed by cuss the important role of Smyrna (Izmir) in Rhode Island’s Only Licensed Armenian Funeral Director an 8 p.m. networking session at Nubar modern Armenian history and the inferno that Restaurant. engulfed the city in September 1922. 1278 Park Ave. Cranston, RI 02910 (401) 942-1220 Patkin is the author of Finding Happiness: Hovannisian is the editor of the recently pub - 1111 Boston Neck Rd. Narragansett, RI 02882 (401) 789-6300 One Man’s Quest to Beat Depression and lished Armenian Smyrna/Izmir, the eleventh www.nardolillo.com Anxiety and Finally—Let the Sunshine In, volume of proceedings from the UCLA confer - Twelve Weeks to Finding Happiness: Boot ence series “Historic Armenian Cities and Camp for Building Happier People and The Provinces.” He also traveled to Izmir and envi - Sunny Days Secret: A Guide for Finding rons in June 2012 as the historian-guide for a Telephone (617) 924-7400 Happiness. NAASR Armenian Heritage Tour led by Armen Patkin travels the country speaking to busi - Aroyan. nesses, civic clubs, schools, colleges, parents A book signing of Armenian Smyrna/Izmir Aram Bedrosian and healthcare facilities. He has presented at will immediately follow the lecture. The lecture events sponsored by the Chicago Tribune and is free and open to the public. Funeral Home, Inc. Deepak Chopra and has appearanced on Fox Hovannisian is the author of Armenia on the News Health and in Reader’s Digest. Road to Independence, the four-volume history Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 To RSVP, contact Arlette Yegumians, at The Republic of Armenia , and has edited and [email protected]. contributed to more than 25 books including MARION BEDROSIAN 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN OBITUARY WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN Hagop H. Jamgochian

SHREWSBURY, Mass. — Hagop H. (Jack) He was a member of the Knights of Vartan, Jamgochian of Shrewsbury, formerly of Armenian Assembly of America, Professional Bloomfield, Conn., passed away peacefully sur - Internal Revenue Employees Association, and rounded by his family on February 13, 2013. He the Connecticut and District of Columbia Bars. GF UiNrEaRgAoL sHiaOMn E was the beloved husband for 67 years of He was predeceased by his son, Richard S. James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC Shamiram (Rose) Jamgochian. Jamgochian, and a brother, Michael Jamgochian. Mark J. Giragosian Born in Worcester, he was the son of the late In addition to his wife, he leaves his sister-in-law Funeral Counselors Zareh and Ankine Jamgochian. He was a grad - Margaret Zakarian of Worcester; three children, 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 uate of North High School in Worcester, daughter Melanie Samsel and husband James of www.giragosianfuneralhome.com Wofford College, Clark University and George Grafton, Mass.,son James Jamgochian and wife Washington University Law School. Marilynn of Milford, Conn. and daughter Susan Jamgochian was a WWII Veteran, serving in Atamian and husband Edward of Shrewsbury; the US Air Force. six grandchildren, Cristina Feden and husband Edward D. Jamakordzian, Jr. d/b/a As an attorney, he worked with the Internal Jeff; Elizabeth Beck and husband Ray; Lauren Revenue Service as the Estate Tax Supervisor. Fletcher and husband Eddy; Richard Upon his retirement from government service, Jamgochian; Ross Atamian and Kirk Atamian he joined the law firm of Charles Stroh where and four great-grandchildren, Aubrey, Preston, Edward D. Jamie, Jr. he remained in practice for 20 years. Kenley and Elizabeth. He was previously a member of the St. Jamgochian’s funeral was held Saturday, Funeral Chapel George Armenian Church in Hartford, Conn., February 16 at the Armenian Church of Our Serving the entire Armenian Community where he served on the Parish Council, as trea - Saviour, 87 Salisbury St., Worcester. Burial Any Hour • Any Distance • Any Location surer of the Building Committee and on numer - was in Hope Cemetery in Worcester. Call (718) 224-2390 Toll Free (888) 224-6088 ous other committees. Most recently, he was a In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to member of the Armenian Church of Our the Armenian Church of Our Saviour, 87 Bus. Reg. 189-06 Liberty Ave., Hollis, NY 11412 Saviour in Worcester. Salisbury St., Worcester, MA 01609. Consultation Office: 217-04 Northern Blvd., (Suite 23), Bayside,NY 11361 S ATURDAY , M ARCH 9, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS Armenian Engineers and Scientists Of America Install New Council GLENDALE — At its general membership as mixers for the young professionals. AESA meeting in January, the Armenian Engineers partnered with other Armenian professional and Scientists of America (AESA) introduced its organizations for these events. In addition, new council for the year 2013. The new execu - AESA joined forces with the Armenian tive council consists of the following: Mardy Professional Society (APS) in organizing its Kazarians, PhD, president; Vasken Yardemian, annual gala banquet where both organizations vice president; Mark Abajian, executive secre - recognized Dr. Vahan Gregor for his extraordi - tary and Sasoon Petrossian as treasurer. The nary accomplishments with the APS Lifetime Councilors at large are: Marina Guevrekian, Achievement Award and the AESA PhD, Shant Kenderian, PhD, Stepan Joulfayan, Victor Hambartsumian Award. Argineh Shabandari, Talin Petrossian, Armineh The incoming president, Kazarians, shared Khachatoorian, Vazgen Ghoogassian, Aram his plan and goals for the upcoming year. “We Setian and Hagop Bedikian. need to revitalize this organization and provide a forum for the young Armenian engineers and scientists to meet their peers, also conduct or facil - itate new technical projects in Armenia and in other Armenian Communities,” stated Kazarians. He also discussed focusing on recruitment of new mem - bers, enhancing fundraising activities, implementing state-of-the-art communica - tion systems and ensuring that the Science Olympiad Project maintains its quali - ty. Seated, from left, Marina Guevrekian , Armen Hovanessian, Mardy In addition, Kazarians Kazarians, Vasken Yardemian; standing, from left, Mark Abajian, mentioned that this year Armineh Khachatoorian, Argineh Shabandari, Talin Petrosin, Vazgen the organization will start a Ghoogassian, Stepan Joulfayan, Sasoon Petrossian and Shant new scholarship program Kenderian. (Missing from photo is Hagop Bedikian.) for Armenian graduate stu - dents majoring in engineer - ing and science and will The outgoing president, Armen Hovannesian sponsor mentoring activities for young profes - reported on last year’s activities and achieve - sionals. ments. In the past year, AESA organized formal “We are at an important point in AESA’s his - scientific lectures and workshop as well as the tory. This year AESA will celebrate its 30th annual Science Olympiad competition held in anniversary of its existence. We must make sure Woodbury University. The competition, involv - that AESA attracts young professionals to ing school-age children, was considered a great insure organization’s perseverance,” concluded success. These activities were well organized Kazarians. and attended by the Armenian community. For more information, visit AESA’s website at Hovannesian mentioned social activities such www.aesa.org.

ASA Second Annual Journalism Internship Set for 2013

WARWICK, R.I. — At its January meeting, the students of Armenian heritage to pursue Board of Trustees of the Armenian Students’ careers in journalism,” noted Dr. Michael G. Association of America, Inc. (ASA, Inc.) Mensoian, a member of the ASA Board of announced it is again sponsoring two intern - Trustees. ships in journalism in partnership with the Mensoian added, “The Armenian Weekly and Armenian Weekly and the Armenian Mirror- the Armenian Mirror-Spectator are two of the Spectator. leading English language newspapers in the The ASA, Inc., founded in 1910, is the oldest United States and Canada keeping our commu - Armenian student organization in the United nity informed of developments locally as well as States. in Armenia and the Diaspora through their In making the announcement, Brian print and online editions.” Assadourian, chairman of the ASA, Inc., Board Applications for the ASA, Inc., Journalism of Trustees, remarked that “The ASA is proud Internship are now available and may be down - to make these internships available and contin - loaded at http://www.asainc.org. ues its mission begun 102 years ago of provid - Applications must be submitted no later than ing financial assistance and professional men - Friday, May 24. Candidates must have complet - toring to qualified students of Armenian her - ed their sophomore year of college by May 30. itage.” Currently enrolled graduate students are also Participants in the six-week internship pro - eligible. gram will receive a weekly stipend of $150. Since its establishment in 1910 the Armenian Interns will work either under the supervision Students’ Association, Inc., has encouraged the of Khatchig Mouradian, editor of the Armenian educational pursuits of Armenians in the Weekly or Alin K. Gregorian, editor of the United States by providing financial assistance Armenian Mirror-Spectator. The offices of both in the form of scholarship grants, professional newspapers are located in Watertown, Mass. opportunities through internships, and fellow - “It is important to provide opportunities for ship through social and professional activities.

Armenian Students’ Association of America, Inc. ASA Journalism Internships for 2013 Two 6-week internships Weekly stipend of $150 Working at two leading English-language newspapers in the United States and Canada The Armenian Mirror-Spectator and The Armenian Weekly Visit our website at [email protected] for further information and application form 8 S ATURDAY , M ARCH 9, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Ne w York M E T R O Holy Martyrs Church Welcomes New Pastor 111th Diocesan Assembly To Convene BAYSIDE, N.Y. — On Sunday, February 10, Karine, and their two children, Evelina and Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Armen. Malkhasyan was assigned as the pastor In Boca Raton Diocese of the Armenian Church of America of Holy Martyrs Church in September. (Eastern), visited the Church of the Holy “Fr. Abraham is an enthusiastic young Edward and Janet Mardigian Martyrs as the parish formally welcomed its priest,” Barsamian said. “Holy Martyrs is a won - To Be Honored new pastor and his family. derful, active parish and I am certain the peo - Prior to the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, ple here will support their new pastor and help NEW YORK — The Diocese of the Barsamian ordained Karnik Kilicyan to the his ministry grow.” Armenian Church of America (Eastern) rank of acolyte. During the program, representatives of vari - will hold the 111th Diocesan Assembly In his sermon, Barsamian stressed the impor - ous church organizations extended their best May 2 through 5, in Boca Raton, Fla. St. tance of service and encouraged the parish - wishes to Malkhasyan and his family. Parish David Armenian Church will host the ioners to continue their involvement in the life Council Chair Bruce Ashbahian delivered the gathering, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, of the Armenian Church. opening toast. Arthur Ipek performed on the Diocesan Primate, will preside over all the Later that afternoon, 225 people gathered in piano, Malkhasyan sang a song by Komitas and gatherings and events. Kalustyan Hall for a luncheon and program wel - Karine Kocharyan recited poetry. Dr. Lynn A highlight of the week of activities will coming the Rev. Abraham Malkhasyan, his wife, Cetin served as the mistress of ceremonies. be the annual Diocesan Assembly awards banquet, on the evening of Friday, May 3. At that time, Edward and Janet Mardigian will be honored as the New York state Sen. Tony Avella presents Fr. Diocese’s 2013 “Armenian Church Abraham Malkhasyan and his wife Karine with Members of the Year.” Natives of the St. a Senate resolution. John Armenian Church of Southfield, Mich., the Mardigians have been benefac - tors of the Diocese and the Fund for Malkhasyan was presented with a resolution Armenian Relief (FAR), and are continuing issued by New York state Sen. Tony Avella. the legacy of leadership, participation and “I am grateful to the entire community for support established by Edward welcoming me and my family with open arms,” Mardigian’s late parents, Edward and Malkhasyan said. “I am excited to be a part of Helen Mardigian. this wonderful Holy Martyrs family. The pastor The Diocesan Assembly will convene on and community must work together in full com - Thursday, May 2 at 4 p.m., with sessions mitment as one body in order to fulfill the continuing to the afternoon of Saturday, Lord’s mission, and I look forward to working May 4. In addition to the regular business with all of you to carry forward the mission of sessions and reports from the Diocesan our church.” Council, FAR and various Diocesan orga - The Rev. Simeon Odabashian, diocesan vicar, nizations, one morning session will be Rev. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Nersess devoted to a presentation of the new Armenian Seminary; Rev. Karekin Kasparian, Diocesan theme for the coming year: pastor of St. Gregory the Enlightener Church of “Living the Gospel of Christ.” White Plains and Rev. Thomas Garabedian, pas - Information on all Assembly events is tor of St. Anne’s Armenian Catholic Church, available on the St. David church web - Archbishop Barsamian ordains Karnik Kilicyan to the rank of acolyte. were among the clergy taking part in the cele - site, www.stdavidfl.com. bration. 98th Anniversary Commemoration Arof thme enian Genocide Friday, April 19, 2013, 10:30 am Keynote Speech House of Representatives Chamber • Massachusetts State House Ambassador John Evans

At noon, participants are invited to march to Joint Senate/House the Armenian Heritage Park for additional remarks, music and a brown bag lunch. Resolution Recipient: For more information contact: Senator Will Brownsberger 617-722-1280 Donald Tellalian Representative Jon Hecht 617-722-2140 Architect of the Representative Dave Rogers 617-722-2400 Armenian Heritage Park Representative John Lawn 617-722-2304 Lalig Musserian, Coordinator 617-319-2651

Buses will be leaving at 9:00 am from St. James and St. Stephen’s Churches (Buses generously provided by the Knights of Vartan) S ATURDAY , M ARCH 9, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 Ne w York M E T R O Domestic Violence Is Topic for AIWA Panel at UN

NEW YORK — On March 14, the Armenian engagement work: Craig Norberg-Bohm, International Women’s Association is spon - Carl Murrell and Quentin Walcott (speaking soring a parallel event at the United Nations about how to create strategies that work). Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) AIWA’s session will take place on meetings in New York City. The panel dis - Thursday, March 14, 2:30 to 4 p.m., on the cussion will explore the role of men in pre - 10th floor of the Church Center for the UN, venting sexual assault and domestic violence. 777 United National Plaza. It is open to the The theme for this year’s 57th annual CSW public. session is “Elimination and Prevention of all AIWA has participated in the United Forms of Violence Against Women and Girls.” Nations as a Non-Governmental Organization CSW meetings attract hundreds of women for over a decade and is affiliated with the annually to New York from all parts of the Economic and Social Council as well as the world. Department of Public Information. Moderating AIWA’s panel will be Judy Last year at the Commission on the Status Norsigian, executive director of Our Bodies of Women, AIWA presented a parallel session Ourselves, the non-profit women’s health edu - titled “Rural Women: Imagery & cation and advocacy organization best known Empowerment,” focused on issues and for the classic book of the same name on strategies relating to the position of women women’s health and sexuality, now in its ninth in Armenia, enhanced by perspectives gained edition. from programs developed in other nations. A prominent national and international Illustrated presentations were made by pho - spokesperson on women and health issues, AIWA’S Panel at the 2012 session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women included, tographer and attorney Sara Anjargolian of Norsigian has appeared on numerous nation - from left, AIWA/UN Representative Hasmig Tatiossian, Vice President Barbara Merguerian, Los Angeles, and by attorney and develop - ally televised programs, and an interview presenter Sara Anjargolian, presenter Ana Cristina Schirinian, Vice President Joy Renjilian- ment specialist Ana Cristina Schirinian, of with her appears at makers.com, the website Burgy and AIWA Main UN Representative Mary V. Toumayan Argentina and Armenia. accompanying the new documentary recent - Further information about AIWA’s work - ly aired on PBS: “Makers: the Women Who shop at the UN or about AIWA’s programs is Made America,” narrated by Meryl Streep Participants on AIWA’s UN panel and their community); Milena Melkonyan (speaking available from the AIWA office, 65 Main St., and featuring leading figures in the women’s topics are: Shamita Das Dasgupta (speaking about advancing men’s engagement in Watertown, MA 02472; web: aiwainterna - movement. about men’s engagement in the South Asian Armenia); and three men now active in such tional.org.

ACYOA Central Council Hosts Retreat

LIVINGSTON, N.J. — Some 40 Armenian happy to welcome participants from sister Church Youth Organization of America Oriental Orthodox churches. “As a Coptic (ACYOA) members, representing seven parishes Orthodox, it was interesting to learn more of the Eastern Diocese and sister Oriental about the Armenian faith,” said Wassim Orthodox churches, took part in a Lenten Nossair. Retreat at St. Mary Armenian Church on Fr. Arakel Vardazaryan, pastor of St. Mary Saturday, February 16. Church, served as the retreat chaplain, and led Titled “Called to a New Life,” the daylong retreat was organized by the ACYOA Central Council to give young people an opportunity to explore the origins of baptism, to consider its cleansing power, and to discuss ways to pre - serve its renewal of the soul. The day opened with a short session led by ACYOA Executive Secretary Nancy Basmajian. Working in small groups, participants answered a series of questions about their faith and church-going experiences. Following the introductory activity, seminari - an Eric Vozzy gave a talk on how the Old Testament prophet Ezekiel foretold the practice of baptism. He went on to explain that baptism cleanses the soul from sin and offers a new beginning. The Very Rev. Daniel Findikyan spoke about Nicodemus’s late-night encounter with Christ, in which Nicodemus learned about the impor - The retreat at St. Mary Church concluded with a tance of spiritual rebirth. He stressed that bap - vesper’s service. tism is the beginning of a new life, and that it is up to each person to preserve that life. Turning to ways this can be accomplished, a vespers service following the day’s sessions. Deacon Ryan Tellalian discussed St. Paul’s “This Lenten retreat provided real-world con - teachings as expressed through his letters to nections to everyday life,” said Alyne Corrigan. early Christian communities. “It showed us ways to keep our Christian spirit The ACYOA Central Council was especially alive within.”

Retreat participants pose for a group photo. 10 S ATURDAY , M ARCH 9, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Arts & Living

Revealing Art of Arto Vaun and Taline Arthur Pinajian on Voskeritchian Launch ‘In Exhibition in NY Conversation’ at ALMA WATERTOWN — Poet Arto Vaun and essayist Taline Voskeritchian led an inspiring evening By Florence Avakian at the Armenian Library and Museum of America (ALMA) on Wednesday, February 20, launching a new series, “In Conversation,” with NEW YORK — An exhibition of Arthur a large crowd drawn into a stimulating discus - Pinajian’s abstract paintings opened on sion about the nature of poetry and the creative Wednesday, February 13, at the Antiquorum, in process. The event was unusual not just due to the Fuller Building, located at 41 East 57th St. the numbers of people in attendance, but the The exhibition is a revealing insight into the diverse mix in terms of ethnicity and age. artistry of a painter who has been compared to Despite the large audience, it was an intimate Arshile Gorky. atmosphere with a real exchange of ideas. A The 34 paintings, which are available for pur - musician as well as a poet, Vaun, who is a chase, will be on exhibition until March 10, Watertown native, began the evening by read - Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to ing from his recent book, Capillarity . 5:30 p.m. A significant part of the proceeds will The rhythm and phrasing of his poems visibly support the work of the Fund for Armenian affected the audience. Later, Voskeritchian Relief (FAR) in Armenia. prodded Vaun to discuss his themes and to Also available is a catalog of his works, titled think aloud about why he writes poetry rather Pinajian: Master of Abstraction Discovered, than prose and what differences he sees with essays by several art historians and edited between them. Vaun and Voskeritchian dis - by Peter Hastings Falk. cussed the question and problem of memory in The opening night reception was opened by the Armenian community (or any community FAR’s Arto Vorperian, who welcomed the close that experiences trauma). Vaun pointed out to 200 guests which included museum officials, that it is only through serious art that the art dealers and art lovers. Also speaking was tricky concept of memory and identity can be Falk, who revealed that Pinajian did not follow dealt with and remade. the route of current artists who employ a ret - “For me, poetry is the best tool to accomplish inue of agents, dealers and business people. this,” he claimed, “because it disrupts and Pinajian, in a word, “did not conform to today’s implodes language and jars the listener and norms. He painted every day, but no one saw Paintings by Armenian-American artist Seeroon Yeretzian fill the walls of the AGBU- reader to see the many layers of reality that oth - his art. He received no reviews and not one of AYA Nazarian Center in Canoga Park. erwise might slip by.” his paintings or works on paper ever was shown The conversational format brought in many in a New York gallery or museum.” When he people, moved by the poetry and reacting to the died, his art, which had been stored in his issues raised by Voskeritchian. It was a lively, garage, was left to be destroyed at his request. Acclaimed Artist Seeroon Fortunately, it was rescued at the last minute, as the New York Times reported. Though today, there are few people who Yeretzian Unveils Solo know of the brilliant creativity of Pinajian, a couple at the opening reception related that Exhibit in California More than 200 Guests Attend Two-Day Event Hosted by AGBU Los Angeles Chapter

LOS ANFGELES — Haunting figures, ancient scriptures and vibrant animals are just some of the images that fill the canvases of renowned Armenian American artist Seeroon Yeretzian’s paintings, which delighted audiences during her solo exhibition Arto Vaun last month at the AGBU-AYA Nazarian Center in Canoga Park. Organized by the AGBU Los Angeles Chapter from Friday, January 25 to Saturday, January 26, the refreshing conversation from many perspectives. event drew over 200 guests, among them art connoisseurs and Yeretzian’s dedicat - Vaun later commented, “An artist’s job is not ed fans. For years, they have watched her enrich the local diaspora community with to make people feel good about themselves... but her distinctive work, and welcomed the opportunity to celebrate her many achieve - to provoke, question, explore and get them to dig ments. deep in themselves when otherwise they might On opening night, the crowd listened to words of praise from Yeretzian’s friends, just go home and settle back into their routines. colleagues and family, beginning with the exhibit curator and the head of the AGBU Ironically, in being pushed and challenged in a Los Angeles Chapter Committee’s cultural programs Maral Voskian, who delivered loving way people end up feeling good about the welcoming remarks. Voskian described the love for Armenian art that both themselves and their communities because it is Seeroon and her late husband Harout, who was a member of the AGBU Ardavazt refreshing to be taken seriously, not talked down The late Arthur Pinajian Theater Committee, shared, and lauded her for being as modest as she is talented. to and to have an honest dialogue.” She commented, “Seeroon has been a part of our community for more than 20 The idea of having artists and writers in con - years, during which she has made a name for herself as both an artist and the owner versation was the brainchild of Voskeritchian, they had purchased a figurative painting many of the Roslin Art Gallery in Glendale. Knowing how humble she is, I couldn’t have and ALMA will continue this series. years ago from the artist for a mere $100, “so imagined she could produce such a vast collection. Yet she has and the AGBU Los The next “In Conversation” evening will take that Pinajian could have money to purchase Angeles Chapter is proud to spotlight it by hosting this exhibition.” place on April 2, featuring author Lucine paint for his work.” Basically, he was an artist Harry Mesrobian, who worked in the same studio with Yeretzian for years, shared Kasbarian and editor Wilda Williams of Library living from hand to mouth. Today, his abstract similar sentiments, relaying personal anecdotes that underscore the great impact of Journal, who will discuss the challenges of writ - paintings at this exhibition are on sale from her work. Yeretzian’s pieces have drawn critical acclaim, Mesrobian described, from ing for children. $3,750 to $87,000 each. And a veteran art deal - public figures and the public at large alike. He recounted many notable stories: the Finally, on April 7 at 5 p.m., ALMA will host er commented that in a few years the price will city of Los Angeles voted her as one of the top — out of more than 200 — artists who the opening of an exhibition of paintings and shoot to more than three and four times the submitted paintings for the City of Angels art competition honoring the millennium; illustrations by Nonny Hogrogian in conjunc - amounts currently listed as his fame spreads. the prominent Armenian Egyptian painter Puzant Godjamanian has declared her a tion with the next “In Conversation,” featuring Pinajian, the child of Vartanoosh, a skilled “modern day Picasso” and Catholicos Aram I insisted that a personal gift she once Hogrogian and poet David Kherdian. embroiderer, and her husband Hagop, who created for him be put on display. Mesrobian pointed to pieces on view that evening, worked for a drycleaner, was born in 1914, with such as Splendor of Aypupen, part of Yeretzian’s signature “Illuminations” series. the name of Ashod in Union City, NJ. However, Following Mesrobian, Seeroon’s son, Arno Yeretzian, spoke on her behalf, thank - he preferred his nickname, Archie. A precocious ing the event organizers as she looked on from the audience. He then opened the youngster, he excelled in school, skipping floor, allowing the guests to take in the entire collection, which was filled with grades. He possessed a voracious desire to draw themes Yeretzian has dedicated her career to exploring — of history, injustice and with both hands at the same time. Newly grad - nature — and marked by a style that is all her own. It is a style that has been inspired uated from high school in 1930 at age 16, dur - by her ancestral Armenia, her native Lebanon and her current home in Southern ing the Great Depression, with his father and California, and honed through an extensive education that includes the AGBU uncle out of work, he took a job as a clerk in a carpet company to support his family. With the see SEEROON, page 11 untimely the death of his mother in 1932, he Arto Vaune and Prof. Taline Voskeritchian see PINAJIAN, page 11 S ATURDAY , M ARCH 9, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 ARTS & LIVING Revealing Art of Arthur Pinajian on Exhibition in NY PINAJIAN, from page 10 pletely to art, living in a tiny room. It was not Memorial Concert to Pay Tribute to moved his father and sister to a much smaller until eight years after his death, that his artistic apartment in Long Island warmed only by a works saw the light of day. He was an artist who the Late Dr. Elizabeth Gregory potbelly stove. never used the tools of marketability, or exploit - Seeking escape from these harsh circum - ed commercial connections. ARLINGTON, Mass. — The late Dr. Elizabeth “Betty” Gregory will be remembered in stances, Pinajian, like the general public, would Pinajian’s art displays his emotional quest a memorial concert on Sunday, April 7, at 2 p.m. at the Armenian Cultural Foundation, go to the movies, and after seeing Paul Muni in between figurative and abstract art. His repre - 441 Mystic St. “Scarface,” he started his first comic strip. While sentational art focused on landscapes and The event is organized by family and friends as still working at the carpet firm, he was hired as female nudes. Renowned art critic John well as the Friends of Armenian Culture Society a freelance cartoonist by Lud Shabazian, a Perreault writes, that through Pinajian’s writ - (FACS) and the National Association for Armenian reporter-illustrator at the New York Daily News, ings which were scribbled in notebooks or on Studies and Research (NAASR), two of the area and at age 20, he was promoting himself as a small bits of paper, we entered into his world of institutions with which Gregory held leadership commercial illustrator. Taking only the sessions struggle and tension. “Pinajian found no easy roles over the last four decades. he could afford at the Art Students’ League and answers. Each painting is a puzzle and a strug - Gregory, who passed away in October 2012, was with the aid of the G.I. Bill, he honed his skills in gle, yielding light.” a dedicated pediatrician with more than 40 years of practice in Arlington, where she lived. As an active community leader, she supported many Armenian cultural and philanthropic causes. She was a found - ing member of NAASR, a Board member of Cambridge-Yerevan Sister City Association, the National Center for Genocide Studies and FACS. Dr. Elizabeth “Betty” Gregory She was the recipient of many civic honors, includ - ing the Humanitarian Award from her alma mater, Bates College, the Boston University School of Medicine and the Arlington Board of Selectmen. Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis proclaimed April 9, 1989 as “Elizabeth Gregory Day” in recognition of her 43 years of pediatric practice in the Greater Boston Area. Participating artists for the April 7 event are pianists Mariam Nazarian and Ani Hovsepian; violin prodigy Haig Hovsepian and tenor Yeghishe Manucharyan and mezzo- soprano Victoria Avetisyan. In a tribute to Gregory’s eclectic and varied taste of music, they will offer a program ranging from Bach and Sayat Nova to Chopin. A reception will follow the program. The event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited.

The Tekeyan Cultural Association of Greater New York Chapter A painting by Arthur Pinajian With St. Thomas Armenian Church Cultural committee the medium of the modern-day comic book. The Pinajian story “is or could be the basis of Regarded as among the pioneers of this new a new myth, that of the secret artist,” continues medium, he achieved considerable success in Perreault. “The secret artist lives among us. He writing and drawing for such publishers as [or she] seems ordinary on the outside and Quality, Marvel and Centaur, and working as an gives little sign of a hidden calling. Yet out of illustrator for ad agencies. view, the secret artist toils, producing painting Following his service in the US Army in after painting. The ecstasy is in the making. March 15 World War II, where he won a Bronze Star, he Looking at Pinajian’s lifetime of work, we par - was drawn to the works of the old and modern ticipate in that ecstasy.” At ...pm art masters, and endlessly roamed through the FAR has served hundreds of thousands of Manhattan museums and art galleries. For the people through more than 225 relief and devel - last 26 years of his life, he devoted his life com - opment programs in Armenia and Artsakh.

Acclaimed Artist Seeroon Yeretzian Unveils Solo Exhibit SEEROON, from page 10 work following the exhibition: on sale through - Tarouhy Hagopian High School in Beirut; out the event were two books, a compilation of the Conservatoire du Liban, where she com - her visual art and a collection of her poems. For pleted her vocal training; Beirut University more information on Seeroon Yeretzian, visit College, where she studied fashion design; www.seeroonart.com. and most recently, the Otis College of Art and The Seeroon Yeretzian exhibition and recep - Design, where she obtained her bachelor’s in tion were made possible by the AGBU Los fine art. Angeles Chapter, Chapter Chair Ara Yessaian Admission: $20 Director Artak Avdalyan, from Armenia,! Many guests were able to enjoy Yeretzian’s and the Chapter’s Ladies Committee. will be present to discuss the film ! h !

c Students: $10

s after screening. r a u 5 m h 1 m !

o Refreshments will be provided C p h h For more information please call! T n c 0 r a . 610-823-8611 i 3 t a : n S 7 Route 9W & East Clinton Ave,Tenafly,NJ,07670 M e t m A r A

Maral Voskian, head of the AGBU Los Angeles Chapter Committee’s cultural programs and curator of Seeroon Yeretzian’s exhibit, delivers words of praise for the artist.

The Armenian Mirror-Spectator Now in its 81 st year of publication 12 S ATURDAY , M ARCH 9, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING Uncovering Paradoxes: Playwright Kelly Stuart’s Narrative Journey

STUART, from page 1 ple never met, but their stories were interwo - Stuart’s own creative journey and career as a ven, and so my play is each of them telling their playwright began at the University of Laverne story, and little by little beginning to recognize in California where she studied music and the - the presence of the other.” ater. As a student, she had the opportunity to For Stuart, this dedication to Gokçen and participate in the Padua Hills Playwrights Dink’s stories has made receiving the ADAA’s Festival and assisted Cuban-American play - Saroyan Prize for “Belonging to the Sky” all wright, Irene Fornes, who would prove a great the more meaningful. inspiration to Stuart as a young playwright. “It was incredibly moving, a really important “[Fornes’] technique seemed to be about the thing for me. I’ve been writing about this thing freedom of the imagination, and this is some - that for most Americans is quite obscure, but I thing that has stayed with me. What I got from have to write this, and I want Americans to her plays, and her way of working, is that the understand the situation — in a human way — imagination is the most dangerous thing to because a change in our policies could help the authoritarian systems, it’s really the most sub - situation of people a great deal.” versive and powerful thing we have,” said She added, “Right now we are supporting the Stuart. most oppressive policies, the jailing of thou - For Stuart, plays offer a medium for not just sands of people for thought crimes, the absurd exploring life, but also the narrative paradoxes denial of history and the facts of the Genocide.” that exist in human experience. She explained, According to Stuart, the presence of “When I hear two people tell conflicting ver - Armenian community members and families of sions of a story, a light goes on. It is as if there Genocide survivors at the ADAA ceremony was are two completely different versions of reality. equally rewarding. “Usually when I present my The wonderful thing about theatre, is you can work I have so much explaining to do to con - put these two versions of reality on stage Kurdish girls on the road out of Bingol textualize what I am writing about but the together, they can both ‘exist’ in the same night of the ADAA event, I spent the entire space, and the audience can experience this evening listening to people’s family stories, and paradox. It doesn’t mean we agree with both al Armenians who shared their own stories. story was of Ataturk adopting an Armenian there was nothing I had to explain, they under - sides, but we can find an understanding of “Diyarbakir was a very Armenian city, and it orphan named Hatun. It was Stuart’s first expo - stood what I was writing about, and even them,” she said. still retains the architecture and influences — I sure to the history of Gokçen, the famous though I am not Armenian, I understood Stuart’s plays include “Shadow Language,” met people who told me ‘I am Armenian, but I Turkish female fighter pilot celebrated for her them,” she said. “Demonology,” “Life of Spiders” and the inter - grew up with Kurdish culture,’” she said. “I met bombing of Dersim, and popularized by Dink, Stuart teaches playwriting in the MFA nationally-produced “Mayhem.” people who said they felt guilty for what had prior to his death in 2007. Theatre Program at the SoA. “Our students are Stuart’s extensive travels and research happened to the Armenians, who felt a huge “I became haunted by Sabhia Gokçen’s story incredibly talented, they’re an inspiration,” she brought her to Turkey, where she has experi - sense of remorse.” — and reading Hrant Dink’s account of her life said. “They are also very diverse and they teach enced stories of hope and stories of oppression. Stuart also visited Van and described the city she embraces Turkish nationalism completely, me as much as I teach them.” Stuart describes the Turkish history she as “one of the darkest places I had seen.” she bombs the region of her own people, she Stuart is currently working on several pro - immersed herself in as “very complicated.” While visiting an archaeological museum could never show people her Armenian identi - jects. “I’m writing a kind of memoir/theatre “This experience for me was juxtaposed by how there, she discovered a section of the museum ty, and yet she knew who she was, and even piece about my travels in Turkey that uses a lot beautiful Anatolia was, how generous people devoted to “the genocide of the Armenians secretly gave money to a nephew who came to of the video I have shot there, and I’m working against the Turks,” find her from Lebanon in the years when she on a new play.” She has recently worked on sev - which contained dis - was an old lady,” said Stuart. “She was the icon eral short digital video pieces. “I’ve made sev - plays of skulls and of Turkish nationalism, but she was ‘the eral short pieces documenting music and cul - signs proclaiming that enemy.’ I wondered what did she have to do, to ture — Kurdish music, Alevi music and right the skulls belonged to keep the grief and ‘the enemy’ of her own his - now I’m working on more ‘New York’ pieces Turkish villagers tory at bay, in order to reap the benefits of that are both narrative and abstract.” She killed by Armenians. being part of the new Turkey.” added, “I’m planning to do more of a narrative “It was such a As to the narrative connection between feature this summer — a comedy about a man revolting display — so Gokçen and Dink, Stuart said, “These two peo - who finds a lost cat.” disrespectful to the dead. I did not know what to do with my anger, or how to mask it,” said Stuart. She would come to realize that many of those liv - ing in Turkey have to live among displays of death and are subject - ed to these dark nar - ratives. She received a trav - el grant from the Jerome Foundation to write about Kurdish Dengbêj singers, focusing on the role of language and music in Anatolia. The difficul - ty of constructing nar - ratives that truly embodied the people MICHAEL ARAM SAMPLE SALE and experiences she witnessed in Turkey were a challenge for Stuart. “I had almost FOR THREE DAYS ONLY SAVE AT LEAST 50% given up on theatre ON YOUR FAVORITE TABLETOP & DECORATIVE ACCESSORIES A young Kurdish boy encountered on Stuart’s travels because I didn’t feel I could translate the FROM THE MICHAEL ARAM COLLECTION! experiences I was hav - Additional merchandise will be added daily. were… even the poorest people would insist that ing onto the stage.” they share their last bit of food or tea with a vis - While traveling with dramaturg Amy itor,” Stuart said. “I remember seeing a wedding Wegener and researching for “Shadow in the streets of Diyarbakir. People had nothing, Language,” Stuart visited Diyarbakir, Bingol MARCH 15 – 17, 2013 but they were dancing for hours and we were and Dersim. “I had become interested in the his - just passing by and they pulled us into the cir - tory of Dersim — a place that Ataturk had once Friday, 12PM – 9PM cle to dance with them.” said was ‘A boil that must be lanced.’ It was Saturday, 10AM – 6PM Stuart has even picked up some of the once populated by Armenians as well as Alevi Sunday, 10AM – 4PM Turkish language as a function of her extensive Kurds […].” It was this “continuing obsession” artistic work there. “I can speak enough with Dersim that eventually led Stuart to write Turkish to get myself in trouble, and not “Belonging to the Sky.” enough Turkish to get out of trouble,” she Stuart said she was determined to under - 2102 83rd Street, North Bergen, New Jersey, 07047 mused. stand why the people of Dersim had migrated Stuart also speaks a little Kurdish, in addition to an Alevi village. It was during this search that CASH AND CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED to reading French and Spanish. an unnamed Turkish historian introduced During her travels, Stuart encountered sever - Stuart to a story she hadn’t heard before. The S ATURDAY , M ARCH 9, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 ARTS & LIVING University of Michigan Hosts Playwright, Actor Eric Bogosian

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Playwright, novelist in Berlin of the Ottoman Grand Vazir, Talat Most recently, Bogosian starred with Laura has written a number of full-length plays. As a and actor Eric Bogosian will present the 2013 Pasha, ultimately led him to write a nonfiction Linney on Broadway in Donald Margulies’ novelist, Bogosian has written three books — Berj H. Haidostian Distinguished Lecture host - text. Bogosian has spent the last five years “Time Stands Still.” He wrote and starred in the Mall, Wasted Beauty and Perforated Heart — ed by the University of Michigan’s Armenian studying Armenian and Turkish history, inter - play, “Talk Radio,” for which he received and a novella, Notes from Underground. Studies Program on Wednesday, March 13 at viewing prominent historians around the world, Pulitzer Prize and Tony award nominations. For Bogosian has appeared in numerous films 7 p.m. translating primary texts from Armenian, his film adaptation of the play, Bogosian and television programs, starring in Robert Bogosian will discuss how his decision to French and German and conducting primary received the Berlin Film Festival Silver Bear Altman’s “The Caine Mutiny Court Martial,” write a screenplay about the 1915 assassination research in the British Archives. Award. In addition to “Talk Radio,” Bogosian Oliver Stone’s “Talk Radio,” “Under Siege II,” “Wonderland” and as Captain Danny Ross on “Law & Order: Criminal Intent.” He lives in New York with his wife, director Jo Bonney. The Haidostian Annual Distinguished Lectureship was established by the family of the late Berj Haidostian, a physician in Michigan. CC AA LLEENNDDAARR Every year, together with the Armenian Studies Program faculty they select a speaker from among internationally-recognized experts on Armenia and Armenians. Recent Haidostian Distinguished Lecturers have included the director Atom Egoyan, Dr. Gerard Chaliand, Dr. Fiona Hill, Thomas de Waal and Dr. Vartan Gregorian. MASSACHUSETTS The lecture is sponsored by the Armenian Studies Program, Arts at Michigan and the APRIL 12 — “A Stone/ Bronze Age Settlement in Yerevan,” 7:30 Department of Screen Arts & Culture. It is p.m. presentation by Vladimir Tshagharyan, director of open to the public and will be followed by a Shengavit Archaeological Preserve; Dr. Mitchell Rothman, question and answer period. archaeologist, Widener University, Penn; and Dr. Susan Pattie, director of Armenian Library and Museum of America (ALMA) Sponsored by Cambridge Yerevan Sister City Association as part of the Cambridge Science Festival in cooperation with ALMA and the National Association of Armenian Studies and Research Der-Hovanessian (NAASR); hosted at ALMA, 65 Main St., Watertown. Admission is free. Announces

NEW HAMPSHIRE Upcoming Lecture APRIL 6 — Spring Dance Featuring Armenian and American Music; 7-11 p.m. at the Ararat Armenian Congregational Church, 2 And Poetry Reading Salem St., Salem. All ages welcome. Tickets $15, available at the On March 15, the Tekeyan Cultural door. For info, email [email protected]. Association of Greater New York with St. BOSTON and MILFORD, Mass. — Poet Diana Thomas Armenian Church Cultural Der-Hovanessian will give a lecture on March Committee will present the Lenten movie, 29, 1 p.m., concerning the influence of Daniel NEW JERSEY Varoujan, an Armenian poet killed during the “Hovivuh” (“The Shepherd”) in Tenafly’s St. Genocide. The event will be held at 745 MARCH 15 — The Tekeyan Cultural Association of Greater New Thomas Armenian Church auditorium at York with St. Thomas Armenian Church Cultural Committee Commonwealth Ave., Room 625 and is part of 7:30 p.m. The film is about the life of St. the Boston University lecture series on Literary Present the Lenten movie, “Hovivuh” (“The Shepherd”) in Krikor Naregatsi, in Armenian with English Tenafly’s St. Thomas Armenian Church auditorium at 7:30 p.m., Translation. subtitles. Director Artak Avdalyan will be The film is about the life of St. Krikor Naregatsi and will run for The Friends of the Milford Town Library have one hour and 32 minutes in Armenian with English subtitles. present to discuss the film after the screen - also named Der-Hovanessian as the featured Director Artak Avdalyan, from Armenia, will be present to dis - ing. Admission $20 (students $10) includes poet for their annual celebration of National cuss the film after the screening. Admission $20 (students $10) movie screening, post screening fellowship includes movie screening, post screening “Meet the Director” and special souvenir DVD of the movie. fellowship and special souvenir DVD of the movie. For more information, call (610)-823-8611.

Sponsor a Teacher in Armenia and Karabagh 2013

Since its inception in 2001, TCA’s ‘Sponsor a Teacher’ program has raised over $563,000 and reached out to 4,440 teachers and school workers in Armenia and Karabagh. Poet Diana Der-Hovanessian

Poetry Month on Saturday, April 13, 3 p.m. at £ the Granite & Quarry Rooms of the library. Der-Hovanessian, a New England born poet, K Yes, I want to sponsor teachers in Armenia and Karabagh to continue was named a Fulbright professor of American helping them to educate the children, our future leaders. I would like to have Poetry and is the author of more than 25 books the teacher’s name and address. of poetry and translations. She has awards from K $160 K $ 320 K $ 480 K other $ the National Endowment for the Arts, Poetry ————————— Society of America, PEN/Columbia Translation Name Center, National Writers Union, Armenian Address Writers Union, Paterson Poetry Center, Prairie City State Zip code Schooner, American Scholar and the Armenian Tel: Ministry of Culture. She works as a visiting poet and guest lecturer on American poetry, Make check payable to: Tekeyan Cultural Association – Memo: Sponsor a Teacher 2010 Armenian poetry in translation and also serves Mail your check with this form to: as president of the New England Poetry Club. TCA Sponsor a Teacher Poets who have read in previous years’ cele - 5326 Valverde, Houston, TX 77056 brations include Robert Pinsky, Maxine Kumin, Louise Glück and Franz Wright. The event is Your donation is Tax Deductible. free, open to the public and refreshments will be served. 14 S ATURDAY , M ARCH 9, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

T HE A RMENIAN COMMENTARY Mirror- Has Celibacy in the Church Outlived Spectator Its Usefulness?

Yet others expressed their frustration through creative subli - By Edmond Y. Azadian mation. The father of St. Gregory of Narek was a married priest, Established 1932 yet he sent his two sons to the monastery to become celi - Has celibacy in the ranks of the Armenian Church outlived bate priests. Gregory of Narek was a devout priest and a An ADL Publication its usefulness, if it had any? This question has become very genius, therefore he produced many Sharagans and his topical recently. The question is raised in connection with Book of Lamentation is the purest expression of Armenian scandals plaguing the Roman Catholic Church. poetry. However, it should not be considered a sacrilege if EDITOR But first one cannot resist but to believe a conspiracy the - one is tempted to detect subliminal sexuality in Alin K. Gregorian ory that some groups are out to destroy or weaken the Lamentations, especially in the passage describing the Roman Catholic Church, which is a moral, and yes, political Virgin Mary. ASSISTANT EDITOR power. While the role of the church has been diminishing in In pagan times, Armenians were more promiscuous, or Gabriella Gage the Western world as a political power, Moslem nations have rather, they took human sexuality in stride. The adoption of converted religion into raw, elemental political power. Christianity brought stigma on human sexuality. ASSOCIATE EDITOR Aram Arkun The problems that beset the Catholic Church are real, but In his best-selling book, Everything You Always Wanted to there are abuses in other denominations as well. Then why is Know about Sex but Were Afraid to Ask , the US physician ART DIRECTOR the Catholic Church featured so prominently in the news Dr. David Ruben refers to a curious practice in pagan Marc Mgrditchian media? The answers to the question may open a can of worms Armenia. Without citing sources, Dr. Ruben says that the which no one can afford to sustain. That, of course, does not matriarchal Armenian society in pagan times, would allow excuse the misdeeds of the individual members of the clergy women to take pilgrims to a shrine, where they would raise SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: and the efforts of the institution which tries to push the sins money for the temple by temporarily engaging in prostitu - Edmond Azadian of the sinners under the rug. tion, and then return to their families to enjoy enhanced The scandals have brought a 900-year-old tradition into the respect and glorification for their services to the temple. CONTRIBUTORS: open in this era of the information age. It is a revolting story yet it describes the evolution of behav - Florence Avakian, Elizabeth Aprahamian, The issue does not pertain only to the Catholic Church but ior towards sexuality in the Armenian society. Daphne Abeel, Dr. Haroutiune it is equally important to the Armenian Church. Arzoumanian, Taleen Babayan, Prof. It looks like perceptions have moved from one extreme to Vahakn N. Dadrian, Diana Der If faith is of divine origin, so is sex. Both are given by God the other, making abstention one of the features in the lives Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, Kevork or by nature, whichever you believe. Therefore, where is the of our clergy. Keushkerian, Sonia Kailian-Placido , in compatibility between the two that the church fathers have The issue of banishing celibacy has been raised many Harut Sassounian, Mary Terzian, Hagop made a taboo of one and have contrasted with the other? times, but the Armenian Church has always had so many dif - Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian Sigmund Freud theorized that the sexual drive is not only ficulties to contend with that the issue has never been con - for procreation, but is the basis of all human creativity. sidered seriously, nor have any resolutions been adopted to CORRESPONDENTS: Therefore, any religion running counter to human nature, is advance it. Armenia - Hagop Avedikian indirectly opposing His creation. When the individual in this Today, it is even more difficult to bring the issue to the Boston - Nancy Kalajian case is a priest, confined by unnatural restraints, he has to act Philadelphia - Lisa Manookian floor of any conclave, because the church is divided. Should Berlin - Muriel Mirak-Weissbach unnaturally, no matter how rational that individual may be. Echmiadzin take up the issue, Antelias will blame the Mother Frank Bruni in an op-ed article in the New York Times See for trampling a “sacred tradition” of the Armenian Contributing Photographers: (February 26, 2013) offered a frontal attack on the celibacy Church. Jacob Demirdjian, Harry Koundakjian, Jirair Hovsepian of the clergy, and here is what he postulated: “The pledge of Last week, before some allegations against him surfaced, celibacy that the church requires of its servants is an often Britain’s senior Roman Catholic cleric Cardinal Keith O’Brien cruel and corrosive things. It runs contrary to human nature. said that Catholic priests should be allowed to marry and It asks too much.” have children. He added that the requirement for a priest’s The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published Further down, the writer expands on the corrosive effects celibacy was “not of divine origin and should be reconsidered weekly, except two weeks in July, by: of celibacy: “Celibacy is a bad idea with painful consequences. (“Jesus didn’t say that”). Baikar Association, Inc. It not only renders the priesthood less attractive, contribut - In today’s world, when priests live and serve the church in 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 ing to a shortage of priests, but also influences which men urban societies, away from the “desert,” celibacy has become Telephone: 617-924-4420 pursue ordination and how they fare. It’s a trap, falsely irrelevant. Very few clerics are able to keep their vows of FAX: 617-924-2887 promising some men a refuge from sexual desires that worry celibacy. Yet many others have turned it into a travesty while www.mir rorspectator.com them. That’s one explanation for what many church experts parishioners tolerate it and close their eyes to it. E-Mail: editor@mirrorspectator .com believe is a disproportionate percentage of gay men in the The Armenian clergy, of course, are not all bound by the For advertising: [email protected] priesthood.” oath of celibacy. Celibate and married priests equally serve We seldom pose the fundamental question as to why the church, with different opportunities of promotion. The human sexuality has to have religious determinants. married priests cannot join the high ranks of bishop, arch - As education and science advance in western countries, the bishop or catholicos. SUBSCRIPTION RATES : role of religion has become more defensive and human sexu - The foremost authority on Armenian Church history and ality has come to be understood as a natural phenomenon, canons, Archbishop Malachia Ormanian, wrote in his book, freed of mystique and religious parameters. That is one of the The Church of Armenia : “This tough restriction has in our U.S.A. $80 a year factors undermining the foundation of the organized religion, time, acquired the force of law. It is all together unsupported and consequently of the Roman Catholic Church. by canonical weight.” Canada $125 a year However, no matter how far science advances, faith will Ormanian does not advocate abandoning celibacy outright always remain and organized religion will capitalize on it. Other Countries $190 a year in the church, however, he believes that educated, married Indeed, we will always find people citing one of the great - priests must enjoy the same opportunities that the celibate est geniuses of history, Albert Einstein, vouching for the exis - priest enjoys. That will be tantamount to eliminating celibacy. tence of our Creator. Writing almost a century ago, Ormanian stated: “There is © 2011 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator The Armenian Church originally did not endorse celibacy; nothing, therefore, to prevent the present custom, prevalent Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA bishops, archbishops, catholicoi were all married. They though it may be, from being superseded by the usages of the and additional mailing offices. owned property and they willed their wealth to their children. primitive church, and access to high ecclesiastical dignities ISSN 0004-234X Gradually, celibacy became a form of sacrifice by the cler - being thrown open to married clergy. Such a course would be gy to prove their piety, although no religious canon mandat - highly beneficial to the nation; for the married clergy would POSTMASTER : Send address changes to The Armenian Mirror-Spectator, P.O. Box 302, ed it. Like many virtues, it was adopted as a supreme expres - escape from a position of inferiority, which is in no way jus - Watertown, MA 02471-0302 sion of deprivation, gradually developing into hypocrisy or tified, and which especially fetters them by their exclusion Other than the editorial, views and opinions repression against human nature. from higher offices, which is now their lot.” expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily There is a French saying which roughly translates as fol - In his concluding remarks on this issue Ormanian adds: “As eflect the policies of the publisher. lows: “Chase [or repress] the natural, it will return galloping.” a remedy, we are inclined to think that a return to the ancient In medieval times, celibate priests used to live in monas - canons for recruitment of the episcopate would remove the teries, where human contact with members of the opposite evil.” gender was reduced to a minimum, thus rendering abstention It turns out that the ancient canons were more modern and more bearable. At that time, monasteries were built in the their adoption today will remove the church from an anachro - wilderness, in isolated locations; that is why in classical nism. Copying for other than personal use or Armenia monasteries had become synonymous with the The Armenian Church certainly needs reforms to be able to internal reference is prohibited without desert (anabad). face the challenges of the modern world, especially by espous - express permission of the copyright While these priests were hoping to keep their sexual ing social causes and by becoming relevant to today’s society. owner. Address requests for reprints or desires at bay with the isolation, they eventually caved in. The Celibacy is a handicap in the way of executing those reforms. back issues to: homosexual ones formed relationships while those who were Now is the time to move forward and not to be afflicted by Baikar Association, Inc. pedophiles had free reign to torment their young acolytes. the disease shaking the Roman Catholic Church. 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 S ATURDAY , M ARCH 9, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 COMMENTARY

Shoghag Hovanessian and VOATV executive producer and ership. Presidents and Prime Ministers are temporary, host Karine Kocharyan. while the Homeland is perpetual. In his acceptance speech, Sassounian shared with the 6) Strive always to form a coalition rather than causing 300 guests in attendance his deeply held convictions based dissension. Be a unifier, not a divider. Keep in mind the on 40 years of political activism and community involve - exhortation of prominent poet Yeghishe Charents: “O My Turn ment. He expressed the hope that the recommendations Armenian people! Your salvation only lies in your collective outlined below would strengthen and empower Armenians power.” Ideally, the Armenian Diaspora should have a By Harut Sassounian worldwide: democratically elected representation, bringing Armenians 1) Encourage the participation of women in every level under a single umbrella by a popular vote. of community activity. Since women comprise 50 percent 7) Support all community organizations, be they social, Maximizing Armenian of the Armenian people, once old-fashioned obstacles are cultural, religious or political in nature, thus helping to Capabilities To Overcome Major removed, Armenians could overnight double their overall ensure the survival of the Diaspora. A powerful Diaspora is resources and capabilities. the backbone of a strong and secure Armenia. Challenges 2) Involve the youth in all societal activities by assigning 8) Reject feelings of helplessness and inferiority and elim - them special responsibilities, as they constitute the future inate all defeatist attitudes. Individually and collectively, The Voice of Armenians TV in New York (VOATV NY) of the Armenian nation. If Armenians today fail to transmit Armenians can realize their legitimate aspirations, as long held its second annual fundraising banquet on March 2, at their achievements and activities to the next generation, all as they work together for the common cause. They can The Palisadium in Cliffside Park, New Jersey. On this aus - of their efforts would have gone to waste. overcome all adversaries and adversities by remaining unit - picious occasion, the television network’s Board of 3) Treat every Armenian as a family member, regardless ed and strong. If Armenians can put their domestic house Directors honored Zarmine Boghosian, writer and of personal disagreements or differences in social, political, in order, they can easily counter all external threats. Principal of Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School; Dr. and religious affiliation or country of origin. Armenians 9) Finally, with the approach of the Armenian Herand Markarian, playwright, director and actor; and should relate to each other as equals. No distinctions Genocide Centennial, Armenians worldwide — the Harut Sassounian, publisher of the California Courier and should be made between Armenians from the Diaspora and Republics of Armenia and Artsakh, as well as the president of the United Armenian Fund. the Homeland. Diaspora — should rally around a single unified message After opening remarks by Master of Ceremonies Haik 4) Discard the Ottoman and Soviet mentalities inherited about their demands from Turkey. Armenia and Kocharian and welcoming words by VOATV Chairman, Dr. by some Armenians. Even though they left the Ottoman Diasporan communities should not make separate and Aram Cazazian, the honorees were introduced by Natalie Empire long ago, and the Soviet Union more recently, it different demands, causing confusion among their sup - Gabrelian, director of Alternative Education, AGBU; appears that the regressive influence of these mentalities porters and adversaries. The single word that encapsu - Haroutiun Misserlian, educator and engineer and Appo has not left them. lates all Armenian demands from Turkey is “Justice,” Jabarian, publisher, USA Armenian Life Magazine . 5) Extend assistance to the people of Armenia and which encompasses moral, financial and territorial resti - Congratulatory remarks were made by curator Vicki Artsakh, regardless of the differing views about their lead - tution to the Armenian nation.

Marjorie Housepian Dobkin: A Some Highlights from a Remembrance Father-Son Trip to Armenia

Marjorie Housepian Dobkin has died. She was 90. of Armenia. We were warmly greeted by a dele - How simply we can mark the passing of one of the finest — should I say, instead, “great - gation from the ATP office in Yerevan and were est” — Armenians of her generation in America? By Haige Garabedian transported to the Villa Delenda which was to To her should go the credit for the fact that the Armenia Genocide is not forgotten! be our domicile for the next two weeks. We Oh, yes, there are many who will claim the credit, but to Marjorie should go that distinc - The trip to Armenia this past June was basi - opted to be put up at the Villa rather than the tion. cally one of pleasure for me, but for Tom, my Marriott where most tourists from abroad stay. Famous for her literary works, she was telling a group of non-Armenian friends about the son and travel companion, it would turn out to Villa Delenda is an elegant bed & breakfast facil - Armenian Genocide, which was unknown to them. Someone suggested that she write be a mixture of business and pleasure. He ity located in the heart of Yerevan. Built in 1906 about it, and suggested the Sunday recently retired as a senior management con - as the private residence for two Mnazakanyan Magazine of the New York Times . sultant from Hewitt Associates, a large interna - brothers, the villa is currently managed by the Contact was made, and it was agreed By Avedis Kevorkian tional human services consulting firm; and in “Family Care Foundation.” Income derived that Marjorie would write an essay in January of 2012, he was appointed managing from rentals is used to support the Spitak Art time for the Sunday nearest April 24, director of the Armenia Tree Project. School and to provide maternal and child 1965 (the 50th anniversary of the start of the Genocide). Headquartered in Watertown, Mass., ATP is health services throughout rural areas in She did her research, wrote her essay and it was accepted. involved in growing and planting trees that are Armenia and nearby Nagorno Karabagh. Eagerly, she and her friends sought out the article on the Sunday before. It wasn’t in indigenous to Armenia. Additionally ATP nurs - Breakfast time at the villa was most enjoy - the magazine. She enquired and was told that it would appear in the following week. eries are growing a variety of fruit trees that will able. Aside from partaking of an overwhelming Eagerly, she and her friends sought out the article, the following Sunday. It wasn’t in provide supplemental income for villagers in variety of breakfast foods we enjoyed the com - the Magazine. She enquired — or, rather, she tried to enquire. No one seemed to be avail - outlying areas of Armenia. pany of tourists from several European coun - able to answer the question “What happened?” Phone calls weren’t returned. Following the earthquake in 1988, people in tries. One couple from Italy was in Yerevan for Eventually, she received a call, and was told that at the last minute, the article was “sent Armenia had no choice but to cut down trees the purpose of completing arrangements for an upstairs” and the decision was made not to publish the article. She was told that the arti - since electricity, natural gas and fuel oil were upcoming international convocation of book cle was being returned, and that she would be paid and that she could submit it elsewhere. not available for home heating or for food publishers. Jamie Connerton, a retired teacher She was also told that there would be no letter of rejection and that if she told anyone of preparation purposes. from California, told us about a hiking venture the phone call, it would be denied. After a two-day stay in Paris we took Air he had lined up for his daughter and son-in-law Disappointed, to say the least, she did tell the story to people, and a Jewish friend was so France to the ultra modern Zvartnotz Airport who hailed from the New York area. alarmed that he said that she should submit the article to “Commentary,” and to use his just outside the environs of Yerevan the capitol see TRIP, page 16 name. Marjorie’s report, published as “The Unremembered Genocide,” appeared in 1966, and the “unremembered” Genocide was finally remembered, the “forgotten” genocide was not forgotten. And, interestingly, the New York Times now formally “recognizes” the historical LETTERS fact of the Armenian Genocide. That episode would be enough to put Marjorie on the pedestal she deserves, but there is more. She was, after all, a novelist. She decided to write a “love story” based in Smyrna, where Time for Change in the Armenian Church her parents came from and from where they fled during the burning in 1922. Like all good To the Editor: church leaders to see the light. Those of us who writers, she did her research on what life was like in Smyrna. To her surprise, she found Some changes have to be made — and soon — do attend this service are very disheartened to that there was virtually nothing about Smyrna in the archives and, more amazing she said, if the Armenian Church is to remain vibrant. see this downhill trend, and strongly urge them nothing about the burning. Her researches turned to that subject, and the product was The I am a member of an Armenian Apostolic to direct a joint service at this holiest season of Smyrna Affair, in 1971, the first and still the most definitive work on the burning of (Loosavorchagan) Church and in the same the church calendar. Our only division has been Smyrna. To say that Marjorie had become a heroine for the Greeks is to say that water is town there is another Armenian Apostolic our political persuasions, which our children do wet. Even my status among my Greek friends went up when they learned that I knew Church, only five miles away, one being a not understand nor wish to understand nor Marjorie. Diocesan Church and the other a Prelacy one. research. The “love story,” which was basically to be the story of her mother and father, alas, was With due respect to the leaders of both After 80 years, I think the time has come to never written. flocks, their way is no longer working, especial - open our eyes. No trip to New York was complete without a visit to her Riverside Drive apartment and ly in small communities. Socially, in our community, at last, we are all receiving the warm hospitality of Marjorie and her husband, Mac, while enjoying the view I say this because of the noticeable decline in very compatible, meeting weekly at a sernios’ of the river and New Jersey. And, of course, her passion about the Armenian Genocide was mid-week Lenten services at both churches. group in my church. We share the identical still burning. Reporterdly, one church has had five and seven faith, background, ancestry hailing mostly from Oddly, I saw more of Marjorie when I was living in London and came to New York on people attending, and the other two to five. historic Armenia, cuisine, music, etc. Why can’t business than after I returned to America, but I shall not forget my last lunch with Marjorie, It is a shame that we cannot hold this servie we start the ball rolling, with a simple directive someone who was truly special. We shall not see her like again, and I shall miss her jointly, as it would enhance the beautiful ser - from our leaders to combine Lenten services? immensely. vice with more people participating in the Maybe this will be the first step to unity. (Avedis Kevorkian is a resident of Philadelphia.) Penitential Prayers of St. Nersess. Having said this, I am making a plea to our Name Withheld 16 S ATURDAY , M ARCH 9, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR

AGBU France’s Sayat Nova International Composition Competition And Concert Put Global Spotlight on Rising Talents

Over 400 Guests Gather in and orchestra professor at the Conservatoire Melikyan, mezzo soprano Karine Ohanyan, vio - tions of Armenian culture and its Mexican National Supérieur de Musique de Paris linist Ani Poghosyan, pianist Jean-Christophe sonorities, fulfilled — and exceeded — all of my Paris to Honor Legendary Anthony Girard; composer and professor at the Sarkissian and pianist Ursula von Lerber are just expectations. It was my pleasure to present Armenian Bard Haute Ecole de Musique of Geneva Michael a select few of the hundreds of emerging artists Barreiro with the special prize to have his work Jarrell; composer and former director of the who have benefitted over the years from the presented in Carnegie Hall in New York.” For PARIS — A year of celebrating the 300th Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de AGBU Performing Arts Fellowship Program, Barreiro, the experience in Paris was one of the anniversary of the birth of Sayat Nova came to a Paris Alain Louvier; composer and founder of which is administered by the AGBU Scholarship highlights of his career. As he described, “I was close this past December with a sold-out concert the 2E2M ensemble Paul Mefano; harpist Iris Program. In each performance, the artists com - honored to hear my work performed for the very event presented by the Armenian General Torossian, as well as Sayat Nova scholar memorated some of the best known names in first time before such a large audience and some Benevolent Union (AGBU) France that featured Elisabeth Mouradian. classical music, among them the late Edvard of the most respected figures in the field. With world premieres, fresh young talent and memo - This year, the judges decided to award a sec - Mirzoyan. Five of the group’s pianists, along with AGBU’s support I look forward to continuing to rable tributes to the Armenian bard whose lega - ond and third prize, which were presented, saxophonist Arakelyan, joined together for Aram create my next piece, and am thrilled to have the cy has endured for three centuries. respectively, to composers Tomás Barreiro, a Khachaturian’s famous Saber Dance, which opportunity to share it at Carnegie Hall, where More than 400 guests gathered in Paris to native of Mexico, and Ernest Dulgaryan, who is received a standing ovation, and the entire every artist dreams of being showcased.” honor the life and work of Sayat Nova, filling the based in Yerevan. ensemble closed the evening with an encore of The AGBU France concert was organized city’s Salle Cortot — a national landmark and one Before the competition winners debuted their of the country’s most prized concert halls — to work, Panossian welcomed the crowd, pointing capacity. Among them were AGBU France to Sayat Nova’s lasting influence and setting the District Chair Philippe Panossian, AGBU Europe theme for the first half of the program, which and France District board members, Archbishop was dedicated entirely to the troubadour. Prior Norvan Zakarian, Primate of the Armenian to presenting Barreiro and Dulgaryan with cer - Diocese of France, representatives of the tificates, he remarked, “This international com - Armenian and Georgian embassies, Director of petition and concert underscores AGBU’s com - the Cultural Institute of Mexico in Paris Sara mitment to attracting and supporting young Valdes, as well as concert chair Richard Abdalian classical composers, bringing them closer to the and the artistic director of the concert Christian traditional Armenian repertoire and helping to Erbslöh-Papazian. promote the musical heritage of tomorrow.” The event, which took place on Thursday, The evening opened with two duduk players December 13, 2012, had been months in the who performed Sayat Nova’s Ashkharoumes Akh making. In May, AGBU issued a call for appli - Chim Kashi. They were followed by pianist Sofya cants for its second Sayat Nova International Melikyan and AGBU Performing Arts Composition Competition, the winners of which Department Artistic Director Hayk Arsenyan, An international ensemble including AGBU scholarship recipients receives a standing ovation from were showcased at the concert. who shared the piano bench to play The over 400 guests at Paris’s prestigious Salle Cortot during AGBU France’s biennial concert event. The first competition was organized in 2006 in Universe in a Nutshell, which was written by the Paris during one of AGBU’s Centennial celebra - Sayat Nova competition’s 2006 winner Artur tions. Both then and now, the jury of established Akshelyan and made its world premiere at the Edgar Hovhannissian’s beloved Yerevan Erebuni. under the auspices of the Armenian Embassy in musicians and experts was overwhelmed with AGBU New York Special Events Committee Though the official anniversary of Sayat Paris and in association with the United Nations the positive response. (NYSEC) Performing Artists in Concert earlier Nova’s birth has come to an end, it is only the Educational, Scientific and Cultural In 2012, submissions came in from 18 coun - that month. Lastly, French conductor Claude beginning for competition winner Tomás Organization (UNESCO). The Clamart tries. Relying on only a few guidelines — that the Brendel led an international ensemble of musi - Barreiro. In December 2013, as part of his prize, Conservatory, the Cultural Institute of Mexico in piece utilize five Western classical instruments cians from Armenia, Finland, France, and Serbia, he will appear onstage at Carnegie Hall for the Paris, the Mayor’s Office of the 17th combined with the Armenian duduk, and that it who are all members of prestigious Parisian next NYSEC Performing Artists in Concert to Arrondissement, the Mexican Students’ House, quote a Sayat Nova text — each applicant orchestras and together brought to life the win - premiere The Death of the Nightingale. The high - Nouvelles d’Arménie Magazine and Saberatours arranged an original composition layering both ning pieces, Barreiro’s The Death of the ly anticipated work will take an unconventional were event partners. traditional and modern elements. The panel, Nightingale and Dulgaryan’s Whispers, both of approach, incorporating recordings from the Both the Sayat Nova Competition and its con - which was composed of local artists held in high which were met enthusiastic applause. (A CD recent AGBU concert with soundtracks from the cert are a biennial event that fall under the esteem internationally, was presided over by recording of the winners’ works were distributed subways of Mexico City, New York and Paris and AGBU Artists label, which promotes the values composer and inspector at the French Ministry to all guests.) a live ensemble of duduk players, pianists and of creation, excellence, artistic talent and her - of Culture, Laurent Chassain. The second half of the program continued to other instrumentalists. AGBU Performing Arts itage. The 2012 Sayat Nova competition and its He commented, “AGBU’s Sayat Nova put traditional Armenian music in a global con - Department Director Hayk Arsenyan, a compos - concert were organized by AGBU Europe Board International Composition Competition con - text, with pieces played, in large part, by AGBU er, pianist and member of the French Union of Member Richard Abdalian, pianist and initiator tributed so beautifully to the musical creation, scholarship recipients, many of whom hail from Composers in Paris, who was a consultant to the of the Sayat Nova competition Christian Erbslöh- while laying a bridge between expressions, cul - Armenia and have trained in some of Europe’s competition jury bearing the Carnegie Hall Papazian and AGBU Europe Project Manager tures and traditions in relation with the rich finest institutions with support from AGBU. Special Prize, commented on Barreiro’s success; Zarouhi Odabashian. To learn more, visit Armenian culture.” Saxophonist Hayrapet Arakelyan, pianist Hayk “The Death of the Nightingale immediately stood http://sayatnova.agbueurope.org. For more Other members of the jury panel included Arsenyan, baritonist Hovhannes Asatryan, out because of its compositional techniques and information on AGBU concerts, email performin - pianist and conductor Alain Altinoglu; composer pianist Christian Erbslöh-Papazian, pianist Sofya dreamlike quality. Hearing it live, with its reflec - [email protected]. Some Highlights from a Father-Son Trip to Armenia

TRIP, from page 15 well as other memorabilia. I turned these mate - escalators which carry visitors upwards to eight with ATP matters we enjoyed walking to Other residents intended to visit monasteries. rials over to the museum’s archivist Anahit levels of the Cafesjian Center for the Arts. At each Republic Square. A stone’s throw from Villa Armenia holds the distinction of being the first Shahmanian who accepted them with grateful level there are exhibit halls which display a vari - Delenda, the square is a public meeting ground nation to declare Christianity as its state religion thanks. ety of works of art: paintings, statuary, stunning that fronts the Marriott Hotel. Here we experi - (301 AD) and proudly boasts that the fourth cen - My second visit was to the Matenadaran. The creations of glassware and murals. The special enced the hustle and bustle of a modern-day tury Cathedral of Holy Echmiadzin is the world’s pride of Armenian culture, the Matenadaran in events auditorium at the top level of the Cascade metropolis. We observed parents leisurely oldest functioning cathedral. Yerevan houses one of the most extensive and offers a spectacular panorama of Yerevan and a strolling with their children at their sides, Christianity was preached in Armenia by the richest collections of manuscripts and illuminat - view of Mount Ararat in the distance. teenagers riding their bicycles around the apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew some 30 ed manuscripts in the world. A building was Another highlight of our trip was a visit to Square, as well as a never-ending procession of years after the death of Christ. The country is recently added to the Matenadaran complex and Tatev which is among the oldest (ninth century) taxis dropping off and picking up passengers populated with a multitude of monasteries. I was most fortunate to take a personal tour of and most prominent monasteries in Armenia. from the nearby Marriott Hotel. Many of them are located in the most unlikely the new facility by Erna Shirinian who serves as Within walking distance of the monastery is the Most evenings hundreds of people would be places — high atop mountain peaks and on the director of the office in charge of translating launching site of the world’s longest aerial seated around the square’s immense pool wait - brinks of ravines overlooking deep gorges. manuscripts in the German language. tramway — as recorded in the Guiness Book of ing for the water fountains to be turned on. Once Oftentimes they were hidden from view to avoid Everyone who goes to Armenia must visit the Records. that happened, taped music would come on and destruction by marauders. Cascade complex. Launched by the Soviets in The facility was constructed at a cost of $18 jets of water would stream skyward pulsating to On mornings when Tom was involved in con - the 1980s the structure which cascades down million. Cable cars, which can accommodate 25 the music of the Sabre dance or to the renowned ducting meetings with staff members at the ATP one of Yerevan’s highest promontories was aban - passengers, travel the 3.5-mile length of the voice of singer Charles Aznavour. Combined with office, I ventured out on my own to make visits doned after the 1988 earthquake and the break- tramway at 23 mph. A one-way trip takes fifteen colored lighting and sound effects the one-hour to two places on my agenda. The first was to the up of the Soviet Union in 1991. In 2002 the pro - minutes. The cable car traverses over spectacular water-music show captured the attention and Aram Khachaturian Museum. At the invitation of ject was revitalized. gorges and at its highest point passengers are awe of young and old alike. the Symphony Society of Greater Hartford the During the next seven years every aspect of 1,056 feet above ground level providing for a Walking leisurely back to the villa served to world-famous composer had guest-conducted the the structure was renovated and completely very exhilarating ride. bring joyful endings to the days and created fond Hartford Symphony Orchestra in a concert pro - reconstituted thanks to the combined efforts of Traveling in the ATP van we made a number memories of my trip to Armenia. Truly, the visit gram that took place at the Bushnell Memorial the city of Yerevan, the Armenian government of trips to southern regions of Armenia where turned out to be a Rip Van Winkle experience for on February 12, l968. From my personal archives and the financial support of the Cafesjian Family the ATP organization is interested in establishing me. After a lapse of 25 years, I was amazed and I had put together a collection of items: concert Foundation, headed by Gerald Cafesjian, retired nurseries to benefit people in those areas. One gratified to find that Armenia had become a promotional pieces, Hartford Courant news arti - executive vice president of US-based West of those trips was to Goris located approximate - modern vibrant country that has made tremen - cles which chronicled Khachaturian’s goings and Publishing. ly 240 miles from Yerevan. dous strides since the days when it was one of comings during his three-day stay in Hartford, as The interior of the Cascade structure houses In the evenings when Tom wasn’t involved the republics of the Soviet Union.