APRIL 7, 2012

THE ARMENIAN

Mirror -Spe ctaItn Ouor Mirror -Spe ctatror 80th Year Volume LXXXII, NO. 38, Issue 4233 $ 2.00 NEWS IN BRIEF The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 Kuwaiti Notable Endorses Armenian Genocide Commemoration at Church Demands KUWAIT (Kuwait Times) — Sheikha Fariha Al- Ahmad Al-Sabah announced that she will continue State House Takes Place April 20 supporting efforts of the Armenian community here to have a piece of land licensed for building an Armenian Apostolic Church. BOSTON — Each April members of the Dyke, whose recent play, “Deported/A host the day. Al-Sabah, who is the chairperson of the Kuwait Armenian community fill the State House Dream Play,” is the story of her own “The energy put into this event demon - Society for Ideal Family, announced her endorse - to commemorate the Armenian Genocide. grandmother, and to former state Sen. strates the devotion of the entire ment during a ceremony held in her honor at the This year’s event will take place on Friday, Steven Tolman. Performers include stu - Armenian-American community, and the Sheraton Hotel following her visit to the prelacy of April 20, at 10:30 a.m. dents of the Armenian Sisters’ Academy many friends of that community, to the the Armenian Orthodox in Salmiya last week. The event is both solemn and celebra - and St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary commemoration and recognition of the Describing her as a “role model in modesty,” tory. School, and Haig Hovsepian on violin Genocide,” said Brownsberger. Bishop Shahi Banossian said that the visit of Al- Delivering the keynote address will be accompanied by Ani Hovsepian. A light reception will follow the pro - Sabah is an “important occasion we thank God for.” Khatchig Mouradian, the editor of the Coordinating the event is Tsoleen gram. Buses to the State House will Armenian Ambassador to Kuwait Fadey Armenian Weekly newspaper and a PhD Sarian, working with state Rep. Jonathan leave at 9 a.m. from St. James and St. Charchoghlyan expressed his gratitude to Al-Sabah candidate at Clark University. Hecht (D-Watertown), state Rep. John Stephen’s Churches. The bus service is for her “distinguished and historic” visit. Joint House/Senate Resolutions will Lawn (D-Watertown) and state Sen. donated by the Knights of Vartan, Ararat Al-Sabah is the sister of the emir of Kuwait, be awarded to playwright Joyce Van William Brownsberger (D-Belmont) who Lodge No. 1, and is free. Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad. Troy to Get Genocide Frank Pallone Russia, Armenia Oppose Memorial in Summer Remains Steadfast TROY, N.Y. — The Knights and Daughters of Vartan here announce the upcoming Armenian Force behind Military Action against Iran Heritage Memorial along the banks of the Hudson River. The memorial will be installed as Armenian Caucus sible Western military action against Iran, soon as the city completes renovations to its pop - By Tigran Avetisian with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey ular park along the Hudson River this summer. Lavrov warning of “very serious” conse - The monument inscription will read: “Dedicated By Aram Arkun quences for regional security during a visit to the victims of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 Mirror-Spectator Staff YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Russia and here. and their descendants who settled in and around Armenia spoke out on Monday against pos - Speaking after talks with his Armenian the City of Troy.” counterpart Eduard Nalbandian, The site of the memorial was consecrated on WASHINGTON — Next year Frank Lavrov said attempts to end the December 9, 2011. Clergy from the three local Pallone Jr. will mark his 25th anniversary West’s nuclear standoff with Armenian churches, as well as political leaders, as a congressman. As the representative Tehran by force would destabilize including former Armenian Troy Mayor Harry of central New Jersey, he made his mark not only the Middle East but also Tutunjian, along with Knights, Daughters and on environmental and health issues. He the South Caucasus. area residents, attended this event. is a senior member of the House Energy “It is hard to predict conse - According to Tutunjian, Troy was home to the and Commerce Committee and the high - quences [of military action] but second Armenian Church in the country and est-ranking Democrat on the latter’s they would obviously be very seri - many Armenians settled in the area in the late Subcommittee on Health. He is a mem - ous and negative,” he told a joint 1800s. Members of Davros Lodge and Shakeh ber of some 45 House member caucuses news conference. “It would affect Otyag have been working on this project for dealing with a range of matters. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, left, with the security of not only Armenia many years. Armenians know him best as a strong Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian. but also Azerbaijan given the fact The Knights and Daughters of Vartan are ask - and active voice on Armenian issues in see IRAN, page 2 ing for the financial support of all Armenians in Congress, primarily through the vehicle this undertaking, by establishing an Armenian of the Armenian Caucus. Heritage Memorial Endowment Fund. Those Pallone interested in making a donation may send a related Armenians Participate in NYC check, payable to “Knights of Vartan, Davros recently in an Lodge Memorial Fund,” and send it to Philip interview Greek Independence Day Parade Natcharian, Treasurer, 6 Dyke Road, Latham, that when he New York 12110. was younger ARMEN KILECI PHOTO he sometimes would go to Armenian pic - nics and visit INSI DE St. Stepanos Armenian Church in Rep. Frank Pallone Elberon, NJ. Artist in He said, “I was always familiar with the Armenian community.” Charge In fact, at present, he can see St. Stepanos when he looks out of the win - Story on page 13 dow of his home, but despite his physical proximity to an Armenian church, there are not that many Armenians in his Congressional district (the sixth). It appears that it was luck and the INDEX efforts of a particular tenacious Arts and Living ...... 13 Armenian-American that turned the con - Armenia ...... 2 gressman into the staunch defender of Young girls were having a good time participating in the Greek Independence Day Community News...... 5 Armenians’ rights that he is today. He parade. See more photos and story on page 11. Editorial ...... 17 happened to inherit the office manager International ...... 3 of his predecessor, a woman named see PALLONE, page 12

Benefit for the Armenian Mirror-Spectator Celebrating 80 Years and Beyond Thursday, May 24, 2012 2 S ATURDAY , A PRIL 7, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia Armenian, Bulgarian Premiers Say New Page to Open in Relations between Two States

Benefactor Donates YEREVAN (Times.am) — Republic of Apartment to Homeless Armenia Prime Minister Tigran Sargisian hosted Bulgarian Prime Family in Gumri Minister Boyko Borisov this week. “The historic and fraternal relations GUMRI, Armenia (Tert.am) — The Avetisiayn family, between our countries have deep roots. who were living without a roof in the second It’s our duty to expand and reinforce largest city, received a three-room apartment from those relations. We are confident that an unknown benefactor after a video about their your visit will give new impetus to the plight appeared on the Internet. reinforcement of our ties,” Sargisian The 11-member family had been earlier offered a said. two-room apartment, but only one of the brothers Borisov stressed the valuable role moved there with his family. played by the Armenian community of Six other members continue to live in a shack. Bulgaria in the development of rela - According to the Gumri-based Shirak, the tions between the two countries. unknown benefactor donated the new apartment a The parties noted that the current month after the video appeared online. $60 million in trade between the two countries does not correspond to the Armavia to Launch high level of bilateral friendly rela - tions. Thus, they stressed the impor - tance of establishing business ties and Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, left, with Armenia Prime Minister Tigran Direct Flights to Milan Sargisian agreed to organize a business forum in YEREVAN (PanARMENIAN.Net) — Armavia Air Bulgaria. Company will launch new direct flights to Milan, Touching upon the process of Italy. Armenia’s European integration, An agreement on cooperation in the and the Sofia University. The flights will run from April 5 to October 25, Sargisian noted that Bulgaria’s experi - social sphere was signed between the Borisov also visited the on Thursdays, the company reported. ence is important and useful on the two countries. Also, a Memorandum of Tzitzernakaberd Genocide Memorial Armenia’s national carrier weekly operates more path of implementation of large-scale Understanding was signed between the Complex, where he laid a memorial than 100 flights to over 40 destinations in 20 coun- reforms in Armenia. State Pedagogic University of Armenia wreath and planted a fir tree. ties. Its fleet comprises Airbus, CRJ, Boeing as well as Sukhoi Superjet Russian aircrafts. Birds Registered in Red PM Sargisian Proposes to Draft Program Encouraging Reading Book Are on Sale in YEREVAN (Armenpress) — A con - Culture Minister Hasmik Writers Union Levon Ananyan, heads sultation on the development of the Poghosian, Finance Minister Vache of large publishing houses, book - Yerevan Pet Market field of literature was held in March in Gabrielian, Deputy Finance Minister selling companies and other represen - the newly-opened Zangak literary cen - Suren Karayan, Deputy Minister of tatives working in the field of pub - YEREVAN (Arminfo) — Despite environmentalists’ ter, chaired by Prime Minister Tigran Education and Science Manuk lishing participated in the event. protests, several birds registered in the Red Book Sargisian. Mkrtchian, Chairman of Armenian The participants expressed their detailing endangered native birds in Armenia, are gratitude to the prime minister for on sale in pet stores. responding to the latest develop - The head of the Center for Bird Lovers NGO, ments over the rise of book prices. Silva Adamyan, said there is no control over these “Our major goal is that Armenia’s sales. Notwithstanding the application to the Two Organizations Join Forces to society again begins reading books,” Armenian Ministry of Nature Protection, the efforts said Sargisian. “If we manage to solve of the environmentalists to resolve this problem this issue, as a state we will have a have proven futile. Aid Rural Development in Tatev future.” She added that the rare species are also illegally TATEV, Armenia (ArmeniaNow) — infrastructure development and He proposed to draft a national sold abroad, as these birds are worth more there, Rural communities in Armenia’s income generation. Tatev is one of reading program and to set up a pub - Adamyan said. She pointed out that a peregrine southern Syunik province will receive Armenia’ key tourist attraction sites, lic group which will work out the costs 50,000 euros abroad. major assistance as part of a long- with its ninth-century monastery (the steps and activities directed toward term program by the United Nations first structure dates back to fourth the development of this area. WB and IMF to Provide Development Programme (UNDP) in century) and beautiful natural sur - Sargisian noted: “I am happy that Armenia and the National roundings. However, the isolation and this event takes place on the birthday Armenia with $200 Competitiveness Foundation of lack of infrastructure make life in of Armenian distinguished poet Armenia (NCFA). rural communities challenging. Yegishe Charents. We are obliged to Million The two organizations signed a Arman Khachaturyan, CEO of encourage reading, so that Armenian YEREVAN (VestnikKavkaza.net) — Armenia may Memorandum of Agreement this NCFA, says the program budget is citizens see their lives in the world of receive $150 million from the World Bank (WB), week to join efforts and raise funds $1.6 million, 20 percent of which will books. It will give them an opportuni - Prime Minister Tigran Sargisian said, according to for the program. be funded by the UN. UNDP and ty to be correctly orientated in the News Armenia. Earlier this year the two organiza - NCFA plan to organize a fundraising non-stop changing modern world. Armenia has increased its position by six points tions jointly elaborated a four-year event this month to attract invest - This will not allow people to lose their in the Doing Business rating, ranking in 55th community development program for ments from international organiza - moral compass. The best way for peo - place. Tatev’s rural communities. The pro - tions, representatives of private and ple to live is with and through books, Armenia joined the WB in 1992 and the World gram comprises 13 sub-projects, public sectors, as well as other Sargisian said. Development Association in 1993. It has received focusing on community and tourism sources. $1.6 billion. The prime minister said that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded monitoring pro- grams for expanded financing and crediting. The Russia, Armenia Oppose Military Action against Iran IMF will provide Armenia with a tranche of $56 mil- lion by late May for the Extended Fund Facility IRAN, from page 1 also against air strikes and other mili - the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict. (EFF) and the Extended Credit Facility (ECF). The that there are three times as many eth - tary operations against Iranian nuclear Nalbandian was quoted as praising IMF will provide a total of $279 million. nic Azerbaijanis in Iran as in facilities. “Iran is Armenia’s neighbor Russia for its active involvement in the Sargisian said that the Asian Development Bank Azerbaijan.” and we are interested in solutions to negotiating process. has given Armenia $500 million for the North- “It’s hard to predict how the Iranian problems concerning Iran achieved Speaking at the news conference, South Road construction. Azerbaijanis would react to the use of through dialogue and negotiations, Lavrov said that both Armenia and military force against their country,” rather than use of force,” he said. Azerbaijan are his country’s “strategic Lavrov said. “But if, God forbid, that The Iran standoff as well as the situa - partners” and that Moscow will carry Fifty-One Percent of happens, then there will undoubtedly tion in Syria were apparently on the on with its Karabagh mediation. He Refugees in Armenia Are be large inflows of refugees and a large agenda of the two ministers’ talks also defended the work of the OSCE part of those refugees will end up in which Nalbandian said testify to a “high Minsk Group co-chaired by Russia, the Women Russia given the existence of a large level of political dialogue” between United States and France. Azerbaijani diaspora there.” Moscow and Yerevan. A statement by Lavrov met with Prime Minister YEREVAN (Hetq) — According to a report released Moscow has strongly opposed use of the Armenian Foreign Ministry said Tigran Sargisian later in the day. An by the Women’s Resource Center, 51 percent of force by the United States, other they discussed “ongoing developments Armenian government statement said those registered as refugees in Armenia are women. Western nations and Israel ever since in the Middle East” and agreed on “the the meeting focused on economic The center held a discussion, titled “Refugee Iran embarked on a controversial need to solve problems through dia - issues. Women,” on March 14. nuclear program. Lavrov reaffirmed the logue.” “Russia is our strategic partner and Russian position that it would run According to the statement, Lavrov we must expand and strengthen bilater - counter to international law. and Nalbandian also had a “detailed dis - al relations,” Sargisian told the Russian Nalbandian indicated that Armenia is cussion” on international efforts to end minister. S ATURDAY , A PRIL 7, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 INTERNATIONAL The Armenian Library and Archive in Germany: International News Meeting Challenges of the 21st Century Non-Recognition of FLENSBURG, Germany (Hetq) — This was here that the first Armenian scientif - German-Armenians’ Central Council so as year the United Nations Educational, ic-cultural center, the Union of the to be realized by all the Armenian com - Assyrian Genocide Scientific and Cultural Organization Armenian Academics, was founded in munities and unions in Germany. Since (UNESCO) declared Yerevan the World 1860. So, let it [be] also in the case of the 2011, the German-Armenians’ Central Shocks French Group Book Capital, based on its 500-year library, the sun of the Armenian commu - Council has started a large-scale action to PARIS — After the refusal of the Armenian parlia- anniversary of Armenian printing (1512- nity rise in the most eastern Armenian this end by sending the program to about ment to discuss the recognition of the 2012). Meanwhile, the German- community of Germany.” 6,000 Armenian addresses and organiz - Assyrian genocide, several French-Armenian associ- Armenians’ Central Council announced The president of the German- ing telethons in September- October, ations expressed their shock. 2012 as the year to establish an Armenians’ Central Council, Azat which will continue this year. In addition The Armenians of France, who spearhead- Armenian library and archive in Germany. Ordukhanyan, said regarding the event: to the cultural programs within the ed the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, can- Thus, Armenian communities and organi - “Such programs contribute to the framework of the jubilee year, the organi - not understand the decision of the Armenian par- zations will organize various events in strengthening of the inter-community zation of telethons has resulted in the liament to stop a legitimate request. honor of the jubilee year. communication and create a mutual German-Armenians’ Central Council to With this decision, in the words of philoso- The first program, which took place, understanding between the Armenians seek donors for this project. pher Bernard-Henri Levy “solidarity of the cast- was the Hamburg-based Kilikia Youth living in different cities, provide opportu - Ordukhanyan said: “For the Armenian aways” loses all meaning some say. Union, which presented a literary evening nity to exchange experience, which is community of about 65,000 in Germany Several communities in France have recognized dedicated to Armenian poet Paruyr strictly necessary in the diaspora.” it is of great importance to have a library the Assyrian Genocide. Assyrians from France will Sevak in Leipzig on March 10. The Through the efforts of the Kilikia as apart from the daily use, the establish - participate in the commemorations of the KiliKia Youth Union initiated the event in Youth Union and the Leipzig-based ment of the library and archive is also in Armenian Genocide on April 24. (Jean Eckian) 2010 and first presented this two-hour lit - Armenian community, all proceeds from line with the German-Armenians’ Central erature evening in the Hamburg-based the evening went toward an Armenian Council’s strategy which is to restore the Armenian Union. In March 2011, due to library and archive in Germany. The idea image of the Armenians as the nation of Armenian Scientist the three-day invitation by the Union of of establishing an Armenian library and science and culture.” the Armenian Academics-1860 (AAV- archive in Germany had been presented A plan to build an Armenian library Speaks at Swiss Science 1860), Kilikia presented the program in by the Union of the Armenian Academics- and archive has not yet been drawn. Bochum, Ruhr. 1860 for years. It was presented to the — Ofelya Sargsyan Biennial A member of the Kilikia Youth Union LUCERNE, Switzerland (news.am) — The ninth and the initiator of the project dedicated Swiss Biennial on science, technology and aesthet- to Sevak, Ani Margkaryan said, “Our pri - ics, titled “The Large, the Small and the Human mary goal is to introduce the Armenian Zarakolu, Ersanli Face Terrorism Mind,” was held here on March 31 and April 1. poet and his activities to the youth living This year’s event was devoted to neurology and in Germany as well as evoke love and Charges in KCK Indictment astronomy. The two keynote speakers on the study interest towards the Armenian culture, of the universe were Sir Roger Penrose of Oxford which at some level we managed to do.” ISTANBUL (Today’s Zaman) — 2,400-page long indictment on the case University and Vahagn Gurzadyan, of the Center One of the leaders of the Leipzig-based Publisher Ragip Zarakolu and Prof. to the 15th Istanbul High Criminal for Cosmology and Astrophysics, National Armenian community, Anahid Babayan, Büsra Ersanli are facing lengthy prison Court on Monday. The court is set to Laboratory of Armenia and Yerevan State said, “It is symbolic that the Leipzig-based terms on charges of leading and aiding announce its decision on the admissibil - University. Armenian community was the first to a terrorist organization, according to an ity of the indictment soon. A total of The deliberations closed with roundtable discus- realize a cultural event from the series of indictment sent to a court on Friday. 147 out of 193 suspects who stand sions moderated by Sir Malcolm Longair of the programs in honor of the Armenian Ersanli, who was a member of the accused in the KCK indictment are cur - University of Cambridge. Library and Archive year in Germany as it pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy rently behind bars. Party’s (BDP) constitutional commis - Amnesty International sent a letter to Swiss Drop Probe into sion, faces up to 22.5 years in jail for Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Besir leading a terrorist organization, while Atalay last December calling for the Genocide Denialist SIPRI: Azerbaijan the prosecutor is seeking up to 15 years release of Ersanli and Zarakolu. for Zarakolu on charges of aiding a ter - Amnesty called on the authorities to Comments Ranks 38th in rorist group. prevent unfair prosecutions under anti- ZURICH (Reuters) — Swiss prosecutors will drop a Ersanli and Zarakolu were arrested in terrorism legislation by bringing the criminal probe against Turkey’s European Union Purchase of November on terrorism charges as part definition of terrorism in line with inter - affairs minister, instigated after he denied Ottoman of an investigation into the Kurdish national standards and norms. Turks committed genocide against Armenians near- Arms Globally Communities Union (KCK), an umbrella The indictment mentions incidents ly 100 years ago, because he is protected by diplo- group that allegedly encompasses the involving Molotov Cocktail attacks dur - matic immunity. STOCKHOLM (Arminfo) — The volume terrorist Kurdistan Workers’ Party ing campaigns for the June 12 parlia - Zurich prosecutors began investigating Egemen of Azerbaijan’s imports of major conven - (PKK) and its affiliated organizations. mentary election. The chief defendant Bagis after comments he made at the World tional weapons increased by 164 percent Specially authorized Istanbul Public in the KCK trial is Kudbettin Yazbasi, Economic Forum in Davos in January and also at a between 2002-2006 and 2007-2011, mak - Prosecutor Adnan Çimen, who is in who stands accused of being a leading concert in Zurich. Swiss anti-racism legislation out- ing it the 38th largest importer of charge of the investigation, sent the figure in the organization. laws genocide denial. weapons, according to new data on inter - Turkey summoned the Swiss ambassador in national arms transfers published on Ankara to complain after the investigation was March. 19 by Stockholm International launched. Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Akçam Speaks about Turkish Reactions “After consulting with the Swiss foreign ministry, According to the report, “Although the prosecutor has concluded that criminal charges Armenia dropped from being the 71st To Khojaly Rally in Taksim Square against Egemen Bagis cannot be pursued because, largest recipient to 84th place between as a Turkish EU minister, he enjoyed immunity dur- 2007-2011 and 2002-2006, the Armenian ISTANBUL (Tert.am) — In an interview not believe Armenian lies” were put up, ing his entire stay in Switzerland,” the prosecutor Government has declared that it will pro - with the Turkish Taraf daily, historian and he added. said in a statement on Monday. cure arms in response to Azerbaijan’s sociologist Taner Akçam commented on a Also, a statement was made at the rally, Swiss authorities have taken legal action against arms acquisitions.” rally in central Istanbul’s Taksim Square with the participation of the minister of the several people who have denied the Armenian Russia is the main supplier of arms to to commemorate the 20th anniversary of interior. “We are Ogun Samast, where are Genocide. The most prominent case is the convic- both states: in 2007-2011 it provided 55 the Khojaly Massacre. the ones crying out ‘We are all Hrant tion of Turkish politician Dogu Perincek, who was percent of Azerbaijan’s arms imports and The participants were crying out fascist Dink?’ Now I would like to ask Prime fined 3,000 Swiss francs in 2007. a whopping 96 percent of Armenia’s arms slogans and holding posters with similar Minister Recep Erdogan: if posters reading imports, SIPRI reports. calls. According to Akçam, Turks should ‘do not be deceived by Turkish lies’ were The SIPRI Arms Transfers Database face their own history, particularly the put up in Berlin or ones reading ‘do not Armenia, Singapore to now contains information on all interna - events involving Christians. Otherwise, he believe Muslim lies’ were put up in New tional transfers of major conventional said, Turkey will never become a true York, what would he do?” Akçam said. Boost Cooperation weapons from 1950 to the end of 2011. It democracy. Support for pan-Turkism and hate for SINGAPORE (neurope.eu) — During an official visit is the only publicly available resource pro - The 100th anniversary of the Armenians has never been so obvious in to Singapore, Armenia’s Foreign Minister Eduard viding consistent data on international Armenian Genocide is approaching, he Turkey before, Akçam says. Nalbandian was welcomed by Singapore’s presi- arms transfers for this length of time. added, and the ruling Justice and It was for the first time that “we are dent, Tony Tan Keng Yam. During the meeting, This fact sheet describes the trends in Development Party is showing it is capa - Ogun Samast” slogans were cried out Yam said that the people of Armenia have left a international arms transfers that are ble of applying racist principles. “If you since Hrant Dink’s murder. That is not a deep impression in the history of Singapore and revealed by the new data. It lists the main try to press me, I will make use of the good sign. On the other hand, it is good contributed to the country’s development. In turn, suppliers and recipients for the period Khojaly and Azerbaijan problems. This is that racism and nationalism are obvious - Nalbandian said that Singaporean Senior Minister 2007-11 and describes the changes in the message,” Akçam said. ly seen, Akçam said. Lee Kuan Yew’s visit to Armenia in 2009 opened a regional trends. Azerbaijan’s defense bud - His advice is that Turkey looks back at As to the importance of the rally, new chapter in relations between the two coun- get for 2012 is 1.381 million mantas or the past before it mentions Khojaly. Akçam said that it showed that Armenian tries. Nalbandian expressed hope that President $1.77 million, which is by some 1.2 per - “First, a citizen named Hrant Dink was citizens are not secure in Turkey, when Serge Sargisian’s upcoming visit to Singapore will cent more than in 2011. Defense expen - murdered in that country. The govern - the minister of the interior, who is also also give new impetus to improving cooperation diture for 2012 make up 14.8 percent of ment defended the persons suspected of responsible for Armenian citizens’ securi - between the two countries. total expenditures. masterminding his murder,” Akçam said. ty, takes part in a rally where statements During the last few years, Azerbaijan’s Ten days before the rally, with the munic - like “the spilled blood will not remain on military budget has grown 20-fold. ipality’s sponsorship, posters reading “do the ground.” 4 S ATURDAY , A PRIL 7, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA ARMENIAN GENOCIDE !"#$"$"% &'(&'(")*"% %")*"% %

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Dickranian School’s NAASR Lecture by Ugur 31st Annual Dinner Üngör on Armenian Genocide in Context of Dance Raises More Population and Territory Than $25,000 for BELMONT, Mass. — Historian Ugur Ümit Üngör will give a lecture titled “Race and Scholarship Funds Space: The Armenian Genocide in the Context of Population and Territory,” on Thursday, LOS ANGELES — On Friday, March 16, par - April 26, at 8 p.m., at the National Association ents, teachers, students, supporters and guests for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) of Tekeyan Cultural Association’s (TCA) Arshag Center, 395 Concord Ave. Dickranian School (ADS) gathered at the The eastern provinces of the Ottoman Empire Taglyan Cultural Complex to enjoy the school’s used to be a multi-ethnic region where 31st Annual Dinner Dance, organized by the Armenians, Kurds, Syriacs, Turks and Arabs Parent-Teacher Organization and catered by lived together in the same villages and cities. Divine Catering. From 1913 to 1950, successive Turkish regimes Among the guests attending the event were subjected this region to a thorough policy of Vardan and Kristina Mkryan, the guests of ethnic homogenization. honor of the event, benefactor Dr. Petros Based on a decade of research on a range of Taglyan, benefactor Hmayak Baltayan and unexamined records, Üngör demonstrates that school board members. the Armenian Genocide was part and parcel of The celebration started with welcoming this wider remarks by Houri Taglyan-Kourouyan, the process. He incoming chairperson of the Parent-Teacher will offer Organization who greeted Rev. Manoug insights into Markarian and guests to the event. the economic Singer Gagik Badalyan entertained the AGBU MDS Decathlon participants taking a super quiz ramifications guests with Armenian folksongs, which was fol - of the geno - lowed by Armenian and foreign dance music cide and provided by DJ Switch. describe how The guests of honor were invited to cut the AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian the plunder cake which was provided in celebration of the was orga - 31st anniversary of the school, after which nized on the Taglyan-Kourouyan presented a blooming tree School Students Compete in ground. He which symbolized the “Tree of Life” of ADS, will conclude inviting Principal Vartkes Kourouyan to call that this vio - upon those who wished to hang tokens that Academic Decathlon lent process not only represented their contribution to the school. CANOGA PARK, Calif. — Competing against hundreds of local peers, 25 stu - Ugur Ümit Üngör destroyed his - Individuals who donated to the school were: dents from the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) Manoogian- torical Vardan and Kristina Mkryan $6,000; Arthur Demirdjian School (MDS) here won a total of 26 medals, 10 of which were gold regions and emptied multicultural cities, but and Lusine Nalbandyan $1,000; Hmayak medals, at the Southern California Private School Academic Decathlon on also cleared the way for the modern Turkish Baltayan $1,000; the Shishikyan brothers February 5. nation state. $1,000; Dr. Missak and Armine Kltchian $1,000; Even though MDS had the smallest enrollment of any school in the compe - Üngör is assistant professor at the Slavik and Taguhi Agekyan $1,000; Mike and tition, it fielded the largest team, competed in 10 categories and was the only Department of History of Utrecht University Elmira Nadjarian $1,000; Armen and Nuritsa school to enter in three of the four categories. Normally, smaller schools con - and the Institute for War and Genocide Studies Mkhsian in memory of Levon Mkhsian $1,000; fine their students to the small school Division 4 category, but AGBU MDS put in Amsterdam. He specializes in genocide, mass Rev. Archpriest Manoug Markarian $750; the its best students in the highly-competitive Division 2 category, which is usu - violence and ethnic conflict. His recent publica - Yerelek family $500; Lucy Taglyan in memory ally reserved for much larger schools. “We went up against Mater Dei and tions include Confiscation and Destruction: of her late husband, Dr. Yeghia Taglyan, $200, Notre Dame, schools that have over 2,000 students, and we still won more The Young Turk Seizure of Armenian student Zaven Nalbandyan $200; student than our fair share of medals,” said MDS decathlon coach Peter Strouse. “I Harout Bogosyan $200; Armani Sarkissian Property (Continuum, 2011) and The Making $100; student Alec Kourouyan $100; Hovsep of Modern Turkey: Nation and State in and Irina Karadjian $100; Tigran Hekimyan Eastern Anatolia, 1913-1950 (Oxford $100; George Nalbandyan $100; Harout University Press, 2011). Boyadjian $100; Avetik Agekyan $100; Harout The Making of Modern Turkey , newly pub - Bambalyan $100; Hagop Shishikyan $100; Jack lished in paperback, will be available for pur - Mkrtchyan $100; Luiza Hekimyan $100 and chase and signing the night of the lecture. Lucy Bambalyan $100. Other donors who made More information about Üngör’s lecture may contributions for this occasion but were not be had by e-mailing [email protected]. present were 12th graders Arthur Karapetyan $75 and Shant Ogtanyan $50, 11th graders se ADS, page 8 Armenian History Timeline Quiz Bowl

LOS ANGELES — Eight-grade students at the Armenian day schools in the greater Los AGBU MDS Decathlon team members with their coach, Jason Strouse Angeles area are preparing to take part in the Annual Armenian History Time Line Quiz Bowl, to be held on Sunday, April 29, at Deukmejian Hall in the Ararat Home. think our ability to not only compete with these schools, but to compete with The students compete by answering a host of success, shows that AGBU MDS is one of the top private schools in Southern questions on Armenian history and culture California.” Also, while the other schools practiced every day after school for based on the book, Armenian history Timeline as long as 10 months, the AGBU MDS team had only two weeks to prepare for by Hagop and Marilyn Arshagouni. In previous the decathlon. “My team is able to get an extraordinary amount of work done years, the students impressed many spectators in a very short period of time.” with their breadth of knowledge and enthusi - In the essay competition, the AGBU MDS students competed against nearly asm. 200 students and won five of the nine gold medals. Gold medal essay winners Teams compete for monetary prizes, which included seniors Arno Ekmekji, Gary Vartanian (who also won a gold medal in go toward scholarship funds in their respective mathematics) and Nicole Yeghiazarian, and juniors Patrick Galoostian and schools. These awards are made possible by the Alina Sargsyan. Senior Alex Yeghiazarian won two gold medals — in literature support of the Ararat Home of Los Angeles. and science, and gold medals were also awarded to Melkon Makerian in math - The Quiz Bowl will start at 1 p.m. and will ematics and Anais Zarifian in science. “The students’ success at the decathlon, conclude at approximately 3 p.m. especially in the writing competition, was one of the highlights of my career,” The community is invited to attend. Chairperson Houri Taglyan-Kourouyan wel - Strouse added. “It’s an honor to call myself their teacher.” Admission is free. comes the guests. For information, contact board - [email protected]. 6 S ATURDAY , A PRIL 7, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS AGBU University Outreach Visits Schools on the East and West Coasts

NEW YORK and LOS ANGELES — Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) University Outreach has been on a mini-tour recently, mak - ing visits to various schools on both the east and west coast, as well as Canada, for hundreds of youth. Each school’s Armenian club helped organize presentations given by University Outreach coordinator Dan Antreasyan, at which students learned about various AGBU pro - grams. The presentations included a brief intro - duction to AGBU and the University Outreach Program, its goals and mission, as well as infor - mation on the AGBU Summer Intern Programs in New York, Yerevan and Moscow, the scholar - ship programs, the Young Professionals net - work, Armenian Virtual College and Camp Nubar. The first stop was at Queens College in New York on February 8, with a presentation paired with a career development workshop given by Arda Haratunian, a professor at the college and a member of the AGBU board. Haratunian dis - cussed the importance of basic skills in the work place such as communication, public speaking, effective interviewing and resume and cover letter writing. Next up was the University of California, Los Angeles on February 9, where members of the Young Professionals (YP) of Los Angeles group participated in a panel discussion about their educational and professional backgrounds, involvement in the Armenian community and advice for students. Guest speakers included TV John Ohanian (second from right) with the UCSD ASA executive committee and AGBU University Outreach coordinator Dan Antreasyan (left) following host and entertainment journalist Jill Simonian, his February 14 lecture at the University of California, San Diego Pasadena Sgnt. Vasken Gourdikian, OB/GYN Dr. Vicken Sepilian and marriage and family therapist Cristina Mardirossian. a large non-profit organization in the San Diego at the local AGBU center on March 30 to learn Visit University Outreach’s Facebook page for On February 13, a visit was made to the area and has a great deal of experience in lead - more about the programs AGBU offers around the upcoming events, University of California, Irvine, followed by a ing companies and managing teams of employ - world for youth and university students. www.facebook.com/agbuunioutreach. trip to University of California, San Diego the ees. Back on the east coast on February 17, next day, where students had the opportunity Antreasyan was invited to speak about AGBU to hear a talk on leadership in the workplace. opportunities for students at Fordham The lecture was given by John Ohanian, who University’s second annual Mentoring Program has been involved with AGBU for many years, for Armenian College Students and Young including serving as director at AGBU Camp Professionals event. Nubar in 2007. Ohanian is the current CEO of College students from the Toronto area gathered GF UiNrEaRgAoL sHiaOMn E OBITUARY James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC Mark J. Giragosian Funeral Counselors Joseph Panossian 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 Correspondent for Associated Press www.giragosianfuneralhome.com

BEIRUT (AP) — Joseph Panossian, a longtime “Joe was by far the best Arabic linguist and Middle East correspondent for the Associated translator on the staff,” said Robert H. Reid, Edward D. Jamakordzian, Jr. d/b/a Press who covered transformative events from AP’s Middle East regional editor. “He was devot - the Lebanese civil war to the US invasion of ed to the AP and never would let illness, Iraq, died on March 13 in Armenia, his family errands or, during the civil war, shell fire keep said. He was 74. him from coming to work and doing the best Edward D. Jamie, Jr. Panossian, who was undergoing chemothera - possible job.” py for lung cancer, had been living in Armenia Born in 1937 in Jaffa, in British-mandate Licensed in New York and New Jersey for the past three years, said his wife, Annie Palestine, Panossian was displaced to east Funeral Chapel 208-17 Northern Blvd., Bayside, NY 11361 Jerusalem following the creation of Israel in Service any hour, 1948. He moved to Lebanon in 1951. any distance (718) 224-2390 or toll “His dream was that one day he would take me to Jaffa to show me the place where he was free (888) 224-6088 born,” his wife said. Jaffa is now part of the Israeli city of Tel Aviv. Panossian joined the AP in Beirut in the Telephone (617) 924-7400 early 1960s and moved to the Mediterranean island of Cyprus in 1976. He was based in Cyprus for 21 years, covering events including Aram Bedrosian the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war and the 1985 killing of three Israeli citizens in the coastal city of Funeral Home, Inc. Larnaca. He returned to Beirut in 1997, and over the Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 next decade he witnessed the Israeli withdraw - al from southern Lebanon in 2000 after an 18- MARION BEDROSIAN year occupation, the 2005 assassination of for - 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN mer Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and the depar - WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN ture of Syrian troops from Lebanon. At the start of the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, Panossian spent time in Qatar helping monitor Arabic media, using his knowledge of local Arabic dialects. ENNIS M. EVENEY & ONS “He loved his career,” Annie Panossian said. Joseph Panossian Joseph Panossian was also the editor of an D D S Arabic-language bimonthly AP cultural bulletin Cemetery Monuments Panossian. that had subscribers throughout the Arab Specializing in Colleagues described him as someone who world. was always ready with a joke to defuse the In 2009, he moved to Armenia with his wife Armenian Designs and Lettering region’s stressful and often dangerous news to be close to their children. 701 Moody St. Waltham, MA 02543 events. Panossian is survived by his wife, two sons Panossian retired from the AP in 2007 after and four grandchildren. He was buried in (781) 891-9876 www.NEMonuments.com 45 years. Yerevan. S ATURDAY , A PRIL 7, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS AGBU YP Northern California 13th Annual Winter Gala Weekend Raises Dance to Benefit Mer $8,500 for AGBU Hye Geen Pregnant Women’s Centers in Armenia Doon Home for Young Women in Armenia SAN FRANCISCO — Hundreds of Armenian young professionals from across WATERTOWN — A gala dance will be held to North America converged President’s Day benefit Mer Doon (“Our Home”), a residence for weekend here for the 13th annual Young young women in Armenia who have outgrown Professionals Northern California (YPNC) their childhood homes in Armenian orphanages Winter Gala. Representing the largest gala in or who come from seriously disadvantaged recent years, $8,500 was raised for the AGBU lifestyles. The event will be held on Saturday, Hye Geen Pregnant Women’s Centers in November 10, starting at 7:30 p.m., at the St. Armenia, which provide prenatal care and James Charles Mosesian Cultural & Youth education to women in Talin, Vanadzor and Center, 465 Mount Auburn St. The evening will Yeghvart. “The success of this year’s Gala feature two popular Armenian bands including exceeded our expectations and we are proud the Richard Hagopian ensemble, dancing, to support such a worthy cause as AGBU Hye mezza, refreshments and more. Geen,” said Steven Cherezian, YPNC chair - A donation of $50 per person is requested. man and Winter Gala 2012 chairman. “Thank Ticket reservations may be made and addition - you to all of our attendees and donors; they al information obtained by calling the church. are the reason the weekend was so enjoyable Established in 2006 in Echmiadzin, Armenia, and successful.” Since its inception, YPNC YPNC guests enjoy a tour of the Turnbull Wine Cellars on the day trip to wine country. Mer Doon provides a home and family environ - has donated more than $67,000 to programs ment for up to 14 young women at a time. Each locally and in Armenia. young woman living at Mer Doon is required to YPNC Treasurer Greg Nemet. DJ Tigran. Sunday afternoon brought the The sold-out weekend began Friday, February further her education and pursue a skill or Later that evening, the signature “Sweet newest addition to the Winter Gala line-up — a 17, with a welcome reception at the Sir Francis vocation that will enable her to enter the work Escape” Winter Gala Dinner took place in the tour of leading wineries in Napa Valley with Drake Hotel in Union Square, followed by danc - force. In addition, residents receive religious Green Room at the San Francisco War YPNC leadership, including Marketing and ing and mingling at Monroe Night Club where education, learn French, Russian and English Memorial & Performing Arts Center. More than Publicity Director David Ojakian, serving as DJ Raffy and DJ Tigran entertained a crowd of languages and are trained by staff in personal 250 attendees enjoyed dinner and Armenian guides for 120 guests. The 14th annual Winter 300 young professionals. Stepping out Saturday and social skills. dancing to the sounds of DJ Raffy, which was Gala is already scheduled for President’s Day morning, out-of-towners and locals alike were “It is essential that we continue to support then followed by an after party at Morrac with Weekend, February 15-18, 2013. treated to a free walking tour of the city by and fund the important work of Mer Doon in Armenia,” said event Co-chairs Mark Kashgegian and Peter Babigian. “The need for Mer Doon grows greater every day.” The dance is being sponsored by Our Home- Mer Doon, Inc., the US-based fund raising orga - nization for Mer Doon, which is a non-govern - mental organization and is dependent on out - side contributions. For additional information about Mer Doon, visit www.mer-doon.com. A SPIRITUAL PILGRIMAGE TO San Francisco AIWA Supporters Gather to Celebrate the Formation HISTORIC ARMENIA Of New AIWA Affiliate SAN FRANCISCO — More than 40 Bay Area supporters of the Armenian International

K September 5 to 19, 2012 A Women’s Association (AIWA) gathered at the R A home of Gregory Matsoyan and Elena Sagayan D A in Pleasanton on Sunday, March 18 to celebrate B R completion of the initial steps in the formation E A H M of the AIWA San Francisco affiliate. The event T A E T was attended by Armenian and non-Armenian T H A G supporters, who had the opportunity to learn R A B T E A about AIWA and the work of the organization L E in pursuit of the empowerment of Armenian C women worldwide. AIWA San Francisco President Gaiane Khachatrian opened the event with an expres - sion of gratitude to the hosts: “Gregory and Discover your Armenian CChristianhristian roots! Elena have always been active participants in Bay Area Armenian community affairs and their generous act today is once again a testimony to The cost of $3,700 per person includes: A precious opportunity to visit the cities and the great level of their commitment to support - villages of your ancestors: Istanbul, Caesarea ing Armenia.” Airfare: NYC – Istanbul – Kars – Caesarea – Istanbul – NYC (Kayseri), Cappadocia, Sepastia (Sivas), Malatya, The program included the presentation of Harput (Elazig), ArapkirArapkir,, Antep, Marash, Zeytun, Accommodations at minimum 4-star hotels in double two projects selected to be the focus of the San occupancy (single supplement + $475) Urfa, Dikranagert (Diyarbakir), VVan,an, Daroynk Francisco AIWA affiliate over the next few years (Dogubayazit), Kars, and Ani. TransportationTransportation with new air-conditioned coaches throughout to improve the economic and social advance - the complete program ment of women in Armenia. Vice President Experience an unforgettable Divine Liturgy Lusine Yeghyazarian and Trustee Susanna Professional English-language guide and well-known historic Cogswell summarized plans to provide micro- consultant from the U.S., Armen Aroyan at the Sourp Khatch (Holy Cross) Church of Aghtamar (V(Van),an), and worship in prayer services loans to socially vulnerable, talented, motivated Entrance fees for museums; three meals daily at the St. Guiragos Chuch of Dikranagert, and the young female entrepreneurs in Armenia. Khachatrian noted that numerous studies have Not included: TipsTips to driver and guide; beverage with meals; St. Gregory Church of Caesarea. entrance visa to Turkey;Turkey; excess airline baggage fee documented how access to financial services (two suitcases 50 lbs./person and one carry on 18 lbs./person). improves the status of women within the family For information and registration materials, and the community, making them more please contact: assertive and confident. Dr. Elena Sagayan Sonya Bekarian introduced the formative steps underway to Club America Travel,Travel, N.J. Branch pursue a second project that will focus on the (201) 313-1285 (business) / (201) 315-5916 (cell) [email protected] reproductive health care of women in the rural areas of Armenia. f«ª¥§¯“§±˜š±¥u¤§°f£”¯šž¤šf¯”±”›”¥n”£šf«ª¥§¯“§±˜š±¥u¤§°f£”¯šž¤šf¯”±”›”¥n”£š YouYou can also contact your local parish pastor for Guests responded enthusiastically to invita - Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) informationinformation on the trip and the application packet. tions to join the affiliate and to donate to help 630 Second Avenue,Avenue, New YYork,ork, NY 10016 Space is limited; the deposit and application formform must be the organization carry out its mission to build www.armenianchurch-ed.netwww.armenianchurch-ed.net receivedreceived no later June 1, 2012. a positive, productive and peaceful environment to enable women in Armenia to thrive. AIWA members and supporters enjoyed a musical program of selections from several operas and performances of Tsitsernak and Erebuni/Yerevan. All expressed their apprecia - tion for an informative and fulfilling event. 8 S ATURDAY , A PRIL 7, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Armenian Nursing and Rehab Center Residents Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

JAMAICA PLAIN, Mass. — On Sunday, March music as entertainment. Following the perfor - 18, the Board of Directors of the Armenian mance, the audience and staff enjoyed refresh - Women’s Welfare Association (AWWA) hosted a ments and lively conversation. The ANRC, a St. Patrick’s party for the residents of the premiere 83-bed facility owned and operated by Armenian Nursing & Rehabilitation Center the AWWA, is the only Armenian nursing home (ANRC). in New England and enjoys a five-star rating Elaina and Jake Vrattos, accompanied by an from the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid audience of residents and family members, pro - Services (CMS). Visit www.ArmenianHome.org vided a stirring set of traditional Irish folk for more information.

Mary Hunt, who will celebrate her 100th birthday next month, enjoys traditional tunes from her Irish heritage.

Dickranian School Raises More than $25,000 for Scholarships ADS, from page 5 Garen Taglyan, manager of the Taglyan Aram Ekimyan $150 and Lucy Tekneyan $50 Cultural Complex and an alumnus of Arshag and the Seropyan Family $50. Dickranian School, had given a substantial dis - “I would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Vardan count in availing the premises for the event. The Detroit United Armenian Committee and Kristina Mkryan and all our supporters and She noted that the proceeds of the banquet for the commemoration of the donors for their contributions,” said Taglyan- support the school’s scholarship funds. 97th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide Kourouyan. “I would also like to thank the PTO Finally, the guests took to the dance floor presents a panel discussion members for their selfless devotion and dili - until the early hours of the morning. “When and how the government of Turkey may recognize the gence in preparing this event. Thank you all for For more information visit the school website Armenian Genocide.” such a successful event.” She then stated that at www.dickranianschool.org. Edmond Azadian, Moderator with distinguished panel….

Professor Gerard J. Libaridian teaches in the History Department at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and holds the Alex Manoogian Chair in Modern Armenian History. He is also Director of the Armenian Studies Program. Dr. Libaridian was co-founder of the Zoryan Institute for Contemporary Armenian Research inCambridge, Mass., and director from1982-90), and editor of the Armenian Review (1983-88). From 1991-97, Dr. Libaridian served as adviser, and senior adviser (foreign and security policies) to the former President of Armenia, Levon Ter-Petrossian, as well as First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs (1993-94) of the newly independent republic. He has lectured extensively worldwide and his works have been published in many languages. The French edition of his most recent work, Modern Armenia. People. Nation. State, (2004) was published in Paris in 2006. Libaridian is now completing two new studies, In Search of the Savior: Armenian Liberation Ideol- ogy from the 16th to the 19th Centuries and Anatomy of Conflict. Nagorno Karabagh and the New World Order. Mr. Turgut Kerem Tuncel Turgut, born in Ankara, Turkey, is a PhD. candidate in Sociology in the University of Trento, Italy. He holds a BA in Psychology with a minor degree in Sociology and a MA in Political Science. His research interests are diasporas and transnational communities, collective memory and identity, and the Caucasus. In his dissertation, Turgut focuses on the Armenia-Armenian diaspora relations and the perceptions of homeland among the Armenians in diaspora. Manoogian Simone Foundation Pre-doctoral Fellow, Armenian Studies Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Dr. Ara Sanjian is Associate Professor of Armenian and Middle Eastern History and the Director of the Armenian Research Center at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, he received his education there. He received his master’s degree in history at Yerevan State University. He received his PhD in modern history of the Middle East at the School of Oriental and African Studies, the University of London. From 1996-2005 he was Chairman of the Department of Armenian Studies, History and Guests of honor Vardan and Kristina Mkryan cut the cake. Political Science at Haigazian University, Beirut. In 2003, he was the Henry S. Khanzadian Kazan Visiting Professor in Armenian Studies, California State University, Fresno. His re- search interests focus on the post-World War I history of Armenia, Turkey and the Arab states of Western Asia. He is the author of Turkey and Her Arab Neighbors, 1953-1958: A Study in the Origins and Failure of the Baghdad Pact (2001), as well as a monograph and a number of scholarly articles. He is currently working Quality Armenian & on a book-length project on the Armenian quest for Mountainous Karabagh under Soviet rule in 1923-1987. Join us on Sunday, April 22 at the AGBU Manoogian School Mediterranean Foods Multipurpose Room Ɣ 1:00 Reception Ɣ 1:30—3:30 Program 2012 Participating Organizations: Tekeyan Cultural Association, ADL Detroit Chobanian Chapter, Knights of Vartan, Nareg Shashavan Lodge, Daughters of Vartan, Wayne State University Armenian Studies Program, Detroit Armenian We Ship Women’s Club, Armenian Research Center U of M Dearborn, Detroit Armenian Genocide Committee, AGBU, Armenian Assembly of America. Coast to Coast ADVERTISE IN THE Please Visit Us At: MIRROR-SPECTATOR www.MassisBakery.com 569 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA S ATURDAY , A PRIL 7, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 COMMUNITY NEWS Heifer International Across the Diocese, Women’s Guilds Project Aims to Honor Saintly Women’s Day Revitalize Armenia’s Farms NEW YORK — Women’s Guild chapters on water, she challenged church women every - each participating Women’s Guild with an throughout the Eastern Diocese observed where: “If we want to experience miracles, we Armenian-themed apron. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Heifer International Saintly Women’s Day on Saturday, March 10, have to step out of the boat.” The Armenian Church at Hye Pointe wel - Armenia is distributing agricultural equip - with special services and programs commemo - An interlude of dance selections by the Holy comed more than 100 participants from sister ment to small farmers, giving them the rating the lives of Mary and Martha — the sis - Martyrs Hye Bar Dance Group concluded the parishes in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. means to stay on their land and improve their ters of Lazarus who have become enduring afternoon’s activities. The program began with a welcoming recep - livelihoods. It is the first part of the symbols of discipleship. St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Church in tion in the church’s Derderian Hall followed by Community Agricultural Resource Regional commemorations were hosted by Wynnewood hosted some 80 people from a worship service led by the Rev. Vart Management and Competitiveness (CAR - the Church of the Holy Martyrs in Bayside, NY; Philadelphia-area churches. The Very Rev. Gyozalian, parish pastor. Clergy from the local MAC) project, a partnership with the World St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Church in Oshagan Gulgulian led the service in the parishes, along with the deacons and choir of Bank and Armenia’s Ministry of Agriculture. Wynnewood, Penn.; Sts. Joachim and Anne church sanctuary. Hye Pointe Church, participated in the wor - CARMAC’s objective is to reverse environ - Church in Palos Heights, Ill.; Armenian During the luncheon that followed, two local ship service. mental damage caused by unsustainable graz - Church at Hye Pointe in Haverhill, Mass., and women spoke about the lives of Mary and A traditional Lenten meal was served later ing, increase the economic viability of small St. Paul Church in Syracuse, NY. Martha. Therese Voskeridjian spoke about the in the afternoon. Guest speaker Susan Hriczo, farms through infrastructure improvements At each of the gatherings, the participants two saintly women in Armenian. Her daughter, a physical massage therapist at Whittier and increase productivity to gain access to discussed how the lives of women saints can Arpy Minassian, gave a presentation in Rehabilitation Hospital of Bradford, Mass., more markets. The $22.7-million project aims inform present-day life in the Armenian English. The church’s junior choir sang a selec - spoke about the benefits of massage therapy to assist 78,000 people. CARMAC has a Church. tion of hymns. and described various approaches to pain man - $10.1-million agricultural component, with In the New York metro area, Holy Martyrs The Women’s Guild of Sts. Joachim and agement. Heifer providing $3.7 million. Heifer Church hosted participants from Manhattan’s Anne Church of Palos Heights, Ill., hosted par - Sylvia Tavitian, outgoing chair of the parish International Armenia has already distrib - Holy Cross Church of Armenia and the St. ticipants from St. Gregory the Illuminator Women’s Guild, served as mistress of cere - uted three tractors and five balers to several Gregory the Enlightener Church of White Church of Chicago, Ill.; St. James Church of monies. The Very Rev. Ghevont Samoorian farming cooperatives, enabling the farmers to Plains, NY. Evanston, Ill.; St. George Church of Waukegan, gave the invocation. Welcoming remarks were make the best use of their land and provide The day began with a worship service led by Ill.; St. John the Baptist Church of Greenfield, delivered by Melanee Naroian, the guild’s better fodder for livestock. the Rev. Bedros Kadehjian, interim parish pas - Wis.; St. Mesrob Church of Racine, Wis., and newly-elected chair. Nancy Kassabian, a repre - Heifer International Armenia has worked tor. Kadehjian was assisted by the Rev. Arakel Holy Resurrection Church of South sentative of the Women’s Guild Central with more than 8,000 Armenian families in Vardazarian, who is serving as an intern priest Milwaukee, Wis. Council, delivered a message on behalf of the the past 11 years, building up family farms at St. Gregory the Enlightener Church, and The day began with a worship service led by board. through gifts of cattle, buffalos, pigs, chick - Deacon Krikor Anoushian of Holy Cross the parish pastors. Alice Madanyan read the In Syracuse, NY, the commemoration was ens, rabbits, sheep, bees, worms, tree Church. Members of the Holy Martyrs Armenian language biographies of Mary and held on Sunday, March 11, at St. Paul Church. seedlings and organic produce. The projects Women’s Guild took part in the service by Martha, and Dr. Susan Mardoian read the The Rev. Daniel Karadjian, parish pastor, cele - first create food security for the participating reading the biographies of Mary and Martha in texts in English. A translation of the hymn brated the Divine Liturgy and led the worship families and then surplus product is sold to English and Armenian. Saintly Mariam was read by Michelle service commemorating Mary and Martha. earn money for education, medical care and Following the service, a Lenten luncheon Babigian. At a potluck-style Lenten luncheon, guest other necessities. was held in the parish’s Kalustyan Hall. Guest Following the service, a Lenten luncheon speaker Natalia Zharsky of St. John Ukrainian Gagik Khachatryan, director of the speaker Elise Antreassian, the Diocese’s coor - was served. Liz Sahagian, who chaired the Orthodox Church of Johnson City, NY, dis - Agriculture Project Implementation Unit at dinator of Christian Education, gave a talk, local commemoration, welcomed guests and cussed the iconography of Orthodox churches the Armenian Ministry of Agriculture, pre - titled “Mary and Martha: Looking thanked those who helped organize the day’s and highlighted depictions of Mary and sented the baling equipment. Khachatryan Back/Moving Forward.” She reviewed their program. Martha in church icons. said that without Heifer’s contribution, it discipleship as “the total package, the yin and Guest speaker Dr. Hripsime Haroutunian, a Some 60 people, including members of St. would have been impossible to ensure rural yang of ministry, expressing together and sep - lecturer in the University of Chicago’s Near Gregory the Illuminator Church of community engagement and successfully real - arately all the teachings of Jesus wrapped up Eastern Languages and Civilizations Binghamton, NY, took part in the program. Yn. ize the CARMAC project. in two people, and women at that, in a world Department who teaches Armenian language, Mariam Karadjian chaired the local Saintly By the end of the project, about 200 pieces of men.” history and culture, gave a presentation on the Women’s Day commemoration committee. of agricultural equipment are expected to be She concluded by hoping that Saintly history of Armenian wedding traditions. St. Mary Church of Livingston, NJ, is plan - placed within 55 rural communities in Women’s Day might be consecrated to more At the conclusion of the day’s program, the ning to hold a special program on saintly Armenia. The modern equipment, along with than just remembering these saints and that it Very Rev. Aren Jebejian, pastor of the St. women for New Jersey-area churches in the more careful use of pastures, will boost over - serve as an occasion for women to become a Gregory the Illuminator Church, led partici - autumn. all productivity and efficiency of small live - serious force of revitalization in the church pants in prayer. The Women’s Guild of Sts. — Robert Serabian, Sylvia Tavitian, Mary stock farms. This will help position local pro - today. Citing the story of Peter’s desire to walk Joachim and Anne Church then presented Selvinazian and Liz Sahagian ducers to fill Armenia’s growing domestic dairy need and to become more competitive regionally. As the project work begins, its significance for rural communities is increasingly evident. During previous decades, rural unemploy - ment in Armenia has forced many people (mostly men) to leave the country to find jobs abroad. CARMAC is designed to bring back hope to farming communities, providing rural families with a chance to stay together and build their future in their homeland. Heifer’s mission is to end hunger and poverty while caring for the earth. Since 1944, Heifer International has provided live - stock and environmentally-sound agricultural training to improve the lives of those who struggle daily for reliable sources of food and income. For more information, visit www.heifer.org. 10 S ATURDAY , A PRIL 7, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS S ATURDAY , A PRIL 7, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 Ne w York M E T R O

Young and Inventive Minds Come Together at HMADS Prof. of Armenian Art to

OAKLAND GARDENS, N.Y. — The Holy hobby: “The Science or the Chemistry of Soap Raymond Vahan Damadian, Marie Curie, Thomas Lecture at Columbia Martyrs Armenian Day School (HMADS) held its Making.” The second speaker, Deborah Lutz, was Edison, Einstein, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. The NEW YORK — Thomas F. Mathews, John 24th Annual Science Fair March 12-16. The week from the Cooper-Hewitt National Design nursery students presented a song about the four Langeloth Loeb Professor Emeritus in the was filled with science projects in zoology and Museum, and she spoke about design. The third seasons as the parade of scientists came to a con - History of Art, New York University, will biology, chemistry, geology and the plant king - guest speaker was one of HMADS alumni, Class clusion. give an illustrated lecture on “Armenian dom. The purpose of the exhibit was Art on the International Stage,” at to challenge students from an early Columbia University on Tuesday, April 17, age and inspire them to one day at 6:30 p.m. The event is sponsored by the become involved in a career in science. Armenian Center at Columbia University Zarminé Boghosian, principal and and the Department of Art History and founder of the Science Fair, has Archaeology in association with the brought science to life. Her passion for National Association for Armenian Studies science and dedication towards edu - and Research (NAASR). The talk will take cating future citizens of the world is place on the Columbia campus in room 612 well known. of Schermerhorn Hall, 1190 Amsterdam During Science Week, the auditori - Ave. The lecture is free and open to the um was transformed to a science public and will be followed by a reception in museum where innovative ideas were the Judith Lee Stronach Center Lounge of shared and young inventors presented Schermerhorn Hall. The talk is part of an their work. The teachers at HMADS ongoing series of events sponsored by the present science as a state of mind. Armenian Center. Each one of them instills in their stu - In his lecture Mathews will explain how dents critical thinking and the ability recent scholarship on Armenian art is re- to assess, which ideas are reasonable positioning the subject in the grand and which are not. This is how stu - “Christian Crescent,” which stretched from dents perceive their projects as part of Alexandria around Palestine and Syria to a dynamic process of discovery. This Constantinople. On this cosmopolitan inter - was apparent during their class pre - national stage Armenia kept pace with the sentations, Science Trivia Questions, latest developments in architectural design, Armenian and English scientific Dr. Edmond Demirdjan, DDS (HMADS-Class of 1983), with the class of 2012 manuscript painting, church decoration vocabulary, Invention Center and facts and the art of icons. The image theory about different scientists and inven - developed by Vrtanes of Dvin was well in tors. of 1983, Dr. Edmond Demirdjian, DDS, who The members of the Armenian Engineers & advance of theorizing of the Greek theolo - Students from the nursery through the sixth spoke about oral hygiene. Scientists of America paid a special visit to the gians Leontius of Neapolis and John of grade displayed an impressive exhibition and won On the second day of the Science Fair, HMADS students. By the end of the week, students and Damascus. Armenian art must be studied the hearts of the audience. classrooms and hallways were transformed to guest scientists gathered around a cake dedi - as part of this broader scene. The highlights of the week were presentations meeting places of scientists and inventors, as stu - cated to the inventor of the MRI, Damadian, Mathews is an acknowledged expert in by special speakers about various topics, includ - dents were dressed as notable innovators such as, singing him Happy Birthday (He was born on his field of Early Christian and Medieval ing, Ted Guekjian, a pharmacist who shared his Hovannes Adamian, Victor Hampartsoomian, Dr. March 16). religious art with a specialty in Armenian church architecture and manuscript illumi - nation. He has held many prestigious fel - lowships and honors (e.g., Guggenheim, Seminary’s Annual Walk for Faith Offers New Incentives to Participants National Endowment for the Humanities, Samuel H. Kress, J. Paul Getty Museum, NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — The fourth annual just youth. All are welcome to participate in this by an anonymous friend of the seminary. Institute for Advanced Study Princeton). Walk for Faith to benefit St. Nersess Armenian three-kilometer walk throughout the neighbor - The financial objective for this upcoming event Mathews is the author of numerous Seminary’s youth and vocations programs, will ing streets of the seminary. The event will begin is to raise a minimum of $25,000. “I have no books on Byzantine art, including The be held Sunday, April 15. at the seminary with a light lunch and prayer at doubt that we can realize this goal through our Clash of Gods and The Byzantine “This has become a much anticipated, fun 1 p.m., followed by the walk at 2 p.m. motivated youth and supporters of St. Nersess Churches of Istanbul . Earlier he curated and faith-filled event for families,” said Very Additionally, Armenian Churches throughout who have benefited from all that the seminary a magnificent exhibition spanning the Rev. Daniel Findkiyan, seminary dean. “This the country are encouraged to organize walks has given to them through the years,” stated whole medieval Armenian tradition of year, we expect even more walkers in support of around their parish neighborhoods after Seminary Board treasurer, Steve Mekenian. manuscript illumination under the title our beloved seminary as we continue to com - church services on this same day in support of The proceeds raised through the Walk for “Treasures in Heaven” at the Pierpont memorate 50 years of St. Nersess serving the the Seminary. Faith will continue to help build youth-related Morgan Library, with accompanying cata - Armenian Church and people in North “We look forward to the Walk for Faith every programs offered by the seminary. logue and collected essays published as America.” year because it rallies our friends to raise funds To participate, visit www.stnersess.edu to Treasures in Heaven . His most recent To once again help make this year’s event for St. Nersess by asking even non-Armenian download a sponsorship registration form. To book, Byzantium: From Antiquity to the successful, the participants of the Mid-Atlantic friends and neighbors to make a modest gift to support the 3K Walk for Faith, send a tax- Renaissance , was published by Yale regional ACYOA Junior Retreat will conclude the seminary of $5 or $10,” Findikyan said. deductible donation directly to St. Nersess University Press in 2010. their weekend by joining in the afternoon stroll As an incentive, the walker who collects the Armenian Seminary at 150 Stratton Road, New For information about the talk and direc - at St. Nersess. highest amount of sponsorships will win a Rochelle, NY 10804 or make a secure, online tions, email: [email protected]. However, the Walk for Faith is not limited to brand new Apple iPad, which has been donated donation at www.stnersess.edu.

Armenians Participate In Greek Independence Day Parade NEW YORK — On Sunday, March 25, the Greek Independence Day Parade took place along Fifth Avenue, in which a large Armenian contingency participated. This group was led by the Knights of Vartan. The Akhtamar Dance Ensemble also participated in this year’s parade with their instructor, Silva Asadourian. The Knights of Vartan started participating in this parade more than 20 years ago under the lead - ership of the late Samuel Azadian. Over the years, under the leadership of Hirant Gulian and Edward Boladian, the tradition has contin - ued. Armenian participation in this parade helps fortify relations with the Greek community with which it has much in common and helps Armenian-Americans reach a much-larger audi - ence. At the parade Armenian participants had posters, signs and informational flyers about the Time’s Square Commemoration, which will be held on Sunday, April 22 this year at 2 p.m. Young marchers held a sign proclaiming their support of the Greek-American community. — Ohannes Tercan 12 S ATURDAY , A PRIL 7, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Frank Pallone Remains Steadfast Force behind Armenian Caucus

PALLONE, from page 1 Department frequently are at odds on issues Congress need to hear united voices.” Thus, gressional elections, Armenian Caucus mem - Rosalie Chorbajian. Chorbajian, Pallone said, concerning aid to Armenia, resolutions pertain - Pallone attempts to bring groups together and bers have been in certain cases pitted against “maintained all kinds of information, worked ing to the Armenian Genocide and other “in cases of rivalry between Armenian organiza - one another due to redistricting, which will in with the [Armenian] embassy and made con - Armenian topics. Pallone feels the reason is tions I refuse to take sides.” He did not see any general lead to new members of Congress. He tacts with different members of Congress who that “Congress is much more oriented in doing significant disagreements between the urged Armenian Americans to become involved were pro-Armenian. She suggested to me that what is right from a human rights and interna - Diasporan-Armenian organizations and the gov - early in the process, before the elections, so we start a caucus.” Pallone and Rep. John tional law point of view, while the State ernment of the Republic of Armenia. that new members of Congress will already Porter, a Republican, founded the bipartisan Department is much more realpolitik. They are The congressman said that there is also room have some familiarity with Armenian issues and Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues in looking at things from their perceived notion of for constructive criticism of Armenia. For exam - thus be ready to join the Armenian Caucus. the beginning of 1995. Turkey being very important from a strategic ple, “one of the values I think is very important They can meet with candidates and members Pallone said, “The main thing was to make defense and economic point of view. I dispute is separation of church and state. That is and use the media. Pallone stressed that basi - people aware of the US-Armenia relationship that because I don’t think Turkey is as impor - enshrined in our constitution. I often remind cally this should be happening at all times, no and support Armenia’s efforts, whether to tant as the State Department says. It downplays Armenian leaders that this is important. … matter what the specific circumstance: “Many achieve Genocide recognition, get funding for human rights and rule of law.” The only way to There shouldn’t be a state religion. This is a Armenians feel this does not accomplish any - assistance to Armenia and Karabagh or pass change this situation, since the State uniquely American point of view.” thing, but if nobody does it, there will be no Section 907. The list is a long one.” He added Department is basically an entrenched bureau - When asked about his opinion on the record voice for Armenia. They have to keep it up that it served “to be protective of Armenia, cracy, said Pallone, is to have “a president come of President Obama and the potential whether or not they think they are winning or given all the threats that it faces.” Without such in and say we don’t do this anymore. However Republican presidential candidates for this losing at the time. If you don’t keep up, you will a group focusing attention on Armenia, its most presidents are not familiar with Armenia year’s elections, Pallone on the one hand said, lose. It is constant effort. If you are not there, issues would tend to get lost in the multitude of and so they tend to defer to the State “Obviously I would like him [Obama] to do Armenia loses.” issues Congress faces. Indeed, the Armenian Department.” more — recognize the Genocide, give more aid In summing up his philosophy, Pallone said, Caucus and the Armenian lobby have been con - Barring such a radical change, a constant bar - to Armenia and put more pressure on Turkey to “I really think that it is important for American sidered to be among the most effective of the rage from the Armenian Caucus and Armenian resolve a lot of the problems that we have. I foreign policy to continue to stress our values, ethnic lobbies in the US. organizations like the Armenian Assembly or would like to see a settlement of the NKR con - democracy, rule of law and human rights. To Armenia, along with India and Israel, ended the Armenian National Committee can at least flict and the US to play a greater role there.” the extent that we do that, it benefits Armenia. up as Pallone’s primary focus in foreign affairs serve as a reminder to the administration of However, he concluded, “I still think President Armenia is on the right side. It broke away from in Congress. He became a founder of the what the right thing to do is. Obama is more likely to be supportive of the Soviet Union and the Karabagh war result - Caucus on India and Indian Americans, and the Another issue on which lobbying can be Armenia than any of the Republicans. I think ed from the principle of self-determination of Congressional Caucus on Sri Lanka and Sri important is the Armenia-Turkey Protocol. he is familiar with Armenia and we have gotten peoples, the right to determine their own fate. Lankan Americans, of which he is still co-chair. Pallone said, “President Obama and the the Administration over the past few years to Armenia is very conscious of rule of law and it Though he spends most of his time on domes - Secretary of State felt this was the way to get provide a certain level of funding. I know he is a democracy. And it has a market economy. I tic issues, Pallone said he has always been inter - Turkey to open its borders and resolve the con - does not recognize the Genocide in his annual would like our foreign policy to reflect that. ested in foreign affairs and has a master’s flict, settle the NK conflict, promote trade and statement but he comes close to it.” When it doesn’t we become less supportive of degree in international relations from Tufts lift the blockade. They put a lot of eggs in that Pallone said that in the forthcoming con - Armenia.” University. basket, hoping the protocol would be ratified, Obtaining aid for Armenia and Karabagh is but it didn’t happen. They have to be realistic, perhaps the most difficult task of the Armenian and now that it didn’t happen — the fault being Caucus. Pallone said, “It is always hard to get with the Turkish government since Armenian support for anything involving a dollar amount. did all it could to promote the protocol — push You have to take it away from something or Turkey and call it to task. They should demand somebody else. There are many members [of the recognition of genocide, opening borders, House Congress] who don’t want to advocate adding and coming to the table. Turkey can play a State money for anything.” major role in convincing Azerbaijan to come to Though the Armenian Caucus succeeded in an agreement on NKR.” ation obtaining much aid for Armenia and Karabagh The US administration is still, however, talk - emor over the years, the actual amount of aid has ing about the protocols as if they were not Comm annually been decreasing recently. This is, of defunct. Pallone said, “They are being very course, in part due to the general trend of unrealistic. … I’ve made the point many times to enian reducing US expenditures on foreign relations the administration to forget about the protocols e Arm and the decreased sense of urgency as time has and find another strategy. They took so much of th passed from the period of the Armenian earth - pride in it at the time that they are reluctant to quake, fighting in Karabagh, and the struggles admit it is dead.” for Armenian independence. In addition to this, Meanwhile, after frequent Congressional ocide the State Department always tries to reduce aid attempts over the decades to pass resolutions Gen to Armenia and Karabagh, and Congress then enjoining recognition of the Armenian chooses to increase it to a certain degree. Genocide in one form or another, recently a res - 10:30 a.m. Pallone does not feel that this is done as part of olution passed the House urging the return of a ritual. He exclaimed, “No, I don’t buy that. Christian church property in Turkey. Pallone The State Department does not prioritize commented: “I do believe that compensation is Armenia. Its effort is to give less than what important. It is not just an issue of recognizing Friday, April 20 Congress does. It does not think that Congress the Genocide but also of paying compensation will put money back [each time].” to the victims and their descendants.” He did Proclamations for The State Department also does not spend all not necessarily think that such bills were hard - the money allocated for the Republic of er to pass than ones calling for recognition, Former State Sen. Steven Tolman and Nagorno Karabagh [NKR] annually. Pallone since the compensation would come from explained that although money can be appro - Turkey and not the US, but was not sure that Playwright Joyce Van Dyke priated for a specific purpose by Congress, there would be a shift predominantly to this Congress cannot necessarily require it to be type of Congressional action. He said that “the th spent. He said, “It is hard because the State issue of when to move depends on what we can Marking the 97 Anniversary of the Genocide Department does not want to recognize it get the votes for…It is hard to say what makes [NKR]. We have to remind it that this money a resolution passable.” Keynote Speaker should be spent for certain purposes.” One of the forces often opposing Armenian On the other hand, the State Department interests is the Congressional Caucus on Khatchig Mouradian wants to provide military support to Azerbaijan, Turkey and Turkish Americans, established in though the Karabagh issue has not yet been 2001. It has rapidly increased its membership, resolved. Section 907 of the United States roughly reaching parity with the Armenian Hosted by State Rep. Jonathan Hecht Freedom Support Act of 1992 prohibits any Caucus with 134 members in February. It fre - State Rep. John Lawn type of direct aid to the Azerbaijani govern - quently cooperates with the even younger ment, but since the end of 2001 the US presi - Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus (founded in State Sen. William Brownsberger dent has been able to apply for an annual waiv - 2004), which this March had 45 members. er and indeed has done so. Pallone felt that con - “They have been spending a lot of money, hir - Free buses will leave St. James and St. Stephen’s sidering Azerbaijan’s record of aggression, mili - ing lobbyists. Their efforts have stepped up tary buildup and bellicose statements, not to quite a bit in the last few years. I haven’t seen it Churches at mention the continuing blockade of Armenia, causing problems yet for the Armenian 9 a.m. the law can still call attention to this dangerous Caucus,” Pallone noted. situation. He did feel that Armenian organizations would (Courtesy of Knights of Vartan) As seen above, Congress and the State be stronger if united. He stressed, “Members of S ATURDAY , A PRIL 7, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 Arts & Living

Turkey Seeking Filmmaker Carla Return of Artifacts Garapedian to Lecture From American On Preserving Museums Genocide Testimonies NEW YORK — The late Dr. J. Michael Hagopian’s award-winning documentary By Jason Felch film, “The River Ran Red,” will be screened at the United Nations during a symposium LOS ANGELES (Los Angeles Times) — The on April 12 on preventing genocide. The government of Turkey is asking American honorary chairs of the symposium are museums to return dozens of artifacts that Eugene-Richard Gasana, Rwandan ambas - were allegedly looted from the country’s archae - sador to the UN, and Garen Nazarian, ological sites, opening a new front in the search Armenia’s ambassador to the UN. for antiquities smuggled out of their original Carla Garapedian, a filmmaker and mem - countries through an illicit trade. ber of the Armenian Film Foundation board The J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, the of directors, will speak after the screening at Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the the UN on the topic of “Acknowledging the Cleveland Museum of Art and Harvard University’s Genocide of Armenians.” Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection Hagopian’s wife, Toni, and daughter, are among the institutions that the Turkish gov - Joanne, will also attend the screening. ernment has contacted, officials say. The following day, Garapedian will pre - Turkey believes the antiquities were illegally sent a lecture, titled “The Digital excavated and smuggled out of the country Revolution: Armenian Genocide testimoni - after the passage of a 1906 law that gave the als and the Shoah Visual History Archive,” state ownership of antiquities in the ground. at the National Association of Armenian Inspired by the success of its Mediterranean Studies and Research in Belmont, Mass. neighbors Italy and Greece, Turkey is taking a Her April 13 lecture will be in honor of more aggressive stance toward its claims, many Hagopian, the founder of the Armenian of which were first made decades ago. Film Foundation and NAASR’s first board “Turkey is not trying to start a fight,” said Murat member for California (1959-65). Suslu, Turkey’s director general for cultural her - Garapedian will discuss the new ways itage and museums. “We are trying to develop ... Armenian Genocide survivor and witness cooperation and we hope these museums will also testimonies are being made available to uni - understand our point of view.” versities around the world via the USC Turkey is presenting the museums with sup - Shoah Foundation Institute’s Visual porting evidence and has threatened to halt all History Archive. Founded by filmmaker loans of art to those institutions until they Steven Spielberg in 1994, the Shoah respond to the claims. Loans have already been Foundation has 52,000 Holocaust survivor Artist Alexandra Manukyan denied to the Met, a Turkish official said. video interviews and is now adding testi - American museums’ antiquities collections monies from other genocides, including the have been the subject of scrutiny in recent massacre of Armenians in 1915. years as evidence emerged of their ties to an Hagopian’s 400 filmed survivor and eyewit - illicit trade in artifacts found in archaeological Artist Alexandra Manukyan’s ness testimonies will be the first of the sites around the world. Armenian Genocide interviews to be includ - Confronted with that evidence, the Getty, the ed in this digital collection. Met, the Cleveland, the Boston Museum of Fine Surrealist Paintings Put During her talk, Garapedian, the project Arts and the Princeton University Art Museum leader for the Armenian Film Foundation’s returned more than 100 looted objects to Italy digitization effort, will give a demonstration and Greece, changed their acquisition policies Women in Control of Shoah’s powerful search engine and dis - and formed collaboration agreements that cuss the challenges of presenting survivor PASADENA, Calif. (Pasadena Weekly) — While honing her skills in art school at information via the Internet. allow for loans to replace acquisitions of sus - age 11, Alexandra Manukyan had no idea she would eventually open her own stu - pect material. Garapedian is the director of the film dio, teach art, freelance for the fashion industry, participate in a group show for “Screamers,” which was widely credited But new evidence continues to emerge, famous tattoo artist Kat Von D’s Wonderland Gallery, have a solo show at Last Rites underscoring that the scope of the problem is with helping to change the public debate Gallery in New York and paint full time. on recognition of the Armenian Genocide far wider. In January, Italy announced that it In her edgy, deeply psychological paintings — which have appeared in solo and group had recovered an additional 200 objects and in 2006 and 2007. A native of Los Angeles, exhibitions in America and abroad — Manukyan explores the idea that interpersonal inter - Garapedian worked as a producer, director fragments from the Met and Princeton after actions disguise a deeper, subconscious play of carnal desires. Manukyan combines tradi - they were tied to an ongoing criminal investi - and correspondent for BBC in London tional oil painting with surrealism and, after earning a PhD in international rela - gation of Italian antiquities dealer, Edoardo through images of powerful females set Almagia, and Princeton antiquities curator, tions from the London School of By Natalie Avakian against these backdrops, communicates Economics and Political Science. Michael Padgett. the impact of technology, not just on None of the museums facing requests from She is the recipient of the Armin T. individuals, but specifically women. Wegner Humanitarian Award and was Turkey would release a list of the contested The subtle yet powerful symbols objects in their collections, but the Los Angeles recently given the Clara Barton Medal of illustrated by images of gas masks, armor and powerful body positions convey the Gratitude from the Armenian Genocide Times obtained a partial list from Turkish offi - artist’s themes and sets a magical, yet eerie tone. cials of what the country is asking for. Judging Museum-Institute. She worked closely with Manukyan was born and raised in Armenia and graduated from Terlemezian Fine Hagopian on his “Witnesses” trilogy of doc - from publicly-available records, most of the Arts College in Armenia in 1982. In 1990, she graduated from the State objects were acquired by the museums since umentary films on the Armenian Genocide. Pedagogical University, where she majored in teaching fine arts. “The River Ran Red” is the third film in the the 1960s and have little or no documented That same year, Manukyan immigrated to the US with her husband and son. She ownership history before that, suggesting they trilogy. soon realized it was going to be very hard for an artist to earn a living and so decid - The April 13 lecture begins at 8 p.m. at could have come from illicit excavations. ed to attend Fashion Design School at LA Trade Tech. The 10 Getty objects sought by Turkey were the NAASR Center, 395 Concord Ave. in After working for many years as a fashion designer, Manukyan took courses at Belmont. acquired from dealers, auction houses or collectors UCLA, UCLA Extension and additional private classes in graphic design. She even - for more than $1 million between 1968 and 1994 tually became proficient in graphic design and started freelancing for different and include four marble muses now on display in entertainment agencies, designing movie posters. Today, she freelances for the fash - the Getty Villa’s Basilica gallery. According to own - ion industry, paints full time and teaches at her own art studio in Glendale. ership histories provided by the Getty in accordance Currently, Manukyan is represented by Silvana Gallery in Glendale and the La with its reformed antiquities policy, several origi - Luz de Jesus Gallery in Los Angles. Later this year, her paintings will be shown in nated with Elie Borowski or Nicolas Koutoulakis, a solo exhibition at Last Rites Gallery in New York. two antiquities dealers known to have ties to the Manukyan claims that thinking through and preparing for the compositions in illicit trade. her paintings is an elaborate process, one that sometimes takes months before she The 18 contested objects at the Met are all even begins to paint. Manukyan sketches out her ideas in order to have a solid from the private collection of Norbert understanding of the images she wants to depict, as well as which models she is Schimmel, a longtime Met trustee who died in going to hire. Most of the time, her models will inspire the entire series as it forms 1990. The museum acquired the Schimmel col - in her mind. The models will act as a muse for Manukyan’s imagination as she The late J. Michael Hagopian and Carla lection in 1989, and several of the contested see MANUKYAN, page 14 Garapedian objects are now highlights of the museum’s Ancient Near East Galleries. see ARTIFACTS, page 16 14 S ATURDAY , A PRIL 7, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING

Soirée Celebrates French- Armenian Cultural Bonds

BOSTON — More than 150 people attended the Armenian soirée, a sold-out joint event at the French Cultural Center (FCC), in collaboration with the Armenian Library and Museum of America (ALMA) on March 21. The event was part of 2012’s Francophone Celebration in New England and featured “The Art of Yousuf Karsh in the Francophone World,” a pho - tographs exhibit from the FCC’s collection and “Armenie, Mon Amie: The French-Armenian Connection,” featuring artifacts and prints from ALMA. Catheline van den Branden, president and executive director of the FCC, welcomed the guests, including Estrellita Karsh and playwright Joyce Van Dyke. Armenian food and wine was provid - Gary Lind-Sinanian, ALMA curator (center), with Howayda Abu Affan, ALMA assistant curator, and Catheline Van den ed by Eastern Lamejun and ALMA Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian. Branden, president and executive director of the French Cultural Center Musaner performed Armenian folk jazz music.

Artist Alexandra Manukyan’s Surrealist Paintings Put Women in Control

MANUKYAN, from page 13 women and not in all cases, but in my paint - creates a storyline for the next series of her work. ings, these wounded women have finally got Her process involves choosing models who inspire the upper hand, they are in control, they a story. “Like a writer, a narrative comes to me and finally get it. They are in a state of epiphany,” I must paint that story,” she says. she says. Manukyan says she understands the reality Manukyan believes some people, even in of the times she was born into and the fact the Armenian community, do not understand that she had to work to move forward in her her paintings. Those individuals usually find career as an artist and as a person. But at the her art to be too harsh, too open and too same time, she was trying to balance her exposed. career with motherhood, which she admits Feeling her messages were misunderstood, was really hard to do. Manukyan found that her need to control the Although Manukyan admits she was tired ideas and depictions in her artwork became at times, she never felt defeated, because she more and more overwhelming. She finally knew she had a purpose — to provide for her realized that only in fine art could she be family. Even when these struggles were at absolutely free to express these ideas and still times a strain on her marriage, Manukyan be in absolute control of her creativity. She says she and her husband overcame them, wants viewers to understand that she intu - making their relationship even stronger. itively feels these things and wants to convey “Samvel, my husband, is an amazing per - the realities of life, which can sometimes be son, my supporter, my friend, and we have disturbing. been married and in love for 30 years. He’s “So I paint,” she says. “And in my paint - the kind of man I would wish any woman ings, these women are in a situation of could be lucky enough to have. It’s not just strength and control and feeling like in their the love. I knew when I married this person, lives they are accomplished. Women in soci - that I wanted to have kids who would have ety don’t have to be a mother or married, but qualities just like him.” whatever you are, be at peace and know your - Even though it was hard to make it all self. And whatever you want to accomplish, work and maintain a career, Manukyan feels you just have to go for it.” fulfilled and accomplished by what she has The Alexandra Manukyan Art Studio, locat - done in her life. And as amazing as the ed at 3523 N. Verdugo Road, Glendale, teach - women she depicts seem to be, Manukyan es classes in fine art and the fundamentals of makes one thing clear: she is not the women painting as well as drawing in classical, aca - she paints. demic and traditional styles. Visit alexandra - “Breathe Again” by Alexandra Manukyan “I depict somebody else’s life. Perhaps it is manukyan.com for more information. a life I was trying to stay away from, maybe a life I understood or agreed with, or maybe I didn’t. But regardless, it is what I see around myself,” she says. “It is what I see in life or in relationships of my friends or close people around me. I don’t Sponsor a Teacher in Armenia and Karabagh 2012 judge, but I realize that the way these inter - actions unfolded was in a way that maybe (they) shouldn’t have.” The heroines in her art convey the impact of the technological revolution on women’s Since its inception in 2001, TCA’s Sponsor psyches and personal lives. According to a Teacher’ program has raised over $518,000 Manukyan, the fast-paced environment of today has made women react so unnaturally and reached out to 4,064 teachers and to things that happen on a psychological level. As a result, women are becoming less school workers in Armenia and Karabagh. emotionally attached in their relationships and their relationships have changed. £ “As women, we want to be like a man but treated as a woman,” she says. “We want to play around like men, but we K Yes, I want to sponsor teachers in Armenia and Karabagh to continue don’t realize we get pregnant, our bodies are helping them to educate the children, our future leaders. I would like to have invaded, our hearts hurt when we get in the teacher’s name and address. these relationships, and men can just walk K $160 K $ 320 K $ 480 K other $ ————————— away. As a woman, my heart hurts when I see confused women in our society. Don’t get me Name wrong; I love freedom. I feel free when I am Address painting, but with everything, freedom must City State Zip code be in balance.” Tel: Manukyan also believes women must pro - tect themselves, which is why female figures Make check payable to: Tekeyan Cultural Association – Memo: Sponsor a Teacher 2010 are shown armored in her paintings. In the Mail your check with this form to: painting “Broken Music,” the women are pro - TCA Sponsor a Teacher tecting their heads, hearts and psyches. But 5326 Valverde, Houston, TX 77056 protection is not simply shielding oneself, explains the artist. Your donation is Tax Deductible. “I want to make this clear. This is not all S ATURDAY , A PRIL 7, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 ARTS & LIVING

Exhibit at Harvard Commemorates 500th AGBU N EW ENG LAND DISTRICT Anniversary of First Armenian Book

PRESENT S A CO OK ING D EM ONST RATION BY CAMBRIDGE — “The Armenians and the Armenian republic, as well as conversation man - Book,” an exhibit commemorating the 500th uals, cook books and printed ephemera reflect - C HEF A LINE K AM AK IAN OF M YRIG R ESTAU RANT,BEIRUT, anniversary of the first printed book in ing the Armenian immigrant experience in LEB AN ON Armenian, will be open to the Harvard commu - America. AND nity on the third floor of Lamont Library, April The exhibit is sponsored by the Mashtots D R.BARBAR A D RIESKENS ,WRI TER AN D ANTHR OPOLOGIS T 9 to 25. Chair in Armenian Studies in the Department The Armenian alphabet was invented at the of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at A UTHORS O F A RM ENIAN C UISINE beginning of the fifth century AD; and the Harvard and the above-mentioned organiza - exhibit, drawn from collections of the Harvard tions, with the support and collaboration of Libraries, the National Association for Professors Christina Maranci and Simon Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR), the Payaslian and the Armenian programs of Armenian Library and Museum of America, the Boston University and Tufts University, and of Armenian Cultural Foundation and the private Marc Mamigonian of NAASR. The chief design - collection of Dr. James R. Russell, Mashtots er of the exhibition is Mark Mckertich, with Professor of Armenian Studies at Harvard, fea - artistic contributions also by Russell. tures an array of documents — Armenian prayer With its particular stress on the heritage of scrolls, prayer books and magical manuscripts, the Armenians of New England and the trea - a facsimile of the first Armenian printed book, sures of local collections, the exhibit celebrates the first Armenian printed Bible, illustrated edi - the legacy of Armenian studies at Harvard and tions of Classical Armenian texts and transla - looks to its future growth and enrichment. tions and rare, fine literary works from the era For more information, contact Russell at rus - A NE W COOKB OOK THAT CELEBRA TES THE RICH TRADITIONS OF A RME NIAN CUISINE of the Armenian Genocide and the Soviet [email protected]. W ITH DEL ICIOUS RECIPES AN D INSPIRING PHOTOS OF REAL COOK ING Peter Balakian to Speak in Fresno

FRESNO — Peter Balakian, the 2012 recipi - for memoir and a New York Times Notable ent of the Alice and Clifford Spendlove Prize in Book. In The Burning Tigris: The Armenian Social Justice, Diplomacy and Tolerance, award - Genocide and America’s Response , Balakian ed by the University of California, Merced, will chronicles the massacres of the Armenians in W EDNE SDAY ,A PRIL 18, 2012 AT 7: 00 PM be honored in Fresno at a special lecture and the 1890s and the Genocide in 1915 at the reception on Friday, April 13. hands of the Ottoman Turks. AGBU CENT ER ,247 M T.A UB URN STREET ,W A TERT O W N The Armenian Studies Program at Fresno The book won the 2005 Raphael Lemkin SPACE LIMITED RSV P TO (617) 926-1373 TICKETS $10.00 State and the University of California, Merced, Prize and was a New York Times Notable Book are co-hosting Balakian’s visit, which begins at and a New York Times bestseller. 6:15 p.m. with a talk by Balakian, followed by a Balakian, the Donald M. and Constance H. reception at 7 p.m. The event will take place at Rebar Professor of the Humanities in the the UC Merced, Fresno Center, 550 East Shaw department of English at Colgate University, is Ave., Fresno. the recipient of many awards and prizes and The Spendlove Prize was established through civic citations. a gift to the university from Sherrie Spendlove The Spendlove Prize Selection Committee is in honor of her parents, lifelong Merced resi - chaired by Aldenderfer and includes a repre - dents Alice and Clifford Spendlove. Every year sentative from the Spendlove family or a ARMENIAN HERITAGE PARK the prize honors an individual who exemplifies designee, an undergraduate student, a graduate UNDER CONSTRUCTION the delivery of social justice, diplomacy and tol - student, a faculty member and representatives erance in his or her work. from the UC Merced community. Balakian is the author of the memoir Black RSVP by sending an email to Dog of Fate , winner of the PEN/Albrand Prize [email protected].

TCA Arshag Dickranian School’s Fashion Show Dedicated to Mother’s Day

LOS ANGELES — In celebration of Mother’s grade will walk down the runway showcasing Day, students of TCA Arshag Dickranian School the work of designer Eva Mejl. Students will will be acting as models in staging a fashion also perform in various activities such as poet - show on Sunday, May 6, which will be held at ry recitations, skits and folk dance to entertain the Taglyan Cultural Complex at 12 p.m., tradi - parents and guests. Vendors will be present at tionally organized by the school’s Parent the event, selling apparel and accessories. Teacher Organization. Donation tickets are $60 for adults and $40 Every year, the students model attire made for students, the proceeds of which will benefit by various designers. The May 6 event will the school’s extracurricular activities. Tickets begin with a lunch served by Divine Catering may be acquired by contacting Parent Teacher while the theme of the event will be springtime. Organization (PTO) Vice Chair Armine Students ranging from Pre-K through 12th Gasparyan.

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Alina and Zareh Tjeknavorian to Discuss Film, ‘Credo,’ Based on Classic, ‘Ravished Armenia’

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — Filmmakers Tjeknavorian, which will be performed by aftermath in the Ottoman Empire, Middle Alina and Zareh Tjeknavorian will give the soprano Anna Hayrapetyan and pianist Irma East and the Caucasus. The survival and 2012 Alice K. Norian Lecture at the Zachs Vallecillo, of UConn’s Department of Music. eventual resettlement of many Armenian Community Room, at the University of Zareh Tjeknavorian has made a number of victims of the Genocide would not have Connecticut School of Social Work, 6-9 films that explore aspects of Armenian his - occurred without the efforts of Near East p.m., on Monday, April 16. tory and culture. His most widely-known Relief. The school is located at 1798 Asylum Ave. film, the documentary, “Enemy of the The Norian Lecture is supported by a The event is co-sponsored by the National People,” explored Stalinist oppression in bequest from Alice K. Norian to the Association for Armenian Studies and Armenia, which was narrated by Eric University of Connecticut to establish an Research (NAASR). Bogosian. endowment to be used to educate students The evening will begin with a reception at He, along with his wife, Alina, have gone and the general public about Armenian cul - 6 p.m. The Tjeknavorians will show and dis - on to make a number of Armenian-themed ture and history and to gather Armenian- cuss their film “Credo,” which they assem - films, including, a short lyrical film explor - Americans for both these purposes. The bled from remnants of the legendary 1919 ing their interests in prehistoric Armenian Norian endowment supports three primary silent film, “Ravished Armenia,” and set to a monuments, “Embers of the Sun” (2001) initiatives at the UConn: the annual Alice K. soundtrack by Zareh Tjeknavorian’s father, and “Tigranakert: An Armenian Odyssey,” Norian Lecture; the Summer Field School Loris Tjeknavorian. The program will also about the discovery of an ancient city in in Armenian Prehistory and student and fac - include a performance of music for piano Artsakh. Their most recent film project ulty exchange programs through the School and voice of selected Armenian folksongs focuses on the work of Near East Relief, an of Social Work at UConn and the interspersed with Armenian Sketches for American organization that worked tireless - Social Work Program at Yerevan State Alina and Zareh Tjeknavorian Piano for My Son Zareh Shahan by Loris ly to aid all victims of World War I and its University.

Turkey Seeking Return of Artifacts From American CC AA LLEENNDDAARR Museums ARTIFACTS, from page 13 Harold Holzer, a spokesman for the Met, initially denied the museum had received a FLORIDA request for specific objects. He later acknowl - edged in a statement that Turkey had APRIL 21-22 — Armenian Food and Music Fest - 2012. Saturday, 11 requested information about the 18 objects a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday, 12-5 p.m. Armenian food, pastries, including in September, adding that the museum is “in Mediterranean specialities. Arts and crafts vendors and music, Kids the process of providing” that information. Fun Zone, bounce houses, face painting, games and fun surprises. St. Turkish officials say the Met’s only response Mary Armenian Church, 4050 NW 100 Ave., Cooper City. Festival has been to write a letter to the Turkish Hotline: (954) 450-5578. For information, e-mail [email protected]. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. At Dumbarton Oaks in Washington, DC, MASSACHUSETTS ancient silver plates and other decorative objects known as the Sion Treasure are MAY 24 — Celebrating 80 years and beyond, Benefit Gala of the among the items Turkey is seeking to recov - Armenian Mirror-Spectator. Thursday, reception, 6:30 p.m.; dinner er. The treasure was reportedly found in the 7:30 p.m., Boston Royal Sonesta, Cambridge. Keynote speaker, Vigen early 1960s in an ancient burial mound in Sargsyan, chief of staff of the President of the Republic of Armenia. Kumluca, Turkey. It was acquired by the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award will be bestowed upon Dr. museum in 1966 from a private collector who Gregory H. Adamian, chancellor and president emeritus of Bentley bought them that same year from George University; 2012 Award of Excellence will be bestowed upon Janet Zakos, an antiquities dealer with documented Shamalian, national correspondent for “NBC News” from Texas, and The Tekeyan Cultural Association and ADL orga - ties to the illicit trade. Charles Mahtesian, Politico newspaper’s national policy editor, nized an Annual Gourmet Dinner Dance and Turkey has been asking for the return of Washington, DC. For information, call (617) 359-0413. Program fundraiser, celebrating their 20th anniver - the treasure since 1968, hoping to reunite sary, where they will honor man of the year, the objects with the rest of the treasure, MICHIGAN Mihran Hoplamazian, with entertainment by violin - which is in a museum in Antalya, on Turkey’s ist Harry Hovkimian, pictured here, and his ensem - southwest coast. APRIL 14 — Tekeyan Cultural Association and ADL present ble on April 14, 7 p.m. at St. John’s Armenian Twenty-one objects are being sought from Annual Gourmet Dinner Dance and Program, celebrating 20 Church Cultural Hall, 22001 Northwestern the Cleveland Museum, which Turkish offi - years of Tekeyan’s cultural and educational mission in Armenia. Highway, Southfield. For tickets, call: Ara Belian cials say has not responded to their inquiries. Honoring Man of the Year Mihran Hoplamazian. Entertainment by (248) 200-8030, Diana Alexanian (248) 334-3636 A museum spokeswoman declined to com - violinist Harry Hovkimian and his ensemble. 7 p.m. Open bar, mezza or Pam Coultis (248) 646-7847. ment or release a list of contested objects. and gourmet dinner, $75/person. For tickets, call: Ara Belian (248) 200-8030, Diana Alexanian (248) 334-3636 or Pam Coultis (248) 646-7847. At St. John’s Armenian Church Cultural Hall, 22001 Northwestern Highway, Southfield. To benefit Komitas Choir of St. John’s Armenian Church, Tekeyan Sponsor a Teacher Program and (Eastern), Armenian Missionary Association of America, Armenian the Orphans’ Higher Education Fund in Armenia. Catholic Eparchy for US and Canada, ACYOA, AYF, Armenian youth organizations, Armenian university and college clubs. For free bus NEW JERSEY transportation to and from Times Square, call: Diocese (212) 686- 0710; Prelacy (212) 689-7810, NJ; Sona (551) 427-8763; Holy MAY 19, 2012 — HMADS Gala Dinner Dance. Details to follow, June Martyrs, John, (718) 631-2247; St. Sarkis, Eddy, (917) 885-9729; St. 25. HMADS 30th Commencement Exercise at 8 p.m., Kalustyan Hall. Vartanantz, NJ, Kostan, (201) 741-9789; Paramus, Andy (201) 368- OCTOBER 28 — Save the date. The Armenian American Support 2791; Holy Cross, NJ, Very Rev. Vazken Karayan (201) 865-2790, and Educational Center, Hye Doon, celebrates its 35th anniver- Queens Armenian Center, Sako, (516) 805-5816 and Brooklyn, sary. Felician College, Lodi. With the participation of Akh’tamar Tigran, (374) 291-7765 or visit www.knightsofvartan.org, click April Dance Ensemble and other talented guest performances. Details to 24, http://april24nyc.com, www.armenianradionj or follow. www.theforgotten.org. APRIL 28 — Rebirth Concert: dedicated to the 20th anniversary of NEW YORK both the Armenian National Military and Armenia’s membership to the United Nations. Organized by the Tekeyan Cultural Association of APRIL 22 — “Turkey is Guilty of Genocide, Denying the NY/NJ. With the participation of renowned artists from Armenia and Undeniable is A Crime,” Armenian Genocide Commemoration the Philharmonic Symphonic Orchestra of Rhode Island, to take place at Times Square. 2 p.m., 43rd and Broadway, New York City. at 8 p.m.; the Merkin Concert Hall of Kaufman center, 129 West Sponsored by Knights and Daughters of Vartan, Inc. Co-sponsored by 67th St., New York City. Save the date. Details to follow. AGBU, Armenian Assembly of America, Armenian National MAY 12 — Shushi hosts a Gala Dinner Dance for an evening of Entertainment Fridays Committee of America, ADL-Ramgavars, Armenian Council of “Celebration,” 20th anniversary of Shushi’s liberation, Mother’s Day. and Saturdays America with the participation of: Diocese of the Armenian Church Anniversary of Shushi Dance Ensemble, Kavookjian Hall, 630 Second of America (Eastern), Prelacy of the Armenian Church of America Ave., New York City. Details to follow. S ATURDAY , A PRIL 7, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 17 COMMENTARY

T HE A RMENIAN COMMENTARY Mirror- Hannibal at the Gates

Whatever is “above the surface” is enough to threaten Armenia. By Edmond Y. Azadian Thus, in 2008, Azerbaijan signed an agreement worth hundreds of Spectator millions of dollars with three Israeli companies to buy mortars, ammunitions, rocket artillery and radio equipment. The coopera - The Latin expression, “Hannibal ante portas” (Hannibal at the tion will also help the Baku government to upgrade Soviet SU-25 Gates), was a warning to each citizen of the Roman Republic, from Scorpion aircraft. To top it all, Israel will help Azerbaijan to manu - child to senator, inducing fear and anxiety. Hannibal was a facture 60 drones, in addition to the supply of weapons to the tune Established 1932 Carthaginian general (247-182/3 BC) who waged the second Punic of $1.6 billion. War against Rome, occupied many of its territories and remained a To reciprocate this massive assistance of weapons, the Baku gov - An ADL Publication constant threat to the Romans for many decades, as his armies ernment has offered its military airfields to Israel to launch an closed in the city of Rome itself, although never able to destroy it. attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities. As his armies camped on Roman territories, the Romans were Of course, the Azeri army is no match for Iran, therefore, its mil - EDITOR under constant fear of a final assault, and they expressed their fear itary might is directed toward Armenia. Alin K. Gregorian to each other by warning that “Hannibal [is] at the Gates.” He was One wonders at Tehran’s neutral stand on the Karabagh issue one of the greatest generals and strategists of the ancient world to and its insistence on Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, when the lat - ASSOCIATE EDITOR be ranked with Alexander the Great and Julius Cesar. (Incidentally, ter is threatening its own territorial integrity. Aram Arkun he was at one point in Armenia advising one of Artaxias kings). No one has proven yet that Iran has produced — or intends to pro - ART DIRECTOR Hannibal’s comparison with Armenia’s archenemy, Azeri duce —nuclear weapons. Also no one pays any attention to Iran’s Marc Mgrditchian President Ilham Aliyev, is not very adequate but the fear induced by counter proposal that the entire region of the Middle East needs to

PRODUCTION the latter into the lives of Armenia’s citizens is very much in synch. be converted into a nuclear free zone, hinting at Israel’s 200-300 Dilani Yogaratnam It is incumbent upon Armenia’s citizens to sound the alarm at every nuclear warheads. waking hour that Hannibal is at the gates, that Azeris are before the Israeli meddling in the Caucasus region poses two major threats gates, arming themselves at an alarming rate. to Armenia: if Iran is attacked, one of Armenia’s lifelines with the SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: Indeed, the Stockholm-based International Peace Institute outside world will be disrupted for a long period, with tremendous Edmond Azadian (SIPRI) reports that “Azerbaijan’s imports of major conventional economic loss, since Iran has become a major trading partner for weapons increased by 164 percent between 2002-6 and 2007-11, Armenia. The second threat will come from a fully-armed CONTRIBUTORS: making it the 38th largest importer of weapons.” Azerbaijan’s mili - Azerbaijan. Florence Avakian, Elizabeth Aprahamian, tary budget in 2012 is $1.77 billion, 15 percent more than last year. Russia is the major power in the region, but its intentions are not Daphne Abeel, Dr. Haroutiune Oil-rich Azerbaijan is investing its wealth in armaments, leaving Arzoumanian, Taleen Babayan, Prof. clear if and when Israel attacks Iran. It seems that Moscow will be Vahakn N. Dadrian, Diana Der 700,000 internal refugees in squalid quarters to beg for interna - satisfied with some harsh rhetoric as long as its vital interests in the Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, Kevork tional charity. region are not touched. Keushkerian, Sonia Kailian-Placido , Azerbaijan was beaten once in Karabagh by the Armenians, but Although Russia has a base agreement with Armenia, a nation Harut Sassounian, Mary Terzian, Hagop the military equation is changing in the region. that Russian leaders call a “strategic ally,” but it is one of the arms Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian The Azeri government — and Aliyev himself — has not been mak - suppliers to Azerbaijan, also. We have learned a long time ago that ing any secret that the arms build-up has targeted Armenia. Even if concepts of morality and justice have nothing in common with the CORRESPONDENTS: the major powers do not tolerate another war in the Caucasus, the political interests of major countries. Armenia - Hagop Avedikian arms race, in the long run, may squeeze Armenia out of existence. The recently-published book by David Phillips, Unsilencing the Boston - Nancy Kalajian Azeri belligerence is boosted by neighboring Turkey, which Philadelphia - Lisa Manookian Past, quotes a very ominous statement by President Aliyev. He says besides armaments, is providing technical know-how to the Azeri that Azerbaijan’s economy is booming, and its population is grow - Contributing Photographers: army. ing. Armenia, on the other hand, is losing its population and pretty Jacob Demirdjian, Harry Koundakjian, Jirair In recent years, the situation has been further complicated with Hovsepian soon will be reduced down to 1 million, and then we will take over. the strategic interjection of Israel in the complex relationship of the Like the French saying goes, nothing hurts more than the truth. It regional nations. is an honest, albeit painful prediction from a determined enemy “at Certainly the Israeli government does not harbor any hostile the gates.” The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published intensions against Armenia, nor does it have any reason to, but its There is very little that the diaspora can do to reverse the trend. weekly, except two weeks in July, by: alliance with Azerbaijan and the arms procurement may eventually The government and the opposition in Armenia have to take this Baikar Association, Inc. translate into the loss of Armenian lives. threat very seriously and make a priority to retain and increase 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 Azerbaijan uses Israel to settle scores with Armenia and Israel Armenia’s population. Oligarchs may tame their opulent and arro - Telephone: 617-924-4420 uses Azerbaijan to neutralize “Iran as a major, even existential secu - gant lifestyle and the opposition may soften its stand to a more real - FAX: 617-924-2887 rity threat.” Israel buys 30 percent of the Azeri oil, contributing to istic level to save the most essential prize; Armenia’s population. www.mir rorspectator.com the latter’s war chest. According to President Aliyev, his country’s All the diaspora can do is to warn Armenia that “Aliyev [is] at the relationship with Israel is “nine-tenths…below the surface.” E-Mail: editor@mirrorspectator .com gates.” For advertising: [email protected] LETTERS SUBSCRIPTION RATES : U.S.A. 2nd Class $75 a year Dollar Figures for ATP Are Incorrect 1st Class $120 a year Canada Air Mail $125 a year To The Editor: teach young generations of Armenians about in Armenia. This is even more necessary if the We appreciate your coverage of environmen - the importance of trees and environmental illegal logging is going to be stopped. It is the All Other Countries tal issues and especially the work of Armenia stewardship. responsibility of the government to follow Air Mail $190 a year Display advertising r at e: $7 per column inch Tree Project, which is dedicated to addressing We have also been advancing programs to through on this commitment, particularly since the issue of deforestation. The amount of dam - work at the community level on sustainable for - Article 10 of Armenia’s Constitution stipulates age reported by Armenia’s Hayantar forestry est management. The sustainable use of forests that “The State shall ensure the preservation service that was caused by cases of illegal log - recognizes the need for local residents to use and restoration of the environment as well as ging in 2011 was approximately $340,000 wood for cooking and heating in the absence of the rational utilization of natural resources” © 2011 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator rather than $33,000 noted in your March 17 alternative fuels, while at the same time intro - (Source: www.President.am). Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA article. It was likely an error in converting the ducing planning that will allow this natural Thank you again for your coverage and we and additional mailing offices. currency but nevertheless worth clarifying. resource to regenerate. This serves to maximize will continue to keep your readers apprised of ATP recognizes the seriousness and magni - the value of the forest, preserve the environ - our plans for the coming year. ISSN 0004-234X tude of the deforestation issue. In addition ment, and meet the needs of local residents. Jeff Masarjian, Director POSTMASTER : Send address changes to The to planting hundreds of thousands of trees We are grateful for the support of the dias - Jason Sohigian, Deputy Director Armenian Mirror-Spectator, P.O. Box 302, every year, ATP has made environmental edu - pora in this endeavor and hope to see continued Armenia Tree Project Watertown, MA 02471-0302 cation a core part of our programs so we can support for this approach from official agencies Other than the editorial, views and opinions expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily eflect the policies of the publisher. (10 point or larger). Submissions that do not tor. Photos will be returned only if a self- Notice to Contributors conform to these specifications will be addressed and stamped envelope is assigned lowest priority. included. — Articles sent by fax are acceptable, and e- — The will publish only one article The wel - mail submissions are encouraged. about Ma-nS upcoming organizational Armenian Mirror-Spectator Copying for other than personal use or comes articles, commentaries and commu - — All submissions should include the event. For major special events, excep - internal reference is prohibited without nity news from our readers. In order to name of a contact person and a daytime tions may be made only by special express permission of the copyright assure the accurate and timely publication telephone number. arrangement with the editors. owner. Address requests for reprints or of articles submitted, please note the fol - — Deadline for submission of all articles — Telephone numbers, ticket prices and other back issues to: lowing policies: and advertising is noon on the Monday of details (at the discretion of the editors) will not Baikar Association, Inc. — All articles submitted should be typed, the week of publication. be included in press releases, but should be double (or triple) spaced and printed in a — Photos will be published without charge reserved for calendar listings and advertise - 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 type size large enough to be clearly legible at the discretion of the editors and art direc - ments. 18 S ATURDAY , M ARCH 3, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY The Remembering a Friend Although he did not know me then, Irving accepted By Gerard Libaridian my invitation to the first ever academic conference on the Armenian Genocide, organized at the Armenian American International College at La Verne University Azerbaijan With deep sadness and a sense of great personal and in 1980. Similarly, he was an active participant in the professional loss I would like to inform you that Irving international conference marking the 80th anniversary Louis Horowitz, Hannah Arendt Emeritus Professor of of the Armenian Genocide in Yerevan, in 1995, spon - Sociology at Rutgers University, passed away last sored by the State Commission on the Wednesday, March 21, 2012, following an emergency Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Dilemma heart surgery in February. Armenian Genocide. Along with his illustrious teaching career, Professor In the last few years I have had the privilege of work - Horowitz was the founder (fifty years ago), Chairman of ing with Irving more closely as special editor for the the Board and Editorial Director of Transaction Armenian Studies series at Transaction and, in the past ho would be Azerbaijan? The Caucasian country Publications, the largest independent publisher in the two years as a member of the Board of Directors of has just joined the UN Security Council, and it US of works in the social sciences and humanities. Transaction Publications. is wealthy as never before, its state coffers over - For over five decades Irving was one of the most Irving had faith in the value and in the power of the flowing with oil and gas revenues. But its posi - respected public intellectuals in national and interna - word but he also respected its use. We will miss his tion in the world is barely easier than it was tional affairs, serving as a moral compass for many of intellectual vigor, his unrelenting struggle for the twenty years ago. us: understanding of circumstances but uncompromis - respect of human life, his respect for knowledge, and W Relations with Western countries could be ing on values. his scholarly discipline and, above all, his rare ability to described as transactional, dependent on energy Despite his wide areas of interests, Irving paid par - create a world that integrates these values. supplies and the country’s status as a transit route to Afghanistan. The ticular attention to the Armenian Genocide as an inte - With critical support from Mary Curtis Horowitz, Azerbaijanis blame a fairly difficult relationship with Washington on the gral part of the human experience. Irving has been at long time President of Transaction Publications, Irving success of the Armenian lobby in Congress in blocking the reconfirma - the forefront of genocide studies, beginning with his Horowitz managed the changes and crises in the pub - tion of Matt Bryza as US pioneering work, “Taking Lives.” Under his leadership lishing industry of the last few years. In addition to my ambassador, leaving the State Transaction Publications has released some 17 vol - deepest sympathy, Mary Curtis Horowitz will have my By Thomas de Waal Department again without an umes on Armenian studies, many on genocide related full collaboration as special series editor and as a mem - envoy in Baku. American offi - topics. These works have included major authors in the ber of the Board of Directors of Transaction cials say that the relationship is field such as Vahakn Dadrian, Richard Hovannisian, Publications. We owe much to Irving Louis Horowitz. not bad but will not be better as long as Azerbaijan is so far from being Taner Akcam, Yair Auron, Samuel Totten, Jacques (Gerard Libaridian is the Alex Manoogian Chair in a democracy. Derogy, and others. In the last few years Transaction modern Armenian History and Director of the , Azerbaijan has tricky relationships with all of its neighbors. The sur - released works by newer scholars such as Fuat Dundar, Armenian Studies Program, University of Michigan, rounding landscape offers suspended conflict with Armenia, simmering Dikran Kaligian, Lisa Khachatrian and Seta Dadoyan. Ann Arbor.) tensions with Iran and Turkmenistan, friendship masking perpetual sus - picion with Russia and constant misunderstandings with its supposedly close Turkic cousin Turkey. Even the relationship with the closest neighbor, Georgia, is not trou - ble free. Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili talked up Azerbaijani- Life Hereafter and Life Here and Now Georgian friendship on a visit to Baku in early March and even pro - posed that the two countries should make a joint bid to host the 2016 about a quality life here on earth —an assurance of a European soccer championship. But Saakashvili caused his hosts better life here and now. headaches in a speech to the Azerbaijani parliament, telling his audi - By Rev. Dr. Vahan Tootikian Undoubtedly, Easter is a unique historical event ence (in the Russian language) that Moscow’s foreign policy “has many which affirms Jesus’ victory over death. That event, names, but only one meaning for all of us, the neighbors of the Russian The inevitability of death is a universal human expe - however, becomes real, relevant and meaningful to Federation: the end of our freedom and our independence, the end of rience. The one thing that all human beings know those who bind their lives with the triumphant Lord. the dream of Rasulzade and many others of our ancestors.” about their existence is that no one ever gets out of it Only after the encounter with the risen Lord, Easter The speech raised the ire of some Azerbaijani parliamentarians. They alive! But people differ about their views of death. receives a new meaning. That is what happened to the felt the Georgian president had offended protocol by using their parlia - Some believe that there is nothing after death. They disciples of Jesus. Although Christ had risen from the ment to attack a neighboring state with whom they try to maintain claim that at death we cease to exist; we pass into obliv - dead on Sunday following his crucifixion, they had a good relations. Saakashvili’s many references to Mammad Amin ion. Others believe in the immortality of the soul. They hard time at first to believe in the news of his resur - Rasulzade, whose famous phrase “The flag once raised will never fall” believe our bodies are a prison, and death marks the rection. It was not until each in turn had experienced, he used to conclude his speech, also went down badly. Rasulzade was point at which our souls, which were previously held in in his or her own way, the undeniable presence of the the founder of the first Azerbaijani independent republic of 1918 and captivity, are finally released. Still others believe in rein - living Christ that they were convinced. Each had a so- leader of the Musavat Party, now the leading opposition group to the carnation; they believe that an individual soul passes called “eastering event” in his or her own life. John’s government. He is a historical figure the current Azerbaijani governing through a succession of lives. and Peter’s eastering happened when they saw the elite prefers not to glorify in public. The Christian faith is concerned not with the mere shroud-littered empty tomb of Jesus. Mary found her Israel is another high-maintenance ally. The two countries have a immortality of the soul, not with reincarnation, but eastering event when Jesus spoke to her in the garden. strong commercial and political partnership with both stressing their with the resurrection of the dead. As far as the New The doubting Thomas had his eastering event when pro-Western foreign-policy orientation and resistance to radical Islam. Testament is concerned, this means that the raising of Jesus showed him the marks of his wounds. But being Israel’s best friend in this neighborhood comes at a cost. the whole person from the dead, not just the soul but Once the early followers of Jesus experienced the Unhelpfully for the Azerbaijani government, the Israeli media recently also the body. According to the Christian faith, eternal risen Lord in their lives, then that little band of demor - leaked the story of an arms deal worth $1.6 billion between Israel and life is God’s gift, not an inherent attribute. Only those alized, fearful and scattered people, within a few weeks, Azerbaijan. The relationship causes friction with Turkey-the Turkish who accept that gift can possess it. That is a vital theo - was fearlessly declaring the Gospel of the risen Christ ambassador to Baku complained last year that the Azerbaijanis should logical truth, opposed to the theory of a natural immor - and began what became a successful challenge to the support Ankara in its row with Israel, just as Turkey supported tal soul. Roman Empire. Azerbaijan in its conflict with Armenia. And, of course, it draws hostile St. Paul, the greatest Christian theologian of all As in the past, today people can also experience the attention from Iran. times, believes that without Christ’s resurrection there eastering event of the new life in Christ if they accept Azerbaijan joined the UN Security Council in January. That is both a is no after life. He invokes two archetypal figures to him as Lord and Savior of their lives. Following that a mark of respect and a big responsibility. As one Western diplomat in illustrate the means by which human death and its marvelous transformation takes place in their lives. Baku put it to me, “You can hide in the UN General Assembly, you can’t opposite, eternal life, entered the world. Citing the That decisive encounter will give them a new perspec - hide in the Security Council.” The Azerbaijanis now have to take a line Genesis account, Paul maintains that “the first man,” tive. It will fill their lives with peace, purpose and on issues such as Syria where they might have preferred to keep silent Adam (God’s first earthly son) brought death to the power. It will give them faith, hope and spiritual before. human race, but Christ (Adam’s “heavenly” counter - strength to push aside the stone of self-defeat. They will As Turkey is finding on an even larger scale, it is easier to declare big part) brings life. He writes, “As in Adam all men die, so no more be afraid of dying, nor will they be afraid of liv - foreign-policy ambitions than to realize them. Capacity is stretched. in Christ all will be brought to life” (I Corinthians ing. They will be able to declare with conviction; “Christ There are plenty of people in the new Azerbaijan who are good at mak - 15:22). Easter is the celebration of Christ’s resurrec - has risen from the dead!” ing money and doing deals but a limited few who bear the burden of tion. It is an affirmation about life after death — an (Rev. Dr. Vahan H. Tootikian is the executive direc - making a coordinated foreign policy. assurance of eternal life with God. It is also a statement tor of the Armenian Evangelical World Council.) At the same time, the government in oil-rich Baku is increasingly opaque. Foreign visitors and diplomats complain that they find it harder to gain access to the government officials making decisions and strug - gle to understand what government strategy is. This is the context in which Azerbaijan faces what could be its biggest foreign-policy test since the war with the Armenians ended in 1994: how to handle a looming crisis with Iran, a near neighbor, fellow Shiite state and strong ideologi - For Your Internal News of Armenia cal adversary. The working presumption has always been that because both coun - tries have the ability to hurt each other badly, they refrain from doing Log on to www.AZG.am anything that drags them into full-scale confrontation. Iran has influ - ence over dozens of mosques and tens of thousands of Islamists in Azerbaijan who could rattle the Azerbaijani state. It also provides an In English, Armenian, Russian and Turkish economic and energy lifeline for the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhichevan. Azerbaijan has the capacity to stir up parts of Iran’s huge Azeri minori - ty if it wanted to. S ATURDAY , A PRIL 7, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 19 COMMENTARY

themselves. As the Holy Bible states, they see the splinter Comoros; in someone else’s eye, but fail to notice the beam in their — trade center to Zimbabwe; own eye! — stables to Mauritania; Even more alarmed were Azerbaijan’s officials who — drinking water network to Niger; assumed that Tuvalu would shortly recognize Artsakh. — water wells to Ethiopia; My Turn Aydin Mirzazade, a parliamentarian from the ruling New — school kits to Ghana; Azerbaijan Party, in an interview with reporter I. — field hospital to Sudan; By Harut Sassounian Isabalayeva, ridiculed Tuvalu’s readiness “to recognize any — cattle-breeding technology to Mozambique and state, even a non-existent country, for a small amount of Mauritania; money.” Mirzazade understands well the practice of buying — electric grid to Benin; Turks and Azeris Alarmed that favors. It has been widely reported that Azerbaijan’s — smelting house to Gambia; Tuvalu May Recognize Republic Foreign Minister put his country’s immense petrodollars to — training schools to Eritrea, Togo, Lesotho and Uganda; “good use” last year by providing generous financial — police training to Guinea; of Artsakh inducements to poor nations in exchange for their votes for — vaccines to Mali; a UN Security Council seat. — humanitarian assistance to Tanzania and Chad; March 16, 2012 was like any other day at the United Azerbaijan was following its elder brother’s, Turkey’s, — school to Congo; Nations, when the representatives of Armenia and Tuvalu footsteps at vote buying at the UN. Gareth Jenkins report - — sewer system to Liberia and Sierra Leone; signed a joint declaration establishing diplomatic relations. ed in the Eurasian Daily Monitor that the Turkish govern - — VIP minibus to Palau; Tuvalu is a tiny state in the South Pacific, much smaller ment had enticed to Istanbul the leaders of Tuvalu, Tonga, — computers to Antigua; than Manhattan, with a population barely over 10,000! Nauru, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Marshall Islands, Cook — wined and dined visiting Prime Minister of St. Vincent Who would have thought that such a routine announce - Islands, Papua New Guinea, Palau, Fiji, Micronesia and and the Grenadines, stuffed his pocket with gifts and ment would alarm Turkey and Azerbaijan? Samoa to secure their votes for Turkey’s membership in placed a private jet at his disposal to fly to Izmir and This news item would have been ignored by the world the UN Security Council. Those who have never heard of — donated soccer balls and pumps to Tuvalu. media were it not for the “acute” eyes of Ugur Ergan, the these Pacific islands should not feel embarrassed. Turkey’s Another Turkish commentator, Deniz Zeyrek, wrote a “astute” reporter of the Turkish Hurriyet newspaper. He former Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Shener had the hilarious column in the newspaper Radikal, headlined: brought Tuvalu out of its obscurity for a short while, mak - honesty to confess: “I had never heard of the names of “Tuvalu: give our soccer balls back.” To buy votes at the ing it the most talked about country in Turkish and some of them before, but they all have a vote at the UN.” UN, Zeyrek reported that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Azerbaijani circles. Ergan quoted unnamed Ankara officials Turkey’s scheme succeeded. It gained a seat on the UN Davutoglu asked the visiting Tuvalu Prime Minister if his as stating that Armenia had established diplomatic rela - Security Council in 2008 by offering tens of millions of dol - country needed anything. Tuvalu officials made a surpris - tions and offered tons of money to Tuvalu, so that it would lars to dozens of little-known countries in far-flung corners ing request — that their children liked to play soccer, but be the first country to recognize Artsakh (Nagorno of the world. had no balls. Turkey immediately dispatched to Tuvalu Karabagh) as an independent state! Yilmaz Ozdil, a more forthright commentator for hundreds of soccer balls along with pumps. Tuvalu then Ergan further disclosed that Ankara is “disturbed” by Hurriyet, boldly countered Ergan’s report, confirming that complied with Turkey’s demand, supporting its bid to join Tuvalu’s possible recognition of Artsakh, suspecting that Turkey was the first to offer “bribes” to Tuvalu and many the UN Security Council. Armenia would do what Turkish officials have done for others. Ozdil disclosed that, to obtain a seat on the UN Zeyrek concluded his article with the following sarcastic decades — buying political favors in return for lucrative Security Council, Turkey provided as kickbacks: question: “Will Turkey now ask for its balls back, if Tuvalu gifts. They attribute to others what they routinely practice — medicines to Angola, Ethiopia, Gambia, Sudan and the recognizes Karabagh’s independence?”

THE EASTER MESSAGE OF ARCHBISHOP KHAJAG BARSAMIAN

PRIMATE OF THE EASTERN DIOCESE OF THE ARMENIAN CHURCH OF AMERICA

transform our own homeland with its message of love, hope and victory over sin and death. While It Was Still Dark A beautiful service of the Armenian Church shows how very close we still are to these events, despite the obvious gulfs of time and space. Taking place in the early hours of Jesus said to her, “…Go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father Easter Sunday, the service is dedicated to the oil-bearing women: the “Myrophores” in and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the Greek, or “Yughaperitz Ganaykh” in our own tongue. The Yughaperitz service culminates disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her. in a reading from the Gospel of St. John (Jn 20:1-18), which begins “Early on the first day (St. John 20:17-18) of the week, while it was still dark…” and ends with Mary Magdalene’s ecstatic announce - It was still dark, early in the morning of the first day of the week: a Sunday, close to ment to the disciples: “I have seen the Lord!” 2,000 years ago. To most of the world, the sun would rise on a day no different from any And here is the astonishing thing: History indicates that this service originated in the other. Only a handful of people would later realize that something of importance had early centuries of the Christian movement, in Jerusalem itself — perhaps at the very site of occurred. But those few people understood that overnight, the world had changed. Christ’s tomb — where the celebrants would gather at Three pious women rose early to bear spices and burial oint - dawn, just as the women had done, to re-enact their world- ments to the grave of their departed teacher and friend. But changing discovery. Through this beautiful ritual, pre - approaching the tomb, they sensed that something was wrong. served over many centuries by the Armenian Church, the The grave was open: its sealing-stone pushed away. And inside voices from that original Easter Sunday echo down to us, the tomb they found, not a dead body, but a mysterious figure as if for the first time. — an angel — who beckoned them to draw closer. Here is how It is surely significant that the oil-bearing women held St. Matthew tells the story: no exalted or privileged status in the world of their day. The angel said to the women: “Do not be afraid. For I know Indeed, even the disciples refused to believe them when that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not they came to the upper room, breathless, to relate what here. He has risen — just as he said! Come and see the place they had witnessed. Yet it proved that these women, even where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He is risen from their humble station, were the ones who had seen from the dead…’” (Mt 28:5-7). the truth with clear eyes. Certainly it was their humility, Some 2,000 years later, we use the very same words to their willingness to rise before dawn to perform a ministry remember the miracle of that Sunday morning: Krisdos haryav of love and respect at a friend’s grave that placed them in ee merelotz! Christ is risen from the dead! And as Christians the right place to receive this truth. Perhaps it was the we celebrate Easter to mark the most important, most joyous, same attitude of humble ministry to our Lord, which pre - most glorious day in all of human history. pared their minds to believe in it, and prepared their But think again of what it must have been like on that first hearts to share it. Easter Sunday. In the darkness before dawn, when the pious Armenian history is filled with similar stories of people oil-bearing women set off on their journey to our Lord’s tomb, — often from the most powerless and marginalized stations things must have looked very different. of their surrounding societies — who saw and heard, who Two nights earlier, the women had watched in horror as believed and shared and ultimately who transformed their Jesus endured the torments of crucifixion. They had stood in worlds from within. That is the power and the promise silent witness, as his lifeless body was brought down from the that genuine Christian ministry — the “Ministry of the cross, wrapped in a burial shroud and placed in a tomb. All Faithful,” as we have been calling it in our Diocese this their hopes and dreams had come to ruin. Their Master was year — can bring to our churches and communities, to our dead. His mission was over. The salvation of mankind had families and our individual lives. It starts with those sim - failed. The women approached the tomb that morning, fully ple announcements of joy and amazement: “He is not here; expecting to find Jesus buried within. he has risen!” “I have seen the Lord!” Or in the words of But, he was not there. our beautiful Easter greeting: Instead, the women discovered that their greatest hope had come to pass: “Christ is risen Krisdos haryav ee merelotz! Orhnyal eh harootiunun Krisdosee! from the dead!” Just as he had promised. Christ is risen from the dead! Blessed is the resurrection of Christ! Imagine the overwhelming joy, the incredible sense of hope, the feeling of limitless pos - This Easter, let us proclaim those words loudly, with conviction — to everyone we meet. sibility that swept over the women at that moment. They must have been bursting with Even “while it is still dark,” let us pierce the darkness with our song of joy. And through excitement — eager to share this news with others. it, may our Risen Lord draw forth the transformative ministry that truly brings Light to And indeed it was these women — the first witnesses to the resurrection — who brought the world. the Good News to the disciples. Through them, the Gospel mission began: they were the (Archbishop Khajag Barsamian is Primate of the American Diocese first link in a great chain of evangelism that would eventually encompass the world and of the Armenian Church.) 20 S ATURDAY , A PRIL 7, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR