MAY 26, 2018 Mirror-SpeTHE ARMENIAN ctator Volume LXXXVIII, NO. 44, Issue 4539 $ 2.00 NEWS The First English Language in the United States Since 1932 INBRIEF President Urges New Prisoner to End Hunger Armenian Strike (Armenpress) — President of Armen Sarkissian urged the president of the Government “Founding Parliament” initiative Garegin Chugaszyan not to jeopardize his health and stop his hunger strike. Sarkissian met with Chugaszyan Sworn in on May 18 near the Matenadaran yard. Chugaszyan is on hunger strike to seek the YEREVAN (RFE/RL, Arka) — Prime release of his fellow Founding Parliament members Minister and the mem- who are still in prison. bers of his cabinet were sworn in on The parents of Armen Sarkissian and Garegin Monday, May 21 in a ceremony led by Chugaszyan have known each other for a long time President Armen Sarkissian. and their families are friends. •Mher Grigoryan, former Ardshinbank Chugaszyan, 53, was chairman of the Founding board chairman, was appointed deputy Parliament initiative, an opposition movement, and prime minister. was detained in 2015 for organizing riots ahead of •Davit Tonoyan was named Minister of April 24 – the commemoration Defense. The ADL delegation with President Armen Sarkissian, sixth from left. day. However, the prosecution changed the detention •Armenia’s former ambassador to UN a few days later and Chugaszyan was released on bond. Zohrab Mnatsakanyan was appointed Chugaszyan later failed to appear before court. Minister of Foreign Affairs. President Armen Sarkissian He had changed his place of residence without noti- •Mane Tandiliyan, from Pashinyan’s fying authorities as required by law, thus violating Yelk parliamentary faction, was appoint- the terms of his release. ed Minister of Labor and Social Affairs. Receives ADL Delegation The court issued an arrest warrant for him. •Artak Zeynalyan of Yelk will head Police apprehended Chugaszyan on April 24, the Ministry of Justice. YEREVAN – President Armen Sarkissian In particular, the possibility of forthcom- 2018 when he was visiting the Tsitsernakaberd •Former deputy finance minister of the Republic of Armenia received a dele- ing elections, the question of repatriation, memorial complex. He was arrested but after a few Atom Janjughazyan will serve as gation of leaders from the Armenian the manner of assuring economic invest- days released by the petition of Minister of Finance. Democratic Liberal Party (ADL) Central ments were discussed, along with the new and Lena Nazaryan, MPs representing “Yelk” bloc. •Arsen Torosyan was appointed as Committee and Supreme Council in his trajectory of -homeland Ararat Mirzoyan later was appointed First Deputy Health Minister. offices on Monday, May 21. relations. Prime Minister of Armenia. Chugaszyan declared a •Former governor of the Shirak For over half an hour, a series of critical The ADL delegation included Vartan hunger strike on April 24, the day of his arrest. region, Artur Khachatryan, will head issues were examined which concern the Nazerian, president of the Supreme the Ministry of Agriculture. of the homeland as much as the Council, Hagop Avedikian, president of the More Reserves Needed •Former nature protection minister, Armenians of the diaspora. The judgments Central Committee, Edmond Y. Azadian, Artsvik Minasyan will lead the Ministry and observations generally were positive Hagop Vartivarian, Kevork Marashlian, In Armenia of Economic Development and under the circumstances created by the Armen Manvelyan, Khoren Kalinian, Investments. Velvet Revolution. Edward Manoukian, and Karen Kakoyan. YEREVAN (Arka) — The number of natural •Levon Vahradyan will serve as the reserves in Armenia should be increased, said Aram country’s Minister of Sport and Youth Aghasyan, the head of a department at the Ministry Affairs. of Nature Protection, overseeing specially protect- •Suren Papikyan will head the ed natural areas and arboretums. Ministry of Territorial Administration Diaspora Minister, Speaking at a news conference on May 22 he said and Development. TCA Central Board some 452 species of plants, 40 species of mushrooms, •Arayik Harutyunyan will head the 155 species of invertebrates and 153 species of ver- Ministry of Education and Science. Delegation Meet tebrates are included in the Red Book of Armenia. In •Former sports minister Hrachya his words, some 70 percent of the flora and fauna Rostomyan was appointed Emergencies YEREVAN — Newly appointed Armenian species are in special nature conservation areas, Minister. Minister of the Diaspora Mkhitar which means that ‘we need to create new reserves to •Artur Grigoryan is the new Minister Hayrapetyan received a delegation of mem- preserve the other 30 percent of species.” of Energy Infrastructures and Natural bers of the Central Board of the Tekeyan According to Aghasyan, since 2009 the territory Resources. Cultural Association of the United States of reserves throughout Armenia has increased by •Lilit Makunts is Culture Minister. and Canada in his offices on May 18. The 100,000 hectares. He also noted that the latest edi- •Erik Grigoryan is Minister of Nature delegation was composed of Edmond Y. tion of the Red Book of Armenia was released in Protection. Azadian, Hagop Vartivarian and Kevork 2010, and the next one is planned to be released in •Ashot Hakobyan is Minister of Marashlian. 2020, but research work should begin now. Transport, Communication and The delegates congratulated the young There are now 34 specially protected natural Information Technology. minister and reported on the plans of the areas in Armenia, including national parks, natural •Mkhitar Hayrapetyan was appointed Tekeyan Cultural Association in Armenia From left, Hagop Vartivarian, Kevork reserves, and game preserves. Their total area is Minister of Diaspora. as well as the diaspora. In particular, possi- Marashlian, Minister of the Diaspora Mkhitar 383,000 hectares. see NEW GOVERNMENT, page 2 ble plans for repatriation were discussed. Hayrapetyan, and Edmond Azadian INSIDE Illuminating Manuscripts Page 13

INDEX Arts and Living ...... 13 Armenia ...... 2,3 SARDARAPAT, Armenia – In events marking the centennial of the Battle of Sardarapat, 450 youths Community News...... 6 joined the ranks of the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party. See article on page 3 and related edi- Editorial ...... 17 torial on the Battle of Sardarapat on page 17. International ...... 4,5 2 S ATURDAY, M AY 2 6 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia

Leading MIT Economist Calls on Armenian People to Be Active in Political Process YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Renowned economist Daron Acemoglu, who has agreed to assist Armenia in developing its economy, said on Monday, May 21, that the youth in Armenia must turn its engagement in politics into a positive trend of changes. “I’m happy to share my knowledge as it’s an excit- ing time, and at least I can do that. It’s the Armenian people who should make a step, rather than the prime minister, the MPs or judges, as well as neither me nor the Diaspora. The Armenian people, youth, who have been silent for a long time, must be engaged in politics, they should find a way to keep their participation in this and turn it into a positive Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and members of his government pose for a photograph with President Armen Sarkissian after trend of change. But this doesn’t mean that people being sworn in at the presidential palace in Yerevan, May 21. should hold protests every day. They must be involved in, should not allow the repetition of mis- takes made in the past two-three decades,” the econ- omist said via live video at a discussion titled New Armenian Government Sworn in “Armenia Tomorrow: Citizen Diplomacy at Work” organized by the Institute of Armenian Studies of the NEW GOVERNMENT, from page 1 office.“But it doesn’t mean that this immediately after tens of thousands University of Southern California. •Valery Osipyan was appointed is the only issue that we must solve,” of his supporters demonstrating in Acemoglu added that citizens should be vigilant, chief of Police. he said. “The government has to the streets of Yerevan forced Prime find the right way to control vie media and civil soci- •Artur Vanetsyan was named direc- function normally and it has and will Minister and former President Serzh ety structures in order to be assured that the new tor of the National Security Service. have long-term programs. One thing Sargsyan to resign on April 23. He leadership is not the previous one, they are the con- Pashinyan said on Monday that he doesn’t contradict the other.” said last week that he expects the tinuation of the positive change. remains determined to force fresh “After all, this government will also polls to be held later this year. “This is really a perfect opportunity of precondi- parliamentary elections in Armenia. be taking part in the pre-term parlia- Pashinyan made clear on Monday tions for us to move forward. At the moment it is “As I have said, pre-term elections mentary elections. In what format? that his political team will draft important to create a system where there is an equal are a priority for us,” Pashinyan told That’s a different issue,” he added. such amendments before the end of game field, there are promoting factors, opportuni- reporters after the oath of Pashinyan called for such elections June. ties and people are encouraged to effectively partici- pate in the country’s social and economic life,” he said. 2018 Tekeyan Awards Winners Announced Yerevan Mayor Refuses To Quit Despite Protests sion and reality. By Sylva Asryan The award in the field of music was given to Eduard YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Yerevan’s Mayor Taron Topchyan for his activities in 2017. Hagop Avedikian, editor- Markarian ruled out his resignation on May 16 in the in-chief of the newspaper Azg, considered the competition face of continuing protests by supporters of YEREVAN — This year the Vahan Tekeyan Awards cere- an extraordinary phenomenon, and the award the recogni- Armenia’s new central government whose members mony of the Tekeyan Cultural Association (TCA), supported tion of years of effort and accomplishment, though a little accuse him of corruption and mismanagement. by the Shake Tekeyan-Ghazarian Fund of the TCA of the late. He stressed that thanks to Topchyan, Yerevan had Markarian has been under pressure to step down United States and Canada, took place on May 17 at the become a capital city of music. since opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan replaced Tekeyan Center. These annual awards recognize and encour- In turn, Topchyan, the conductor of the Armenian as the country’s prime minister on age the best work in various fields of Armenian culture. Philharmonic Orchestra, declared, “It is important for me May 8. During its existence, over 100 worthy individuals have been that I am a small part of music, and not the director of a More than 30 protesters broke into the municipal- recognized. musical group, and it is pleasing to receive such an honor- ity building on May 16 after it emerged that trees Rouben Mirzakhanyan, president of the TCA of Armenia, able award.” have been cut down in a nearby public park undergo- announced the winners, congratulated them, and thanked Khachatur Abovyan State Pedagogical University docent ing a complete reconstruction financed by a private the committees of specialists charity. Police officers stopped them from advancing for their work in the awards further towards Markarian’s office. process. The angry protesters blocked a corridor leading to Poet Manvel Mikoyan the office for nearly three hours, demanding that the received the award in the field mayor explain what they see as the park’s destruc- of literature for his collection tion and resign. They rejected a proposal by of poetry, titled Stvernerits Markarian’s two deputies to vacate the building and andin [Beyond the Shadows]. meet with the mayor in an adjacent conference hall. Edmond Y. Azadian, overseas The municipal administration publicly demanded member of the Academy of that the Armenian police take action against the Sciences of the Republic of intruders. The police chief, Valeri Osipian, discussed Armenia, presented the the incident with Markarian by phone afterwards. award, declaring, “The vol- “Why didn’t they inform us before cutting the ume Stvernerits andin char- trees?” one protester told RFE/RL’s Armenian ser- acterizes the universal vice (Azatutyun.am). “Why didn’t they say what they thoughts of contemporary are going to do?” man.” He added that the poet Alen Simonian, until now a member of Yerevan’s also “expresses his poetic anx- municipal council representing Pashinyan’s Yelk iety concerning the night- alliance, backed the protesters’ demands when he mare of an emptying home- arrived at the scene. He said that Markarian, who is land.” affiliated with Sargsyan’s Republican Party (HHK), Azadian remarked that must quit because he is part of a “political team” that Mikoyan, like the Istanbul Tekeyan award winners has lost power in the country. Simonian also criti- Armenian poet Zahrad, could cized Markarian’s track record. poetically present aspects The mayor rejected these demands when emerged from the course of daily life and evinced the spirit of the Misak Melkonyan’s sculpture “The Violinist” received the from the building later in the day to speak to poet Rouben Sevak through universal and complex gener- notice of the specialists of the award committee for visual reporters in the presence of several dozen supporters alizations. arts and sculpture. Doctor of Art Hravard Hakobyan evalu- holding a counterdemonstration there.”I condemn The drama award was given to the Vardan Achemyan ated this and Melkonyan’s sculpture “Homeland,” pointing that,” he said. “It’s clear that there was a violation of State Theater of Gyumri for its presentation of Gabriel out that in “The Violinist,” the artist wishes to make the the law. The activists broke into the municipality Garcia Marquez’s “Eyes of a Blue Dog.” Armen Elbakyan, viewer forget about the surroundings and remain only building and tried to disrupt the normal work of the president of the award committee, noted that the staging of immersed in music. municipality.” Marquez’s works was as complex as the latter’s prose. All the awardees expressed their thanks for the honor of However, the youth succeeded in presenting Marquez’s receiving these awards bearing the name of the great poet “black and white world, [his] sharp, laconic environment,” Vahan Tekeyan. where it is difficult to determine the boundary between illu- (Translated from the Armenian) S ATURDAY, M AY 2 6 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 ARMENIA

youth too can hold positions in the political party’s admin- istrative bodies. Finally, he added that the change of gener- The Second ations is not revolution, and that while realizing this change, the sacrifices and labor of senior party members must be always remembered. Nazerian exclaimed, “The motto of our party is ‘Of the ADL Youth people, with the people and for the people.’ Now I wish to declare that henceforth our motto is ‘Of the youth, with the youth and for young Armenia.’ Long live you all! May you quickly grow so strong that we cross to the other shore of the Araxes [River] and view Mount Ararat from the other Assembly side. May we meet again next year in Van.” The ADL president declared 2018 to be the year of the ADL youth. In the name of the Supreme Council and the Central Committee, Nazerian also declared that the party Convened at would participate in the next elections of the Armenian Sardarapat National Assembly.

SARDARAPAT, Armenia — The second Armenian Democratic Liberal Party (ADL) youth assembly took place on May 20 in the Sardarapat Complex. Approximately 450 newly enrolled ADL members partici- pated, along with some party leaders from Armenia and var- ious diasporan communities, such as Vartan Nazerian, pres- From left, Vartkes Kourouyan, Edmond Azadian, Vartan ident of the ADL Supreme Council and Hagop Avedikian, Nazerian, administering the ADL oath chairman of the Central Committee. Ozheni Avetisyan, chair of the ADL youth group of Armavir, led the opening ceremonies and acted as master of humble ourselves so that today you, you youth, proudly ceremonies throughout the event. After she spoke, stand in front of this monument and swear in their name Andranik Surenyan, representative of the Vanadzor that our homeland will continue for one hundred more Province ADL, took the floor. years, and for one thousand more years. It will continue, Edmond Y. Azadian, member of the ADL Supreme since we are taking an oath on the blood of our heroes that Ozheni Avetisyan, chair of the ADL youth group of Armavir Council and president of the Tekeyan Cultural Association the Armenians are a people who have the right to live. Dear of the United States and Canada, delivered his words of wel- youth, you are the generation inheriting Sardarapat. You come, recalling the vital role of the Battle of Sardarapat and must live long so that our homeland lives long.” Vartkes Kourouyan was another one of the speakers, and The centennial ceremony of the Sardarapat Battle coin- like the other ADL leaders, he stressed the necessity of cided with the solemn oath-taking ceremony of the newly incorporating youth into the ranks of the party. enrolled young members of the ADL. Nazerian, Azadian and Talented members of the ADL assured the festive nature Vartkes Kourouyan conducted it in unison. of the event by presenting Armenian national dances and Afterwards, Nazerian spoke, stressing the pivotal role of music to the participants and the guests. The ADL youth the youth for the building of Armenia today and the future. and guests also visited the museum of Sardarapat devoted In particular, he stressed the necessity for the strength and to Armenian ethnography and the history of the Armenian energy of the youth to serve towards the progress and pros- liberation struggle, and began familiar with Armenian cul- perity of Armenia. Nazerian remarked that henceforth the ture and the history of the heroic battles of May.

At the Sardarapat Museum

its significance in the history of the Armenian people. He noted the undeniable participation of the ADL in this vic- tory. Azadian said, “Sardarapat is not a monument. It is not stone and wood. Sardarapat is blood. Today we stand on the blood of the martyrs of the heroic Battle of Sardarapat of one hundred years ago. I want you to be aware of this because we turned that blood into life. Thanks to that blood spilled here one hundred years ago, we today have an inde- pendent homeland, and in that matter, the ADL had its role. Today we humble ourselves before that blood, we humble Young ADL dancers ourselves before those heroes, who spilled that blood. We

Tekeyan Central Committees of Armenia and US and Canada Meet

YEREVAN – Members of the Central Board life, TCA should have more extensive activity abroad. Supporting education should also be a groups and scholarships were the two initial of the Tekeyan Cultural Association of the and a greater role in people’s lives. This meet- priority, he said. proposals that the two Tekeyan organizations United States and Canada met with their coun- ing, he said, was an opportunity to strengthen Cooperation in promoting Armenian drama agreed to explore. terparts of Armenia on May 15 at the Tekeyan the already existing bonds of cooperation. Center to discuss policies and future joint activ- The introduction of the capitalist system to ities. Armenia and privatization led to the weakening The participating members of Tekeyan of support of the Armenian cultural sphere, Armenia included President Rouben which nonprofit non-governmental organiza- Mirzakhanyan and board members Armen tions must try to bolster in this period. TCA of Elbakyan, Vahagn Hasmikyan, Kurken the US and Canada, he said, is ready to provide Gevorkyan, Stepan Stepanyan, Ara Hakobyan, support, as it does in some parts of the Middle Sergey Vardanyan, Haroutyun Khachaturyan and East and Europe. Executive Director Gayane Muradyan. Mirzakhanyan then welcomed the visitors to The participating members from the US and Armenia and thanked them for their financial Canada included President Edmond Y. Azadian, support of the Tekeyan annual cultural awards. Hagop Vartivarian, Kevork Marashlian, Kevork He pointed out that for a variety of reasons Keushkerian, Silva Keushkerian and Executive Tekeyan’s activities in Armenia over the last Director Aram Arkun. two or three years were not as extensive as Azadian opened the meeting and reviewed before and that they must now increase. the past activities of the Tekeyan Cultural Mirzakhanyan proposed coming up with Members of the executives of the Tekeyan Cultural Associations of Armenia and the United States Association (TCA) in Armenia. He declared that plans for new cultural programs that would and Canada meet in this new revolutionary period of Armenian have great éclat and value both in Armenia and 4 S ATURDAY, M AY 2 6 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR INTERNATIONAL International News Ottawa Armenian Genocide Commemoration Includes Canadian Government Officials US, French Official Visits trip to Yerevan in April 2015, where he opposing Conservative party sharply YEREVAN (Public Radio of Armenia) — US Deputy By Haykaram Nahapetyan represented “not only the Canadian- criticized Ankara for sending its troops Assistant Secretary in the State Department’s Armenian community, but all of Canada, across the border of her sovereign Bureau of European and Eurasian OTTAWA — The annual Armenian laying a wreath for the government of neighbor Syria and called the Affairs Bridget Brink is expected to visit Armenia Genocide commemoration took place in Canada.” David Cooper, director of Canadian government to stand against next week, Spokesman for the Armenian Ministry of Ottawa on April 24. After a prayer at the Government Relations at the Centre for it. MP also criticized Azerbaijani leader Foreign Affairs Tigran Balayan told a press briefing embassy of the Republic of Armenia, the Israel and Jewish Affairs, affirmed his Ilhåam Aliyev for waging and arms today. main gathering was held in front of the solidarity with the Armenian communi- race in the region. On May 27-28 Armenia will host French Foreign Canadian Parliament building. ty and highlighted that it was the Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, the Spokesman noted. Participants included high-ranking rep- Armenian Genocide that became the (See accompanying video report at In addition, he said, thousands of Diaspora resentatives from both legislative and predecessor of the Holocaust. our website.) Armenians are expected to attend the May 28 cele- executive branches of the Canadian “Your struggles for education, recog- brations dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the political leadership such as the Minister nition, remembrance and finally justice first Republic of Armenia. of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Canadian are our struggles too,” said Hellenic Heritage, members of the Parliament community activist Dr. Theodore Turkey and Israel Australian Resolution from both the ruling and opposition Halatsis, president of the Canadian Expel Envoys over parties and representatives of the Hellenic Congress. The Greek commu- Recognizes Artsakh Jewish, Greek, Ukrainian and Rwandan nity has been working hard to have the Gaza Violence communities. atrocities against Greeks committed by RYDE, Australia (Armenpress) — On May 22, the Minister of Canadian Heritage Young Turks and Kemalist forces to be ANKARA (Reuters) — Turkey Ryde City Council unanimously adopted a resolution Melanie Joly thanked the participants recognized as genocide. Even though and Israel expelled each other’s in support of recognizing the independence of the for being part of the Genocide com- the recognition on federal level is lack- senior diplomats on Tuesday, May . The City Council called on the memoration event and praised the ing as of now, about a dozen of cities 15, in a dispute over the killing by central government to officially recognize the inde- Canadian-Armenian “strong and vibrant and various settlements of Canada Israeli forces of 60 Palestinians a pendence of the Republic of Artsakh and strengthen community” for assisting their compa- have already adopted resolutions call- day earlier during protests on the Australia’s relationship with Artsakh and its citi- triots from Middle East who continue to ing the Greek massacres “genocide.” Gaza border. zens, Artsakh’s foreign ministry told Armenpress. find refuge in Canada. MP of Greek origin Emmanuella Turkey told Israel’s ambassador Following is the text of the resolution: Bryan May, the chair of the Canada- Lambropoulos was also present at the to leave the country on Tuesday The resolution notes that 2018 marks the 30th Armenia Friendship Group, spoke of his event. Garnett Genuis, MP from the after Israeli forces killed 60 anniversary of the launch of the Artsakh liberation Palestinians during protests on movement and that it is a free and democratic society. the Gaza border against the open- ing of the U.S. Embassy in Russian, Turkish FMs Jerusalem. ‘We Say: Never again!’: Turkey has been one of the Discuss Syria most vocal critics of Israel’s response to the Gaza protests and MOSCOW (Armenpress) — Russian Foreign Cypriot Parliament’s Delegation Visits of the U.S. Embassy move, recall- Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Turkish counterpart ing its ambassadors from Tel Aviv Mevlut Cavusoglu held a telephone conversation on Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan and Washington and calling for an May 22 during which the ministers discussed the emergency meeting of Islamic YEREVAN (Armepress) — A delega- similar events in the future. joint work on promoting the Syrian settlement nations on Friday. tion led by Demetris Syllouris, president “This is the fight of the Armenians. process with the Astana format, the Russian foreign President Tayyip Erdogan of the Parliament of Cyprus, on May 22 We will always stand by Armenians not ministry said, RIA Novosti reports. described Monday’s bloodshed, visited the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial in only as friends and brothers, but also as “The ministers discussed a number of urgent the deadliest for Palestinians since Yerevan to pay tribute to the memory of a state. It’s a duty not only towards issues of mutual interest, including the joint work in the 2014 Gaza conflict, as geno- the Armenian Genocide victims, Armenians, but towards the whole the Astana format on the Syrian settlement based on cide and called Israel a terrorist Armenpress reports. humanity so that genocides will never the UN Security Council’s Resolution 2254,” the state. The government declared The delegation members were accom- repeat,” Syllouris said. statement said. three days of mourning. panied by Vice Speaker of the Parliament The Cypriot delegation toured the “The Israeli ambassador was of Armenia Eduard Sharmazanov. Genocide Museum and got acquainted told that our envoy to Israel was Azeri Troops Warned Not The Cyprus representatives laid a with the materials on the Genocide. called back for consultations, and wreath at the Memorial and flowers at At the end of the tour a note was left was informed that it would be To Advance Towards the Eternal Flame. in the Museum’s Honorary Guest Book appropriate for him to go back to Acting director of the Armenian on behalf of the Cypriot delegation: Armenian Border his country for some time,” a Genocide Museum-Institute Gevorg “We saw yet again, in the humility of a Turkish Foreign Ministry source YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — The Armenian military Vardanyan introduced the history of the pilgrim, the sufferings of the Armenian said. warned Azerbaijani forces against trying to advance construction of the Memorial and its people in the hands of barbarity and Hours later Israel’s Foreign towards Armenia’s border after an Azerbaijani sol- symbolic meaning. hatred. We say: Never again!” Ministry said the Turkish Consul- dier was shot dead there on Sunday. Demetris Syllouris said the recogni- Cyprus is among the first states that General in Jerusalem had been The soldier, Adil Tatarov, was reportedly killed by tion of the Armenian Genocide by recognized and condemned the summoned and told to return to Armenian troops guarding the border with Turkey and the whole world, as well as Armenian Genocide. It adopted a law Turkey “for consultations for a ’s Nakhichevan exclave. The Azerbaijani the recognition of each genocide has a criminalizing the denial of the period of time.” Foreign Ministry accused Yerevan of escalating ten- historic meaning aimed at preventing Armenian Genocide on April 2, 2015. The dispute appears to mark the sions in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone. worst diplomatic crisis between The Armenian Defense Ministry blamed the fatal the two regional powers since shooting on “provocative” actions which it said have Israeli marines stormed an aid been taken Azerbaijani troops at some sections of ship to enforce a naval blockade of the Armenian-Azerbaijani frontier in recent weeks. Turkey Jails Ethnic Armenian Gaza in 2010, killing 10 Turkish The ministry spokesman, Artsrun Hovannisian, said activists and prompting a down- they have been “conducting active engineering works Woman For Social Media Post grade in diplomatic ties that lasted for the purpose of improving and advancing their until 2016. positions.” ISTANBUL (Armenpress) — A Turkish aftermath of the coup attempt on July Israel’s Prime Minister “The have periodically, court has remanded Rozerin Zeri, a 15, 2016, Zeri was put behind bars late Benjamin Netanyahu said on including in the last several days, warned the com- human rights activist, in pretrial deten- on Saturday, May 19, because of Twitter Erdogan was in no posi- manders of Azerbaijani forces deployed on the bor- tion due to her social media posts Facebook posts that are critical of the tion to “preach morality to us” der with Armenia that this and other provocative deemed to be “propaganda on behalf of Turkish government. “Rozerin Zeri. because he supported the actions cause shootouts and could lead to undesir- a terrorist organization,” the Stockholm She was arrested today due to her Palestinian Islamist movement able losses,” Hovannisian wrote on Facebook. Such Center for Freedom (SCF), an advocacy social media posts. She is the mother Hamas which rules Gaza. “There actions “cannot stay unanswered,” he said. organization that promotes the rule of of a sick child. What kind of crime is no doubt he well understands Armenia’s newly appointed Defense Minister Davit law, democracy, fundamental rights and could she commit with a single tweet? terrorism and slaughter,” Tonoyan and Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanian freedoms, reported May 20. She is innocent. What’s with the Netanyahu tweeted. jointly visited some of the Armenian army posts on According to SCF, the woman is of hurry? What are you trying to do? Erdogan tweeted back that the Nakhichevan border on May 18. According to his Armenian background. The only fact Enough is enough!” Karadag tweeted. Netanyahu was the leader of “an press office, Tonoyan told troops serving there to backing SCF’s claim on Zeri’s Armenian Turkey has launched thousands of apartheid state that has occupied “strictly thwart any adventure by the enemy.” background is a Facebook account with investigations into social media users a defenseless people’s lands for The two ministers inspected the troops two days the same name where the user’s coun- based on simple criticizing statements 60+ years in violation of U.N. res- after Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev visited try of origin is mention as Armenia. It is which the government deems to be olutions”, adding that he was crit- Nakhichevan and touted military buildup carried out unclear if the account is real and the insults. A total of 1,080 people were icizing Turkey to deflect attention. there in recent years. “Long-range missiles deployed credibility of the Armenian background convicted of insulting President Recep Turkish Prime Minister Binali in Nakhichevan can destroy any military target of the claim is uncertain. Tayyip Erdogan in 2016, according to Yildirim also said that Muslim enemy,” Aliyev said. According to a tweet posted by Acun data from Turkey’s Justice Ministry. countries should review their ties Karadag, a history teacher who was Data also showed that 4,936 cases were with Israel after Monday’s vio- fired with a government decree issued launched against people on charges of lence. by the Turkish government in the insult in 2016. S ATURDAY, M AY 2 6 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 INTERNATIONAL Turkish Authorities Turn Focus on Paylan

the orders of rogue security officials. His murder gathered in Istanbul’s Sultanahmet for unfurling Armenian genocide at a global level. Turkish By Amberin Zaman proved a turning point, opening up nationwide banners that read “genocide.” Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said he was willing debate on the genocide at a time when The move against Paylan has sparked rebukes to consider the offer but suggested Turkey would Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party from the European Union. Kati Piri, the Turkey only do so if Armenia shelved the genocide ISTANBUL (Al Monitor) — Turkish prosecu- (AKP) was still in reformist gear and ready to rapporteur of the European Parliament called recognition campaign. tors are seeking to lift the parliamentary immu- sign a now frozen peace deal with neighboring the case “unacceptable.” She told Al-Monitor, The two countries were on the brink of nity of an ethnic Armenian lawmaker in order to Armenia. On the centennial of the genocide in “This latest incident is a new front in the attack reopening their sealed borders and establishing prosecute and potentially jail him, marking a fur- 2015, Erdogan sent a message to the tiny against fundamental rights in Turkey. If even diplomatic ties under a 2009 deal brokered by ther escalation of the government’s assault on Armenian community: “We share the elected parliamentarians cannot express their Switzerland and backed by the United States. free expression. Armenians’ pain with sincerity. The doors of our Prosecutors in Ankara have invoked Article hearts are open to the deceased Ottoman 301, which criminalizes insulting the Turkish Armenians’ grandchildren.” This year’s message nation, and Article 299, which penalizes insult- was not quite as magnanimous, with Erdogan ing the Turkish president, against Garo Paylan of warning some 70,000 Armenian-Turks to spurn the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), the largest those “who are trying to ignite hatred and hos- pro-Kurdish bloc in the Turkish parliament. tility by distorting [our] shared past,” presumably They were said to be acting on a criminal com- by labeling the 1915 tragedy a genocide. plaint filed in May 2017 by Turkish academic So what has changed? Yetvart Danzikiyan, the Aygun Attar and approved for further action by managing editor of , believes that Erdogan’s the Justice Ministry in December. Attar was partnership with Bahceli, struck in the run-up to reportedly protesting Paylan’s depiction of the the April 2017 referendum on swapping the mass slaughter of more than a million Ottoman existing parliamentary system for an executive Armenians in 1915 as a genocide in separate presidency, is a big factor. “Ever since the AKP comments to the parliament and in an interview established its coalition [with Bahceli] and a suit- with the Armenian-Canadian publication ably nationalist stance, it has reverted to the Horizon Weekly, among others. Paylan’s critical state’s old reflexes and habits on the Armenian remarks concerning Turkish President Recep question,” he told Al-Monitor. Erdogan banked Tayyip Erdogan’s recent alliance with far-right on nationalist support to push through the con- leader Devlet Bahceli and the ensuing crack- stitutional changes that will formalize his sweep- down on the media and civil society were like- ing powers. The new rules are set to kick in after wise deemed to be insulting to the office of the snap presidential and parliamentary polls that Garo Paylan president. are due to be held on June 24. Nine HDP lawmakers, including the party’s Paylan agrees with this assessment. “The presidential candidate Selahattin Demirtas, are charges against me are not a surprise; the cli- opinions, where does this leave ordinary citi- But it fell apart when Erdogan, who was then currently in jail facing a cocktail of terror charges mate has changed and there were several clear zens?” prime minister, insisted that Armenia withdraw together with hundreds of other party officials. signs of this,” Paylan told Al-Monitor. “I spoke Paylan believes the arrest of prominent busi- from the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave it wrested But the accusations against Paylan stand out. about the genocide many times in the past, but nessman and philanthropist Osman Kavala are from Turkey’s close ally Azerbaijan in a short The government has prosecuted tens of thou- AKP members in the parliament didn’t blink. It linked to his long-running support for a broad and nasty war in the early 1990s. The HDP has sands of alleged operatives of the religious cult was only Bahceli’s people who protested,” he range of civil society initiatives aimed at promot- pledged to revive the Zurich protocols without led by Fethullah Gulen, the Pennsylvania-based recalled. Then in January 2017, Paylan, who has ing peace between Turkey and Armenia. Kavala, any preconditions as part of its campaign mani- Sunni preacher who is accused of mastermind- been a deputy since 2015, was temporarily who commands global respect for his commit- festo. ing the failed July 2016 coup. Countless others banned from parliamentary sessions for broach- ment to human rights, conflict resolution and Khatchig Mouradian, a lecturer at Columbia said to be associated with the outlawed ing the subject of the wholesale killings not only promotion of the arts, has been behind bars for University who has done extensive research on Kurdistan Workers Party, including HDP offi- of ethnic Armenians but of Assyrians, Greeks and 198 days. A staunch secularist who spoke up the Ottoman Armenians, rues another missed cials, have been rounded up in the thousands on Jews who were “lost” and “driven from these against Gulenist infiltration of the justice system, moment. “Following the transformations ush- similar terror charges. But prosecutors had large- lands in large massacres [and] genocides.” Kavala has yet to be indicted amid farcical claims ered in by the Velvet Revolution in Armenia, ly steered clear of Article 301, which was com- Undeterred, Paylan pressed for formal recog- that he was involved in the coup. Ankara had a golden opportunity to reciprocate monly used in the past against those who dared nition of the genocide and the establishment of All of this is unfolding as neighboring Armenia positive signals from Yerevan regarding the nor- to call the orgy of bloodletting in 1915 a geno- a commission to investigate the events leading embarks on a new path of reform pledged by its malization of relations,” Mouradian told Al- cide. up to it in a bill he submitted last month. It was new Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who swept Monitor. “Instead it invokes Article 301, which Article 301’s targets include Turkish novelist rejected. to power in the mass demonstrations that bears the stains of Hrant Dink’s blood, to go Orhan Pamuk and ethnic Armenian journalist The government’s waning tolerance was on engulfed the former Soviet republic last month. after Garo Paylan.” Hrant Dink, who was gunned down outside the full display April 24, the day Armenians world- Pashinyan said he was ready to establish diplo- Paylan insisted none of this will stop him from office of his Agos newspaper in January 2007 by wide mark the anniversary of the deaths of their matic relations with Turkey without any precon- his quest for justice. “They are trying to silence an ultranationalist youth said to be acting under forefathers. Turkish police detained activists ditions while pushing for recognition of the me. They will fail,” he said. Cyprus Parliament President Visits Sarkissian

YEREVAN — President Armen Sarkissian ing total mutual understanding and support received on May 16 President of the House of manifest the greatest result of the historically Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus friendly relations of the two peoples. Demetris Syllouris. According to Syllouris, the two nations After a brief tête-à-tête meeting, delega- have always relied on universal human values tions met in the extended format. and principles; because of this, they have Welcoming the guests, the President of been able to withstand all hardships. Armenia noted that high-level visits, such as The parties concurred that the Armenian- this one, strengthen and expand the bilateral Cypriot relations built on a strong historical relations. According to the President, the exist- foundation and mutual trust have great potential for development. Sarkissian and Syllouris stressed the importance of invigorating the political dia- logue and development of economic ties, particularly in the areas of tourism, services and banking. They also highlighted cooperation in the scientific area and joint programs. Meeting between President Armen Sarkissian, right with the president of the House of Sarkissian expressed grati- Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Syllouris and their staffs tude to the people and authorities of Cyprus for being among the first to rec- the beginning of the last century. They were Partnership Agreement. ognize the Armenian given a shelter, and later, the opportunity to Syllouris expressed support of the Cypriot Genocide and lending a hand live and work. side to the negotiations on the NK issue con- President Armen Sarkissian, right with the President of the to a segment of Armenians At the meeting discussed was the impor- ducted in the framework of the OSCE Minsk House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris who survived the Genocide tance of ratification and implementation by Group. In his turn, President Sarkissian Syllouris perpetrated by the Ottoman the countries of the European Union of the hailed the constructive and balanced posi- Empire against Armenians at Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced tion of Cyprus on this issue. 6 S ATURDAY, M AY 2 6 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Community News

Boyajian Exits NY Glendale Cop Tied Congressional Race To Mexican Mafia In Favor of 107th And Armenian Assembly District Organized Crime, CAMBRIDGE, N.Y. (Post-Star) — Democrat Don Boyajian announced on the afternoon of Feds Say May 15 that he is dropping out of the 21st Congressional District race in favor of seeking a seat in the 107th Assembly District this November. By Alene Tchekmedyian and “After speaking with thousands of residents Richard Winton across upstate New York, I have realized that one of the most important ways to make a real difference in our communities is to effect GLENDALE (Los Angeles Times) — As far change right here at home,” said Boyajian in a back as 2015, a Glendale narcotics detective news release. “Ensuring that every child has used burner phones to tip off gangsters about access to high-quality public education, address- upcoming raids, once allowing a top target of ing the heroin and opioid epidemic, creating federal law enforcement to elude arrest for a stable new jobs and protecting our environ- month, authorities said on May 15. ment all starts within our state government.” John Saro Balian is also suspected of collab- The municipal and environmental lawyer will orating with other criminals to steal cars, pre- take his campaign finances, totaling more than sumably to sell abroad, and taking money to $200,000, to help launch his bid for the hunt someone down. When confronted by federal agents in four Assembly. Boyajian has picked up endorse- COAF Founder Dr. Garo Armen with two children in Lori ments along the way, including from 113th interviews over the last year, authorities say Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, D-Round Balian, 45, lied about his ties to the Mexican Lake. Mafia and Armenian organized crime in “I strongly endorse Don Boyajian to repre- Southern California. sent the 107th District in the New York State Cutting Edge COAF SMART “I’m not [expletive] on anybody’s payroll,” he Assembly,” said Assemblywoman Woerner. “As told the Los Angeles Police Department and an upstate New York native and Washington FBI in one interview. County resident, Don understands the needs of Center Set to Transform Now, the veteran officer who once served as our local families, business owners, and farm- the spokesman for the Glendale Police ers. As a lawyer experienced in the public and Lori Region of Armenia Department is facing up to five years in feder- private sectors, Don also has the practical al prison. Prosecutors this week charged knowledge and skills to effect real change in YEREVAN/NEW YORK — Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) has worked on Balian with one count of making false state- state government to meet those needs. I am advancing rural communities throughout Armenia since 2004, with nearly $40 mil- ments to federal investigators, according to a highly confident that Don is the best candidate lion being raised over the years in support of numerous infrastructure improve- criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court. to represent residents of the 107th Assembly ment projects and comprehensive community-led programs in education, health- “Mr. Balian moved in criminal circles and District, and that his experience and priorities care and social services. On its 10th anniversary, COAF announced its novel operated as though he was above the law by will shape our community for the better.” SMART Initiative as the vehicle for expanding its vital work in each of Armenia’s repeatedly lying to hide his criminal activity,” Washington County Democratic Committee rural provinces. Paul Delacourt, assistant director in charge of Chair Melissa Shea has also offered backing for The innovative rapid expansion strategy will establish state-of-the-art education- the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, said in a Boyajian. “We are so excited and supportive to al SMART Campuses throughout Armenia, offering rural populations with ground- statement. “His alleged actions impeded legiti- have Don run for the 107th Assembly District,” breaking programs in education, economic development and healthcare. The flag- mate investigations into organized violent Shea said in a news release. “He is a strong can- ship COAF SMART Campus will open its doors in the Lori region of Armenia on crime and consequently presented a threat to didate and a team player who understands the May 27, providing its 150,000 people with access to technology-driven programs public safety.” importance of Democrats working together to from a broad and diverse range of disciplines. It’s unclear whether Balian has retained an provide real advocacy for working people As one of the most trusted organizations engaged in rural development in Armenia, attorney. throughout upstate New York.” COAF has been empowering the country’s rural population by utilizing collaborative Balian was identified as a person of interest by Republican Jacob Ashby defeated Democrat and inclusive approaches. COAF’s main objective has been to serve as a catalyst in the FBI’s Eurasian Organized Crime Task Force, Cynthia Doran to replace former Assemblyman fostering a sense of ownership among Armenia’s rural inhabitants, encouraging them which in 2016 was probing ties between the Steve McLaughlin, who is now the Rensselear to become active stakeholders in their future advancement. Customized approaches Mexican Mafia and Armenian organized crime. County executive, in a special election held in addressing the specific needs and challenges of each community have provided COAF Since then, three confidential informants April. Ashby will serve through the end of the with crucial knowledge and experience on how to bring about dramatic changes in have described a series of troubling interac- year. rural education, as well as raising awareness on a global level. tions with the detective — known to them as The 107th Assembly District encompasses The COAF SMART Initiative will continue connecting rural Armenia to the “Saro” — that are detailed in a 47-page affidavit the towns of White Creek and Cambridge, international community via technology, providing access to experts worldwide. supporting the complaint. In some cases, Rensselear County, excluding the city of Troy The COAF SMART Campuses will offer rural teachers, healthcare professionals, Balian appears to have instigated clashes and town of North Greenbush and parts of east- social workers and businesses with vital skills that will spawn a new era of cre- between the two sides, according to court ern and northern Columbia County. ativity and innovation. Additional emphasis will be placed on language and com- records. Investigators corroborated some of munication, local entrepreneurship/economic development, active citizenship and the informants’ stories with cellphone records, personal development. Information technology and foreign languages are a prior- police reports and interviews. ity for SMART programs; hence, all programs and learning materials will utilize In one incident, Balian allegedly offered an digital solutions and English. informant and a second man $100,000 to During the opening ceremony of the COAF SMART Campus on May 27, guests “scare” the bodyguard of an Armenian busi- from around the world will have the opportunity to tour the regional educational nessman in Commerce, a request that led to a hub and learn about the various SMART programs being offered, such as shooting in July 2016. blockchain technology, robotics, agriculture, child development, media literacy, After the encounter, the second man spoke arts, science and health education. with the informant. A number of COAF SMART partners will also be showcased at the official open- “I think I hit him,” he said, according to the ing. One highlight is the SAP Next-Gen Lab which will bring the latest blockchain filing. Later, he added, “I think I killed him.” technology to students at the COAF SMART Center. Students in the region will gain The alleged shooter gave the gun to the access to SAP’s instructional resources in virtual reality design and iOS application informant, who said he gave the gun to Balian, development. Other key partnerships include Arloopa, a leader in augmented reali- according to the filing. It’s unclear whether the ty (AR) and virtual reality (VR) founded in Armenia and operating globally. bodyguard lived. COAF is also collaborating with PicsArt, an app that allows over 100 million In one case, that same informant described a monthly users worldwide, the ability to edit and share photos in fun and creative situation in which Balian offered a tip about a ways. A new partnership has also been forged with Instigate Robotics and gang sweep, allowing a top target — a Instigate Training Center, aimed at bringing diverse technology and educational Frogtown gang member — to flee before agents knowhow to the COAF SMART Center. arrived. Creative Educational Technologies (CET), the official representative of LEGO in “Tell your boy Bouncer that he’s the No. 1 Armenia, will also be conducting workshops with children on the day of the open- on the list for tomorrow,” Balian warned, ing. Arpi Solar, a producer of clean energy and solar power will also support the according to the affidavit. It took agents anoth- opening. In addition, artwork by Syrian-Armenian children will also be exhibited er month to arrest the target. on loan from the Cafesjian Center for the Arts. The informant also said Balian gave him Don Boyajian locations of marijuana grow and drug stash see GLENDALE, page 7 S A T U R D A Y , M A Y 2 6 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS Julien Zarifian to Lecture on US and Armenian Genocide, ‘From Humanitarianism to Abetting Denial’

WATERTOWN — Dr. Julien Zarifian, the Fulbright Scholar Program. groups have not yet obtained the full recogni- Associate Professor in American History at the The United States under President Woodrow tion of the Genocide by the US federal author- University of Cergy-Pontoise, France, and Wilson became heavily involved in providing ities and how Turkey and Turkish groups have Fulbright Visiting scholar, University of humanitarian and political support to the lobbied to prevent such a recognition. Southern California (USC) Shoah Foundation Armenian survivors of genocide and displace- Zarifian is associate professor in American Center for Advanced Genocide Research, will ment during World War I. However, US.support History at the University of Cergy-Pontoise, present a lecture titled “From Humanitarianism began to falter during the 1930s, and in the France, and this academic year he is a Fulbright to Abetting Denial: The US and Recognition of post-World War II period American authorities scholar with the USC Shoah Foundation the Armenian Genocide” on Wednesday, May responded ambiguously to Armenian demands Center for Advanced Genocide Research. His 30, at 7:30 p.m. at the AGBU Center, 247 Mt. that the mass killings be recognized as geno- research interests involve US foreign policies in Auburn Street, Watertown, MA. cide. The executive branch systematically Eurasia, the role of ethnic groups in US politi- The lecture is sponsored and organized by blocked efforts to pass legislation recognizing it cal life, and the importance of memory issues in the National Association for Armenian Studies as such. US political life. Currently, his main research and Research (NAASR)/Calouste Gulbenkian In this lecture, Zarifian will analyze why, project focuses on “The US and the Question of Foundation Series on Contemporary Armenian despite decades of efforts and some positive the Armenian Genocide, from 1915 to the Dr. Julien Zarifian Issues and Outreach Lecturing Fund (OLF) of results, the Armenian-American advocacy Present.” Glendale Cop Tied to Armenian Organized Crime, Feds Say

GLENDALE, from page 6 houses — information he was privy to as an offi- cer — and told him to “hit them” before law enforcement could execute their search war- rants, according to the court filing. Balian also allegedly instructed him to “slap around” people to persuade them to pay money. Armenians would not respect or pay him, Balian told the informant, if they didn’t fear him, the filing said. Another informant met with Balian up to 15 times in 2015 and occasionally saw him wear- ing a badge and a gun. That person admitted to stealing more than a dozen high-value cars for Balian and his associate, the filing said. He said he’d leave the keys inside the car and park it on a designated street, where someone else would pick it up. During a search of a third informant’s home, investigators found handwritten notes in the trash referencing “Saro” and possible cocaine

John Saro Balian, shown in 2006, after he became a spokesman for the Glendale Police Department. (Times Community News) shipments from Mexico. It’s unclear whether a transaction occurred and if Balian was involved. Federal authorities Tuesday afternoon were searching Balian’s Seal Beach home, an FBI spokeswoman said. They were looking for evi- dence of racketeering, interference with com- merce by robbery or extortion, and bribery, according to the affidavit. Investigators first interviewed Balian in April of last year. He told them he was an expert on the Mexican Mafia when he worked for the Montebello Police Department, so he used to “stay on top of all these guys.” Balian was one of five Armenian American officers who sued Glendale in 2010, alleging discrimination, retaliation and harassment. The city eventually agreed to settle the case, paying $7,500 in Balian’s attorney’s fees, and deposit- ing 250 hours of sick time and 50 hours of vacation time into his leave bank.

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WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — The annual Dn. Artur Petrosyan and Dn. Eric Vozzy Fr. Tadeos Abdalian introduced Diocesan Assembly later in the week. During Clergy Conference of the Eastern Diocese of presented a new tool for clergy, based on Pennsylvania State Police Lieutenant John the conference, the clergy of the Diocese the Armenian Church of America convened feedback from the clergy from last year’s Yunk, who addressed the clergy on how to be voted unanimously to endorse all three of the April 30 to May 2, 2018, at the Renaissance assembly, called Kavazan: a phone app which prepared and protected in the event of active candidates. Westchester Hotel in West Harrison, NY, is a private communication tool for clergy of shooter situations in church and other public In the course of the conference, the clergy hosted by the St. Gregory the Enlightener the Eastern Diocese. places. prayed the Peace Service of the Hours. Fr. Church in White Plains. Findikyan gave a presentation titled “Life Diocesan Council member Paul Mardoian Stepanos Doudoukjian (Watervliet, NY) Several dozen clergymen active as parish and Death in the Holy Badarak,” giving cler- and Fr. Hovnan Demerjian presented the pos- offered a personal meditation during one of pastors and in other capacities throughout gy an inspired new lens through which to itive early results of a test program for parish- the evening prayers. A special prayer was the Eastern Diocese came together for the view the life-giving heart of worship and es to adopt pledge stewardship in place of offered by Fr. Hratch Sargsyan (Cleveland, three-day gathering to pray and plan for the faith. dues membership. OH) for peace and God’s protection on all of future. Fr. Kapriel Mouradjian (New Britain, CT) Diocesan Council chair James Kalustian Armenia’s citizens in a fraught time of tran- Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag introduced returning guest speaker Dr. spoke to the clergy conference about the sition for the homeland. Barsamian presided. He opened the meeting Richard Bedrosian, who spoke on the issue of leadership transition the Diocese was about The conference concluded on the morning with a prayer for God’s guidance over the addiction and suggested practical steps and to embark upon. As a result of the clergy’s of May 3 with the Divine Liturgy at the St. Diocesan Assembly’s upcoming deliberations, resources for pastors to play a role in addic- deliberations, a full slate of candidates for the Gregory the Enlightener Church, celebrated which would include a decision on the elec- tion awareness, treatment, and recovery. office of Primate was presented to the by Fr. Avedis Kalayjian (Racine, WI). tion of a successor to the office of Primate. Elected chairman of the conference was Fr. Diran Bohajian (of Fair Lawn, NJ), with Fr. Ghevond Ajamian (Dalas, TX) as co-chairman, Fr. Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan (Evanston, IL) as Armenian secretary, and Fr. Hovnan Demerjian (St. Petersburg, FL) as English secretary. Fr. Mesrob Hovespyan, of the host parish in White Plains, gave a message of welcome. A message from the Catholicos of all Armenians, Karekin II, was read to the con- ference. Visiting representatives from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin — Fr. Daniel Tumanyan and Fr. Arnak Harutyunyan — spoke about the work of the Department of Social Doctrine at the Holy See and about aspects of church life and ministry in Armenia. In his last address to the clergy as Diocesan Primate, Archbishop Barsamian reflected on the work of the Diocese, manifested in the building of St. Vartan Cathedral, which would celebrate its 50th anniversary later in the week. He stressed the unifying signifi- cance of the cathedral, which represents the Diocese in its entirety, from its local parishes to the ministries undertaken at the Diocesan Center in New York. At the conclusion of his remarks, several clergy with long experience serving in the Diocesan Women’s Guilds Hold 32nd Annual Assembly Diocese under Archbishop Barsamian’s lead- ership expressed their gratitude for his long, WEST HARRISON, N.Y. — Women’s Guild representatives from members of the hosting St. Gregory the Enlightener Church. The lun- dedicated service to the Eastern Diocese, and local parishes across the Eastern Diocese met in early May for the cheon was well attended by family and friends of the honorees, as for his fatherly love of all the clergy. 32nd annual Women’s Guild Assembly. The gathering at the well as clergy and delegates from the Diocesan Assembly meeting, all Marriott Renaissance Hotel was hosted by the St. Gregory the of whom expressed their warm congratulations to the honorees. Clergy Presentations Enlightener Church of White Plains, and organized by the In addition to tributes to Aida Pisani and Beatrice Postian, the A presentation by Fr. Hovhan Khoja- Women’s Guild Central Council (WGCC). program included recitations by Hasmig Minassian and Louisa Eynatyan and Fr. Gomidas Zohrabian The attending 44 registered delegates — some 20 of whom were Baghdasarian (both of the WGCC) and a beautiful performance on (Hartford, CT) of the Sacred Music Council first-time delegates — represented 25 of the 34 active Women’s the oud by John Berberian (brother of Beatrice Postian). (SMC) revealed their ongoing work on a web- Guilds in the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America. site, mobile app, Divine Liturgy e-reader, A business session on Thursday, May 3, included committee Elections and Officers development of parish Junior Choirs, and reports, proposals, amendments to bylaws, and elections. The Women’s Guild Assembly sessions were chaired by new print editions of the rubrics for Holy Fundraisers included a “Hye Raffle” involving some 45 donated Charlotte Sevazlian, with Yn. Patricia Buttero as vice chair and Week and wedding services and The Sacred prizes, a 50/50 raffle, and a Women’s Guild pin sale. Robin Williams as recording secretary. Music of the Armenian Church. Friday, May 4 was devoted to workshops and interactive ses- Election results from the assembly (pending the approval of the Fr. Yeprem Kelegian spoke on his work sions. Special presentations were made by Garnig Nanagoulian of Primate and Diocesan Council) are as follows: with the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), and the Fund for Armenian Relief, and Yn. Sirarpi Ayvazian. Nancy Women’s Guild Central Council: Charlotte Sevazlian (chair), made a plea for more clergy and parishes to Kassabian led the delegates in an interactive session titled “Guilds Nancy Kassabian (vice chair); Robin Williams (recording secretary); support FAR’s many initiatives. in Motion.” Delegates left with a renewed sense of excitement and Liz Barone (corresponding secretary); Hasmig Minassian (treasur- Dr. Roberta Ervine gave an inspirational new ideas to take back to their local communities. er); Yn. Patricia Buttero (assistant treasurer); Deborah talk to encourage the common work of grace The Women’s Guild delegates also welcomed Diocesan Primate DerAsadourian, Meline Grigorian, Louisa Baghdasarian (advisors); which unites and inspires all clergy and peo- Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and Primate-elect Fr. Daniel Marian Varteresian (alternate). ple of our church. Findikyan, as well as a number of clergymen, to their meetings. Nominating Committee: Barbara Haroutunian (chair), Robin Diocesan Director of Ministries Fr. Mesrop Williams, Manooshak Penrose, Christine Chorbajian, Angela Parsamyan spoke on the workings of the Awards Luncheon Nakashian (members); Hasmig Minassian (alternate). Diocesan Ministry departments and the The culmination of gathering — the 8th Annual “Women of Proposals Committee: Adrienne Damian (chair), Lucy Murad, effort to increase cooperation among the Wonder” awards luncheon, sponsored by the Women’s Guild Lucy Chaghachbanian (members); Sherry Edwards (alternate). ministries and local parishes. He introduced Central Council — was held on Saturday, May 5. Auditing Committee: Karen Dederyan, Janice Kavjian, Sandy the staff members Elise Antreassian, Kathryn This year’s honorees, Aida Pisani and Beatrice Postian, were both Raphalian. Ashbahian, Gilda Buchakjian Kupelian, Arpi Nakashian, and Dn. Eric Vozzy.

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WEST HARRISON, N.Y. phere of the evening, and — The Eastern Diocese’s congratulated each of the annual Awards Banquet honorees in turn. went forward in a family-like He called Smith “a true setting of mutual admira- friend of our community, tion, affection, and encour- who has stood with us in agement, on the evening of commemorating the deepest Friday, May 4 at the wound of our history, the Renaissance Westchester Armenian Genocide.” Hotel in West Harrison, NY. He thanked Toros Archbishop Khajag Mangassarian for being “a pil- Barsamian presided over lar of the Westchester commu- the banquet, which was nity,” and also “a dear friend, hosted by the St. Gregory whose continuing friendship the Enlightener Church of has been extremely meaning- White Plains. In the course ful to me.” of the evening, several dis- And regarding the Gold tinguished individuals were Medal recipients, he said: applauded for their support “Nazar and Artemis Nazarian of the Armenian Church are quite simply the patriarch and community. and matriarch of the The banquet was the cul- Armenian Church community. mination of the 116th Their generosity has graced Assembly of the Diocese of every institution, supported the Armenian Church of talent and achievement America (Eastern), and was among our people, and bene- thematically linked to the fitted the progress of Armenia. 50th anniversary celebra- I value this moment to show tion of St. Vartan Armenian them, once again, our admira- Cathedral. tion and love.” It was a night that He offered gracious acknowledged history — and Nazar and Artemis Nazarian and Archbishop Khajag Barsamian thanks to Hovsepyan, Maria made some history, as well, Stepanian, and the entire St. as it marked the first public Gregory the Enlightener event for the new Primate- parish, and expressed pro- elect of the Eastern Diocese, the Very Rev. The 2018 “Friend of the Armenians” recipi- to the future.” found confidence in the forward movement of Daniel Findikyan. ent — Dr. Stephen Smith of the USC Shoah In a tribute to the bonds of family — in his Armenia and the Armenian world. Maria Stepanian, who chaired the host parish Foundation — was introduced by Melanie own life, and as a force that has kept the Recalling the Diocesan Assembly theme, committee, welcomed all, recalling her upbring- Dadourian, who has been working with Smith Armenian people vital and contributed to their “Under One Roof,” Archbishop Barsamian ing in the church, and expressing her gratitude on the foundation’s Armenian Genocide survival against great odds — he said: “The asserted that an Armenian Church united in spir- to Barsamian as he departed from the role of resources. power of a loving family can never be over- it and aspiration could look forward to the Primate after having served for 28 years. In accepting the award, Dr. Smith gave a come.” brightest of futures. Diocesan Assembly chair Diran Jebejian toast- charmingly animated talk in which he honored During the banquet, Alvard Mayilyan sang the ed the “amazing moment the Armenian Church the memory of his personal hero, Armin T. The Brightest of Futures national anthems of the US and Armenia, and finds itself in tonight,” referencing both the new Wegner, the early human rights pioneer and An official visitor from the Mother See of Holy the Shushi Armenian Dance Ensemble per- era of leadership for the Diocese, and the stun- documenter of the Armenian Genocide. Smith Etchmiadzin, Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisian, formed a spectacular dance number in their ning events transpiring concurrently in the remembered Wegner as figure who had risked representing His Holiness Karekin II, the exquisite native Armenian costumes. Republic of Armenia. all to stand up for the Host parish pastor Fr. Mesrob Hovsepyan truth; and he thanked paid tribute to Archbishop Barsamian as an the Armenian commu- inspiration to him as a priest, and extolled Fr. nity for their friend- Findikyan and former St. Gregory pastor Fr. ship in their mutual Karekin Kasparian as teachers and mentors stance to uphold truth. who had shaped his ministry. Receiving this year’s He thanked Maria Stepanian, the parish “Armenian Church assembly committee, and the legion of parish Member of the Year” volunteers for making the week a success. award was Toros Mangassarian of the Hope, Truth, Gratitude White Plains parish. In AGBU President Berge Setrakian offered introducing him, Mr. heartfelt remarks extolling the role of the Kalustian called him church in Armenian history, and affirming the “an Old World need to support the young Republic of Armenia Armenian gentleman; a and its institutions. patriot and a true Diocesan Council chair James Kalustian Christian; a devoted introduced the evening’s honorees, beginning son of Armenia, and of with Nazar and Artemis Nazarian — recipients its greatest institution: of a special award, the “St. Vartan Cathedral our church.” Golden Anniversary Medal,” in honor of the He continued: “Toros cathedral’s milestone. Nazar Nazarian is one of is a man loved by his the last survivors of the original 35 godfathers family; admired by his of the cathedral consecration in 1968. peers; respected by the Mr. Kalustian called the Nazarians “a couple people who work for who are already greatly honored — and greatly him. He’s a man of gra- beloved — by this community, and by Armenian cious hospitality and communities across the globe.” humility; a friend to “In awarding them this Golden Anniversary people in their time of Medal,” he said, “we also honor that golden need — and, in all Berj Setrakian at the banquet generation that endured the Genocide, survived things, animated by a to live another day, built the great institutions deep faith in his heart: of the reborn Armenian heritage — and remain all qualities that have exemplified the Armenian Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All The Diocesan Assembly Committee of St. in our hearts as a light of hope and inspiration spirit at its best.” Armenians, read a special message from the Gregory the Enlightener Church was led by Fr. for the future.” Accepting the award, Mr. Mangassarian Catholicos and offered his own words of person- Mesrob Hovsepyan and Maria Stepanian as com- The crowd rose in applause for the couple, as expressed his deep pride in the Armenian her- al warmth towards Archbishop Barsamian, Fr. mittee chair. The central committee consisted of Artemis Nazarian graciously thanked the well- itage and church. Reflecting upon a life of Findikyan, and all the people present. Ann Guiragosian Daw, Lisa Kouzoujian, Zaven wishers and the Eastern Diocese for their warm achievement and dedicated service, he offered To conclude the program, Archbishop Khajag Tachdjian and Mary Tatarian, and included congratulations. “my sincere hope that the torch will be passed Barsamian remarked on the beautiful atmos- dozens of volunteers from the local community. 10 S ATURDAY, M AY 2 6 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS S ATURDAY, M AY 2 6 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 COMMUNITY NEWS ATP Hosts Kentucky Derby Watch Party

WALTHAM, Mass. — More than 110 supporters, clad in their most fes- tive and colorful attires, attended the inaugural Armenia Tree Project’s Kentucky Derby Watch Party at the historic Gore Place estate in Waltham. Party goers were treated to mint juleps and Derby-themed hors d’oeuvres while watching “the Greatest Two Minutes in Sports” on big screen televisions. Vanessa Hale of 103.3 AMP Radio served as mistress of ceremonies as she attended her first Armenian event in Boston. The Kentucky Derby Watch Party event committee led by Linda and Karnig Ostayan included John Aftandilian, Kristin Asadourian, Berge Ayvazian, Karen Gilbert, Kelly Higgins, Gohar Diana Hovsepian, Marie Mabardi, Susan Piligian and Daniele Sarkisian. Along with having the opportunity to win prizes that were generously provided by local businesses by “picking” the Derby winners, after the race attendees spent the evening playing roulette, black jack, and craps at the casino set up especially for the evening. “A good time was had by all,” exclaimed Executive Director Jeanmarie Papelian. “We enlisted volunteers from all over the community and every- one seemed to enjoy this new approach to fundraising. And it’s all done to support ATP’s mission in Armenia. We’re asking people to Get Rooted with ATP, and if you are planning to visit Armenia, please reach out to us Cheryl Ourfalian Smith, Susan Demirjian Kingsley, Grace Armik Malkhassian, Annette Ghahremanian, Bottomley, Jeanmarie Papelian and Julia Mirak Kew so we can arrange a visit to one of our nurseries!” Ani Ghahremanian, Ralph Rafaelian

Avik and Haikouhie Deirmenjian, Ray and Diana Hovsepian, Linda and Karnig Ostayan

The photographers are Aleen Ostayan and Mira Musallam.

Gail Guzelian, Ronald Iberson, Krista Jeanmarie Papelian (ATP executive director) and Vanessa and John Aftandilian Hale (103.3 AMP Radio personality)

Jason Sohigian, Susan Piligian, Cheryl Ourfalian Smith, Jeanmarie Papelian Rachel Boloyan and Cheryl Ourfalian Smith 12 S ATURDAY, M AY 2 6 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Knights Honor Arzruni, Kalfayan for Their Contributions to Culture

By Taleen Babayan

NEW YORK — Two lifelong musical members of the New York community who have contributed greatly to the Armenian heritage and culture — Sahan Arzruni and Kris Kalfayan — were honored for their decades of service in a special banquet host- ed by the Knights and Daughters of Vartan at the Eastern Diocese in New York City on Friday, May 18. It was a fitting occasion, fulfilling the theme of “A Legacy of Dedication, Commitment and Service,” to highlight the talents and generosity of both men who have enhanced the rich cul- tural tradition of sacred and classical music, which was under the auspices of Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern). For both Arzruni and Kalfayan, their musical and cultural roots were instilled in them in a young age in Istanbul, Turkey, before they emigrated to the US to pursue opportunities, but maintaining the Armenian Church and community as priorities in their lives. Director of the Diocesan Gomidas Choir for over three decades, Kalfayan attended the Dadyan School as a youngster and his local Armenian Church in Bakirkoy. “My father would take me to church on Sundays and once he and the choir- master taught me to read Armenian notation, I started singing along,” said Kalfayan. “The seed was planted with- out me having a clue.” The seed flourished when his family moved to Washington Heights, NY, Tigran Sahakyan, Sbarabed of the Mamigonian Lodge, presenting Kris Kalfayan with his certifi- just a few blocks from Holy Cross cate and medal Church, where he became further involved in the church’s rituals and music where “Saturdays and Sundays were spent at church.” tence,” said Arzruni, who Continuing the musical richness of the evening was a cultur- Paralleling his experiences in has achieved recognition as al presentation by Maria Sahakyan, founder and director of church, he sang in the Children’s cho- an ethnomusicologist, Astghikner Junior Vocal Ensemble of St. Gregory the ruses of the Metropolitan Opera and teacher, recording artist Illuminator Parish in Brooklyn, accompanied on the piano by the New York City Opera and attend- and producer. “We all want Lina Panfilova. ed the High School of Music and Art to belong and we all need “As an artist, I feel it’s very important for the community to Sahan Arzruni in New York. During his high school to belong so to endure.” honor lifelong musical contributors, such as Kris and Sahan, years, he sang with the All City High “We need to retain at all because they are the people who are keeping Armenian music School Chorus and in college he was a costs our Armenian script, alive, and making the whole world recognize Armenian music member of the Men’s Glee Club at Fordham University. language and land, the most important things Armenians pos- and culture,” said Sahakyan. His friend and fellow Fordham Glee Club member, Dr. Joseph sess,” said Arzruni, who holds degrees from The Juilliard In his benediction, Barsamian expressed thanks to the Van Houten, in his remarks, reflected on his 45-year friendship School and has pursued doctoral studies at New York Knights and Daughters of Vartan who gave everyone an oppor- with Kalfayan and his “generous spirit that has manifested in University. “Let us not lose that.” tunity to “come together to honor dedicated and committed his lifelong service to the Armenian Church.” Motivated by ethnic awareness in the United States, Arzruni members of our community.” “Through his love of music and dedication to God, Kris has has continuously researched the musical roots of his Armenian “I can say proudly that Sahan and Kris are my brothers,” said enriched religious services and celebrations throughout his heritage, recording anthologies of Armenian piano music as Barsamian. “Each one of us are given so many gifts by God but life,” said well as instrumental and vocal Armenian music. He has also it is our choice to use those gifts in our selves and share those Van Houten. delivered academic papers and organized symposia for Harvard gifts with others.” In service University, Columbia University and University of Michigan at The honorary banquets, the brainchild of chairman emeritus, to the Ann Arbor, in addition to writing books and contributing arti- Hirant Gulian, has become a tradition for the Knights and Ar menian cles for academic journals. Daughters of Vartan. The objective of the event is to shed light C h u r c h , Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin I awarded him an on the tireless participants in the community, who drive the K a l f a y a n encyclical and the Sts. Sahak and Mesrob Medal in 1996; and Armenian people forward, while also benefiting Armenia. was the in 2016, Arzruni he received the Movses organist at Khorenatsi medal for promoting the cul- Holy Cross tural ties between Armenia and the Church and Diaspora. St. Vartan During the Knights and Daughters of Cathedral, Vartan awards ceremony, Tigran where he Sahakyan, Sbarabed of the Mamigonian was also the Lodge and Christine Akyemeniciyan, director of Dirouhie of the Anahid Otyag, presented the St. Arzruni and Kalfayan with their medals. Kris Kalfayan V a r t a n “I’m truly humbled to be honored for Cat hedral doing something I love to do, serving our Boys Choir church and our community to the best of and the St. Vartan Cathedral Choir. Since 1981 he has been my ability,” said Kalfayan, who recog- serving as musical director of the Diocesan Gomidas Choir and nized the legacy of the founding mem- was recently invited by Barsamian to conduct the choir for the bers of the Gomidas Choir. Pontifical Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the 50th “It’s an honor and privilege to direct Anniversary of the consecration of the St. Vartan Cathedral. the Gomidas Choir,” said Kalfayan. “I’m “The nourishment for me has been the beautiful music of the here this evening because 70 years ago, hymns of our divine liturgy,” said Kalfayan, who was awarded three dedicated, faithful servants of the the Pontifical Encyclical and the St. Nerses the Graceful Medal Armenian Church decided to continue from Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all what they were a part of in Istanbul.” Maria Sahakyan performing during the cultural program Armenians in 2008. “There is a need for a renewed spirit of Dr. Vartan Abdo, founder and director of the Armenian Radio collaboration, a need to stay faithful to Hour of New Jersey, served as master of ceremonies of the ban- our ageless values, a need to reclaim our language and culture, Proceeds from the evening supported the organization’s edu- quet, acknowledging the significance of the evening’s honorees. and a need to endure under the guidance of our noble cational program at American University of Armenia. In his remarks, composer and pianist Arzruni elaborated on Armenian characteristics,” said Arzruni. “The Knights and the meaning of his Armenian ancestry. Daughters of Vartan is an organization that helps us reach such Photos by Ohannes Tercan “Being Armenian is the most important aspect of my exis- a goal.” S ATURDAY, M AY 2 6 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 Arts & Living ‘The Women Curated Who Mapped Art Exhibit The Stars’ Van Dyke’s Newest Play At Diocese Brightens Cambridge Skies By Taleen Babayan Special to the Mirror-Spectator By Nancy Kalajian Special to the Mirror-Spectator NEW YORK — The striking, handcrafted images on display, ranging from a blue dove CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The Nora Theatre enmeshed in red and orange hues, to the intri- Company’s “The Women Who Mapped the cately coiled letters of the Armenian alphabet, Stars,” just finished a month-long run at the marked the centennial anniversary of the first Central Square Theater, as part of the Brit republic of Armenia, both in word and in d’Arbeloff Women in Science Production Series, deed, in a special art exhibition from May 17 and the Catalyst Collaborative@MIT, a Central to 19 at the Diocese of the Armenian Church Square Theatre and MIT program that creates of America (Eastern). and presents plays that deepens public engage- Gyumri artists with Suzi Banks Baum in front of the Matenadaran by Anush Babajanyan Throughout the course of the weekend, ment and artistic and emotional experiences close to 100 pieces from lifelong artist Avedis with science. Baghsarian’s collection were sold to support An engaging tribute to the power of women the Fund for Armenian Relief’s Avedis and to look beyond time and circumstance to fur- Arsho Baghsarian Scholarship Program, the ther our understanding of the universe, play- mission of which is to educate talented young wright Joyce Van Dyke’s world premiere of “The students in Armenia who are pursuing careers Women Who Mapped the Stars” hits the mark Our Eyes Are in journalism and the fashion industry. with plenty of factual scientific information, Curated with diligence by Vicki Shoghag winning dialogue, clever timing and quick wit. Hovanessian, an advisor to the Minister of Aspiring characters, ranging from young in age Culture of Armenia, the event was sponsored to the more experienced, interact in a convinc- by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of ing style under good direction with simple but Armenia, the Permanent Mission of the effective sets. On Armenia Republic of Armenia to the United Nations Working at Harvard College Observatory in and the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) and the late 1890s, the fervent accomplishments of five hard-working “women who mapped the GYUMRI, Armenia — The world is a small and marvelous place. Those who are stars” were kept in the shadows even though fortunate to know the sweet bite of preserved Armenian apricots stirred in to fresh their contributions to astronomy were, frankly, yogurt or honeyed green walnuts eaten astronomical. Numerous struggles for women in with a cup of thyme tea sipped on a chilly the workplace — from inequality in pay to not By Suzi Banks Baum afternoon in Gyumri know that vast beau- having the same rights as men — were depicted Special to the Mirror-Spectator ty and a difficult reality make life in in the play. In one instance, women weren’t Armenia a challenge for the strong, resilient people who live there. N. KALAJIAN PHOTO I have traveled to Gyumri three times in the past two years to develop a project called New Illuminations which unites women artists with the ancient practice of hand bound books, known to many as illuminated manuscripts. New Illuminations connects women to their heritage while empowering them through personal nar- rative writing and brings the book art form in to contemporary and eager hands. These hands are ready to meet the world with a feminine perspective on life told from a densely patriarchic society. This project has improved the lives of over 75 artists and has an active audience in the cultural hub of Armenia. What brought me to Armenia in the first place was John Stanmeyer, world- renowned National Geographic photographer and humanitarian. During a work- shop with him, and Nazik Armenakyan and Anush Babajanyan of 4Plus in Gyumri, I interviewed and photographed women artists to learn about the challenges they At Press Night for “The Women Who Mapped face in daily life and in pursuing their profession as artists. In that first visit I met the Stars,” playwright Joyce Van Dyke stands with 25 women in their homes, in parks or cafes, in the schools they attend or Vicki Shoghag Hovanessian, curator, deliver- with two cast members: Sarah Newhouse (in the ing her welcoming remarks center) who played Annie Jump Cannon, and Christine Power (on the right) who played Antonia Maury. sought to combine the influential art of Baghsarian while educating the next genera- allowed to use telescopes in the workplace but tion of creatives in the homeland. men were. Then there was the man who years The filled-to-capacity crowd at the opening later took credit for a scientific discovery that reception on Thursday, May 17, brought had been initially made by a woman. together supporters and art aficionados who The Poet’s Theatre and director Jessica Ernst had a chance to engage with Baghsarian, who provided early script development assistance to has had an illustrious career photographing Van Dyke during four workshops over two renowned figures, and to learn more about years. Some of the greatest writers were quoted his process and inspirations behind each of when appropriate to the dialogue including his pieces. Shakespeare’s “Look how the floor of heaven is “Avedis is not only a pioneer in many artis- thick inlaid with patines of bright gold!” from tic forms but he is also an inspiration to the “The Merchant of Venice.” Fastidious research younger generation,” said Hovanessian in her was conducted at various scientific institutions welcoming remarks. “In addition to his artis- and libraries. tic talents, Avedis is a true philanthropist.” Suzi Banks Baum, left, interviews Mariam Simonyan (Photo by Knar Babayan) “Some of the research was done at the Center Hovanessian reflected on Baghsarian’s for Astrophysics where we were able to look at career that has spanned six decades and includes multiple art forms, including sculp- the actual notebooks kept by the women teach in, and at the offices where they work. It was a whirlwind immersion in to ture and industrial design. While establishing astronomers in the play, as well as photos, and the lives of women who are mostly well-educated, but subsumed after college into himself on an international platform, he main- the equipment they used,” shared Van Dyke, marriage and family life, many forgetting the fires of passion that fueled their edu- tained his ties to his homeland and to the city continuing, “Also the Harvard Archives which cation in the first place; so many told me “no one cares about the women of he has lived in for over 50 years. During the has collections of the women’s papers. I also Armenia.” They are truly under the radar of world attention, many living in poverty emotional aftermath of September 11, read some of the scientific papers that these see ARTISTS, page 15 see PLAY, page 16 Baghsarian was awarded a solo exhibition by see EXHIBIT, page 14 14 S ATURDAY, M AY 2 6 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING

into the U.S. Army where he served as a combat Baghsarian’s relationship with FAR dates back orange symbolizes harvest, which is the future.” Curated Art photographer, later opening his own photogra- many years when he sold his large collection of Baghsarian’s brand of contemporary art is in phy studio where he focused on fashion and com- sculptures and earmarked the proceeds for line with Hovanessian’s artistic inclinations and mercial assignments and won numerous awards Armenian students, ultimately laying the ground- she praises his versatility and multi-pronged tal- in the ensuing decades. Shifting gears in 1992, work for he and his wife’s scholarship program. ents as an artist, while also being “completely Exhibit at Baghsarian fulfilled new artistic callings by “I’m very proud to read the letters the devoted to helping students in Armenia,” an designing and producing a collection of tabletop scholarship recipients send us every year,” endeavor Hovanessian is equally dedicated to in accessories, winning the prestigious International said Baghsarian. “Learning about their accom- her ongoing mission to shine the spotlight on Diocese Design Magazine Award, while simultaneously plishments and bright futures gives us great artists from Armenia. publishing several photography books. joy.” “The world is going toward contemporary art EXHIBIT, from page 13 In a post-event interview, Baghsarian said he Fostering the artistic ambitions of the next and it’s very important Armenia stays in step with Citibank, evoking his artistic take on the shad- was “overwhelmed” at the opening reception, generation comes full circle for Baghsarian who the rest of the world,” said Hovanessian. ows of Manhattan’s skyscrapers. particularly by the “enthusiasm and excitement “fell in love with photography” as an adolescent. “Armenia was behind the iron curtain for so long “He is an accomplished artist, whose works of guests.” “I saw for the first time the process of making and now with the blockades, it’s difficult for artist have been recognized all around the world and The highlight for him was interacting with the a print and I thought, that’s magic,” he said. Over to be introduced to the outside world.” today, you will be able to discover his art your- Armenian school students from the metro area, the years, he perfected new techniques while for- When Armenia gained independence almost self,” said Hovanessian, who has championed who visited the exhibition over the course of the mulating his own unique style, portrayed three decades ago and the Diaspora began initia- artists in Armenia over the last 20 years to “keep weekend. through his alphabets - a combination of his com- tives in the homeland, Hovanessian realized “no them on the Armenian soil.” “I received so much satisfaction from meeting puter drawings and photographing certain pat- one was helping the artists survive,” so she took “His talent in art and his love for Armenia is the students, who asked brilliant questions,” he terns with his iPhone - as well as a photo of a sym- it upon herself to help pave the way for the coun- truly is an inspiration,” she concluded. said. He appreciated their dialogue and taught bolic dove, where Baghsarian intricately injected try’s contemporary artists to receive recognition A graduate of the School of Visual Arts and them that “the eye, not the camera” takes the dyes with hypodermic needles and used a tiny in the international arena. Parsons School of Design, Baghsarian, who is photos. brush air gun for effect. “Art balances one’s life by expressing humani- originally from Jerusalem, acknowledged the sup- The chance to meet with the artist in an edu- The image, he says, was inspired by the raising ty and imagination while bringing emotions, port of his wife, a successful shoe designer in her cational platform was at the behest of of the Armenian flag at the United Nations in desire and thoughts to light,” she said. “The past own right, who “stood by me during my days as Hovanessian, who recognized the importance of 1992, when he found himself explaining the col- is already in the present, so we have to showcase an aspiring photographer and pushed me to fol- “the spiritual nourishment of art, particularly for ors of the flag to a curious bystander. “To me, red new artists because if we don’t do it now, then low my dreams.” young students.” represents the past, blue as the color of peace and when will we?” He expressed appreciation for Hovanessian’s effective leadership and insights, noting, “her drive and her knowledge of art was the force behind the show.” Thanking guests for their support of the chil- dren of Armenia, he shared his artistic philoso- phy with humility. “As far as the work, it is what I saw,” said Baghsarian. “Composers write music, writers Recipe what they feel and photographers capture what they see, and that’s what I did.” Mher Margaryan, deputy permanent represen- tative of Armenia to the UN, focused on the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Armenia, reflecting on the country’s short life whose “his- Corner toric lessons are still very relevant.” He cited the challenges facing Armenia but expressed confi- dence that “with the joint efforts of our compa- triots in the Diaspora, we can realize the dream by Christine Vartanian Datian of many generations and have a strong and suc- cessful Armenia.” (Armenia’s UN Ambassador Zohrab Mnatsakanyan was named the country’s new for- Chilled Summer Squash and eign minister earlier in the month.) A testament to these joint efforts and connec- Potato Soup tion of the Diaspora to the homeland are Ruzanna Gishyan and Armine Sahakyan, two INGREDIENTS recipients of the Avedis and Arsho Baghsaryan 6-7 medium zucchini, yellow crookneck or pattypan squash, sliced Scholarship Program, who shared their educa- or diced tional and professional updates, along with words 1 large onion, diced of gratitude from Armenia. 2 medium garlic cloves, minced Gishyan, who studied journalism and media 2 cups potatoes, peeled, cubed or diced studies at Yerevan State University, earning both 2 medium stalks celery, diced (plus tops) her bachelor and master degrees with honors, is 2 medium carrots, diced currently a journalist and news anchor at Radio 6 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth (to taste) Liberty Armenian Service. 2 tablespoons unsalted butter and 2 tablespoons olive oil (to taste) “I love my work because it gives me an oppor- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (to taste) tunity to truthfully present people’s lives and try 1 teaspoon Kosher or sea salt to help those who are in need,” said Gishyan. Sahakyan, who studies at the State Academy of 1/2 teaspoon white or black pepper Fine Arts in Armenia specializing in Fashion Pinch of dried thyme Design, also expressed her warm sentiments to Non-fat plain yogurt as garnish the couple. Chopped chives, basil, parsley, paprika or mint as garnish “It means so much to me that my benefactor Half and half or fresh ricotta and juice of 1/2 lemon has the same passion for creating arts as I do,” said Sahakyan, who is especially inspired by the PREPARATION Armenian alphabet and balances her art with ser- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix bread crumbs, one tablespoon vice work, volunteering at FAR’s summer camp melted butter, and nuts together in a medium bowl and set aside. for orphans. Boil carrots until tender, drain, mash, and set aside. She looks forward to earning her diploma and Sauté onions, bell pepper, green onions and garlic in 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil for 5-8 minutes, toss, and set aside. presenting her first collection in a profession she In a large bowl, combine the carrots, milk, eggs, cooked vegetables, cheese, and spices together, and mix well. “loves more and more every day.” In a separate large bowl, combine the flour, salt, dry mustard, and baking powder; add the carrot mixture to the dry ingredients, toss, “We are proud to run the Avedis and Arsho and mix thoroughly. Baghsarian educational fund that supports tal- Turn into a buttered 9 X 13 baking dish and sprinkle with bread crumbs and nut mixture. Dot top of casserole with butter and bake ented students to realize their dream of higher for 35-45 minutes at 350 degrees or until bubbly. education,” said Garnik Nanagoulian, Executive Garnish with chopped parsley and dill before serving. Director of FAR, who along with Sandra Serves 6-8.In a large pot, sauté zucchini, onions, garlic, potatoes, celery and carrots in butter and olive oil for 10-12 minutes or until Shahinian, a member of the Board of Directors, vegetables are tender, tossing occasionally. served as advisors to the exhibition. “Through Add the broth, lemon juice, salt, pepper and thyme, stir, and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes. Remove from this benefit exhibition we witnessed the magnifi- heat and cool for 10 minutes. cent art of a multi-talented Armenian-American In a food processor or blender, puree soup (in batches) until medium smooth, but there are traces of zucchini and carrots visible. artist, for whom being Armenian means to share Serve at room temperature, if desired, or place in a container, cover, and chill for 4-6 hours or overnight. together in a proud culture and heritage.” To serve, whisk soup with half and half or ricotta, if desired, and a little lemon juice. Top with a dollop of yogurt and sprinkle with That pride in the Armenian culture was choice of chives, basil, parsley, paprika or mint. instilled in Baghsarian by his family while grow- Drizzle with olive oil and serve lemon wedges on the side. ing up in Jerusalem’s Old City and it is what moti- Serves 4-6. vates his desire to fund art students in Armenia so they can nurture and pursue their creative *Christine's recipes have been published in the Fresno Bee newspaper, Sunset magazine, Cooking Light magazine, and at visions, just as he did as a 10-year-old when, at the http://www.thearmeniankitchen.com/ encouragement of his father, he apprenticed with a local photographer. Immigrating to the US in 1955 to continue his education, he was drafted S ATURDAY, M AY 2 6 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 ARTS & LIVING

Marsha Nouritza Odabashian (US) and Nairi Khatchadourian (FR) along with 30 books Our Eyes Are on Armenia made in the initial workshop. Hundreds of peo- ple attended the month-long exhibition and accompanying events, including grandmothers ARTISTS, from page 13 ships with these illuminated manuscripts. “This project helped me to be more self-con- with grandchildren from the neighborhood and and with the effects of trauma in their families Villagers go to the Matenadaran to visit the fident, to know myself not only as a person, but art lovers from Yerevan. In November 2017, we and communities, with few services to support sacred books that once resided in their village. as a woman. Most importantly, with the help of produced our own exhibition at Café Nancy in healthy family life or opportunities for mean- The museum is home to books up to 1,600 this project, I was able to drop all my fears. I Gyumri of the 50 new books made during my ingful work. years old. The illuminated manuscripts were cre- could be myself. After the project I started cre- second residency. Over 125 people attended It was a hard visit, but while I was there, I fell ated in workrooms in monasteries, entirely cre- ating different books. And every book has its this one-night event. in love. I fell in love with Gyumri and the peo- ated by men until the years of the Armenian own story. I find my consolation in the books. Upon seeing the first exhibition of the work ple who allowed me to photograph them on the Genocide. Then, during the Soviet occupation, The book is man’s best friend... These books of New Illuminations, Fulbright Scholar Erin street, the women who sweep the streets at the practice of making these sacred texts fell have become a part of me. Every book created Piñon wrote, “New Illuminations is a formative, dawn, and the many women who shoved furni- away. There are no surviving manuscripts creat- by me, have its own character. The book is me,” multifaceted exhibition and bold surge of cre- ture away from walls to show me paintings, who ed by women, though many of the people work- said Yunona Kirakosyan, 20. ative production, which will be written into our dug out stacks of images to share with me, who new and evolving history of manuscripts as a told me stories that they longed to write but did critical moment for female artists and creators not think anyone cared about. in Armenia.” I care. I care about women’s voices the world We weave even closer into this ancient art over. This is the work that I pursue in the form with the vigorous curiosity of artists seek- United States and abroad. I am a writer and ing to make a new future for themselves in the visual artist. I utilize the book arts and photog- rapidly evolving country that we love. Our eyes raphy to tell the stories I hear. In Armenia, I are on Armenia. found women eager to gather in community to I will deliver two public talks about New learn new skills furthering their own artistic Illuminations this summer, one for the Jewish explorations and connecting them to the world Federation of Pittsfield, Mass. on June 7 at in a new way. 10:30 a.m. and the second at the Cook “My book has become my real friend, all my Memorial Library in Tamworth, NH on emotions, my life’s events are shared with him, Wednesday, June 13 at 7 p.m. Fundraising will and my book has become my true companion, begin in earnest in July to fund this project, the best occupation I can ever do. I want to which requires $16,000 to run successfully. deepen my knowledge of book art and also have Donations made through our fiscal sponsor, a collection of my books,” said one of the Fractured Atlas, are fully tax-deductible. *Link women, Hasmik Gasparyan, 25. to Fractured Atlas https://www.fracturedat- One step towards uniting these artists with las.org/site/fiscal/profile?id=14652 the Armenian tradition of illuminated For more information, please go to manuscripts was to bring them to the NewIlluminations.com. *Link http://www.suz- Matenadaran as a group. The Matenadaran is a ibanksbaum.com/new-illuminations/ world-renowned scriptorium, museum, and Main Gallery New Illuminations (photo by Raffi Berberian) (Suzi Banks Baum is a writer, artist, actress, research center in Yerevan. Dedicated to the teacher, community organizer, and mom. With preservation of its collection and furthering the roots in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, she study and understanding of the volumes of over ing at the Matenadaran are women, skilled, edu- This November, I will return to Gyumri for lives in the Berkshires of western 26,000 books, the museum is a unique resource cated, and devoted to preserving this icon of my third residency. Thanks to the generous Massachusetts. Suzi uses the written word, for Armenians. Yet, most of the women I worked Armenian culture. support of the NAREG Foundation, the work- hand bound books, and photographs to say with in Gyumri, which is just 2 hours away from These lavishly embellished, hand-made books, shops take place in a clean, well-lit space on what she means. Her first book, An Anthology Yerevan, had ever visited this place. which have extensive historic, spiritual, and Ghorganyan Street in central Gyumri. I pro- of Babes, celebrates the writing of women Facilitated by my coordinator Ani Ginosyan, artistic value, are missing half of the popula- vide all the materials for the book making artists. Deeply curious about the thresholds we and with special permission from the leadership tion’s vision and voice. The illuminated along with lunch for everyone in the work- cross in to creative practice, she writes person- at the Matenadaran, the advanced artists of manuscripts shed a light, through language, on shop, which includes two translators from al narrative with an ear for transformation New Illuminations were invited to a special tour the non-physical entity that is the soul of Gyumri, and two photographers, of the museum. Of the 11 women who took a Armenia and its people. But, when women’s sto- one from Gyumri and another from bus from Gyumri, only three had been there ries are not told in the archives of human histo- Stepanakert. We work closely and before. My Armenian guidebook calls this muse- ry, we cannot say we know the whole truth. intensively. Since my first visit to um, “a shrine to the and New Illuminations seeks to carve a new history Gyumri, I have worked with Ani the soul of the nation.” The museum contains of the women of Armenia by empowering them Ginosyan as my translator. Both in illuminated Gospels, books about botany, ani- with skills to create contemporary manuscripts the interviews with artists and con- mal husbandry, and philosophy. For genera- blazoned with the beautiful and difficult reality ducting the workshops, Ani is inte- tions, Armenians have had personal relation- of their lives. gral to the project. She lives and works as a teacher and translator in Gyumri. The workshops are four full days long, attended by at least 15 women. This year, aided by a specialist from the Matenadaran, the advanced artists will learn the Family studies an artist’s book (Photo by Raffi Berberian) Armenian book binding style. Recognition of New Illuminations by the Matenadaran adds a very though engagement with the ordinary. She rich layer of validity to this project. inspires us to live from the space of creative During my original residency in 2016, HAY-P spirit and to value our contributions to the Pop-up Gallery of Yerevan produced and curat- world and one another through workshops ed the first exhibition of the work of New steeped in book arts, ritual, and writing. Suzi Illuminations. Produced in an old stone house teaches in the Berkshires and for the on Shahumyan Street in the city center, the International Women’s Writing Guild. exhibit was curated by the HAY-P team of Anna Published in The Collection: Flash Fiction for Gargarian and Charlotte Poulain. This exhibit Flash Memory by Anchala Studios and Writing showed work by three international Armenian Fire by Green Fire Press. Visit her blog at, book artists including Dana Walrath (US), www.suzibanksbaum.com)

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MASSACHUSETTSFLORIDA Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown MA [email protected]. Imports and The Bostonian Hotel. Walk the Labyrinth. For www.stjameswatertown.org/festival first-time walkers introduction to walking a labyrinth at JANUARY 20-27, 2019 — Armenian Heritage Cruise JUNE 16 – Book presentation by Adrienne Alexanian 5:30 p.m. RSVP appreciated. hello@ArmenianHeritage XXII 2019. Western Caribbean Cruise aboard the Royal (editor) of her father’s memoir Forced into Genocide: Park.org Caribbean’s Allure of the Sea. Traveling to Nassau, Memoirsof and Armenian soldier in the Ottoman Turkish AUGUST 15 — Tea & Tranquility, Armenian Heritage Cozumel, Roaten, Costa Maya. Cabin Rates, starting from Army Worcester Library – Saxe Room – 2 - 3:30 pm 3 Park on The Greenway, Boston, Wednesday, 5-6:30 $949/person based on double occupancy, including port Salem Square – Worcester MA – (508) 799-1655 ext. 3 p.m. Meet & Greet! Enjoy Tea & Desserts hosted by MEM charges and ACAA registration fee. Government rates of Book signing will follow the presentation – proceeds will Tea Imports and The Bostonian Hotel. Walk the $137.45 are additional. Armenian entrainment, be donated to charity Labyrinth. For first-time walkers introduction to walking a Armenian cultural presentations, Armenian Festival Day, JUNE 18 — The Gregory Hintlian Memorial Golf labyrinth at 5:30 p.m. RSVP appreciated. Tavlou and Belote Tournaments and much more. Call Tournament, sponsored by Holy Trinity Armenian [email protected] Travel Group International at 1-561-447-08750 or 1-866- Church of Greater Boston at the Marlborough Country SEPTEMBER 16 — Sunday Afternoon at the Park for 447-0750 ext. 108, contact person Janie. Club, Marlborough; 9:30 a.m., registration; 11 a.m., Families & Friends. Armenian Heritage Park on The “Shot Gun.” Join us for a day of golf - player’s fee: $175 Greenway. 2-4 p.m. Enjoy Boston Hye Guys Ensemble MASSACHUSETTS (includes hospitality, lunch, dinner, green & cart fees, with Ron Sahatjian, clarinet; Joe Kouyoumjian, oud; Art prizes and gifts) – or just dinner and a social evening Chingris, percussion. RSVP appreciated. MAY 31 — Annual Spring Dinner and Drawing spon- ($50 per person). Limited to 128 players. Tournament [email protected] sored by the Friends of Holy Trinity 1000 Club, 6:30 and tee sponsorships available. RSVP deadline, June 11. NOVEMBER 14 — Najarian Lecture on Human Rights at p.m., Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall, Holy To register or for further information, log onto Historic Faneuil Hall, Boston Wednesday. Doors open Trinity Armenian Church of Greater Boston, 145 Brattle www.htaac.org/calendar/event/562/ call the Holy Trinity at 6:45pm, Program at 7:30pm. Reception follows at The St., Cambridge. Open to all. You don’t have to be a mem- Church Office, 617.354.0632, or email [email protected]. Bostonian Hotel An endowed public program of ber of the 1000 Club to join us for a delicious losh kebab JUNE 20 — Tea & Tranquility, Armenian Heritage Park Armenian Heritage Park on The Greenway. Details forth- and pilaf dinner, $9.99 per person; tickets on sale at the on The Greenway, Boston, Wednesday, 5-6:30 p.m. coming. door. Regular monthly raffle drawing at 8 p.m., plus 5 Meet & Greet! Enjoy Tea & Desserts hosted by MEM Tea $25 door prizes. “One-time” numbers will be sold on the Imports and The Bostonian Hotel. Walk the Labyrinth. For NEW JERSEY night of dinner; special offer: purchase five “one-time” first-time walkers introduction to walking a labyrinth at numbers for $20, save $5. For further info, contact the 5:30 p.m. RSVP appreciated. SEPTEMBER 30 — Save the Date! Armenian Fund USA Holy Trinity Church office, 617.354.0632, or log [email protected] and Ardzagang Armenian TV are proud to present ontowww.htaac.org/calendar/event/560/ JUNE 28 — Under a Strawberry Moon, Armenian Artash Asatryan and band, guest singer Grisha JUNE 1-2 — Armenian Food Festival Sponsored by the Heritage Park on The Greenway, Boston, Thursday, Asatryan, from Armenia! The concert is dedicated to Hye Pointe Church Women’s Guild, 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 8:30– 9:30 p.m. Meet & Greet! Moonlit Labyrinth Walk. Armenia’s and Artsakh’s independence celebration. p.m. Armenian Apostolic Church at Hye Pointe, 1280 Enjoy chocolate-dipped strawberries, hosted by Vicki Don’t’ miss the performance by the son and grandson of Boston Post Road, Haverhill. Chicken Kabob, Losh Kabob, Lee’s and Ice Teas, hosted by MEM Tea Imports. RSVP the legendry singer Aram Asatryan. Proceeds to benefit and Kheyma Dinners, Armenian Delicacies including appreciated. [email protected] Fruitful Artsakh Project. 4 p.m. Bergen PAC, 30 N. Van Lahmejoon, Cheese Beoreg, Spinach Pie, Tourshi, JUNE 7 — Talk by Suzi Banks Baum about New Brunt St., Englewood. Cheoreg, Kataif, Paklava, and many more delicious items. Illuminations, the Jewish Federation of Pittsfield, 196 For more information call the church at (978) 372-9227. South Street, Pittsfield. 10:30 a.m. Baum has traveled to MRAHSSODAEC HISLUSEANTTDS JUNE 9 — The Friends of Armenian Culture Society will Gyumri three times in the past two years to develop a host the 67th annual Armenian Night at the Pops project called New Illuminations which unites women JUNE 16 — The Cultural Committee of Sts. Sahag & on Saturday, at 8 p.m. at Symphony Hall in Boston. artists with the ancient practice of hand bound books, Mesrob Armenian Church Presents A Tribute Concert Talented violinist Haig Hovsepian, a winner of the 2017 known to many as illuminated manuscripts. New Honoring Garo Nichanian ( Bass – Baritone, Canada), Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Concerto Competition and Illuminations connects women to their heritage while for his 40 years of contribution to the Arts and a rising sophomore at the Cleveland Institute of Music, empowering them through personal narrative writing Culture. Invited Performers: Janette Khalarian, singer, will appear as soloist with the Boston Pops Orchestra and brings the book art form in to contemporary and Mari Panosian, piano, David Griego, flute, Nazeli Dance under the direction of Keith Lockhart. He will perform the eager hands. For more information, go to Group Saturday, 7 p.m. Egavian Cultural Center 70 Sibelius Violin Concerto in D-minor. The Pops will pre- NewIlluminations.com or http://www.suzibanks- Jefferson Street, Providence, RI. Wine & refreshments will sent Dance to the Movies with Dancing Celebrity baum.com/new-illuminations/ be served. Admission $20 Pros, So You Think You Can Dance top finalists, JULY 7 — Save the date! Armenian Church of Cape Cod and singing stars from American Idol and The Voice. second annual Kef Time dinner and dancing at the Tickets $95, $70 and $35, available at: Cape Club, 125 Falmouth Woods Road, North Falmouth. Calendar items are free. Entries should not be longer www.FACSBoston.org Leon Janikian Band with DJ and special appearance by than 5 lines. Listings should include contact infor- JUNE 10 — St. James Armenian Festival. Delicious Harry Minassian. Details to follow. Armenian Food! Live Music! Raffle! Children’s Activities! JULY 18 — Tea & Tranquility, Armenian Heritage Park mation. Items will be edited to fit the space, if need Moon Bounce, Balloons, Face Painting, Caricatures and on The Greenway, Boston. Wednesday, 5- 6:30 p.m. be. A photo may be sent with the listing no later More! Rain or Shine - On Church Grounds. Sunday. 465 Meet & Greet! Enjoy Tea & Desserts hosted by MEM Tea than Mondays at noon.

Armenian American Museum Announces Van Dyke’s Newest Play Major Community-Wide Events Brightens Cambridge Skies GLENDALE — The Armenian The Armenian American PLAY, from page 13 American Museum Governing Museum Day on Sunday, August women published, as well as books and articles by historians of sci- Board has announced three major 5, will bring together hundreds of ence who wrote about them, and most recently Dava Sobel’s The community-wide events following community members for a special Glass Universe.” Glendale City Council’s historic ceremony and celebration to mark Armenian audiences may be more familiar with Van Dyke’s ear- approval including Museum Day the historic day at the future site lier works, such as “Daybreak” (earlier titled “Departed/a dream on August 5, Telethon on of the cultural and educational play”) about two women survivors of the Armenian Genocide, or September 9, and Gala Banquet on center in Downtown Glendale’s “A Girl’s War.” December 9. Central Park. “The play is different from my earlier work, but I see con- The Armenian American The Telethon on Sunday, nections too. Women and their struggles and their relation- Museum is a landmark project gov- September 9, will be broadcast ships are center stage. Time and space are fluid. The plot is not erned under the united leadership from Los Angeles and streamed linear. Characters conjure up those from another time that they of ten leading Armenian American cultural, philanthropic, online worldwide to educate the public on the Armenian need to interact with. Because it was going to be a play about and religious non-profit institutions. In April 2018, the American Museum and raise awareness for the historic the work of these women at the Observatory, it had no overlap Glendale City Council agreed to negotiate the final Ground project. Proceeds will benefit the construction of the with my own family history. But ‘Daybreak’ is the only play I’ve Lease Agreement for the Museum’s Downtown Glendale Museum. written about my own family history. ‘The Women Who Mapped site with a lease term of up to 95 years at $1 per year, mark- The Gala Banquet on December 9 at the Ray Dolby the Stars’ is not connected to my Armenian roots, but it is ing a major milestone for the project. Ballroom in Hollywood will be the signature event of the deeply connected to my experience as a woman and to the “We are excited to announce the Armenian American year for the Armenian American Museum. The inaugural struggle of women to do meaningful work. In spite of all the Museum’s upcoming community-wide events and urge our event will bring together donors, supporters, public offi- research I needed to do in order to write this play, I wrote it community members to mark their calendars and partici- cials, and community leaders for a memorable evening to faster than any other. At some level I believe it was already in pate to celebrate and support the project,” stated Museum celebrate and support the landmark project. me,” Van Dyke remarked. Executive Committee Chairman Berdj Karapetian. Visit www.ArmenianAmericanMuseum.org for more The following community-wide events have been scheduled: information. S ATURDAY, M AY 2 6 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 17 COMMENTARY

COMMENTARY Mirror The Battle of Sardarapat and its Aftermath

gy. A case in point is the participation of the future Spectator By Edmond Y. Azadian Catholicos of Cilicia, Bishop Garegin Hovsepian, who was dubbed at the time as Yeghishé, a historic figure in the Battle of Avarayr, 451 AD, for inspiring the warriors through his One hundred years after the historic Battle of Sardarapat, patriotic fervor. a visit to ground zero allows a visual survey of the landscape, For a long time, Dro and Aram Manoukian had been depict- along with resurrecting the memory of those who sacrificed EstablishedEstablished 1932 1932 ed as the only true heroes of the battle, sometimes overshad- their lives at that spot and the memory of those who wit- owing the professional military, who were the real architects of An ADLAn Publication ADL Publication nessed the victory which sealed Armenia’s fate for posterity. the victory, because those military leaders did not have political Armenians may not have demonstrated unity in their self- heirs. Today, they are all on a pedestal for the entire Armenian rule. However, that unity was amply visible during the battles nation. They were the ones who collectively fought without dis- of survival. Some of those battles took place in Sardarapat, tinction, saved a piece of historic land from calamity and creat- EDITOR Bash Abaran and Ghara Kilisa (Vanadzor) in May 1918, with ed an ancestral homeland for posterity. Alin K. Gregorian the decisive victory scored on May 28. That date signifies the For a long time, there was also historic injustice when com- victorious outcome of a war and the founding of the first paring and contrasting the first independent republic to the ASSISTANT EDITOR independent Republic of Armenia. Soviet-era republic. As we revisit historic facts without preju- Aram Arkun After a century-long debate, discussions and controversies dices and biases, we realize the three republics complement ART DIRECTOR among Armenians, the dust has already settled and bare his- each other in unity. Marc Mgrditchian torical facts are there to stay. As much as the Soviet-era leaders are maligned as corrupt The Battle of Sardarapat enjoyed a groundswell of support communists, many of them harbored true patriotism and from all Armenians, including refugees from Sassoun and nationalism in their hearts to generate pride in the battle of Van who joined the army and the popular forces for a last Sardarapat and inspire respect for our martyrs. stand in history. Aghasi Khanjyan, Grigor Haroutunyan (who barely spoke SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: The Turks were not satisfied with exterminating our people in Armenian and who claimed Western Armenian territories), Edmond Y. Azadian historic Armenia and usurping their native land. They aimed at Yakob (Hakob) Zarobyan, Andon Kochinyan and Garen the last haven of the Armenians in the Caucasus to finish up the Demirjian, pretending to be devout communists, sometimes CONTRIBUTORS: grizzly job and connect Turkey with the lands of their brethren more Catholic than the Pope, were the ones who built the Florence Avakian, Dr. Haroutiun in Central Asia, on their way to the pan-Turanic dream. But their monumental edifices at Tsitsernakabert and Sardarapat, con- Arzoumanian, Philippe Raffi Kalfayan, Philip Ketchian, Kevork Keushkerian, march was interrupted on the slopes of Ararat, where Armenia travening the Soviet foreign policy which treated Turkey Harut Sassounian, Hagop Vartivarian, was reborn on a sliver of its historic homeland. with kid gloves, hoping to lure that country away from the Naomi Zeytoonian embrace of the North Atlantic Treaty CORRESPONDENTS: Organization Armenia - Hagop Avedikian (NATO). Boston - Nancy Kalajian Those leaders took New York/New Jersey - Taleen such initiatives at Babayan Berlin - Muriel Mirak-Weissbach their own peril; Khanjyan was assas- Contributing Photographers: sinated by Lavrenti Jirair Hovsepian Beria and Zarobyan was demoted. Yet they all stand tall The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published before history and weekly, except two weeks in July and the first their own people. week of the year, by: This year, Armenia Association, Inc. also celebrated the 50th anniversary of 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 the construction of Telephone: 617-924-4420 the Sardarapat mon- FAX: 617-924-2887 ument, which chal- www.mirrorspectator.com lenges the gardens of E-Mail: [email protected] Versailles in its ambi- For advertising: [email protected] tion. Sardarapat has more than architec- tural symbols. It denotes the survival of a beleaguered peo- ple in the tumult of SUBSCRIPTION RATES : history. It was The victory at Sardarapat belongs to all Armenians as well designed by the prominent architect and sculptor Rafael as to the fledgling republic, which was born from the blood Israelian. The Sardarapat Memorial Complex is composed of U.S.A. $80 a year and sweat of heroes. a curved wall depicting the details of the war as well as two Canada $125 a year The fighting force at Sardarapat had many components: bullheads and a row of dignified falcons keeping watchful eye professional military commanders, highly educated in the col- on Yerevan. Other Countries $190 a year lapsing Tsarist army, like Gen. Movses Silikian, Tovmas On the centennial of the Battle of Sardarapat, a visit to the Nazarbekian, Daniel bek-Piroumian (general commander) site is a journey into history where the war cries come alive, and General Boghos bek-Piroumian. Also vital were heroes the agony of the dying soldiers is painfully felt. © 2014 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator like Dro (Drastamat Kanayan) who rose from the ranks of That visit becomes more significant on the heels of the soft Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA fedayees, civilian volunteers as well as members of the cler- landing of the Velvet Revolution. and additional mailing offices. ISSN 0004-234X LETTERS POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Armenian Mirror-Spectator, 755 Mount Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472 Other than the editorial, views and opinions Libaridian Clarifies Point Regarding Government Actions expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily reflect the policies of the publisher. To the Editor: that the Azerbaijanis are attacking.’” I read with much interest and admiration It is possible that I misspoke or that the Aram Arkun Responds: Aram Arkun’s article (May 12, 2018 issue of author misheard. I do not have a recording of the Armenian Mirror-Spectator) titled “Boston my talk. But that is not important. It is very Dear Dr. Libaridian, Copying for other than personal use or Renaissance Discusses Events in Armenia.” possible that I misspoke. I appreciate your kind words. I did internal reference is prohibited without The article was comprehensive and quite infor- What I meant to say was “ten years” ago, express permission of the copyright make a recording of the evening’s owner. Address requests for reprints or mative, even for one who was present. that is in 2008, when the country was also program, which confirms the accura- back issues to: It is necessary for me, nonetheless, to make gripped by a popular and wide protest move- cy of my quotation of your statement a correction in the segment that relates to my ment, following Serzh Sargsyan’s first con- about the April 2016 events. Thank Baikar Association, Inc. comments during that event. The article tested election as president. you for clarifying for the record your states that “Libaridian … then made the con- The 2016 four-day war was certainly initiat- understanding of the cause of those 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472- troversial claim that two years ago in April ed by Azerbaijan. events. 1509 2016, it was the Armenian government ‘which Jirair Libaridian started action on the border and then said Cambridge, Mass. 18 S ATURDAY, M AY 2 6 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY Armenia’s ‘Velvet Revolution’ Should Be Model for Other Countries to Follow

Armenians being disillusioned by its politicians pulling out from with every great movement being sparked by nonviolent By Michael Melkonian closer military and economic ties with Europe and choosing to protest, such as the peaceful protests of Indians wanting free- align itself with Putin’s Russia. Sargsyan was a main proponent dom and self-determination from the British and the peaceful of closer Russia ties, with him pulling out of numerous EU deals American civil rights protests of the 1960s calling for racial On April 23, under immense as president and choosing Russian economic and military deals equality. pressure, Armenian Prime instead. Sargsyan appointing himself as PM to continue his Lastly, this revolution proved a point to puppet masters like Minister Serzh Sargsyan resigned. hold on power was the last straw for many Armenians. It was Putin that his efforts to control smaller countries like Armenia This resignation was prompted by reminiscent to what Vladimir Putin did in 2008 when he through its politicians will not be tolerated by the people for 11 days of protests in Armenia, appointed himself PM after his presidential term ran out. long, as it is human nature for people to want freedom, some- with hundreds of thousands of To his credit however, Sargsyan resigned his position without thing that Putin and his corrupt political puppets lack. Armenians peacefully protesting bloodshed, which is something that many leaders in post-Soviet As President Ronald Reagan once said, “Freedom is never Sargsyan’s appointment to PM countries have failed to do. These protests showed the world more than one generation from extinction,” and the Armenian after his presidential term ended earlier this year. that people power still meant something. Sargsyan, who was an people proved that their freedom will never be extinct because The protests were led by former journalist Nikol Pashinyan, Armenian lion in politics, resigned and surrendered to an of this generation or the next. who heads the opposition party, , and who unarmed nonviolent crowd. His resignation prompted mass rebuked the advice of other opposition party leaders in calling jubilation across Armenia, with young people especially cele- for protests against Sargsyan’s appointment. brating their historic achievement on getting the corrupt out of (Michael Melkonian, from Los Angeles, is a senior at Pashinyan was arrested in the early days of the protest under Armenia. Clark Magnet High School who will begin his college an unclear charge, which prompted even more protests by The next step for the Armenian people should be to hold new career this fall majoring in political science and eco- Armenians even more dedicated to remove Sargsyan from elections, monitored by the U.N. for fairness, to get a govern- nomics, hoping to one day make positive changes power. All of these protests were peaceful, as the impression ment that is fairly elected by its own people. This new govern- through public policy. He has been interning in the was meant to peacefully protest government corruption, not to ment will sanguinely help cast aside the chains of government Political arena since his junior year of high school, which try and violently overthrow a government. corruption in Armenia and help prepare Armenia for a new era included Brian Mast’s Congressional Campaign, Marco Everyone from all walks of Armenian life joined in on these of freedom and prosperity. Rubio’s Senatorial Campaign, and Donald Trump’s protests, with young student activists, liberal politicians, civil Hopefully, these protests inspire oppressed people from coun- Presidential Campaign. For the past year, he has been society workers, and even the military forming a large group of tries such as Iran, Russia and Turkey that peaceful demonstra- interning for the political consulting firm, Majority the people protesting the blatant corruption in the Armenian tions are still the most effective way for change, and that violent Strategies, and is currently working on their client Cole government. means never solve the problem, as seen with the failed coup of Harris’s campaign as the Republican Candidate for These protests have been brewing for years, with many Turkish President Erdogan in 2016. History proves this point, Lieutenant Governor of California.)

in the aviation sector to lower airfares. That led to a surge of An Angry Erdogan air travel to Turkey by Israelis, not to stay there but to use US and Israel Should Istanbul for connecting flights to their final destinations. In 2012, before Open Skies went into effect, 686,000 people Recognize the Stands to Harm traveled to Turkey from Israel on 4,706 flights; last year near- ly 2 million did on 12,400 flights. Both sides have benefited Armenian Genocide from this. Israelis get much cheaper airfares and Turkish air- Israel-Turkey lines and airports benefit from the business. Turks don’t travel to Israel in big numbers, but the Syrian civil war suddenly made it an important transit point for By Zev Chafets Economic Ties Turkish agricultural and other exports to Jordan, since they could no longer ship their goods by truck through war-torn Last week Turkey recalled its ambassadors to Syria. America and Israel. That decision came in response to Nowadays Turkish freighters arrive in Haifa Port with trail- Israeli forces killing 60 Palestinian protestors attempt- By Sami Peretz er trucks and drivers onboard. The trucks and their Turkish ing to cross the Gaza border. Turkish President Recep drivers travel through Israel to the Sheikh Hussein Bridge Tayyip Erdogan called Israeli actions a “genocide” on and on to Jordan. About 30-40 trucks do the route every Turkish TV; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin ELATIONS between Israel week, a relatively small number that could be a lot bigger if Netanyahu shot back on twitter: “I suggest that he not and Turkey haven’t been warm in recent Turkish companies decided to service the giant Saudi market preach morality to us.” years, but they certainly improved after via the same route. Erdogan’s attack has opened an unanticipated win- Israel agreed to provide $20 million in David Behrisch, managing partner at Tiran Shipping, an dow of opportunity, both in Washington and Jerusalem compensation to the victims of Israeli shipping agency, says that so far the ups and downs of to break a decades-long refusal to join historians and Israel’s Mavi raid. Israeli-Turkish diplomatic relations have had no effect on the many governments in recognizing a real genocide that Now that appears to be at risk as the convoys. Turkey continues to deny — that against Armenian R two sides engage in a staccato duel of “I haven’t felt any tension, even after the Mavi Marmara. I Christians. recalled and expelled envoys and insults. don’t think I’ll feel it now either, I spoke with the Israeli con- This, of course, is history. The genocide took place The war may not end with words but rather endanger eco- sulate in Istanbul and they told me that it’s business as usual during World War I. It was carried out by an Ottoman nomic ties. and it will stay that way,” he said. Turkish caliphate which is long gone. But in the Middle Until the Mavi Marmara incident in 2010, Turkey-Israel ties Israeli-Turkish trade came to $4.3 billion in 2017, with a East, history matters. Turkey has made it a policy to encompassed a close defense relationship as well as trade and significant surplus for Turkey. Israeli exports to Turkey baldly deny the genocide, and demand acquiescence in tourism. The defense links, which included joint air force exer- amounted to $1.4 billion while imports from Turkey were this lie as the price of good relations with Israel and cises and big contracts such as a $1 billion project by Israel $2.9 billion. Israeli exports to Turkey are mainly chemicals other countries. to upgrade 170 Turkish tanks, evaporated in an instant. and refined oil and its imports mainly cars, metals, machinery In 2011, when France recognized the genocide, But the trade and business ties remained apart from the and textiles. Erdogan accused the French of doing even worse in political tension and even grew stronger in the years that fol- The real opportunity for boosting trade is natural gas. Algeria. Five years later, when Germany followed suit, lowed. As much as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Turkey needs it and Israel has big reserves. Turkey is danger- Erdogan again lashed out. “Look at your own history,” Erdogan raged at Israel, he let business go on as usual for ously reliant on imported Russian gas and Israel wants to use he instructed the government of Angela Merkel. “You fear of the damage it would do to his country. its energy resources to enhance its standing in the region. are proud of having burned people alive in ovens.” Who has gotten the most over the years from the relation- The two sides have held talks for many years, but nothing Despite such rhetoric, almost 30 countries have now ship isn’t easy to quantify. If an Israeli buys a low-priced shirt has resulted. As one source put it, “There are always talks officially classified the mass murder of Armenians as made in Turkey who benefits the most? The seller who earns underway with Turkey. I assume that if they were to get “genocide.” Israel and the United States are not among a profit or the buyer who gets a low-cost shirt? That is the strong support from both governments, they would advance.” them. magic of the market economy: When it works it works to One reason Israel isn’t giving full-throated support is that it For years, the Armenian community in America has everyone’s’ benefit. That’s why the politicians left it alone would prefer to export its gas to Europe through Cyprus and petitioned the government to officially recognize the even as they traded insults and accusations. Greece, which is a more politically reliable option than genocide. U.S. presidents, acting on expert advice and For logistical reasons, foreign trade is usually conducted Turkey, said Prof. Eyal Zisser of Tel Aviv University. No one the pressure of the Turkish lobby, have refrained doing with a country’s nearest neighbors. But Israel does virtually will invest the $2 billion required to construct a pipeline to so. This year, on “Armenian Remembrance Day,” no business with its Arab neighbors, so Turkey has always deliver the gas to Turkey from Israel’s Leviathan field without President Trump issued a statement to mark the occa- held out big promises, albeit promises that have never been guarantees of long-term contracts. sion that managed to omit the words “Turkey” and fulfilled. Zisser says Erdogan has always been careful to contain his “genocide.” Less than a month later, Erdogan reward- In any event, economic ties between the two countries anger when it comes to the Turkish economy and knows how ed Trump’s kow-towing by labeling him an accomplice began to warm without any direct connection to the agree- to distinguish between politics and business. “He knows the to what he called Israel’s genocidal actions against ment they came to in 2016 over the Mavi Marmara affair. limits, but in the dynamic of the Middle East it’s hard to know Palestinians. The best answer Trump could give now Instead, it was due to the Israeli government’s efforts to lower where he will take his next step,” he says. would be to demonstrate American leadership by offi- the cost of living and to the Syrian civil war. cially recognizing the Armenian genocide. The cost-of-living drive included creating more competition (This commentary originally appeared in Haaretz on May 16.) see RECOGNITION, page 20 S ATURDAY, M AY 2 6 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 19 COMMENTARY

the constitution was last revised in 2015 and it is neither like- Armenians who do not live in Armenia? ly nor desirable that it be altered so soon. Even the newly- 3) How would the representatives of the new legislative appointed prime minister acknowledged that it is not a good body be chosen? Would they be elected by their communities idea to tamper with the constitution every so often. It is also around the world or would they be appointed by the important to note that despite the former diaspora minister’s Armenian Government? In my opinion, Diaspora representa- My Turn 2011 announcement, when Armenia’s constitution was even- tives should be elected by their community members, no mat- tually amended in 2015, the concept of a second legislative ter how difficult it would be to organize such elections By Harut Sassounian chamber for the diaspora was not included in it. throughout the world. The Armenian Government should not Since the new diaspora minister asked for input from be involved in elections to be held in the Diaspora. Armenians overseas about his new proposal, I would like to Representatives appointed by the Armenian Government or Diaspora Minister Proposes raise a number of questions: selected from Armenian organizations would not be able to Forming A Parliament for the 1) Is the Armenian government willing to amend the con- claim that they truly represent the Armenians of the diaspo- stitution to create a second legislative chamber? An alterna- ra, since the public-at-large has not elected them. The leaders Diaspora in Armenia tive option, that may not require a change of the constitution, of Diaspora organizations represent only their own members, would be to include Armenians from the diaspora in the pre- not the majority of Armenians in the Diaspora, since most The new Diaspora Minister Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, appoint- sent Parliament. Several countries have adopted such a mech- Armenians are not members of any organization. It is also not ed by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on May 11, announced anism. A thorough study should be made of how other coun- a good idea to have two legislative chambers in Armenia, one that a second legislative body would be created in Armenia to tries have resolved the participation of their diaspora repre- of which is elected by the citizens of Armenia (the present represent Diaspora Armenians. sentatives in their legislative bodies. Parliament) and the second one is composed of appointed, This is a fascinating concept, but not a novelty. 2) What exactly would be the mandate of the new cham- not elected members. Interestingly, former Diaspora Minister , ber? Would it only discuss pan-Armenian issues such as the 4) What would be the criteria for candidates and voters for during her visit to Los Angeles on January 30, 2011, made a Armenian Genocide, demands from Turkey, the Artsakh con- the Diaspora chamber? Would it be acceptable that the can- similar announcement, proposing the creation of a Senate in flict, and matters related to Diaspora Armenians or would it didates be Armenians who are citizens of foreign countries or Armenia in addition to the existing Parliament that would be also deal with Armenia’s internal problems? Minister should they be asked to acquire at least dual citizenship? partially include Diaspora Armenians. Hayrapetyan, in one of his interviews, stated that the new Otherwise, it would be odd to have a group of foreign citizens, I wrote an editorial in 2011, a few days after Minister chamber would be a consultative, not a decision-making body. albeit Armenians, sitting in Yerevan and making decisions or Hakobyan’s announcement, and raised several questions This would raise all sorts of questions both in Armenia and giving advice that would affect Armenia’s population. which also apply to the proposal made by the new Diaspora the Diaspora. Would Diaspora Armenians be content to go to 5) Would Diaspora representatives of the new legislative Minister earlier this month. the trouble of electing representatives from their communi- body move to Armenia to participate in year-round sessions The most important issue is that the creation of a second leg- ties and spending their time in endless hours of meetings in or simply come to Armenia for brief periods to attend meet- islative chamber requires amending Armenian’s constitution — Yerevan merely to give advice to the Armenian Government ings dealing with pan-Armenian issues? not an easy task! Without such an amendment, the structure that may not be listened to? Would Diaspora representatives Certainly, there should be no rush to form a second leg- of the Armenian government cannot be altered. Interestingly, after a while lose their interest and stop attending the meet- islative body. As Minister Hayrapetyan suggested, extensive the new diaspora minister did not mention that his proposal ings of such a consultative body? On the opposite side, would consultations should be held in Armenia and the Diaspora to would require constitutional changes. This is a serious issue as residents of Armenia welcome decisions or even advice from find a solution that is in the best interest of all Armenians. An Ethical Dilemma with a Happy Ending

I inquired about the patient’s medical history Armenia,. He looked at the slides under the the normal level and the liver enzyme level has By Agop Y. Bedikian MD so that I could narrow down as to who may microscope and said, ”this is not lymphoma, it tripled, indicating tumor progression in the have received the pathology slides. Apparently, is testicular cancer.” Immediately, I called the abdomen. Then I inquired about the local avail- the patient was treated with antibiotics for ton- AGBU office in New York office and conveyed ability of the anticancer drugs known to be Life and death decision taking puts patients, sillitis in September 1999. The tonsillitis the new diagnosis and also I requested that the effective against testicular cancer in addition to relatives and caregivers in a very difficult situa- resolved but his flank pain persisted. A nephrol- doctors in Armenia do a blood test to measure antiemetics and other supportive care medica- tion. The decision taking is harder when a ogist thought it may be due to pyelonephritis. the serum Beta-HCH and alfa-fetoprotein levels; tions. young patient has terminal cancer. The patients He was given multiple antibiotic treatments but which are often elevated in association with Fully aware of the latest information about take the diagnosis of cancer as a death verdict. the patient and the limited availability of local They are afraid of pain, suffering and disfigur- resources for appropriate treatment, I told Mrs. ing associated with it. The intense emotional Simone that the patient has very high chance effect and the adverse impact on body image of developing life threatening complication drive some patients to depression and suicide. from chemotherapy because of hepatic and The general attitude among physicians in the renal insufficiency. In addition, the prognosis of West in the recent past changed from giving patients with similar liver and kidney dysfunc- limited information to full disclosure about the tion is very poor as half of them die in 6 to 8 disease, treatment and prognosis. weeks. I devoted the first four decades of my life to I stressed the fact that we have only one shot treat patients with advanced cancer with the to reverse the deteriorating process in this best therapies the clinical research could pro- patient. Therapy of such patients would require vide. More importantly, I always made myself oncologist with detailed knowledge about the available to them and their families as cancer pharmacokinetics of the anticancer drugs cho- therapy is complicated and affects the patients’ sen for treatment to make the appropriate dose family in numerous ways. Very often, I received adjustment based on the deteriorating kidney communication (letters, phone calls, e-mails and liver functions. These drugs should be etc.) from patients, families I have never met. administered in a fashion different than that is They asked questions about the diagnosis, stag- a common practice in Armenia. Then Mrs. ing of the disease, management, and treatment Simone told me that despite the grave progno- options. I have never declined answering these sis, she has not given up on this doctor, she will requests. Most of the time, I do not hear from do whatever it takes to try to save him. She them again. On few occasions, I am involved in asked me what would I need if I take charge of their therapy even though it is outside my field the management of this case. I told her that I of subspecialty i.e. malignant melanoma. One need a person willing to administer the anti- such occasion was related to a young plastic cancer drugs as per my instruction with no surgeon from Armenia. Dr. Karen Danielyan and Dr. Agop Y. Bedikian modification or delay, monitor the patient close- It all started with a phone call from the office ly and inform me via e-mail at least twice a day. of Mrs. Louise Manoogian Simone, the former I would prefer working with a person with lim- president of Armenian General Benevolent he persisted in remaining febrile. In addition, he metastatic testicular cancer. A day later, Mrs. ited knowledge in cancer care than with an Union. Her assistant, Barbara Boghosian, a mem- complained of weight loss and night sweats. Simone was told that the Beta-HCG level was oncologist because that will eliminate the ten- ber of the team responsible for AGBU Armenia A complete physical examination showed that over 200000, the highest dilution they could dency and temptation to modify the treatment Medical Programs was desperate. She said Dr. Karen Danielyan had an abdominal mass perform in their lab. Mrs. Simone told me that or alter the way the drugs are administered. In “excuse me for intruding; we wouldn’t have called which histologically was diagnosed as lym- they can no longer bring the patient to the addition, I asked her commitment to purchase you if we had an alternative. We have a young phoma. It was decided to have confirmation of States for therapy as his condition has deterio- and delivery of the needed cytotoxic and sup- doctor in Armenia with the diagnosis of advanced the diagnosis before he is brought to United rated significantly while waiting for the confir- portive care drugs including antiemetics, antibi- lymphoma, we have been waiting for a second States for treatment. I traced the pathology mation of the diagnosis. She asked me if I could otics and bone marrow stimulant growth fac- opinion from a pathologist in MD Anderson slides and took them to Dr. Mario Luna, the help. I told her I will be visiting my daughter tors to make them available when needed local- Cancer Center, and we have heard nothing dur- pathology colleague who had collaborated with who was living in New York in few days and that ly. I provided her with the list of the drugs we ing the past six weeks. We sent the pathology me in several projects before. I asked him if he I do not mind passing by the AGBU office in needed and started to take the necessary steps slides with the help of a charity organization in could have a look at the pathology slides ASAP New York and find out the status of the patient to initiate systemic chemotherapy using the Houston; we chose your name from the short list and give me preliminary verbal diagnosis as a then and what could be done in Yerevan. When then locally available cytotoxic drugs while we of Armenian doctors and are seeking your assis- favor while I do the necessary paperwork to I called his local oncologist for an update about procure and ship the long list of needed drugs. tance to expedite the process as the patient’s con- request official pathology consultation; in view the patient’s status, he told me that the Dr. Armine Kharatian, (Anesthesiologist, dition is deteriorating in the interim.” of deteriorating condition of the patient in patient’s serum bilirubin level was over twice see ETHICS, page 20 20 S ATURDAY, M AY 2 6 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR

Armenian President Visits Yerevan Physics Institute

YEREVAN — On May 3 President Armen Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) facility. Sarkissian, accompanied by the chairman of The SEVAN network was designed and Yerevan Physics Institute’s board of trustees, deployed by CRD scientists and engineers to Nerses Yeritsyan, visited Yerevan Physics monitor cosmic radiation in the atmosphere. Institute (YerPhI) headquarters. The presi- Networked cosmic ray detectors are installed dent, who himself has a PhD in physics, met in a number of Eastern European countries the new director and staff. as well as in Armenia and Artsakh. Data from In April, the Board of Trustees of the the detectors is relayed to CRD’s headquar- Alikhanyan National Scientific Laboratory, ters where it is analyzed and made available YerPhI approved the appointment of Ani to scientists worldwide. Aprahamian, professor of physics at Notre Chilingarian spoke about CRD’s annual From left to right: Scientists Vahan Elbakyan, Ruben Dallakyan, Andranik Manukyan, Gurgen Dame University, as YerPhI’s new director. international summer school. Included are Elbakyan; head of the Radioisotope production laboratory Dr. Albert Avetisyan; Director Prof. Aprahamian takes over YerPhI’s leadership both lectures on topics of modern physics, as Ani Aprahamian; Armenian president Prof. Armen Sarkissian; Chairman of AANL board of from Prof. Ashot Chilingarian who held this well as exercises and the solution of simple trustees Nerses Yeritsyan; Head of Nuclear Medicine Arthur Rostomyan; Eghishe Elbakyan. Prof. position for 10 years while simultaneously problems by students. Attendance is free for Ashot Chilingarian, who took the photograph, is not pictured. continuing his role as the head of its Cosmic qualified high school and college students. Ray Division (CRD). More information is at www.spc.yerphi.am/ Chilingarian introduced Sarkissian to index.php/ en/events . center from September 17-20. YerPhI scien- cle physicist herself, will also enhance oppor- some of CRD’s ongoing research projects The president also was informed about tist Dr. Albert Avetisyan introduced the pres- tunities for fundamental science at YerPhI including the Space Environmental Viewing CRD’s upcoming international conference ident to YerPhI’s medical isotope center using this cyclotron. She will also bring her and Analysis Network (SEVAN), a network of Thunderstorms and Elementary Particle where research is being conducted to pro- network of contacts, which will add to the- astroparticle detectors, and CRD’s Light Acceleration (TEPA), held at its Nor Ambert duce medical isotopes. Aprahamian, a parti- scientific presence of YerPhI. An Ethical Dilemma with a Happy Ending

ETHICS, from page 19 the renal and liver function test results accom- continued in view of the possibility of pul- Dr. Ara Vaporciyan resected over 2 dozen pul- colleague and friend of the patient) agreed to panied with clinical improvement as well. At the monary damage that may prevent future surgi- monary nodules and lymph nodes; microscopic assist me in the delivery of the therapy, monitor- time, the patient was offered travel to the States cal procedures for resection render him free of examination they showed necrosis and fibrosis ing and supporting the patient based on instruc- for treatment; he declined preferring receiving disease. In summer of 2000, he was started on but no viable cancer cells in them. tion sent from Houston through the internet. therapy close to her family. The patient received therapy regimen including etoposide, During the subsequent year, the patient had Within few days, we were ready to start therapy with close monitoring for possible Actinomycin D, methotrexate, and leucovorin follow-up visits every 3 months together with chemotherapy with appropriate dose modifica- nephropathy and neuropathy before each rescue. After 3 courses his beta- HCG returned repeat radiologic tests and determination of tion. In view of the patient’s compromised renal course. With this regimen, his beta HCG to normal level. The repeat Ct Scans of chest serum Beta-HCG. The results were negative for function, I omitted the use of cisplatin, started dropped by about 99 percent and his metas- and abdomen showed residual abnormalities in tumor recurrence. Then the patient had yearly the chemotherapy with Adriamycin and tases shrunk by 90 percent compared with his the lungs, liver metastases and necrotic mass evaluation with no sign of tumor recurrence. Cytoxan at reduced doses on January first, pre-therapy evaluation. Concerned about the adjacent to the left kidney partially obstructing After 5 years, all tests were discontinued. On 2000. With the return of serum creatinine to peripheral neuropathy (which could prevent the left ureter in the abdomen. In view of per- August 18, 2000, I received an e-mail from normal before the second chemotherapy him to practice plastic surgery), the treatment sistent abnormalities on CT scans despite the Karen he said “I finally climbed Mount Ararat. course, cisplatin was added to the regimen. was modified. The cisplatin dose was reduced return of serum beta-HCG to normal we could This I dedicated this climbing to my Mother and When the drugs procured and sent from the US and, etoposide, and bleomycin were introduced not be sure that the last cancer cell had died. you, my doctor, two persons who gave life to became locally available, I incorporated them in in the treatment. After 2 courses of this regi- When the patient recovered from the general- me. I reached a peak height of 5,135 meter the treatment regimen as appropriate. Within 6 men, his beta HCG decreased to 15 (normal ized effects of the systemic therapy, the patient above sea level. It was difficult. It is at 5,000 weeks, there was significant improvement of level is < 5). Bleomycin was subsequently dis- came to Houston for resection of the residual meter level, that the eternal ice starts. With abnormal areas seen on the CT scans. He under- love, Karen.” went extensive abdominal surgery under the The last time I saw Karen was during my visit direction of Dr. Richard Babaian. The left kidney to Yerevan in June 2016. He was practicing and the necrotic abdominal mass were removed; plastic surgery and remains free of cancer. He the microscopic examination of the specimens had built a new surgical unit about 10 miles showed calcification consistent with metastatic from his clinic in Yerevan. This happy outcome necrotic germ cell tumor. There were no viable could not be achieved without the foresight, cancer cells was present. Left testis showed determination, persistence and support of Mrs. mature teratoma with scar, no other germ cell Louise Manoogian Simone. As a result of her tumor component. There were viable cancer support, hundreds of Armenian children are liv- cells. Over 2 dozen lymph nodes were removed; ing a normal life without the stigma of cleft lips, none showed viable cancer cells. Six weeks later, palates and club feet under Karen’s care.

US and Israel Should Recognize the Armenian Genocide

RECOGNITION, from page 18 concerns about the world’s reaction by saying, Meanwhile, Erdogan’s outburst and the ‘Who, after all, speaks today of the Armenians?’ harassment of the Israeli ambassador on his For that reason alone we should have already way home from Ankara, have lit fires in officially recognized this genocide.” Jerusalem. Two members of Knesset, the ruling At least five senior ministers in the governing Likud Party’s Amir Ohana and Itzik Shmuly coalition have come out for measures that from the opposition Zionist Unity Party, have would punish Turkey and recognize its geno- introduced legislation to end Israel’s embar- cide. So have the speaker of the Knesset and rassing silence on the Armenian issue. the heads of the major opposition parties. It is That silence had been a matter of sheer prag- hard to recall such trans-partisan enthusiasm. matism. Once, when Turkey was a secular, pro- Still, nothing will change without Western country, Israel relied on it as a strate- Netanyahu’s say-so. No legislation can pass gic partner in a hostile Arab neighborhood. without his consent and no new diplomatic pol- That rationale no longer holds. Israel can now icy can be adopted either, as he is also Israel’s take care of itself. And Erdogan, an aspiring foreign minister. caliph, is now an enemy. Shortly after he Netanyahu is a strategic thinker, and Turkey, accused Israel of mass murder, he received a like it or not, is a player in the regional game of call from his new best friend, Iranian President thrones now underway. He will officially recog- Hassan Rouhani, praising him in the name of nize the Armenian Genocide only if he thinks it Islamic solidarity for standing up to the “Big fits his purposes. That may be the wrong rea- and Little Satan,” that is, the US and Israel. son, but for once in this debate, for both Israel In Israel, circumstances have altered con- and the U.S., raw national interest and moral sciences. Truth is now in style. “It’s not too late obligation are perfectly aligned: In a war to do justice,” says Knesset member Ohana. against fanatics, truth is a powerful weapon. “When Hitler presented Wehrmacht officers (This opinion piece originally appeared on with his plan for mass extermination in Poland, Bloomberg. To contact the author of this story: including women and children, he soothed the Zev Chafets at [email protected])