JANUARY 12, 2013 MirTHErARoMENr IAN -Spe ctator Volume LXXXIII, NO. 26, Issue 4271 $ 2.00 NEWS IN BRIEF The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 Levon Aronian Rounds Out Top Three in Chess Rankings Remembering MOSCOW (Moscow Times) — Levon Aronian of Armenia has secured the third spot in the World Chess Federation (FIDE) rankings. His rival, Hrant Dink: Norwegian chess player Magnus Carlsen, recently Six Years Later beat Garry Kasparov’s world chess ranking record. In the FIDE rating list the grandmaster continues WATERTOWN— On January 19, 2007, at to lead with 2861 points. The previous record was approximately 12:00 GMT, a young man posing dated 1999, when Kasparov scored 2851 points. as an Ankara University student fired three bul - Second place in the rankings is currently held by lets at Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink Russian Vladimir Kramnik. at point blank range in front By Gabriella Gage of his office Amnesty International Mirror-Spectator Staff at the Agos newspaper in Concerned with Murder Thousands march in Istanbul Istanbul. to commemorate the fifth Of Armenian in Turkey Witnesses would later claim that the young anniversary of Dink’s death in man shouted, “I shot the infidel,” before he fled 2012. Hrant Dink (right). ISTANBUL (Armenpress) — The international the scene. Six years after his death, many ques - human rights group Amnesty International issued tions regarding the circumstances of Dink’s a statement denouncing the violent murder of an assassination remain unanswered, but his legacy continues to have a far-reach - 85-year-old Armenian woman, Maritsa Kuchuk, in ing impact on the world he left behind. Turkey. She had been beaten, stabbed and decapi - Dink was born in Malatya on September 15, 1954, spending his formative tated. years at the Gedikpasha Armenian Orphanage, run by the Armenian Evangelical The Istanbul-based Armenian Agos weekly Community, and his summers at the Tuzla Armenian Children's Camp, where he warned that this was not the first case of violence would meet his future wife, Rakel. After 22 years of sheltering against Armenians. Another woman had been see REMEMBERING, page 16 assaulted and robbed in December. Amnesty International warned that last year a taxi driver attacked a passenger only because the latter was Armenian. The international organization does not rule out NAASR’s Mardigian Library Receives that Sevak Balkci’s murder on April 24 in the army was due to religious issues and ethnic intolerance. The organization appealed to the Turkish Collection of Linguist Dr. John Greppin authorities to eliminate intolerance in the society in order to prevent such cases. BELMONT, Mass. — The National satisfying to donate a scholarly collection the foresight to insure that his collection will Association for Armenian Studies and to an association where the books will be continue to be a resource for generations of Research (NAASR) announced this week a cared for and, especially, used.” scholars to come.” Three Armenians significant donation to its Edward and NAASR Director of Academic Affairs Marc The Greppin collection will be cata - Kidnapped in Syria Are Helen Mardigian Library, the Armenian col - A. Mamigonian expressed his gratitude on logued during the months ahead, but he lection of Prof. John A. C. Greppin, a former behalf of the organization, saying that explained that “the bulk of the books are Released longtime professor at Cleveland State “everyone at NAASR is extremely pleased in the Armenian language. They were University and since 2011, professor emeri - and gratified at Prof. Greppin’s kindness and acquired first when I was living in Yerevan, DAMASCU (Armenpress) — Three Armenians who tus. Greppin, a linguist and specialist in generosity. This is a collection that substan - 1974-75, and I continued to acquire more had been kidnapped along Raqqa road near the Classical Armenian (grabar) , has published tially bolsters our holdings especially in the when I lived in Ohio, by mail, and when I Syrian-Turkish frontier two weeks ago, have been 15 monographs and edited books on area of language and linguistics. It is com - was in Yerevan” on numerous occasions released, according to the press secretary of the Armenian linguistics and the history of mendable, too, that Prof. Greppin has shown see GREPPIN, page 16 Armenian National Prelacy in Aleppo Jirair Reisian. Armenian medicine. He is the author of He added that they are safe now and have already many articles in scholarly journals and returned home. As for the Armenians who were kid - founded the Annual of napped on the road from Beirut to Aleppo at the Armenian Linguistics in end of 2012, than there is no information about 1980 and edited it for Dr. Zareh N. Demirjian Dies them yet. Reisyan stated that there have been no serious BELMONT, Mass. — Dr. Zareh Demirjian, doctor at Massachusetts General accidents recorded in Aleppo during the holidays. Prof. John A. C. Greppin Hospital and an active member of the Armenian community, died on December 24, The current situation in the city was calm. Only 2012, due to heart failure. church ceremonies were held during the Christmas He was the husband of Margo (Balukjian) Demirjian and father of Dr. Aram period. Demirjian of California and Talinn Demirjian. Unrest in Syria during the past 22 months has Demirjian graduated from the American University of Beirut, Faculty of Medicine, left more than 40,000 people dead, including about and was a noted hematologist. 50 ethnic Armenians. Demirjian and his wife were active supporters of the Armenian General Benevolent Union, the Armenian Mirror- Spectator , the Baikar weekly and the Tekeyan Cultural Association, Boston Chapter. They spear - INSI DE headed annual fundraising campaigns for the papers and were instrumental in transferring medical supplies to Armenia, immediately after the earthquake of 1988. In recent years, they led a group of intellectuals dedicated to Armenian culture and organized many cultural events in Film Stars Watertown and Belmont. Some of the books from the John Greppin Funeral services were held at Holy Trinity Pages 10 collection Armenian Church of Cambridge on December 29. The service was led by former pastor Rev. Mampre Kouzouian with the participation of Rev. Krikor twenty-five years. Maksoudian, who spoke of Demirjian’s life Greppin’s Armenian collection consists of Dr. Zareh Nazareth Demirjian achievements, Rev. Arakel Aljalian and Very Rev. approximately 900 titles and arrived in 46 INDEX Raphael Andonian. boxes just after Christmas 2012. In making Arts and Living ...... 10 Internment followed at Mt. Auburn Cemetery of the decision to donate his collection to Armenia ...... 2 Cambridge. NAASR, Prof. Greppin stated that “I've Community News...... 4 The hokejash was served at the Sheraton Commander Hotel of Cambridge, dur - dealt with NAASR for 37 years now, and Editorial ...... 14 ing which his classmate, Marzbed Margosian of California, and the former editor of International ...... 3 know it as the primary Armenian research Baikar , Krikor Kueseyan spoke. association in USA and certainly the one with the best research facilities. It is most 2 S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 12, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia AGBU Hye Geen Unveils New Pregnant Women’s Center in Yerevan 1,988 Polling Stations YEREVAN — New and expectant while contributing to the production of Yerevan unveiling, the dean of the Placed in Armenia’s 41 mothers seeking free, high-quality pre- the Hye Geen magazine and education - Sociology Department of Yerevan State and post-natal care in Yerevan may now al television programs, raising aware - University, Prof. Lyudmila Electoral Districts access a full range of services at AGBU YEREVAN (PanArmenian.net) — 1,988 polling sta- Hye Geen’s brand new Arshagouhi tions were recently set up throughout Armenia’s 41 Tavitian Pregnant Women’s Center. The electoral districts, according to the official website center, the fifth such facility Hye Geen of the Central Election Commission (CEC.) has established across Armenia in the The schedule of organization and conduction of past ten years, was officially unveiled on February 18 presidential election polls requires Wednesday, October 17, 2012. The occa - applications for appointment as district election sion brought together Hye Geen benefi - commission members to be submitted to CEC from ciaries, friends and supporters who cel - January 19-24. ebrated both a decade of growth and The eight-member commissions will hold an ini- exciting new initiatives that will contin - tial meeting on January 27. The ruling Republican ue to meet families’ needs in the years Party of Armenia (RPA,) Prosperous Armenia ahead. Benefactor of the new AGBU Hye Geen Pregnant Women’s Center Mrs. Arshagouhi (BHK,) Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Like the Hye Geen Pregnant Women’s Tavitian (centers) gathers with beneficiaries at the Center’s opening in Yerevan. Dashnaktsutyun, Orinats Yerkir and Armenian Centers that came before it in Gumri, National Congress (ANC) opposition bloc are all Talin, Vanadzor and Yeghvart, the authorized to appoint one representative each, Yerevan location is staffed with a team ness of issues affecting both women and Harutounyan, who oversees Hye Geen’s with district election commissions entitled to of professionals who equip women with the broader Armenian community. Pregnant Women’s projects, described appoint two members. the education and training to improve When presented with the opportunity the ways Hye Geen’s training materials According to the CEC website, the number of their well-being and that of their chil - to help finance a new Pregnant are currently being incorporated into polling stations in 13 electoral districts of Yerevan dren. The counselors, lawyers, medical Women’s Center in Yerevan, she did not the school’s sociology curriculum. It is ranges from 34-40, with the number of election dis- practitioners, psychologists and social hesitate to pledge her support. At the a natural partnership, as many of the tricts likely to range from 36-79 in Armenia’s workers conduct regular one-on-one center’s ribbon cutting ceremony, Hye centers’ staff members are also provinces. consultations with the women, while Geen founder Sona Yacoubian applaud - employed at the university. group sessions create solidarity net - ed Tavitian for her sponsorship. As she The inauguration of the Arshagouhi works that are key sources of their put it, “Mrs. Tatvitian’s support is help - Tavitian Pregnant Women’s Center, Stepanakert Airport empowerment. Since first opening its ing Hye Geen realize the vision we first which coincided with AGBU’s 87th doors this past summer, the Arshagouhi laid out almost two decades ago: to aid General Assembly, marked a new chap - Likely to Launch Tavitian Pregnant Women’s Center has and empower women. Year after year, ter in Hye Geen’s growth. Clothing Operations in January served dozens of beneficiaries who have we are witnessing a general decline in donations by Hye Geen committee been so enthusiastic about their experi - Armenia’s population, while persistent member Anahid Karahagopian and STEPANAKERT (PanARMENIAN.Net ) — ences that they requested certificates poverty compromises children’s physical donations by Hye Geen supporter Stepanakert airport will soon launch operations, documenting their participation, which and mental development. However, Jacques and Florine Deyirmendjian of the head of the Central Information Department at were presented at the inaugural event. every day at our Pregnant Women’s France, which were made throughout NKR President’s Office said. The positive impact that Hye Geen has Centers, we see women receiving essen - the week, are helping to sustain Hye David Babayan did not specify a date but noted had on the lives of those women — and tial care and information — bright young Geen’s efforts. Yet, much is left to that the work is progressing quickly and that the hundreds more — has always inspired women who are raising a new genera - accomplish. The AGBU Hye Geen first flight will take place sometime in January. the Yerevan facility’s benefactor tion of strong, young Armenians who Center in Talin is in need of extensive Arshagouhi Tavitian. might change the world.” infrastructure repairs, while a waiting For close to 20 years, Tavitian has To date, Hye Geen has helped ensure list of women eager to benefit from Hye EU Is Glad of 2012 dedicated herself to a broad range of the delivery of more than 1,400 healthy Geen’s programs runs long at each of Cooperation with Hye Geen projects. She has organized babies, a number that will only contin - its locations. To learn how to help those Hye Geen’s lectures and annual confer - ue to rise as it expands its work from mothers and families, please visit: Armenia ences in its Southern California base, the centers to classrooms. At the www.hyegeen.com/. YEREVAN (Armenpress) — European Union is con- cluding its activity carried out in Armenia and high- ly evaluates the results of interaction during 2012. Armenia has recorded positive results in the pro- State Debate: Armenia, Neighbors Ponder Kerry’s Nomination grams implemented on the principle “more for more” as well. . This was noted by Head of Advisory Group Armenian community, back in the Karabagh conflict.” of the European Union William van der Geest. By Gayane Abrahamyan 1990s co-authored Article 907 restrict - Vesti.az cited Azeri political analyst ing non-humanitarian US aid to Rizvan Huseynov, who said that “Armenia and EU have had a number of achieve- ArmeniaNow ments during 2012. There was a noticeable Azerbaijan “for as long as it keeps “Kerry’s activities will lead to an progress not only on the general level but also in Armenia in a blockade.” enhanced Russian factor in the separate areas, mainly, the human rights protection YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow) — The Kerry actively supported the Karabagh issue,” because “the United strategy has been approved and 6 regional offices nomination of John Kerry, chairman of Armenian Genocide recognition bill, States would want to ‘trade’ with have been opened by Human Rights Defender’s the US Senate Foreign Relations with periodical statements that Turkey Russia and in exchange for concessions Office for discussions and examination of different Committee, to the position of secretary has to face its historic mistakes. in the South Caucasian issues to get issues,” Armenpress quoted William van der Geest of state has stirred discussion in the On September 5, Kerry said in refer - support from Iran and Syria.” as saying during the interview adding that South Caucasus. Azeri political analysts ence to Azeri murderer Ramil Safarov’s Political analyst Rovshan Ibragimov Armenian National Assembly had improved and predict that the assumption of such a pardon and release, that he was has concerns that “personal fondness of deepened relations with the civil society. When high post by the senator known for his “shocked and appalled” and that “this such an elite, top political figure might speaking about the agreement on visa regime facil- pro-Armenian activities would increase needlessly provocative act endangers have an influence on the country’s for - itation William van der Geest underlined the impor- “anti-Azeri” sentiments, while in the fragile peace between these coun - eign policy.” tance of it for Armenia. Armenia hopes aren’t high for such tries and damages the government of Giro Manoyan, heading the Armenian “With this agreement Armenian citizens are pro- developments. Azerbaijan’s credibility.” Revolutionary Federation Bureau’s vided with a great opportunity. The list of docu- On December 21, president Barrack The Armenian Cause office welcomed Armenian Cause Office, also believes ments needed for those citizens who are official Obama nominated Kerry for the coun - Kerry’s possible appointment, stressing that Kerry’s “purely personal attitude delegates, scientists, students, journalists, athletes try’s top diplomatic post, stressing that that the senator has “supported the towards Armenians might have a cer - and artists are being clarified. Also there is a reduc- the Vietnam war veteran and presiden - Armenian community of America for tain impact on politics.” tion of the visa price to EURO 35,” informed tial candidate of 2004 is a “perfect around three decades in the matters of However, Caucasus Institute director William van der Geest. He also sees the progress in choice to guide American diplomacy.” the US foreign policy.” Sergey Minasyan believes that Kerry’s the integration process. The 69-year-old senator from the Turkey has welcomed Kerry’s candi - nomination “will not be crucial,” because “Three political parties have joined European state of Massachusetts with a large dacy despite his role as an Armenian “after assuming such a post personal “family” which gave them opportunity to partici- Genocide recognition advocate. Turkish preferences are usually sidelined.” pate in the summits of Marseille and Bucharest,” he Zaman reports that foreign minister “At first sight it’s a desirable nomina - noted also expecting that negotiations on estab- Ahmed Davutoglu has sent a congratu - tion for us; however, any high-ranking lishing deep and comprehensive free trade area Correction latory letter. The newspaper explains official follows the policy outlined by would be concluded until November 2013. that Turkey would consider it most his or her country’s administration. Member of EU Advisory Group Carl Ulbricht The editorial in the January 5 unfortunate if the other candidate — True, a more favorable Armenian noted that reaching Association Agreement issue of the Armenian Mirror- United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice atmosphere might be formed, and the required a certain working plan. Spectator , titled “ 2013: A Year of — had been confirmed. The ambassador Azeri leadership might experience a cer - “We have initiated a round table, where the strat- Anticipation and Trepidation,” by withdrew her nomination under harsh tain sense of restriction, but it can’t play egy of preparing a plan on combatting corruption Edmond Y. Azadian, incorrectly scrutiny by the Senate. a crucial role,” Minasyan said. was discussed” Ulbricht said. According to him the referred to Norway as the country Neighboring Azerbaijan has started Should Kerry’s appointment as secre - programs against corruption had to be prepared bending to the will of the Turkish pessimistic predictions, as Vesti.az tary of state be confirmed, the Senate sector by sector. government during an exhibit on newspaper reports, that “if Kerry Foreign Relations Committee chair - the Armenian Genocide. The becomes secretary of state, Azerbaijan man’s position would likely be given to country in question is Denmark. would have to resist America’s pressure another pro-Armenian senator, Robert in the negotiation process over the Menendez. S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 12, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 INTERNATIONAL YP London Hosts Annual Networking International News Event with Dr. Armen Sarkissian Iran Supports Peaceful

LONDON — As the former prime min - shouldn’t think Armenia is poor start and manage a business. I am Settlement of Nagorno ister of Armenia, a leading entrepreneur because it doesn’t have oil or other nat - guessing that very soon people will pre - Karabagh Conf lict and renowned philanthropist, Dr. ural resources. It has the greatest nat - fer Entrepreneurial Arts to MBAs.” Armen Sarkissian has a vast knowledge TEHRAN (Armenpress) — Iran wants the Nagorno of the business and civic world and an Karabagh conflict to be regulated via dialogue and ever-growing network, one that the is willing to support the both sides in the proce- AGBU Young Professionals of London dure of peaceful regulation, announced the (YP London) recently had the opportu - spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the nity to join. Islamic Republic of Iran, Ramin Mehmanparast, On Friday, November 23, more than during a weekly press conference. 100 career-minded diasporans from Mehmanparast stressed, “The Nagorno Karabagh across the UK gathered to meet conflict can find its solution by the support of Sarkissian, the keynote speaker at YP those countries, which exercise influence in the London’s Annual General Networking region. We believe that the Nagorno Karabagh con- Event. They arrived at the Kensington flict can find its solution via dialogue between the Royal Garden Hotel with a host of ques - Republic of Armenia and Azerbaijan.” tions on ways to advance professionally, while also giving back to Armenia and they left with inspiring answers. Levon Aronian Rounds The evening opened with remarks Members of the AGBU YP London Steering Committee gather at its Annual General Out Top Three in World from the YP London Committee, which Networking Event, which featured Dr. Armen Sarkissian and was chaired by Anita outlined its mission to create a strong Manukyan (sixth from right). Chess Rankings network of Armenian professionals, facilitate networking through industry- MOSCOW (Moscow Times) — Levon Aronian of focused events and develop cooperation ural resource — its people. It’s a very Sarkissian engaged the audience at Armenia has secured the third spot in the World between a large number of Armenian rich country and you as a generation, every point in his lecture and they, in Chess Federation (FIDE) rankings. His rival, youth organizations in the UK. During we as a nation and Armenia as a state turn, engaged him during the event’s Norwegian chess player Magnus Carlsen, recently his talk, Sarkissian applauded each of have a new chance, and we have to take question and answer portion, which beat Russia’s Garry Kasparov’s world chess ranking those objectives, noting that he was it. For that we have to start from educa - lasted more than two hours — more record. In the FIDE rating, the grandmaster con- pleasantly surprised to see such a tion and be ahead of others.” than twice what had been planned. The tinues to lead with 2861 points. The previous diverse group of young Armenians join - Sarkissian continued to detail his own Q&A was followed by a prize draw and record was set in 1999, when Kasparov scored 2851 ing together for the occasion. It is their educational background and career a networking session. points. Second place in the rankings is currently dedication and enthusiasm, he declared, path. Citing his experience as founding Throughout the night, several atten - held by Russian Vladimir Kramnik. that will help their homeland develop president of Eurasia House dees expressed an interest in joining the Aronian has dropped one spot from the previous and prosper. As he told the crowd, “You International, director of the Eurasia YP London Committee, which currently year. Programme at the consists of 14 volunteers living in and University of Cambridge around London. The Committee’s prior - Aronian Will Take Part Judge Business School ity projects are networking events, and his recent participa - including ones for professionals from all In Tata Steel Festival tion in the World industry sectors as well as industry-spe - Economic Forum in cific networking events, such as bank - WIJK AAN ZEE, Netherlands (Arm Radio) — Grand Davos, he offered ing, finance, and IT, which are especial - master Levon Aronian will take part in the main insights on how to take ly popular. Apart from these main pro - Tournament A of the Tata Steel Festival to be held advantage of the rapidly jects, YP London organizes other from January 11 to 27. changing field of busi - events by popular demand. YP London His rivals will be grandmasters Carlsen, Caruana, ness. He stated, “The was also instrumental in restarting the Karjakin, Anand, Nakamura, Wang Hao, Leko, Giri, world is becoming a British Armenian Lawyers Association. Harikrishna, Van Wely, Sokolov, L’Ami and Hou Yifan. Armenia’s former prime minister, entrepreneur and phil - Grand master Sergey Movsesian will play in anthropist Dr. Armen Sarkissian engages the crowd at world of entrepreneurial To watch a video from the YP London the YP London Annual General Networking Event. people, who can come Annual Networking Event, visit Tournament B of the festival. up with an idea and http://www.youtube.com/agbuvideo. Armenian Parliament Speaker Visits Brussels BRUSSELS, Belgium (Public Radio of Armenia) — Russian Orthodox Church Promotes Adoption Chairman of the National Assembly of Armenia MOSCOW (Reuters) — The head of orphanage system hostage to political marily invalids, the elderly and chil - Hovik Abrahamyan left for Brussels this week at Russia’s dominant church urged citizens maneuvering, reducing their chances of dren.” the invitation of the President of the European to adopt children, during a Russian finding homes or adequate medical “‘Let the children come to me, and do Parliament Martin Schulz. Orthodox Christmas address on Monday care. not hinder them,’ says the Lord. These The delegation comprises the head of the after President Vladimir Putin signed a The numbers of adoptions by Russian words from him should make us all real - Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) faction Galust controversial law barring Americans families are modest, with some 7,400 ize how important children are in the Sahakyan, the head of the Armenian Revolutionary from adopting Russian children. adoptions in 2011 compared with 3,400 eyes of God,” he said. Federation (ARF) faction Armen Rustamyan, the Patriarch Kirill paid particular atten - adoptions of Russian children by fami - “And as we celebrate Christmas I chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Standing tion to the issue during a Christmas lies abroad — nearly 1,000 of those by would like to appeal to everyone with a Committee on Foreign Relations Artak Zakaryan, the message, lending support to the promis - Americans. request: If you can take this important chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Defense, es issued by Putin along with the law In signing the legislation, Putin step in life aimed at adopting children, National Security and Internal Affairs Koryun that outraged liberals and child rights echoed Russian lawmakers’ arguments supporting orphans, take this step,” Nahapetyan, the chairman of the NA Standing activists. that American parents who have been Kirill said. “There should be no orphans Committee on Science, Education, Culture, Youth and “It is very important for our people to accused of abusing their adopted in our country.” Sport Artak Davtyan, the chairman of the NA adopt orphans into their families, with Russian-born children have been treated More than 650,000 children are con - Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs Davit joy and a special sense of gratitude to too leniently by US courts and law sidered orphans in Russia, including Harutyunyan, the NA deputies Samvel Farmanyan, God, giving them not only shelter and enforcement. those rejected by their living parents or Vahe Enfiajyan, Khachik Harutyunyan, the NA Chief an upbringing but also giving them He also signed a decree ordering taken from dysfunctional homes. Of of Staff Gurgen Dumanyan and the Deputy Foreign their love,” the Kirill said. improvements in the care for orphaned that total, 110,000 lived in state institu - Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan. The ban on American adoptions is Russian children and appealed to patri - tions in 2011, according to government On January 9, the NA president met with part of a law Putin signed on December otism, suggesting that Russians have an figures. European Union Commissioner for Enlargement 28 in retaliation for US legislation obligation to care for the country’s dis - More than three-quarters of Russians and European Neighborhood Policy Štefan Füle, designed to punish Russian human advantaged children. consider themselves Russian Orthodox, the President of the Senate of the Kingdom of rights violators, which the Kremlin chief Kirill added a religious element to but far fewer attend church regularly Belgium Sabine de Bethune and the President of said is poisoning relations. that message, saying that “the Lord tells despite a resurgence of religion follow - the Belgian Chamber of Representatives André Critics of the Russian legislation say his followers that if they want to reach ing the demise of the communist Soviet Flahaut, the Head of the European People’s Party Putin has held the welfare of children the Kingdom of God they must … share Union. (EPP) Joseph Daul. He will also take part in the trapped in a crowded and troubled their opportunities with the needy — pri - The Russian Orthodox Church uses creation ceremony of the EU-RA Friendship Group the Julian calendar and celebrates of the European Parliament. Christmas on January 7. On January 10, Abrahamyan met with the Kirill’s midnight service at Moscow’s President of the European Parliament Martin For Your Internal News of Armenia Christ the Saviour Cathedral was shown Schulz and the President of the European Council live on state television, which also Herman Van Rompuy. He also visited an Armenian Log on to www.AZG.am showed Putin — a former KGB officer church to lay a wreath at the memorial to the Armenian Genocide victims. In English, Armenian, Russian and Turkish who has cultivated close ties with the church — attending a service in the southern city of Sochi. 4 S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 12, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Community Ne ws

Armenian Bar Association Yerevan State PhD Winter Meeting Unites the Students at Cosmic Past’s Tragic Lessons with Ray Division of Artem The Present’s Continuing Alikhanyan National Challenges

Laboratory, Awarded LAS VEGAS — Two men, one Kirakos Vaporciyan Armenian and the other American, surpassed in their deaths the global and all-embracing mean - Scholarship ings of their lives. Both were widely revered and occasionally resented for galvanizing and defining YEREVAN and DETROIT — Hasmik whole new eras of understanding and acceptance. Rostomyan and Hripsime Mkrtchyan, They are Hrant Dink and Martin Luther King Jr. final-year PhD students at the Cosmic Situated between the anniversary of the Ray Division (CRD) of the Artem death of the Armenian martyr and the anniver - Alikhanyan National Laboratory (for - sary of the birth of the American icon, the merly Yerevan Physics Institute), are the Armenian Bar Association will convene a spe - recipients of the Kirakos Vaporciyan cial winter educational retreat dedicated to an Scholarship for the 2012-2013 academic appreciation and study of human and civil year. Their award was granted on rights: the final loss of them during the December 14. Genocide and the challenges to maintain them Kirakos Vaporciyan, the late husband in the Republic of Armenia. In a somewhat of Sandi Vaporciyan and the brother of modest twist of irony, the setting for such a Harutyun Vaporciyan, believed that sup - sobering discussion will be the Encore Resort porting education and world-class sci - in Las Vegas on January 18-19. ence in Armenia is of critical importance Peering into the past, Prof. Richard to Armenia’s future. He was an unwa - Scout Tufankjian Hovannisian, First Holder of the Armenian vering supporter of the Cosmic Ray Educational Foundation Chair in Modern Division and made several personal pil - Armenian History at UCLA, will present an illus - grimages to CRD’s high-altitude research trated lecture on a rarely-discussed topic: the stations on Mt. Aragats. His legacy Genocide’s final phase in the arsonous fires and includes the support of the brightest stu - No Rest for the Energized flames of Smyrna/Izmir in 1922. With the use dents at the Cosmic Ray Division and a of historic photographs depicting the cultural, very important project allowing the religious and economic prosperity of the cen - Cosmic Ray Division to analyze, display, Scout Tufankjian turies-old Armenian community, contrasted next to pictures that Hovannisian took during NEW YORK — After taking the popular Facebook photo that also ended up his recent visits to Smyrna which mark the era - being the most tweeted photo in history, what’s next for Scout Tufankjian? sure of any Armenian legacy, the story of the The Brooklyn-based photojournalist is taking trips to Moscow and Kolkata to Smyrna tragedy will be unfolded and told. Until document the Russian and Indian Armenian communities. She also recently spent 1922, Smyrna had been spared the Ottoman a month traveling to many of the Empire ’s ethnic cleansing of its Armenian pop - Armenian villages in Anatolia as part of ulations in the eastern provinces. Armenians By Tom Vartabedian a Diaspora project. and Greeks had thought, perhaps both justifi - Tufankjian continues to do freelance ably and naively, that they had found a safe work in the New York area and pro - haven in one of the region’s most enlightened motes her book, Yes We Can: Barack Obama’s History-Making Presidential and western cities. However, they, too, in the Campaign , which sold-out its initial 55,000 copy run a month before its December end were not to be spared the Genocide. 2008 release. Examining the present and looking into the The prize-winner took more than 12,000 photographs throughout the campaign future, specialists from the think tank Policy among scores of other cameramen jostling for competition. The image of Michelle Forum Armenia (PFA) will present the findings and Barack Obama embracing ultimately wound up being used by the president’s of their latest reports and studies on the suc - Young CRD scientists and PhD candi - campaign on both Facebook and Twitter, alongside the caption, “Four more cesses and failures relating to governance, elec - dates Hasmik Rostomyan (left) and years.” tions, and civil society initiatives in the Hripsime Mkrtchyan (right) Within hours, the photo became Facebook’s “most liked” photo, garnering Republic of Armenia. PFA is an independent Tufankjian instant international attention. non-profit association whose main objective is to strengthen the discourse on Armenia’s and share its state of the art research “I had no idea the response was going to be like this,” she exclaimed. “My friend democratic and economic development, offer - and data with the rest of the world’s sci - emailed me on election night to tell me and I didn’t believe her. I had no idea about ing alternative views and professional analysis entific community. In his honor, CRD the Facebook thing until the next day. It’s been incredible.” containing practical recommendations for pub - has named this project the Vaporciyan The photo was shot in Dubuque, Iowa, in mid-August, on the final day of a three- lic participation and government accountabili - Maltivariate Analysis and Visualization day bus tour across the state. The president hadn’t seen his wife in several days ty. According to PFA, it offers fresh perspec - (VMAV) platform. When this project is and when the pair met at an event onstage, they embraced. tives and challenges certain ingrained stereo - completed next year, it will break new “I’ve always had a deep admiration for the Obamas as a couple,” said Tufankjian. types and the status quo in order to improve ground in web-based scientific “ecosys - “They have a deep love and respect for one another. It is truly one of equals. You the standing of the Republic of Armenia and tems.” see it in the way they speak and listen to one another. I find that deeply inspira - the rights of its citizens. With the aid of the lat - Rostomyan and Mkrtchyan are cur - tional. So that’s why I chose to focus on just them, rather than the crowd in the est social science research methodologies, PFA rently two of the six PhD students at the background. I wanted to capture them as man and wife.” tests what some say are only superficial ges - CRD. The two are in their final year of Tufankjian doesn’t take credit for the popularity of the “shot that was seen tures of improving governance and reducing studies and are working on their experi - around the world.” It had nothing to do with the image or the lens she chose. institutionalized corruption. ments and data analysis to write their “It’s all about how people feel about the Obama family,” she said. “And how they “We as Armenians, and particularly as an PhD theses by the summer. As is the tra - feel about them in that moment.” association of lawyers, judges and law students, dition at the Cosmic Ray Division, their The campaign trail was extremely long and tiring at times, including one 48- look to the lessons of the past in order to pro - theses defense will be attended and hour stretch with only a short respite between each event. Grueling as this was, tect and serve the interests of our communities judged by top cosmic ray scientists from Tufankjian felt the 2008-09 campaign trail was more demanding. both in the diaspora and in the Republic of around the world. “The flight attendants on Air Force One took great care of us and made sure we Armenia. We will be especially privileged with Rostomyan, Mkrtchyan and Prof. were fed and had power to charge our laptops and camera batteries,” she recalled. the presence and participation of Professor Ashot Chilingarian are grateful to the “That’s the most important part of the job.” Hovannisian because he, like few others, can Vaporciyan family for diligently carrying Is there a surprising side to President Obama? lead us along the bridge connecting our past to out the wishes of Kirakos Vaporciyan “The thing that is most remarkable about him is that he’s exactly the same per - where we are today,” stated Garo Ghazarian, and for their own generous support of son on stage as he is off stage,” she said. “I was able to introduce my parents to chairman of the Armenian Bar Association. the CRD and its students year after year, the president which was a wonderful experience.” Edvin Minassian, chairman ex-officio, who and also to the Armenian General Born in Boston to an Armenian-American father and Irish-American mother, her was responsible for introducing his friend Hrant Benevolent Union for managing the ancestors escaped the Genocide from Musa Dagh. Her Armenian ancestry has Dink to the Armenian Bar Association and for Kirakos Vaporciyan Scholarship fund for always remained a part of her career. featuring him during a historic Armenian Bar CRD’s students. It wasn’t until her junior semester abroad in Northern Ireland that Tufankjian meeting just three months before Kirakos Vaporciyan was a member of began taking photography seriously. She received an internship with the New Dink’s assassination, added: “Hrant Dink the the greater Detroit Armenian communi - Haven Register . When that ended, she went to the West Bank and Gaza to cover man, the symbol, the sacrifice, and the hope — ty and the Armenian Engineers and the Second Intifada. he stood and fell for the dignity that the Scientists of America – Michigan see SCOUT, page 7 Armenian Bar Association strives to deliver to Section. the unresolved issues of the past and of the pre - sent.” S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 12, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 COMMUNITY NEWS

AGBUYP of Northern California Dickranian Lions Win First Home To Host 14th Annual Winter Gala Game with New Coach at Helm

SAN FRANCISCO — The Armenian General say farewell to new and old friends alike. LOS ANGELES — Under the direction of the school’s new coach, Zorik Isajane, who was Benevolent Union Young Professionals of “The Winter Gala weekend has become an hired in October as TCA Arshag Dickranian School’s new athletic director, coach and phys - Northern California (AGBU-YPNC) are prepar - event the entire young professional network ical education teacher, the school’s reformed basketball team, The Dickranian Lions, won ing to host the 14th Annual AGBU San looks forward to and we’re returning to their first home game, which took place on December 18 at the Salvation Army Basketball Francisco Winter Gala February 15-17. The favorites like the Green Room, adding a new Sports Ground in Hollywood. weekend will host hundreds of young profes - venue for the club night and introducing the The Dickranian Lions and the Westview Basketball team engaged in a competitive match sionals from across the globe, with three full first ever party trolley tour on Sunday,” said against one another. The Dickranian Lions won 69 to 63. days of events. For the first time, AGBU-YPNC Steven Cherezian AGBU-YPNC co-chairman “We are very excited to have Coach Zorik Isajane train our students,” said Principal Dr. will donate a portion of the weekend proceeds and gala chairman. Maral Yeranossian. “He is very skilled and has an interest in developing strong teams for to two worthwhile charities, the Syrian our school. This year we have added basketball teams for the girls as well as teams for Armenian Relief Fund and the Pan-YP Green younger students. We are looking forward to participating in basketball, soccer and tennis House Initiative. Justice Arabian Awards matches.” “The gala weekend offers our greatest Isajane has more than 15 years of experience in athletics; he has been a member of the opportunity to raise funds for AGBU charities Honor Local Public national basketball team in Iran three times and a member of the Asia Championship Club. and programs around the world. This year we He has played in the Pan-Armenian Games and has participated in many international tour - felt it was important to support our fellow Leaders naments, acquiring a range of skills and experience in basketball. Isajane is also assistant Armenians enduring the conflict in Syria,” coach at Glendale College. Besides coaching and training ADS students in basketball, he expressed Greg Nemet, AGBU-YPNC co-chair - WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. — The 13th also trains them in soccer, tennis and track and field. man. “We also remain committed to benefiting Annual Justice Armand Arabian Awards For more information, visit www.dickranianschool.org. this year’s Pan-YP Green House initiative,” Luncheon for Public Service Leaders was held continued Nemet. in October 2012 at the Woodland Hills Hilton The weekend kicks off Friday, February 15, Hotel. with a welcome reception, at the host hotel, the Being honored this year by Justice Armand Sir Francis Drake in Union Square. Following Arabian and Co-chairmen Karl Boeckmann and the reception, guests will head to QI Ultra Rickey Gelb were six leaders. Lounge where DJ Raffy and DJ Nik will spin The honorees were: Carolyn Blashek, founder hip-hop, top 40 and mash-ups at the venue. of Operation Gratitude; Stanley Bryant, lifelong The weekend’s signature gala event takes valley fundraiser and activist; Ronald S.W. Lew, place on Saturday, and will be held at the beau - sitting Judge; Janice Reznick, attorney and co- tiful winter gala favorite, Green Room at the founder of Jewish World Watch to fight geno - San Francisco War Memorial Performing Arts cide; and Harut Sassounian, publisher of the Center. The gala will feature hors d’oeuvres, California Courier and an Armenian activist. dessert bar, premium open bar and Armenian The sixth honoree, Huell Howser, KCET televi - dancing to the sounds of DJ Raffy. sion personality, was unable to attend because Sunday brings another addition to the of illness. Winter Gala weekend, a party trolley tour of Dale Surowitz, CFO of Providence Health San Francisco, departing from the host hotel. Services, was surprised by the special recogni - Attendees will experience an all-inclusive tour tion bestowed on him. through San Franicisco’s most famed sites and Next year the event will take place on The Dickranian Lions practice. vistas, a gourmet boxed lunch, hosted bar and October 10 at the Woodland Hills Hilton for the roundtrip travel. The City Party Trolley Tour 14th year. The event usually attracts 400 atten - concludes the getaway weekend, as attendees dees. 6 S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 12, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Armenia in International and Armenian Old Maps Topic of Lecture

SHERMAN OAKS, Calif. — On Friday, January 25, at 7:30 ated by various mapmakers. It became a bestseller in its genre. p.m., author Rouben Galichian will speak about Armenian in The following year, an expanded version of the book (in international and Armenian maps throughout the ages and English, Russian and Armenian) was published in Armenia what that reveals about history, at the Merdinian Chapel, (Printinfo Art Books, 2005). His third book, Countries South 13330 Riverside Dr. of the Caucasus in Medieval Maps: Armenia, Georgia and This talk will show how, during the past 2,600 years Greco- Azerbaijan (Gomidas Institute, London, 2007), provides more Roman, Islamic and Western geographers, historians and car - detailed cartographical and geographical information of this tographers saw and wrote about Armenia and how they depict - area. His fourth book, The Invention of History: Azerbaijan, ed the country in their maps. The story will be told with maps Armenia, and the Showcasing of Imaginations (Gomidas made by the Greek, Islamic and European cartographers. Institute-London and Printinfo Art Books-Yerevan, April These maps form part of the World geographic and carto - 2009), documents the native Armenian pedigree in Nagorno- graphic heritage, the originals of which are kept in various Karabagh through the centuries as opposed to the Azerbaijani well-known libraries and museums, such as the Library of claims. His latest book is titled Clash of the Histories in the Congress, the British Library, National Library of France, South Caucasus . Redrawing the map of Armenia, Azerbaijan Municipal Library of Berlin and libraries of Bologna, Istanbul, and Iran, where the Azerbaijani falsifications, their reasoning Yerevan and many others. The maps come to prove that, in the and methods used are discussed, and 44 old and medieval territory of the South Caucasus and the Middle East, there are maps from all over the world are analyzed, proving the truth only two countries — Armenia and Iran — that could claim an about the present-day Azerbaijani falsified historiography existence of more than 2,000 years and how our neighboring (Bennett & Bloom, London, 2012). countries, such as Turkey and Georgia became to be known as All the books are available through Amazon.com and other they are now, only after some 2,000 years. sources. It also confirms that the country known as the Republic of For his charitable work done in Vanadzor, Armenia, Azerbaijan, north of the Arax River was born only in 1918, Galichian was presented with the “Freedom of the city of copying its name from the Iranian north-western Province of Rouben Galichian Vanadzor” award in 2006. For his services to Armenian his - Azerbaijan, south of the river Arax. The Armenian-language torical cartography, he received an honorary doctorate from maps of 14-18th centuries will also be discussed. the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia in November Galichian was born in Tabriz, Iran, to an Armenian family est in geography and cartography peaked in the 1970s. In 2008. In 2009 he was the recipient of Vazgen I cultural who had fled Van in 1915 to escape the Genocide. They 1981 he moved to London with his family, where he had access achievements medal. arrived in Iran via Armenia, Georgia and France. He attended to a huge variety of cartographic material. His first book, titled He is married with a son and grandchildren and shares his school in Tehran and then received a scholarship to study in Historic Maps of Armenia: The Cartographic Heritage (I. B time between London and Yerevan. the UK. He received his degree in engineering with honors, Tauris, London & NY, 2004) contained a collection of world For information please contact Dr. Hagop Panossian at from the University of Aston, Birmingham, in 1963. His inter - maps and maps of Armenia over a period of 2,600 years, as cre - [email protected]

OBITUARY Sabrina Dimidjian-Kalfayan ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — Sabrina Kalfayan dedicated her life to raising her son, GF UiNrEaRgAoL sHiaOMn E Dimidjian-Kalfayan of Englewood Cliffs, NJ, Alex. She was able to attend his wedding and died on December 28, after battling cancer. She she credited her son with providing her with James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC is survived by her son Alex and motivation during her final six Mark J. Giragosian his wife Traci, her sister Lana months. Kalfayan also worked Funeral Counselors and niece Nicole. with her father for 25 years and 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 Kalfayan was born on traveled the world with him build - www.giragosianfuneralhome.com January 15, 1958, in New York. ing their business together. She was the daughter of Henri The wake was held on January 2 Dimidjian and the late Yolanda at Frank Patti Funeral Home and Papazian Dimidjian. As a baby the funeral was January 3 at St. she lived in the Bronx until the Thomas Armenian Church in family later moved to Tenafly. Rev Papken Anoushian Nardolillo Funeral Home Ringwood, NJ, before settling in led the service and Maro Est. 1906 Englewood. Partamian provided the musical She attended Dwight solo. Internment followed at John K. Najarian, Jr. Sabrina Dimidjian- Englewood High School and Kalfayan Englewood Cemetery and a Rhode Island’s Only Licensed Armenian Funeral Director later Boston University. memorial lunch was held at the Kalfayan had an active child - church hall. 1278 Park Ave. Cranston, RI 02910 (401) 942-1220 hood and spent summers traveling with her In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be 1111 Boston Neck Rd. Narragansett, RI 02882 (401) 789-6300 family to Thailand, Beirut, Rhode Island and sent to the Cancer Research Center, 72 East www.nardolillo.com Marco Island. Concord St. K712, Boston, MA, 02118.

Dr. Varant Hagopian Telephone (617) 924-7400 WAYLAND, Mass. — Dr. Varant Hagopian, a McCarthy of Lincoln; grandchildren Mandi, life-long dedicated supporter of the Armenian Valerie, Jacqueline, Daniel, Dennis, Donald; Aram Bedrosian Church, a Knight of Cilicia, and former member great-grandchildren Andrew and Oliver and sis - and vice chairman of the Eastern Prelacy’s ters Anna Demurjian of Millis, Mary Bukujian Funeral Home, Inc. Executive Council, died on January 3. He was 84. of Hanson. One daughter, Nanine (Nini) He was an Air Force veteran of the Korean McCarthy, and a brother, Harry Hagopian, pre - Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 War. deceased him. He was also active in many groups, including Expressions of sympathy may be made in his MARION BEDROSIAN the Friends of Armenian Culture Society and memory to St. Stephen’s Armenian Church. 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN the Armenian American Medical Association. WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN The funeral, led by Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, vicar of the Eastern Prelacy, took place Tuesday, January 8, at St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church, 38 Elton Ave., Edward D. Jamakordzian, Jr. d/b/a Watertown. Hagopian served for many years as a member of the Prelacy’s Executive Council during the tenures of Archbishop Karekin Sarkissian Edward D. Jamie, Jr. (1974-77) and Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian (1978-1998). He served as vice chairman of the ServiFnguthne eentrireaAlrmCenhianaCpomemlunity council from 1985 to 1988. He was awarded the Any Hour • Any Distance • Any Location Knight of Cilicia insignia in recognition of his Call (718) 224-2390 Toll Free (888) 224-6088 service by Karekin II, Catholicos of Cilicia (later Catholicos Karekin I of All Armenians). Bus. Reg. 189-06 Liberty Ave., Hollis, NY 11412 He leaves his wife, Ruth (Moranian) Consultation Office: 217-04 Northern Blvd., (Suite 23), Bayside,NY 11361 Hagopian, son Gary Hagopian and his wife Diane of Florida, daughters Melanie Hagopian and her husband Alan Asadorian of Lincoln, Dr. Varant Hagopian ADVERTISE IN THE MIRROR Lisa Hagopian of Arizona; son-in-law Donald S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 12, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS Prof. Hovannisian Focuses on Smyrna/Izmir

LOS ANGELES — Prof. Richard Hovannisian has prepared a power point presentation on Aegean Communities, has coincided with the Nalbandian of Damascus on the occasion of has focused on the 90th anniversary of the the historical Armenian presence in the city anniversary. Hovannisian’s birthday. The church services destruction of Smyrna/Izmir and its Armenian and its destruction in the Great Fire four days Hovannisian first presented Armenian were followed by a reception hosted by the Community in 1922 in his speaking engage - after the Turkish army entered Smyrna on Smyrna/Izmir to a capacity audience of stu - Armenian Bar Association, during which felici - ments during the Fall Term. Smyrna, with September 9, 1922. The publication of dents, faculty and community members at tations were extended by ABA President Garo Constantinople, boasted the most vibrant Hovannisian’s most recent volume in the UCLA Chapman University in Orange County on Ghazarian, Raffi K. Hovannisian, who had Armenian community in the Ottoman Empire, series of Historic Armenian Cities and September 6. He served as a distinguished flown from Armenia for the occasion, and by both culturally and economically. Hovannisian Provinces, titled Armenian Smyrna/Izmir: The Chancellor’s Fellow at Chapman during the the religious leaders, to which Richard Fall Semester, during which he taught a 15- Hovannisian responded with words of apprecia - week course on the Armenian Genocide for his - tion to Catholicos Karekin II, Derderian and the tory majors. This talk was followed by others Armenian Bar Association. under the sponsorship of Boston University, At the same time, from November 9 through $UPHQLDQ 6LVWHUV¶ $FDGHP\ the National Association for Armenian Studies 11, a three-day international conference orga - and Research, and the First Armenian Church nized by Prof. Sebouh Aslanian at UCLA on $QQXDO 9DOHQWLQH¶V 3DUW\ in Belmont, Mass. (September 27); Fresno “Port Cities and Printers: Five Centuries of State University (October 5); St. Mary Global Armenian Print,” was dedicated to Armenian Church, Washington, DC (October Hovannisian. The opening remarks by Aslanian, 28); AGBU, Montreal (November 1); AGBU, recently-appointed holder of the Armenian Toronto (November 2); Armenians of Colorado Educational Foundation’s Richard Hovannisian (November 18); Oxford University (November Chair of Modern Armenian History, were fol - 22); Hamazkayin Cultural Association, London lowed by Hovannisian’s brief reflections on his (November 24); and Berlin Hay Hamaynk— career and thanks to the University for a Armenische Gemeinde zu Berlin (November smooth transition without interruption in the

nt i e rs P e n : g 25). During this period, he also participated in Armenian history program at UCLA. an international conference at Woodman The Armenian National Committee, Eastern University (October 27) on the occasion of the Region, honored Richard Hovannisian with the 125th anniversary of the Hnchakian party, Vahan Cardashian award during a gala banquet with a paper on the role of the party during in northern New Jersey on December 1. the first Armenian republic. Baroness Caroline Cox was presented with the El i e Hovannisian will bring the story of Armenian Humanitarian Award for her long years of ser - Smyrna to Los Angeles on Thursday, January vice to the Armenian cause. In his remarks after 31, in a program at the Zorayan Museum of St. a thoughtful introduction by Marc Mamigonian, Leon Armenian Cathedral in Burbank, spon - NAASR director of academic affairs,

r & ibBen a B nd a sored by the Diocese, NAASR, and the Ararat Hovannisian drew attention to the legacy of Eskijian Museum. Subsequent engagements Vahan Cardashian, who in the aftermath of the , 2012 are scheduled for Scandinavia and South Armenian Genocide was the foremost activist in America. the United States and the driving force behind

3 1 br 0 r t 2 Fe ua 9h y the bipartisan American Committee for the Honors Bestowed Independence of Armenia (ACIA). Hovannisian was honored in special cere - During the Winter Quarter of 2013, Richard

k Oa l C y e unt o r y C l ub monies at St. Leon’s Cathedral on November Hovannisian has been invited by the

1 4 0 eB nl om t t S . & JD t i S k c y 11. Received at the request of Archbishop University of California, Irvine, as a distin - Hovnan Derderian, an encyclical from Holy guished lecturer to offer a course on Modern

t W a r e t o w n M A 2 0 2 7 4 Echmiadzin was read by Bishop Armash Armenian History. No Rest for the Energized Scout Tufankjian r Fo T i k c & t s I e nfr o t ma i n o . SCOUT, from page 4 extended the next three years.

Ca l l g : Na e e b Di r a ba k r e l y Tufankjian split her time working in the US From there, it was on to such international and in Gaza over the next five years. In 2006, waters as Haiti, Syria, Lebanon and Egypt,

8 4 7 1 6 0 - 0 0 7 3 she began photographing Senator Obama’s along with work on the Armenian Diaspora presidential campaign — a full-time stint that Project — a photo project aimed at creating a portrait of the global Armenian Diaspora. She studies the work of other Armenian photographers like Karsh and Harry Koundakjian, along with Chris Hondros, Stephanie Sinclair, Gerda Taro and Damon Winter. Many of her own photos are still on the campaign’s website and Flickr page. As to her name, Scout, she says her parents were fans of Harper Lee’s classic, To Kill a Mockingbird . “My parents were obsessed with it,” she said. “They were going to name me Atticus if I was a boy. Scout is the name of the little girl in that book.”

Entertainment Fridays and Saturdays 8 S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 12, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS

2012 TCA Sponsor a Teacher in Armenia And Karabagh Program Supporters

Since its inception in 2001, the Tekeyan Cultural Association’s Sponsor A Teacher Program has raised more than $563,000 and reached out to 4,440 teachers and workers in Armenia and Karabagh. The program is in its 13th year and it continues successfully.

The followings are 2012 donors, state by state, as they were received. Edwin & Hermine Adamian, Arlington, MA 160 Georgiana Kachadorian, Mathuen, MA 160 Harry & Hripsime Parsekian, Watertown, MA 160 Alec & Zovi Ekmekji, Los Angeles, CA 50 Zevart M. Hollisian, Watertown, MA 640 Alice Bilemjian, Montebello, CA 160 Jean V Shapazian, Waltham, MA 100 Alice S. Mazmanian, Pasadena, CA 160 John Mirak Family, Arlington, MA 160 The Alice Sahagen Trust, Mission Viejo, CA 320 Lucie A. Aghdamlian, Arlington, MA 160 Anahid Crecelius, Fountain Valley, CA 160 Mary Omartian, Springfield, MA 160 Aram A. Tokatian, Fresno, CA 160 Michael & Kathleen Casey, Andover, MA 5 Berj & Nelly Kalamkarian, Fresno, CA 160 Miriam Kochakian, Methuen, MA 160 Diran Depanian, Los Angeles, CA 160 Mrs. Margaret Booshada, Worcester, MA 160 Dr. & Prof. Sarkis & Silva Karayan, Northridge, CA 160 Ms Shenorig G. Ishkanian, Lynn, MA 160 Dr. Berjouhi Koukeyan, Duarte, CA 160 Nerses Joubanian, Rousanne Etmekjian, Dr. Levon Ghazarian, Arcadia, CA 320 West Newton, MA 100 George & Diane Ohanian, San Diego, CA 25 Ozcan Jewelers Inc., Boston, MA 100 Gia Aivazian, Los Angeles, CA 160 Peter & Charleen Onanian, Weston, MA 160 John Kemhadjian, Encino, CA 320 Raffi & Maria Chapian, Waltham. MA 160 Kevork & Silva Keushkerian, Pasadena, CA 320 Robert Sanasarian, Watertown, MA 160 Mardiros & Ovsanna Ekshian, Pasadena, CA 160 Robert & Lisa Colloca, Methuen, MA 30 Mihran Kutnerian, Fresno, CA 160 Siran Kassabian, Watertown, MA 160 Mr. & Mrs. Hagop Nazarian, Rch Palos Vrd., CA 160 Sonia Iskandarian, Watertown, MA 200 Mr. & Mrs. Harry, Chakarian, Encino, CA 320 Torgom A. & Loosia S. Kocharians, Cambridge, MA 160 Mr. & Mrs. Luther Derian, Los Angeles, CA 200 Vahe & Anni Bedian, Framingham, MA 160 Robert Nicholas, Campbell, CA 81 Van & Mary Aroian, Worcester, MA 40 Sarkis K. Vartouguian, Buena Park, CA 160 Victor & Elizabeth Ganjian, Belmont, MA 160 Siran Oknayan, Pasadena, CA 160 ADL/TCA Chapters, Detroit, MI 2,000 Sona Minakian, La Miranda, CA 160 Detroit Armenian Women’s Guild, Troy, MI 320 Takouhi Deramerian, Pasadena, CA 160 James Derian, Oxford, MI 160 V.K. & Lena Altebarmakian, Fresno, CA 160 Kathryn Ossian, Pleasant Ridge, MI 160 Vahe Avanessian, Pacific Palisades, CA 320 Lee Khachaturian, Farmington Hills, MI 320 Vatche Mankerian, West Hills, CA 40 Michael Avsharian, Ann Arbor, MI 25 Yervant Demirjian, Montebello, CA 160 Mr. Herman Hintiryan, Oak Park, MI 500 Zaroohi Der Mugrdechian, Fresno, CA 20 Mrs. Emma Sogoian, Bloomfields Hills, MI 160 Zaven Berberian, La Canada, CA 480 Mrs. Sarah K. Dergazarian, Midland, MI 160 TCA Montreal and Toronto Chapters, Canada 3,646 Thomas & Armine Webb, Asheville, NC 100 Alice A. Norsigian, Wethersfield, CT 320 Rose Sielian Theriault, Rochester, NH 160 Estate of Frances Poloshian, Hamden, CT 15,445 A. Nurhan Becidyan, Paramus, NJ 160 Dr. Renee Ani Nishan, East Hartford, CT 100 Dr. Robert Dorian, Livingston, NJ 25 Haige J. Garabedian, East Hartford, CT 160 Lucy Soovajian, Union City, NJ 500 Jack Arisian, Watertown, CT 40 Martha & Richard Saraydarian, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 160 Hagop Hagopian, Ellijay, GA 160 Mary Ann Tutunjian, Neptune, NJ 25 Anna Marie Norehad, Glenview, IL 320 Mr. & Mrs. Haroutioun Diratzouian, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 160 Armand & Marilyn Norehad, Northfield, IL 1,000 Nazik Sesetyan, Paramus, NJ 160 Charles & Rose Margosian, Naperville, IL 320 Deran Hanesian, Montclair, NJ, 25 Dickran & Zaghik, Kelekian, Lindenhurst, IL 60 Raffi & Sossy Shekookian, Tinton Falls, NJ 160 Dr. Berj A. Gueyikian, Lincolnwood, IL 160 Hagop Vartivarian, Englewood, NJ 160 Dr. Krikor Vahe & Silva Karachorlu, Chicago, IL 200 A. Nurhan Janjigian, Rye Brook, NY 160 E. James Keledjian, Chicago, IL 160 Bekik/Muran Foundation Inc., Garden City Park, NY 160 Hratch Doumanian, Chicago, IL 250 J. Mardirossian, White Plains, NY 100 Mariam Tatosian, Evanston, IL 160 Ken Darian, Huntington Station, NY 50 Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Giragosian Homer, Glen, IL 25 Masis Harzivartyan, Forest Hills, NY 40 Oscar S. Tatosian, Evanston, IL 500 Michel & Alice Costes, Staten Island, NY 500 Makrouhi A. Oxian, South Bend, IN 160 Ms Elizabeth Arzoomanian, New York, NY 25 Sonya & Ara Hacet, Louisville, KY 480 R. Mihran & Ovsanna Y. Mooradian, Troy, NY 160 Alice Aznoian, Methuen, MA 160 Alice Karabian, Philadelphia, PA 20 Anoush Balian, West Newton, MA 160 Dr. & Mrs. Mayis Seapan, Landenberg, PA 160 Antoine K. Boghossian, Belmont, MA 160 Hrant & Arlene Jilozian, Broomall, PA 160 Aram & Anna Adourian, Concord, MA 320 Papken & Anahid Megerian, Newtown Square, PA 160 Arshag Gechijian, Belmont, MA 75 Rose & John Hagopian, Philadelphia, PA 160 Barbara Soghigian, Middleton, MA 25 Yn. Angel Metjian, Springfield, PA 160 Berge Tatian, Stoneham, MA 320 Anna Asdoorian, E. Providence, RI 50 Berjoohie Zakarian, Worcester, MA 320 Hrant Jamjyan, East Greenwich, RI 25 Carolyn Neeson, Millis, MA 50 Jacob & Ruth Harpootian, East Providence, RI 320 David Boyajian, Belmont, MA 25 Rose, Betty & Bob Ouloosian, Cranston, RI 100 Dr. & Mrs. Charles Garabedian, Shrewsbury, MA 320 Sirop & Maro Bedrosian, Houston, TX 500 Dr. Nishan & Mary Goudsouzian, Winchester, MA 160 Zohrab & Arpine Tcholakian, Houston, TX 160 Dr. Nubar Berberian, Waltham, MA 160 Karekin & Esperanza Jelalian, Vienna, VA 200 S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 12, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 COMMUNITY NEWS Giragosian Installed as District Jailed Ohio Tax Consultant Sued for Deputy Grand Master of Masons Alleged Theft of Company Funds WATERTOWN (Watertown Tab) — James 2010), Malden. Mystic valley Lodge was chartered Giragosian of Watertown was installed as district by Paul Revere during his tenure as grand master. ELYRIA, Ohio (Morning Journal) — Central Day Nursery School submit an affidavit of deputy grand master of the Grand Lodge of Raised in Watertown, Giragosian graduated Mutual Insurance Company of Van Wert has damages on or before January 31. Masons in Massachusetts, and will preside over from Watertown High School in 1964, Mass joined the list of 17 companies and people Pooh County Day Nursery alleged Zakarian five lodges in the Third Masonic District for the Bay Community College in 1967 and the New suing or with police complaints against Lorain gave them a $3,360 grant to cover payroll, tax year. The 232 lodges and 35,000 Freemasons in England Institute in 1974. He is the president tax consultant Richard Zakarian, who is cur - and accounting services in 2011 and 2012, but the Commonwealth are divided into 32 districts, and CFO of Giragosian Funeral Homes in rently at the Lorain County jail on theft the school believes the grant was a means for and led by a district deputy grand master. Watertown. He and his wife, Susan, have two charges. Zakarian’s company to gain access to the The Grand Lodge of Masons in children: Mark, 30, of Watertown, and Julie, 28, The lawsuit against Zakarian, 47, and his school’s financial information and bank Massachusetts is the oldest lodge in the of Brooklyn. He is a member of the Saint James company Benjamin Franklin Tax Services, accounts, according to the lawsuit. Western Hemisphere and the third oldest in the Armenian Church in Watertown. alleges that Zakarian with “purpose and mal - The nursery sued Zakarian for at least world. It was chartered in 1733, following the He began his Masonic career by joining ice” converted the company’s money to his $125,000 and is claiming the payroll and tax establishment of the Grand Lodge of England Arlington’s Hiram Lodge (now Mystic Valley own use. Zakarian worked with the company service kept more than $117,000 to cover pay - in 1717, and Ireland in 1725. In 2013 the Grand lodge) in 1982. He affiliated with Pequossette last year to perform payroll services. According roll taxes, but was never sent to the IRS. The Lodge of Massachusetts will celebrate its 280th Lodge in Watertown in 1999, Bethesda Lodge to the lawsuit, Zakarian used the money for his lawsuit stated Zakarian’s company withdrew Anniversary. A grand lodge is the governing in Watertown in 2009 and King Solomon’s own use on or before August 29. money from the nursery school’s bank account body that ensures the activities of the lodges Lodge in Somerville in 2009. Since 2010, The company is seeking $10,000 in dam - for taxes that were unpaid and it is believed the and members comply with its constitutions and Giragosian has served as the worshipful master, ages, according to the lawsuit. defendants used the money for their own use regulations; it also maintains the uniformity of or presiding officer, of Pequossette Lodge. Central Mutual was the insurer, assignee or to pay obligations for other clients, accord - the centuries-old initiation ceremony candi - Masons use the original definition of “worship - and subrogee of Stanley Industries Inc., who ing to the lawsuit. dates experience when they become members. ful,” meaning “honorable;” English mayors and was the owner of a business at 19120 In a lawsuit by Tom and Jack’s Lounge, in As a district deputy grand master, Giragosian judges are still addressed as “worshipful.” As Cranwood Parkway in Warrensville Heights. Wooster, no one appeared on behalf of serves as the grand master’s personal representa - district deputy grand master, Giragosian will be Two lawsuits have had hearings in Lorain Zakarian in a default hearing in Judge James tive to the lodges in his district. Richard J. Stewart called “right worshipful.” County Common Pleas Court. Miraldi’s courtroom December 27. According of Shrewsbury, Mass., was installed for the third Active in several Masonic bodies, Giragosian In December last year, Judge Raymond to court records, however, Tom and Jack’s and final of his three one-year terms as the 87th is a 32nd degree of the Ancient and Accepted Ewers ruled that Zakarian was liable for dam - Lounge failed to provide an affidavit of the sta - grand master of Masons in Massachusetts and the Scottish Rite — Valley of Boston, and serves as ages in a lawsuit filed by Pooh County Day tus of its account. The company has to provide head of the fraternity. The grand master hand - a degree worker for Mount Olivet Chapter of Nursery School Inc., of Cleveland. Zakarian, an affidavit by Jan. 25 or the case will be dis - picked Giragosian for the position. Rose Croix. He is a member of the Aleppo Ben-Tax Inc. and Ben Franklin Foundation missed, according to court records. The third Masonic district is comprised of the Shriner’s Temple in Wilmington. were not represented at the hearing. They were Tom and Jack’s Lounge Inc. sued Zakarian following lodges: King Solomon’s Lodge (estab - As a teenager, Giragosian was a member of the served with a summons and complaint, accord - and his company Benjamin Franklin Tax lished in 1783), Somerville; Mystic Valley Lodge Watertown Chapter of the Order of DeMolay, an ing to court records. Service for more than $160,456.23 claiming (1797), Arlington; Bethesda Lodge (1819), organization for young men founded, sponsored Ewers granted default judgment in favor of mistakes in the filings and preparation of fed - Pequosette Lodge (1856), both of Watertown; and and run largely by Masons to offer young men sim - Pooh County Day Nursery School against eral and state tax returns, and for failing to Samuel Crocker Lawrence Lodge (reconstituted in ilar opportunities and experiences. Zakarian and his companies only on the issue deposit payroll taxes with appropriate govern - of liability. The court asked that Pooh County mental agencies, according to the lawsuit. Hye Geen Lecture Draws Capacity Crowd To AGBU Manoukian Center

PASADENA, Calif. — Throughout the year, memory of Armenians’ long-standing presence AGBU Hye Geen’s lecture series presents audi - in the region, notably through the destruction ences from across Southern California with of ancient and medieval monuments. She cited renowned scholars and visionary leaders who the case of Vasbouragan, the region in modern spark dialogues on everything from art and cul - Turkey, where over 900 monuments stood at ture to politics and history. the end of World War I, more than half of which On Saturday, November 10, Hye Geen hosted have since vanished; the rest remain in ruins. author and Lafayette College professor, Rachel Despite such reports, Goshgarian continued, Goshgarian, who drew a full-capacity crowd to voices of dissent — many from within the the AGBU Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Turkish community itself — are debunking wide - Center in Pasadena. Her discussion, “Turkey ly-held national myths. She praised the work of and the Memory of the Armenians,” traced the Turkey’s leading academics Hulya Adak, Halil dark history of Armenian repression since the Berktay, Selim Derengil, Osma Kavala and the fall of the Ottoman Empire and highlighted late Hrant Dink, each of whom have helped re- movements toward recognition and reconcilia - write the historical narrative and account for tion that offer hope and inspiration today. the horrific atrocities committed against the Hye Geen committee member Houri Armenian people. Their contributions, Keshishian opened the event, after which Goshgarian noted, have created a positive alter - Goshgarian brought the audience back to the native to the dominant public discourse. turn of the 20th century, drawing from the However, as Hye Geen founder Sona extensive research that has informed her pub - Yacoubian commented following the lecture, lished works and forthcoming book, Ahis the greatest burden of change lies on Armenian Futuwwa and the City: Urban Culture and youth. “Today, our youth are more educated Inter-Faith Interaction in Late Medieval than ever before, and full of the resources to Anatolia. She detailed Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s correct the wrongs of the past,” she stated. rise to power and the radical cultural shifts that “The future rests in their capable hands — and followed — in language, as a new Turkish alpha - in the hands of those like Dr. Goshgarian, who bet was adopted; in clothing, as European fash - is successfully advocating for our cause.” ions were embraced and, most dramatically, in The audience members’ participation in the post- demographics, as minority groups were forced lecture question-and-answer session proved that to assimilate, resulting in an estimated two mil - they shared that confidence in Goshgarian. Her lion Turkish nationals who now claim resume includes a Fulbright-Hays Dissertation Armenian ancestry. What has had the most last - Research Grant, a Harvard University Dissertation ing impact, Goshgarian argued, was the care - Completion Grant, a Wellesley College Dissertation fully orchestrated campaign to erase the public Grant and her ongoing research.

Scholar Rachel Goshgarian presents her lecture “Turkey and the Memory of the Armenians” to a full- capacity crowd at the AGBU Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Center in Pasadena. 10 S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 12, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Arts & Living ‘Azad,’ ‘The Emil Kazaz Suffering Grasses,’ ‘Just Like Her’ Take Has One Man Top Honors at Show in LA ARPA International LOS ANGELES — Airian Dome of Fine Art (ADoFA) and Kazaz Gallery announce the open - Film Festival ing of exclusive solo-exhibition “Emil Kazaz – One Man Show” at the LA Art Show 2013, the HOLLYWOOD — Cinema patrons, industry most diverse art fair in the world, on January veterans and emerging filmmakers came out to 23, 7 p.m., Los Angeles Convention Center, the Egyptian Theatre to see the most highly South Hall, Booth 344-445. anticipated films of the year and to celebrate While Paris has the Salon, Los Angles has the best of the 15th Arpa International Film the LA Art Show. For the first time in the 18 Festival (AFFMA.org) at a star-studded gala years of the show, the works of Kazaz will be Awards Ceremony at the Sheraton Universal shown amongst the artists. The management of Hotel. the galleries, the exclusive worldwide represen - Over four days, from Thursday, November 29, to Sunday, December 2, Arpa International Film Festival showcased over 60 films from

Chiara Meghikian Armenian Organic Food Movement Seeks ‘Fruits From the Garden of Eden’

YEREVAN — Founder and director of the Environment and Sustainable Agriculture Educational Foundation in Armenia Chiara Haiganush Meghikian recent - ly sat down for an interview with the Armenian Reporter to discuss the organic food movement in Armenia. Artsvi Bakhchinyan (AB): Chiara, being an Italian-born Armenian who has lived in the US for many years, it seems you’ve spent more of your time in Armenia recent - ly. Could you share what has brought you to Armenia? Chiara Meghikian (CM): I will be happy to. The first time I came to Armenia to work was in April, 2011. Bert Hellinger, a world famous psychotherapist and the father of Systemic Constellation Therapy, had agreed to come to Yerevan to introduce Arpa founder Sylvia Minassian with Hratch his work for the first time in Armenia. Titizian “Angel of Flowers” by Emil Kazaz I was very, very happy about it. I had told him my dream was to introduce his approach here and I couldn’t believe this was really happening. So the Conference around the globe, Q&A’s, receptions as well as took place at American University […] In tative of Emil Kazaz since 2005, invites the pub - a first ever GEMAI industry panel discussion the end, I realized that we cannot wait for lic to visit the fabulous Kazaz’s inimitable highlighting new technologies for the deaf and By Artsvi Bakhchinyan others to help us. It is our responsibility bronze sculptures, numinous oil paintings, blind. to take responsibility. meticulous drawings and mixed media along The past year marked a high point for Arpa I was asked to continue to offer work - with the rest of the artworks the participating Foundation for Film, Music and Art. “Not only shops in Systemic Constellations. Thanks to this opportunity I started to come to galleries have to offer. did we celebrate 15 years of staging the film fes - Armenia more and more often. For five days, leading galleries from around tival in Los Angeles,” said the organization’s AB: How it did you gradual transition from this area of studies to your current the world showcase their latest acquisitions at founder, Sylvia Minassian, “but AFFMA was work in the agricultural field occur? the annual LA Art Show. The Opening Gala itself recognized for its continued efforts to sup - CM: During our trips to the regions, I realized how this beautiful land was at a Night Premiere Party will embrace Jubilee port artists and filmmakers.” In 2012, AFFMA great risk. Its purity was in danger of being seriously contaminated. I felt that some - Celebration of Kazaz’s 60th birthday and the was the recipient of an Armenian Heritage thing needed to be done, immediately, before it was too late. So when a group of 35th anniversary Award by Los Angeles City Council and the honey producers came to ask for help, it was clear that it was a call [to] action. of his career. office of Eric Garcetti, and a Roll Global Grant AB: The worldwide trend is to seek organic food products. Do you think Armenian Kazaz himself, see ARPA, page 12 produce and goods could be accepted into the international organic market? along with the CM: Living in America for almost 20 years has given me the ability to realize how gallery staff, will important access to healthy food is. I think that first and foremost, people in Armenia welcome the visi - need to realize how important it is for them to have access to healthy food. tors to Booth 344- Unfortunately lack of information and knowledge of the adverse effects of the use of 455. hormones and pesticides and antibiotics in agriculture is steering Armenia away from The 18th healthy food. Annual Los There is a worldwide organic food movement occurring, but I am not sure such a Angeles Art Show movement exists in Armenia. I know for a fact, for example, that the honey produced is one of the oldest in Armenia, in most cases, is not suitable for export in Europe. This is due to the large and longest-run - use of antibiotics and pesticides employed to treat bees. These products, which ning venues for remain in the honey and in the wax, are dangerous to the health and therefore its historic, contempo - Emil Kazaz use is banned in the EU. rary, modern and AB: Do you think the rest of the world has any knowledge of the green movement traditional art in in Armenia? the country. Moreover, the show will provide a CM: I am not sure there is wide knowledge of any green movement in Armenia. I large platform for the visitors and exhibitors to believe that the first sign of a true movement has come from the Teghut group. meet and discuss the magic of art and achieve AB: You travel a lot in Armenian regions. What kind of developments have you quality professional and emotional bonding. The seen? 2012 show hosted more than hundred and twen - CM: I believe a lot of work needs to be done in terms of information. Once people ty high-end galleries from around the globe and have information and are educated about the risks of certain interventions, they will drew more than 50,000 visitors. Some of the react. For this reason, I established the Environment and Sustainable Agriculture early artworks of Emil Kazaz were featured in Educational Foundation (ESA) with two of my friends and colleagues. We believe the Modern and Contemporary Section and that education, particularly of young people, will empower and encourage them to turned out to be one of the highlights of the have better products that will also be appreciated abroad one day. entire LA Art Show 2012. see ORGANIC, page 13 Gevorkyan Dance Academy members perform. For more information about the LA Art Show, send inquiries to [email protected]. S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 12, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 ARTS & LIVING ‘Azad,’ ‘The Suffering Grasses,’ ‘Just Like Her’ Take Top Honors at ARPA International Film Festival

ARPA, from page 10 for its humanitarian efforts. It is the major high - light of a year of accomplishments for the orga - nization which includes founder Minassian as a recipient of the Golden Medal of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Armenia, one of the highest Armenian cultural awards. Arpa International Film Festival director Alex Kalognomos said, “This year we added even more internationally-themed films to the film

Singer and songwriter Weather performs.

Actress Marla Maples

Artist of the Year Award recipient Michael Poghosian with AFFMA Founder Sylvia Minassian program. We also had sold-out screenings throughout the festival, beginning with the 800-person opening night sell-out for ‘Lost & Dr. Stephen Smith of Shoah Foundation accepts Found in Armenia.’ We continued to break Actress Frances Fischer Arpa Foundation Award. attendance records as the Los Angeles audi - ences came out to take part in the all the festi - val has to offer.” The festival culminated with a gala event and awards ceremony at which filmmakers, spon - sors and guests were celebrated for making this year’s festival a milestone event. The evening’s mistress of ceremonies, Marla Maples, invited the filmmakers who were presented their awards after each of their screenings to join her on stage and take a bow for their achievements. Receiving the award for Best Picture was Nicolas Tackian for his French drama, “Azad.” Caner Alper and Mehmet Binay won in the category fo Best Director for the Turkish film, “Zenne Dancer.” Arshaluys Harutyunyan won for Best Actor Ken Davitian Screenplay for the Armenian drama “Wandering.” Yara Lee won for Best Documentary Feature Fight, It Is the Grass that Suffers.” for “The Suffering Grasses: When Elephants Eddie Deleon Melikyan accepted the award for Best Short for directing “Just Like Her.” Also present were the 2012 special award honorees. Presenters such as filmmaker Haik Michael Poghosian accepts the Artist of the Year Award. Gazarian and actress Valentina Rendon pre - sented Hrach Titizian with the Breakthrough Actor of the Year Award; actress Heather (Armenia, USA) director, Gor Kirakosian. McComb presented Michael Poghosian the “Fifteen years makes Arpa International Film Artist of the Year Award; actor/filmmaker Festival one of the longest standing film festi - Sebastian Siegel awarded Frances Fisher the vals in Los Angeles,” said Minassian. “We are Career Achievement Award; AFFMA Founder very committed to supporting independent Sylvia Minassian presented Lusine Sahakyan, filmmakers and depend on community support director of “Hamshen at Crossroads of Past to make events such as the festival possible.” and Present” (Armenia, Turkey) with the pres - This year’s key sponsors were Tacori, Horizon tigious Armin T. Wegner Humanitarian TV, Yerevan magazine and Siera Jewelers. Award; Actress Anoush NeVart presented the “Without the support of sponsors,” said Arpa Foundation Award to recipient USC Kalognomos during his opening remarks at the Shoah Foundation, The Institute For Visual Gala, “...it would be impossible to stage such an History And Education. The award was event where everyone’s influence and creativity accepted by Dr. Stephen D. Smith, MBE, PhD build unity and success.” who spoke about the merits of supporting AFFMA, a non-profit organization, annually independent cinema and archiving efforts stages entertainment industry networking such as those by the Shoah Foundation. And mixers, art exhibits, and fashion shows in an Actress Valentina Rendon with her husband, Comedian and actor Jamie Kennedy Achievement in International Cinema Award effort to fundraise for its signature event, the director Haik Gazarian was accepted by “Lost & Found in Armenia” film festival. 12 S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 12, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING

Peace to You Jerusalem Persecuted and tormented Kalajian Shares The Church of Christ is without fear Nothing can shake its walls or its faith By Sira Kalajian The Blood of Christ strengthens the stones Poem During The Blood of Saints and Martyrs repels evil Peace to you Jerusalem Oh Lord, you grant us Grace through Jesus Christ My heart was touched by you Our Saviour, who unifies humanity and forgives the sinner You overwhelmed me with your magnificent and Pilgrimage And gives us Life and Hope Majestic Cathedrals. Feeling the Footsteps of Jesus all over, and to feel and Your glorious shrines and edifices were radiant and See with my own eyes, the Olive Tree where Jesus Reunion Sublime Was tied and Beaten The domes of your Churches reach the sky with My Heart and Soul have been touched deeply. NEW YORK — The following poem was writ - Style and Elegance ten and read by Sira Kalajian during a reunion The icons in the Chapels ornamented with gold and Oh Jerusalem in New York for pilgrims who last April went on Embellished with beauty and Grace. You Illuminated my Spirit a Pilgrimage to Jerusalem that was organized You soothed my Soul Peace to you Jerusalem by the Diocese of the Armenian Church of You gave me Serenity For the love of God’s House I pray for your Felicity America. The poem was inspired by her trip to You astounded me God, you answer for all our anguishes Jerusalem and is dedicated to Fr. Mardiros You Transfigured me Deliver us from lies, devastation and wars Chevian, leader of the pilgrimage. You have strengthened my Faith Help us live in peace and tranquility And gave me Peace We are blessed to be called your children “I cannot thank Fr. Mardiros enough. He My sincere gratitude Glory to you, My Lord gave me the chance to visit Jerusalem, a mem - My only wish is to visit you again. orable journey that I treasure,” remarked You created Heaven and Earth Kalajian. The poem was originally written in Help and stand by your church and do not let it fall Oh Jerusalem Oh Jerusalem French. Give the Church Peace and Joy even though it is You Are .... And Always Will Be in My Heart.

Damien Hirst’s Split from Larry Gagosian Turns Heads in Art World

LONDON (Guardian) — They seemed the per - Artnet in November revealed that works Hirst near Paris, designed by the French architect Jean November, the second highest figure paid for a fect match. On one side, Larry Gagosian, the produced in his most lucrative period between Nouvel, and a temporary space in Rio de Janeiro living artist, after Gerhard Richter’s £21.3 million world’s most powerful art dealer, whose epony - 2005 and 2008, when he bypassed his dealers in Brazil. He confirmed plans to open a third, painting “Abstraktes Bild (809-4).” mous gallery has more exhibition space than Tate and took his work direct to auction at Sotheby’s, larger London outlet in 2013, expected to be his The curator and academic Andrew Renton, Modern, an annual revenue estimated at more had resold for nearly 30 percent less than their second in Mayfair. director of Marlborough Contemporary in than $1 billion (£600m) and puts on exhibitions of original purchase price. Since 2009 one in three Hirst’s split with Gagosian in December came Mayfair, said: “The art market has grown expo - the likes of Picasso, Matisse and Warhol to rival of the 1,700 pieces offered at auction have failed a week after news that another of the dealer’s nentially in the past decade and the prime the greatest museums. On the other, Damien to sell at all. star names, Jeff Koons, best known for his giant drivers are the big-name artists. It was very radi - Hirst, the world’s most successful living artist, who Thompson said that although Hirst’s 2008 kitsch sculptures, planned to has amassed a fortune of £215m. direct auction was called groundbreaking, prices stage a show in May at the So Hirst’s sudden departure after 17 years were propped up by Gagosian and Jay Jopling, rival Zwirner gallery. A day from Gagosian’s blockbuster roster of 77 artists the White Cube gallery owner and Hirst’s later it emerged that Yayoi and estates — months after the gallerist mounted London dealer, who made bids or purchases Kusama, the Japanese artist an unprecedented simultaneous exhibition of the worth almost half the auction’s first-day sales. who like Hirst had a Tate artist’s spot paintings in every one of his then 11 “The überdealer — and Gagosian is the ulti - Modern retrospective last galleries around the world and co-sponsored a mate überdealer — implicitly promises their year, was also leaving Tate Modern retrospective — has raised ques - clients that the art they buy will not decline in Gagosian. With Hirst and tions about the careers of these titans of the con - value, which is why he tried to keep up Hirst’s Kusama staying at their temporary art world, and about the art market sales price in 2008,” said Thompson. “But the London galleries, White itself. value of Hirst’s work is 30 percent where it was Cube and Victoria Miro The economist Don Thompson, author of The at its peak with a third unsold. So his reserve respectively, some experts $12 Million Stuffed Shark , which investigated price is too high.” see the events as signs of the the contemporary art market including Following reportedly disappointing sales from artists having specific prob - Gagosian’s 2005 sale of Hirst’s best-known Gagosian’s global show of Hirst’s spot paintings, lems with Gagosian. Larry Gagosian, left, and Damien Hirst formaldehyde work, “The Physical Impossibility Thompson said: “Hirst can better reposition him - Wendy Cromwell, a New of Death in the Mind of Someone Living,” self selling at a lower price with another dealer.” York-based art adviser, said believes the gallerist initiated the split due to In contrast, Gagosian’s position has seemed she could not believe Gagosian would have want - cal when Hirst first exhibited with Gagosian in Hirst’s declining sales. unassailable. In the autumn he opened his 12th ed Hirst to leave because “even with a slowdown London while remaining at the White Cube. Now Figures published by the market analysts gallery, a 17,760-aquare-foot space in Le Bourget, in sales he’s such a powerhouse brand.” Figures it is common to see shows by one artist in dif - provided by the London-based art market analyst ferent galleries in the same city.” Nathan Engelbrecht, co-director of EB & Flow Michael Werner opened his new London Gallery, show Hirst’s worldwide auction sales gallery in October with an exhibition of new peaked in 2008 at a total of $45.8 million paintings by Peter Doig, who is already repre - Organic Food Movement Seeks “Fruits (£28.5m), and were $18.3 million in 2012. sented in London by Victoria Miro. The Anders Petterson, managing director of the American artist Sterling Ruby, who parted ways From the Garden of Eden.” analyst firm ArtTactic, said Hirst and Kusama did with the Pace Gallery at the beginning of 2012, not represent the primary focus of Gagosian’s will have a show at Hauser & Wirth’s Savile Row ORGANIC, from page 10 and Armenian culture? business in the aftermath of the 2008 stock mar - space in March of 2013. Sprüth Magers, Ruby’s AB: Many of our Diaspora compatriots know CM: In their own way, yes, they do. Our chil - ket crash. “The commercial art market has London gallery, told the Financial Times that you as one of initiators of Padus-Araxes associ - dren come to Armenia to share their passions changed since 2008, with the focus on postwar, they “happily” continue to represent him. ation in Venice, organizing intensive courses of with their peers and to get to know their her - blue-chip art such as Warhol, Basquiat, Calder, “It’s not so much that these are defections, Armenian language and culture already 27 itage. They’ve collaborated with various organi - Bacon, Lichtenstein, Rothko, Kline, etc., account - more that artists are more in control, said years. Can share a little more about your past zations both on environmental issues and in ing for a large majority of the total auction sales. Renton. “It’s like premiership football. Why did experiences? the arts. Most of these artists are exhibited or represent - Man City not get Robin Van Persie when they CM: I was co-Founder, together with Prof. AB: What are your future projects in ed by Gagosian gallery. In the current economic offered more than Man United? When you’re Rev. Levon Zekiyan and Prof. Gabriella Armenia? climate, it would make sense for the gallery to already worth tens of millions it’s not just about Uluhogian of the Association “Padus-Araxes” CM: I am ready to respond to the requests that focus on these artists. However, it probably money.” for the development of the Armenian Culture in will come to me and to the Foundation, hence - means less attention is given to many of the Global sales of art were estimated to top $64 the diaspora. One of the activities of the asso - forth. As far as trainings in Systemic other artists that the gallery works with. billion in 2012, including more than $10 billion ciation is the Armenian Language course at the Constellations, there is a very interesting group of “White Cube, has generally a younger stable of from sales at auction, according to the analysts University of Venice. I am very honored to have people here that have gathered to apply the sys - artists — with just over 50 artists listed on its Artprice. Postwar and contemporary art account - been part of this group and thankful to Hayr temic approach to organizations. We are going to website — where Hirst would still be their key ed for 33 percent of the market in 2012, with and his collaborators for the relentless work in continue to work to develop it and to invite expe - artist. You’d rather be a big fish in a smaller sales of just over $3 billion, up from 28 percent this area. rienced professionals to share their knowledge. pond in today’s uncertain market.” in 2011. AB: Tell us about your roots. How have you As far as the activity of ESA Educational One issue affecting Koons’s move may be the The US art season ended in November with a managed to combine Armenian and Italian Foundation, we are starting a training in organ - bad publicity from two recent lawsuits against record-breaking sales total of $412 million for identities? ic beekeeping. We have a good number of very Gagosian, including one brought by the billion - Christie’s. The previous day, the rival auction CM: I was born in Italy. My grandfather Aram motivated beekeepers that have understood the aire collector Ronald Perelman involving one of house Sotheby’s staged the most successful auc - had arrived there from Diyarbakir, in Anatolia. importance of a more sustainable way to con - the artist’s sculptures. tion in its history, taking $375 million. I tied deeply to my Armenian roots. Italy is duct their activity. Of course, after honey, we But Koons’s decision is also seen as an indica - The Gagosian gallery’s turnover in 2011 was where I was born, and the country that gave are willing to address all other issues of organ - tion of how the balance of power is shifting away $925 millioon, according to Forbes. This is refuge to my grandfather. America is where my ic and sustainable agriculture. from even the wealthiest commercial galleries to almost double that of Pace ($450 million) and children were born. I am thankful for this rich - [My hope is that] one day the products from an elite cadre of artists. Unlike Hirst’s, his prices nearly four times that of Hauser + Wirth and ness of identity. Armenia [will] be sought as the “Fruits from are rising: his candy-colored stainless steel sculp - David Zwirner, each with annual sales of around AB: Do your sons have interest in Armenia the Garden of Eden.” ture “Tulip” fetched $33.7 million at Christie’s in $225 million. S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 12, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 ARTS & LIVING Pamuk Pays Tribute to His Museum of Objects

The Innocence of Objects. By Orhan Pamuk. would use in daily life. the house he chooses for his museum. In 1999, arranged with love and care, objects in the muse - Translated from the Turkish by Ekin In one of the opening sections of the book, he makes his purchase. He recalls, “I liked its um — an odd photograph, a bottle opener, a pic - Oklap. Abrams. 2012, 264 pp. $35. Pamuk states, “This must be how I first thought winding staircase, the frontage on two streets, ture of a boat, a coffee cup, a postcard — could ISBN 978 1 419 704567 that I might be able to put together a novel in the and even its smallness, which I would complain form of a museum catalogue with long and rich - about in years to come. But most of all, I was ly detailed notes. ...The first object was going to happy to have found a dainty building worthy of be the earring that Fusun would drop when mak - Fusun.” By Daphne Abeel ing love to Kemal. I wanted to exhibit the earring For those who have not read Pamuk’s novel, Special to the Mirror-Spectator in the museum and tell the earring’s story in the The Museum of Innocence , it is sufficient to say novelized catalogue.” that it describes the difficult and, ultimately, The newest publication by Turkish Nobel Further, he says, “… the novel and the muse - unhappy love affair between a well-born bache - Prize-winning novelist, Orhan Pamuk, is a curio, um each tell a story. The objects exhibited in the lor, Kemal, and his distant cousin, Fusun, who is a catalogue and a tribute to his obsession with museum are described in the novel. Still, words not of his social status. objects. Richly printed and illustrated with many are one thing, objects another. The images that While the building may have originally been color photographs, it traces Pamuk’s intense words generate in our minds are one thing; the dilapidated and crumbling, the photograph of focus on the items of daily life and explores the memory of an old object used once upon a time the museum as it is today (it opened in 2012) relationship between his recently opened muse - is another. But imagination and memory have a shows it to be a beautifully-restored wooden um in Istanbul and his novel, The Museum of strong affinity, and this is the basis of the affini - structure, filled with immaculately and carefully Innocence . ty between the novel and the museum.” arranged glass cases of the many objects Pamuk Pamuk explains that he first conceived the Pamuk has memorialized his love for old has chosen to place there. idea of such a museum when, in 1982, he met an Istanbul in his memoir of growing up in the city, In the course of his studies and research to aging Ottoman prince who returned to Turkey and he was determined to buy an old building in determine the design of his museum, Pamuk and wanted only to be a caretaker in the palace an old neighborhood to house his museum. In traveled widely, visiting many small house muse - where he spent his childhood and to show the the 1990s, the years when he was dropping his ums. He states, “What I found most enthralling objects there to the public. young daughter off at school, he haunts the was the way in which objects removed from the attain a much greater significance than they had When he began writing his novel, The streets lined with old wooden buildings, their kitchens, bedrooms, and dinner tables where before.” Museum of Innocence, in 2002, he had already second stories overhanging the streets. Pacing they had once been utilized would come togeth - Perhaps no collection in the museum demon - started to collect objects from the antique shops through the ruined, shabby streets of Galata, er to form a new texture, an unintentionally strik - strates more fanatically Pamuk’s determination in Istanbul that the Keskin family in the novel Cihangir and Cukurcuma, he finally comes upon ing web of relationships. I realized that when to preserve and honor every object from the novel than the case devoted to the cigarettes that Fusun has smoked throughout the length of the story. An entire panel, enclosed in glass, is devot - ed to the cigarette stubs with captions that detail what Kemal was thinking and observing on the C A LENDAR day she smoked that particular cigarette. C A LENDAR Pamuk is also transfixed with the meaning of the passage of time and many of the glass cases contain clocks, stop watches and wrist watches. He remarks, enigmatically, “Time emerges when individual moments shrink into them - MASSACHUSETTS selves, so when objects do the same, they lose Armenian Sisters’ their stories. It is at this point that the innocence of objects becomes apparent. Our museum has FEBRUARY 9 — Armenian Sisters’ Academy Annual Valentine’s Academy Annual Party, presenting Elie Berberian and Band, Oakley Country Club, been built on the contradictory desires to tell the Valentine’s Party, pre - stories of objects and to demonstrate their time - 410 Belmont St., Watertown; information: Nageeb Diarbakerly at senting Elie Berberian (617) 480-3700. less innocence.” and Band, Oakley This is a book for Pamuk fans and enthusiasts, MICHIGAN Country Club, 410 those readers who are already familiar with his Belmont St., Watertown; love of the historic Istanbul and who may have JANUARY 26 — St. John Armenian Church Dinner and Dance at information: Nageeb read the novel, The Museum of Innocence . It is Cultural Hall, honoring Zabel Belian and the late Dr. Garabed Diarbakerly at (617) far less a flowing narrative than a collection of Belian, with music by Harry Hovakimian Ensemble; 22001 480-3700. Pamuk’s observations and musings on the mean - Northwestern Highway, Southfield; RSVP Nora Azadian at (248) 757- ing of museums, the objects they contain and 2320. the relationship between those objects and life as it is actually lived. In addition to the photographs of his collec - tion, the book also contains photographs of fam - ily moments, the ships that ply the Bosphorus and the hidden and rundown streets of old Istanbul. It is a jumble, but an intriguing and evocative jumble. Perhaps what Pamuk is trying to tell us is that Sponsor a Teacher in Armenia and Karabagh 2013 every life contains a museum. As he says in one short section titled, “A Modest Manifesto for Museums,” “We don’t need more museums that try to construct the histori - Since its inception in 2001, TCA’s ‘Sponsor cal narratives of a society, community, team, nation, state, tribe, company or species. We all a Teacher’ program has raised over $563,000 know that the ordinary everyday stories of indi - viduals are richer, more humane, and much more and reached out to 4,440 teachers and joyful. ...The future of museums is inside our own houses.” school workers in Armenia and Karabagh.

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Your donation is Tax Deductible. 14 S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 12, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

T HE A RMENIAN COMMENTARY Mirror- Azerbaijan’s Inflated Ambitions

cocted history, the writer adds: “Ever since the 1828 Treaty of Spectator By Edmond Y. Azadian Turkmenchay split the Azeri homeland between Imperial Russia and the Persian Empire without the consent of the Azeri people, both sides have struggled for cultural supremacy.” It is ludicrous For the second time in recent memory, Azerbaijan’s President to even raise the question of any ruling empire to seek the opin - Ilham Aliyev has laid claim to the entire territory of Armenia. ion of a subject nation in the 19th century. Following the cease-fire of 1994, bringing an end to an aggres - The article highlights the following points to portray Established 1932 sion initiated by the Baku government against Nagorno Azerbaijan in a favorable light, despite Azerbaijan’s struggle with Karabagh’s peaceful population, the Azeri government seemed civil liberties, human rights and fundamental freedoms: An ADL Publication ready to settle the conflict on the condition that seven regions — •Azerbaijan’s oil and gas can reach European markets, bypass - outside Karabagh’s territory — be returned, under an agreement. ing Russia, providing a strategic advantage to the West over Then the ambitions of the Baku leadership progressed to the Moscow. EDITOR next level, as they insisted on the return of the entire territory of •Baku is ready to serve as a launching pad in any attack on Alin K. Gregorian the independent Republic of Karabagh, against vague promises of Iran. the “highest degree of autonomy.” As if that was not enough, •Baku is in a military alliance with Israel following the recent ASSISTANT EDITOR Aliyev has concocted a pseudo-history of his country, laying claim signing of a $1.6 billion arms agreement with Tel Aviv. Azerbaijan Gabriella Gage to the entire territory of the Armenian Republic. Indeed, during has also turned into a center for the operations of Israeli intelli - ASSOCIATE EDITOR a ceremony opening a building to house Karabagh war veterans gence agency, Mossad. Aram Arkun in Sumgait, Aliyev was quoted as having declared Yerevan as “his - “Some Azeri officials want to rename Azerbaijan ‘Northern toric Azerbaijani territory” and the present Republic of Armenia Azerbaijan,’ implicitly laying claim to Northern Iran. A US con - ART DIRECTOR Marc Mgrditchian a “fictitious state.” gressman went so far this year as to propose legislation calling Never mind that Aliyev recently won the notorious title of the upon Iran to give its Azeri population the right to decide on most corrupt ruler of the year from the Organized Crime and which country it wants to belong to,” according to the article. Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP); he continues to inflate The writer blames the Obama administration for ignoring these SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: his megalomaniacal ambitions, even channeling it into a national facts in its Caucasian policy. Edmond Azadian syndrome. Pressure on Iran is not only intended to prevent Tehran from This writer remembers a conversation with the former presi - CONTRIBUTORS: acquiring nuclear capabilities, but also to break up the country Florence Avakian, Elizabeth Aprahamian, dent, Levon Ter-Petrosian, right after the conclusion of the cease - in a fashion similar to when Iraq was partitioned into three parts, Daphne Abeel, Dr. Haroutiune fire agreement with Azerbaijan, when a threatening statement by Libya into multiple pieces and Syria is on the butcher block. Arzoumanian, Taleen Babayan, Prof. Heydar Aliyev, (the former Azeri president and father of the cur - The hawks in Washington would further carry the “Arab Vahakn N. Dadrian, Diana Der rent one) was brought to Ter-Petrosian’s attention. He dismissed Spring” policy in the region, given the opportunity, regardless of Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, Kevork it with disdain, saying, “Aliyev needs another slap in the face.” the human loss in the region and within the US military as well Keushkerian, Sonia Kailian-Placido , Today, any official in Armenia would be reluctant to make that as its toll on the economy. Harut Sassounian, Mary Terzian, Hagop kind of confident statement, given the fact that the Azerbaijan Turkey is playing one of the bloodiest games in the region, as its Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian ruler’s ambitions are being encouraged, supported and inflated economy develops to the detriment of its neighbors. Also its stand CORRESPONDENTS: by powers both in the region and outside. off with Israel is only skin deep. One has yet to learn of any mili - In reality, if there is a fictitious country in the region, it is tary agreement scrapped between the two nations. Ankara’s Armenia - Hagop Avedikian Boston - Nancy Kalajian Azerbaijan, whose population never enjoyed independence nor rhetoric is directed at the Arab streets in the Middle East, posing Philadelphia - Lisa Manookian sovereignty until 1918. Before that period, its population consid - as a defender of Muslim faith and rights. Close alliances between ered itself Tartar or Turk, lacking any national identity. Ankara and Baku would not have allowed any rapprochement with Contributing Photographers: Jacob Demirdjian, Harry Koundakjian, Jirair Therefore, to understand Aliyev’s war rhetoric we have to view Israel had Turkey been truly at odds with the Jewish state. Israel Hovsepian Azeri- Armenian relations within the context of global political in its turn has been playing its carrot and stick policy with Turkey. developments. That is indicated by the discussion of the Armenian Genocide in When Azerbaijan received enough votes to become a non-per - the Israeli parliament on December 26. Even a ruling coalition manent member of the United Nations Security Council in 2011, Likud Member of the Parliament Ze’ev Elkin has joined the chorus The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published the point wasn’t just to serve on that body. The point was to show weekly, except two weeks in July, by: of supporters. Israel can, at any time, use the Armenian Genocide the isolation of Armenia and the powerlessness of its foreign pol - recognition, if Turkey makes good on its threats. Baikar Association, Inc. icy. Thus, that Ankara-engineered vote stressed Azerbaijan’s A tacit tug-of-war is going on between the Obama administra - 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 strategic importance as well as its wealth of energy resources to tion and Benjamin Netanyahu, who tried to meddle in the last Telephone: 617-924-4420 the West and its religious alignment with the Islamic Conference. presidential election with no success. But, following President FAX: 617-924-2887 Additionally, the “perfume” of oil has attracted many US states - Obama’s two-state solution for the Palestinian issue he demon - www.mir rorspectator.com men into the Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce, such as Vice strated his power in the US legislative branch winning 29 stand - E-Mail: editor@mirrorspectator .com President Dick Cheney, Henry Kissinger, James A. Baker, Richard ing ovations for his run-of-the mill speech. The nomination of the For advertising: [email protected] Armitage, Zbigniew Brzezinski, Richard Pearl and Brent former Republican Senator Chuck Hagel further signals that Scowcroft. These are the people ready to trade Armenian blood Prime Minister Netanyahu will not be able to drag the US admin - with Azeri oil without any scruples. It is no surprise that Mr. istration easily into any adventure of his choosing, as he was able Edward Djerejian is also engaged in peddling their policies, as the to do with President Obama’s predecessor, despite the fact that SUBSCRIPTION RATES : director of the Baker Institute. Netanyahu’s coalition is veering further right with the extremists Azerbaijani oil and caviar are buying influence on all levels of joining his election campaign. the US government and news media. A recent article in the Global politics is a multidimensional complex process and the U.S.A. $80 a year Huffington Post (January 7), by Stanley Weiss, titled, “Iran, the politics in the Caucasus even more so. The US’s struggling econ - US and Azerbaijan: A Land of Fire,” brings together all the fac - omy and overstretched military will give some respite to the Canada $125 a year tors why the US should help Azerbaijan in its Caucasus policy. hawks, allowing the new world order to reconfigure itself. Other Countries $190 a year With complete disregard to history, the writer calls Azerbaijan Stability in the Caucasus may also help Armenia to sort out its “the ancient nation in the Caucasus.” Further developing his con - own problems, free of region upheavals.

© 2011 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA and additional mailing offices. ISSN 0004-234X 50 Shades of Turkish Censorship POSTMASTER : Send address changes to The Armenian Mirror-Spectator, P.O. Box 302, Watertown, MA 02471-0302 Friedrich Engels’ The Communist Manifesto , fate of Tommiks two weeks ago, Kaya Genç Other than the editorial, views and opinions Lenin’s State and Revolution or Stalin’s The summarized the reasons for the comic hero’s expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily By Emrah Guler History of the Communist Party of the Soviet persecution in 1961: “The generals, who eflect the policies of the publisher. Union (Bolsheviks), are understandable, given hanged a democratically-elected prime minis - ANKARA (Hürriyet) — Freedom of expres - that they were banned in the late 1960s or ter the same year [referring to the 1960 coup], sion and censorship. It’s never been one with - early 1970s. accused Captain Miki of having encouraged out the other in Turkey. In a twist of irony, On the list are also books by Turkish laziness and a ‘spirit of adventurousness’ Turkey is at once celebrating the lifting of authors like Nazim Hikmet, Aziz Nesin, Ismail among Turkish people.” decades-old bans on 453 books and 645 peri - Besikçi and Abdurrahim Karakoç, whose While hundreds of wrongs were made right, odicals while awaiting the fate of two classics. books were banned due to the political atmos - new wrongs are on the way for Turkey as of Copying for other than personal use or internal reference is prohibited without One of these classics is John Steinbeck’s Of phere of the time. But there are also the titles last week. express permission of the copyright Mice and Men . The other one is the beloved that leave us bewildered, such as the National Following a complaint by a parent, the owner. Address requests for reprints or children’s book My Sweet Orange Tree , by Geographic Atlas of the World , banned as late Education Ministry launched a disciplinary back issues to: Brazilian writer José Mauro de Vasconcelos. as 1987, and an issue of the Italian comic investigation on a secondary teacher in Baikar Association, Inc. As part of the third package of judicial book Capitan Miki , or known as Tommiks Istanbul for giving a reading assignment from 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 reforms, Ankara’s Chief Public Prosecutor’s here in Turkey. Vasconcelos’ My Sweet Orange Tree . Office recently decided to lift bans on 453 Writing for the free speech watchdog The complaint was made on the grounds books. Some titles like Karl Marx and Indexoncensorship.org on the unfortunate continued on next page S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 12, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 COMMENTARY

a Turkish basketball tournament.” annual conference of Turkish ambassadors held in Ankara, The Turkish newspaper, Today’s Zaman , published a fol - Davutoglu made an arrogant statement claiming that low-up article further highlighting the close relationship Turkey plays a critical role in world affairs: “Because the between the two leaders: “Erdogan and Obama’s phone global powers know that now history flows through chats reveal Turkey’s ascent.” The article included a photo Ankara, parties that ignore Ankara cannot understand his - My Turn where the American and Turkish leaders are shaking hands tory. The one that risks relations with Ankara will take while brimming with wide smiles. risks in all regional policies…. Those who want to under - By Harut Sassounian Although Erdogan does not look kindly upon anyone stand history must be present in Ankara, Istanbul and who writes unflattering words about him and frequently every other place in Turkey, because from now on we will sues journalists daring to criticize his policies, prominent be more actively present in shaping the flow of history.” Obama Is Exploiting Turkish Turkish commentator Semih Idiz risked imprisonment by These preposterous words are uttered by a foreign min - Leaders’ Craving for Flattery writing an article last week in Al-Monitor , titled: “Is ister who had assumed his current post by pompously Erdogan Aiming to Be a Latter-Day Sultan?” Idiz underlines declaring that his country pursued a policy of “zero prob - While political leaders often exaggerate their achieve - the prime minister’s “authoritarian tendencies and lack of lems with neighbors.” The harsh reality is that Turkey now ments and brag about the superiority of their nation, such tolerance to any criticism, especially from a free press.” has almost no neighbors without problems. Indeed, Ankara claims become absurd if they are far removed from reality The Turkish journalist writes in great detail about has serious conflicts with neighboring Armenia, Cyprus, and border on chauvinism and narcissism. Erdogan’s plans to run for president in August 2014, but Greece, Iran, Iraq and Syria. When leaders harbor an exaggerated sense of self-impor - not before drafting a new constitution that would trans - Not to be outdone by his senior colleagues, Turkey’s con - tance, they could be easily manipulated by others who form the current head of state’s ceremonial post into “an troversial European Union Affairs Minister Egemen Bagis, exploit their insatiable appetite for flattery. Prime Minister executive presidency” that would not be “encumbered by a greeted the new year with a fresh list of outlandish state - Recep Tayyip Erdogan is one of several high-ranking system of checks and balances.” If elected president, ments: “Today there is no government in Europe which is Turkish officials who may be suffering from such a charac - Erdogan would have “the power to dissolve the Parliament, more reformist than our government. While EU countries ter flaw. rule by decree and appoint government ministers, senior are struggling in crisis, our country is experiencing the The Turkish media provided extensive coverage to a bureaucrats and jurists without parliamentary approval.” most democratic, prosperous, modern and transparent peri - Los Angeles Times article reporting that “President It is not a mere accident that Erdogan recently told od in its history. The ‘sick man’ of yesterday has gotten up Obama has logged more phone calls to Erdogan than to Turkish journalists that the American presidential system, and summoned the strength to prescribe medication for any world leader except British Prime Minister David with checks and balances that limit the power of the presi - today’s Europe…and to share the EU’s burden rather than Cameron.” When the two met at the United Nations in dent, is not suitable for Turkey: “The US president cannot being a burden to it.” New York, Obama gave Erdogan “more face time than appoint an ambassador, he cannot even solely decide on Obama has discovered that he can get more out of any other world leader,” lasting almost two hours. The the sale of a helicopter…. That’s why we should create a Turkish leaders by honey than vinegar, capitalizing on US president reportedly praised the Turkish Prime Turkish-style presidential system.” their overwhelming desire for praise and flattery. The prob - Minister for showing “great leadership.” The LA. Times Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who used to be a lem is that such lavish praise has turned Turkey into “a specifically noted that Obama even “resorted to flat - serious scholar, appears to be emulating his conceited spoiled brat” who has become a serious menace to the tery” by subsequently phoning Erdogan “to rave about prime minister. Last week, in his opening remarks at the entire neighborhood.

50 Shades of Turkish Censorship Re-Gardening of Eden or from previous page that the book included obscene content, slang language and a plot that clashed with Turkish morals and values. The 1968 book tells Environmental Collapse the story of little Zeze as he discovers life through poverty, abuse, family and the death of a loved one. The part that offended the now infamous parent is where Zeze recites a song he overheard Armenia has a wealth in Armenia. ATP from his teachers, longing for a naked woman under the moon - of biodiversity and a By Mary Jo Wonacott Agbabian, RN has sounded the light, and Zeze’s father’s shock upon hearing it. So much for life rich natural heritage. warning bell imitating art. The country has 3,600 about the conse - Ironies seem to abound as the book is among the 100 funda - of the 6,000 plant quences of open- mental texts recommended by the Education Ministry. Of Mice species found in the Caucasus, 2,000 of which have pit mining and pollution from abandoned mines. There and Men is also among the ministry’s list of 100 Fundamental nutritional or healing properties. It has 17,500 inverte - are an astounding 630 mines in Armenia with no regu - Novels. And it is the Izmir Education Directorate’s books commis - brate and 500 vertebrate species, of which 346 are lations for the safety of air, water or soil. The potential sion that is seeking to ban certain parts of the novel that are “unfit birds, though regrettably, the Caucasian leopard is now damage to the health of Armenia’s population, its for educational use” for “immoral sections.” an endangered species. plants, animals and forests cannot be understated and Of Mice and Men , in fact, is on the list of the American Library The forest of Armenia covers only 8 to 11 percent of underestimated. The toxic contaminants left behind in Association’s Most Challenged Books of the 21st Century, placing the land area, down from 18 percent in the 17th and the air, water, and soil are arsenic, sulfur, zinc, lead and fourth in the Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books (the Harry 18th centuries. The dominant tree species are cadmium. Potter series is at the top). broadleaf, oak, beech and hornbeam. All of these heavy metals, minerals and chemicals are The novel has been challenged 54 times in the US since its pub - Lake Sevan is Armenia’s largest source of water and toxic to humans and may cause extensive damage to lication in 1936 for “promoting euthanasia,” “condoning racial one of the biggest alpine lakes in the world. This lake is the body such as kidney and liver damage, fetus abnor - slurs” and being “anti-business.” For the Izmir Education one of the highest-priority environmental management malities, spontaneous abortions, low-sperm count, Directorate, it’s all about sex. The part facing a ban is where Whit, issues, and depletion of fish stocks is one of the current delayed growth in children, learning disabilities in chil - a young worker on the ranch, invites George for a Saturday night concerns. In Armenia there are more than 1,000 small dren, blood diseases such as anemia, disruption of the trip to the local brothel and features no more than innocent ban - lakes and 14 river basins that include 10,000 rivers and digestive enzymes, gastrointestinal disorders, cancer ter among the two men. streams. and neuromuscular diseases. This list is just the tip of Steinbeck’s works aren’t new to the wrath of censorship, at On October 10, Armenia Tree Project (ATP) Director the iceberg in the causation of illnesses due to a home and here in Turkey. The Grapes of Wrath , the novel that Jeff Masarjian and Deputy Director Jason Sohigian depressed immune system. helped him win the Pulitzer Prize, immediately became a target in arrived in Southfield, Mich. to educate us. The lecture The tailings left from ore extraction pollute the the US for being racy for its time of publication in 1939. The big was titled “The Re-Gardening of Eden or water. The unrecoverable and uneconomic metals, min - question is why 11 publishers were charged in 1973 for publishing Environmental Collapse in Armenia?” This Inaugural erals, chemicals, organics and processed water are dis - the novel. The answer: for “spreading propaganda unfavorable to Annual Armenian Independence Day lecture was co- charged as slurry to a final storage area. Not surpris - the state.” sponsored by the Armenian Research Center at the ingly, the physical and chemical characteristics of toxic “Unfavorable to the state” seems to be the norm in Turkey when University of Michigan - Dearborn and the Armenian tailings and their method of handling and storage are banning books and sending authors, publishers and translators to General Benevolent Union Alex and Marie Manoogian of a great and growing concern. There are now at least jail. Inciting religious hatred and critiquing state terror are the School. 25 operational tailing dumps in Armenia. grounds to attack books and those behind those books. The I have traveled to Armenia three times and have seen Seventy-seven laws of the Republic of Armenia have Kurdish question and the Armenian Genocide are the biggest lit - the environmental work done by ATP. I am a witness to been violated. Environmental protection laws have erary landmines. the impacts of deforestation: erosion, landslides, and been ignored. The environmental protection ministry in The Turkish translation of writer Richard Dawkins’ book on evo - flooding. I have seen the mudslides, washed away roads, Armenia is corrupt and inept. lutionary biology, The God Delusion , had caused its publisher Erol mud in people’s homes, and large tree logs illegally cut, There is no public outcry. What can we do? Spread Karaaslan, to be investigated by an Istanbul prosecutor back in pilfered and plundered for profit. And I have seen the the word that this plundering and pillage of Armenia 2007 for “inciting religious hatred.” In 1993, religious hatred led enormous task of restoration by visiting the Karin must be controlled and stopped. The landmass in to one of the biggest massacres in the history of modern Turkey. Nursery and the environmental beautification done at Armenia is limited and one cannot contaminate such a A mob of radical Islamists set fire to a hotel where artist, writers churches, parks and hospitals. small geographical area. and musicians had gathered for a festival in the Central Anatolian Creating jobs and greening the environment plus Clean air, clean water and healthy soil are the sus - city of Sivas, with 37 deaths occurring. environmental education is what ATP does. There are taining life of Armenia. If tourism, agriculture and the The frenzy had begun upon the presence of Aziz Nesin, who had now three nurseries and two educational centers, with beverage industry — three of the economic drivers of translated and published extracts from Salman Rushdie’s The the establishment of the new one in the Lori region. Armenia — are compromised, then the country’s econ - Satanic Verses , the book that had ignited Ayatollah Khomeini, the Since 1994, more than four million trees have been omy will stagnate and die along with a sick and weak - then-leader of Iran, to issue a fatwa for the death of Rushdie and planted throughout Armenia. One million high-quality ened population. Education and prevention has to be anyone related to the publication of the book. Unfortunately, ban - fruit and decorative trees have been planted at 909 sites done now. ning a book for its slang language or for including dialogue on throughout the country. For whom the death bell tolls; I pray it is not my going to brothels seems innocent when you live in Turkey. And now I must address the environmental collapse beloved Armenia. 16 S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 12, 2013 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR

Palestinian Authority Rethink Mollifies Armenians, Heralds Return to Status Quo

a neighbor’s tile, or the movement of a ladder Armenian alphabet in 405 CE, Armenians down along with the nail from which it hung, By Arthur Hagopian from one part of a wall to another, may seem wrote in Greek.” promptly spawning a new dispute with the trivial and no cause for resentment, but to However, he confided that the Armenians Greeks. the owner of the tile or wall, in the troubled still have pending issues “pertaining to our Who had the right to put the lamp back BETHLEHEM — The Palestinian Authority Holy Land, the action is viewed as an unwar - rights in the Nativity church.” up? (PA) in Bethlehem has had a rethink regard - ranted intrusion on its territorial rights). Six months ago, one of the lamps that Once again, it would be up to the ing its stance vis-a-vis the protocols in prac - In the spirit of brotherly feeling, they were belong to the Armenians, located under the Palestinian Authority to find a way out of tice at the city’s Nativity Church, rescinding ready to consider this a one-off, a temporary altar and on the Star of Bethlehem, dropped this potential minefield. a recent decision that had threatened to pit realignment with no provision for an encore. one Christian church against another. But the Greeks thought otherwise and, The PA move, which comes after intense according to the Armenians, wanted to pressure, heralds the onset of a palpable enshroud the variation in the cleaning rou - peace between two brother churches, the tine in a new status quo. Remembering Hrant Dink: Armenians and the Greek Orthodox. When the Armenians complained to the The two have been embroiled in a territor - PA, the answer they received was simple and ial dispute in the church for years, arising out blunt: this is a matter between you and the Six Years Later of what the Armenians claim is an attempt by Greeks to resolve. the Greeks to encroach upon their tradition - Hanna Amireh, head of the PA’s REMEMBERING, from page 1 Dink, no longer just one man, has posthu - al standing and position within the church. Presidential Committee for the Christian Armenian children, the camp was closed by mously emerged as a symbol for all minorities The issue involves disagreement over the churches, declared that the “same arrange - Turkey in 1984, thus marking the beginning of in Turkey who feel disenfranchised by the gov - annual cleaning procedures, culminating in ments which were reached last year are the Dink’s own personal journey into activism. ernment. From supporters of freedom of expres - ugly brawls, that last year necessitated police most suitable arrangement for this year too.” On April 5, 1996, Dink helped found Agos , sion to Turkish liberals, thousands have rallied intervention, and a PA edict Armenians saw He warned that the decision of the the first weekly newspaper in stanbul pub - around the cry, “We are all Hrant. We Are all as biased against them. Palestinian Authority “shall remain unchanged lished in both Turkish and Armenian. Through Armenian.” Last year’s celebration of Dink’s life The Armenians accused the Greeks of and the Armenians must submit to the his editorial and investigative writings in Agos , and death resulted in an Istanbul rally involving breaching the tenets of the Status Quo of the Authority’s decision,” warning it will “take all Dink expressed views that both challenged con - more than 20,000 people. The long-term impact Holy Places, a “fait accompli” which has measures against those who dare to cause any temporary thought on Turkish-Armenian rela - ruled relations between churches and gov - kind of clash,” this correspondent was told. tions and opened dialogues between Turkish ernments since the Ottoman era, and which Unfazed, the Armenians applied more pres - and Armenian peoples. He spoke harshly of spells out in minute detail the rights and priv - sure on the PA to reconsider, until the PA Turkish denial of the Genocide, mistreatment of ileges of the Christian churches in the Holy finally relented. minorities and assault on the press. He also Land, as well as the manner and timing of In a written pledge delivered to the urged fellow Armenians to move beyond celebrations of certain rites and ceremonies. Armenians earlier this week, the PA conced - demands for formal Genocide recognition, The three Guardians of the Holy Places ed 2012 would be the last time the Greeks instead favoring reconciliation and movement (the Latin Custodia, the Greek Orthodox and would clean the church the new way, and towards a more peaceful future. the Armenian Orthodox churches), as well as that come December 2013, things would go After being previously acquitted on charges, the dozen other Christian denominations of back to what they were before and in accor - Dink was convicted of denigrating Turkishness the Holy Land, are bound by the tenets of the dance with the Status Quo. under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code set of agreements thrashed out by the To ensure nothing untoward occurred this and sentenced to six months jail sentence the Ottoman Sultans with the aim of safeguard - year, the PA allowed the cleaning on January second time, which was later appealed at the ing Christian rights and avoiding internecine 2 to proceed under strict supervision, with a European Court of Human Rights. clashes. special police unit on standby outside the The past year has seen some movement in Though rare, deviations from the Status church, just in case. the case of Dink’s assassination. Yasin Hayal Quo are viewed with concern and alarm. “Both sides (Greeks and Armenians) were was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for The Armenians claim that in December on their best behavior,” a source close to the Dink’s murder in January of 2012; however, 19 2007 the Greeks created facts on the ground Armenian church said. other suspects believed to have a connection by moving a ladder used to clean the walls of “When all is said and done, both churches with the murder were cleared of charges. Ogün the church from its assigned place. share a common history and destiny. For Samast, the 17-year-old Turkish nationalist and (To an impartial observer, the sweeping of instance, before the invention of the triggerman, had previously been sentenced to Noam Chomsky will give a lecture on January 22 years in prison under Istanbul’s Heavy 18 at the commemoration of the Dink memorial Juvenile Court in July of 2011. Thousands react - at Bogazici University. ed publicly in the street to the trial verdicts and the alleged failure of the courts to prosecute all those involved. Marc Mamigonian, director of of Dink’s death is still unclear, but as academic affairs for the National Association for Mamigonian explains, “There’s no question it Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR), brought a level of international attention to the notes, “The trial didn’t seem to provide any real issue of Genocide recognition and a shock to satisfaction for full justice and it left a lot of the system in Turkey as well.” unanswered questions.” As both the Turkish and Armenian commu - More recently, public uproar resurfaced when nities prepare to commemorate his death next former Appeals Court judge, Nihat Omeroglu, week through events worldwide, his life and was elected as Turkey’s Human Rights death continue to take on new meaning. Defender by the parliament in November. Among the events planned, linguist and politi - Omeroglu, who sided with a lower court in rul - cal activist Noam Chomsky will give a January ing that there was no conspiracy in the 2007 18 lecture dedicated to the memorial of Hrant assignation of Dink, said of the case, “The law Dink in Bogazici University, Istanbul. changed in 2008. I’m not saying that I did what Chomsky’s lecture, titled, “Turkey and The was correct by upholding Hrant Dink’s ruling, Emerging World Order,” will speak to contin - but that was what the law required at the time,” ued human rights issues in Turkey and its place according to ArmeniaNow. in the current political atmosphere.

NAASR’S Mardigian Library Receives Collection of Linguist Dr. John Greppin GREPPIN, from page 1 an archive of Edward Alexanian, donated by his since the 1970s. Greppin noted that of spe - daughter Adrienne of New York, which includes cial interest “are the runs of Soviet Armenian materials relating to the Hamasebastahay journals,” such as Tghekagir (later Lraber ) Verashinats Miutiwn / Pan Sebastia and Patma-Banasirakan-Handes . “The Rehabilitation Union, dating between the rarest set, held complete in very few Western 1940s-1970s; materials belonging to noted libraries, are the 45 volumes of the concor - Ramkavar leader Dicran Simsarian, donated by dance series, Haykakan Hamabarbar . Also I his son Edward of Worcester; as well as the was able to acquire volumes dating back to large library of the late Hagop Atamian of the 1940s of studies of Urartian loan sub - Watertown, which is especially rich in literary stratum in Armenian. In addition, there are and politico-historical works. a large number of books on the natural sci - The Edward and Helen Mardigian Library is ences, the Armenian vocabulary of which I named for major NAASR benefactors, the late studied.” Mr. and Mrs. Mardigian of Bloomfield Hills, Other Significant Collections Received Mich. The Mardigian Library holds more than The collection arrived at the end of a year in 25,000 books and thousands of periodicals and which a number of other important collections newspapers as well as a number of important of various types and sizes had come to NAASR. collections of personal papers and archives. Its Academic Director Mamigonian pointed to catalogue may be accessed through the NAASR smaller but very interesting collections such as website, www.naasr.org.