APRIL 6, 2019 Mirror-SpeTHE ARMENIAN ctator Volume LXXXIX, NO. 37, Issue 4581 $ 2.00 NEWS The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 INBRIEF Deputy Health Minister -Azerbaijan Arrested Summit Described as (Armenpress) — Deputy Minister of Healthcare Arsen Davtyan was detained on March ‘Positive,’ ‘Constructive’ 29 by the National Security Service, Minister of VIENNA (Combined Sources) — Healthcare Arsen Torosyan confirmed via Armenia and Azerbaijan have described Facebook. the latest meeting of their leaders as “pos- “I am not in Armenia at the moment and I was itive” and “constructive,” saying they just notified that the [national security service] has agreed to strengthen the cease-fire regime carried out tactical-intelligence actions and my in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone deputy Arsen Davtyan has been detained. I don’t and continue their dialogue. possess other details at the moment. I think the “The meeting took place in a positive [National Security Service] will provide details and constructive atmosphere and provid- later,” Torosyan wrote on Facebook. ed an opportunity for the two leaders to According to unconfirmed reports, the deputy clarify their respective positions,” the for- minister was arrested in suspicion of bribery. eign ministers of the two countries said in a joint statement on March 29, hours after Premier Congratulates Armenian Prime Minister met with Azerbaijani President Assyrian Community Ilham Aliyev in Vienna. Azeri President Ilham Aliyev, left, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Vienna see SUMMIT, page 3 On New Year YEREVAN — On Monday, April 1, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s office issued a statement con- gratulation the country’s Assyrian minority on Pashinyan Backs Defense Chief’s Tough Talk On Karabakh Hab-nsan, the Assyrian New Year. “I cordially congratulate you on the occasion of YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Prime Minister that can shift hostilities the Assyrian New Year, Hab-nsan. The Armenian Nikol Pashinyan on Tuesday, April 2, threw into enemy territory,” and Assyrian peoples with many centuries-old cul- his weight behind Defense Minister Davit warned Tonoyan. tural ties have faced many trials, sharing one anoth- Tonoyan, who has seemingly ruled out The Azerbaijani Foreign er’s grief and joy through historical fate. Armenian territorial concessions to Ministry condemned the “Some of the Assyrians around the world have Azerbaijan and promised a more offensive “provocative” statement, settled in Armenia for a long time, becoming an posture against the Azerbaijani army. saying that it undermined integral part of our society. It has had its constant Visiting the United States at the week- international efforts to and indispensable contribution to our country’s end, Tonoyan dismissed the so-called resolve the Karabakh con- comprehensive development and progress.” “lands-for-peace formula” of resolving the flict. It also challenged the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. “We are saying Armenian government to the opposite: a new war for new lands,” the Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan (R) inspects Armenian army clarify whether Tonoyan Armenia to Produce Voice of America quoted him as telling positions on the border with Azerbaijan, July 21, 2018. voiced his personal views or members of the Armenian community in official Yerevan’s position. Drugs for Hepatitis C New York. “If Davit Tonoyan had YEREVAN (Arka) — Armenia’s Ministry of Health “Nothing will be conceded,” said “We will rid ourselves of the trench- made a different statement I would have and the Gilead Science Ireland UC have signed a Tonoyan. He added, though, that “compro- based, constantly defensive posture and dismissed him as defense minister,” memorandum of cooperation, the Armenian min- mises are possible.” increase the number of those army units Pashinyan said, commenting on the minis- istry said in a press release on April 2. ter’s remarks. “What did the defense minis- It said according to the memorandum, Gilead will ter say? He said that if a war breaks out our provide Armenia with a license for the production, objective will be to win that war.” packaging and import of drugs for the treatment of “This does not cast a shadow on the hepatitis C. peace process,” he told reporters. “On the The memorandum was signed by Health Minister contrary, it underscores the importance of Arsen Torosyan and Gilead representative Ben a peaceful settlement.” Kamark. see KARABAKH, page 2 “Viral hepatitis is one of the most widespread health problems in the world. Currently, one of the urgent tasks of the health system in Armenia is to First Senate Committee organize and conduct an effective fight against viral hepatitis,” said Torosyan. Unanimously Passes He also added that the ministry’s specialists developed a national program for the prevention California/Armenia and control of viral hepatitis for 2019–2023. As International Trade part of it antiviral drug treatment will be provided Office Bill to about 1000 patients. SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On March 25, SB 302 authored by state Sen. Anthony J. Fr. Daniel Findikyan blesses a child. Portantino (D–La Cañada Flintridge), to INSIDE reestablish a trade office between California and Armenia passed the State Senate Diocesan Primate Visits Business and Professions Committee. The bill received bi-partisan support and gar- Cultural FAR Projects in Armenia nered a unanimous vote. Armenian Consul General Armen Baibourtian flew to NEW YORK — “It was one of the most moving, powerful, and emotional days Sacramento to offer testimony in favor of Debate of my whole life. When I left, I felt love. I didn’t know whether to cry or dance,” the proposal. said the Eastern Diocesan Primate, the “Armenia is an important trade partner Page 12 Very Rev. Daniel Findikyan, during an with California with strong and long-stand- By Florence Avakian exclusive interview. ing relationships. SB 302 will formalize The Primate was referring to his three- trade and economic ties. As the represen- tative of the largest Armenian community hour visit to the Fund for Armenian Relief INDEX (FAR) Children’s Center in Yerevan, Armenia, which he undertook during his in a legislative district in the country, I am Arts and Living ...... 12 recent week-long visit to Armenia. It was one of three FAR-funded projects in very honored and glad that this bill is mov- ing forward in the Senate. California is Armenia ...... 2 Armenia that he visited. Community News...... 5 embracing the Armenian Community and Since 1988, the Children’s Center has been the apex in protecting, caring for, Editorial ...... 18 rehabilitating, and educating young abandoned, abused, sexually trafficked, all it has to offer our state and it’s exciting International ...... 3,4 see FAR, page 4 to be part of that excitement,” commented Senator Portantino. see TRADE, page 20 2 S ATURDAY, A PRIL 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia Pashinyan Backs Defense Chief’s Vets Come Together to Tough Talk on Karabakh Help KARABAKH, from page 1 Karabakh in over two decades. change the internationally accepted for- YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Early last week one of Asked whether Tonoyan coordinated Azerbaijan’s President marked the mat of peace talks. He clearly referred the of Yerevan Zoo showed signs of illness. with him, Pashinyan replied: “The anniversary with a visit to a military to Pashinyan’s regular calls for The animal was looking weak and did not want to go defense minister acts under the prime base used by Azerbaijani special forces, Karabakh’s direct involvement in the out. After a visit by the zoo’s chief vet and medical minister’s leadership and is subordinate which played the key role in offensive talks. treatment, the tiger seemed to be recovering, to him.” operations launched by on April Aliyev and Pashinyan met in Vienna Yerevan Zoo said in a press release. The prime minister spoke at the 2, 2016. Meeting with military person- as recently on Friday. In a joint state- Nevertheless last Friday the tiger’s keepers military cemetery in Yerevan nel serving there, Aliyev again ruled out ment with the U.S., Russian and noticed the animal was suffering from a nose bleed. after leading an official ceremony to any peace deal that would fall short of French mediators, the Armenian and A conference call was initiated immediately involving mark the third anniversary of fierce restoring Azerbaijani control over Azerbaijani foreign ministers ’s, ’s and Amsterdam’s chief veteri- fighting around Karabakh which nearly Karabakh. described the three-hour meeting as narians, and a joint decision was made to administer degenerated into a full-scale Armenian- “No country recognizes and, I’m “positive and constructive.” The two anesthesia to the animal in order to perform an ultra- Azerbaijani war. At least 190 sure, will recognize the so-called leaders discussed “key issues of the sound examination and take biological samples for Azerbaijani and Armenian soldiers were Nagorno-Karabakh Republic,” he said, settlement process and ideas of sub- diagnosis and further treatment course. killed during four-day hostilities halted according to the Turan news agency. stance” and “recommitted to The ultrasound results showed renal insufficiency by a Russian-brokered agreement. It Aliyev also said that the new strengthening the ceasefire,” accord- (kidney disease) in addition to blood sample results was the worst escalation of the Armenian government has failed to ing to the statement. clearly indicating a blood disorder. Doctors are work- ing over the plan of treatment (online), but soon they will arrive to Armenia to provide on ground profes- sional assistance. Bingo’s age remains uncertain. The tiger was Pashinyan Meets with Artists brought to the Zoo in 2010 with an amputated tail. Armenian Flying Protesting Sacking of Opera Chief Ambulance to Arrive in YEREVAN (RFE/RL, Opera Wire) — Pashinyan defended the legality of out that even one of the submitted [gov- April Amid continuing angry protests against Orbelian’s dismissal at the meeting. He ernment] arguments is false the official the sacking of the acclaimed Armenian- also pointed to the latter’s frequent who submitted them will be immediate- YEREVAN (Arka) — According to Armenia’s American director of Armenia’s nation- trips abroad and, citing the Armenian ly fired,” Arzumanian told reporters. Health Minister Arsen Torosyan, the first medical al opera theater, the government Finance Ministry, alleged financial irreg- Orbelian, a three-time Grammy Award helicopter acquired by Helicopters LLC from French pledged to at least delay the appoint- ularities committed by the theater nominated conductor, is also a principal Airbus will arrive in early April. ment of his successor on April 1. administration in 2017. conductor of the Kaunas City The helicopter will be operated by the Armenian Constantine Orbelian, a San Pashinyan at the same time made Symphony Orchestra in Lithuania. Helicopters company, founded in June 2018. The Francisco-born conductor and pianist, clear that he is open to hearing the This was not the first time that company was awarded the permission by the Civil was named as artistic director of the artists’ counterarguments. In that Orbelian had been singled out. In Aviation Administration Alexander Spendiarian National Opera regard, he announced that the theater November of last year, Orbelian was tar- “We are approaching the finish line or, rather, the and Ballet Theater in Yerevan in 2016 will be run by one of Orbelian’s geted by then-Culture Minister Lilit start of an important initiative. In case of favorable and became its director general as well deputies for the time being. Makunts who wrote a FaceBook post weather conditions, the first ever ambulance heli- “Keep working as usual,” the premier accusing the executive personnel of the copter will be presented on April 6. The event will be told them. “I will wait for your arguments Yerevan Opera House of holding politi- attended by a representative from Airbus,” Torosyan and we will jointly make decisions.” cal-agitation meetings at the theater, wrote on his Facebook page. Gharibian said on Friday that she has and warned them that talking about or The helicopter arrived in Armenia at the end of already appointed a new opera director discussing politics of any kind is strict- February. It will be used to evacuate patients not and will introduce him or her to the ly forbidden by law. only from remote and hard-to-reach regions, but also theater staff on April 1. The acting min- Lithuanian/Armenian soprano patients needing urgent surgeries. ister did not attend Pashinyan’s meet- Asmik Grigorian told OperaWire, “I ing with the protesters’ representatives can’t believe it could happen. I know President Sarkissian even though she was seen entering the how much Constantine (Orbelian) did prime minister’s office. for the theatre, and it finally started to Participates in Scientific The protest leaders seemed satisfied work and live the way it should. They with the meeting. One of them, con- never gave a chance to my father Conference ductor Harutiun Arzumanian, said they (Gegham Grigoryan) to bring his ideas Conductor Constantine Orbelian YEREVAN — President Armen Sarkissian partici- will study written justifications for to life there, but Constantine has got pated on March 29 at the Evolution and Artificial Orbelian’s sacking and respond to the ball rolling. And the biggest fear is Intelligence International Conference in Yerevan. a year later. He is widely credited with Pashinyan in writing. that there’s literally no one to replace Leading scientists and experts from different coun- breathing a new life into one of the “The prime minister said if it turns him.” tries of the world arrived to participate in the con- country’s most important cultural insti- ference and discuss issues related to evolution, world tutions chronically underfunded by suc- trends on scientific and technological discoveries, cessive post-Soviet governments. and challenges. Acting Culture Minister Nazeni In his opening remarks, Sarkissian stressed the Gharibian dismissed Orbelian as chief Prime Minister Meets with importance of holding an international conference executive on Thursday, March 28, say- dedicated to science and technologies in Armenia. ing that he is not legally allowed to Diasporan Investors “The future of our country has been and will be tied combine the two leadership positions. to the future of the world,” Sarkissian said, “and the She also argued that the 62-year-old US future of the world is moving more and more towards citizen is not fluent in Armenian. YEREVAN — Prime Minister Nikol among investors and it is a good oppor- the use of innovation, science, and technological dis- Orbelian rejected the decision as ille- Pashinyan on Monday, April 1, received tunity to attract new investments. coveries in our everyday life.” gal and said he will challenge it in a group of Diaspora Armenian Then the investors presented to the He said, “We have to work a lot and ensure that we court. Most actors and musicians of the investors headed by Gagik Makaryan, Prime Minister the investment projects are moving in step with the world from the viewpoint state-run theater also condemned his President of the Republican Union of envisaged in the spheres of energy, con- of science, technologies, and human behavior. dismissal, demanding that Gharibian be Employers of Armenia. struction and new technologies, and a Everything is becoming more and more integrated. sacked instead. Pashinyan stressed the importance of discussion was held around it. To be efficient, any farmer in this world has to use In an unprecedented protest, many of meetings with investors and business Nikol Pashinyan noted that the artificial intelligence, new laser technologies. Any them walked on stage just before a bal- environment improvement, discussions Armenian government welcomes the doctor should be aware of technologies since the effi- let performance on Sunday, March 31 on various investment projects. The initiatives of the businessmen and is ciency of the healthcare ultimately depends on the to voice their indignation in front of Prime Minister noted that they give a ready to assist in the implementation of same artificial intelligence, digital technologies, and hundreds of spectators. They threat- good opportunity to the members of investment programs within its new biological discoveries. Any scientist, who is con- ened to go on strike if Orbelian is not the government to listen to the ques- tools. The Prime Minister also suggest- ducting fundamental research today, ultimately wants reinstated. The audience responded tions raised by the businessmen, issues ed, in particular, the energy sector, to to see his or her discovery be implemented not 100 with applause. and suggestions. get acquainted with the government’s years later but tomorrow. When Armenians were Scores of other artists, among them Gagik Makaryan informed that with investment packages and, if possible, to working in the area of quantum physics, they were directors of other state-run theaters, the events taking place in Armenia participate in their competitions. certainly thinking of discoveries, of understanding voiced support for the protesting staff exciting, new groups of investors are Investors noted that they welcomed the universe but at the same time not many of them by signing an open letter to Prime coming to Armenia in the near future, the policies of the government and the could imagine the scope their discoveries might have. Minister Nikol Pashinyan. which are interested in the implemen- steps taken to improve the business Today, everything is different. Today every scientist is Dozens of opera and ballet staffers tation of investment programs in differ- environment and expressed confidence thinking about the use of his or her discovery.” rallied outside the main government ent spheres in our country in the con- that they would not only attract foreign building in Yerevan on Monday, leading ditions of improving the business envi- investors, but also consolidate the Pashinyan to meet with their represen- ronment. According to him, the posi- potential of Diaspora Armenian entre- tatives. tion of Armenia is growing stronger preneurs in the homeland. S ATURDAY, A PRIL 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 INTERNATIONAL Cilician Catholicos Aram I Consecrates International News Forty Martyrs Cathedral in Karekin II Asks ALEPPO, (AFP) — Armenians cathedral, flanked on both sides by Aleppo’s pre-war population. in Syria’s war-torn Aleppo packed their crowds of worshippers. Out of the 250,000 that lived in the Patriarch Kirill to Forty Martyrs Cathedral Saturday, People pressed up against the walls of city before the war, thousands have fled Intercede for Jailed March 30, for the first mass in the cen- the church and filled its wooden bench- the city since the onset of the conflict in turies-old church since its restoration es, their heads turned towards the alter. 2011. Armenian in Azerbaijan began more than a year ago. Catholicos of the Great House of Many of the Armenians among them Established in the 14th century, it Cilicia Aram I reconsecrated the church fled to Armenia itself, while others MOSCOW (Armenpress) — Catholicos of All is among the oldest active Armenian and delivered a sermon in Armenian. headed to Lebanon. Armenians Karekin II on April 2 asked Patriarch churches in Aleppo, a northern After mass, he told reporters that Few have returned, according to Kirill of Moscow and All Russia to mediate for the Syrian city battered by four years of Saturday’s ceremony sent a strong mes- demographic expert Fabrice Balanche. release of Karen Ghazaryan sentenced to 20 years of fighting between rebels and govern- sage. The old quarter of Aleppo is home to imprisonment in Azerbaijan. ment forces. It was a sign “that the Armenian com- several other churches, including those ‘’We want to bring your attention also on this inci- After rebels first overran the city in munity will continue to reconstruct of the Melkite and Maronite sects. dent. Karen Ghazaryan, a citizen of Armenia from mid-2012, its Christian quarter, housing Syria,” he said. They too were damaged by the four Berdavan community of Tavush Province, who in the church, became one of the city’s Syrian Armenian religious leader years of fighting in the former rebel unknown circumstances found himself in the territo- most notorious front lines. Harutyun Selimian said the ceremony stronghold. ry of Azerbaijan and who has psychological problems In April 2015, parts of the church’s sparked hopes for a better future for Tens of thousands of Armenians fled was recently sentenced to 20 years of imprison- Syria’s Armenian community. to Syria and neighboring Lebanon in ment,” Karekin II said, according to Ria Novosti. “Our future is bright and in this the early 20th century after hundreds He noted that the verdict was reached in obvious future we will rebuild a new Syria,” he of thousands of their kin were massa- violations of human rights. told AFP. cred by Ottoman forces in 1915. “Given our previous experience as religious leaders Jirair Reisian, an Armenian member The war in Syria has killed more than I ask Your Holiness to mediate with the religious and of the Syrian parliament, said it was a 370,000 people since it started in 2011. secular authorities of Azerbaijan for the return of sign that Syria’s Armenian community Later, Aram I met with members of the young man to his family in line with internation- “is here to stay.” the Armenian humanitarian mission in al commitments,” Catholicos Karekin II said. Christians made up 10 percent of Aleppo. The spiritual leader of Armenia also thanked Patriarch Kirill for organizing trilateral meetings between the spiritual leaders aimed at fostering the settlement of Karabakh conflict. New Egypt Ambassador Presents Credentials — On March 12, the Ambassador of Republic of Armenia to Egypt Karen Grigoryan pre- sented his credentials to the President of the Arab Catholicos Aram I of the Great House Republic of Egypt, Abdel Fattah Al Sisi. of Cilicia outside the Forty Martyrs During the brief conversation, the Armenian Cathedral Ambassador conveyed to President Al Sisi the warm greetings and wishes of President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian, as well as his readiness to host him in walls, its courtyards, and its entrance Armenia. were damaged during shelling. Congratulating the Armenian ambassador on However, it has been gradually assuming his functions, President Al Sisi highly restored since reasserted its appreciated the Armenian-Egyptian centuries long control over Syria’s second city in 2016. historic-friendly relations and wished success to State news agency SANA says the Grigoryan in his mission. main entrance, the facade of the In his turn, Grigoryan expressed his gratitude to church, its bell tower and its courtyards the President Sisi for his keenness to further devel- have been renovated over the past year. op Armenian-Egyptian relations. By Saturday, the church’s interior left no trace of the war. Large chandeliers glittered under the Armenia to Send Rescue arched stone ceiling as a procession of The church after its destruction in 2015 priests carried incense burners into the Team to Flood-Stricken Iran YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Armenia’s government Armenia-Azerbaijan Summit Described as ‘Positive,’ ‘Constructive’ said on Friday, March 29, that it will send rescue teams and equipment to neighboring Iran to help SUMMIT, from page 1 positions but also the other side’s posi- Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the Prime authorities there deal with the consequences of dead- “They exchanged views about several tions?” Pashinyan added. Minister of the Republic of Armenia ly flash floods which hit the country last week. key issues of the settlement process and “What is logical in the opposite side’s Nikol Pashinyan met today in Vienna The floods caused by heavy rain have reportedly ideas of substance,” said the statement, position and what is not? I find the for the first time under the auspices of left at least 37 people dead and tens of thousands of which was also signed by the US, meeting positive in this sense.” the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk others displaced. Thousands of Iranians are being Russian, and French mediators co-head- Pashinyan did not say whether he Group (Igor Popov of the Russian housed in emergency shelters provided by the gov- ing the Organization for Security and and Aliyev narrowed their differences Federation, Stéphane Visconti of ernment, according to state media. Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk over a compromise solution to the France, and Andrew Schofer of the The semiofficial Tasnim news agency quoted Group. Karabakh conflict that has long been United States of America). The meeting Iranian President Hassan Rouhani as saying on “The two leaders underlined the advanced by the mediators. was also attended by Foreign Ministers Wednesday that the floods affected 25 of Iran’s 31 importance of building up an environ- Aliyev was quoted by Russian state- Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Elmar provinces and that the scale of the disaster over- ment conducive to peace and taking fur- run TASS news agency as saying the Mammadyarov. Andrzej Kasprzyk, the whelmed emergency services in some areas. ther concrete and tangible steps in the talks “were conducted in a constructive Personal Representative of the OSCE Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said he negotiation process to find a peaceful atmosphere.” Chairperson-in-Office, also participated is “deeply shocked” by the loss of life. “At this diffi- solution to the conflict.” “The foreign ministers of the two in the meeting. cult moment Armenia is ready to support the friend- The statement said Aliyev and countries have held several rounds of “The meeting took place in a positive ly people of Iran and provide necessary assistance to Pashinyan “recommitted to strengthen- talks. The most important fact is that and constructive atmosphere and pro- overcome the consequences of the disaster,” ing the cease-fire.” the current meeting gave another start vided an opportunity for the two lead- Pashinyan tweeted in English and Farsi. “They also agreed to develop a number to the negotiation process,” the ers to clarify their respective positions. Armenia’s Minister for Emergency Situations Felix of measures in the humanitarian field” and Azerbaijani leader said. They exchanged views about several Tsolakian reaffirmed the offer on Thursday at a to “continue their direct dialogue.” The Vienna summit was Pashinyan’s key issues of the settlement process and meeting with the Iranian ambassador in Yerevan, Pashinyan also called the summit and Aliyev’s fourth face-to-face ideas of substance. Seyyed Kazem Sajjad. “positive.” encounter in six months. “The two leaders underlined the “We want to send humanitarian assistance to “I cannot say that there has been a There has been a significant decrease importance of building up an environ- Iran,” Tsolakian told fellow members of the breakthrough, revolution, or landmark in cease-fire violations around Nagorno- ment conducive to peace and taking fur- Armenian government the following day. “That will event in the negotiating process,” he Karabakh and along the Armenian- ther concrete and tangible steps in the be organized through the Russian-Armenian human- later told members of the Armenian Azerbaijani border in recent months. negotiation process to find a peaceful itarian center.” community of Austria. “But it is very The Organization for Security and solution to the conflict.” “We will be sending technical equipment, machin- important that a new process, which Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Pashinyan held a telephone conversa- ery and rescuers,” he said, according to the allows us to talk about our agendas, Group Co-chairs and the Armenian and tion with President of Russia Vladimir Armenpress news agency. ideas and issues, has begun.” Azerbaijani foreign ministers issued a Putin, after the meeting. “Obviously each of us strongly joint statement on March 30 based on (Articles from Armenpress, RFE/RL believes in his own position, but can we the results of the meeting. and Tass were used to compile this start talking not just about our own “The President of the Republic of report.) 4 S ATURDAY, A PRIL 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR INTERNATIONAL Diocesan Primate Visits FAR Projects in Armenia

FAR, from page 1 from his family, and walk- tortured children, and transforming and reha- ing through Afghanistan, bilitating their lives so they can become safe Pakistan, and Iran.” and acclimated members of Armenia’s society. When Michael finally “My feelings were in a whirlwind as I realized ended up in Armenia, he the depth of horror that people can do to oth- was arrested because the ers, and the heights that people can also do to authorities thought he had help, he stated.” escaped from the army. It Paying tribute to the staff, he commented, was found out that he had “they treat the children like their own. The visit been a victim of brutal was the highlight of my trip.” As he walked into child-trafficking during his the Center, the director, Dr. Mira Antonyan travels. greeted him, taking him on a tour of the sever- During Soviet times, al buildings. there was no such school, “All of a sudden, a 13-year-old boy, Jirair the Primate revealed. “This Janer, short for his age, but with big, black building was a police sta- Armenian eyes ran up to me,” the Primate relat- tion. FAR changed it to the ed. “He talked to me like a 25-year-old. He was Children’s Center.” articulate, clear, uninhibited. He communicated These children “from hell with me like an equal, taking me from room to have been the victims of room and explaining the function of each.” the worst of the worst. The director explained to the Primate that From day one the center Jirair had a 17-year-old brother Hagop, and a provides them with a non- 16-year-old sister, Sarin, at the Center, “but sugar-coated relationship Jirair was the leader,” she explained. with these professional Jirair and his siblings were from Aleppo. His staff members, and tailors father had been an alcoholic who constantly an exit strategy so they can beat his wife. Two years ago, the mother decid- safely become part of the Very Rev. Daniel Findikyan at the FAR Children’s Center ed to take her three children to Armenia where larger society,” explained she tragically died of cancer. The center took in the Primate. the three children where they have been receiv- During this rehabilitation process the center “We can’t change the past, but we can ters in Yerevan, the Primate traveled to the FAR ing professional psychological support, art and has instituted foster parents for a period of change the future.” Soup Kitchen in Nor Hadjin which during Soviet socialization therapy. time. Ninety families are being trained to be fos- During his one-day visit to the FAR centers in times was the diamond center with multiple fac- During his visit, the Primate also met ter parents. “This is unprecedented,” declared Armenia, Findikyan also visited two other FAR tories (now defunct), employing thousands of Michael, a 15-year-old non-Armenian from the Primate. “These are group homes for 17-, projects. workers, all of whom are now unemployed. Afghanistan. “He is now learning Armenian,” 18-year-olds where they live alone with a family. The School for Disabled Children tends to 100 Many of the men have since gone to Russia Findikyan said proudly, and related that This is their transition to complete indepen- mostly mentally-disabled children from ages 7 to to find work. The soup kitchen feeds 160 Michael’s background included “running away dence.” teens, who are cared for by a staff of 22. women and children and a few old men who are As the Primate arrived, there were cameras fed in two shifts. and reporters everywhere. “I was being treated The Primate sat at the head of the table after like a celebrity. It made me a little nervous,” he saying a prayer, and had a “delicious meal of confessed. soup, meat cutlet and a grain dish. The people The school is being renovated to build a state were ecstatic, many saying that they were grate- of the art Vocational Training Center for chil- ful for the bounty they were receiving.” dren with disabilities, through a generous gift The Primate met with a woman and her 4- from the Batmasian family of Florida. year old son, Vartkes, who has never spoken in The new building will be equipped with his life. As others saw him praying for the boy, rooms for different crafts – carpet weaving, several others surrounded Findikyan asking sewing machines, cooking classes, tractors and him to pray for their children. autobody work, etc. for the training of these Initially, he said, “I felt uncomfortable being children. with these needy people. Here I am, I don’t While there, many children rushed up to the have to worry about where my food comes Primate, hugging him with warm and happy from. I can buy shoes, clothing, take a vaca- smiles. He was impressed with their clean, well- tion.” But then, he confessed, “But, they didn’t dressed appearances. In the kitchen, he asked, see me that way. They relaxed me. I loved being “What is this?” A child happily replied, with them.” “gaghamp (cabbage) salad.” “I am so proud, as the Eastern Diocesan Findikyan has an innate ability to relate to Primate that our Diocese is accomplishing and communicate with children. “These chil- these amazing results in Armenia through FAR, dren have no filter. They are honest, direct, gen- the Fund for Armenian Relief,” Findikyan said uine. They were happy to meet and accept me in conclusion. Blessing a child at the soup kitchen as an equal,” he said emotionally. To learn more about the organization, visit After meeting the staff at the FAR headquar- www.farusa.org

Erdogan’s Party Loses Ankara in Turkish Local Elections Blow

counted, according to the country’s electoral said opposition leader Kemal Kılıçdaroglu. Speaking from the balcony of party head- By Bethan McKernan board and CHP data. Although the president was not on the ballot, quarters in Ankara early on Monday, where he Yıldırım accepted that his rival was ahead but he had campaigned tirelessly in an attempt to has for years declared victory, Erdogan said he suggested that there could be a recount of hun- draw attention away from the economy. He and his allies had come out first. He said the (Guardian) — Turkey’s presi- dreds of thousands of votes in the city of 15 mil- framed the local elections as a matter of party would work to understand and fix where dent, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has been dealt a lion, where the president’s own ascent to power “national survival”, accusing opposition parties they failed. major blow at the ballot box after his ruling began in 1994. An AKP official said there were of links to terrorism and blaming inflation on The elections were marked by scattered Justice and Development party (AKP) lost con- voting irregularities and insisted that Erdogan’s foreign powers seeking to undermine the coun- episodes of violence. At least four people were trol of Ankara, according to unofficial local elec- party had won. try. killed in the country’s south and east and tion results. What should have been routine municipality More than 57 million voters were eligible to dozens injured in election-related clashes in the In a further potential setback, the opposition elections morphed into a referendum on take part in choosing the mayors of 30 major Kurdish-majority city Diyarbakır. was also leading in Istanbul, Turkey’s largest Erdogan’s decade and a half in office as eco- cities, 51 provincial capitals and 922 districts. In Istanbul, police said one person was city and commercial center. nomic woes began to bite into his support. In big cities, voters cast ballots for a metropoli- stabbed in a 15-person brawl that broke out The AKP’s loss in Ankara to the secular Erdogan’s leadership has been marked by tan mayor, a district mayor, the municipal between candidates in Kadıköy district. Republican People’s party (CHP) mayoral can- consistently strong economic growth, but last assembly and a neighbourhood administrator. The elections were the first ballot-box test for didate, Mansur Yavas, ended 25 years of year’s currency crisis triggered an official reces- Despite the setbacks, Erdogan’s ruling party Erdogan since he was re-elected last year under Islamist party dominance over the capital and sion last month. Inflation is hovering at about and an allied nationalist party still won more a new system of government that gave the pres- sent shockwaves throughout the rest of the 20%, sending the cost of living soaring for work- than half of the votes across Turkey. idency expanded powers. country. The AKP said it would appeal. ing-class AKP voters. The pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic party Government critics have said the elections In Istanbul there was an anxious wait on Opposition hopes that dissatisfaction at (HDP) regained several seats across the mainly were not fought fairly, with several HDP lead- Monday, April 1, as ballot counts were still inflation and rising unemployment would be Kurdish south-east, where the government has ers in the south-east arrested on terrorism under way. The main opposition bloc candidate, enough to dissuade working-class AKP voters replaced elected mayors with government- charges in the run-up to voting day. Largely Ekrem mamoglu, was more than 25,000 votes from turning up to vote appeared to be well- appointed trustees in the past after alleging the pro-government media coverage also put ahead of his AKP opponent, former prime min- founded. “The people have voted in favor of ousted officials had links to the outlawed mili- opposition parties at a campaigning disad- ister Binali Yıldırım, as the last votes were being democracy, they have chosen democracy,” tant Kurdistan Workers’ party (PKK). vantage. S ATURDAY, A PRIL 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 Community News

Members of Congress Armenian Evangelical Substantially Increase Church Community Aid Mounts for Honors Rev. Dr. Armenia, Artsakh Vahan H. Tootikian WASHINGTON — On March 27, Members of Congress sent a letter to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign By Elise Kalfayan Operations, and Related Programs that signifi- cantly increases prior aid requests to strengthen PASADENA, Calif. — Gathered in Pasadena at United States-Armenia relations and outlines the Armenian Cilicia Evangelical Church on key priorities for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, reported Sunday, March 17 were leaders and supporters the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly). of the Armenian Evangelical church communi- With sweeping cuts across the State ty, Kessab Educational Association, Armenian Department’s budget, the Administration pro- Missionary Association, and other Armenian posed $6.75 million for Armenia. A prior con- religious and cultural organizations, for a testi- gressional effort requested $70 million, but the monial banquet and celebration honoring pas- action on March 27 increases the request to a toral leader, executive, and author Rev. Dr. total of $100 million for Armenia and Artsakh. Vahan Tootikian for his 60th anniversary of The Assembly truly appreciates today’s action, Christian ministry. and will continue working for further increases The celebration was organized by the to Artsakh and Armenia. Armenian Evangelical Union of North America Spearheaded by Congressional Caucus on (AEUNA) and the Armenian Missionary Armenian Issues Co-Chair Rep. Frank Pallone, Association of America (AMAA). Tootikian has Jr. (D-NJ) along with Armenian Caucus Co-Chair served both organizations in many capacities Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) and Armenian Caucus for decades, including as current and long-time Co-Vice Chair Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), the let- executive director of the Armenian Evangelical ter is signed by Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Rep. World Council. Tony Cardenas (D-CA), Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), His years serving churches includes pastor- Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI), Rep. Jim Costa (D- ing the Armenian Evangelical Church of CA), Rep. TJ Cox (D-CA), Rep. Madeleine Dean Damascus, Syria, along with serving as princi- (D-PA), Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL), Rep. Anna pal of the local school (1959-1960); Armenian Eshoo (D-CA), Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), Rep. Lt. Gen. Jeffrey L. Harrigian Evangelical Congregational Church, Cairo, Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D- Egypt (1960-1965); Armenian Memorial Church NJ), Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), Rep. Sheila Jackson of Watertown (1965-1975). Lee (D-TX), Rep. Andy Levin (D-MI), Rep. Ro Tootikian is Minister Emeritus of the Khanna (D-CA), Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D- Armenian Congregational Church of Greater IL), Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), Rep. Daniel Harrigian Nominated Detroit, where he served from 1975-2005. A Lipinksi (D-IL), Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Rep. graduate of the Near East School of Theology, Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Rep. Carolyn Maloney Rev. Tootikian did graduate work at Hartford, (D-NY), Rep. James McGovern (D-MA), Rep. To Lead Air Forces in Harvard, and Andover Newton Theological Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Rep. Donald Norcross Seminaries, earning two masters and a doctor- (D-NJ), Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA), Rep. Collin ate. He has been a lecturer at Lawrence Peterson (D-MN), Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-NY), Europe, Africa Technological University, Southfield, MI, and a Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Rep. John Sarbanes lecturer at the University of Michigan. He was a (D-MD), Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), Rep. Albio charter member of the AEUNA in 1971, and Sires (D-NJ), Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY), and Rep. KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany (Stars and Stripes) — The next boss of US air- the Armenian Evangelical World Council in Dina Titus (D-NV). men in Europe shouldn’t have a very steep learning curve on the job. 1978. Of his many published books, six are cur- “What Congress appropriates money for Lt. Gen. Jeffrey L. Harrigian, deputy commander of US Air Forces in Europe rently used as college textbooks in North reflects the nation’s values and priorities. — Air Forces Africa since last fall, has America and overseas. Supporting Armenia as it undergoes momen- been nominated for a fourth star and to Banquet guests filled Derian Hall to capacity. tous democratic change embodies these values By Jennifer H. Svan lead the command. The program featured more than 10 speakers, and should be a top priority. That’s why I’ve Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick each of whom presented a different perspective joined with my colleagues to call for increased Shanahan announced on March 26 that on Rev. Tootikian’s life, relationships, and democracy assistance and other foreign aid for President Donald Trump had picked Harrigian for the position. achievements. Moderator of the AEUNA Rev. Armenia,” Rep. Speier said to the Armenian If confirmed by the Senate, Harrigian would succeed Gen. Tod D. Wolters. Wolters Vatche Ekmekjian thanked Tootikian, who has Assembly. earlier this month was nominated to be the next NATO Supreme Allied Commander served multiple times as AEUNA Moderator The Caucus initiative requests: and commander of US European Command, replacing US Army Gen. Curtis and in other ecumenical roles, for his example • $60 million for economic governance and Scaparrotti. and leadership. President of the AMAA Dr. rule of law assistance to Armenia through State Like Wolters, Nazareth Darakjian thanked Tootikian for Department and USAID accounts; Harrigian is a fighter researching, writing, and publishing a history of • $10 million for military aid for Armenia pilot and US Air Force the AMAA to celebrate the organization’s cen- through Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and Academy alumnus, tennial. Rev. Tootikian’s 42nd book, The International Military and Education Training having graduated from Genesis and Early Development of the (IMET) programs; the Colorado Springs, TOOTIKIAN, page 8 • $20 million for Armenia to be a regional Colo., service academy “safe haven” for refugees; in 1985. • $6 million for Artsakh de-mining, rehabilita- Harrigian has more tion programs, and water supply systems; than 4,000 hours fly- • $4 million for implementation of the Royce- ing the F-22, F-15C Engel peace proposals, including placement of and MQ-1 Predator. OSCE-monitored, advanced gunfire locator sys- He’s flown combat mis- tems; sions in support of • That the State Department and USAID lift U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian, U.S. Air operations Just Cause any official or unofficial restrictions on U.S. trav- Forces Central Command commander, coins Master — the US invasion of el, communication, or contacts with Artsakh Sgt. Samuel Mulvany, 124th Aircraft Maintenance Panama in 1989 – government officials; and Squadron, from Gowen Field, Idaho, at Incirlik Air Desert Storm and • The suspension of U.S. military aid to Base, Turkey, Aug. 28, 2016. Inherent Resolve. Azerbaijan until it has been verified to have Prior to coming to ceased all attacks against Armenia and Artsakh. Europe, Harrigian led The letter states in part: “In the wake of the Air Forces Central Command and the combined forces air component of US Republic of Armenia’s remarkable Velvet Central Command for two years. He oversaw air operations in the Middle East Revolution, we are writing to thank the during a critical time in the war against the Islamic State, which has seen its Subcommittee for its longstanding leadership in territory greatly diminished in Iraq and Syria. support of both Armenia and the Republic of As USAFE-AFAFRICA commander, Harrigian will be responsible for providing Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh). As you prepare airpower to US European and US Africa commands — an area that includes 104 the Fiscal Year 2020 State, Foreign Operations, countries in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. and Related Programs Appropriations bill, we Rev. Dr. Vahan Tootikian addressing guests at ask you to include... provisions supporting a Derian Hall, Armenian Cilicia Evangelical Church see AID, page 6 6 S ATURDAY, A PRIL 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS

Panel at Harvard to Look at ‘Democratization in Dr. Christopher Armenia and Authoritarianism Worldwide’ Willard to Speak on Mindfulness at Sts. CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — A panel discussion the Harvard Armenian Students Association. titled “A Trend or an Exception? At a time when there is great concern over Vartanantz Church Democratization in Armenia and the apparent decline of liberal democracy Authoritarianism Worldwide,” will take place around the world, in 2018 Armenia seemed to CHELMSFORD, Mass. — Dr. at Harvard University’s Fong Auditorium be a notable exception and was hailed as “badly Christopher Willard, a nationally known (Boylston Hall), on Tuesday, April 30, at 7:30 needed good news for democracy” by clinical psychologist, will speak at Sts. p.m. the Washington Post. As the one-year anniver- Vartanantz Armenian Church, 180 Old The panel will be moderated by Dr. Lisa sary of the Velvet Revolution approaches, is the Westford Rd, on Friday, April 12 about Gulesserian, lecturer on Armenian in the news still good? Is Armenia an outlier, an excep- the mental stress and health of youth, an Department of Near Eastern Languages and tional case in a world where government-by- ever-growing concern for parents and Civilizations, Harvard University, and will fea- strong-man increasingly is the model? What can care-givers. Dr. Willard will discuss how ture a panel including Anna Ohanyan (Stonehill be learned from the examples of other states to detect the early symptoms of youthful College), Dimitri Sotiropoulos (visiting scholar, where democracy is in peril? Join with a panel distress and anxiety, and offer a variety of Center for European Studies, Harvard), and of distinguished scholars to discuss these and mindfulness approaches to help young Valerie Sperling (Clark University). other issues relating to democracy and author- people effectively cope with these issues The event is organized by the National itarianism in Armenia and around the world. during their childhood and adolescents. Association for Armenian Studies and Research This event is free and open to the public. A Willard is an educational consultant (NAASR) / Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation reception and refreshments will immediately fol- based in Boston specializing in mindful- Series on Contemporary Armenian Issues, with low the program and the question-and-answer Dr. Lisa Gulesserian ness. He has been practicing meditation the co-sponsorship of AGBU-YP Boston, and session. for 20 years, and has led hundreds of workshops around the world, with invi- tations to more than two dozen coun- tries. He currently serves on the board of directors at the Institute for Members of Congress Substantially Increase Aid for Armenia, Artsakh Meditation and Psychotherapy, and is the president of the Mindfulness in AID, from page 5 Executive Director Bryan Ardouny said. haven for Christians at risk in Syria and Education Network. His concepts on broad-based strategic upgrade of a U.S.- “Moreover, the OSCE’s Election Observation throughout the Middle East, with at least $25 mindfulness have been published in the Armenia partnership based upon shared inter- Mission Report stated that the elections ‘were million in assistance to Artsakh. Krikorian New York Times and the Washington ests and common values.” held with respect for fundamental freedoms cited Armenia’s remarkable year as more Post. He is the author of Child’s Mind The Members of Congress also called for and enjoyed broad public trust that needs to than a reason to significantly increase (2010), Growing Up Mindful (2016), stricter provisions of Section 907 of the be preserved through further electoral humanitarian aid, suggesting to the Raising Resilience (2017) and eight FREEDOM Support Act to ensure that reforms.’” Subcommittee that the United States should other books for parents, professionals Azerbaijan not take hostile actions against Additionally, the Organization for Security “reward people who have made progress and children, along with six sets of cards Armenia or Artsakh, and pledge to demon- and Co-Operation in Europe’s (OSCE) Office towards democracy.” and therapeutic games, available in strate its commitment to pursuing lasting for Democratic Institutions and Human Krikorian applauded the Subcommittee for more than ten languages. He teaches at peace through solely non-violent means. Rights (ODIHR) reported that “election day holding the important hearing, and greatly Harvard Medical School. The letter concludes: “Taking these steps proceeded calmly, peacefully, free of pressure appreciated “Chairwoman Nita Lowey’s lead- This event is being planned by the will continue to build on the U.S.-Armenia on or intimidation of voters” and “the consti- ership and steadfast support for Armenia and church’s Adult Christian Education Ministry, strategic relationship and help to grow the tutionally guaranteed freedom of expression Artsakh.” and is open to the general public. Parents, seeds of pro-democratic and civil society insti- was respected.” Given Turkey and Azerbaijan’s ongoing youth care-givers, and teenagers will find Dr. tutions in Armenia. We urge the Earlier this month, Assembly Co-Chair Van blockades, the Assembly’s written testimony Willard’s views especially beneficial. The Subcommittee to invest in peace and assist Krikorian, in testimony before the House also shed light on the importance of aid to evening will begin with a complimentary Armenia and Artsakh at this exciting time of Appropriations Subcommittee, requested Armenia and Artsakh, the need to fully light dinner buffet followed by Dr. Willard’s continued development.” $100 million in democracy and economic enforce Section 907 of the Freedom Support presentation. Ample time will be allowed for “The Armenian Assembly welcomes this assistance, at least $10 million in Foreign Act, and targeted assistance for economic questions. In order to help prepare for this increased request in funding to Armenia. Military Financing (FMF) and International development and job-creation programs in the informative evening, contact Sandra Given the remarkable democratic transforma- Military Education Training (IMET) to Samtskhe-Javakheti region of the Republic of Adourian if planning to attend by email at tion last year in Armenia, we know that the Armenia for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, and $20 Georgia. The Armenian Assembly’s submitted [email protected]. community expects even more,” Assembly million to help resettle and provide a safe testimony for FY 2020 is available online.

OBITUARY Lorraine Seymourian, 84 GiragosianF UNERAL H OME Energetic Age-Positive Performer James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC Mark J. Giragosian NEWTON, Mass. — Lorraine Seymourian of She had a longtime radio program titled Funeral Counselors Newtonville died on March 24 at age 84. “Lorraine Entertains,” on WNTN station. She 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 She was the daughter of the late Michael and interviewed many celebrities, including Joan www.giragosianfuneralhome.com Agnes (Haig) Seymour. She was the sister of Rivers, Michael Douglas, Regis Philbin and the the late Charles, Winifred, Joyce and Eileen. Duchess of York. She leaves many loving nieces and nephews. She later had a radio program titled “Sexy Graveside prayers were held at Newton Seniors with Lorraine” carried on National Radio Telephone (617) 924-7400 Cemetery on Wednesday, April 3. Network with 106 affiliate stations in 39 states. Aram Bedrosian Funeral Home, Inc. Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 MARION BEDROSIAN 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN Nardolillo Funeral Home Est. 1906 John K. Najarian, Jr. Rhode Island’s Only Licensed Armenian Funeral Director 1278 Park Ave. Cranston, RI 02910 (401) 942-1220 1111 Boston Neck Rd. Narragansett, RI 02882 (401) 789-6300 www.nardolillo.com S ATURDAY, A PRIL 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS Forest Lawn Parks Celebrates Armenian AMAA’s Boston Area Orphan and Child Care Heritage with Movie Night Committee Celebrates 30 Years — In a debut cultural event, Forest Lawn will celebrate and revive Armenian history and culture as well as pay open serve food stations and drinks bars, as tribute to Genocide Awareness Month. The well as silent and live auctions, surprise By Dianne Chilingerian free, one-night-only event on Sunday, April 7, guest auctioneer, wine pull, and prizes to includes the premiere of the documentary include international travel tickets, exotic “April War Heroes,” followed by a question-and- WELLESLEY, Mass. — The Boston Area hotel stays, sought-after sports and theater answer period between the film’s director, Orphan and Child Care Committee of the tickets, outstanding dining opportunities, Tsvetana Paskaleva, who is one of the most cel- Armenian Missionary Association of America and much more. To join the Committee, ebrated Armenian filmmakers, and Hovsep (AMAA) will celebrate “Changing Children’s donate, or purchase an ad in the program “Joe” Hajibekyan of Forest Lawn—Hollywood Lives 30 Years and Counting” on Thursday, book, contact Dianne Chilingerian. Hills. After the screening, Armenian communi- May 9, at 6:30 p.m. at the Wellesley Country Founded in 1918 in Worcester, and incor- ty partners will present artifacts, art, and Club. porated in New York in 1920, the AMAA is a embroidery that represent historic Armenian This year’s event will honor longtime nonsectarian and a nonprofit Christian char- regions and recover and reintroduce aspects of advocate for Armenian causes and organi- itable organization that serves the religious, Armenian culture that were largely eradicated zations, and Co-founder of the AMAA’s educational and social needs of Armenian during the of 1915. The Orphan and Child Care Committee, communities in 24 countries around the event also includes Armenian music perfor- Michele Simourian. world. Michele Simourian, co-founder of AMAA’s mances by Ara Dabanjian from Element Band The evening will feature a cocktail recep- For additional information, visit Orphan and Child Care Committee and Friends and traditional Armenian pastries tion, walk-and-talk buffet style dinner with www.amaa.org. from local Armenian bakeries. The premiere screening of “April War Heroes” commemorates the third anniversary of the April War or the Four-Day War, which took Church Endowment Fund Makes Huge Gains place in April 2016 and resulted in the death of nearly 100 Armenian soldiers and civilians. The 30-minute film documents the heroic stories of 5,000 different accounts from around the main office is in Manhattan. Armenian soldiers who gave their lives during By Florence Avakian world. The eastern Armenian Diocese is the Faulkner reported that the 10-year return for the intense fighting of this war, which began principal holder in the endowment. ACEF was 7.3 percent, a rate which “outper- when Azerbaijan attacked the Republic of Each year ACEF distributes 4 ½ percent of formed the Manager Selection Benchmark Nagorno-Karabakh and ended when the out- NEW YORK — The Armenian Church its earnings to each accounts’ beneficiaries, return by 1.0 percent annualized net of manag- numbered Armenian servicemen pushed back Endowment Fund (ACEF) “has outperformed which are typically the Diocese, a local parish, a er fees.” the unexpected and overwhelming enemy our main benchmarks, despite market volatility family memorial, or another organization bene- The reason for this success Faulkner attack within days. The screening and conversa- during 2018,” said Greg Bedrosian, who serves fitting the Armenian community. explained has been the, “selection of excellent tion with Paskaleva, who has been writing, as the chairman of ACEF’s Investment Managing the ACEF accounts are two eco- managers who in each asset class have been directing, and filming for more than 25 years, Committee. nomic and financial experts. Greg Faulkner is a able to outperform their bench marks. Our celebrate the power of Armenian film as a tool ACEF is an independent fund in which managing director with the global investment approach is very diversified across the globe. for remembering history. parishes and/or individuals create accounts to firm Cambridge Associates, headquartered in Diversification reduces the risk.” “So much of Armenia’s rich history and secure the legacy of a church or institution of Boston, who has worked with ACEF since 1999. Bedrosian, who has lived and worked in beautiful culture was lost during the higher learning. The non-profit has assets of And Bedrosian is the co-founder and chief exec- Europe for 14 years, and came to New York 10 Genocide,” says Joe Hajibekyan. “But with the more than $104 million, which include over utive officer with Drake Star Partners, whose years ago, found that ACEF is “a great way to depth of culture incorporated into Forest get reconnected with the Armenian communi- Lawn’s Armenian Movie Night, with film, food, ty.” artistry, music, and community, we continue to He praised the Board of Directors and his revive and celebrate this legacy.” Investment Committee for selecting talented Armenian Movie Night takes place from 2:30 individuals with strong financial backgrounds. to 6 p.m., inside the Hall of Liberty at Forest Bedrosian said, “Our job is to work for the Lawn—Hollywood Hills, 6300 Forest Lawn strengthening and growth of the Armenian Drive, Los Angeles. Doors open for a pre-show community.” reception at 2 p.m.

To the Editor

BRAVO to Ms. Rebecca Bakalian Hachikian for her Letter to the Editor of the Mirror Spectator.

Time has come for Mr. James Kalustian to resign.

Today, not in May.

Hirant Gulian, Prominent Benefactors, Community Parish Members

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK 8 S ATURDAY, A PRIL 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Sheriff Koutoujian Named to Council of State St. James Men’s Club Dinner Meeting Government’s Justice Center Advisory Board

Featuring Dick Flavin on May 6 BILLERICA, Mass. — The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center, a national WATERTOWN — On Monday, May 6, St. nonprofit organization that develops research- James Armenian Church Men’s Club din- driven strategies to increase public safety and ner meeting will take place at the St. James strengthen communities, announced this week Charles Mosesian Cultural and Youth that Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian has Center. The speaker will be Dick Flavin, an joined its Advisory Board. American poet known as the poet laureate State officials across the U.S. — including of the Boston Red Sox. He is also the here in Massachusetts — have used the findings team’s public address announcer and a for- and technical assistance provided by the CSG mer journalist, TV commentator, and play- Justice Center to develop legislative efforts. In wright. late 2015, Massachusetts leaders asked the Flavin was born in Boston and grew up CSG Justice Center to help conduct a review of in Quincy, MA. He became the press the Commonwealth’s criminal justice sys- spokesman for the Massachusetts State tem. As part of that review, the Massachusetts Democratic Committee in 1963 and a Justice Reinvestment Working Group, which speechwriter for several politicians, includ- Dick Flavin Sheriff Koutoujian served on, was formed ing Ted Kennedy. He went on to become and produced the policy framework for the press secretary for the president of the state’s criminal justice reform law in 2017. Massachusetts Senate and, in 1967, for the play captured both the public and private “The CSG Justice Center has been at the fore- successful campaign of Kevin White for life of Tip O’Neill, the Democratic Speaker front of historic criminal justice reform across Mayor of Boston. In 1970, Flavin left poli- of the US House of Representatives. It was the country, bringing its expertise and experi- tics for reporting. He became political edi- awarded “Best New Play of the Year” by ence to countless jurisdictions,” said Sheriff Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian tor and reporter for WNAC-TV in Boston the critics and writers that make up the Koutoujian. “I look forward to working side-by- before moving to WBZ-TV in 1973 where Independent Reviewers of New England. side with my fellow board members to ensure he spent 14 years as a commentator. It was Most notably, Flavin is the New York this critical work of increasing public safety and Quattlebaum, director of the CSG Justice while at WBZ that he was nominated for Times bestselling author of Red Sox strengthening communities continues.” Center. “He is a recognized leader on criminal 14 New England Regional Emmy Awards, Rhymes: Verses and Curses, a collection of The CSG Justice Center Advisory Board is justice issues not only in Massachusetts but winning 7 times. His work as a broadcast- 64 humorous and nostalgic poems cele- composed of a bipartisan group of legislators, nationwide, and his experience and perspective er was honored in 2011 with his induction brating the Boston Red Sox. court officials, law enforcement executives and will be invaluable to our work. We will particu- into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall This St. James Men’s Club dinner meet- state executive branch officials, all of whom have larly benefit from his deep understanding of the of Fame. ing will begin with a social hour and mezza significant expertise related to public safety and challenges and opportunities that exist at the On the creative side, Flavin’s one-man at 6:15 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. Mezza health. Together, they set and monitor the policy intersection of criminal justice and behavioral play, “According to Tip,” was produced at and Losh Kebab and Kheyma Dinner $17 and project priorities for the CSG Justice Center health.” Boston’s Repertory Theatre in 2008. The per person. Ladies are invited. as well as the projects and programs it adminis- In addition to serving as a CSG Justice ters, including the National Reentry Resource Center Advisory Board member, Sheriff Center, the Justice Reinvestment Initiative, and Koutoujian was also recently elected to serve as the Stepping Up Initiative. vice president of the Major County Sheriffs of AIWA Scholarship Applications Are Due on April 20; “We are thrilled to have Sheriff Koutoujian America, representing sheriffs from more than join our advisory board,” said Megan 90 of the nation’s largest counties. Over $75,000 Awarded for the Current Year

BOSTON — April 20 is the deadline for col- with the Agnes K. Missirian Scholarship, which lege and university students to submit was established in 1996 in memory of the pro- Scholarship Applications to the Armenian fessor of management at Bentley University International Women’s Association (AIWA) for who was a strong advocate for women’s rights. the 2019-2020 academic year. Over the years, grants have been added in the A number of scholarships are awarded by names of Ethel Jafferian Duffett, Lucy AIWA annually, ranging in value from $500 to Kasparian Aharonian (for students in the sci- $5,000, to full-time female students of ences), Mary V. Toumayan, Hripsime Parsekian Armenian descent attending accredited colleges (for a student in the field of international rela- or universities. Students from the United States tions), Dr. Carolann S. Najarian, Azniv or abroad entering their junior or senior year in Melidonian and Rose A. Hovannesian. college, as well as graduate students, are eligi- The AIWA-Los Angeles Affiliate awards annu- ble to apply for the awards, which are based on ally five Hasmik Mgrdichian Scholarships of merit as well as financial need $5,000 each. The Mgrdichian Scholarships are For the current academic year, AIWA (includ- available to California residents. ing the Central Board as well as its Affiliates) AIWA also grants several tuition scholarships awarded more than $75,000 to graduate and to students at the American University of undergraduate students from the United States, Armenia, including $5,000 to fund two Alice Canada, Armenia, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, and Kanlian Mirak Scholarships there. other countries in fields ranging from mathe- To be considered, scholarship applications matics and architecture to government, public must be postmarked on or before April 20. They administration, medicine, art, and design. may be downloaded from the AIWA website New this year was a scholarship of $5,000 in (www.aiwainternational.org) or requested from the name of an AIWA founder, Olga Proudian, AIWA at 65 Main St., #3A, Watertown, MA, awarded annually to a student in the field of 02472; email: scholarships@aiwainternation- diplomacy. This award is provided under the al.org. California residents are advised to apply auspices of the AIWA-New England Affiliate. directly to the Los Angeles Affiliate at: AIWA’s scholarship program was initiated www.aiwala.org.

Armenian Evangelical Church Community Honors Rev. Dr. Vahan H. Tootikian

TOOTIKIAN, from page 5 Tootikian’s ministry. Armenian Missionary Association of America, is Zaven Khanjian, executive director/CEO of available from amaa.org. the AMAA, said, “Rev. Tootikian perfectly fills the Fr. Sarkis Petoyan, representing the Western following three skills in his life, in his lifetime, Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and in the ministry. His love is subject to his bla- read a letter from His Eminence Archbishop tant persuasion, which is based primarily on Hovnan Derderian. Fr. Karekin Bedourian, rep- God’s Word, and then on the love of humanity.” resenting the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Additional speakers were Dr. Ken Tourian a Orthodox Church, also brought greetings from classmate and a close friend of Tootikian; Rev. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian. Members Dr. Ron Tovmassian, a long-time AEUNA col- of Rev. Tootikian’s family from as far away as league; and Joyce Philibosian Stein, chair of the the East Coast were present for the occasion. Stephen Philibosian Foundation and a member His son-in-law, Dr. Michael Voskian, presented a of the Armenian Evangelical World Council. personal tribute, as did brother-in-law George The evening concluded with remarks from Pambakian. the honoree. Representing Minister to the AEUNA Rev. On this occasion, several contributions were Berdj Djambazian, who was out of the country, made to the AEUNA Rev. Vahan Tootikian Rev. Serop Megerditchian spoke about Rev. Armenian Heritage Endowment Fund. S ATURDAY, A PRIL 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 COMMUNITY NEWS St. Vartan Cathedral Issues Holy Week Schedule NEW YORK — St. Vartan Armenian The St. Vartan Cathedral Council will host ceremony will start at 6:30 p.m., with the follow the services. Cathedral will observe Holy Week, April 13 a special “Children’s Day” program on Palm Khavaroom or Vigil Service following at 8:00 The drama of Holy Week culminates on through 20, with a series of special services Sunday, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Children p.m. During the Washing of Feet ceremony, EASTER SUNDAY, April 21: the central holy culminating in the Easter Sunday celebration ages 5 and older are invited to take part in the twelve individuals from the community will day of the Christian calendar, commemorat- on April 21. Palm Sunday procession, and create arts and stand in place of the apostles. ing the discovery of Christ’s empty tomb and Holy Week is the sacred commemoration of crafts. The crucifixion and death of Christ will be the news of his resurrection. the dramatic events leading to the Resurrection Please note that this year, the cathedral is marked on April 19 — GREAT AND HOLY Matins will begin at 9:30 a.m. The Divine of Jesus Christ, His victory over death and the placing new emphasis on the services imme- FRIDAY — and again two services will occur. Liturgy will begin at 10:30 a.m. The Very Rev. Fr. redemption of humanity and the fallen world. diately before and after Palm Sunday: the The Order of the Crucifixion of Christ will Daniel Findikyan, Primate of the Diocese of the The Armenian Church re-enacts these episodes Remembrance of the Raising of Lazarus on begin at 12:00 noon. This will be a short ser- Armenian Church of America, will celebrate the in the days leading up to Easter. Saturday, April 13 (Divine Liturgy celebrated vice enabling working people in Manhattan to liturgy and deliver the homily. The St. Vartan This year marks the first time the new by Fr. Vazken Karayan at 10:30 a.m.); a short attend, and it will be followed by a luncheon Cathedral Choir will sing the Divine Liturgy Diocesan Primate, the Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Christian Meditation service on Holy Monday, in the Diocesan Complex. under the direction of Khoren Mekanejian. Findikyan, will celebrate the Easter badarak April 15 (beginning at 6:30 p.m., guided by Fr. That same evening, at 6:30 p.m., the Order Florence Avakian will accompany on the organ. at New York’s St. Vartan Cathedral. What fol- Mesrop Parsamyan); and a Vespers service in of the Entombment of the Lord, or Taghoom Immediately following the service, the lows is the schedule of Holy Week events at remembrance of the Ten Virgins on Holy Service, will take place. Release of Doves ceremony will go forth on the cathedral. Tuesday, April 16 (beginning at 6:30 p.m.). On GREAT AND HOLY SATURDAY, April the cathedral plaza. PALM SUNDAY — the commemoration of April 18 is GREAT AND HOLY THURSDAY, 20, the Divine Liturgy will be preceded by a An Easter Sunday reception and program Jesus’ triumphal entry into — falls and the day’s services memori alize the Last scripture-reading ceremony at 5:00 p.m. will follow the services, in Haik and Alice on April 14. Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan (Vicar of Supper, Jesus’ vigil in the Garden of Easter Eve Liturgy will begin at 6:30 p.m., cel- Kavookjian Auditorium. The reception will St. Vartan Cathedral) will be the celebrant for Gethsemane, his arrest and trial. Two sepa- ebrated by Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, the include a home-blessing service, and the the services, which will begin with a Morning rate services will be celebrated on this day. In Diocesan Legate and Ecumenical Director. recognition of the various names associated Service at 9:30 a.m., and will continue with the morning, the Divine Liturgy will begin at The “Astghikner” Children’s Vocal with the holiday. The reception is free and the Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. The Turen- 10:30 a.m. This will be followed by a lun- Ensemble from Brooklyn’s St. Gregory mis- open to the public. patzek or “Door-Opening” Service will be cheon. sion parish (conducted by Maria Sahakyan) For information on these observances visit held after the Divine Liturgy. In the evening, the “Washing of the Feet” will sing the Divine Liturgy. A reception will www.armenianchurch.us.

John Mirak Foundation Supports ‘Yes, Armenian Women Can!’ Campaign

BOSTON — John and Artemis Mirak met specifically honors the memory of Alice fourth generation, “seeks to follow in the each other and were married in the Boston Kanlian Mirak, the daughter-in-law of John noteworthy tradition of their ancestors.” area after having lost their respective families and Artemis Mirak, who worked to connect The John Mirak Foundation symbolizes the and becoming orphans of the Armenian Armenian women throughout the Diaspora strength of Julia’s grandparents, who not Genocide. by co-founding the Armenian International only survived the massacres, but went on to “They were rescued in Turkey and brought Women’s Association in Boston over 25 years become successful individuals in their own to America by women relatives, so our fami- ago. A graduate of Wellesley College, Alice right, while consistently giving back to their ly’s debt to women is profound,” said their was very active in her hometown of Boston society, and never forgetting their granddaughter Julia Mirak Kew. “The Mirak Winchester, Mass., through local politics, roots. They instilled lessons in their family family, through the John Mirak Foundation, philanthropy, the public- school system, and about the importance of upholding the supports this campaign in the belief that the serving as a volunteer to numerous charita- Armenian arts, education and culture, among roles of women are critical to a new ble organizations in addition to being an avid them the Armenian Cultural Foundation of Armenia.” athlete, artist, mother and wife. By making Arlington, the oldest non-political institution The donation of a scholarship in perpetuity this donation, the Mirak family, now in its of its kind in the United States, established in 1945. “By educating women, a country harvests the capacity of its population,” said Julia Mirak Kew, who notes that women and men engage in and contribute to society in differ- ent ways. “Educated women will set an excel- lent example for generations to come and SCHOLARSHIPS encourage young women to stay in Armenia Julia Mirak Kew AVAILABLE and contribute to their society.” Armenian American Veterans Kurkjian to Be Keynote Speaker of Greater Boston At Rhode Island Commemoration

Formerly PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The Armenian The Paul S. Marsoubian Amvets Post 41 of Watertown, Martyrs’ Memorial Committee of Rhode MA, announces an academic scholarship program and Island will commemorate the 104th Selection process for its past, present and deceased Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide on Sunday, April 28, starting at 12:45 p.m. at the members in good standing, of Amvets Post 41. Martyrs Monument in North Burial Ground, Branch Avenue. The three Armenian Applicants must be members in good standing, for at Churches and clergy along with their dea- cons and choir will participate in the memor- Least three years, their children, grandchildren and ial services. Local federal and state officials great-grandchildren, including those of deceased members are invited to speak or attend as well as the Who were in good standing at the time of their demise. local Armenian organizations. Keynote speaker will be Stephen Kurkjian who spent nearly 40 years as an editor and To be eligible for consideration, applications must be reporter for the Boston Globe before retiring Received by April 30 of any given year. is 2007. He returned to Boston and complet- ed numerous investigative projects. His book, Master Thieves: The Boston Gangsters Who Requests for AAVGB scholarship applications should Pulled Off the World’s Greatest Art Heist, Stephen Kurkjian be directed to and requested of: was published to critical acclaim in 2015. Kurkjian has written significantly about the Armenian Genocide and his latest pro- The entire community is invited to attend. Harold R. Partamian jects focuses on the survivors, including his For further information, email Scholarship Committee Chairman father, Anooshavan Kurkjian. [email protected] 6 Apache Trail Arlington, MA 02474 781-641-0002 CHECK US OUT Email: [email protected] mirrorspectator.com 10 S ATURDAY, A PRIL 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS US Senators Introduce Bill to Prohibit Transfer of F-35 Jets to Turkey

WASHINGTON — On March 28, Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) introduced S.922, a bipartisan bill also known as the “Protecting NATO Skies Act of 2019” which prohibits the transfer of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft to Turkey until the United States certi- fies that Turkey will not accept delivery of Russia’s S-400 air defense system, reported the Armenian Assembly of America. “It’s concerning that Turkey would seek close defense cooperation with Russia, whose author- itarian ruler seeks to undermine NATO and US interests at every turn. That’s why I am glad to partner with Senators Shaheen, Van Hollen, and Tillis to introduce this bipartisan bill that sends a clear message to the Turkish govern- Senator James Lankford (R-OK), Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) ment that it cannot have sensitive, state-of-the- art American military technology and Russian military technology,” said Senator Lankford. hibit spending funds from FY 2019 — as well as ence American politics have been increasingly dependable ally of the United States.” “Make no mistake — the Kremlin is an adver- prior fiscal years — to transfer, or facilitate the exposed in the past year, and this bill sends a “Just this past week, Turkey-based front com- sary of the United States and many of our NATO transfer, of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters to Turkey strong message that Turkey’s actions do have panies were exposed by the US Department of allies. The prospect of Russia having access to until the Secretary of State certifies that consequences,” stated Assembly Co-Chairs the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control US aircraft and technology in a NATO country, Turkey is not purchasing and will not accept Anthony Barsamian and Van Krikorian. (OFAC) as part of a network with Iran and the Turkey, is a serious national and global security deliveries of the Russian S-400 missile defense In an article published by the Gatestone United Arab Emirates to have transferred over risk,” Shaheen stated. “This bipartisan bill will system. Institute, Dr. Lawrence A. Franklin, who served a billion dollars and euros to the Islamic help ensure the safety and security of the United “The Armenian Assembly welcomes this lat- under US Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld, Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran’s States and our transatlantic community.” est initiative. Turkey has proven time and time wrote: “The number of instances where Turkey Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics “As a member of NATO, Turkey must not again that its actions and policies could not be and US interests now clash, and the accumu- (MODAFL), in addition to procuring millions of undermine the security of the United States further from US interests than any presumed lated ill will that these disagreements are beget- dollars’ worth of vehicles for MODAFL,” and our allies. Operating the Russian S-400 mis- ally. Turkey’s surreptitious attempts to influ- ting, suggests that Turkey is no longer a Barsamian and Krikorian added. sile defense system alongside the F-35 aircraft would do exactly that, and we cannot allow that to happen. This bipartisan legislation would draw a hard line in the sand and protect vital national security interests, and the Senate Salpi Ghazarian to Speak at Connecticut Armenian Genocide Commemoration should consider it without delay,” Van Hollen HARTFORD, Conn.— The Connecticut Diaspora, she will daughter of Genocide survivors and continues said. Armenian Genocide Commemoration discuss the dramat- to struggle with what to remember and what to Last year, Senators Shaheen, Lankford, and Committee has announced that the commemo- ic changes in the forget. Tillis introduced S.2781, a similar bill to restrict ration of the 104th anniversary of the homeland. In addition to the committee’s mission of the transfer of fighter aircraft to Turkey. A ver- Armenian Genocide will take place on Saturday, Ghazarian is the honoring the memory of 1.5 million Armenian sion of the bill was included as an amendment April 27 at 11 a.m.in the Hall of the House at founder of CivilNet victims of the Genocide, it also seeks to pro- in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 National Defense the Connecticut State Capitol. online television in mote education concerning the Genocide and Authorization Act directing the Secretary of Melanie Kevorkian Brown, Chairperson of Armenia and was to present information about developments in Defense to submit a plan to Congress to remove the committee, announced that this year’s editor-publisher of both the Diaspora and Armenia. Turkey from participation in the F-35 program. speaker will be Salpi Ghazarian, Director of the A r m e n i a n As in the past, the committee expects that Spearheaded by Van Hollen and with the sup- University of Southern California’s Institute of International the Hall of the House will be filled to capacity Salpi Ghazarian port of State and Foreign Operations Armenian Studies. Her topic will be “Looking Magazine. She lived for the program. A number of dignitaries are Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman to the Future Without Forgetting the Past.” in Armenia for 15 expected to attend. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), the Committee adopt- Utilizing her many years of active engagement years and served as Special Assistant to A free reception and refreshments will follow ed this amendment which would expressly pro- in the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian Armenia’s Foreign Minister. She is the grand- the commemoration. S ATURDAY, A PRIL 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 COMMUNITY NEWS St. Stephen’s Elementary School Teams Shine at Watertown Spelling Bee

WATERTOWN — Thirteen students from St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School (SSAES) participated in the ninth Annual Watertown Spelling Bee for Grades 1-5, on Sunday, March 31. They were Georgette Ishagyan from first grade, Arman Stepanian, Elsa Sarkissian, and Nara Behbahani from the third grade, and fifth graders Lea Karapetian, Lara Chekijian, Anais Kahvejian, Alla Petrosyan, Nicholas Nalbandyan, Julia Chapian, Saro Iskenderian, Gassia Minassian, and Narineh Mardiros. The fifth-grade team, consisting of Lea Karapetian, Lara Chekijian, and Anais Kahvejian won first place in their first round! They had some very tricky words and made it to the double elimination round. The third grade team tied for first place in their round. Georgette Ishahagyan (Gr. 1) participated with first grade students from other schools and got first The Fifth Grade spelling bee winning team place.

Gr. 5 students with Principal Boyamian, Ms. O’Connor and Mrs. Joyce The winning team from the third grade 12 S ATURDAY, A PRIL 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Arts & Living The Debate Rediscovering About Culture The History of And Culture of Armenian Debate Revolutionaries

By Archi Galentz By Vicken Cheterian

BERLIN — The wesite of Aravot reported on (Agos) — The hall at the University February 21 on the visit of Anna Hakobyan, the of Geneva was packed as I introduced Kadir wife of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Akin and his documentary “Red.” Only a Pashinyan, to Switzerland and the surprise that decade back the scene would have been unusu- she brought with her. The surprise was her dec- al: an Armenian university lecturer introducing laration that Armenia would once again amaze a Turkish intellectual, who had worked for sev- the whole world, this time with post-revolution- eral years on Armenian history. For eight ary achievements. Armenia is to become one of decades intellectual exchanges, even personal the most prosperous nations in the world, abso- friendship between Armenians and Turks were lutely comparable to Switzerland simply non-existent. Hakobyan supporter Pashinyan during the Moreover, the theme of the documentary revolution not only visibly and with extensive was one of the most contested pages in the media coverage, but she is also now leading sev- Armenian-Turkish history: that of the eral charity organizations and is assuming seri- Armenian revolutionary movement. For ous representational duties. Ottoman and later Turkish historiography, the Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan himself, dur- Taron Simonyan Armenian revolutionary groups were no more ing a meeting at the beginning of February than traitors that collaborated with the enemy, with parliamentarians and the business com- colonial empires (Russian, British and French), munity in the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in to destroy the Ottoman Empire. They were ene- Berlin, emphasized the fact that Armenia is not mies of the state. For Armenians, they were only a country with mining and agriculture, but Taron Simonyan heroes who fought against injustice, for the a land of intellectuals, physicists, a flourishing freedom of the nation. IT sector and, as a member of the Eurasian “I did not do this movie for the Armenians, I Economic Union, a country that may also pave did it for the Turks,” Akin told me when we the way to access to a market of 160 million Finds Humanity in met before the projection, around a cup of cof- people. fee. His interest started when he first learned And when asked about the planned elimina- about Paramaz, an Armenian social-democrat tion of the Culture and Diaspora Ministries, Far-Flung Locales revolutionary, who, with 19 of his comrades, which has generated concern, Pashinyan were hanged on Beyazit Square in Istanbul, in responded that every government mechanism 1916. It was in 2010 when he read in an has a tendency towards excessive control and YEREVAN – The 39-year-old painter and photographer Taron Simonyan is a cit- Istanbul leftist publication an article titled: this could have a negative impact on business. izen of the world. He says he has a home and family in different countries around “Let us not forget Paramaz.” Apart from this Proponents of streamlining the government the world. His parents — sculptor Tsolak Simonyan and philologist Anahit Minasyan there was no additional information in Turkish. apparatus stress that reforms do not entail — have lived in St. Petersburg since 1963, but Taron “succeeded” in being born in Limited articles available in English on the neglect of spheres of responsibility. Armenia’s Armavir, Armenia. He was 40-days-old when the family returned to Russia, and since internet made him realize that there was a desire to introduce new standards of efficiency then Simonyan splits his life Marxist movement in Ottoman Empire 33 and its search for new models is also apparent between two cities, St. years before the founding of the first Turkish in the cultural realm. In mid-May at the Venice By Artsvi Bakhchinyan Petersburg and Yerevan. Communist Party, found only in 1920. In spite of the numerous leftist parties in Turkey, Akin Biennale 2019 we will be in a position to judge Special to the Mirror-Spectator After graduating from Fine whether or not Armenia’s pavilion, which Arts High School, he received wondered why the first socialists in the according to the exhibition’s curator Susanna an artist’s education at St. Ottoman Empire were left in the dark. Gjulamiryan this time is not to be organized on Petersburg State Art Academy and then studied at the Ljubeck School of It would take him into a long journey of the premises of the Mekhitarists, will be con- Communication Design in Germany. His first personal exhibition took place at the eight years to discover the history of the vincing. Exhibition space at the Biennale is age of 19 in 1998 in Aachen, then in other cities in Germany, Russia, Armenia, Hunchagian Social Democratic Party, the first extremely expensive, but it is reportedly the Spain, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates. The Naples Documentary Film socialist party in the Middle East that intro- explicit desire of the government-aligned com- Festival, which organizes an exhibition of works by a single artist, in 2015 hosted duced Marxism into the Ottoman Empire and missar of the exhibit to invest considerably Taron’s exhibition on Zorats Karer — one of the most prominent Armenian archeo- Iran, as well as to the history of the Armenian more than the usual $5,000 in the “Olympic logical sites, as well as his lecture about Armenia. Revolutionary Federation – Tashnagtsutyun. Games of Art.” The Venice Biennale is the most My conversation with Taron took place in his home in Yerevan in the presence of He had to travel outside Istanbul – to Yerevan, important exhibition worldwide for contempo- his amiable parents, in a completely artistic environment with Ararat and a but also to to meet historians and mem- rary art and architecture. It is particularly panoramic view of Yerevan in the background. bers of Hunchag Party, and to Geneva where important to note that at this periodic event seven university students founded the one cannot hide behind tradition and history, There are artists who do not need new impressions and do not travel, yet they Hunchagian party in 1887. because its compulsory thematic focus concen- create new worlds in a closed space, relying on their imagination. Taron, you are Kadir Akin first worked on a book titled trates on the “Now” – the current condition of the contrary. Your art is being fed by various trips, especially to exotic lands. Paramaz: Armenian Revolutionary, From the nation’s art and its cultural policy. Armenia One should either close himself up or be open till the end! Everyone should be Abdul Hamid to Union and Progress Armenian has been an active participant since 1995 and in harmony with his inner world. I have traveled from childhood, and the love for Socialists and Genocide. The book was initially in 2015 received the highest award, the discovering new horizons emerged in me and grew year after year. I have always published in 2015, and found much success in “Golden Lion,” for its national pavilion. The wanted to know what exists behind the wall. I have always been attracted to unusu- Turkey. Its fifth edition has already been 2017 presentation displayed very disturbing al countries and cultures. In 2006 I was in Japan for the first time and stayed there released. The low-budget documentary is thick tendencies, and now what is being prepared is a for two and a half months. In Kyoto I accidentally got acquainted with the famous like a book: it documents the history of huge installation of multiple interrelated com- sculptor Yasuo Yashikawa, who owns a bar for local artists. Thanks to him, I met Armenian political parties until the genocide. ponents with a lot of videos which are supposed many Japanese artists and entered the Kyoto Traditional and Modern Art “Until now we did not know how the to provide a critical view of the “Velvet Academies. I did sketches in Japan, but only during the nights, as during the days Genocide influenced Turkish socialism,” Akin Revolution,” how it unfolded and what expecta- I wanted to use every minute and not miss any information. Everything was new to said. The fact that for decades Turkish leftists tions it raised. me. I left for Japan for the second time in 2010, worked with local artists and trav- continued to ignore socialist militants who pre- The Biennale should not be considered only eled all over the country. Moving from south to the north, I was watching the saku- ceded them “shows that the origins of Turkish an important display that mobilizes national ra’s gradual flowering. In the spring, human energy is changing, and every time I socialist is not internationalism. On the other resources for the outside world, since it is actu- have a new energy awakening. So I reached Hokkaido island and got two exhibi- hand, both Hunchags and Tashnags were mem- ally culture and religion together which consti- tions in Sapporo titled “Walk in St. Petersburg.” ber of the Socialist International,” he added. tute the main pillars of the national identity. So the Japanese recognized you as a St. Petersburg artist? He thinks the debates of the past, and espe- Such a project has an impact domestically as Not so much. It is true that I was presenting my works based on the performances cially the program of the Hunchag Party is still well. And at home it is still the government of the Mariinsky Theater of Opera and Ballet, but the Japanese said that there are relevant for today: “Hunchags wanted restructuration that is shaping discussion in Armenian colors in my works. And I remembered the words of my anatomy teacher Anatolian Federalism,” an issue which contin- the cultural realm. As mentioned earlier, the that the colors I use are very bright, while pastel shades are dominant in St. Petersburg. ues to resonate in Turkey today, as the destruc- elimination of a ministry does not yet mean that see SIMONYAN, page 13 tion of the Armenians did not end the question of how a centralized state manages diversity. see DEBATE, page 15 see REVOLUTIONARIES, page 14 S ATURDAY, A PRIL 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 ARTS & LIVING

seem to be on their last breath. I lived and want to miss any Taron Simonyan worked in a great art center in Bali where peo- minute. I had to ple come from all over the world. One time I comprehend every- Finds Humanity in made a performance with the painters of differ- thing quickly, accu- ent nations: we took canvases, went to the rice mulate it, and when Far-Flung Locales fields and started drawing on the spot. It was I felt that I could no just a experiment, an emotional explosion, not longer get more SIMONYAN, from page 12 a creative work. My Indonesian paintings, about information, at 2:00 I remember your “Japan’s Colors” photo 20 large canvases, along with four other artists’ a.m. I said, “This is series at the Armenian-Japanese joint exhibi- works, have been exhibited at the Yerevan Folk enough, I have to go tion in National Gallery of Armenia in 2006. Art Museum. back quickly.” There That exhibition was called “From Ararat to And how did you arrive in Africa? is a kind of energy Fujiyama,” organized by specialists of Japanese Before Africa it was Nepal, which is also a loca- that a human being art curators Andrey and Irina Mikhailov from tion with a very strong energy. I stayed there for does not need any- St. Petersburg, with the participation of 13 a month. I went the Himalayan mountains, and more. I had had to Japanese artists (painters, sculptors, photogra- wanted to stay there for a longer time, but not exceed the phers, conceptual artists). One of those artists because of the revolution in the country, I had to “limit” in order to stayed in our home and every morning was leave my bags and escaped from the country not damage my meditating in front of the Ararat view. It was a only taking my paintings. I exhibited them in impressions. great experience in my life to communicate with Yerevan too, at the Russian Art Museum. As far Returning to the Japanese reality. I remember one interesting as Africa goes, Tanzania in particular, it had such Zanzibar, I immedi- thing: in the first month of my stay in Japan, I strong impression on me that for two years I was ately created my bought a kimono and went to the same store not able to work. Appearing in Africa, you realize African painting before returning. The owner of the store that it is the strongest, most interesting area on series and opened remembered me, and appreciating my three- our entire planet; the most difficult one, the hun- exhibitions in Dubai month stay in his country and visiting his store griest one, the poorest one, but the most amaz- and . The for the second time, he donated seven kimonos ing one. The source of everything is there — of local Art Myph mag- to me. Japan has somewhat refined me; it indi- civilization, fashion, design, music, sports and azine considered my rectly imposes rules that were difficult, but bodily beauty. Even now I am very excited about Painting by Taron Simonyan exhibition the best acceptable and very interesting. When a person Africa. I went there with my Russian friend, who of the year. As a sees some news and understands that it is right, is an art critic. I took 80 kilograms of paints and result, I had twenty good and healthful for him, he begins to be canvases. I was particularly interested in Maasais, idents came to greet us and started dancing large canvases that I brought to Yerevan, but I improved at once. From Japan, we have a lot to about one million semi-nomadic people living in around in our honor. Imagine that a man is have not had an exhibition yet. take: first of all, love and sensitivity toward Tanzania and Kenya, near Kilimanjaro, in the alone, surrounded by African natives, hears their You came back from Indonesia recently. nature. Once we were returning from national park. We did not want to stay in the cap- voices and feels that he is on another planet This country seems to keep you inspired con- with the Japanese guests. I got out of the car ital of Tanzania, Dar al-Salam, where more than where there is nothing artificial, chemical, and tinuously. Indonesia, Japan, Nepal, the Maasai and took a round stone lying on the road and four million people live. It is impossible to deal therefore, there is no garbage. People take every- people ... what’s next? brought it home, and the Japanese woman told with painting there; you could endanger your thing from nature. I do not know. Maybe Mexico? I feel good in me: “You took that stone in vain, cutting it off life. We spent three months in a village on What interesting special story do you new places. I get energy from communication from its family.” Zanzibar, a tourist island, where I worked very remember from Africa? with new people. I love to communicate with Was Japan was your creative boom? efficiently. On Zanzibar, we got acquainted with One night the cottage where I stayed froze. ethnic cultures, seeing more emotional art in Actually, Indonesia. I stayed there for more two Maasais and traveled with them to the con- Yes, sometimes in Africa you can be frozen. I them. There is nothing like this in Europe. In than a year, as, unlike Japan, life is not expen- tinent, cutting across about 1500-2000 kilome- said that it was cold, and they brought a bull St. Petersburg, painters “smash” their head in sive there. I have worked actively there and ters. When we entered the national park, the inside to warm the cottage. And the cottage their studio. What new things can they invent? later visited the country again. Indeed, national connection with the world was cut off; cell really warmed up from the animal’s face. I Whereas in Bali, if you do not have any ideas, traditions are still very bright in Indonesia. phones stopped working. Finally, you under- stayed a week among the Maasais and was you can just go out to the street and nature, the Although the Muslims try to make the whole stand that you are in another dimension. We dressed like them, I had my mammy Yoyo, who environment, will give you ideas at once. Even country Muslim, Bali’s people in particular still went about 40 to 50 minutes in the darkness. cared for me. We witnessed the celebration of in highly developed Japan it is easier to do so, strive to preserve their identity and culture at There would not be a way back if your compan- the full-moon festival of Maasais, which takes though the Japanese people put their ideas all costs. The Shinto religion of Japan has ions suddenly leave you. It was kind of playing on place twice a year and is the ritual of man more in line with their diligence. From my turned into a kind of museum religion (as tech- the boundary of life and death, but faith leads becoming a hunter. I had not brought paints example, I can say that travels improve people a nocratic reality cannot affect the viewpoint of you to wherever you are. And so we reached the with me, only taking photos and videos lot, expanding their outlook, and are especially people), though Bali’s local beliefs and culture village of Lesoito. Although it was night, the res- because, as in my first time in Japan, I did not important for artists. 14 S ATURDAY, A PRIL 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING

Rediscovering History of Armenian Revolutionaries

REVOLUTIONARIES, from page 12 Why was a Turkish intellectual suddenly inter- ested in Armenian (revolutionary) history? The other side of the question (that I ask in my book Recipe Open Wounds) is: why was Armenian history reduced to silence for so long? “The Genocide of the Armenians destroyed this memory, the his- toric experience of Hunchags and Tashnags from Guest Recipe today’s political experience,” Akin told me. Corner My own interest in Armenian revolutionaries, and especially the history of the Hunchagian Party, was revived as I was reading the magnum opus of Hana Batatu, The Old Social Classes and by Christine Vartanian Datian the Revolutionary Movements of Iraq – still the major work on the history of that country. There, he mentions that probably the first person who introduced socialist ideas to Iraqi youth was Arsen Kidour, a young Armenian teacher sent to Artichoke with Basil Aioli , and member of the Hunchagian Party. Batatu, who conducted long interviews with Contributed by David Vartanian of the Vintage Press Restaurant, Kidour in Beirut in the 1960s writes that the named one of America’s Best Chefs* Hunchags were also “the forerunner of the Communist party of Syria and Lebanon.” They INGREDIENTS were also the forerunners of Marxist and 4 large artichokes, trimmed Communist parties in Turkey, Bulgaria and Iran. 3 cups breadcrumbs Today, the Armenian revolutionary movement, 1/2 cup grated parmesan and the rich political debates of the 19th centu- cheese ry, is largely forgotten. They have no place in the 1/2 cup melted butter two major discourses that developed in the 20th 1/2 cup chopped parsley century: nationalism and Islamism. The few 4 cloves garlic, chopped Armenian revolutionaries that are remembered 1/2 teaspoon salt today are largely placed within the nationalist dis- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper course — either as the saviours of the Armenian nation, or even further like in the case of Missak PREPARATION Manouchian – who led a group of migrant Boil the artichokes in salted water for 20 minutes or until tender. Communists of Eastern European, Jewish, Drain and let cool. Remove the choke. Combine the remaining ingre- Spanish and Armenian backgrounds in resisting dients in a bowl and mix well. Divide the breadcrumb mixture into the Nazi occupation of France, as a hero of fourths. Press the breadcrumb between the leaves of the artichokes French resistance. No one remembers Armenian with your fingers. and Georgian activists who took part in the Place the artichokes in a preheated, 350 degree oven for 8-10 min- Iranian Constitutional Revolution of 1905-1911 utes or until very hot. Garnish with Fresh Basil Aioli. and how for a short while the entire (revolution- ary) police force of Tehran was under an FRESH BASIL AIOLI Armenian led by Yeprem Khan. No one 1 cup mayonnaise remembers the Baku Commune - that short-lived 6 - 8 basil leaves internationalist government in the industrial city Juice of one large lemon led by the Bolshevik Stepan Shahumian. 1 clove garlic, chopped Armenian Revolutionary history is forgotten and Salt and pepper to taste Shahumian has no place, neither in Armenian, nor in Azerbaijani national narrative. Combine all ingredients in blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Yet, the documentary of Kadir Akin tells us Serves 4. that the Armenian revolutionaries are also part of Ottoman and Turkish history. And by doing so, he subverts the hegemonic paradigms of nation- alism and Islamism, the modern history of the *Best Chefs America features premier chefs like David Vartanian who have been nominated and recommended Middle East, and the way it continues to be told by their peers in the culinary field. Go to: https://www.bestchefsamerica.com/ in books until now. It has the potential to radi- cally revise the way the modern history of the **The Wine Spectator writes The Vintage Press has "one of the best wine lists in the world" while Fodor's raves Middle East has been told and written, making we're "the best restaurant in the Central Valley" and the L.A. Times applauds us as "a bastion of culinary merit." history writing a critical exercise opposing power, hegemonic narratives, fighting against censor- ship and denialism. The experience of the Armenian political move- ments, their debates and the political actions they adopted remains relevant to the current sit- uation in the Middle East: the Hunchagian Party organized the first political demonstration in Istanbul in 1894 demanding for political reforms, 116 years before the Arab Spring; Tashnagtsutyun organized probably the first major terrorist operation in 1896 – occupying Ottoman Bank to demand the stop of the anti- Armenian massacres; and Armenian parties orga- nized a major guerrilla movement in the 1890’s, some 70 years before the emergence of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). Revisiting those struggles are full of lessons that has been ignored for so long. More important than the methods of political struggle was its substance: the relationship between the individual that they wanted to become a “citizen” with political rights, and the state, the Ottoman state. Yet, the Armenian revo- lutionaries, the “sons”, cannot be understood without the constitutional movement, the “fathers”: the movement of reforms in the Ottoman reforms of the 19th century, the Tanzimat, in which Ottoman Armenians played central role. Yet, that is another forgotten story that needs other occasions to talk about.

(Vicken Cheterian is a journalist and political analyst. He teaches international relations at Webster University, Geneva, and lectures in the Global Studies Institute at the University of Geneva.) S ATURDAY, A PRIL 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 ARTS & LIVING The Debate about Culture and the Culture of Debate

DEBATE, from page 12 there exists no museum law in the Republic of is still in the advisory stage. In the project, lections, not to mention copyrights to pictures the associated tasks will not receive adequate Armenia. And the museums, with few excep- museums are to be allowed to run cafés to earn and similar intellectual property. consideration, but the fact that the Agency for tions, are state run and therefore are regulated income to finance the renovation of the exhibi- Legal rights concerning gifts are not regulat- the Protection of Historical Monuments, which by orders from above. Even during the time of tion rooms. Apparently it is believed that restau- ed either, and this is an invitation to criminal has been successfully managed by the Culture the previous government, for an exhibition rants in museums might expect adequate acts. In Armenia only automobiles and real Ministry since the 1970s, is now to be placed abroad the director of Armenia’s National turnover. In fact, those few museums in estate have to be notarized as gifts. Anything under the City Development Agency is cause Library had to take the first edition of the Armenia that offer visitors postcards and other else can, metaphorically speaking, be listed on for justified concern. A conflict of interest is Urbatagirq, the first book printed in Armenian memorabilia, like the Aslamazyan Sisters a paper napkin and checked off. Whether or not effectively guaranteed in this arrangement, and such a gift — regardless of value — is received monuments, for example, the last remaining after the death of the giver can no longer be nineteenth-century city villas in Yerevan, might determined. In the concrete case of the Kalentz fall victim to the powerful construction indus- Museum, four months after the death of my try. father, who left no testament, several pages of a Another idea that is being hotly debated is document appeared with a list of gifts, and was the proposal to take paintings and other cul- used in the court proceedings to argue against tural artefacts out of museums and into schools the notary’s drawing up an inventory of the where they can be exhibited. “Your Art” is sup- works held in the house-museum. This bundle posed to be the name of the program, which is of pages was neither notarized nor supplied to implement what the current prime minister with the name of a witness; it did not even have announced during his meeting in the a handwritten line from the “gift giver,” who a Philharmonic Hall with people from Yerevan’s full year prior to his death was supposedly giv- cultural scene in May 2018. ing literally all his art works to his older broth- Pashinyan expressed his gratitude to the er who resided abroad. And the several pages intellectuals for having mobilized the popula- were presented in photocopied form. Perhaps it tion to take to the streets, and then promised to reads like a soap opera, but it was only after bring the population to the same level as the police investigated this case of document intellectuals. In point of fact, the idea for “Your forgery that months later the original docu- Art” is said to originate from Pashinyan. But ment was made available. The experts however the intellectuals responded only with concern, were not allowed to take enough samples, to and even the offer to make more vehicles avail- examine the ageing of the paper and ink, and to able to transport the paintings and to entrust establish the date of the “donation,” since the the most valuable items to the security services suspect, as owner of the document, did not give did little to reassure them. his permission for them to extract samples from Armenia, though the smallest of the 15 Prime Minister Pashinyan in Berlin (2nd from left). the A4 format pages. Allegedly this was done to republics of the USSR, possessed the third avoid endangering the cultural-historical value largest collection of art treasures in the picture of the “document.” The graphological examina- galleries and even today there are astounding (in 1512), and which exists in very few copies, Museum in or the Paradjanov Museum tion of the “checkmarks” or “tics” as a sup- collections found in provincial cities like Dilijan and wrap it up in a piece of cloth and tuck it in Yerevan mentioned above, do manage to gen- posed signature was determined unattainable or . into his inside jacket pocket to transport it. erate some income. It is clearly not enough to on grounds of simplicity. In the end, after six “Stupidity” – that is the name for this popu- There were written instructions from President finance renovation work and the sales are the months and the removal of three leading com- larizing campaign suggested by Zaven Sargsyan, but no funds for transportation or director’s own responsibility. The legal situation missars the case was considered closed, without Sargisyan, director of the Paradjanov Museum, insurance had been authorized. In the exhibi- is not settled and individual initiative entails sig- any conclusion. What legal recourse remains is one of the most successful museums in tion titled “The Art of Calligraphy and the nificant risks. the possibility to take the State Attorney to Yerevan, which not only earns its own money, Charm of Pictures,” which was presented in The absence of legally clear regulations does court and to go through three instances to but also supports a lively international program Halle an der Saale on the 500th anniversary of not make life any easier for the limited number demand he fulfill his duty to investigate the sus- with exhibits recently in Berlin and Istanbul. book printing, this priceless item was exhibited of private museums either. And the elimination picion of a serious crime of document forgery. “Absurd! We have museums precisely for this like a relic, under protective glass in accordance of the Culture Ministry will mean yet more Even the special hearing that was supposed reason: so that people go to the paintings and with museum practice, only to be tucked again chaos. It is not only the fact that a legal dispute to declare the “gift” as null and void, remained look at them, and not the other way around! into the inside pocket of the director (who did may lead to long drawn-out court proceedings, without result, since Armenian law does not Meaningless and unprofessional,” complained his best not to perspire) for the journey home. but also that there is nothing concrete regulat- provide for any strict form for a gift. The an angry Hayk Hovhannisyan on his site in the It is well known that hope is the last to die. ing cultural assets on the law books. Take, for grounds for such a declaration would have been social networks. In Germany, he is the director The website of the Moscow-based Armenian example, the Tamanyan Museum, which was found in numerous formal errors, like the neb- founded in 2001 and represented successful ulous formulation “whole archive,” or the lack cooperation between the state and private indi- of signatures on each page of the list, or the viduals. The state provided rooms and work- lack of the actual transfer and acceptance of the places and the architect’s heirs made the gift objects; and, the authenticity of the signa- exhibits of the museum available in the form of ture was not a subject of the hearing. It is that drawings, photographs and models. Last year, simple. One can however appeal the decision. however, the family took back the exhibits and Armenia is a state of law. the museum was closed, or rather, forcibly Pashinyan himself even added during his fused with the National Museum Institute of meeting in the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Architecture. Berlin that the new government “would not like The fate of the Kalentz Museum in Yerevan is to interfere in the work of the courts.” The even more dramatic. It opened in 2010 as a courts, however, seem to expect instructions to purely private house-museum and was initially come “from above.” And if we do not interfere, dedicated to the work and life of my grandfa- that does not mean that others will not do so.” ther, the painter Harutyun Kalentz. The bitter Apparently we are not dealing here only with inheritance battle following the death of the the measurable degree of independence of juris- museum founder, my father Saro Galentz, in diction, but with the belief that the juridical sys- October 2017 laid bare the fundamental weak- tem is a service, one that settles problems and nesses of the legal system in Armenia. It starts if necessary even legalizes matters of fact. And with the fact that one cannot register artworks that is what’s called the culture of debate, some- or manuscripts or other intellectual wealth as thing that varies greatly from one nation to the property. The museum, which had four jobs next. Ambassador Smbatyan, Foreign Minister Mnatsakanyan and Prime Minister Pashinyan (left to right), paid by the Culture Ministry for six years, was With the anniversary of the Velvet during the meeting in the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. Sketch by the author. never registered anywhere, and there was never Revolution on the horizon, one might place the a list of the museum’s exhibits. The notary who main emphasis on an increase in prosperity and handled the inheritance initially refused to draw economic activity and consider cultural aspects of a highly respected restoration studio and has Museum of Moscow and National Culture up a list of the artworks actually on hand, on as peripheral phenomena. But how is one sup- actively supported Armenian institutions for reported on February 25 on two museums in grounds that there existed no precedent in posed to attract investors to the country in years. Anthropologist Gayane Shagoyan also Yerevan that have been begging to be renovat- Armenia. And when she was then ready to con- droves and reach Swiss living standards in hopes that Pashinyan, who has often proven ed for almost 40 years. It is not a question of duct this pioneering task, evenings, after office record time if bonds, shares and other capital willing to change his mind, will do so again, and cosmetic appearance but of mold that has hours, she was simply not permitted to enter assets do not enjoy the same value status as an cancel the “museum delivery service” program. attacked the foundation masonry, the wooden the house. It took three instances in court automobile? How can one guarantee legal secu- The Culture Ministry is to be subordinate to floor and a number of exhibits. before the Supreme Court ruled, in January of rity if fundamental mechanisms of treating the Education Ministry and “Your Art,” regard- The reference is to a house in Yerevan’s city this year, that the notary would be allowed to property are apparently stuck in the Soviet era, less of the form it is to take, is clearly a project center, with two important institutions, one on conduct her task unhindered. By way of com- when real estate enjoyed the highest protection for education. It will not guarantee the contin- top of the other. One is the atelier of Ara parison: elsewhere the police would simply status? uing expansion of museum collections, it will Sargsyan, a sculptor originally from Istanbul decide on the basis of an application by the per- not serve the aims of research into art objects who studied in Vienna and was close to the son entitled to the inheritance and would (This commentary first appeared in the cur- and it will expose museum pieces to ever Nemesis Group; and the second is the museum secure the entrance to the house with a seal. rent issue of the Armenische-Deutsche- greater dangers, since for example any abrupt of the painter and graphic artist Hakob In this case, however, the decision on the part Korrespondenz, ADK, 2019/1, Nr. 182, pp. 52- change in temperature and humidity, usually Kodjoyan, who studied in Munich and was of the Supreme Court did not lead to any final 54. The ADK is the quarterly publication of accompanying transportation, is simply catas- among the founders of the national painting settlement, since the authorities register only the Deutsch-Armenische Gesellschaft. The arti- trophic for paintings. style. The report is alarming, but it does contain real estate and automobiles as property that cle was translated from the original German What is still more disturbing is the fact that some hope in that it mentions a law project that may change hands, but not libraries or art col- by Muriel Mirak-Weissbach.) 16 S ATURDAY, A PRIL 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING CC AA LL EE NN DD AA RR

MASSACHUSETTSARIZONA Performance. He also performed for the Pope, sang tion free from Watertown to State House. Deadline April duets with Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman, and Rod 8 to register. [email protected] APRIL 15 — Genocide Awareness Program featuring pre- Stewart. Americans first became familiar with Safina APRIL 20– Annual Procession and Raising of the senters Prof. Taner Akçam and Prof. Barlow Der when he performed Elton John’s “Your Song” with actor Armenian Flag at Lowell City Hall in commemora- Mugrdechian. Dr. Akçam will discuss the Armenian Ewan McGregor for the Oscar-nominated soundtrack of tion of the 104th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide including his evidence of Turkish denials which he “Moulin Rouge.” Safina will be accompanied by Victor Genocide. Procession to be led by the Lowell Armenian- covers in his latest book, Killing Orders. Der Mugrdechian’s Espinola and the Forbidden Saints. The tour will feature American Veterans Honor Guard. Participants should topic will be Genocide in the 21st Century: Turkey and Armenian Duduk Soloist and Classical Clarinetist Mher meet at the corner of Merrimack and John Sts. in Lowell Armenia. Monday, 1 p.m. Scottsdale Community College, Mnatsakanyan and Bassist Hova Burian. The performance at 9:30 a.m. Sponsored by the Armenian National 9000 E. Chaparral Road, Scottsdale. Admission is free and will be held at Fillmore Miami Beach in Miami (Times Committee, Merrimack Valley (ANCMV) with the partici- open to the public. Dr. Akçam will sign copies of Killing 8:00-9:30pm) pation of all area Armenian Churches and Organizations. Orders following the program. Speakers are sponsored by APRIL 24 — Armenian Heritage Park Armenian St. Apkar Armenian Apostolic Church. MASSACHUSETTS Genocide Commemoration, 7 to 9 p.m. Bus transporta- tion available. Reserve by April 22. MASSACHUSETTSCALIFORNIA MARCH 31-APRIL 14 — Needlelace Workshops at the [email protected] Armenian Museum. Join us for this unique opportu- APRIL 24 — Save the Date! “In the Shadow of APRIL 7 — Heghnar Watenpaugh, “The Missing Pages: nity to continue the tradition of Armenian needlelace! Branches: Diana Apcar/Berjouhi Kailian. The The Modern Life of a Medieval Manuscript from Taught by Textile Curator Susan Lind-Sinanian, these Armenian Museum. In recognition of Armenian Genocide to Justice,” Sunday, 4 p.m., at the Ararat- three sessions are a unique opportunity to learn intricate Genocide Remembrance Day. 6–8.30 pm. The Armenian Eskijian Museum. Co-sponsored by the Ararat-Eskijian regionaltechniques that were passed down through gen- Museum presents a new exhibition in the Adele & Haig Museum and the National Association for Armenian erations from mother to daughter. All materials are sup- Der Manuelian galleries that explores the intertwined Studies and Research (NAASR). plied so just show up ready to learn techniques practiced lives of diplomat Diana Agabeg Apcar (1859–1937) and APRIL 22 — 7:30 p.m.: Hans-Lukas Kieser, “Talat Pasha: by Armenian women for centuries. Examples from the artist Berjouhi Kailian (1914–2014). The Armenian Father of Modern Turkey, Author of Genocide,” at Museum’s textile collection will provide inspiration as you Museum wishes to engage in meaningful dialogue the Ararat-Eskijian Museum, 15105 Mission Hills Road, find your voice by sewing edgings on linens. Have around this solemn subject that permeates Armenian Mission Hills, CA. Co-sponsored by the Ararat-Eskijian Armenian needlelace at home? Bring them in to share experience around the world. Candlelight viewing of the Museum, Nor Serount Cultural Association, your family story! Sundays, 3–5 p.m. Adele & Haig Der galleries followed by a discussion of the traumatic effects Educational and Cultural Society, and the National Manuelian galleries, 3rd floor. Cost: $90, Members dis- of the Genocide to remember the victims, survivors, and Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR). count: $60. 65 Main St, Watertown.. individuals who chose to intervene. APRIL 27 — The Tekeyan Cultural Association of the APRIL 7 — “Vaping 101: A Seminar for Parents,” spon- APRIL 25 — Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Greater United States and Canada Presents the 2019 North sored by the Parent Partnership of Holy Trinity Boston Presents The Dr. Michael and Joyce Kolligian American tour of the VEM Ensemble of the UCLA Herb Armenian Church of Greater Boston, 12:30 pm-2 pm, Distinguished Speaker Series: Anthony Ray Hinton, Albert School of Music, Danielle Segen, mezzo-soprano, Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall, 145 Brattle Author of The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Ji Eun Hwang, violin 1, Aiko Richter, violin 2, Morgan Street, Cambridge. All are invited to an educational ses- Freedom on Death Row, “Surviving Criminal Justice in O’Shaughnessey, viola, Jason Pegis, cello. 7:30 p.m. sion designed to help parents and caregivers learn more America.” Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall, 145 Tekeyan Cultural Association Los Angeles Chapter about the effects of the dangerous epidemic of teen vap- Brattle Street, Cambridge MA 02138. Reception and Cosponsored with Abril Bookstore, 415 E. Broadway, ing. Presenters are Carlene Newell, Health book signing to follow talk. Open and free to the public. Glendale. For tickets, call Abril 818 243-4112. Educator/Tobacco Specialist, Karen Koretsky, Community For further information, contact the Holy Trinity Church Introductory remarks by Artistic Director Professor Coalition Director, Arlington Youth Health and Safety office, 617.354.0632, email [email protected], or log Movses Pogossian. Performing a world premiere of Coalition, and Cindy Sheridan Curran, Arlington High onto www.htaac.org/calendar/event/622/. Tekeyan songs by the Los Angeles-based composer School Truancy Officer. Admission free; light refresh- APRIL 27 – SAVE THE DATE! Hai Guin Scholarship Artashes Kartalyan, commissioned by the Tekeyan ments served. RSVP by April 5 to Director of Youth Association 2019 Spring Benefit Luncheon. Belmont Cultural Association, and masterworks by Komitas, Ministries at [email protected]. For information, log onto Country Club. Saturday, 11:30 a.m. Sip, Shop and Khachaturian, Mirzoyan, Hovhannes, and Schubert. For http://www.htaac.org/calendar/event/667/ Support! Featuring Fashions and Pop-Up Shop by St. more information, email [email protected]. APRIL 7 — Annual Reconfiguration of the Abstract John. Please contact Christine Berberian 978-500-1116 or APRIL 28 — Christina Maranci, “The Art of Armenia: An Sculpture Armenian Heritage Park on The Greenway, SOLD OUT Andrea Garabedian 978-618-3030 to reserve your tickets introduction,” at the Ararat-Eskijian Museum. Co-sponsored Boston. Sunday at 7:00 am. Coffee & Conversation from ($65 each). by the Ararat-Eskijian Museum and the National Association for 8:00am -9:00am. A crane lifts and pulls apart the two APRIL 30 — Panel, “Bucking the Trend? Why Is Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR). 4 p.m. halves of Abstract Sculpture, made of steel and alu- Armenia Moving Towards Democracy When MAY 4 and MAY 5 — 2nd Feminist Armenian Studies minum, to create a new sculptural shape. The annual Authoritarianism is on the March Worldwide?” (provi- Workshop: Gendering Resistance and Revolution, at reconfiguration is supported by the Park’s Charles and sional title), , 7:30 p.m.: featuring Anna Ohanyan the University of California, Irvine. Co-sponsored by the Doreen Bilezikian Endowed Fund. Rain date: April 14. (Stonehill College), Dmitri Sotiropoulos (Visiting Scholar, National Association for Armenian Studies and Research RSVP appreciated – [email protected] Center for European Studies, Harvard), and Valerie (NAASR)/Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Lecture Series APRIL 8 — “What Every Person Should Know About Sperling (Clark University), moderated by Lisa on Contemporary Armenian Topics. Buying and Selling Real Estate from your First Home Gulesserian. At Harvard University. Co-sponsored by the MAY 5 — Mathew Karanian, “The Armenian Highland: to Investment Properties,” Trinity Men’s Union Dinner NAASR/Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Lecture Series Western Armenia and the First Armenian Republic of and Meeting, Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Greater on Contemporary Armenian Issues, AGBU YP Boston, 1918,” 4 p.m.at the Ararat-Eskijian Museum, 15105 Boston, Monday, 6 p.m., Social Hour, 7 p.m. Dinner, and the Harvard Armenian Students Association. Mission Hills Road, Mission Hills, CA. Co-sponsored by Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall, 145 Brattle St., MAY 2 — First Thursdays: Jazz at the Armenian the Ararat-Eskijian Museum, Kharpert Cultural Cambridge MA. Guest Speakers: Lauren Carroll, real Museum, Thursday, 8–10 p.m. Armenian Museum of Association, and the National Association for Armenian estate agent; Alex Steinberg, home inspector; David America, Watertown. Featuring the John Baboian Studies and Research (NAASR). Lazowski, mortgage broker; and Kristina Yee Vitullo, real Quartet. More details coming soon! MAY 19 — The Tekeyan Cultural Association of the estate attorney. Everyone Welcome. Donation for Lenten MAY 3 — 117th Diocesan Assembly Gala Banquet. United States and Canada Presents the 2019 North dinner of baked shrimp scampi is $15 per person. RSVP Diocese of the Armenian Church of America American tour of the VEM Ensemble of the UCLA requested by April 5 to [email protected], or David (Eastern). V. Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, Primate, Presiding. Herb Albert School of Music, Danielle Segen, mezzo- Dorian, 617.501.4300. For further information, log onto Honoring Diocesan Award Recipients: Armenians of the soprano, Ji Eun Hwang, violin 1, Aiko Richter, violin 2, www.htaac.org/calendar/event/669/. Year - Edward (of blessed memory) and Nancy Morgan O’Shaughnessey, viola, Jason Pegis, cello. 7:30 April 11 — Jonathan Conlin, “Mr. Five Percent: The Guleserian, and children Kristine and Michael; Friend of p.m. Tekeyan Cultural Association Los Angeles Chapter Many Lives of Calouste Gulbenkian, the World’s the Armenians Dr. Helen Evans. 7pm Cocktail Hour, 8pm Cosponsored with Abril Bookstore, 415 E. Broadway, Richest Man,” at the AGBU Center, 247 Mt. Auburn St., Dinner and Program. Boston Marriott Burlington. Hosted Glendale. Introductory remarks by Artistic Director Watertown. Presented by the National Association for by St. James Armenian Church in Watertown. $125 per Professor Movses Pogossian. Performing a world pre- Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR). 7:30 p.m. person. Advance Reservations Required by April 25th. miere of Tekeyan songs by the Los Angeles-based com- Details to follow. Purchase tickets online at www.stjameswatertown.orgor poser Artashes Kartalyan, commissioned by the Tekeyan APRIL 12 – Presentation on “Connecting with your by calling the church office at 617.923.8860. assem- Cultural Association, and masterworks by Komitas, Family Through Mindfulness” by Dr. Christopher [email protected]. Khachaturian, Mirzoyan, Hovhannes, and Schubert. Willard, a nationally known clinical psychologist. Sts. MAY 3 – 117th Diocesan Assembly Gala Banquet – V. Tekeyan Cultural Association, Pasadena-Glendale Vartanantz Armenian Church, 180 Old Westford Rd., Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, Primate, presiding. Boston Chapter, TCA Beshgeturian Center, 1901 North Allen Chelmsford, MA. 6:30 p.m. Dr. Willard will discuss how Marriott Burlington. Hosted by St. James Armenian Ave., Altadena. For more information, email tcadirec- to detect the early symptoms of youthful distress, and Church in Watertown. Save the Date – Details to Follow. [email protected]. offer a variety of mindfulness strategies and approaches MAY 4 — Celebrate Public Art two-part program dur- to help families effectively cope with everyday childhood ing ARTWEEK BOSTON. Armenian Heritage Park on MASSACHUSETTSFLORIDA anxieties. A complimentary light dinner will precede Dr. The Greenway, Boston. 1 p.m. World Labyrinth Day: Walk Willard’s presentation. Contact Sandra Adourian for as One. Join people in cities and towns in 35 countries APRIL 11 — One of the opera world’s hottest stars, reservations, (617) 926-7344 or email sandra.adouri- world-wide walking in peace and harmony including Alessandro Safina, will bring in his pop-opera [email protected]. Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Belgium, , Canada, rhythms to USA during his upcoming concert tour in APRIL 12 — Massachusetts State House annual Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, April. Safina appeared with Elton John, Cher and Jennifer Armenian Genocide Commemoration, 10 a.m. to Hungary, Ireland, , Lithuania, Mexico, Netherlands, Lopez for Queen Elizabeth’s 73rd Royal Variety 12.30 p.m. Reception to follow. Boston. Bus transporta- New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, S ATURDAY, A PRIL 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 17 ARTS & LIVING

Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and meditative walking at 4:45pm. RSVP appreciated rhythms to the US. Safina will be accompanied by Victor Uruguay and USA followed by reception to view the [email protected] Espinola and the Forbidden Saints. The tour will feature 2019 configuration of the abstract sculpture , hosted by JUNE 13 — SAVE THE DATE. Film Screening: Armenian Duduk Soloist Mher Mnatsakanyan and Bassist Eastern Lamejun Bakers and MEM Tea Imports. RSVP “Motherland” At the Armenian Museum in Hova Burian will take part. Official FaceBook Page: https:// appreciated [email protected]. Watertown. Cosponsored by the Armenian www.facebook.com/AlessandroSafinaUSA/ May 5 – Andre! You saw him last year perform on International Women’s Association (AIWA). Thursday. APRIL 10 — Wednesday, 7 p.m., Jonathan Conlin, “Mr. stage with Sirusho in Boston, and now he’s back by More details coming soon! Five Percent: The Many Lives of Calouste popular demand! One of Armenia’s most popular stars, JUNE 27 — Under a Strawberry Moon. Armenian Gulbenkian, the World’s Richest Man,” at Columbia Andre will appear in a concert with Sayat Nova Dance Heritage Park on The Greenway, Boston. Thursday at University. Co-sponsored by the Columbia Armenian Company of Boston. Don’t miss out on this energetic 8:30 p.m. Meet & Greet. Moonlit Labyrinth Walk. Center and the National Association for Armenian evening of song and dance. Reserve your seats now! Luscious Chocolate Dipped Strawberries, hosted by vicki Studies and Research (NAASR). Shaw Auditorium, Watertown High School, 50 Columbia lee’s and refreshing Ice Teas, hosted by MEM Tea APRIL 18 — Sato Moughalian, “Feast of Ashes: The Life St., Watertown. Doors open at 4:30, concert begins at 5 Imports and the fabulous Berklee Jazz Trio. RSVP appre- and Art of David Ohannessian,” at Columbia p.m. Donation: $45, $60 and $80. For tickets call Vrej - ciated [email protected] University. Co-sponsored by the Columbia Armenian 339-222-3429, Meghri - 617-932-9237 or email JUNE 28 – July 10 – St. James Armenian Church 7th Center, Research Institute on Turkey, and the National [email protected] ! Tickets are also available Pilgrimage to Armenia. Led by Fr. Arakel Aljalian. Join Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR). online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/andre-in- us and Discover the Land of our Ancestors. All are wel- 7 p.m. boston-with-sayat-nova-dance-company-tickets- come. Registration deposits due March 1; Full Payment APRIL 28- Sunday at 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Armenian 59460537067. due April 1. For full details visit www.stjameswater- Genocide Commemoration at Times Square, NYC MAY 6 — St. James Men’s Club Dinner Meeting - social town.org/ armenia. Sponsored by : Knight & Daughters of Vartan, AGBU, hour and mezza at 6:15 PM and dinner at 7:00 PM, St JULY 17 — Tea and Tranquility. Armenian Heritage ADL-Ramgavars. Armenian Assembly of America, ANCA James Armenian Church Charles Mosesian Cultural and Park on The Greenway, Boston. Wednesday from and Armenian National Council Youth Center - Keljik Hall, 465 Mt. Auburn Street, 4:30-6 p.m. Meet & Greet. Walk the Labyrinth. Enjoy Watertown, MA. The speaker will be Dick Flavin, poet refreshing ice teas, hosted by MEM Tea Imports and OHIO laureate of the Boston Red Sox. He is the senior ambas- dessert. Introduction to walking the labyrinth, mindful sador of the Boston Red Sox and voice of Fenway Park, and meditative walking at 4:45pm. RSVP appreciated APRIL 28 — Book presentation by Adrienne G. serving as public address announcer for Red Sox day [email protected] Alexanian, editor of her father’s memoir, Forced into games. His television commentaries won seven New AUGUST 14 — Tea and Tranquility. Armenian Heritage Genocide: Memoirs of an Armenian Soldier in the England Emmy Awards. He is a nationally known speak- Park on The Greenway, Boston. Wednesday from Ottoman Turkish Army, Sunday 2 p.m. Maltz Museum of er and is a member of the Massachusetts Broadcasters 4:30-6 p.m. Meet & Greet. Walk the Labyrinth. Enjoy Jewish Heritage. In co-sponsorship with St. Gregory of Hall of Fame. Mezza and a Losh Kebab & Kheyma refreshing Ice Teas, hosted by MEM Tea Imports and Narek Church and Armenian Cultural Group, 2929 Dinner $17/person. Ladies invited. For additional infor- dessert. Introduction to walking the labyrinth, mindful Richmond Road Beachwood, Ohio 74122 mation call the St James Church office at 617-923-8860 and meditative walking at 4:45pm. RSVP appreciated RSVP [email protected] or (216) 593-0575. Book sale/sign- or call Hapet Berberian at 781-367-6598. [email protected] ing during reception following the presentation – pro- MAY 6 — Irina Ghaplanyan, “Post-Soviet Armenia: The AUGUST 22 — Under the August Moon. Armenian ceeds will be donated New National Elite and the New National Narrative,” Heritage Park on The Greenway, Boston. Thursday at the AGBU Center, 247 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, 7:30 from 7:30– 9 p.m. Delightful evening for supporters, PENNSYLVANIA p.m. Sponsored by the NAASR/Calouste Gulbenkian partners & friends featuring fabulous signature dishes, Foundation Lecture Series on Contemporary Armenian hosted by anoush’ella and the Berklee Jazz Trio. RSVP MAY 4 — Save The Meher Statue Dance/Fundraiser - Issues. Further details to follow. appreciated [email protected] Saturday, 8 p.m. Sponsored by the Philadelphia MAY 9 — The Armenian Museum of America and the SEPTEMBER 18 – SAVE THE DATE! InterContinental Chapter of the Knights & Daughters of Vartan. Santerian National Association for Armenian Studies and Hotel, Boston. Extraordinary Benefit for Armenian Hall - 101 Ashmead Rd, Cheltenhem. Live entertainment Research (NAASR) present an illustrated talk by author Heritage Park’s Endowed Fund for Care. with Anto Vartanian and the Artsakh Band, Full Mezza, Matthew Karanian, The Armenian Highland: Western SEPTEMBER 22 — Sunday Afternoon for Families and Dessert Table, Cash Bar; For tickets, visit phillykov.com or Armenia and the First Republic of 1918. On Thursday, Friends. Armenian Heritage Park on The Greenway, call 610-389-4633 May 9, 2019, 7:30 pm at the Armenian Museum of Boston. 2:00pm-4:00pm. Wonderful afternoon with The America, 65 Main St., Watertown. Copies of The Hye Guys Ensemble featuring Ron Sahatjian and Joe RHODE ISLAND Armenian Highland will be available for purchase. Kouyoumjian. Hoodsies, Face Painting and more RSVP Reception following program. appreciated [email protected] APRIL 7 — Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church, Providence, MAY 10 — Lenny Clarke & Friends. Fundraiser to ben- OCTOBER 19 — The Vosbikians are coming to the the Cultural Committee of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob efit the Armenian Apostolic Church at Hye Pointe Merrimack Valley. The Armenian Friends of America Church will present the first in a series of talks, “Meet with Building Fund. 8 p.m. The Armenian Apostolic Church at proudly present their Annual HYE KEF 5 Dance, featuring Armenian Doctors,” on Sunday, April 7, at 12:30 p.m., in Hye Pointe, 1280 Boston Road, Bradford. The Vosbikians. The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Hanoian Hall of the church complex. ( 70 Jefferson St., Mezze/Appetizers are Included & Cash Bar. Call Dro Andover, MA. Tickets Purchased before 9/13/19 will Providence).Pulmonologist Dr. Raffi Calikyan will speak and Kanayan at 978 828 5755 or Stephanie Naroian at 978 include the Great Venue, Outstanding Buffet, The take questions. Admission is free and open to the public. 835 1636 for tickets or tables and packages are avail- Vosbikian Band and 5 Free Raffle Tickets Adults $75.00 APRIL 28 — Armenian Martyrs’ Memorial Committee able. Tickets will only be sold in advance, not at the door. & Students 21 & under $65 Specially priced AFA Rooms of Rhode Island will commemorating the 104th MAY 15 — The Tekeyan Cultural Association and the available through 9/17/19. For Tickets and more infor- Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide on Sunday, Armenian General Benevolent Union will present a lit- mation, Contact: Lu Sirmaian 978-683-9121 or Sharke’ starting at 12:45 p.m. at the Martyrs Monument in erary evening with writer Aris Janigian, author of Waiting Der Apkarian at 978-808-0598 Visit www.Armenia- North Burial Ground, Branch Avenue, Providence. The for Lipchitz at Chateau Marmont, Bloodvine and FriendsofAmerica.org three Armenian Churches and clergy along with their Riverbig, among others, with discussant author, poet NOVEMBER 1,2 — NAASR Grand Opening and Gala. deacons and choir will participate in the memorial ser- and editor Susan Barba. 7.30 p.m., AGBU Building, 247 Friday, Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting, NAASR vices. Local federal and state officials are invited to speak Mount Auburn Building. Free, reception to follow. Books Vartan Gregorian Building, at NAASR’s new world head- or attend as well as the local Armenian organizations. will be on sale. quarters, 395 Concord Avenue, Belmont, MA. Saturday, Keynote speaker Stephen Kurkjian who spent nearly 40 MAY 19 — SAVE THE DATE! Concert at the Armenian NAASR 65th Anniversary Gala, at the Royal Sonesta years as an editor and reporter for The Boston Globe. For Museum. Concert to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Hotel, Cambridge. 6 pm Reception, 7 pm Dinner and further information, email [email protected] the birth of Komitas Vardapet and poet Hovhaness Program. Honoree Dr. Vartan Gregorian, president of the Tumanyan. Sunday, 2-4 p.m. Carnegie Corporation of New York; Master of MASSACHUSETTSTEXAS MAY 19 — “International Food Festival – A Taste of the Ceremonies David Ignatius, columnist for the World,” presented by the Women of Holy Trinity, Washington Post and novelist; Featuring renowned APRIL 26 — The Cultural Committee of the Sts. Sahag & Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Greater Boston, 12:30- soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian, accompanied by the Mesrob Armenian Church Armenian Martyrs’ 2:30 p.m., Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall, 145 Borromeo String Quartet, performing a program of Memorial Committee of Rhode Island Presents a Memorial Brattle Street, Cambridge. Join us to sample authentic songs by Komitas. Further details to follow. Concert dedicated to victors and Saints of the Armenian cuisine from 9 countries: Armenia, Iran/Persia, Lebanon, NOVEMBER 16 — St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary Genocide,7 p.m., 150th Anniversary of Gomidas Vardabed, Greece, France, Russia, Brazil, China and Italy. Donation: School 35th Anniversary Celebration. 6:30 PM 150th Anniversary of Hovhannes Toumanyan. Performed by $15 adults; $10 children 12 and under. Tickets on sale at Cocktail Reception, 7:30 PM Dinner and Program. The the Armenian Chorale of Rhode Island, Junior Choir, Soloists the door. For further information, contact the Holy Trinity Westin Waltham - Boston, MA $150 per person. Under the Direction of Maestro Konstantin Petrossian. Church Office, 617.354.0632. Program: Patriotic Songs, Songs by Gomidas, and from JUNE 1 — Armenian Food Festival, Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to NEW JERSEY Anoush Opera, Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Armenian Church 6:30 p.m., Armenian Church at Hye Pointe, 1280 Boston Road, Sanctuary, 70 Jefferson St., Providence. Donations gratefully Haverhill. Chicken, Losh Kebab, Kheyma, and Dolma Dinners. MAY 18 — St. Nersess Armenian Seminary invites you accepted. Refreshments. Armenian Cuisine featuring Spinach Pie, Lahmajoon, Cheese to Hope & Gratitude, a celebration honoring Beoreg, and more. Pastries Paklava, Kadayif, Cheoreg and Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and Bishop-elect Very Rev. morePlus Activities for the Children, White Elephant Table, Gift Daniel Findikyan. 6:30 p.m. Old Tappan Manor, Old Basket Raffles. Tappan, NJ. For more info on reservations and booklet Calendar items are free. Entries should not be JUNE 6 — First Thursdays: Jazz at the Armenian sponsorships, please go to www.stnersess.edu. Museum, Thursday, 8–10 p.m. Armenian Museum of OCTOBER 25 — Honoring Dr. Taner Akçam. Abajian longer than 5 lines. Listings should include Hall St. Leon Armenian Complex, Fair Lawn. America, Watertown. Featuring The Black Sea Salsa contact information. Items will be edited to fit Band. More details coming soon! Sponsored by Knights and Daughters of Vartan, Under JUNE 12 — Tea and Tranquility. Armenian Heritage the Auspices of Primate Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan. the space, if need be. A photo may be sent Park on The Greenway, Boston. Wednesday from 4:30 with the listing no later than Mondays at noon. p.m. -6 p.m. Meet & Greet. Walk the Labyrinth. Enjoy NEW YORK refreshing Ice Teas, hosted by MEM Tea Imports and dessert. Introduction to walking the labyrinth, mindful APRIL 9 — Alessandro Safina, will bring in his pop-opera 18 S ATURDAY, A PRIL 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

COMMENTARY Mirror What Is Next after the Vienna Summit?

Currently, very few facts are available for the public to Spectator objectively assess what transpired at the summit. What By Edmond Y. Azadian remains to be analyzed are the events which led to that sum- mit. Once the Vienna meeting was announced, Azerbaijan News is scant, but commentaries are in abundance after the resorted to staging massive wargames to flex its muscles. summit between Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Armenians responded in kind; for the first time, leaders from EstablishedEstablished 1932 1932 Azeri President Ilham Aliyev in Vienna on March 30. No break- Armenia held a meeting in Karabakh with the National throughs were expected and none were reported. Security Councils of both republics. That sent a message of An ADLAn Publication ADL Publication The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe unity, if there had been any doubts about it. Then, represen- (OSCE) Minsk Group’s announcement inviting the parties to the tatives of both legislative and executive bodies from the two Vienna summit sounded somewhat like an ultimatum directed at republics sent strong messages to Azerbaijan. Indeed, My the negotiating parties; yet the co-chairs of the group — the US, Step faction deputy Sasun Mikayelyan announced, “If EDITOR Russia and France — had toned down their rhetoric and had attacked, we will march right to Baku.” Alin K. Gregorian returned to their role of facilitators before the meeting hap- Armenian Defense Minister David Tonoyan’s statements simi- pened. larly brought about a reversal in tone. Speaking to an Armenian- ASSISTANT EDITOR American community gathering in New York, where he was par- Aram Arkun The format of the Vienna meeting included the participation of the co-chairs as well as the foreign ministers of Armenia and ticipating in a United Nations-affiliated forum, he said, “As a min- ART DIRECTOR Azerbaijan. However, in the second part of the meeting, the two ister of defense, I stated that we have reformulated the ‘territo- Marc Mgrditchian leaders were left alone for more than two hours for private talks. ries for peace’ approach to the ‘new war-new territories’ Following the summit, the leaders kept their discussions close to approach. … We will get rid of the defensive stance and will their vests, revealing almost nothing to the public. Therefore, increase the number of military units capable of transferring mil- everything has been left up to speculation. itary operations in the territory of the adversary.” The prospect from Moscow seems gloomier. Commenting on This statement received an angry response from the Azeri SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: the nature of the conflict, Deputy Director of the Center for defense establishment, which demanded clarification from Edmond Y. Azadian Political and Strategic Analysis Alexander Khramchikhin stated, Armenia’s defense minister. The new-found robust rhetoric in Armenia is ascribed to the CONTRIBUTORS: “If the parties are at odds, how can they compromise, which is Florence Avakian, Dr. Haroutiun essential for settling the problem? I can see here only one out- strategic transformation of its armed forces, as formulated by Arzoumanian, Philippe Raffi Kalfayan, come; one of the parties may surrender quietly. But how can one Stepan Safarian, director of the Armenian Institute of Philip Ketchian, Kevork Keushkerian, surrender without a war?” International Relations and Security, in his statement, “The , Hagop Vartivarian, Armenian parties drew conclusions Naomi Zeytoonian from the April 2016 and Azerbaijan today is deprived of the element of CORRESPONDENTS: surprise. At the same time, the post- Armenia - Hagop Avedikian April enhancement of border equip- Boston - Nancy Kalajian ment has significantly limited the Los Angeles - Taleen Babayan Berlin - Muriel Mirak-Weissbach possibility of Azerbaijani sabotage and attacks.” Contributing Photographers: In short, he concluded, Armenia Jirair Hovsepian has rendered any kind of Azeri aggression unwinnable. The Vienna meeting is assessed as The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published showing positive movement by all weekly, except two weeks in July and the first parties concerned. Pashinyan made week of the year, by: a public comment at a gathering of Baikar Association, Inc. Vienna Armenians, expressing some cautious optimism. 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 Telephone: 617-924-4420 President Aliyev has refrained from making any comments and has FAX: 617-924-2887 asked journalists to refer to the www.mirrorspectator.com OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs’ state- E-Mail: [email protected] ment. That statement, by and large, For advertising: [email protected] is in line with Pashinyan’s positive assessment. In his comments, Armenia’s prime Through many years of negotiations, Azerbaijan’s position has minister referred to the general expectations of the public, been unyielding and bellicose. To quell the unrest of the dis- which tries to find winners and losers in the meeting. Pashinyan placed Azeris as a result of war, Azerbaijani leaders needed that reassured all that such an approach is not applicable in this case, SUBSCRIPTION RATES : toughness, mostly for their domestic audience. In recent and went on to describe the parties as having exchanged ideas months, some things may have changed. That dialogue has and expressing their own views about solving the outstanding become more serious and Aliyev has been willing to yield at least problems. U.S.A. $80 a year on minor issues. It took Pashinyan a few minutes of “elevator It seems that the Dushanbe agreements have been reevaluat- Canada $125 a year talk,” as it is known informally, in Dushanbe, Tajikstan in ed and further humanitarian actions have been considered. September 2018 to reduce the tensions on the border. Although Aliyev stated that is too early to think about those Other Countries $190 a year Until recently, all the meetings between the leaders and their steps, such as allowing border residents to carry out their agri- foreign ministers were characterized as “talks,” yet the Vienna cultural activities unhampered or exchanging visits of POW fam- meeting seems to have advanced those contacts to a higher ilies, he also made an oblique remark that he had come out from © 2014 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator level, characterized as “negotiations.” the meeting with a minor victory. He gave credit to the co-chairs Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA Aliyev’s calm and affable behavior during meetings always who refused to entertain Pashinyan’s proposal to involve and additional mailing offices. contrasted with his hostile public statements, leaving the Minsk Karabakh (Artsakh) in the negotiations. co-chairs and his interlocutors at a loss. Although Azerbaijan However, the co-chairs’ comments were directed at both par- ISSN 0004-234X was the losing party on the battlefield, its leader, Aliyev, tried to ties. When they asked the Armenian side not to introduced any dictate the agenda of the negotiations. It was not palatable for new elements in the negotiations, meaning a new negotiator, at POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The the Armenian side to hear about his intentions, yet his strategy the same time, they cautioned Aliyev to tone down his martial Armenian Mirror-Spectator, 755 Mount Auburn made sense in the given situation of both parties; Aliyev did not rhetoric. And Aliyev kept his side of the bargain. St., Watertown, MA 02472 mince words when he said that Armenia suffered from a weak For Pashinyan, Karabakh’s participation was not a pre-condi- Other than the editorial, views and opinions economy and its citizens were emigrating in droves. Therefore, tion. He kept his flexibility not to jeopardize the negotiations. expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily he said, he watched Armenia’s steady depopulation and in the Incidentally, his proposal was not a “new element” per se; it was reflect the policies of the publisher. end Azerbaijan could take over its entire territory without a seri- just a return to the original format of negotiations. Indeed, ous fight. We need to admit, however painful it might be, that Karabakh was a signatory of the ceasefire of May 1994. Any Aliyev’s strategy had been justified. final settlement still has to be ratified by the Karabakh legisla- Today, however, a new scenario has emerged with the success ture. of the Velvet Revolution. Armenia is facing new prospects of At this time, the foreign ministers of the two countries are Copying for other than personal use or developments and the trend of emigration has halted, if not tasked with continuing the negotiations and preparing the next internal reference is prohibited without reversed. Additionally, the Armenian side has realized that the express permission of the copyright summit. owner. Address requests for reprints or Turks and Azeris respect power and pleading for peace is inter- In the sense that the parties have agreed to continue the back issues to: preted as weakness. Therefore, this new thinking is reflected in negotiations, it is an achievement in itself and the co-chairs can Armenia’s new policy and rhetoric. Also, Pashinyan’s over- bank on that. Baikar Association, Inc. whelming popular mandate is in contrast to Aliyev’s authoritar- However, how fast the negotiations will proceed and in which ian rule, open for everyone to see. At this point, the Armenian direction, those are questions that can only be answered in time. 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472- side believes that Yerevan is setting the agenda. 1509 S ATURDAY, A PRIL 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 19 COMMENTARY

Pashinyan then went on to defend Armenia’s independent European Union nor reasserting Armenia’s sovereignty in his political line regardless of the pressures exerted on Yerevan discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. by major powers. “When we say that our country’s sovereign- If the United States wants to win over Armenia, it has to ty is of paramount importance to us we don’t mean that we offer a carrot rather than a stick. As the saying goes, you can need to replace dependence on point A [Russia] by depen- catch more flies with honey than vinegar. My Turn dence on point B [the United States]. We take our sovereign- The second most astounding development last week was the ty very seriously and I want to assure you … that our gov- declaration of Armenia’s Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan during By Harut Sassounian ernment is strongly committed to protecting our country’s his visit to the United States. “As the minister of defense, I state and people’s sovereignty in all directions.” we have reformulated the ‘territories in exchange for peace’ Armenia’s Leaders Take Strong President Trump’s administration has so far paid only lip approach to ‘new war in exchange for new territories’ service to the dramatic and peaceful changes in Armenia. approach,” Tonoyan announced on March 29 in New York at a Positions Against US & Azerbaijan President Trump sent a congratulatory message to Pashinyan meeting with members of the Armenian community. “We will last September praising the “Velvet Revolution” and express- get rid of the trenches and persistent defensive stance. We will The most noteworthy Armenian foreign policy development ing readiness to help the new government implement sweep- increase the number of military units capable of transferring mil- of the week was supposed to be the first negotiating session ing reforms. Likewise, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo salut- itary operations to the territory of the adversary,” Tonoyan stat- between Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and ed the “remarkable changes” in Armenia. However, these ed. “We will not give up anything.” Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev over the Artsakh conflict. beautiful words have remained on paper. No concrete steps While some may interpret the Armenian Defense Minister’s But since there was no breakthrough in these negotiations, were taken to assist Armenia. That is partly due to the fact words as war-mongering, in reality, Tonoyan is responding in we shall focus our attention on important related issues. that the Trump administration can care less about democrat- kind to the thousands of threats issued over the years by On March 28, 2019, while addressing the Armenian ic developments in foreign countries and also due to President Aliyev to conquer Meghri and even Yerevan, Parliament, Prime Minister Pashinyan criticized the United President Trump being self-absorbed with his own ego and Armenia’s capital. It is time that Armenia’s leaders speak from States government’s lack of reaction to last year’s democrat- personal interests. a position of strength, not weakness. ic changes in Armenia, dubbed as the “Velvet Revolution.” Prime Minister Pashinyan’s declaration is a very positive Clearly, Aliyev is not ready for war. Otherwise, he would This is the first time in a year that Pashinyan has used such development for Armenia’s foreign policy and a sharp depar- have already attacked. His threats should not be taken seri- strong language in referring to the United States. “The U.S. ture from the previous Armenian leaders’ position. So far, ously. It is proper to silence him through counter-threats, and has long been acting as the most ardent defender of democ- most of the pressure on Armenia has come from Russia. This if needs be, preemptive attacks. racy in the entire world,” Pashinyan stated. “I want to ask all is an inevitable fact given Armenia’s economic, political and Armenia’s Defense Minister is sending a clear message to of us a question: how did the U.S. react to the unprecedent- military reliance on Russia. The new development is that Azerbaijan’s President not to embark on a foolish adventure. ed democratic change in Armenia? It was a profoundly and Armenia’s leaders are no longer willing to blindly succumb to Otherwise, his pipelines and oil wells will come under attack, quintessentially democratic change and nobody can doubt Russia’s desires and orders trampling upon their country’s devastating the country’s economy and toppling his regime. this. I, for example, have told America’s representatives that I sovereignty. When Armenia’s interests are in question, It is significant that such a hard-hitting message is being sent believe that they basically came up with zero reaction. Why?” Pashinyan has neither shied away from criticizing the to Azerbaijan while Armenia’s Defense Minister is on U.S. soil.

capturing vegetation moisture and fog water. They taught how the trees From Africa to Armenia, help protect people from harmful UV rays, and acted as a filter to LETTERS remove toxins like carbon monoxide. They helped the community reac- tivate their spiritual and emotional connection to the land. 1915 – Where Was God? Women Speak out on The GBM members also engaged in democratic reforms and politi- cal actions like registering voters and pressing for human rights such To The Editor: Environment, Rights as freedom of speech. Failure to answer this question created The women who protested Moi’s takeover of land in public parks and a crisis of faith in the hearts of many forests were ridiculed and told they did not know what they were doing. genocide survivors, leading to the irrele- By Anoush Ter Taulian The police said the women needed a permits for their conservation vance of church and faith in subsequent work and arrested many Kenyan women for planting trees. generations. Gone is the fear of God, true I attended the World Conference on Women organized by the United In 1989 when Dr. Maathai protested Kenya’s President Daniel Moi’s repentance, worship — a daily walk with Nations in 1985 in Nairobi, Kenya. I brought up the issues of the 1915 proposal to erect a 62-story skyscraper in the middle of Nairobi’s park the Lord. The lifeline to the church is now Armenian Genocide in workshops on human rights, and women and she was beaten and jailed. Moi’s government continually harassed he manmade — bazaars, dinners, dances and armed conflict. When I passed out flyers on the Armenian Genocide, and threatened to mutilate her if “she did not behave like a woman bingo. Turkish women told the police I was spreading lies and the police con- should.” Moi’s parliament recommended the GBM be banned as sub- Armenians who believe that God for- fiscated my flyers. versive and discredited them. Dr. Wangari’s reply was “We are dealing sook their people, was powerless to inter- I decided to hold a press conference about how there should be free- with rights of the people issues that require anatomy above the neck.” vene, distant – even non-existent – sadly dom of speech for all women at the conference. The delegation from Standing up to tyranny she continued risking her life to protect the reveal that they cannot recognize God Papua New Guinea reserved a room for me. The Turks found out and environment and speaking out for democracy and was arrested many because they neither know Him nor His the press conference was cancelled. I protested to a newspaper editor times. In January 1992 she received information she was on a list tar- call to us. Not all who decide to follow who was sympathetic because he had worked for a helpful Armenian. geted for assassination and was arrested for spreading malicious Christ will die for their faith but all share Later he came to the village where I was staying and took photos. rumors and treason. Senators Edward Kennedy and Al Gore helped the same call as the beloved martyrs, to The village women who faced a lot of oppression said the men had pressure Moi to drop the charges. live for their faith, to “pick up their cross taken over their basket selling. I said I would teach the women and girls In February 1992 when she was supporting a group of women on to follow” Him. Death to self, death to the painting and when the men stole their paintings we made more. hunger strike to get their sons released from jail, the police knocked ways and ambitions of this temporal I had made a stop rape painting in Swahili with a woman kicking a her unconscious and detained her. The group persevered, got sanctu- world, death to prideful and sinful ways man who was attacking her with a knife. I had taken it to the Kenyan ary at a church for a year, and with worldwide support their sons were are not fleeting spiritual thoughts but the women’s association who liked it and said they would use it in their anti released. In 1999 protesting the privatization and destruction of the heart of the gospel. rape education. However a sexist policeman said my painting was anti- Karura forest Dr. Maathai was injured and later arrested drawing more “Who is God” is the question that can government and so for the only time in my life I ended up in jail for a attention to the corruption. answer “where was God.” Jesus Christ, night. Triumphantly her protests helped governmental change and her our Savior, preached repentance — turn- I found out the police had also arrested Kenyan women in the Green Green Belt Movement has now planted 53 million trees ,spread to ing away from our old life — to follow Him Belt Movement for planting trees because Kenyan President Moi didn’t dozens of countries and influenced many reforestation projects like the with abandon. His path to glory came want a group of women to unite against his corrupt illegal logging and Armenian Tree Project. through unjust suffering — following Him land grabbing When Carolyn Mugar visited Armenia in 1992 with her late husband sets us on that same path. Dr. Wangari Maathai, an environmental activist who had a vision of John T O’Conner, an environmentalist, people were trying to survive a Jesus didn’t die to give us a better life women’s empowerment through tree planting and founded the Green bitter winter due to an energy crisis and a blockade by Turkey and or even a long life, He died to reconcile us Belt Movement was also at the conference. Azerbaijan by cutting down trees. The sides of mountains were eroding to the Father, giving us eternal life. Our I would like to share her inspirational story — from rural social and streams were drying up. Viewing the bleak deforestation in 1994 eternal life came at great cost to our activist to Noble Peace Prize winner. they founded the Armenia Tree Project to stop desertification, soil ero- Savior and may well cost us dearly as He Dr. Maathai a Kikuyu, was born in a mud caked house in rural Kenya sion and to provide firewood, lumber and jobs. said, “A servant is not greater than his in 1940. She was awarded a scholarship in the J. F. Kennedy Airlift The ATP, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, has planted over Master. If they persecuted Me, they will Program that allowed hundreds of East Africans to study in the US. She 6 million trees and over 7 million pounds of fruit have been gathered. persecute you also.” Christian martyrs went to university in the US during the Civil Rights movement and The ATP Sponsor A Tree program provides Armenians around the don’t die for a legacy of bingo and became the first female in East Africa to receive a doctorate. world to have a root connection with their homeland. bazaars, they proclaim to an unbelieving When she returned to her village the women complained that they The ATP also empowers women. Most of the tree growers are women. world that Jesus Christ is worth living for had to walk long distances to get water and wood and their children Like the GBM a women’s backyard nursery program provides a source and dying for. were hungry. of income to impoverished village women. The Lord said, “If I be lifted up from the Dr. Maathai remembered in her youth the flowing stream she used Last year Mrs. Mugar went to Kenya to see how the Green Belt earth, I will draw all men unto me.” The to play in. She realized the connection between water and trees and Movement ecotourism worked. The Yerevan ATP now shows the com- sad testimony of empty pews is not only saw how when the fig trees were cut down the stream dried up. She pelling film “Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai” as part of that people are absent. had the idea of planting trees and in 1977 founded the Green Belt its environmental education program. It is right to honor our precious forefa- Movement {GBM} an environmental NGO focused on planting trees and Before her untimely passing in 2011, Dr. Maathai served in the thers on April 24. It is noble to seek jus- women’s rights. Kenyan parliament, and received over 50 awards including the Noble tice but even therein, consider the judg- She held educational seminars, Unlocking Women’s Potential In Peace Prize and 15 honorary degrees like a Law Degree from Yale. She ment, the wrath of God, in store for those Trans-formative Leadership, for women to identify their problems and has written many books including Unbowed: A Memoir. who kill believers, the Body of Christ in solutions to raise their self-esteem and empower them. Dr. Maathai wrote “So that humanity stops threatening its life-sup- this world. Above all this, pray for a She had women gather seeds and start seedlings which were dis- port system, we are called to assist the Earth to heal her wounds and hunger to open the Bible, to finally deter- tributed to local women with an incentive program for each seedling in the process heal our own.” mine where God was by finding the truth that survived. They replanted local species to rehabilitate degraded of who God is. watersheds and provided homes for birds and other animals. Anoush Ter Taulian Lisa Stepanian They did community education on how trees maintain hydrology by New York , New York 20 S ATURDAY, A PRIL 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR

First Lady Nouneh Sarkissian Visits Children’s Center on World Autism Day

YEREVAN (Armenpress) — On the occasion unable to walk for quite a long time. “I recov- of the World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, ered after treatment and started to walk, and spouse of Armenian President, Nouneh every day thanked my two legs, and only at that Sarkissian, visited Lousé Rehabilitation Center moment I understood how difficult it is not to located in the Yerevan My Love Foundation. walk. Imagine the situation of these disabled She toured the center, talked to the children people who are unable to do something. The and their parents. work of parent and the person who takes care The first lady told reporters that the Lousé of them is very difficult. They must try to reveal Center helps not only the children with disabil- the talent of that child, because every person ities, but also those who take care of them. “We has a talent, and this is the reason that we have need to change our mentality. I remember that organized lectures for the parents of the chil-

First Lady Nouneh Sarkissian kneeling, at the Lousé Rehabilitaion Center

during my childhood years when we saw dis- dren,” Sarkissian said. abled people, we were shocked and looked at She added, “I value the fact that now people them because they were different, and parents in Armenia are aware of these issues, and it is sometimes were concealing them from public, necessary to solve these problems step by step but now this has changed. We understand that with joint efforts, and I hope that we all togeth- these people as well are part of our society,” er will reach a point that will allow us to say she said. that our country is convenient for the people She also told a story of when she herself was with disabilities,” she said. Speaker of Parliament Meets With Argentina Ambassador

YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Speaker of commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. Parliament held a meeting on He also spoke about the Artsakh impasse and April 2 with Ambassador of Argentina to Armenia’s desire to solve the issue peacefully. Armenia Gonzalo Urriolabeitia, the parlia- Urriolabeitia noted that Argentina supports ment’s press service said. the policy of solving conflicts peacefully. He Mirzoyan said that Armenia is interested in attached great importance to parliamentary further deepening relations with Latin diplomacy, partnership between the parlia- American countries, including with Argentina. ments and the need to supplement the existing According to Mirzoyan, despite the geo- friendship ties with new agenda. graphic distance, good prerequisites for devel- The sides attached importance to coopera- oping bilateral ties already exist. In this context, tion in international parliamentary arenas, as Mirzoyan attached importance to strengthen- well as the expediency of partnership also in ing inter-parliamentary ties, and the role of the the economic sector, in addition to existing parliamentary friendship groups, mutual visits political and cultural ties. and international diplomacy. Both sides stressed the role of the Argentine- Mirzoyan welcomed the Argentine Armenian community in strengthening rela- Parliament’s decision to declare April 24 a Day tions between Armenia and Argentina, as well of Tolerance and Respects between Nations in as the role in the domestic life of Argentina.

First Senate Committee Unanimously Passes California/Armenia International Trade Office Bill

TRADE, from page 1 posal. There is tremendous excitement in Yerevan, SB 302 will establish a regional trade office to Glendale and Sacramento about the burgeoning promote economic relations in a developing area beneficial relationship on the horizon and feel we of the world that show emerging market poten- are capturing that excitement. Our hope it will lead tial. The regional trade office would be located in to mutual benefit,” concluded Armen Baibourtian, Armenia and would serve the developing Consul-General Armenia. economies of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. Former California state Sen. Jack Scott original- Armenia has worked hard to develop diplomatic ly created the California/Armenia International and economic ties worldwide. Today, 120 coun- Trade Office through legislation. Former Governor tries have recognized Armenia as an indepen- Arnold Schwarzenegger terminated it in 2007. SB dent state and over 70 countries have estab- 302 would require the Yerevan trade and invest- lished direct diplomatic relations. ment office to, among other things, promote the “One or my top priorities as Consul General is export of California goods and services into the to increase economic opportunities between Republic of Armenia and facilitate access to educa- Armenia and the California. I was very pleased to tional exchange programs between California and offer testimony in support of this important pro- the Republic of Armenia.