JULY 1, 2017 Mirror-SpeTHE ARMENIAN ctator Volume LXXXVII, NO. 50, Issue 4494 $ 2.00 NEWS The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 INBRIEF Annual Mirror- World Refugee Day Spectator Summer Vacation Chris Cornell’s Official mance in Brooklyn, NY shortly WATERTOWN — The Armenian Mirror-Spectator before his passing, he wanted will be closed for two weeks for its annual summer Music Video for The his video to be released on vacation. World Refugee Day, and he was This current issue is going to be the last before Promise Released on passionate about helping peo- the vacation. The first issue after the break will ple through this project. True be that of July 22. World Refugee Day to Chris’s charitable spirit, he made a commitment to donate LOS ANGELES — Multi-Grammy Award- all of his proceeds from The Germany Warns winning, Golden Globe nominee Chris Promise to support refugees Cornell’s official music video for his song and children, and to further the Erdogan Bodyguards The Promise was released on June 20 by conversation about the refugee Not to Attend G20 Survival Pictures. The Promise was crisis the world continues to Cornell’s last release prior to his passing. A shot from video endure.” BERLIN (BBC) — Germany says it does not The Promise The song was on the soundtrack of the The video was directed by expect Turkish security agents who were charged film of the same name, starring Christian Grammy Award winning direc- for violent scuffles in Washington last month to Bale and Oscar Isaac, which was released in provide hope for years to come.” tor Meiert Avis and Stefan Smith. The join President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a G20 sum- April. Esrailian added, “Although it is bitter- Promise is Cornell’s last music video mit next week. Per Cornell’s request, the video’s release sweet because Chris filmed his perfor- see CORNELL, page 20 A spokesman said leaders can bring their own date had special meaning. June 20 bodyguards to the summit in Hamburg, but the law marked World Refugee Day, an annual com- must be respected. memoration by the United Nations Refugee A list of Turkish officials expected to travel to the Agency to spotlight “the strength, courage event reportedly included several people involved and perseverance of millions of refugees.” in the brawl. Cornell pledged to donate all proceeds US prosecutors charged 12 agents with assault from the song and video to the humanitar- last week for the incident. ian aid charity International Rescue Police called it a “brutal attack” on protesters by Committee. Turkish security personnel, but Turkey blamed the “Chris Cornell was not only a dear fami- violence on pro-Kurdish demonstrators who were ly friend for many years, but he was also a outside the Turkish ambassador’s residence in once-in-a generation talent who is missed Washington. more than words can convey. It was such The case strained US-Turkey relations and could an honor to collaborate and partner on inflict more damage on already soured relations ‘The Promise’ over the years,” said Eric Edmond Azadian, senior columnist for the Armenian Mirror- between Ankara and Berlin, correspondents say. Esrailian, producer of the movie “The Spectator, pays tribute to the World Refugee Day, marked on Germany’s foreign ministry spokesman Martin Promise” and co-manager for Survival June 20, with his editorial, on page 18. Above, he can be seen in Schaefer said: “I have reason to expect that these Pictures. “His music and lyrics will not only Raqqa, Syria, about 15 years ago. He paid tribute to his mother’s people, who have been incriminated by the shine a light on the Armenian Genocide path during the Armenian Genocide by stopping at the sites she American criminal justice (system) will not step and the human rights crises of modern had almost a century before that. Also above Raqqa can be seen onto German soil in the foreseeable future, includ- times, but they will also inspire people and as it appears now, battered and bombed beyond recognition. ing during the G20 summit.” German media reported that a list of 50 people who were expected to accompany Erdogan includ- ed agents that had participated in the incident. Zangakner Gives Officials say they expect violent protests during Knights of Vartan Awards Scholarships at the summit, to be held on July 7 and 8. Annual Event for Armenian Students Voice to Boston- Foreign Minister CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — On Tuesday, June Area Children Attends Inauguration By Anelga Hajjar 13, the Knights of Vartan Ararat Lodge held its fifth annual event honoring Special to the Mirror-Spectator Of Serbian President Armenian high school graduates and col- By Mark Antranig Arkun lege students from the local community, at BELGRADE, Serbia (Panorama.am) — Foreign Special to the Mirror-Spectator Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Greater Boston. Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian on June Vartan Soukiassian, event chair, awarded College Scholarships in the amount 23 attended the inauguration ceremony of Serbian of $1,500 each to two students, Haig Aboyan, a rising senior studying biomedical LYNNFIELD, Mass. — At the Zangakner President-elect Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade. engineering at Boston University, and Hannah Harootian, a rising junior study- Performing Arts Ensemble, not everyone is Nalbandian conveyed congratulations from ing nursing at the University of Pennsylvania. fluent in Armenian. Some cannot read, Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan to Vucic. He see SCHOLARSHIPS, page 20 some cannot speak, and some do not know also noted the centuries-old friendship between the the language at all. Fortunately, Hasmik Armenian and Serb peoples Konjoyan, the director, provides lyrics transliterated into English as well as spo- ken translations for the ease of the mem- bers who have a better knowledge of INSIDE English than Armenian. When I joined two years ago, I did not know anyone and I could not read Armenian quickly enough to sing in this Aramean in language. However, Mrs. Konjoyan felt I was a good singer and did her best to make sure I always knew the lyrics. Germany We first met at the Erebuni School, held in a Protestant American church in Page 5 Belmont, and intended for children to learn Armenian on Saturdays. Due to my level of Armenian, I was placed in the first grade. All In photo: Front Row, from left, Eva Marie Medzorian, Shant Arakelian, Tina Kotikian, the children I learnt Armenian with were Katarina Nalbandian, Elizabeth Santourian, Natalie Ourfalian, Alexis Cormier, many years younger than me. I knew no one INDEX Anoush Gigarjian, Taline Guzelian, and Hannah Harootian (Scholarship Recipient) at first, but soon I got to know my class- Arts and Living ...... 14 Back row left to right: Vartan Soukiasian (Event Chair), Alec Maserejian, Joseph mates. Mrs. Konjoyan was the singing direc- Armenia ...... 2,3 Hajjar, Daron Hamparian, Vasken Kebabjian, Andre Kotian, Garen Soukiasian, tor for Erebuni and had each class for Community News...... 6 Nareg Kalaydjian, Haig Aboyan (Scholarship Recipient) and Peter Yapoudjian Editorial ...... 18 around thirty minutes. For a few class peri- (Commander) International ...... 4,5 ods, Mrs. Konjoyan acted as a substitute for my teacher and got to know me a bit better. see ZANGAKNER, page 16 2 S ATURDAY, J ULY 1 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia Syria’s Armenians Are Fleeing There Is No Water in To Their Ancestral Homeland Some Armenian Villages YEREVAN (The Economist) — When erland. (Some have since moved on to that they do not have to do military ser- YEREVAN (news.am) — The State Committee for war broke out in Syria in 2011, some of other countries.) The wealthy, who vice. Water Management of Armenia will hold talks with the wealthier families from the coun- found it easy to move, came first. Vasken Yacoubian, who once ran a foreign donors on water supply systems for small vil- try’s Christian Armenian minority Others tried to wait out the war in construction company in Damascus, lages, said the chairman of the Committee, Arsen decamped to Yerevan, the Armenian Syria, fleeing only once their means now heads the Armenian branch of the Harutyunyan, at the National Assmebly (NA) of capital, where they rented luxury flats were exhausted. They arrived in Armenian General Benevolent Union Armenia on Tuesday, June 27. on the city’s Northern Avenue. It felt, Armenia with nothing. (AGBU), a global charity. He says Since 2017, a single water supply operator, French some would later say, as though they Vartan Oskanian, a former foreign refugees are still arriving from Syria, if Veolia, has been rendering services to the entire were on holiday. The government allot- minister of Armenia who was born in no longer in large numbers. A few have republic. Nevertheless, 560 settlements (mainly vil- ted them space in a local school, where Aleppo, says many of the refugees have even gone back, especially those with lages) — where none of the previous water supply Syrian teachers who had fled operators operated — are still not included in the con- as refugees continued to cessionary agreement. instruct their children using According to the estimates of an international com- the Syrian curriculum. It took pany, nearly 270 million euros are required for con- some time for it to dawn on structing water supply networks and regulating them that they might never go reservoirs there. home. The first stage can cover relatively large villages Syria’s six-year-old civil war with populations of 2,500 and more. There are 67 of has forced more than 5m of its such villages but they cover more than half of the citizens to seek refuge outside population of the mentioned 560 villages. Water sup- their country. In 2015-16, hun- ply organization will cost overall 72 million euros , dreds of thousands trekked Harutyunyan added. through the Balkans, seeking The expenses for the infrastructure are similar, safety in Europe. But hardly therefore the more the subscribers, the lower the any of Syria’s Armenian minor- expenses per capita. ity took this route. Instead, many went to Armenia. With its own population shrunken Government to Allocate by emigration (falling from 3.6m in 1991 to 3m today), Housing Funds for Armenia was happy to wel- come as many Syrian Soldiers’ Families Armenians — most of them edu- A Syrian-Armenian couple from Aleppo that has relocated to Yerevan YEREVAN (Public Radio of Armenia) — The extra- cated, middle class and entre- budgetary funds collected from fines paid for traffic preneurial — as would come. rule violations will be redistributed with a view of Before the war some 90,000 ethnic started small businesses. In Syria, mem- property (if only to try to sell it). Some improving the housing conditions of the families of Armenians lived in Syria, two-thirds of bers of the Armenian minority tended to Syrian Armenians argue that they have soldiers fallen or handicapped in action. The decision them in Aleppo. Many were descended be skilled professionals or artisans; they a duty to return: their diaspora forms was made at the government sitting last week. from ancestors who had fled their were known as jewelers, doctors, engi- an important branch of Armenian civi- For that purpose, the government ruled to amend homeland in 1915, escaping systematic neers and industrialists. Native lization, and must be preserved. the decision of December 29, 2016 on determining Ottoman massacres and ethnic cleans- Armenians are delighted by the restau- Yet Oskanian says those who have the directions of the extra-budgetary funds of Road ing. For most of them, the civil war has rants opened by the newcomers, who returned to Syria see little future for Police Department. put an end to a century-long story. have brought their much spicier cuisine the community there. In Syria, Next year the funds will be allocated to solve the Hrair Aguilan, a 61-year-old business- to a country where food (and almost Armenians have staunchly backed the housing issues of families of soldiers with second- man, invested his life savings in a fur- everything else) has long been influ- regime of Bashar al-Assad, which has degree disability. niture factory in Aleppo just before the enced by the bland flavors of Russia. protected them from persecution by The executive also decided to provide 8,323,400 war, only to see it destroyed. Now he is Almost all of the refugees have Muslim extremists. But that govern- drams from the government’s reserve funds to orga- in Yerevan to stay. “It lasted a hundred ended up in Yerevan, apart from some ment controls only a portion of Syria’s nize Mher Petrosyan’s treatment in Germany. years. It is finished,” says Aguilan. 30 families from a farming area, who territory, and Assad’s fate in any peace Petrosyan received a gunshot wound while on mili- “There is no future for Christians in the were resettled in Nagorno-Karabakh, deal is uncertain. Meanwhile officials at tary duty. Middle East.” an Armenian-held territory that is dis- Armenia’s Ministry of the Diaspora, No more than 30,000 Syrian puted with Azerbaijan. Some young which was caught unprepared by the Armenians are believed to remain in men who had fought in the Syrian influx of Syrians, are taking no Syria. Many dispersed to Lebanon, army have volunteered to serve on the chances. They are making contingency Canada, Turkey, the Persian Gulf states front lines of that conflict, but many plans in case a new conflict erupts in Number of Indian and and elsewhere. The rest, up to 30,000, more young Syrian Armenians hold off Lebanon, sending thousands of UAE tourists visiting went to what they regard as the moth- on asking for Armenian citizenship so Lebanese Armenians their way. Armenia triples in Percentage Israeli Delegation Led by Minister of YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Under the 2016 state budget of Armenia 185,700,000 drams have been provided for assistance toward tourism development Regional Cooperation to Arrive in Armenia programs, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Investments Emil Tarasyan said at YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Former resulted in its implementation. “In Deputy Defense Minister, and now the joint session of parliamentary standing commit- member of Israel’s Parliament accordance with the agreement of Gagik Minasyan will replace him,” he tees on economic affairs and financial and budgetary Alexander Tsinker, founder of Israel- heads of interparliamentary friendship said. affairs, which took place this past week. Armenia parliamentary friendship groups we made a decision to create a A group of journalists from Israel “Both qualitative and quantitative growth have group, visited Armenia on June 27 in nonpolitical platform which will accom- also arrived in Armenia, touring been recorded in the field in 2016. Over the past five order to discuss the preparation works pany the activity of these groups and Armenia’s sites. “As on May 19 years, the increase of tourism visits comprised 9 per- of new Armenian-Israeli public forum. will prepare basis for the cooperation Yerevan-Tel Aviv flight launched, and cent. Last year, the increase of our incoming tourism Last year a platform was formed with of specialists and professional organi- unfortunately this was not circulated at visits was 5.7 percent,” the deputy minister said. participation of former chairman of the zations of the two states. It was neces- the information platform, thus we He added that these rates are maintained, however, parliamentary standing committee on sary to legitimize this platform, and decided to deal with this issue. I met and that the government has set a new bar it expects foreign affairs of Armenia Artak heads of the groups approved the cre- also with President of the State to reach. He noted that the govenrment wants to Zakaryan and Knesset Vice Speaker ation of the forum with a protocol at Tourism Committee Zarmine increase the number of tourists visiting Armenia to Tali Ploskov which must have served the joint session,” Hayk Kotanjyan Zeytuntsyan who wanted to again meet 3 million in the upcoming years. for implementation of joint programs, said. with us to discuss tourism-related “An increase in the number of tourists visiting business investments, technological Co-founder of the forum Alexander issues. It is possible one of the Israeli Armenia has been recorded from Russia, Georgia, development opportunities, as well as Tsinker said the first Armenian-Israeli companies may deal with tourism PR Iran, Ukraine, and the US. Those are the first five cultural dialogue in both countries friendship group has been formed by in Armenia,” he said. countries in absolute terms, however in terms of per- through the engagement of concerned him in 1999, and holding such public Tsinker said that the first session of centage the number of tourists visiting Armenia from persons. forum pursued another goal that the forum will be probably held on India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been Co-founder of the forum from the regardless of parliamentary elections, September 10-13, and for that purpose tripled. We need to carry out nearly 20 actions to Armenian side, Armenian military the changing staff of lawmakers, the Knesset Vice Speaker Tali Ploskov and reach the 3 million bar. It has been targeted that 1.5 diplomat, founder of the National forum will continue its activity instead group of MPs, as well as businessmen million out of 3 million must be Diaspora- Defense Research University (NDRU) of starting it every time from zero. will arrive in Armenia. The delegation Hayk Kotanjyan said two years before “The vivid example of this is that head of Israel’s Minister of Regional the discussions on holding the forum of the friendship group Artak Zakaryan Cooperation will arrive in Armenia in were being held which eventually has been transferred to a new post, as July. S A T U R D A Y , J U L Y 1 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 ARMENIA Tekeyan Montreal Manoukian Fund Aids Berdzor School in Kashatagh

BERDZOR, Artsakh (Aravot.am) — The first school in Kashatagh, which connects Artsakh with the Republic of Armenia, was established in September 1994 in the district center of Berdzor with 25 students and dedicated teachers. Today, with a 23-year-history behind it, 200 students learn there at the hands of its 30 teachers. In 2008, a relationship was established between the school and the Tekeyan Cultural Association (TCA) of the United States and Canada, and in 2009, the school was renamed in honor of the renowned poet and public figure, Vahan Tekeyan. In March 2017, the TCA chapter of Montreal contacted Gayane Muradyan, the official representative of the TCA of

Renovations being carried out in the classroom

The classroom prior to renovations

the US and Canada in Armenia, concerning renovations for Berdzor’s Vahan Tekeyan Middle School No. 1. After nego- tiations, the school’s administration agreed to begin reno- vations with the classroom dedicated to Armenian lan- guage and literature. It sent photographs of the classroom to donor Arto Manoukian and an estimate of the costs of the renovation. Work quickly began, and the entire staff of the school participated. Now the renovations have been completed, and at the entrance of the classroom a placard in Armenian has been placed stating “The Armenian Language and Literature Classroom has been renovated with the aid of the Saro-Armen Manoukian Fund of Montreal’s Tekeyan Cultural Association.” The renovation of this classroom has inspired hopes that it might be possible to completely renovate the school, since the pupils living on soil liberated at the cost of the blood of brave Armenian fighters and thus sanctified are The classroom after renovations worthy of learning in a well-maintained school.

Armenian Olympic Silver Medalist Nabs Title of Junior World Weightlifting Champ

TOKYO (Inside the Games) — Armenia’s Simon snatch with 187 kilograms, but he bombed out in Martirosyan won the men’s over 105 kilogramss- the clean and jerk and failed to post a total. natch and clean and jerk events on June 23 to Tokyo 2020 sports director Koji Murofushi said claim to overall title on the final day of the he is expecting many of the athletes to return to International Weightlifting Federation Junior Japan’s capital for the Olympic Games in three World Championships held here. years’ time The 20-year-old Rio 2016 silver medalist and In the women’s over-90-kilogram competition, reigning European champion lifted 191 kilogram- China’s Sun Yongjie triumphed in the snatch with sin the snatch and 235 kilograms in the clean and 130 kilograms and the clean and jerk with 151 jerk for an unrivalled total of 426 kilograms at the kilograms for a winning total of 281 kilograms. Ota City General Gymnasium. Thailand’s Duangaksorn Chaidee was her near- Georgia’s Giorgi Chkheidze finished second est challenger with 260 kilograms having come overall with 406 kilograms after coming third in third in the snatch with 110 kilograms and second both the snatch, with 184 kilograms, and the clean in the clean and jerk with 150 kilograms. and jerk, with 222 kilograms. The overall bronze medal went the way of Rounding out the podium was Serbia’s Tamas Ecuador’s Lisseth Betzaida Yovi Cabezas, who Kajdoci with 403 kilograms having finished fifth registered a total of 246 kilograms after finish- in the snatch with 180 kilograms and second in ing second in the snatch with 111 kilograms the clean and jerk with 223 kilograms. and third in the clean and jerk with 135 kilo- Simon Martirosyan Iran’s Ali Davoudi was the runner-up in the grams. years’ time. 4 S ATURDAY, J ULY 1 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR INTERNATIONAL International News George Donikian Slams TV News’ Policy

Turkey Wants to Build On Armenian Genocide Reference Wall along Armenia SYDNEY (The Australian) — One of the was about when I was there. SBS is sup- paign and references a request from founding anchors of SBS News, George posed to provide a special independent Ebeid to develop SBS’s response to alle- Border Donikian, has likened the broadcaster to perspective in a manner that I thought gations from those letters. a “state-run” entity that toes the govern- was a lot more in-sync with what indeed An internal SBS radio meeting agen- ANKARA (Armenpress) — Turkey has decided to ment line by persisting with an editorial the world has accepted, that is that the da from February 9, 2015, also discuss- build a wall along its border with Armenia and Iran policy that casts doubt on the Armenian Armenian genocide happened.” es the Armenian editorial policy. It con- after a similar wall is constructed on Turkish-Syrian genocide as historical fact. More than 20 countries including firms the policy was being developed border, Turkish media informs. SBS News and Current Affairs has a France and Russia and two Australian because “comments are coming The Turkish leadership has decided to build a wall specific policy on referring to the states — NSW and South Australia — through programs and form letters have on Turkish-Armenian border near Ardahan, Kars and Armenian Genocide, which prohibits its recognise the events of 1915-1923 in been sent to the MD (managing director Igdir, which will be equipped with modern border reporters from naming it as such. which the Ottoman government Michael Ebeid).” security systems. Instead, reporters are instructed by this systematically exterminated 1.5 million SBS has denied there is any link The wall on the Turkish-Iranian border will be policy to refer to the event not as a Armenian subjects as genocide. But between the ATAA email campaign and equipped with the same systems. genocide but as a “mass killing of both of Australia’s major political par- the formulation of its editorial policy The talks on building such wall started still from Armenians considered by many to have ties have so far stopped short of doing when referencing the Armenian geno- the beginning of the year. According to the Turkish been a genocide, which Turkey denies.” so at a federal level. cide, and said its guidance was devel- side, the walls are meant for preventing terrorism. The broadcaster has no such policies Malcolm Turnbull and former trea- oped in the lead-up to the 100th that cast doubt on other historical atroc- surer Joe Hockey, who is of Armenian anniversary of Gallipoli. Aznavour Receives Medal ities including the Nanking massacre, descent, have both previously called for “SBS developed editorial guidance Jewish Holocaust or the Rwandan geno- the Australian parliament to formally ahead of the 100th anniversary of In Marseilles cide. recognize the Armenian genocide. events in 2015 to prepare for increased The existence of the policy has Donikian was the anchor of coverage and engagement from different MARSEILLES, France (Armenpress) — Singer angered Armenian Australians includ- SBS World News in the 1980s before communities on the subject, in Charles Aznavour was hosted at the Armenian ing Donikian who said he was appalled moving on as a news reader on com- recognition of its significance for Consulate in Marseilles. Deputy mayor Valérie Boyer when SBS managing director Michael mercial TV with Nine and Ten. He Armenians and that it is a controversial awarded Aznavour with two City Medals. Other Ebeid revealed in Senate estimates in remains an SBS ambassador, support- issue in Australia and internationally,” deputy mayors of Marseilles Didier Parakian and May that the broadcaster had a specific ing its projects and mentoring young an SBS spokeswoman said. Richard Findikyan were present at the meeting. protocol for referencing the Armenian reporters. “SBS prepares editorial guidance on a Aznavour said that he will continue the concerts genocide. “For the Australian government in range of subjects to ensure it explores and plans to give a concert at Bercy in 2017, which In that hearing Ebeid said that as 2017 to not recognize the Armenian topics sensitively, taking into account is the largest concert hall in Paris. “long as the Australian government genocide is sheer expediency. They strongly held views by the range of does not call it a genocide I think it is don’t want to rock the boat for the communities it serves, in this case with Ambassador to Sweden very difficult for us to do that. We would Turks. SBS should understand the both its Armenian and Turkish audiences probably change our protocol if the upset this causes the Armenian commu- in mind and without influence from any Meets with Uppsala Gov. Australian government had a different nity and reassess its policy,” he said. particular group or community.” perspective on it.” The Australian can reveal the forma- Donikian’s criticisms of the SBS UPPSALA, Sweden (Armenpress) — Armenia’s Donikian — of Greek-Armenian tion of SBS’s policy occurred not long come after The Australian revealed in Ambassador to Sweden Artak Apitonyan visited the descent — said that editorial stance infu- after a group of Armenian genocide May that it had published an article by city of Uppsala on June 26 where he met with newly- riated him and warned it could erode deniers, the Australian Turkish the ATAA, which last year was expelled appointed Governor Göran Enander, press service of the broadcaster’s independence from Advocacy Alliance, ran a campaign urg- from an Australian Human Rights the Armenian Foreign Ministry reported. the government. ing its supporters to complain about Commission anti-racism campaign. At During the talk the sides exchanged views on “Bruce Gyngell, who was the found- “biased” coverage of the genocide. Form the time, SBS defended the article say- ArmenianSwedish relations agenda and intensifica- ing father of SBS in 1980, would be letters were sent to a number of media ing it did not breach its charter. tion of bilateral ties, discussed in detail cooperation turning in his grave,” Donikian told The recipients including Michael Ebeid in The article, titled “An Australian- directions and outlined the spheres of mutual inter- Australian. late 2014. Turk’s Take on the Anzac Spirit,” was est such as mining industry, nature protection, “I can’t believe SBS is basically acting Internal SBS correspondence dating written by a member of the ATAA. healthcare and energy. At the request of Governor as a state broadcaster here that is toeing to December 2014 obtained by The SBS has since removed the article Göran Enander, the Armenian Ambassador present- the government line. That’s not what SBS Australian quotes the ATAA email cam- from its website. ed Armenia’s stances on the recent regional develop- ments, as well as the Armenia-EU relations. The two officials touched upon the history of form- ing decentralized cooperation between Uppsala and Armenia’s Lori province, the process of implementa- tion of agreements reached during the visits of Lori Children Bear Brunt of Conflict: 5 Million Governor and Armenian Healthcare Minister to Uppsala. Agreement was reached to organize mutual In Iraq in Dire Need, Says UNICEF visits of working groups, as well as the visit of Governor Göran Enander to Armenia aimed at fur- ther boosting bilateral ties. ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Rudaw) — Fortunately, Mohammad was reunited in Iraq are out of school among nearly 3 Five million children are in dire need of with his mother three months later at a million children who are not able to humanitarian assistance in Iraq after camp for Internally Displaced Persons attend school on a regular basis. One in Putin Appoints Russian three years of ISIS and conflict within the (IDPs) with the help of a UNICEF part- four children are living in poor house- country. ner. holds with 500,000 children between the Military Rep. in Armenia As violence intensified in the country Of Iraq’s 3 million displaced, nearly ages of 5 and 14 forced into child labor to MOSCOW (news.am) — Russian President Vladimir after the rise of ISIS in 2014, children are half of them are children. support their families. Putin on Tuesday, June 27, issued an order appoint- the most vulnerable, trapped in an end- Over 4,600 children, some as young as “I would be happy in school. My friends ing Russian Deputy Defense Minister Nikolay Pankov less cycle of extreme violence and pover- 3, have been separated from their families are there. I want to go back and learn to the representative of the Russian president in con- ty, according to a United Nations in the chaos of civilians attempting to flee read and write,” said Fares, a 12-year-old sidering the issues of the united military group with Children’s Fund (UNICEF) assessment the violence in their cities and towns. boy living in Baghdad. “I wish I could go Armenia by State Duma and Federation Council. released on June 20 titled “Nowhere to Roughly 800,000 children have lost back to school but my family has no one The document is posted on the official portal of Go.” one or both parents, UNICEF reported. else to support them.” legal information, Lenta reports. As Iraqi, Peshmerga and coalition “When the fighters came to my village, Between January 2014 and May 2017, In November 2016, Putin approved the draft agree- forces have been fighting to defeat ISIS, they asked to speak to the police. They there have been 138 attacks on schools ment with Armenia on creating a united military frequently with the use of heavy weapon- said it was to give them their salary. I did- and 58 attacks on hospitals. 1,075 chil- group between the two countries in the Caucasian ry and bombing in densely populated n’t have any reason not to believe them, dren have been killed, 1,130 have been region of collective security. The structure should areas, especially in Mosul, Fallujah and so I took them to the police station,” said maimed or injured, 1,300 have been ensure adequate response to an armed attack, as well Ramadi, the battles have been fierce and 11-year-old Abdullah. “They beheaded my abducted and 231 children have been as other challenges and threats to the security of the bloody. father and killed others as well. When my recruited into fighting for ISIS. These parties. Children have suffered the most during mother and I fled, I was injured by a land numbers have been confirmed by The commander of the group is appointed by the the conflict, many being seriously injured, mine and lost parts of my fingers.” UNICEF, however actual figures are like- Supreme commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of maimed, and some killed. Children were Additionally, due to the ongoing con- ly to be much higher the agency noted. Russia. The directives of the operative management even direct targets of ISIS snipers seeking flicts, approximately half of the schools in Sexual violence against children is diffi- addressed to the group are drafted by the southern deter families attempting to flee conflict Iraq have been destroyed or damaged. cult to document due to fear of stigmati- military district of Russia and operative department areas. Other children have been forced to Rebuilding schools is a priority in areas zation and rejection, however many of the General Staff of Armenian Armed Forces, fol- join ISIS fighting or used as human liberated from ISIS. While the war con- young girls have been abducted, forced lowing which they are considered by the heads of shields. “I tried to escape from Mosul four tinues in west Mosul, roughly 400 schools into marriage, or sexually exploited dur- General Staffs of both sides. times,” a 12-year-old boy named in the liberated east have been reopened ing ISIS captivity. In peacetime, the commander of the group is Mohammad told UNICEF. “The last time to provide an education to nearly 400,000 “Across Iraq, children continue to wit- accountable to the General Staff of Armenia, while in the fighters caught me, they put a knife children. If schools are lacking enough ness sheer horror and unimaginable vio- a war time, he may also be accountable to the to my neck because they wanted to kill classrooms or desks, teachers work in lence,” stated Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Commander of Southern Military District of Russia. me. But my mother cried and begged multiple shifts to provide all children a representative in Iraq. “They have been them not to. My mother later told me I chance to attend school. killed, injured, abducted and forced to had to leave because boys my age were Lack of infrastructure is not the only shoot and kill in one of the most brutal being recruited to fight. reason approximately 1.2 million children wars in recent history.” S ATURDAY, J ULY 1 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 INTERNATIONAL Aramean Day of Remembrance in Berlin

genocide was all well and good, she said, but reviewed the process whereby April 24, 1915 By Muriel Mirak-Weissbach did not go far enough. was officially declared remembrance day in Daniyel Demir, chairman of the National 1921, by Catholicos Gevorg V., noting that Special to the Mirror-Spectator Association of Arameans in Germany, drew the many Syrian Christians also recognized it, as parallels between the butchery wrought by the their forefathers had been among the victims. BERLIN — If the Armenians were the ones so-called Islamic State today and the genocide a Similarly, Syrian Christians in northwest Iran who suffered the greatest losses in the 1915 century ago, when the Ottoman leadership were massacred in 1914 and 1918. Whether or genocide, they were not alone. Other Christian under Talaat Pasha et al was committed to elim- not they were singled out for elimination, or minorities in the Ottoman Empire were target- inate the Christian community from Turkey. were “collateral damage” within the Armenian ed, among them the Arameans, Assyrians, Demir also applauded the passage of the genocide, is a question she could not elaborate Chaldeans and Greeks. Since 2015, the date Bundestag resolution, but lamented the fact there, but the fact is that, despite their shared June 15 has been designated as Remembrance that the German government had undermined suffering in the war years, many Armenians Day in Germany for the Arameans, the East and its impact by saying it had no binding legal were not aware of the Arameans’ plight. Thus West Syrian Christians, and this year members value. Expressing his “due respect to the the importance of a separate remembrance day. of the community, joined by Armenians and Bundestag,” he urged the government to take Against this backdrop, Hofmann found it appro- others, commemorated the victims in Berlin. In steps with regard to the descendants of the vic- priate to make some “basic considerations the afternoon, participants gathered at the tims. about remembrance, commemoration and relat- Evangelical Luisenkirchof cemetery, at the site ed policy.” of a memorial in honor of the 3 million Community of Survivors In the genocide, the physical destruction of Christians who died between 1912 and 1922. Mor Philoxenus Mattias Nayis, Archbishop of the people was followed by the destruction of The three altars of remembrance are dedicated the Syrian Orthodox Diocese in Germany, the evidence, the attempt to eliminate the cul- to the Armenians, the Arameans, Assyrians and expressed his profound gratitude and respect ture, especially by destroying the churches. Chaldeans, and the Greeks from Eastern for the fact that the Arameans have succeeded After death, one lives on through memory, and Thrace, Asia Minor and Pontus. in maintaining their integrity as a people. He Mor Philoxenus Mattias Nayis to erase this memory is to kill again. Therefore In the evening a solemn ceremony was held said 1915 was not the only time they had been descendants of survivors strive to counter the in the French Cathedral, located in the his- persecuted. It is truly a wonder, he went on, elimination of memory with a culture of remem- toric Gendarmenmarkt in central Berlin. that this community, which has neither its own today remind us of events of a century ago, he brance, not only transmitting family histories Following greetings by Josef Kaya, from the land nor a state, has managed to survive; said, and quoted George Santayana, “Those from one generation to the next, but by estab- Foundation of Aramaic Studies, Prof. though expelled from their homeland and dis- who cannot remember the past are condemned lishing a collective memory. This, Hofmann Dorothea Weltecke from the Research Center persed throughout the world, they have kept to repeat it.” said, serves not only as genocide prevention but for Aramaic Studies of the Goethe University their faith and identity. Given this moral has also unleashed creativity, as demonstrated in Frankfurt spoke. She introduced a theme strength, he expressed his confidence that the The Language of Christ in the rich genocide literature. Citing the schools and churches that have been destroyed In this ecumenical ceremony, Dr. Markus phrase in the German constitution, that the dig- again today will be rebuilt. Dröge, Bishop of the Evangelical Church, nity of the individual is inviolable, Hofmann The members of the Aramean community dis- Berlin-Brandenburg-Silesian Oberlausitz, spoke emphasized that in genocide (including today) played their special appreciation of the pres- for the Protestants. Aramaic was the language the perpetrator violates the dignity of the vic- ence of an Armenian diplomat at the ceremony. of Christ, he recalled, and quoted those words tim in every way imaginable, through slavery, Ashot Smbatyan, the Armenian ambassador in in the Bible that are still given in the original, torture, rape, etc., before finally extinguishing Berlin, himself honored to be present, spoke of in Luther’s German translation: “eli eli lama life itself. the fraternal relations between the two peoples. sabachthani?” (My God why hast thou forsaken The 2016 Bundestag resolution explicitly Arameans and Armenians have much in com- me?) calls for teaching about genocide in schools, mon, he said, not only as victims of the geno- Christ’s plea from the cross might well be and it is the federal states that decide curricu- cide but as friends throughout hundreds of uttered by Arameans, as their suffering is not lum. If this was not merely symbolic, in years before that. He recalled the presence of universally known; the genocide against the Hofmann’s view, then the schools must take on Aramean traditions in Armenia, pointing to Arameans, he said, is the least known of the this task, and expand teaching in genocide stud- manuscripts preserved in the Matenadaran. He atrocities of the 20th century. Turning to the ies. In light of the influx of refugee communi- also referenced the importance of works in current situation, Bishop Dröge noted that ties, too, she called for “ethical orientation” to Aramaic that were translated into Armenian. many survivors who fled to Syria and Iraq be offered. In this context she condemned the And he recalled the fourth-century bishop today are threatened again, this time by IS. In continued existence of “graves of honor” in Jacob, said to have been the first to search for what he characterized as “an epochal event” Berlin cemeteries for genocide perpetrators. Noah’s Ark; though he climbed daily, and that has not been fully grasped, the successors Instead, those who intervened to save people prayed, he never found the ark. But it is related of the first Christians, those who speak the lan- from genocide — the “Ottoman Oskar that an angel sent by God gave him a piece of guage of Christ, are threatened today. He called Schindlers” — are the ones to be remembered the wood of the ark, preserved in Echmiadzin. for more awareness of how dangerous the cur- and honored. Finally, she highlighted the need Stressing the need to “commemorate, remem- rent situation is. “We Protestants know too lit- to acknowledge the “enormous cultural Prof. Dorothea Weltecke ber, warn,” Ambassador Smbatyan said the peo- tle about the Orthodox Christians,” he noted, achievements” of the Arameans, Armenians and ple of Turkey today are not guilty for the deeds and suggested that the arrival of refugees here Greeks of Asia Minor, especially through their committed by others, but they need to acknowl- to Germany represents an opportunity to learn translation works of the ancients. Preserving that was to be developed by later speakers: edge the deeds of their forefathers. Many Turks about them. the languages of the region is part of this effort. the German role in the genocide. The are ready to do so but the political leadership is This approach is what Hofmann views as crucial Germans were not only well aware of the not. Recognition of the genocide, he said, is the ‘Destroying, Remembering, to a policy of remembrance. events unfolding during the war, she said, precondition for reconciliation to take place. In Commemorating’ The moving ceremony concluded with a but were complicit. In May 1915, the French, 1915, it was not only Armenians but also Pontic One of the leading initiators of the event was recitation by Anne Osterloh and prayers by Mor English and Russians had raised the alarm, Greeks, Assyrians and Arameans, a fact that has Prof. Tessa Hofmann, a philologist and geno- Julius Hanna Aydin, with the participation of and some Germans tried to prevent the atroc- been expressly acknowledged in Armenia. In cide researcher, who delivered the main the choir of the Mar Jacob Syrian Orthodox ities but others took part. She called for an September 2015, a monument to the Arameans address. The year 2015, when June 15 was des- Church. The entire evening was framed in independent parliamentary commission of was unveiled in Yerevan. In conclusion, he ignated a day of commemoration for the music, with a new interpretation of Syrian inquiry to investigate the German role. The noted that such symbols and dates of remem- Arameans, “marked the centenary of the exter- hymns for a string quintet on the occasion of resolution passed on June 2, 2016 by the brance are important, not only for the victims mination of 1.5 million Armenians,” through a the commemoration and selected pieces from Bundestag (Parliament) recognizing the but also for Europe today. The scenes we see deliberate action lasting 19 months. Hofmann the Sayfo Symphony by Thomas Ücel. German-Turkish-Armenian Friendship Society to Be Founded

BERLIN — On July 1, at 7 p.m. the German- rorism, dehumanization, arrests, expulsion order to be able truly to value peace, liberty 2016 to avoid political fractures with Turkey. Turkish-Armenian Friendship Society will be and elimination. and democracy, the German-Turkish- Following the formal founding act, an officially established here. Among the promi- To this day, the descendants of the Armenian Friendship Society will bring official concert evening “Auf dem Nichts” nent supporters of the initiative are Dietmar Armenian survivors are waiting for the recog- together artists on a regular basis, artists who (“On Nothing”) will take place, in the con- Bartsch (Faction leader of the Linke [Left] nition of their victimization from the descen- address these themes and seek exchange with text of the concert series “Schlachten” Party in the Bundestag), Wolfgang Gust (his- dants of the perpetrators. And they remain for other positions and disciplines. (“Slaughter”), supported by the HKF torian), Cem Özdemir (Chairman, Green the duration alone, to come to terms with The leadership of the Society will be (Capital City Cultural Fund). As guests of Party) and Varujan Vosganian (author), as their trauma. assumed by Markus Rindt, director of the the Marc Sinan Company, the Sonar well as numerous Armenian, German and In Germany, in turn, the knowledge of his- Dresden Symphony, and the German-Turkish- Quartet will perform works by Steve Reich, Turkish artists and scientists. torical responsibility for culpability in the Armenian composer and guitarist Marc Sinan. Turgut Erçetin, Conrado del Rosario and The founding members are convinced that Third Reich and complicity as Ottoman allies The establishment of the Society emerged fol- Marc Sinan, which are dedicated to the vic- the unresolved genocide against the is slipping into oblivion, as the last eyewit- lowing the political conflict around its EU pro- tims of violence – those killed in the World Armenians is one of the reasons that Turkey nesses who lived through war and slaughter ject “aghet-agit,” a project which united musi- Trade Center, those jailed in Turkey, politi- has been politically off kilter. Step by step the in Europe are dying. cians and composers from Armenia, Turkey cal prisoners and Armenian prisoners of opposition inside Turkey is being made victim Convinced that every generation that and Germany in commemoration of the geno- war from the First World War. of the same mechanisms which prepared the remains spared of war and persecution must cide. The Foreign Ministry had cancelled a For more information: Josephine Heide, way for the 1915 genocide: suspicion of ter- find the means to learn and remember, in concert planned for Istanbul in November [email protected], www.marcsinan.com 6 S ATURDAY, J ULY 1 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Community News

Acopian Family Armenian Assembly Powering the Longtime Trustee World for 60 Years Elizabeth Agbabian Honored by President EASTON, Penn. — During the 1950s, Sarkis Acopian, who had arrived in America less than Of Armenia a decade earlier from Iran, invented the solar- powered radio. Acopian couldn’t sell enough WASHINGTON — Armenian Assembly of radios to make a living, according to his son, America longtime trustee Elizabeth Agbabian, Jeff Acopian, but his father’s dream of making a respected leader in the Armenian American it in his adoptive homeland didn’t end with his community, was awarded the Movses first business. He soon found a niche building Khorenatsi Medal last month by Armenian power supplies. “He kept getting people who President Serzh Sargsyan on the 99th anniver- wanted him to make power supplies,” son, Greg sary of the First Republic. Acopian, said. “It took him a long time until he In a written statement, President Sargsyan finally said, ‘You know what, we can make stated: “I decided to award E. Agbabian with power supplies. We can make them very quick- the Movses Khorentsi Medal on the occasion of ly, and there’s a market.’” our national holiday for her outstanding work So Sarkis started Acopian Technical Co. out- in the preservation of the Armenian nation.” side Phillipsburg, N.J., in 1957. Within 10 years The medal is Armenia’s highest cultural he moved the business twice before settling on award, which is given to individuals who are about five acres in Easton, Penn. Sarkis passed actively engaged in the development of away in 2007, marking the 50th anniversary of Armenian culture, in addition to achievements his company’s founding. This year, Acopian in art, literature, education, social sciences, and Technical marks 60 years in business, with sports. Acopian’s sons, and now a third generation, The Armenian Embassy in Washington, DC running the company. put out a statement describing Agbabian as Acopian’s power supplies take energy and “one of the most active and respected leaders in convert it to direct current at a specific voltage the Armenian-American community.” It contin- and current, ranging up to 30,000 volts. It also Children in Tavush ued: “We extend to Mrs. Agbabian and Dr. regulates the voltage. Used in manufacturing, Mihran Agbabian our heartfelt congratulations medical, telecommunications and many other and profound respects.” industries, these power supplies help keep the Elizabeth Agbabian, alongside her husband, voltage humming more smoothly. Gift by Mardigians Will The privately-held company has turned out millions of power units in different shapes and sizes. Its products are used worldwide by Allow FAR to Continue to Fortune 500 companies, and they have been used by Apollo space missions, the Hubble Break the Cycle of Poverty

NEW YORK — The Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) announced recently receiv- ing a large donation by benefactors Edward and Janet Mardigian and the Mardigian Family Foundation. The gift will allow FAR’s initiative Breaking the Cycle of Poverty, Developing Thriving Communities to continue for five more years, through 2022. The initia- tive was established in 2013 thanks to a remarkable gift from the Mardigian fam- ily — the largest ever contributed to FAR. The humanitarian program aims to relieve poverty and decrease its effects on children and families in one of the key Dr. Mihran and Elizabeth Agbabian at the provinces in Armenia. Armenian Assembly of America’s Gala “The scope of this gift and the generosity of the Mardigian family can only leave “Celebrating the Future” on March 4, 2017, hon- us breathless,” said FAR’s chairman Randy Sapah-Gulian, “and I am so honored oring the 40thanniversary of the Assembly’s to be associated with something so important.” Terjenian-Thomas Internship Program. The board members and staff of FAR have been deeply touched by this expres- sion of the Mardigians’ extensive commitment and goodwill. With the Mardigians’ generosity behind it, Breaking the Cycle of Poverty aims Dr. Mihran Agbabian, played a critical role in to do exactly what the name establishing the American University of implies, in Armenia’s Armenia, an educational institution which is Sarkis Acopian Tavush region, and set them considered to be one of the best in the nation. on the road to greater self- They were supportive of many groundbreaking sufficiency and dignity. initiatives on the West Coast, including the Space Telescope, the Oscars, Emmys, Times Today, even more than 25 opening of Armenia’s Consulate General in Los Square New Year’s Eve ball drop and elsewhere. years after the collapse of Angeles. She is also one of the co-founders of “You name it, our power supplies are there,” the Soviet Union, Tavush the Armenian International Women’s said Alex Karapetian, 35, director of sales and still suffers from poverty, Association in Los Angeles (AIWA-LA), a non- marketing and one of the third-generation malnutrition, unemploy- profit organization, dedicated to promoting and members of the business. ment and poor infrastruc- enriching “the social, economic and personal Acopian Technical Co. has kept Sarkis’ tradi- ture. These factors weaken advancement of Armenian women worldwide tion of a three-day delivery promise on its prod- individuals, families, and through educational and other community ucts and manufacturing solely in the United ultimately the community as Edward and Janet Mardigian activities that unite Armenian women, promote States. a whole. Instead of being gender equity, and emphasize our Armenian While Acopian executives won’t divulge able to focus on their poten- cultural heritage.” financial information, industry expert Mohan tial to improve their lives, many Armenians in the region find themselves in a day- Agbabian has earned many awards over the Mankikar, rpesident of Micro-Tech Consultants to-day struggle to survive. years. She received the Humanitarian Award of of California, categorizes Acopian Technical as Through the program, now in its fourth year, FAR has combated this situation Ararat Home of Los Angeles in 1994, procla- a small player in an industry with at least 500 by focusing on a diverse set of goals such as stabilizing families, developing sus- mation of Pontifical Blessings from Catholicos companies worldwide. “But just because it’s tainable industry and creating a qualified, competent work force in Tavush of All Armenians Karekin II in 2003, Tribute small doesn’t mean it’s bad,” he said. “Overall, through training and education. Certificate of Appreciation from the Board of it has positioned itself very well.” Its many successful programs already extant in Armenia have given FAR the the Armenian Missionary Association of Acopian Technical employs about 30 people right foundation of experience and hard-won knowledge to take on such a trans- America in 2003, Ellis Island Medal of Honor in at its Easton headquarters, while another 80 formative task. By utilizing FAR’s multi-faceted programs and working in part- 2006, and The Agbabians have been members employees work in Melbourne, Fla., where nership with the government, civil society and the private sector, FAR is empow- of the Assembly since its beginnings. Elizabeth Sarkis opened a second plant in 1971. Greg, 68, ering communities in Tavush to become more self-sustainable and break the dev- Agbabian served on the Assembly’s Board of and Jeff, 63, said they are training the next gen- astating cycle of poverty by addressing it and treating it at its core. Directors from 1992 to 1999. Her husband, Dr. eration of Acopian executives. “They’re really The scope of the program has grown each year. It currently serves 18 villages Agbabian, was co-chair of the Assembly from good at what they do,” Jeff said, “but they still and towns in the Berd Region of Tavush. FAR has assisted hundreds of benefi- 1982-1983 and served on the Board of haven’t been doing this that long, so we try to ciary families by addressing their specific needs through individually tailored Directors from 1979-1986. She hosted many give them some of our expertise.” Besides see MARDIGIAN, page 9 events in Los Angeles, and her consistent Karapetian, the next generation includes Greg’s efforts have helped expand the Assembly’s see ACOPIAN, page 7 see AGBABIAN, page 7 S ATURDAY, J ULY 1 , 2 0 1 7 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R 7 COMMUNITY NEWS Astrophysicist Dr. Zaven Arzoumanian Explores Deep Space

(NASA/KEITH GENDREAU) WASHINGTON — Dr. Zaven Arzoumanian The structure and composition of neutron stars and Dr. Keith Gendreau, researchers at NASA’s are so extreme that normal atoms are pulverized, Goddard, Washington, DC center, are making freeing subatomic particles like neutrons, protons, news in the mysterious world of astronomy, try- electrons and a spectrum of radiation. ing to put together pieces of a heavenly puzzle A partnership between NASA, the of dying Neutron Stars that are believed to stars Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the that have undergone an interior collapse. They Naval Research Laboratory, and a score of uni- are spinning pulsars, beaming lights, intense versities, including Montreal’s McGill magnetism and are the densest matter known. University, NICER should give scientists their These are to be studied using a highly sophisti- first measurements of the size of a neutron star. cated electronic detector called the Neutron “They emit light all across the spectrum, Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER), a from radio waves to visible light up to X-rays multimillion dollar, approximately one cubic and gamma rays, primarily in narrow beams meter box, packed by electronic devices, built from their magnetic poles. And if we happen to by the two leading scientists. be in the path of the sweep we see a flash every “Neutron stars are fantastical stars that are time one of these beams go by and the stars extraordinary in many ways,” said from a distance appear to be pulsing, so they’re Arzoumanian. “They are the densest objects in the universe and the fastest, and most accurate, spinning objects known, some up to hundreds A view of the NICER X-ray Timing Instrument without its protective blanketing. of times per second, and the most strongly mag- netic objects known.” Acopian Family Powering the World for 60 Years

ACOPIAN, from page 6 thropy that include the Acopian Engineering Armenian Apostolic Church in Charlotte, NC, built son, Ezra Acopian, 36, the purchasing and facil- Center at Lafayette College, Acopian Center for in memory of his beloved mother, Dr. Arax Acopian, ities manager at the Melbourne plant. Another Ornithology at Muhlenberg College, Sarkis Acopian and St. Hagop Armenian Apostolic Church in cousin, Jeff Calhoun, 38, is quality liaison in Center at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, and the Gyumri, Armenia. Melbourne. Acopian Ballroom at Easton’s State Theatre. In He also donated $1 million to the World War II During a tour of the Palmer plant, Yerevan, he established the Acopian Center for the Memorial in Washington, believing it was his duty Karapetian said he and his cousins are mindful Environment at the American University of to contribute because the United States played a of the family legacy. “I’m not selling a power Armenia as well as establishing an endowment for vital role in protecting European and Asian coun- supply; I’m selling my family,” he said. “I’m sell- the center. tries from aggression during the war. He was rec- ing the Acopian name. It’s the reliability of the Acopian’s passion for his faith led him to donate ognized as the largest single donor towards this power supply; it’s our service. That’s our repu- funding for the building of two churches: St. Sarkis fundraising effort. Dr. Zaven Arzoumanian tation. The family aspect of it brings forth the pride, passion and energy we put towards the work we’re doing,” he said. called pulsars,” Arzoumanian said. Prakash Jain, principal engineer with Scientists will also demonstrate the potential Westinghouse Electric in New Stanton, Penn., of using the timing of pulses from neutron stars depends on Acopian for reliable power supplies — for deep space navigation. crucial since Westinghouse has developed about 50 “We’re going to look at a subset of pulsars in percent of the world’s operating commercial the sky called millisecond pulsars,” said Keith nuclear power plants. Gendreau, “The pulses that we see are so regu- “At the same time, we don’t have big volume like lar that they remind us of atomic clocks, which computers and iPhones, so Acopian is very good to are the basis of the Global Positioning System support us,” Jain said. “They are very receptive to (GPS) satellites,” said Gendreau. Close to two our needs.” thousand neutron stars are known to exist. Giving Back NICER was launched into the space by a Coming from Iran in 1945, Sarkis Acopian rocket on June 5, and was hooked by Canadarm served two stints in the US Army. Between his mil- to the International Space Center. itary service, he graduated from Lafayette College The soft X-rays emitted by the neutron stars with an engineering degree in 1951. While running are too weak to penetrate the Earth’s atmos- a business and raising a family, Sarkis gave back to phere. Therefore the detectors had to be locat- the Lehigh Valley and beyond. The family name From left, Alex Karapetian, Jeff Acopian, Greg Acopian, Ezra Acopian ed outside the Earth’s atmosphere. remains visible locally through such acts of philan- Arzoumanian was born in Montreal, Canada. He is a graduate of AGBU Alex Manoogian school and of McGill University. He obtained his PhD from Princeton University and conducted research in Cornell University. He currently resides in Greenbelt, Md.

Armenian Assembly Longtime Trustee Elizabeth Agbabian Honored by President Of Armenia AGBABIAN, from page 6 membership base in Southern California. Along with her colleagues Flora Dunaians and Savey Tufenkian, Elizabeth Agbabian was honored during the 40th anniversary gala with the Distinguished Humanitarian Award for her ded- icated service to the Assembly. “An activist all her life, Elizabeth Agbabian is a pillar of the Armenian American community. Together with her husband Mihran they have served for decades with distinction on the Armenian Assembly’s Board. It has been our honor and privilege to work with them through- out the years as we advance our shared goals,” Assembly Co-Chairs Anthony Barsamian and Van Krikorian stated. “We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Elizabeth and her family,” they added. 8 S ATURDAY, J ULY 1 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS First Clergy Continuing Education Workshop Held at St. Nersess Seminary

ARMONK, N.Y. — A Parish Management Soorp Haroutiun Armenian Church in Orlando, Workshop, co-sponsored by St. Nersess Armenian Fla., reflected on the lecture, commenting that Seminary and the Diocese of the Armenian everyone has a talent to share with his/her Church of America (Eastern) was held June 5 – 7 church community. “I was reminded that stew- at the seminary in Armonk. This workshop was ardship comes from the Bible. We need to pledge presented as part of a series of continuing educa- to give ourselves spiritually to the church, that tion programs which St. Nersess will offer to our life is a gift from God. And giving our ‘head, parish priests. heart, and hand’ reflects giving back. It’s not just The workshop was taught by four faculty mem- a financial commitment but a functional one.” bers from the Villanova University School of Adding his thoughts on that lecture, which also Business (VSB) through its internationally recog- related to the Organizational Management ses- nized Center for Church Management and sion, was Fr. Vart Gyozalyan from the Armenian Business Ethics. The first of its kind in the nation, Church at Hye Point in Bradford, MA. the center provides faith-based managerial educa- “Stewardship is a lifestyle. A Christian communi- tion to church leaders to help in their parish ty is made up of faith, prayer, charity and out- administration and approach to temporal issues. reach. We must build better relationships in our Sixteen participants, both newly ordained communities and include more charity and out- priests and those with some experience, attended reach.” five lectures with an interconnected range of top- “We need to do a better job of outreach and ics over the three days. The subjects presented bringing parishioners into the church,” com- included: Organizational Management, mented Fr. Khatchatur Kessablyan from Sts. Information Technology, Stewardship and Vartanantz Armenian Church in Chelmsford, MA. Participants and lecturers at the first Continuing Education Workshop Held at St. Nersess Seminary Development, Strategic Pastoral Planning, and “Sharing Christ’s love with them and helping Safeguarding Your Parish. them feel needed both physically and spiritually is Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in spend quality time with each other. The clergy One of the most popular lectures amongst the very important. Also, the material we learned in Chicago, IL, the end of June for his pastoral participants included: Fr. Armash Bagdasarian, attendees was the topic of Stewardship and the Information Technology lecture reminded us assignment. “User friendly websites, skype, and Fr. Sevak Gabrielyan, Fr. Paren Galstyan, Dn. Development, which explored factors affecting that having an appealing website will help parish- texts can help us communicate with parishioners Narek Garabedian, Fr. Hakob Gevorgyan, Fr. Vart individuals’ decision to contribute time or money ioners to better connect to the church.” and share our knowledge of Jesus.” Gyozalyan, Fr. Mesrob Hovsepyan, Fr. Avedis to their church; volunteer recruitment, training, The technology session left an impression on As many of the lectures were also open discus- Kalayjian, Fr. Khatchatur Kessablyan, Fr. and retention. Fr. Armash Bagdasarian from Dn. Narek Garabedian, who will be heading to St. sions, Fr. Hakob Gevorgyan of Holy Trinity Abraham Malkhasyan, Fr. Tadeos Parseghyan, Fr. Armenian Church in Cheltenham, Penn., Samuel Rith-Najarian, Fr. Hratch Sargsyan, Fr. remarked, “we need to invite everyone in the Tatev Terteryan, Fr. Arakel Vardazaryan and Fr. community all the time, not just one time. By lis- Gomidas Zohrabian. tening to each other, we grow to love and respect “As part of our expanded mission of the semi- each other.” He then added, “by asking a parish- nary, we are excited to have teamed up with ioner ‘what can the church do for you,’ we can Villanova University to offer our first continuing then ask in return, ‘what can you do for the education workshop, the topic being Parish church.’” Management,” commented Fr. Mardiros Chevian, While attending the workshops, the partici- dean. “We plan to offer more workshops in the pants enjoyed lodging and meals at the seminary, future on topics such as Preaching, Marriage as well as evening worship services. Fr. Simeon Counseling, and other subjects. In 2014, we Odabashian, Diocesan Vicar, led an evening dis- rolled out an Acculturation Program for priests cussion with the parish priests about cooperative from abroad which has proven effective for efforts between the pastor and parish councils. preparing these new priests for parish ministry,” Three parish council members were invited to he added. attend and contribute to the discussion: Alex Reflecting on the three-day workshop, Topakbashian, Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Kessablyan added, “I am thankful to the Primate, Church, Wynnewood, PA; Ann Daw, St. Gregory Abp. Khajag Barsamian, Fr. Mardiros Chevian the Enlightener Armenian Church, White Plains, and the St. Nersess staff, and the faculty members NY; and Lorig Chorluyan from St. Leon from Villanova University for the Armenian hos- Clergy listening to a parish management workshop lecture Armenian Church in Fair Lawn, NJ. pitality and the opportunity to learn with my Participants also had time to socialize and brothers in Christ.”

OBITUARY Edward A. Sarkisian DENNIS M. DEVENEY & SONS Engineer, World War II Veteran Cemetery Monuments Specializing in WESTON, Mass. — Edward A. Sarkisian of 1955, and worked at Sylvania and RCA. At Weston, an engineer for 40 years, died on RCA, he received a patented invention that was Armenian Designs and Lettering Sunday, June 18, at his home here. He was 89 issued in 12 foreign countries. The invention 701 Moody St. Waltham, MA 02543 years old. was for the measurement of low leakage cur- Born in Union City, NJ, to Dicran and rents in TV tubes. (781) 891-9876 www.NEMonuments.com Annoush Sarkisian, Sarkisian graduated from He went on to work for the federal govern- the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn in 1955 ment and worked at NASA, the Department of (BSEE) and Northeastern University in 1966 Transportation and ended his career at (MSEE). Hanscom Air Force Base working for the Air He served in the US Army during World War Force. II. He was stationed in Germany. He was a member of Gideons International Sarkisian began his engineering career in since 1979, and was a State Cabinet Officer for over eight years. Since 1958, he had been a F UNERAL H OME member of the First Armenian Church where Giragosian he served as moderator, deacon and Sunday James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC School superintendent. On Father’s Day 1997, Mark J. Giragosian the church honored Sarkisian with the Best Funeral Counselors Father of the Year Award. 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 He leaves his wife of 61 years, Marni www.giragosianfuneralhome.com (Marguerite Nahigian); a son James Edward (Jamie) of Waltham and his fiancée Ann S. Murphy. He was predeceased by his sister Stella Paboojian and brother Charles Sarkisian of Fort Lee, NJ. He leaves many relatives including Telephone (617) 924-7400 his nephew Leon Paboojian and his wife Kathy of Rivervale, NJ; his sister-in-law Carol Nahigian Aram Bedrosian of Arlington, and her family, Thomas Nahigian and his wife Armine, Susan Duffy and her hus- band Robert, and Laura O’Connell and her hus- Funeral Home, Inc. band Michael; his nephews Victor Nahigian and Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 his wife Robin, and Robert Nahigian and his wife Donna. both of Weston, and their families. MARION BEDROSIAN A Memorial Service was held at First 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN Armenian Church, 380 Concord Ave., Belmont, WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN on Saturday June 24. S ATURDAY, J ULY 1 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 COMMUNITY NEWS Gift by Mardigians Will Allow FAR to Continue to Break the Cycle of Poverty

MARDIGIAN, from page 6 asites. Hundreds of children are showing signs tious food and supplemental income. opportunities to obtain higher education in plans. These “micro programs” are designed to of improvement following treatment and as a FAR also works with government agencies at Armenia and gain the requisite skills for stable, help each family overcome their obstacles in a result of free and nutritious meals that FAR all levels to support much-needed rehabilita- dignified employment as adults. FAR also pro- way that allows them to be more self-sufficient has provided to kindergartens in the region. tion of the province’s infrastructure, and pro- vides tools to graduates of vocational training in the long-term through improved access to FAR has also carried out various trainings vide better access to natural gas, clean water programs to help jumpstart their careers. education, better nutrition, child protection, for healthcare professionals, along with broad- and irrigation. Construction and rehabilitation healthcare, or other significant resources. er social and educational efforts. Community of drinking water systems has started in five Helen and Edward Mardigian Foundatio In 2016, the counselors at the FAR trainings on public health issues for mothers communities, which will allow 4,000 people to Established in 1955, the Helen and Edward Children’s Center in Yerevan helped establish and young women were launched in the access potable water in their homes by the Mardigian Foundation has provided significant a new children’s center in the Tavush Province Mothers’ Classrooms at the end of 2015, cov- time work is completed in June 2017. In 2015, support to various religious, cultural and edu- to address the needs of vulnerable children. ering topics like family and maternal health, FAR renovated and expanded 70 hectares of cational philanthropies, including major con- The new center has helped 45 children in con- childhood nutrition, and pediatric infectious the local irrigation system, enabling farmers to tributions towards the building of the St. John flict with the law through the provision of diseases. In addition, dozens of medical clinics regularly water their crops with ease. FAR has Armenian Church of Greater Detroit and the direct services, including psychological assis- have received crucial supplies and equipment. also supported local efforts to renovate a 3.5 restoration of many historic Armenian church- tance, art therapy, and special hobby groups. To improve the fields of agriculture, con- km road, which gave the remote village of es and monasteries worldwide. It has also pro- FAR’s counselors have also worked with par- struction, trades and traditional crafts that are Itsaqar better access to pastures for their live- vided generous support to the Armenian ents to help strengthen the family unit in each vital to Tavush, FAR has drawn on its connec- stock. General Benevolent Union (AGBU) and the case. tions to broader regional markets, while part- FAR’s support for school rehabilitation helps Armenian Assembly of America. FAR has also encouraged residents to forge nering with leaders in the private sector, pro- to bring many of Armenia’s diverse learning The foundation has funded three museums, stronger connections with the Armenian fessional associations, and government entities environments closer to their full potential, including the Edward and Helen Mardigian Church, by partnering with local pastors and to support local entrepreneurs and business making them safer and more effective places Museum in the Armenian Quarter of giving children the chance to benefit from development. FAR has established 16 agricul- for students to learn and thrive. Dozens of Jerusalem, and the museum in the Armenian FAR’s excellent summer camp programs. tural cooperatives, each provided with much schools and kindergartens have been improved monastery in Geghard, Armenia. Doctors trained through FAR’s Continuing needed supplies like tractors and plows that through renovation and refurbishment of their The family also created the Helen and Medical Education Program have served as have resulted in the revitalization of hundreds classrooms, sports fields, and water pipelines. Edward Mardigian Institute at the Eastern excellent partners in this new initiative, work- of hectares of land, which means a source of In some areas, attendance rates increased Diocese, a highly successful training program ing among local families to provide higher food and potential income to hundreds of farm- immediately following completion. for educators and Sunday School teachers. quality healthcare and nutrition. Since the pro- ers. The Greenhouse Cultivation Promotion With an eye to long-term prosperity, FAR “My parents taught us to want to give back; gram’s establishment, FAR’s health team in Project has provided families with training and will makes diverse scholarship and vocational they communicated that this country had been partnership with local doctors has tested close materials to build and cultivate greenhouses, training programs more readily available to good to them, and so they wanted to give back to 2,000 children for anemia, stunting, and par- creating a sustainable source for both nutri- children and students in Tavush, giving them to the community,” said Edward Mardigian. “My father focused on the Armenian commu- nity; however, he wanted to serve everyone, which is why my father started the founda- tion.” The foundation has been supporting many worthy causes in Armenia, most notably help- ing the country’s younger generation. The FAR Children’s Center continues to be a pio- neer in the field of child protection in Armenia, thanks to the ongoing support of the FAR Edward and Helen Mardigian Child Protection Foundation, established by the fam- ily in 2007. In 2016, Janet and Edward Mardigian were in Armenia to see firsthand the effects of the Breaking the Cycle of Poverty Program in Tavush. In addition to a meeting with the grateful residents of the entire area of Tavush, the Mardigians’ itinerary was filled with events to recognize and appreciate their efforts. One of the highest signs of gratitude was during a reception thrown for the couple by the government of Armenia at the President’s headquarters. The president presented the couple with the Medal of Service to the Motherland for their significant contribution toward strengthening the link between Armenia and the diaspora, and for their efforts to empower the country. That same day, FAR’s Board of Directors and other donors were also hosted at the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin, where the Mardigians were granted the Order of St. Gregory the Illuminator of the Armenian Apostolic Church by Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. The medal was given in appreciation for their long-time con- tributions to the Armenian Church. “After their trip to Armenia with the FAR board last fall and seeing first-hand the great work that has been accomplished by FAR to help so many Armenians,” recalled FAR chair- man Randy Sapah-Gulian, “the Mardigian fam- ily has graciously and selflessly decided to fund the program for another five years through 2022.” He added, “What has been accomplished during these last years has helped so many people and the impact in so many ways can only be described as incredi- ble.” As one of the major development organiza- tions working in Armenia today, FAR has a long record of leadership in providing high quality programs in healthcare, education, child protection, and economic development to the Republic of Armenia. The result has changed the lives of thousands of Armenians. In more than two decades of operations, FAR has implemented more than $300 million worth of relief and development programs in Armenia and Artsakh — programs which not only meet immediate needs, but also con- tribute to lasting positive change to Armenia and its citizens. 10 S ATURDAY, J ULY 1 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Children of Armenia Fund Hosts 7th Annual Summer Bash

NEW YORK — Children of Armenia Fund (COAF), a nonprof- it organization whose goal is to better the lives of rural Armenian children, held its seventh Annual Summer Soiree on June 20 at the PHD Rooftop Lounge at the Dream Hotel Downtown. Among the special guests were Tony Shafrazi, Patricia Field, Edward Barsamian, Tigran Tsitoghdzyan and Armen Keteyan. The annual summer fundraiser raised more than $80,000 for a new high-tech library, part of COAF’s SMART Initiative, intend- ed to make a lasting impact on education. “Every one of you counts in trying to bring the rural people of Armenia back up to where they deserve to be, so we are counting on you,” said Dr. Garo H. Armen, COAF’s chairman and founder, after discussing COAF’s SMART initiative and its expected impact on rural youths and their family’s lives. A SMART Center Library is an innovative open-concept area that houses technological educational resources and reading materials. The library will be equipped with media and global subscriptions, as well as access to a broad array of information, services, data and audio-visual content. It will be a place to both read and think — where group discussions are fostered, research is done, and big ideas are born. The technology within will provide a link to the vast field of knowledge able to be grasped beyond the chalkboard of previ- ous rural Armenian classrooms. The center is intended to be a Edward Igityan window for kids and their families into a different world; one in Garo Armen which they can see a brighter future.

Caroline Mishelle Aghajanian and Chris Isakhanian

Patricia Field and Tony Shafrazi Lora Badalian, Irina Pogosian and Lusine Badalian Philip Assadourian

San Diego’s 5th Bridge to the Vasken Yardemian Appointed by UNDP to Advise Future Gala Set For Sept. 30 Ministry of Environment of Lebanon GLENDALE — The Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America (AESA) announced this week that its past president and a long-time member of the AESA, Vasken Yardemian, SAN DIEGO — The fifth Bridge to the Future include specialty finger foods from Amardeen, has been appointed by United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to advise the Gala Dinner and Dance will be held on Mesa, Pushkin, and Solare! We will also be Ministry of Environment of Lebanon on a short-term assignment. September 30, at the Sheraton Hotel and treating our guests to a wine wall, gourmet din- Yardemian is a senior environmental engineer at the South Coast Air Quality Marina Bay Tower. The theme, “Carnival in ner, live auction, entertainment by NRG Music Management District with over 30 years of experience has received a MS degree in Venice,” sets the stage for an evening inspired & Production, celebrity guest vocalist, Monica Environmental Science from California State University, Fullerton and a bachelor’s degree by the romance of Italy. The Trust Fund Louwerens, $10,000 raffle prize, and more.” in civil engineering. He has previously worked with the UNDP as a consultant on envi- Committee of St. John Garabed Armenian The Bridge to the Future project will estab- ronmental issues in Republic of Armenia. Church is organizing the event under the aus- lish a state-of-the-art church campus that will As an advisor to the Ministry of Environment, his main responsibilities will include to pices of Very Rev. Pakrad Berjekian. be a new spiritual and cultural home for the undertake an evaluation of the air quality in the country, developing control strategies and The goal is to raise $150,000 to begin the Armenian community of San Diego as well as general principles for developing effective compliance and enforcement programs. “This construction of a new church campus near Del a destination for Armenians worldwide. would be a great challenge for me, professionally and personally to go back to my home Mar. Harry Krikorian, chairman of the Trust Fund country and collaborate with the Ministry of Environment professionals on air quality Dan Cohen, co-anchor of CBS News 8 This Committee, stated, “We are excited to once issues in Lebanon” said Yardemian. Morning and CBS News 8 at 11 a.m., will be again be hosting the Bridge to the Future Gala Yardemian had a variety of elected and appointed positions. He was elected to the the master of ceremonies and auctioneer. The in San Diego. We feel it’s realistic to expect to Crescenta Valley Water District Board of Directors in 2001, re-elected in 2005, and have three-time Emmy Award winner will be hosting break ground in the fall. The Parish Council served twice as Board President. Previously, he served on the Crescenta Valley Town the event for the second time. has already appointed a Building Committee, Council from 1998 to 2002. His community service activities also include serving on the Chairwoman Suzanne Meader has assembled and we are working with a civil engineer to Planning Commission, Code Enforcement Appeals Commission and Growth Management a dedicated committee of volunteers for plan- submit grading plans to the city. Task Force for the City of Pasadena. ning the event. She said, “This year’s new fea- “This project is all about our kids, and pro- The Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America is a nonprofit organization, estab- tured attraction will be our ‘Chef’s Appetizer viding the next generation with a place for lished in 1983 and based in Glendale, California with chapters in other major cities. AESA Affair.’ Notable chefs and restauranteurs from learning, growing, worship and fellowship,” he is a non-partisan and non-sectarian philanthropic organization involved in many commu- around San Diego will be serving some of their added. nity projects related to science and engineering. issues in Republic of Armenia. signature dishes as appetizers in stations dur- For information about the Gala, event donations, ing the cocktail reception. The line-up will or ticket sales, email [email protected]. S ATURDAY, J ULY 1 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 COMMUNITY NEWS Ninth FOCUS Weekend to Raise Funds For the AGBU Scholarship Program

ARAZ BOGHOSSIAN PHOTO NEW YORK — From August 3 to 6, Beirut will be host to Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) FOCUS, an event that brings together young Armenian professionals from around the world for a weekend of culture, nightlife and connectivity in a city known for its elegance, sophisti- cation and rich culture. This year, AGBU FOCUS is raising funds for the AGBU Scholarship Program, a direct investment in the future of Armenian leaders and change-makers. As tuition and living costs increase, the expense of a university education becomes a greater financial burden. The AGBU Scholarship Program provides much-needed financial assistance to bright, promis- ing Armenian students who may not otherwise be able to afford a university education. Over more than a century, AGBU has helped tens of thousands of university students pursue higher education at some of the world’s top ranked universities, including Columbia, Harvard, Lebanese International University, London School of Economics, McGill, MIT, Stanford, University of Bonn and Yale. “I am very proud to serve as the chair of AGBU Young Professionals of Beirut and the AGBU FOCUS 2017 Organizing Committee and have the opportunity to wel- come hundreds of my peers to Beirut in August. As the great-granddaughter of a life-long supporter of AGBU schools and educational programs, I am honored to carry on his legacy through this important fundraising campaign. FOCUS offers us a platform to promote AGBU’s vision and global impact all while raising money for the AGBU Guests from across the globe at the last AGBU FOCUS event in Toronto Scholarship Program to help AGBU ensure that students from all socio-economic backgrounds have access to a uni- versity education,” said AGBU FOCUS 2017 chair Natacha Keuchguerian. with a full-day excursion to the Jeita Grottoes, the ancient FOCUS has distinguished itself as a unique networking The series of events will begin on Wednesday, August 2, city of Byblos and many more sites. Perspectives marks the experience for Armenian young professionals (YPs) from official kick-off of AGBU FOCUS on Thursday, August 3, around the world. What began as a signature anniversary with an engaging panel discussion and networking recep- celebration is now a sensational tradition, offering YPs an tion for guests to share viewpoints on a hot topic. The opportunity to connect with hundreds of international peers excitement continues on Friday, August 4 where guests will while highlighting the direct and positive impact of AGBU’s participate in an interactive conference with emerging lead- programs on generations of Armenians. Over the past 16 ers with a focus on advancing the Global Armenian Nation years, AGBU FOCUS has united over 3,000 YPs in seven dif- and then later enjoy Club Night at B 018, a former under- ferent cities: New York City (2001, 2007), Montreal (2003), ground bunker transformed into an open-air club. Saturday, Miami (2005), Chicago (2009), Paris (2011), San Francisco August 5 features FOCUS on Art at the Sursock Museum (2013) and Toronto (2015). with an afternoon of art, including paintings by the famous Tickets to AGBU FOCUS 2017 are on sale now. After sell- Lebanese Armenian painter Paul Guiragossian, then a for- ing out blocked rooms at the Four Seasons Beirut, accom- mal Gala in the evening at The Legend with dinner and modations are now available at the Phoenicia AGBU scholarship and fellowship recipients: (left to right) dancing on the banks of the ancient Lycus River. Brunch on Intercontinental Hotel in the heart of the city. For more filmmaker Victoria Aleksanyan; cardiologist Dr. Hamayak Sunday brings the memorable weekend to close, giving YPs information about the weekend’s events and to register, pur- Sisakyan; and pianist Karine Poghosyan the perfect opportunity to bid farewell to their new friends. chase tickets or book hotel rooms, please visit www.agbufo- Since premiering in New York City in 2001, AGBU cus.org.

Janoyan Named Interim Dean of Graduate School at Clarkson University

POTSDAM, N.Y. — Kerop Janoyan has been graduate courses. He serves on numerous as the National Science Foundation, Federal undergraduate students who have received named interim dean of the Graduate School at University and departmental committees, has Highway Administration, the New York State many honors and awards and started successful Clarkson University. received the Albert D. Merrill Award and was Department of Transportation, the New York careers in the profession, including former grad- Bringing more than 14 years of experience in inducted into Phalanx, Clarkson University’s State Energy Research and Development uate students who are now faculty members at higher education to this new role, Janoyan most highest honor society. He was also elected by- Authority, as well as industry partners such as U.S. universities. recently served as director fellow of Churchill General Motors Powertrain, John Deere, Janoyan received his bachelor of science, mas- of distance learning in the College at Cambridge General Electric, Cooper Crouse-Hinds, and ter of science and PhD degrees in civil engi- Office of the Provost and University, where he others. Janoyan is also the co-inventor on one neering from the University of California at Los is also professor of civil spent his sabbatical United States Patent. Angeles (UCLA). He is a registered professional and environmental engi- stay in 2009. He has advised numerous graduate and engineer (PE) in California. neering in the Wallace H. His research and Coulter School of development expertise Engineering. covers a broad range of Janoyan will work related topics with a closely with the universi- strong focus on aspects ty’s deans to best posi- of intelligent infrastruc- tion the Graduate ture systems. He is the School for its next phase co-director of of growth focusing on Clarkson’s Center for the development of an the Evaluation of infrastructure to support Clean Energy and expand it for gradu- Technology (CECET) ate enrollment. The Blade Testing Facility. Graduate School is a Janoyan has centralized resource Kerop Janoyan authored or co- aimed at improving the authored more than 90 graduate student technical papers and pipeline and growth across all schools, pro- reports and has presented his research at fessional programs, and research. national and international conferences and Janoyan has been recognized numerous workshops. His research and development times by the Coulter School of Engineering for efforts have garnered nearly $4 million in fund- his excellence in teaching undergraduate and ing and have been supported by agencies such 12 S ATURDAY, J ULY 1 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS The Sport of Memory For These High School Athletes, It’s All in Their Heads

By Michelle Cohan mental success is Silvestri. Her passion for teaching mem- How It Works ory comes from a place of concern for future generations. Not much research exists to back up the claim that “We are digitized, we all have iPads, and every moment is training memory will cultivate cognitive faculties. But PHILADELPHIA (CNN) — It’s Thursday night in the scheduled. We have to learn what mastery is again,” she said. Robert Ajemian, a research scientist at the McGovern “Sweetest Place on Earth,” Hershey, Penn., the town Institute for Brain Research at the Massachusetts Memorizing by Space and Loci famed for its chocolate. Institute of Technology, believes that everyone can Traces of mozzarella, boisterous conversations and anxiety The loci method is the main way these athletes are increase their memory muscle using the loci technique. fill the air of a small, packed pizzeria in the heart of town. trained, turning the small room where the students are Ajemian wants to figure out how — and why — it works, This distracted environment is not the ideal place for a practicing into a “memory palace.” so he is at the competition to observe and collaborate group of students to study before a big test of their wits. Dating to the ancient Greeks and Romans, it’s a with Silvestri. But that’s exactly the point. mnemonic technique in which you place items along a “We’re trying to get some studies on some of these high The teens appear doggedly absorbed in their work, familiar path or place in your mind. You can then retrieve school students,” he said. “Some classes are being taught despite the chaotic atmosphere. this information by visualizing the location — essentially the technique, other classes aren’t, and we’re seeing if “Distraction teaches you to focus no matter what,” said talking a walk down memory lane. there is a difference in their general overall performance.” Colette Silvestri, a gifted and enrichment teacher at Visualize a space you know well, like your living room. Silvestri says it already is. Hershey High School. As you walk through it in your mind, place images there, “Their focus is better on tests. ... Their grades increased. So The next day, the students file into a small, unmarked associated with what you’re trying to remember. from the most challenged to the most talented, everybody’s classroom at their high school, smiling and chatting. The When you have to recall this information, simply revisit memory increased.” The key is to start young, she says. teenagers take their seats while sheets of paper are passed that space, and all the new associations — and therefore And at the competition, her efforts paid off. out. Feet start tapping, knuckles are cracked, and Silvestri memories — should be there. Join the conversation sets a timer, at which point absolute silence fills the room. Nelson Delis, four-time USA memory champion, uses See the latest news and share your comments with CNN This is not a final or a standardized test. This is volun- this method and thinks it should be taught in schools. Health on Facebook and Twitter. tary. “When you’re thrown into school, you have to learn and After eight hours of events, a lot of chocolate and shak- This is memory team practice. And these students are often learning means memorizing things,” he said. “But ing knees, the competition ends with Hershey High “mental athletes,” who exercise their brains rather than it’s almost like giving someone a car, and they have to fig- School Team A taking first place. their bodies. ure out how to drive it without being taught how to Ranked individually, Bui came in second place. They’ve been training for the first high school team edi- drive.” “In my brain, I’m like, ‘Yes! I did it! Like, I actually did tion of the USA Memory Championships — the Olympics But loci is not the only way to train your memory. it.’ And the overwhelming part of my brain is like, ‘I of mental games. “Instead of the memory palace, I actually like to make wanna sleep,’ “ Bui said. Memorizing contests generally consist of five events: a a story out of my cards,” said Bui, the competition Experts just don’t know what’s going on the minds of shuffled deck of cards, an unpublished poem, names and favorite. “So depending on what suit the card is, then that these athletes, explained Ajemian. faces, random words, and speed numbers. Each game has will determine what kind of character or action or item it “In associating new info with old, somehow, the new the same goal: memorize and recall. is.” information pops out,” he said. “It’s like magic, but obvi- And they all use the same conditioning: the loci For spades, Bui said, he uses actions. ously it’s not, because anybody can do it.” method, or “memory palace.” Remember this, as we’ll get “Right now, I have the six of spades, so I’ll use ‘tasing.’ to it later. For hearts, I use characters ... so two of hearts, I have Two minutes and 40 seconds are left on the timer. ‘Romeo and Juliet.’ So someone is tasing Romeo and The mental athletes are memorizing the order of a shuf- Juliet. Next card is spades again, so for queen of spades I fled deck of cards by both suit and rank. One athlete has have ‘taking a bath,’ so they are getting tased while tak- all 52 cards laid out in three-card clusters. Another is sim- ing a bath, which is not good,” Bui said, laughing. ply thumbing through the stack. “It starts to get a little crazy, which is good, because it’s The timer sounds, and they’re handed a new deck of more distinct and easier to remember.” cards they must arrange to match the shuffled deck they had just committed to memory. Competition Day “You now have five minutes,” Silvestri tells the kids. It’s 8 a.m. Saturday, May 20, competition day for the Tuan Bui, a sophomore at Hershey High and an early USA Memory Championships — High School Team favorite to do well in the competition, gets nearly every Edition. card right. He’s ready to compete. The room is set up much like an SAT testing facility: a You will have 1 minute to memorize up to 20 cards. quiet, sterile environment, with nothing more than rows Then, you will recall them in the same order. of tables and chairs. The 25th annual World Memory Championships took Teams from all over the country have arrived. Hershey place last year in Singapore. Though not prevalent in the High has the biggest collective team, so they were split United States, these events are huge in regions like Asia into four smaller teams: A through D. and the Middle East, where memory is taught in school “It’s five events, one after the other, with a five-minute from a young age, according to Silvestri, who is pushing break in between,” Silvestri said. for that same practice in the US. The first game is “names and faces,” in which the ath- She has been running a niche but strong memory team letes are tasked with memorizing the names of random for a decade, one of the first teams in the nation. people’s faces. After 20 minutes to memorize, they are Hershey High has churned out top mental athletes like given the same booklet with only faces, and the students Sophia Hu, who holds the US record for written random have to fill in the names. words: 120, to be exact. Just before the timer is set, some competitors put on The school has also won eight national championships. large over-ear headphones, and some use earplugs, but all And while many joke that there must be something in are staring down at a stack of photos of people they’ll MIT’s Hershey’s water, the real reason for the city of chocolate’s never meet. Robert Ajemian Luther J. Khachigian Funds Regional EyeClinic in Gyumri

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — “I have a policy,” expensive to travel to The clinic Khachigian is sponsoring will be Regional Eye Clinic in Spitak were opened in said Luther J. Khachigian. “The more you give, Yerevan for care. called the John Ohannes Khachigian AECP 2015 and 2016, respectively. The the more you get.” “When I heard about Regional EyeClinic, named after his father, Regional Eye Clinic in Kapan will have its grand That has been the 81-year-old businessman’s the Five-for-Five cam- whom he loved and respected very much. opening during our 25th Anniversary mantra for as long as he can remember — and paign I knew I was “I adored my father and he was my hero in Mission to Armenia in July. it’s more applicable now than ever. Khachigian, going to help in some many ways,” Khachigian said. An Armenian All five locations for the clinics — Ijevan in a longtime supporter of the Armenian EyeCare way and that I would Genocide survivor, John Khachigian fled the Tavush province; Spitak in the Lori Project (AECP), has underwritten our probably sponsor a Turkey with his mother and brother and settled province; Kapan in the Syunik province; Gyumri fourth Regional Eye Clinic in Gyumri. region,” said in Central California, making a living as a in the Shirak province; and Yeghegnadzor in The clinic is part of our biggest program ever Khachigian, who was farmer. the Vayots Dzor province — were carefully to fight blindness in Armenia — Five-for-Five — born and raised in Luther J. Khachigian The John Ohannes Khachigian AECP selected by the Ministry of Health based on the development of five Regional Eye Clinics in Visalia, California. Regional Eye Clinic will be the EyeCare local need and the availability of eye care. The Armenia for $5 million by 2020. The Regional Khachigian founded one of California’s leading Project’s fourth Regional Eye Clinic in goal of the Regional Eye Clinic System, which Clinics will provide access to eye care for the grape and walnut nurseries, Cal Western Armenia. The Haig Boyadjian AECP aligns with the EyeCare Project’s mission, is to two million Armenians who live outside the Nurseries, and has sold over 150 million plants Regional Eye Clinic in Ijevan and the John and provide access to quality, affordable eye care for country’s capital and find it too difficult and too in his career. Hasmik Mgrdichian AECP all Armenians. S ATURDAY, J ULY 1 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 COMMUNITY NEWS 14 S ATURDAY, J ULY 1 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Arts & Living

Liana Aghajanian: Examining Intersection ‘Summer Of Native American Sovereignty and Science Rhapsody’ By Gloria Muñoz Concert in LOS ANGELES (IVOH) — While working on her Images and Voices of Hope (IVOH) fellow- ship project, Liana Aghajanian has interviewed Providence anthropologists and visited an ancient DNA lab that houses indigenous remains. Her project, which is inspired by the collaborative efforts of PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The Saints Sahag Native American tribes and scientists to help and Mesrob Armenian Church Cultural indigenous communities reclaim the bones of Committee presents “Summer Rhapsody,” a their ancestors, has driven Aghajanian to fol- variety of Armenian and American song and low ethical anthropologists and a Native dance. The performance will include Jasmin American tribe in Alaska. As pictured below, Atabekyan and the Gasparyan Family she must suit up and get her DNA swabbed in Quartet (from Greece), Janette Khalarian, order to enter the lab, Aghajanian said. and the Nazeli Dance Group of Saints Sahag This is the kind of journalist Aghajanian is. and Mesrob Armenian Church. She dives deep and immerses herself in Vocalist Khalarian released her debut CD, research and experience. As stated on her site, “Noits Kez Hed” in 2004. Her album was the Armenian-American journalist has traveled nominated in the “Best Pop Retro” category extensively to cover everything from medical at the Armenian Music Awards. Most recent- marijuana use in assisted living facilities to vis- ly, she toured the northeast United States iting the world’s only forensics lab that solves with the Dudukner ensemble, from Armenia. crimes against animals. She has a knack and Originating from Greece, the Gasparyan passion for covering under-reported communi- Family Quartet consists of Emily Gasparyan ties and issues. Case in point, Aghajanian’s fel- “Etude” lowship project raises awareness of the deep- rooted generational trauma of the indigenous people of America. In addition to being an ivoh fellow, Aghajanian has been honored by the Final Week of ‘Art of Areg International Reporting Project Fellowship in Global Religion Reporting, Metlife Foundation Journalists in Aging Fellowship, and Hrant Elibekian’ at Gallery Z Dink Foundation Fellowship for Turkish- Armenian Dialogue. In 2015, she won a Write PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The youngest of three generations of famous artists, Areg A House residency, which placed her in her Elibekian, son of Robert and grandson of the elder, Vagharshag, is featured in current house in Detroit, Michigan. Gallery Z’s June 2017 exhibit. The last day of the exhibit is Sunday, July 2. Gloria Muñoz: What initially drew you to The revered tradition of painting has been passed down through the generations ivoh’s Restorative Narrative fellowship? within the world-renowned Elibekian family, preserving the family's artistic legacy Liana Aghajanian: I felt like I had always and differing individual imprints. Born in 1970 in Yerevan, Armenia, Elibekian is a sought out stories that fell into the Restorative 1992 graduate of Narrative framework, whether it was to report Yerevan's Institute Janette Khalarian on them or read them, but I never knew how of Drama and Fine to define it, or if such a category even existed. Arts. He resides in (violin), Daniel Gasparyan (violin), Vahgan I think this interest stemmed from the fact that Montreal and has Gasparyan (guitar), and Jasmin Atabekyan- so much of my own background — both my often traveled to Gasparyan (vocals). Violinists Emily family’s story of coming to America as refugees Paris each summer Gasparyan and Daniel Gasparyan are young and historical nature of my ethnic Armenian to paint. talents at the ages of 15 and 16, respectively. identity — is one big Restorative Narrative in Elibekian's works Each has received numerous awards and itself, so it was something that felt familiar and are steeped in recognition for their talents. Guitarist intrinsically true to who I was. exquisitely rich and Vahgan Gasparyan, with a M.A. in Guitar per- I was attracted to the idea of what it means appealing colors, formance, has additionally appeared as a solo to rebuild, and how the realities of rebuilding often depicting guitarist at many concerts and festivals in are often messier — both in their challenges Impressionist-influ- Armenia and Greece and the USA. Vocalist and resiliencies — than we tend to see. I felt enced encapsula- Jasmin Atabekyan-Gasparyan, PhD in piano that this fellowship would really give me an tions of the bour- performance, is an accomplished musician opportunity to explore that complexity in a geoisie in open-air and is the winner of France’s Pierre Lantier- holistic way. scenes of Paris and Ober Piano Competition, Aram Khachaturian Muñoz: Tell us about your story and where Montreal café soci- “Marche de la Rue de Buci” Competition in Yerevan, Armenia and several you’re at in your reporting process. ety and street life, other international competitions. Aghajanian: My story is about the repatria- or beckoning con- The Nazeli Dance Group of Saints Sahag tion of Native American remains and the often- densed landscapes and Mesrob Church will perform dances inde- fraught relationship indigenous communities of these cities’ peaceful riverfronts and gardens. Bridges and arches, cafes and pendently and combined with Janette have with scientists and educational institu- brasseries evoke both a bygone and an aspiring lifestyle. Khalarian. tions. It involves the lingering modern day Like both his father and grandfather, Areg Elibekian’s art is in permanent col- “Summer Rhapsody” will take place Friday, impacts of historical trauma like genocide, lections of prestigious museums and galleries worldwide. His works have been June 30, at 7 p.m. at Saints Sahag and ethics in science, policy like the Native exhibited in Armenia, Lebanon, Germany, France, Canada and the US. His latest Mesrob Armenian Church. American Graves and Repatriation Act, DNA, solo exhibitions were at Arame Art Gallery in Yerevan and at Stewart Hall in Pointe- and [examines] how these two groups are Claire Québec in 2016. From 1988 to 1992, he participated in numerous exhibitions attempting to repair that relationship. It of the Association of Armenia Artists, part of the Elibekian family exhibitions at the explores the ownership of the past: Are these International Art Center in Beirut, Lebanon, ALMA Gallery in Boston, Gallery remains ancestors or artifacts? Who gets to L’Oeil Reno Berg, Brussels, and Studio 22, Antwerp, Belgium. In 1998, he had a decide? And, is it possible that they could be solo exhibition at the Gallery Hai Cie in Paris. He has exhibited previously as a part both? of the Three Generations of Armenian Art show at Gallery Z. Areg teaches regular- My story follows a group of ethical anthro- ly at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. pologists and a Native American tribe in Gallery Z also displays a rotating selection of original fine art (paintings, pho- Alaska as they take steps in a pioneering pro- tographs, drawings, mixed media, glass, sculptures, assemblages, lithographs) from ject to see if both cultural healing and under- its stable of over 400 locally, nationally or internationally renowned fine artists, and standing the world through science can be fine ceramics, pottery, jewelry and Armenian and international handicrafts. The achieved, when often those two things are pit- “Italy” room expands the local Federal Hill Italian atmosphere with “Dreamy ted against each other. I’ll be accompanying Venice” with luminous handmade Murano glass gifts and jewelry chosen and imported from Venice by Gallery Associate Linda Kamajian. the anthropologists on a trip to Alaska this Jasmin Atabekyan and the Gasparyan Family summer to see the process first hand and Quartet see SCIENCE, page 15 S ATURDAY, J ULY 1 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 ARTS & LIVING Zabel Yessayan Excerpts Appear in New Cambridge Literary Journal

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The new literary jour- University and continued her writing. But soon nal Pangyrus includes several pieces by the she became a victim of the anti-intellectual poli- Armenian feminist writer Zabel Yessayan in its cies of the Stalinist Armenian government, was recently-released third issue. arrested and died in prison under unknown cir- Originally published in 2015 as an online cumstances. journal, Pangyrus appears in this third issue in Editing and publication of the English-lan- hard copy as well as online. guage translations of Yessayan’s works is car- The Yessayan pieces consist of a chapter ried on by AIWA’s Publications Committee, con- titled “My Home,” from the Istanbul-born sisting of Judy Saryan, Barbara Merguerian, Armenian writer’s memoir, The Gardens of Daniela Terpanjian and Joy Renjilian-Burgy, Silihdar; a few pages from the author’s eyewit- Support was provided by the Dolores Zohrab ness account of the aftermath of the 1909 Liebman Foundation and the Gulbenkian Adana massacres, In the Ruins; and the chilling Foundation. Publication is part of AIWA’s mis- mystery story “The Man,” published in the col- sion to gather and distribute information about lection titled My Soul in Exile and Other the history and current status of Armenian Writings. women. The Yessayan material is reprinted from the Pangyrus is produced by a Boston-based three books of Yessayan’s writings translated group of writers, editors and professionals who into English and published by the Armenian came together with a new vision to foster a International Women’s Association (AIWA) as community of creative individuals and organi- part of its series titled Treasury of Armenian zations dedicated to art, ideas, and making cul- Women’s Literature. ture thrive. Its aim is to publish well-crafted, The Yessayan section of Pangyrus is preced- thought-provoking writing and multimedia sto- ed by a two-page description of Zabel rytelling in every genre, including short stories, Yessayan’s life and literary significance and is investigative reporting, reviews, essay and mem- accompanied by several photographs. Editor Greg Harris, center, at Porter Square Books in Cambridge with, from left, AIWA oirs, flash fiction, poetry, journalism, short doc- Pangyrus Almost forgotten until recently, Yessayan Editor Joy Renjilian-Burgy, Pangyrus Print Book Editor Ahna Wayne Aposhian, and AIWA Editors Judy umentary film and visual arts. (1878-1943) was a leading figure in the literary A. Saryan and Danila Terpanjian at the June 5 reading from the latest issue of Pangyrus. The editor of Pangyrus is Greg Harris, who renaissance that took place in Western Armenia has taught writing at Harvard since 2003, and in the late 19th and early 20th century. After the staff includes fiction editor Anne Bernays, receiving her primary education at the Holy Paris and in Istanbul. Bulgaria and, later, to the Caucasus, where she poetry editor Cheryl Clark Vermeulen, comics Cross School in Istanbul, Yessayan became one Yessayan’s life reflected the tumultuous devoted herself to interviewing Armenian editor Dan Mazur, managing editor of the print of the first Ottoman women to study abroad events that accompanied the fall of the Genocide survivors and providing information edition Ahna Wayne Aposhian, and several oth- when she went to Paris and enrolled in the Ottoman Empire, World War I, and its after- to European (especially French) journalists ers. Sorbonne. Her articles, essays, and books math The only woman on the list of Armenian about the condition of the Armenian. Further information is available from quickly established her reputation as a leading intellectuals arrested and exiled in April 1915, Later Yessayan moved to Armenia, where she www.pangyrus.com and info@aiwainternation- writer associated with progressive circles in she went into hiding and managed to escape to taught French literature at Yerevan State al.org.

Liana Aghajanian: Examining intersection of Native American Sovereignty and Science

SCIENCE, from page 14 challenges that come with it as they attempt to develop and tell this story? make sense of a place that really feels like it spend time with the tribe. I’m hoping to docu- partner with each other. Aghajanian: The support this fellowship has encompasses the complicated story of America ment this delicate process of trust, and all the Muñoz: How is the fellowship helping you provided has been crucial when it comes to this has made me really think about the kind of story. Being given the opportunity to interact work I pursue. I love slow journalism. I love get- with such a dynamic group of journalists, to ting to know people and places over time and bounce ideas off each other and learn about our being in Detroit has really helped propel me in respective projects, has been so valuable to me as the direction of those stories. a freelance journalist who often does not interact Muñoz: What advice do you have for other on this level with my peers. The guidance from media practitioners who want to tell ivoh staff has been immensely helpful. Restorative Narratives? Jacqui Banasyznki’s invaluable coaching has Aghajanian: Though I don’t think that every allowed me to focus and hone in on not just the single story can be or needs to be a Restorative central themes, but the structure of my story. Narrative, I think taking the time to examine Her presence, constructive feedback, passion and expertise in the craft of journalism has truly made this fellowship the best I’ve had. Muñoz: What have you learned so far about Restorative Narrative? Aghajanian: I think the most important thing I’ve learned about the Restorative Narrative [genre] is that these stories are messy, they encompass both resilience and reality, they are an accurate reflection of life in a lot of ways. If told correctly, I think Restorative Narratives really do have the power to make an impact in people’s lives. One other thing I’ve learned is how powerful they can be for the people whose stories you are telling through this framework. This approach, which forces you to slow down your reporting process and figure out why Liana Aghajanian during her first year of the you’re telling this story in the first place, also Write A House residency. The wall is decorated has an impact on the people who allow you the with paintings and illustrations related to her privilege of documenting their lives. Armenian background, including an original Muñoz: Throughout the fellowship, we’ve (the typographic poster from the Ottoman Empire ivoh staff) enjoyed learning more about your and Dr. Kevorkian, who is both a Metro Detroit The HALO Trust has been clearing minefields in Nagorno Karabakh Write A House writing residency. Could you share native and Armenian-American. about how your time in Detroit has informed your since 2000. We’re over 90% done – with your help we can finish creative life and writing projects? the job, making every step a Safe Step for the people of Karabakh. Aghajanian: Being part of the Write A House what a Restorative Narrative means is impor- residency, a unique non-profit that gives houses tant. By that I mean, it’s really easy to assume Every gi will be matched by an anonymous founda*on, dollar away to writers in Detroit has been one of the it means telling a nice story with a happy end- for dollar. most profound, life changing experiences of my ing, when the reality is that it is the opposite of life. Detroit is a city with no easy answers, but that — it is telling a story as wholly as possible, lots of questions. I wanted to come here it is highlighting the way in which people and For more informa*on on benefit events in because I knew it was a place you could not places try to juggle life and engage in a recov- Boston & New York in June, please call 202.331.1266 understand from afar. The complexity and con- ery process that is both frustrating and fruitful. To learn more or to donate online: www.halotrust.org/MineFreeNK tradictions of this place (not to mention the I also believe that because of the challenging incredibly rich history) often remain under- times we face in journalism and in society as a To donate by check (mark check 'for NK campaign'): reported or not reported on at all on a nation- whole, these stories are more necessary than The HALO Trust, 1730 Rhode Island Ave NW, Suite 403, Washington, DC 20036 al level. People have stronger opinions about ever. They need to be given as much room in The HALO Trust (USA), Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organiza*on. Detroit than any other place I’ve been, no mat- publications as possible, because they spur dia- Your dona*on is tax-deduc*ble to the extent allowed by law. Federal Tax ID Number 52-2158152 ter how many thousands of miles away they logue and reflect universal themes that readers live. So being here, day in day out and trying to can really connect with. 16 S ATURDAY, J ULY 1 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING Zangakner Gives Voice to Boston-Area Children Recipe ZANGAKNER, from page 1 Corner Before my second year of Erebuni, the school switched to the St. James Church nearby. by Christine Vartanian Datian To my dismay, I was held after school to practice singing. Hasmik saw something in me Garbanzo Bean and Pepper Pies with that was shared with the other members of Zangakner: a talent Yogurt Cucumber Sauce for singing. Soon after I began my after- INGREDIENTS school singing practice, I met 4 pocket-less pitas, any variety the other members of 1 (15-ounce) can low-sodium garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained, rinsed, and cooked Zangakner. Ani Belorian, Sona 1 small white onion, minced Hakobyan and Sophia 1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped Goulopoulos introduced them- 1/2 each medium green and red bell pepper, seeded and minced selves to me, along with the 2 tablespoons tomato paste only other boy — Danny 2 cloves garlic, minced Petetski. Over time, I got to 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice know them better, seeing them 1 tablespoon olive oil at practices on Wednesdays as Ani Belorian, at left, with Hasmik Konjoyan, founder and musi- 1 teaspoon cumin well as sometimes on Saturdays. cal director of Zangakner 1/2 teaspoon each paprika, sea or Kosher salt, and black pepper Usually, Saturdays were 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or Aleppo pepper reserved for private practices, to 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped make up for any missed club. At St. Stephen’s, Ani had learnt a lot of Olive oil Wednesdays. Armenian songs so she had prior knowledge to Lemon wedges, sliced red onions In addition to the aforementioned group, my bring with her. Her mother befriended Mrs. Crumbled Feta cheese brother Raffi Arkun, Sevana Stepanian, Leila Konjoyan and learned about her new group Belubekian, Arpi Mirzabegian, Milena Zangakner. Ani’s love of singing and being on Yogurt Cucumber Sauce Jabaghyan and Maral Abrahamian. Last year, stage meant she was perfect for Zangakner. Vahe Ayrapetyan joined Zangakner, bringing Mrs. Konjoyan noticed that Ani was very INGREDIENTS another boy into the older group, and a new engaged in the songs and saw her passion for 2 cups plain yogurt friend. singing, so she made Ani Junior Assistant 3 medium Persian cucumbers, peeled and chopped 1 clove garlic, mashed Juice of one large lemon and the zest Salt, black pepper and dried dill to taste 2-3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint

PREPARATION: Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. Combine all ingredients for the Yogurt Cucumber Sauce in a medium glass bowl, cover, and chill before serving. In a food processor or bowl, mash the cooked garbanzo beans until soft; add the onion, tomato, bell pepper, tomato paste, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil, and mix to combine. Add the parsley, and season to taste. Place the pitas on a prepared baking sheet and spread about 1/4 cup each of the bean and vegetable mixture to cover each pita; drizzle lightly with olive oil. Bake pitas for 10-12 minutes or until crisp and golden brown, and remove from oven. Top pitas with crumbled Feta cheese, if desired, and serve with Yogurt Cucumber Sauce, sliced red onions, roasted red peppers, and fresh lemon wedges on the side. Serves 4.

*Christine's recipes have been published in the Fresno Bee Newspaper, Sunset Magazine, Cooking Light Magazine, and athttp://www.thearmeniankitchen.com/

Zangakner Performing Arts Ensemble in their May 6, 2017 show, “My Mother City Yerevan” at Pine Manor College in Chesnut Hill, Massachusetts.

The Zangakner Performing Arts Ensemble Conductor. Ani says about the Zangakner per- has had two main concerts during my time with formance at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral in it, as well as performances at other events. I was New York City that “It was the most memorable the master of ceremonies as well as a singer for [of all] because we were not performing at a both of these main concerts. As of May 2017, place that we knew. It was New York and we there were 49 children in Zangakner. had never performed in any other state other Ani Belorian, 13, has been in Zangakner for than Massachusetts. We were spreading our six years. Throughout her experience at popularity and it meant a lot that other people got to know about us too.” My brother, Raffi Arkun, told me something very interesting. He confided to me, “At prac- tices, if you ever mess up no one will tease you about not knowing the lyrics. In fact, the other singers do the opposite; they try to help you learn the lyrics.” He went on to talk about how strongly he felt about Armenia, and that he felt he actually was there through his singing and experiences in Zangakner. Zangakner has not only helped Raffi and I extend friendships with others, but has also strengthened our brotherly bond. Furthermore, Raffi was able to overcome his stage fright through appearing in Zangakner Mark Arkun and Ani Belorian at the micro- phones at Pine Manor College concerts with the help of friendly and support- ive people. I strongly recommend participating in Zangakner for any student who wants to make Zangakner, she has performed at a considerable great Armenian friends while learning how to number of concerts, to the point where she can- sing and appear in public. See www.face- not count them all. In a way that is similar to book.com/Zangakner for more information. how I met Mrs. Konjoyan, Ani met our musical director at St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary (Mark Antranig Arkun is a 14-year-old School, where she participated in the drama Lynnfield High School student.) S ATURDAY, J ULY 1 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 17 ARTS & LIVING CC AA LENDARLENDAR

Hyatt Regency Hotel - Cambridge, MA Visit SEPTEMBER 30 — Concert by famous Istanbul- MASSACHUSETTSFLORIDA www.GrandConvo.com for registration and hotel reser- Armenian singer, Sibil Pektorosoglu (www.sibilmu- vation. On Saturday, August 11, there will be a dance sic.com), at the Ellsworth Theatre at Pine Manor College, JANUARY 20-28, 2018 — Armenian Heritage Cruise with Elie Berberian, at the Hyatt Regency, 575 Memorial Chestnut Hill. Sponsored by the Armenian International XXI 2018 Eastern Caribbean Cruise aboard the Royal Drive, Cambridge. All proceeds will benefit the construc- Women’s Association. Details to follow. Caribbean’s Freedom Of The Seas. Travelling to: St. Kitts tion of the Armenian Apostolic Church at Hye NOVEMBER 2 — Thursday, Symposium with the partic- / St.John’s Antigua / San Juan / Labadee, Private Island. Pointe. Dinner & Dance—$100 Dance Only—$60, $120 ipation of International media representatives, dedi- Cabin Rates starting from US $1044 / person based on after July 4 $75 after July 4, Under 25: Dance only $40. cated to the Armenian Mirror-Spectator’s 85th Double Occupancy, including Port Charges and ACAA Tickets, [email protected], 781.264.8680 or Anniversary. Details to follow. registration fee. Government taxes of $108.36 are addi- 617.223.7520 NOVEMBER 3 — Friday, 85th Anniversary Celebration tional. Armenian Entertainment, Armenian Cultural OCTOBER 14 — Armenian Friends of America, Inc. Banquet of the Armenian Mirror-Spectator Presentations, Armenian Festival Day, Tavlou & Belote Present . . . HYE KEF 5 Dance Featuring: ONNIK Newspaper the first English Language Armenian Tournaments and much more. Call TRAVELGROUP INTER- DINKJIAN. 7 p.m. – Midnight, 123 Old River Road • Newspaper in the United States @ Newton Marriott Hotel NATIONAL @1- 561-447-0750 or 1-866-447-0750 Ext. Andover. AFA room rates until 9/16/17 • Call 978-975- Banquet Hall. 85 Years and Beyond. Details to follow 108. Ask for Janie. 3600. Ticket Prices Include Buffet and Dance • Cash Bar Only. $55 if purchased before 9/1/17 • $65.00 after NEW JERSEY MASSACHUSETTS 9/1/17. $50 for Students 21 and under. Continuous Buffet 7:30 – 9:30 pm. Advance tickets only. John NOVEMBER 18 — Save the date. Gala banquet cele- JULY 2 — Armenian Church of Cape Cod presents - Kef Arzigian - 603-560-3826, Lucy Sirmaian - 978-683-9121, brating the 70th anniversary of the Tekeyan Cultural Time - Dinner & Dancing, Fourth of July Weekend - Peter Gulezian - 978-375-1616, Sharké Der Apkarian - Association. At the Terrace at Biagios. 299 Paramus Sunday, July 2, 2017 - 5 to 11 p.m., The Cape Club, 125 978-808-0598, To Benefit: The Armenian Churches of the Road, Paramus. Featuring Elie Berberian and his band Falmouth Woods Road, North Falmouth, Chicken Kebab Merrimack Valley (St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic from Montreal. & Losh Kebab dinner Leon Janikian band and DJ, For Church of N. Andover, The Armenian Apostolic Church at tickets contact Andrea Barber - (617)201-9808. $60 per Hye Pointe, Haverhill, Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic person, children ages 7 to 14 - $10 Church of Chelmsford, Ararat Armenian Congregational Calendar items are free. Entries should not be longer AUGUST 8-14 — The Knights & Daughters of Vartan Church of Salem, NH) www.Armenian than 5 lines. Listings should include contact informa- will hold their Grand Convocation in Cambridge. FriendsofAmerica.org. John Berberian / Oud, Mal tion. Items will be edited to fit the space, if need be. A Hosted by Ararat Lodge and Arpie Otyag. Registration Barsamian / Clarinet, Ara Dinkjian / Keyboard, Ron photo may be sent with the listing. Items should be help: (781) 399-5152 Hotel reservation: (617) 492-1234. Tutunjian / Dumbeg sent no later than Mondays at noon.

Artist Norik Astvatsaturov to Receive National Endowment for Arts Fellowship

WASHINGTON — Across the United States •Ella Jenkins (Chicago, IL) – Children’s niques…to create depth, volume, and detail.… sessions behind, Astvatsaturov brought with there are traditional art forms that shape the Folk Singer and Musician Each kind of metal has its own properties, him his hammer and nail punches. He said, culture and make communities distinct, •Dwight Lamb* (Onawa, IA) – Danish elasticity, and feel.” “A good artist is one who can carry all the whether it’s conjunto music in Texas, old- Button Accordionist and Missouri-Style Soon, Astvatsaturov obtained a full-time tools he needs in his pocket.” time buckdancing in Tennessee, or Chilkat Fiddler job in metal repoussé in Baku where he sup- To support his family, Astvatsaturov weaving in Alaska. For the past 35 years, the •Thomas Maupin (Murfreesboro, TN) – ported his family solely with commercial worked as a machinist in Wahpeton while National Endowment for Arts (NEA) has pre- Old-time Buckdancer sented National Heritage Fellowships to cele- •Cyril Pahinui (Waipahu, HI) – Hawaiian brate and honor master artists working in Slack Key Guitarist the folk and traditional arts. On June 20, the •Phil Wiggins (Takoma Park, MD) – NEA announced the nine 2017 National Acoustic Blues Harmonica Player Heritage Fellowship recipients, who will each •Eva Ybarra (San Antonio, TX) – receive $25,000 and will be honored in Conjunto Accordionist and Bandleader Washington, DC this September. The NEA will celebrate the 2017 National “The National Endowment for the Arts is Heritage Fellows at two events this fall in proud to honor these individuals for artistic Washington, DC, both of which are free and mastery, as well as a commitment to sharing open to the public. The NEA National their traditions,” said NEA Chairman Jane Heritage Fellowships Awards Ceremony will Chu. “Our nation is a richer, more vibrant take place at the Library of Congress on place because of these artists and the art Thursday, September 14, at 5:30 p.m. and forms they practice.” the NEA National Heritage Fellowships The 2017 NEA National Heritage Concert will take place on Friday, Fellowship recipients are: September 15, at 8 p.m. at George •Norik Astvatsaturov (Wahpeton, ND) – Washington University’s Lisner Auditorium. Armenian Repoussé Metal Artist Concert tickets are first come, first served and will be available later this summer. The concert will also be webcast live at arts.gov. More information about both of these events will be available later this summer. Astvatsaturov’s work is ancient in its ori- gins yet current in its voice. He is an Armenian repoussé artist who, using a ham- Jewelry box. Copper, inlaid freshwater pearls and malachite, 10” L x 7” W x 4” H, 2014. Photo by mer and simple nail punches, works both Troyd Geist, North Dakota Council on the Arts sides of metal sheets (copper, bronze, brass, German silver, sometimes gold) and uses semi-precious stones like amethyst, work from 1970-88. Yet, the traditional art he also continuing his art this time freely and turquoise, garnet, topaz, and carnelian as created that reflected Armenian culture and openly making items cherished by the insets to create ornate works of art. Cultural religion had to be hidden from prying eyes Armenian diaspora in the United States. items like jewelry boxes and icons made by for fear of persecution. According to custom Astvatsaturov’s work is known not only for Astvatsaturov are used by the Armenian dias- and tradition, he made such decorative metal extraordinary technique with simple tools pora to maintain their ethnic identity and items as crosses to pray for health, covers but for the meaning and feeling he infuses remember their turbulent history. protecting family Bibles, and jewelry boxes into his art. He said, “Technique without Astvatsaturov’s father, Ygishe, lived in the for marriages. meaning is lifeless.” area of Zangezur, Armenia, and moved to In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Since arriving in the US, Astvatsaturov has Baku, Azerbaijan, after the Russian Soviet Union collapsed and simmering ethnic worked tirelessly to teach and share his tra- Revolution of 1917. This is when the family and religious tensions rose to the surface. ditional art and its message with Americans Norik Astvatsaturov name was “Russified” from the Armenian “Pogroms” ensued against Christian and the Armenian diaspora regionally and “Astvatsaturyan,” meaning “God-given,” to Armenians by the predominant Muslim nationally. He has taught, given workshops, Astvatsaturov to deflect ethnic and religious Azerbaijanis that echoed the Armenian presented at folk festivals, exhibited regional- •Anna Brown Ehlers (Juneau, AK) – persecution. Astvatsaturov was born in 1947. Genocide of 1915. Astvatsaturov and his fam- ly and nationally, and is a recipient of fellow- Chilkat Weaver As a young man, he apprenticed to an elder- ily fled and eventually found a home in ships from the North Dakota Council on the •Modesto Cepeda (San Juan, PR) – Bomba ly Armenian artisan named Goga. Wahpeton, North Dakota, in 1992. While Arts, the Fund for Folk Culture, and the and Plena Musician Astvatsaturov stated, “He taught me old tech- they were forced to leave most of their pos- Bush Foundation. 18 S ATURDAY, J ULY 1 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

COMMENTARY Mirror 65 Million Refugees on Conscience Spectator Of Humanity ture and music, based on this refugee existence. All this, of By Edmond Y. Azadian course, even before the great cataclysm, the Armenian Genocide. For many of Armenians, the current pictures on TV screens EstablishedEstablished 1932 1932 Every day, horrifying pictures are seen on television and are painfully real and familiar. They touch a very sensitive An ADLAn Publication ADL Publication computer screens around the world. The United Nations has chord as they reminisce about the fate of their parents and estimated that a record 65 million people have been displaced grandparents. from their homelands and habitats this past year and they are The girl who was pulled out of the rubble of a bombed at the mercy of rough seas, desert heat and the immigration house in Syria, with scars on her face, could have been my

EDITOR offices of prospective host countries. These immigrants own mother, who actually and literally paced the desert in Alin K. Gregorian drown in the seas, die of exhaustion or hunger, are killed by Deir Zor and by a miracle was saved and survived after losing mercenaries and are abused by human traffickers. They are 40 family members. ASSISTANT EDITOR the victims of political machinations and “regime change” Despite the horrors associated with the death marches dur- Aram Arkun expediencies; in a word, man-made disasters. ing the Armenian Genocide, I was compelled about 15 years

ART DIRECTOR If humanity lived up to the word, many of those immigrants ago to take a trip through all the towns and villages where Marc Mgrditchian would remain in their homelands and enjoy dignified and safe my mother’s family had marched: Aleppo, Qamishly, Markadeh, Deir Zor, Raqqa and many others. Under a blazing August sun, on the white sands of Deir Zor, one can hardly stand for more than 10 or 15 minutes. It is stunning how some people survived the forced marches of the Armenian SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: Genocide after living there for three or four years under those Edmond Y. Azadian conditions, but it explains how millions perished there or were drowned in the Euphrates River, whose waters they CONTRIBUTORS: were forbidden to drink. Florence Avakian, Dr. Haroutiun Today, refugees are all over the world, running away from Arzoumanian, Taleen Babayan, Diana war zones, persecution, kidnapping and all forms of catastro- Der Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, Kevork Keushkerian, Harut Sassounian, phes that major powers have brought to their countries. Hagop Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian Syria, Iraq, Libya, Yemen, South Sudan, Nigeria, Myanmar, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and many other countries CORRESPONDENTS: have become failed states and cannot sustain or protect their Armenia - Hagop Avedikian own populations. Boston - Nancy Kalajian The refugee problem has even hit Armenia, which was New York/New Jersey - Marylynda home for 300,000 refugees deported from Baku and Sumgait, Bozian-Cruickshank Berlin - Muriel Mirak-Weissbach who either fell victim to the devastating earthquake or could not survive there and were scattered around the world. Contributing Photographers: Most recently, Armenia has received 22,000 refugees from Jacob Demirdjian and Jirair Hovsepian Syria and after last April’s war with Azerbaijan, 2,000 Armenians fled from Karabakh to Armenia. World organizations are not equipped nor do they have the means to deal with the global surge of refugees. “You’re basi- The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published weekly, except two weeks in July and the first cally looking at an entire primary school generation losing week of the year, by: the opportunity for education before the international com- Baikar Association, Inc. munity will even move,” said Kevin Watkins, CEO of Save the Children UK to Newsweek. He continued, “While the precise 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 numbers are difficult to unravel, there could be as many as 10 Telephone: 617-924-4420 million refugee children globally who are either out of school FAX: 617-924-2887 or likely to drop out of school.” www.mirrorspectator.com It is not enough that the children cannot attend school E-Mail: [email protected] under the bombs in Syria; in other counties, schools are tar- For advertising: [email protected] Armenian martyrs’ monument in Deir Zor, now destroyed by Turks geted for destruction, to deliberately drive the young and and their surrogates. uneducated children to the dark ages. Thus, Boko Haram, a hardcore Islamic group, has destroyed more than 1,400 schools in Nigeria. About 1,000 schools have lives, even if they had to endure poverty. been destroyed in Yemen as a result of Saudi bombing. Children are the most vulnerable category among refugees; “Attacks on schools is a war crime,” said Watkins. SUBSCRIPTION RATES : they are subject to malnutrition, rampant diseases, rape, The UN has announced that it would set up a unit to collect forced labor and neglect, each of which can lead to death. evidence for future war crimes prosecution in Syria. Britain’s The commemoration of World Refugee Day on June 20 pro- Metropolitan Police have started examining allegations of war U.S.A. $80 a year vides a moment to contemplate the fate of these destitute crimes by Saudi Arabia in the Yemen conflict. In Nigeria, the people, expelled from their homelands and thrown into the Canada $125 a year International Court has carried out examinations. whirlwind of politics, sometimes even abused by their sup- Eventually, these fact-finding missions are rendered into a Other Countries $190 a year posed protectors, when some trickster tries to derive divi- continued on next page dends out of their misery. As humanity advances in © 2014 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator terms of technology, it is Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA thrown back to the stone age and additional mailing offices. when it comes to its con- science. ISSN 0004-234X We watch the faces of ema- ciated women and dead chil- POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The dren on beaches and then Armenian Mirror-Spectator, 755 Mount Auburn flip the TV channel to more St., Watertown, MA 02472 entertaining programs and Other than the editorial, views and opinions thus we can sleep soundly at expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily night. reflect the policies of the publisher. The plight of refugees res- onates in the hearts and minds of people whose fami- lies — parents, grandparents Copying for other than personal use or — have gone through those internal reference is prohibited without same harrowing experiences. express permission of the copyright Armenians are among those owner. Address requests for reprints or peoples; they have experi- back issues to: enced refugee life through- out their history. There is Baikar Association, Inc. even a culture, both litera- 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472- Digging with fingers for Armenian martyrs’ bones in Markadeh 1509 S ATURDAY, J ULY 1 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 19 COMMENTARY

accusing Armenians for the crimes committed by Azerbaijan mental organizations.” It is not surprising that the descrip- and Turkey. Regrettably, Azerbaijan has been also emulating tion of the functions performed by Roberti White for SOCAR Turkey in the repression of its own citizens, making it diffi- USA is identical to the ones performed by Podesta Group, cult to determine which of the two countries is more auto- Inc., for the government of Azerbaijan. cratic. 3) BGR Government Affairs, LLC is paid $50,000 a month My Turn 3) The government of Azerbaijan, realizing its tarnished by the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Washington, D.C., to provide image in the West due to widespread human rights viola- “strategic guidance and counsel with regard to government By Harut Sassounian tions, has hired PR and lobbying firms to whitewash its neg- affairs and public relations activity within the U.S. This may ative reputation. One would expect a regime that is so con- include relevant outreach to U.S. government officials, non- Azerbaijan Employs Four cerned about its poor image overseas that it would improve government organizations, members of the media and other its human rights record at home, so it does not need to waste individuals within the U.S.” Lobbying and PR firms millions of dollars on American firms to carry out the impos- 4) The Tool Shed Group LLC, originally headquartered in sible task of cleansing its image. In his 2013 speech, Pres. Woodland Hills, California, now relocated to Parker, After identifying the lobbying and PR firms hired by the Aliyev wishfully described Azerbaijan as a “modern, progres- Colorado, was hired by the Consulate of Azerbaijan in Los government of Turkey, we now report on four similar firms sive, open, tolerant country.” Who can be fooled by such out- Angeles in 2009 for a period of four months for a flat fee of hired by Azerbaijan. right lies? $35,000. The Tool Shed Group now also represents the By observing Azerbaijan’s devious approach to foreign The government of Azerbaijan has hired dozens of PR and Republic of Azerbaijan. Since then the contract has been relations, I have noticed the following pattern: lobbying firms over the years. However, at this time, it renewed every six months. Tool Shed is led by Jason Katz, 1) Whatever actions Armenian-Americans take for their employs only four such firms. former Director of Public Relations and Public Affairs for the causes, Azerbaijan seeks to emulate and counter them in the 1) Podesta Group, Inc., is paid $45,000 a month by American Jewish Committee. Tool Shed provides “consulting United States through its hired companies. Pres. Aliyev in a Azerbaijan to “research and analyze issues of concern to services to the Consulate, including organizing briefings/lec- 2013 speech stated that Azerbaijan’s “main enemy is the [Azerbaijan]; counsel [Azerbaijan] on U.S. policies of concern, tures; facilitating meetings with community members, elect- Armenian lobby.” He also stated: “the Armenian lobby day activities in Congress and the executive branch, and devel- ed and appointed officials, and business leaders; write and and night is trying to slander Azerbaijan, to undermine its opments on the U.S. political scene generally; and maintain disseminate op-eds.” authority. They have broad financial resources. They are contact, if necessary, with members of Congress and their Recently, the Consulate General of Azerbaijan in Los closely connected with the authorities of their countries staff and executive branch officials, media and non-govern- Angeles disseminated to all Consulates in Los Angeles, and where they donate to the legislators under the name of ‘lob- mental organizations.” probably many others, a color brochure entitled, “Nagorno- bying.’ But, in fact, it is a bribe. Thus the Armenian lobby is 2) SOCAR USA (U.S. subsidiary of the State Oil Company Karabakh: Background and Facts.” This 16-page propaganda at the forefront of an organized campaign against us.” In his of Azerbaijan) pays Roberti White LLC $125,000 to piece, full of misrepresentations about Artsakh, most likely lengthy diatribe, Pres. Aliyev falsely ascribes to Armenians “research and analyze issues of concern to [Azerbaijan]; was prepared by The Tool Shed Group, Azerbaijan’s and its the persistent bribing campaign carried out by his own gov- counsel [Azerbaijan] on U.S. policies of concern, activities in consulate’s PR and lobbying firm. At the end of page 16, ernment around the world. Congress and the Executive branch, and developments on there is a note which states: “Published by the Consulate 2) Azerbaijan follows the footsteps of Turkey’s more expe- the U.S. political scene generally; and maintain contact, as General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles.” It is interesting that rienced officials in its policies on Armenia and Armenian necessary, with members of Congress and their staff, execu- this sentence does not indicate who prepared the brochure, issues, including the denial of the Armenian Genocide and tive branch officials, members of the press, and non-govern- but simply who published it!

65 Million Refugees on LETTERS Conscience of Humanity continued next page political football, whereby powerful nations use In Armenia, Economic Reforms Needed as Is them to punish their enemies. No amount of docu- mentation can affect Saudi Arabia, which recently signed a $110-billion military contract with the US Trust in Government and received a green light from President Trump to wreak havoc in the region. There is even talk of To the Editor: suspicion until the villagers understand that I’m not from “regime change” in Iran by the Trump associates, as I read in the news recently of new economic reforms being the Armenian government. Then they can’t do enough for if bloodshed in the region was not staggering implemented in Armenia which take into account proposals me. Outside of Yerevan, villagers express a sense of aban- enough. from multiple sources. However, Armenia’s economy will not donment by the government. This must end. While it is fine Turkey has been playing its own political game by progress while the average person does not trust the gov- to differ with the government, it must be universally demon- using the Syrian refugees as a bargaining chip. It is ernment and while those who have the means to leave strated that the government and Armenia’s citizens are on reported that 2.9 million refugees have found a safe Armenia do just that. A friend’s son, well-educated and who the same side. I believe the major culprit responsible for such haven in Turkey. The Ankara government opened served with distinction in the army, recently left for Russia alienation is the government. Corruption and bribery must the floodgates to inundate European countries with with his new bride. He did not envision a future for himself stop, not just at high levels, not just on the street, and not waves of refugees until those governments came in Armenia. In Russia, he says, there is no harassment from just in government offices, but everywhere. Obsolete, Soviet- begging President Erdogan to staunch the flow. The traffic police, no harassment or red tape from government era bureaucratic obstacles must be eliminated. Those in latter extorted $3 billion to discontinue this open officials, no speed cameras on the roads, no red-line-delimit- power, whether in the executive, legislative or judicial door to Europe from his country. ed parking spots, and prices for food and energy are low. branches, must demonstrate that they work for the people. If Rather than punish Turkey as a main cause of the Another friend was given the runaround at Yerevan City not, they must resign or be fired. Government officials must refugee problem, Europe bought its silence at a very Hall regarding a minor renovation to his home. The official respect the needs, concerns, and the severely neglected cul- steep price. probably wanted a bribe. He did not get one. Rather than tural heritage sites of Armenia’s villages. Turkey trained, armed, and unleashed the Islamic erecting obstacles, officials should help citizens circumvent Building trust will take years, maybe even a generation. State (IS) extremists to destabilize Syria, causing difficulties. Meanwhile classic, historic buildings are deliber- Look around. How long do we think the situation can con- the current sorry situation of the refugees. ately allowed to disintegrate or are deliberately destroyed in tinue as is? There is no time to waste. Let’s hope that this When Turkish journalists recently caught red- order to build buildings which are making Yerevan superfi- time reforms are not just on paper, but work for all of handed Turkish army officers delivering arms to cially resemble New York or London. Take, for example, Armenia’s citizens. ISIS fighters, the government accused them of trea- Aram Manukyan’s house on Aram Street, a historic monu- son, for divulging “state secrets.” In no other coun- ment which is deliberately being allowed to crumble. — Joseph Dagdigian try have journalists shown similar guts to stand up Often, when entering an Armenian village, I’m treated with Harvard, MA to their governments to expose their deadly deeds in promoting wars, famine, misery and refugee prob- lems around the world. Knowing the nature of politics, there seems to be no end in sight to those man-made tragedies. The United Nations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and people of goodwill do not possess enough power to stop this tragedy. Wars are triggered, countries are torn apart, refugees inundate the world, children are abused and murdered and 65 million scars are seared on the conscience of humanity which seems to have become numb to their painful reality. It is fully understandable why the Armenians’ cry for justice for the mass murder its people suffered a century old does not impact people’s consciences when 65 million living victims roam around the globe helplessly. The governments are the culprits along that pli- ant media, which shuns attacking the root cause of this great tragedy. And the rest of the world sleeps with a clear con- science after flipping the channel or reading a dif- ferent, more pleasant story on their computer screens. 20 S ATURDAY, J ULY 1 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR

Armenia’s Arpine Chris Cornell’s Official Music Video for The Hovhannisyan Elected Promise Released on World Refugee Day PACE Vice President; Seeks Outster of CORNELL, from page 1 homage to those we lost in the Armenian In April 2017, Cornell and his family toured performance. It also includes media donated by Genocide, but it’s also about shining a light on refugee camps in Greece and it was there that Group’s President Academy Award nominated director Evgeny more recent atrocities. The same methods used they decided The Chris and Vicky Cornell STRASBOURG (Armenpress) — Arpine Afineesvky (HBO’s “Cries from Syria”), in the Armenian Genocide were used to carry Foundation would focus its efforts on child Hovhannisyan, head of Armenia’s delegation UNESCO Prize for Peace Recipient SOS out crimes against humanity in Bosnia, Darfur, refugees and the issues affecting them includ- to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Méditerranée, Freshwater Films (Ross Kemp’s Rwanda and right now in Syria on multiple ing education, health and human trafficking. Council of Europe (PACE), as well as the fronts, contributing to a massive “This movie’s a great opportunity to tell a newly-elected PACE vice president, delivered global refugee crisis. story that needs to be told, to help engage the her first speech in her new position in Unfortunately, the words ‘never healing of something that happened at a spe- Strasbourg calling on to assume collective again’ seem like just words when cific time and place, but it also reminds us that responsibility towards the structure and take we recall these mass executions of it’s happening now and reminds us what to look steps to reveal corruption scandal, reports the twentieth century, as well as for,” Cornell told Rolling Stone earlier this year. Armenpress. renewed racism and prejudice “You can see it now in Syria, where you have “For me it’s a very symbolic moment since around the world. Even in the US, one regime that is trying to deny any [killing] is this is my first speech as head of Armenia’s the warning signs — isolating happening and you have ISIS on the other side delegation at PACE. I am very happy to groups based on race and religion who is targeting a different group and advertis- return to the Assembly. I have worked here — are evident. We really need to ing it.” (See related editorial on Page 18.) for 3-5 years which means that I am not new tell these stories and keep telling “The hope is that we don’t forget the past but member in PACE”, Hovhannisyan said. them in as many different ways as that we also are able to shift gears and focus on She expressed concern that the issue of we can. As humans, we have a the people that we can help today and actually Chris Cornell mistrust towards PACE President Pedro tremendous capacity to trudge get engaged and stimulate a sense of altruism Agramunt, corruption scandal and the inves- ahead in our lives and not look at and advocacy for those who are in danger,” tigation over the case are included in the “Libya’s Migrant Hell”), Keo Films (Exodus: the difficult and challenging moments... but I Esrailian said. “A lot of the same patterns and agenda’s Progress report. “Now we are fac- Our Journey To Europe), Nazik Armenakyan think it’s important. Educating ourselves on techniques used to oppress others or to violate ing a situation where everyone can speak (Survivors), Human Rights Watch, Refugee the past is the best way to understand the pre- human rights have been replicated over and about a person who has zero confidence in Rescue, and Nobel Peace Prize Recipient sent and avoid future atrocities by understand- over again that if we draw attention to it, we this Assembly. Everyone can state that he Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans ing and intervening. We must educate and can raise the alarm and have people intervene. has no dignity, everyone can assist that he is Frontières (MSF). stand as one to combat this fear and violence, Everyone can do something, even if it’s local or corrupt and is engaged in a number of At the time of the song’s release Cornell said, and as citizens of the world, work to protect abroad. People don’t have to feel like they’re actions which oppose PACE values,” “The Promise to me is mainly about paying each other’s human rights.” helpless.” Hovhannisyan said. She stated that at the moment there is a cri- sis of trust in the structure due to the activities of the PACE president. Hovhannisyan said this situation is unacceptable and asked for action to remedy the situation. “Dear colleagues, we have inherited this Assembly from two political figures as a cra- dle of democracy, from those who really appreciated these values, and now we need to assume responsibility for these values. We are those people who form the face of the Assembly. Therefore, we need to decide who must present it and who can take actions on behalf of the Assembly. And this means that we need to show our stance towards that per- son. In conclusion, I want to call on taking action. Either we assume collective responsi- bility toward PACE or our attitude toward it changes, and we start react to it not as a cra- dle of democracy, but as a place of express- ing views of several reporters. We need to really understand that this is very important for all of us,” Hovhannisyan said.

Knights of Vartan Awards Scholarships at Annual Event for Armenian Students SCHOLARSHIPS, from page 1 The college scholarship is exclusive to stu- dents with familial ties to the Knights of Vartan and requires a completed year of study and a transcript to qualify. All the high school graduates received a certificate of appreciation from Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian’s office, along with a copy of The Armenian Diaspora Project by Scout Tufenkjian, and a gift card for school supplies from Ararat Lodge. Nigoghos Atinizian, past Grand Commander of the Knights of Vartan, addressed the 130 people in attendance, 16 of whom were the high school graduates: Eva Marie Medzorian, Shant Arakelian, Tina Kotikian, Katarina Nalbandian, Elizabeth Santourian, Natalie Ourfalian, Alexis Cormier, Anoush Gigarjian, Taline Guzelian, Alec Maserejian, Joseph Hajjar, Daron Hamparian, Vasken Kebabjian, Andre Kotikian, Garen Soukiasian and Nareg Kalaydjian. In his comments he stressed the importance of service in the Armenian com- munity. Besides recognizing the achievements of young Armenian high school graduates, this initiative provides an opportunity for youth, from different towns and schools, to congre- gate, network, and interact with one anoth- er.